Bleacher Report - Articles by Andrew Willis

Have NBA GMs Completely Lost Their Minds?

Andrew Willis — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:44:18 -0400

So does anyone out there have a legitimate explanation as to why the Detroit Piston would give up Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups for Baron Davis?

Maybe there’s some new drug being passed around by the NBA’s white-collars. Rasho Nesterovic and T.J. Ford for Jermaine O’Neal? Perhaps the NBA GMs have given up on making smart logical decisions because there’s no money it.

If you trade for a big name you’ll bring in big money, regardless if that big name still plays big time basketball.

Think about it—what were the two major trades this year that just completely flopped?

Dallas and Phoenix.

Two Western Conference elites who apparently will stop at nothing to become the next NBA Champion.

Shaquille O’Neal is still a decent inside presence, but some would argue he’s lethargic. Trading Shawn Marion for Shaq was supposed to give the Suns a better inside presence on defense, and offensively, perhaps create a Phoenix version of the ‘Twin Towers’ with Shaq and Amare Stoudemire.

As for the Mavericks, Mark Cuban believed his team needed a leader, a floor-general, a coach on the court. So Dallas went out and pulled off arguably THE blockbuster deal of the season in getting Jason Kidd (and some nobodies) for Devin Harris, DeSagana Diop, Maurice Ager, Trenton Hassell, and Keith Van Horn.

Funnily enough, the two teams that made big trades this season both lost in the first round of the playoffs—and both now have brand-new head coaches.

I guess the league is just weird like that.

So why are so many teams in such a hurry to give away the core players on their teams for some old, worn-out, “I want one more chance at winning a ring before I retire”–type players?

If you know something I don’t and can justify Billups and Wallace for Davis, then please, by all means leave a rebuttal in the comment box below.

Perhaps general managers across the league are trying to tell us something. Maybe there’s a lack of true leadership in the NBA. What else could it be?

Don’t try to tell me for one minute that Jason Kidd is as productive as Harris and Diop, or that Shaq does just as much for Phoenix as Marion did.

Nope.

It’s their mentalities.

What we are seeing is an NBA that lacks mentally tough players. In a league where everybody tries so much to not be a punk, to not be the weakest link, you would think there would be more mentally tough players.

Where have all the closers gone?

Why is the league split in half, with one side encouraging the shot, and the other the shot block?

Why is it that the Western Conference is supposed to be so good, yet two of the last three champions have been from the East, and the last team to win a championship from the West plays like an East team?

They all have closers.

There are only a handful of them in the NBA, and the teams that possess these mentally tough, hardwood warriors don’t seem so drugged-up like their counterparts.

Is Don Imus Immune?

Andrew Willis — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:07:41 -0400

I understand Don Imus, in his heyday, might have actually had a purpose in the media, but why is this guy still on the air?

Why do "shock jocks" still have a place in the medium of radio? Granted, he is on satellite radio, where a subscription is needed, but honestly, does Imus bring enough good to the table for all of the crap that comes out of his mouth?

I view Imus as a public figure who should have faded out a long time ago. Maybe his comments would be taken more lightly in the '70s. Hopefully, up-and-coming broadcasters and journalists will not be inspired by his antebellum comments.

Perhaps it is the consumer's fault.

If we put a "shock jock" on the air, and then he says something shocking, is that not the purpose? I would like to assume that the people at WABC who gave Imus a show knew what they were getting in to. But maybe I've given them too much credit. Maybe Imus has made fools out of all his employers, similar to how he fooled most of America with his pledge to “mend the wounds.”

I am truly having a hard time figuring out which is worse: Imus or his employers.

Imus made statements today on his morning show, which I personally felt were amusing. Everyone should listen to what he said about Pacman, and then listen to his justification. Decide for yourselves.

Any journalist notating what Imus said is not doing the comments justice. It’s almost as if Imus is mocking the public. Having the public believe he’s a crusader for the rights of African Americans. Imus said the misinterpretations of his comments were ridiculous, and that he has a black producer as well as two other black employees.

So let’s give Don Imus and the PR staff over there at WABC FM a pat on the back for trying to present a more image-friendly Don Imus. Should I ask how stupid does Don Imus think we are? Or are we really that stupid?

I think it is clear to everyone that his comments about the cornerback formerly known as Pacman were just as racist as the ones made about the Rutgers women’s basketball team. There’s no beating around the bush on this one.

On the other hand, for all you Pacman fans, take notice to how your cornerback reacts in the days following. He’s already said that he would pray for Imus. That’s a good start in my book.

Adam "Pacman" Jones could use this as fuel for his “I’m a changed man” campaign. A good reaction would garner even more support for his reinstatement. And maybe he’ll finally be rid of "Pacman".

What's Wrong with the WNBA?

Andrew Willis — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 03:50:40 -0400

So what's really wrong with the WNBA?

Why is it that almost immediately following the end of the NBA playoffs, the sports world becomes dry and boring?

Sure, there's baseball and tennis and golf, but hasn't the WNBA made a name for itself yet?

In a sports world where everything seems to come to a complete standstill when summer arrives (barring this summer—thank God for the Olympics), one would think another professional basketball league would be welcomed and garner much attention.

So again I ask—what's really wrong with the WNBA?

Is it the "W" that just kills everybody? Surely, in the land of the free, in the land of equality, women's sports are just as important as men's.

Its almost amusing how people will give these ridiculous excuses to why the WNBA hasn't succeeded, all just to avoid controversy. But let us be real today. The WNBA is failing because it's boring.

Let's not beat around the bush today. Women's basketball is basketball in its purest form—the way the game is supposed to be played.

Okay—so why doesn't anyone like it? Well...ask yourself, would I rather watch Sue Bird take a great pass from one of her teammates and finish with a lay-up, or watch Tracy McGrady grab the board, lead the fast break, and finish with a posterizing dunk on Shawn Bradley?

Don't get me wrong. I like women's basketball just fine and all, but ask me to watch it outside of the NCAA tournament...you've got to be kidding me.

So when I hear the L&A's (Lovers and Apologists) start giving me excuses like "everybody goes on vacation in the summer and so naturally ratings will be lower," I chuckle a little inside and try to keep an understanding face so as to not appear condescending or chauvinistic.

Ultimately the WNBA is going to have find something or someone to market.

Cue: heavenly angels singing. Enter: Candace Parker.

This young lady might not be the answer, but at least she's a strong start. Okay, you have your "face" of the league. Now you need a rival player, team, or something that sparks controversy.

We need some trash-talking, a little in your face action to get the media's attention. I'm not saying we need another Pistons-Pacers brawl, but a little bravado never hurt anyone.

Believe or not, as much as the NBA and NFL discourage trash-talking and animosity among its players, that's a lot of what drives up ratings. It creates a storyline.

Anybody who remembers any storylines in the WNBA, feel free to leave them in the comments down below.

We have to stop acting like this is a perfect world and that the WNBA doesn't need format itself after the NBA to gain public appeal.

The smartest thing the WNBA could ever do is allow the NBA to help it in whatever ways possible.