Bleacher Report - Articles by Efrem Owens

Shaq Would Bring Absolutely N-O-T-H-I-N-G to the Mavericks

Efrem Owens — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:31:28 -0400

Word On The Street (WOTS) is the Dallas Mavericks will seek a trade for Shaquille O’Neal a.k.a Shaq in the very near future. The sources of these rumors are being fueled by several things.

First, there’s Shaq’s somewhat cozy friendship with Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. WOTS is they Twitter, email, and speak with each other on the telephone from time to time.

Second, an alleged un-named "mutual friend" of Shaq and Cuban alleges “O'Neal is making no secret of his desire privately (to play for the Mavericks) and that after the season it won't be private anymore," as reported in an April 7, 2008, story on DallasBasketball.com.

And lastly, there were Shaq's comments after the Suns were blown out 140-116 by the Mavericks in a nationally televised game on April 5, 2009. A game, by the way, that had the Suns won, would have put them within two games of the Mavericks for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Shaq proudly quipped: “There are two types of business owners. Do you want to win or do you want to save money? Period. I don't know which camp Suns owner Robert Sarver sleeps in, but Cuban spends money. I don't think he wants to save money."

He went on to say: "I've been around 17 years and that's what it is. You either want to win and don't really care about the salary cap; or you want to be under the salary cap. At the end of the season, I'm sure everybody will be prepared for whatever happens."

Oh, in case you’re wondering, Shaq scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 27 minutes of play.

Montezuma's Revenge Of The Mouth

Well, well, well. What a surprise. The Big Back-Stabber had struck again. His quote showed zero respect to and for the man who is paying him $20 million dollars in salary—this and next year—for averaging 18 points and 8.6 rebounds a game.

Or, in the single most important game of the Suns’ season, giving Mr. Sarver the aforementioned 14 points and seven rebounds.

Since The Big Disrespector joined the Suns, he has taken Mr. Sarver's franchise from a first round sweep in last season’s playoffs to not making the playoffs at all this season. If he isn’t traded this offseason, $20 million will get Mr. Sarver a severe bout of pouting followed by a series of injuries of unknown origin and severity.

For proof, see the Big FullOfCrap’s last season and a half in Miami before being traded to Phoenix.

Being in the league for 17 years has provided The Big Back-Stabber with enough cash to afford the finest cutlery in which to invest for his stabbing sprees of team owners, management, coaches, teammates, and journalists who have dared to call him out, not kiss his butt and/or let him have his way. I would venture to say more people can tell us how Shaq’s ass tastes than Kobe's.

Shaq brings Absolutely N-O-T-H-I-N-G to the Mavericks

The Mavericks’ fan base is one of the best in the NBA. They don't need Shaq in order to sell the arena out. They have team leaders in Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, and Josh Howard.

They are not a team that is “one missing piece away from a championship.” Well, at least not a “piece” with an exorbitant salary and matching ego, who doesn’t play defense and who thinks the team should revolve around him.

The last team fitting that description was the Phoenix Suns. They went out and got that so-called “missing piece” from the Miami Heat in exchange for the most athletic and best defensive player on the team. Ever since that deal was consummated, Planet Orange has been spinning off-axis and losing stability.

The current Mavericks team is sans egos and genuinely loves playing with one another. They don't mind sharing the ball and/or the spotlight. They don't mind it when Dirk shoots 25 times a game. They don't mind it when Howard shoots 15 times a game. They don't mind it when Terry shoots 20 times a game.

In those players alone, we're talking about scoring averages of 25, 19, and 18 points per game.

Jason Kidd, while being the consummate point guard who’d rather distribute than shoot the rock, is still capable of going on a scoring binge if that’s what the team needs. However, with Nowitzki, Howard, and Terry on the floor, Kidd’s scoring prowess is rarely needed, if ever.

So where does Shaq and his demand for the ball fit into that equation? He doesn't, without severely rocking the boat to a much larger extent than what he's done in Phoenix.

While he may start out talking about how he just wants to fit in—yada, yada, yada—it'll only take a two to three game losing streak before The BigAllAboutMe surfaces saying "I need to get more shots if we want to win."

Hmmm…I wonder if the rest of Suns would beg to differ with that sentiment as they sat at home and watched the Mavericks advance to the second round of the playoffs.

It’s a known fact that Shaq doesn't play well or get along with others if he's not getting his way. Because there are no dominate personalities on the current Mavericks roster, he would undoubtedly takeover the locker room. While demanding the ball on the offensive end, he’d be a huge liability on the defensive end just as he’s been with the Suns.

Shaq’s only desire is to score points and stay relevant in the ever changing NBA landscape. He could care less about rebounding, as evidenced by his paltry 8.6 boards a game.

For a guy who constantly strokes his own ego by proclaiming himself to be the "most dominant ever (MDE)," you’d think the least he would do is average double figures in rebounds. His 8.4 boards a game places him 28^th in league. That is three spots behinds a certain small forward for which he was traded.

Additionally, his presence in the Suns’ lineup hasn’t improved the Suns at all, despite the presence of perennial All-Stars Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire. In fact, they have got significantly worse since his arrival.

Mark Cuban Is A Savvy Businessman

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is, shall I say, unconventional in his approach. I like that style as I too am almost the exact same way. Nevertheless, as far as Cuban goes, unconventional doesn't equate to dummy or irrational.

After all, Cuban didn't become a billionaire by osmosis or by winning a lottery. The guy is a very shrewd businessman. Dan Snyder (owner of the Washington Redskins) does not make a Mark Cuban.

One of Cuban's greatest attributes, and a very important reason for his financial success, is his loyalty to his employees. Bringing in Shaq will test the very fabric of his loyalty to the Big three plus Kidd, not to mention the loyalty of the fans who have been there through thick and thin from day one.

Shaq and Cuban may be friends off of the court, but business is business, and Cuban doesn’t fool around in this area. He has the ability to keep them separate and I think he will do so in this matter.

If not, he risks tearing his team, and inevitably the fan base, apart by bringing an "I" guy into a locker room of "we" guys.

Did Percy Harvin's 4.41-Second 40 Time Drop Him Out of the First Round?

Efrem Owens — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:18:39 -0500

"With the 27th pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts select Percy Harvin, Wide Receiver, University of Florida."

There was a time in the not too distant past those words were almost sure to be uttered by Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Most so-called draft experts had Harvin going to the Colts with the 27th pick. That prediction was assuming he’d run in low 4.3's or in the 4.2's. Urban legend had it that he ran a 4.32 his freshman year at UF. So it wasn’t outside of the realm of impossibility that he’d run a 4.2 or a 4.3.

But it didn’t happen. Harvin ran a 4.41, making him the seventh-fastest wide receiver at the combine. His bench press (19 reps of 225 lbs.) ranked fifth among receivers. Most hurtful to him was his refusal to participate in any other drills—especially the running of the "route tree."

Most mock drafts had four receivers being taken in the first round. Harvin was ranked as the third-best receiver of the group behind Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech and Jeremy Crabtree of Missouri.

That all changed with Harvin’s combine performance.

Darius Heyward-Bey is now the third receiver after his outstanding combine performance. Kenny Britt of Rutgers may have also moved ahead of Harvin because of his combination of size and speed. Possibly even Hakeem Nicks has passed him because of his size, speed, and having played in a pro-style offense at North Carolina.

Harvin needed a “jaw dropping” combine because he lacks a defined position. The question being asked has to be, "is he a running back or wide receiver?" Due to his disappointingly average 40-time, the question of him not having a defined position becomes even more pronounced.

Harvin measured out at 5'11" 202 pounds. He's never exclusively been a running back. And based on his myriad of injuries at UF, his body cannot handle the punishment that comes with the position.

He's also never been a wide receiver that ran pro-style routes during his college career. That’s why his refusal to show NFL GM's and coaches that he could indeed run NFL-type routes was such a shocker to everyone in the business.

Of note, Harvin said he will run the route tree as well as perform other skill tests at UF’s Pro Day on March 18. But for intents and purposes, that could be a month and a half late and $10 million short.

Unlike DeSean Jackson (California Bears/Philadelphia Eagles), Harvin doesn't contribute on special teams. While Jackson wasn't a very polished receiver, he was drafted high in the second round because of his punt and kick return abilities. He was able to contribute right away to the Eagles because of his special teams prowess.

The same can be said about Devin Hester of the Chicago Bears. He too was a high draft pick because of special teams abilities. He also was a player without a defined position having played both cornerback and wide receiver at University of Miami. Now in his third year with the Bears, he is just starting to understand the intricacies of being an NFL wide receiver.

For those reasons, I think there is zero chance of Harvin, an enigma (position wise), being selected in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. The combine results showed NFL GM’s and coaches there are "true wide receivers" available who run just as fast, if not faster, than Harvin.

While Harvin is a really good player, the offensive system in which the Gators run has become quite the hindrance to his dreams of being a first-round draft pick. Unfortunately for him, that system doesn't provide for very many transferable skills to take to the next level.

In today's “win right now” NFL, no team can afford to carry a high-priced first round pick for 2-3 years while he learns a position; especially if that draft pick is unable to contribute to the team in another area.

4.41 40-yard dash. Sounds pretty fast to me. But in the world of the NFL, that makes Harvin nothing more than another in a long line of guys that run fast.

Best of luck to you P-Harv.

Peace

2008 Florida State Seminoles: Past, Present, & Future

Efrem Owens — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 09:32:52 -0400

2008 Florida State Seminoles

The Past

Two national championships (1993 and 1999). Top-five finishes in the AP Poll for 14-straight years from 1987 through 2000. An incredible 109-13-1 win-loss record in the 1990s.

Two Heisman Trophy winners: quarterbacks Charlie Ward in 1993 & Chris Weike in 2000.

12 ACC championships.

20-13-2 in 35 bowl games.

50 former Seminoles currently on NFL rosters.

The Present

In 2007, several FSU football players, including some starters, were accused of cheating in a music history class. 22 of the 36 football players missed the Music City Bowl. Additionally, those same players will also miss up to the first four games of the 2008 season.

No. 18-ranked Wake Forest comes to Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday. There was a time in the not-too-distant past when the Seminoles would summarily dismiss the Deacons as not being worthy of their having to break a sweat in order to win.

My, oh my, have times changed. Two straight wins, including a 30-0 shellacking at Doak Campbell in 2006, have both players and coaches using Saturday's game as a measuring stick for the state of the program.

Pundits are saying the Seminoles must win to advance their credibility and their claim of a changed program. "I think it could be a turning point because it would be winning another football game," Offensive Coordinator Jimbo Fisher said.

Offense

The Seminoles' two quarterbacks, Christian Ponder and D'Vontrey Richardson, both redshirt sophomores, rank first and second in the ACC in pass efficiency. However improved their play has been over the Drew Weatherford/Xavier Lee years, it hasn't gone without its hiccups.

The "bad" Ponder has often made the wrong read and thrown to the wrong receiver. The "bad" Richardson has fumbled numerous snaps but managed to turn a negative into a positive with his superior athletic prowess.

The "good" Ponder has six TDs in his first two starts. Those numbers are equal to Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward's first two starts.

Nevertheless, I’ll take their hiccups over the 51 touchdowns and 53 interceptions we got from “WeatherLee”.

The resurgence of the Seminoles offense is further exemplified by the fact that they have already produced five plays of 40 or more yards. A year ago, they had only four such plays all season. Two years ago, they had only two.

Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention a marked improvement from the offensive line. The depth chart at this position could resemble a daycare because of its youth. The line is anchored by sophomores Ryan McMahon (a converted D-lineman) and Rodney Hudson. They were both freshman All-America in 2007.

The other three starters are either true freshmen or redshirt freshmen. The lone senior is Joe Tonga, who just transferred to FSU before the season started. Otherwise, the two deep consists of two sophomores and six freshmen.

Defense

A whole lot of commentary isn’t needed on this side of the ball. As any astute football fan knows, a weak offense makes even a stellar defense all of a sudden become mediocre. Of course, that’s not to say this side of the ball isn’t without its issues.

Defensive Coordinator Mickey Andrews loves to play what I called the Oakland Raiders defense. For those fans old enough to remember, the Raiders defense was simply horrifying to opponents.

Their corners—Mike Haynes and Lester Hayes—were in-your-face, man-to-man defenders. They maimed and mauled receivers and funneled them to the middle, where menacing safety Jack Tatum made their visits very unpleasant. This was all made possible by an unblockable and relentless front seven.

That was FSU during that remarkable & unmatched run in '90s. This was FSU in 2000-2001. Since then, and while the 'Noles' defense has been very good, it hasn’t reached the level that made FSU the college football team of the decade.

Lack of elite talent at the defensive positions contributed mightily to this decline. At the same time though, the linebacker position became the strength of the defense.

The two most-recent recruiting classes have addressed the defensive-end position. Junior college All–America transfer Markus White, along with returning starter Everrette Brown, are being mentioned as the second coming of Peter Boulware & Reinard Wilson.

The interior of the line is anchored by strong man Paul Griffin and madman Budd Thacker. That is, once they get back from suspension.

Again, youth is well served on defense. The three-deep depth chart lists only eight seniors. Of those eight, only four are starters and/or significant contributors.

The Future

Excitement reigns about the 'Noles’ future. The shaking up of the coaching staff has brought back a bounce in the steps of 'Noles fans around the country.

The attitude of the players, as well as coaches for the first two games of this year is a 200 percent turn around from the years 2001-2007. Credit for that goes to coaches Jimbo Fisher, Dexter Carter, Lawrence Dawsey, James Coley, Todd Stroud, and Terrell Buckley.

They are a group of young coaches who understand and can relate to today’s athletes. Young coaches who have the energy to hit the recruiting trail and set the kids up for final visit from the granddaddy of them all, Bobby Bowden.

Young coaches who played in the NFL in the not too distant past. Young coaches who have credibility when they say, “Son, I’ve been there.” Young coaches who have returned back to Tallahassee to coach under the man many called “dad” during and after their college days at FSU.

Yes, FSU is 2-0 after playing against Western Carolina and UT-Chattanooga. But it’s the way they won those games that excites the 'Nole Nation. They flat-out dominated like the 'Noles of the '90s. They emptied the bench and played everybody (including walk-ons) like the Noles of the '90s.

A message from the players to the rest of the teams on this year’s schedule. You’d better get us this year, because we'll be all grown up and experienced come next year...And for many years to come.