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Showing posts with label NBA Draft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NBA Draft. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Kenny "The Jet" Smith Talks Draft, Free Agency and Worldwide Wes with Cadillac Mescallade
With the NBA Draft tipping off tonight in New York City, TNT NBA analyst and former NBA guard Kenny "the Jet" Smith was kind of enough to spend a few minutes with HHR. Kenny is in the news for a tongue-in-cheek petition to reinstate the two dollar bill to coincide with Taco Bell's $2 Meal Deals.
We all know what Charles Barkley has done for the "box that rocks" with Taco Bell. Kenny jokingly assured us he isn't following in Charles' footsteps, because if that were the case there might not be any $2 meals left.
We touched on a wide variety of NBA topics, and here's what Jet had to say.
On the chemistry of he and Charles Barkley Inside the NBA...
It just kind of naturally happens, it's like when you have friend, you have chemistry with him or you don't. It's nothing that we plan or plot, I think we are so enthusiastic about the game of basketball which leads to good conversation. Once you lead to good conversation it leads to good television.
On John Wall's best attribute or skillset...
I think he has alot of skill sets and I don't know if he has one that is best. His infectious way of playing, I think that is going to carry him a long way in the point guard position
Free agency, how much movement?
There's gonna be movement for sure, there are too many great players available and when you have that many loaded up with free agency I don't think your gonna have a consistent 7-8 guys staying at home and staying with the teams they play on, I think there will be 7-8 guys that might move over to somewhere, there will be about 7-8 players that will move.
As a New York guy, where is Lebron headed, possible to the Knicks?
(Laughs) I think Lebron James has been playing it close to the vest for the last two months and we are all waiting in the wings to figure it out. I don't think anyone has the upper hand or any team has a clear advantage.
If not Lebron, who is good for NY?
When you don't make the playoffs there is no one guy or two guys that you don't need. They're in a position of having a need in all areas.
His career in free agency, how did it compare to these days...
Well I think its a different era in terms of that. By the time I was a free agent I was in my fifth year, my decision was based solely on what players they had there, period. It had nothing to do with as much financially, everything was going to be about the same financially so it was all about the players that were there and would we have a chance to win an NBA championship and could I be a part of that puzzle.
Evolution of NBA Draft, any changes since his time (Smith was the 6th overall pick in 1987)?
The draft hasn't changed, it's still exciting stuff for players and family are involved, its an opportunity that people get to be a part of and its always exciting
Worldwide Wes, is he that well connected as articles and news pieces report?
Some of it's fact, some it's fiction. It's like the fish...how big is the fish you caught? There are a lot of guys in basketball, Wes included, that have been an integral part in helping guys guide their carers. He's no different form the rest. Lately the players he's been involved with have been better players. There are guys that are involved with 7th and 8th man on the team they just haven't been the best players. It's just a great cycle for him in terms of the guys he's involved with are very good players and now he's parlayed that into representing coaches.
William Wesley with LeBron James. (Paul Sancya/Associated Press)
Knicks back in playoffs?
It all depends on this summer, until we see what they have after July, then we'll know when they can make the playoffs or not.
We all know what Charles Barkley has done for the "box that rocks" with Taco Bell. Kenny jokingly assured us he isn't following in Charles' footsteps, because if that were the case there might not be any $2 meals left.
We touched on a wide variety of NBA topics, and here's what Jet had to say.
On the chemistry of he and Charles Barkley Inside the NBA... It just kind of naturally happens, it's like when you have friend, you have chemistry with him or you don't. It's nothing that we plan or plot, I think we are so enthusiastic about the game of basketball which leads to good conversation. Once you lead to good conversation it leads to good television.
On John Wall's best attribute or skillset...
I think he has alot of skill sets and I don't know if he has one that is best. His infectious way of playing, I think that is going to carry him a long way in the point guard position
Free agency, how much movement?
There's gonna be movement for sure, there are too many great players available and when you have that many loaded up with free agency I don't think your gonna have a consistent 7-8 guys staying at home and staying with the teams they play on, I think there will be 7-8 guys that might move over to somewhere, there will be about 7-8 players that will move.
As a New York guy, where is Lebron headed, possible to the Knicks?(Laughs) I think Lebron James has been playing it close to the vest for the last two months and we are all waiting in the wings to figure it out. I don't think anyone has the upper hand or any team has a clear advantage.
If not Lebron, who is good for NY?
When you don't make the playoffs there is no one guy or two guys that you don't need. They're in a position of having a need in all areas.
His career in free agency, how did it compare to these days...
Well I think its a different era in terms of that. By the time I was a free agent I was in my fifth year, my decision was based solely on what players they had there, period. It had nothing to do with as much financially, everything was going to be about the same financially so it was all about the players that were there and would we have a chance to win an NBA championship and could I be a part of that puzzle.
Evolution of NBA Draft, any changes since his time (Smith was the 6th overall pick in 1987)?
The draft hasn't changed, it's still exciting stuff for players and family are involved, its an opportunity that people get to be a part of and its always exciting
Worldwide Wes, is he that well connected as articles and news pieces report?
Some of it's fact, some it's fiction. It's like the fish...how big is the fish you caught? There are a lot of guys in basketball, Wes included, that have been an integral part in helping guys guide their carers. He's no different form the rest. Lately the players he's been involved with have been better players. There are guys that are involved with 7th and 8th man on the team they just haven't been the best players. It's just a great cycle for him in terms of the guys he's involved with are very good players and now he's parlayed that into representing coaches.
William Wesley with LeBron James. (Paul Sancya/Associated Press)Knicks back in playoffs?
It all depends on this summer, until we see what they have after July, then we'll know when they can make the playoffs or not.
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Wednesday, June 24, 2009
It's Not Unusual
In addition to having "tremendous upside" and being very "long," scouting reports indicate that UConn Center Hasheem Thabeet's name roughly tranlates to "Carlton Banks" from Tanzanian-to-English.
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Rubio to Become First Member of Menudo Ever Selected in NBA Draft
Barring some unforseen event, flashy Point Guard Ricky Rubio, of Puerto Rican boy band Menudo fame, is expected to become the band's first member ever taken in an NBA draft tomorrow in NYC.
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Blake Griffin is Just a Simple Caveman...
Your NBA draft frightens and confuses him. Because he's a caveman -- that's the way he thinks.
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Thursday, May 8, 2008
HHR Exclusive Part 2: Zach Feinstein on Illegitimate Children, T-Mac, Oden & Erin Andrews
Below is part 2 of our conversation with NBA draft hopeful Zach Feinstein, information on whom can be found at his website www.DraftFeinstein.com.Click here for Part 1 of the interview.
Hugging Harold Reynolds: You have noted your physical likeness to Herm Klotz, who from the NBA do you most resemble mentally?
Zach Feinstein: Mark Cuban - well you never said it had to be a player (if you hadn't noticed I am a fan of loopholes).
HHR: Are you prepared for your future role as absentee father of several dozen children and how will that affect your free throw percentage?
ZF: I feel this would never happen to me because I have followed the off-court experiences of Shawn Kemp and Karl Malone. As for my free throw percentage, well that can only go up.
HHR: Is this all a ploy to get closer to Erin Andrews? If so, Bravo good sir.
ZF: Which answer would get me the interview with her?
HHR: I swear to God this is true: when I played youth Rec League Basketball I was terrible and frighteningly short. Somehow I managed to grab a rebound and took a shot and made it. Into my own team's basket. The only basket I made all year. What is your most memorable/emotionally scarring basketball memory?
ZF: Whoever said "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" obviously never got trash-talked after missing 20 shots in a row.
Because HHR believes in you, we think you deserve to be asked the same questions of any top draft pick. Here are a few that went to last year's top draft picks:
HHR: How is important is it for you to go No. 1 overall?
ZF: Not very, the site isn't draftfeinsteinnumber1.com.
HHR: What do you think you'll bring to a franchise as far as marketability?
ZF: Since I am at the size and skill level of the average fan, I can make a team appear more fan friendly.
HHR: Good God Greg, you look like someone's grandfather. (you don't have to answer that one)
I'm rather certain this: 1. is not a question and 2. in multiple ways does not apply to me... but I like the comparison to Greg Oden since neither of us played any basketball this year.
HHR: How do you feel about being compared to Tracy McGrady?
ZF: I feel good about it, seems reasonable, we both have won the same number of playoff series.
HHR: Is it true that whichever sneaker company you sign with, you want your shoe to be moderately priced?
ZF: I would not only want that, but demand it. Unless of course the deal is with a maker of driving shoes, then I might fail in negotiating due to my love of driving shoes.
HHR: What's something you learned in college that's going to help you at the next level?
ZF: With all the math courses I am taking, I would probably be an asset in statistically analyzing who should get the ball when the game is on the line.
HHR: Do you feel the league, as it gets faster and smaller, is leaning a bit more toward your style of play?
ZF: If we get rid of that faster part then yes.
HHR: Some people have knocked your toughness and level of aggression. What do you make of that?
ZF: I want to know the last time they have tried to play a sport against people over a foot taller and 100 pounds heavier.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
HHR Exclusive Interview With NBA Draft Hopefull Zach Feinstein
By now, you may have read about Zach Feinstein, a 5'8", 130 pound, D-III Caucasian who does "not play basketball," declaring his eligibility for the upcoming NBA draft.By simply submitting a letter to Commissioner Stern and filling out required paperwork, Feinstein is officially a declared and eligible.
HuggingHaroldReynolds was lucky enough to catch up with the Washington University in St. Louis Junior for what we hope is Part 1 of a multi-part conversation with the baller.
Be sure to visit DraftFeinstein.com for scouting reports, stats, and additional information.
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HuggingHaroldReynolds: Now, we checked the records and you are in fact white and don't play basketball, how does that effect your draft position?
Zach Feinstein: Well every year there are many non-white players, who do actually play basketball. Most of these players go undrafted, so this probably gives me an edge.
HHR: According to math I just did in my head, if you change your last name to a more Eastern European mess of all consonants, it would improve your draft ranking by a factor of 10,000. How far are you willing to go?
ZF: First, 10,000 times 0 is still 0 (I am majoring in math so I'm fairly confident about this). Secondly, this may have worked if it weren't for Nikoloz Tskitishvili.
HHR: Will you simultaneously be lobbying for a "lightning round" based on trivia?
ZF: Good suggestion, the less time a team has to think about it, the more likely they are to take me.
HHR: Would you consider playing a year in China just to look taller?
ZF: We will see how my Summer in China goes. It really depends on the offer though.
HHR: Have any shoe companies reached out yet for endorsement deals? Vitamin Water?
ZF: Not yet, though I would love to get a shoe deal for driving shoes (I suggest Google-ing these comfortable, comfortable shoes). And although I have gotten multiple offers from people who would love to be my agent, I have turned them all down so far. This has probably hindered my negotiations for endorsement deals.
HHR: Let's be honest, this is also a beauty competition for low market teams looking to give their fans something to come out and see. Do you have a nickname? A signature move/dunk?
ZF: I do not have a nickname. I will be creating a contest on draftfeinstein.com looking for suggestions from readers to come up with my nickname, and this is being announced on Hugging Harold Reynolds first. As for a signature move - that would be creating a website.
HHR: Where did this idea come from? Honestly it's pretty damn funny.
ZF: From the site: "The story begins in April of 2007, when one of my roommates (Dan) suggested that we should declare for the NBA Draft the following year. He, of course, said it jokingly. I, however, thought he was serious."
Just from hearing stories other people have related to me, it seems a lot of people think about doing it every year, but few have the motivation to look into how. Maybe this will help out those who are confused as to how to declare for next year's draft.
HHR: Do you have your draft day suit picked out?
ZF: Well I plan on following the same trend I do for clothes every day; take what is at the top of my dresser.
HHR: What happens if you don't get drafted?
ZF: In that unlikely situation, I will go back to what I was doing last week before the official Early Entry list was released.
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To Be Continued.
UPDATE (5-8-08):
HHR Exclusive Part 2: Zach Feinstein on Illegitimate Children, T-Mac, Oden & Erin Andrews
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