For me, it’s always awkward when I have neglected to do Mid-Atlantic Bias for a day (two in this case). I really feel like I went out for a carton of milk and a pack of smokes and didn’t come back for 3 weeks. Joel Madden should write songs about me, but he’s too busy being in US Weekly, just like Joey Ramone was.
Anywho, I am back two days late because of the holiday on Monday and my apathy yesterday. For those of you who I have neglected to tell, I start work on Monday. I don’t really know what will happen to Mid-Atlantic Bias from here. I can’t imagine that it will go back to its original daily format. At best, I will try to keep it happening twice a week. I can’t really see myself working 9-5 and coming home to research the WNBA to write my mid-season review.
Turning to the World of Woodchopping (or logging) I like 7-time STIHL Timbersports Series Champion Jason Wynard to win this year, just edging out his rival David Blostad. (That’s for you Ian)
As you know, Friday I traveled to Pittsburgh to their beautiful ballpark to see the Pirates and Cubs play. As a sidenote, the Cubs are quickly gaining lots of love from me, likely do in large part to the fact that Willie Randolph still has a job that isn’t at Rita’s this summer, scooping Italian Ice. The game was less than memorable, beyond Carlos Zambrano’s 4 hit day at the plate and the Cubs 12-3 win. Tomorrow, I will rank the 12 Major League Parks I have been to. PNC Park is in the top 5. The Lakers are running away with their series with San Antonio and it looks like my 5 game victory looks to be correct. As for the Celtics/Pistons series, I don’t really know what’s going to happen tonight. It’ll be my Game O’ The Day, I just won’t analyze anything. I never did post my Stanley Cup Final prediction, so I’ll take the Penguins in 7. They’re already in the hole 2-0, so that’s going to look real good if it happens. It is, however, what I would have done at the start of the series. It occurs to me that I have a Mock Draft, that no one cares about, to finish. So I’ll do that, give you the Game O’ The Day, and contemplate the future of Mid-Atlantic Bias. Send along your ideas/preferences. (Go back a couple posts to see the rest of the Mock Draft) 21. Brooklyn Nets What They Need: More Depth Everywhere THE PICK: Bill Walker (SF/Kansas State)
I like Walker more than the guy getting drafted 19 spots ahead of him. He surely doesn’t have the upside of Michael Beasley, but he’s athletic as hell and would really help the Nets bench as Richard Jefferson or Vince Carter’s backup. He could develop into a starter as well, should they choose to trade either or both of R-Jeff or Vince.
22. Orlando Magic
What They Need: Point Guard/Shooting Guard
THE PICK: Davon Jefferson (SF/USC)
While it’s not a point of need, he may be the best player on the board and he fills a sort-of need. Hedo Turkoglu had a great season at the 3, but Jefferson is more conventional wingman. He’s athletic and a polished scorer. And a better bet to be a defensive help than fellow Pac-10 swingman Chase Budinger, who I like about as much as I like bee stings.
23. Utah Jazz
What They Need: A Center
THE PICK: Roy Hibbert (C/Georgetown)
While Hibbert has the nickname “The Big Stiff,” this is the perfect offense for him. Utah is a halfcourt team with a very good power forward and a very good point guard and wing players who can shoot from outside. All Hibbert has to do is stand down low and rebound and block shots. I don’t know how well he’ll do that.
24. Seattle Sonics
What They Need: A Point Guard…Still
THE PICK: JaVale McGee (PF/Nevada)
There are no point guards left worth taking in Round 1, so the Sonics take the best available guy in McGee. I don’t have much to say about him. He played at Nevada.
25. Houston Rockets
What They Need: A new Chinese Center who doesn’t break.
THE PICK: Mareese Speights (C/Florida)
Speights is still young, but he has lots of time to develop playing behind Yao Ming. And he can step in and get some playing time when Yao goes down next year in December with a fractured something-or-other.
26. San Antonio Spurs
What They Need: More Foreign Players.
THE PICK: Serge Ibaka (PF/Congo)
27. New Orleans Hornets
What They Need: A scorer
THE PICK: Chase Budinger (SF/Arizona)
Budinger plays no defense, but he can slash and score. As little as I like him, he’s a pretty good fit in New Orleans.
28. Memphis Grizzlies
What They Need: Can you draft a new GM? No? Hmmm…I don’t know…players???
THE PICK: Ante Tomic (C/Croatia)
The Grizzlies aren’t going to be good anytime soon. So they draft Tomic and leave him overseas until his contract is up. Excited, Grizzlies fans?
29. Detroit Pistons
What They Need: Just depth. More of it.
THE PICK: JJ Hickson (PF/North Carolina State)
I mean, this team shouldn’t be allowed to draft players at this point. That’s my solution. It’s just not fair.
30. Boston Celtics
What They Need: 2-guard.
THE PICK: Chris Douglas-Roberts (SG/Memphis)
A lot has to happen for this to happen. Mainly teams passing on CDR because of his poor free throw shooting. Enough good coaching can solve that problem. I think he’d fit in really well off the bench next year and spot starting to spell Ray Allen. He can develop into a really solid, long, slasher at the 2 in the NBA and would give the Celtics great defensive length in the backcourt. I can’t really say how much I would love this pick for Boston.
Game O’ The Day: If you read today’s entire post, you’d know it already. Also, if you follow sports, you know it.
Do look for today’s USA/England soccer friendly at 3 pm on ESPN Classic. I like the US to pull off a huge international upset 2-1 over the Brits.
Mid-Atlantic Bias 
Congrats on the job!I’m right there with you on CDR. How have I never heard of that fellow from Nevada. 1. Bulls-The Bulls do not need a point guard. Kirk Hinrich is not making 11M to sit on the bench. They do not have a single low post option. Beasley is the easy pick here.2. I’ll assume your draft is accurate, and so Beasley is the right pick here. That franchise is still a disaster, but he’ll help.3. There is no way the TWolves pass on Lopez. He is the third best player in the draft.4. Well, I can’t argue with this pick, though I don’t like it. They just took Mohammed Saer Sene recently, and Petro and Swift need another year. They also have Wilcox signed for two more. I think they need time. I would the foreigner you have going third, and I’d root for another Dirk.5. Memphis is not going to take OJ Mayo, even though they’re dumb. With Crittendon, Navarro, Conley Jr, Lowry, Mike Miller and Rudy Gay already at the 1-3, that’s enough. They have, what, Marc Gasol at the bigs?6. The Knicks will take OJ Mayo, though I think DJ Augustin would fit nicely there.7. No Problem.8. No Problem.9. The Bobcats need to undo the J-Rich for the kid from UNC. They need a big. Give me Arthur here.10. I don’t like this pick. They need a low post scorer, and Jordan is not that. 11. Steal of the draft. Great pick, too. He’ll go higher.12. I think the Kings like Beno Udrih, and both Garcia and Martin play some point. They need a PF to complement Miller and Hawes, and for Williams to backup. Give me the fast rising JJ Hickson.13. PG!!! Give me Westbrook.14. I have no idea who that is.15. No problem.16. Great pick, if he lasts.17. Give me Lopez.18. No problem.19. No problem.20. No problem.21. LOVE Bill Walker. Great pick.22. Eh. Give me some size depth. Koufos would be better here.23. Perfect.24. I still don’t know who that is.25. Good value.26. Heh. No Brainer.27. Terrible pick. They need a wing who can play defense at the 2 next to Peja. Is Reggie Brewer in this draft?28. They should just forfeit.29. When will Amir johnson play!?30. GOD.
I will second the congrats on the job. Some advice, make sure you clean the stains off your blue dress if you meet up with Mr. Clinton.Also please dont end MAB. I read it everyday along with others and it would leave a large hole in my heart. Also how else am I going to find out about the WNBA?Anyhow, good luck at work.