Agent Zero MIA, D-Harris to the Rescue and College B-Ball Insight

So much basketball on today. I feel like my brain is about to explode, and I'm using this blog as a rag.

I'll start with the big news of the day. Gilbert Arenas, arguably the second best basketball blogger in the world, will go under the knife and miss the next three months. Funny thing is, two nights ago I actually sent a comment to my buddy Colin, an avid Wizards' fan, about how despite the slow start things were starting to even out, and that once they got a healthy Arenas back things would really start to click together like laminate flooring. So much for that.

Actually, in all seriousness, I still think the Wizards will be okay. As long as they hover around .500 until Agent Zero snaps back into action, they'll still make the playoffs, and I think with the team that they have and especially being in the Least (despite Stephen A. Smith's cute commercial with Carmelo Anthony I still think the East is the JV league) .500 is a realistic goal. The big thing for them is they cannot lose another one of the big three. Losing Arenas last year hurt, but losing Caron Butler really compounded things. He's not going to drop 39 every night(great win by the way), but him and Antawn Jamison are good enough to split Arenas' scoring production.

Plus, even if they do fade, Arenas' blog will be enough to keep Wizards' fans content.

I told myself before the beginning of the season I wouldn't get too excited about the Dallas Mavericks in the regular season, but... damn. They're off to a 9-2 start, and aside from two inexplicable losses to Atlanta and Portland, they're starting to establish themselves as the team to beat in the West. I know it's early, but come on: almost every NBA pundit out there admits that in one way, shape or form the championship is going to go through Texas, and the Mavs are 3-0 against they're brethren from that region, including a gutsy win tonight against the Rockets. In consecutive nights they have overcome huge deficits to seal wins. The craziest part about it is that Dirk Nowitzki still hasn't found his touch. Of course, he hasn't had to thanks to stellar play from Josh Howard , JasonTerry , and a break-out year thus far for Devin Harris . I know it's too early to talk title with this team, but if they can sustain this effort throughout the season and avoid a match-up with Golden State, that elusive championship could be theirs. And I could die a happy man.


I can already tell this is going to be a special college basketball season. When David Stern first dropped the "at least one year out of high school rule", I thought it was dumb. I mean, how can you make someone go to school who doesn't want to? Shit, make Michelle Wie go to school before turning pro.

But, while I still don't agree with the rule fully, this legislation has definitely benefitted the college game. I've been a basketball fan for a long time; hell, who remembers Bulls vs. Lakers? I'm telling you: I have never seen such a deep class of freshman. It's ridiculous.

Michael Beasley . Derrick Rose. O.J.Mayo. Eric Gordon(whom I think is the best of the bunch). Kevin Love(no disrespect intended yesterday, buddy). Those guys are game changers, guys who would probably have been starters or at least rotation players in the NBA this year. Having these guys in college uniforms, albeit probably for only one year, drastically alters the landscape of college ball.

The Sonics should honestly tank this year, and even if they don't do it intentionally, they probably will have one of the three worst records in the NBA. That means that even if they miss out in the lottery like the Celtics and Grizzlies did last season, they'll end up with one of those guys. Could you imagine Rose or Mayo throwing oops to Kevin Durant for the next ten years, wherever the hell the Sonics end up!? Jesus.

But, enough peddling around with the future. I did get a chance to watch some basketball today. Even though Marquette lost to Duke today, I walked away with a good impression from them. They'll definitely be a team to watch come March, and although they're overshadowed by Georgetown and Louisville in the Big East, it wouldn't surprise me to see them in the Sweet Sixteen.

Much to my dismay, the Duke Blue Devils also left a positive impression. To me they seem more athletic than last year, and having a player like Kyle Singler who creates match-up problems will really help them. If Greg Paulus (too lazy to find a link) reminds people why he was the number one point guard in his class, then they may have a surprise in store for North Carolina (that, and maybe it'll inspire me to link him).

Maryland could be in for a looooooooooong season. Against UCLA and Missouri, they went a combined 1/25 from the three-point line. Oh, and they also turned the ball over close to 50 times (not hyperbole). Maybe all is not lost, however, because despite those two insane stats, the Terps were actually in both of those ball games. Interesting.

And, if you attend the University of Maryland and happen to run into Eric Hayes (whom I will refuse to link until he takes more than 10 shots in a game, I don't care if he's a senior by the time that happens), please inform him that he's the best shooter on a team that has not proven that it can make perimeter shots. Girls, if you see this man at a party, make him take you back to the Courtyards (or wherever the hell these guys are staying now), and hook-up with him. Afterwards, leave a comment on my blog telling me if or if not he has a pair.

Uh-oh, I may get in trouble for that one...