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The biggest benefit of having NBA League Pass is that I get to see every team in the league. I was an NBA fan for decades before I got the League Pass, but I'll never not have it again -- it's that cool. Seeing every team lets me get a look at a lot more players than just the same ones who show up on TNT and ESPN (do they even show games if Wade, LeBron or Kobe aren't involved?). I really like being able to check out players who get little or no ink, but when you see them, they really can play -- guys I wouldn't mind seeing in a Wizards uniform. In years past, I'd put players like David West and Boris Diaw in this category. Here's a few guys who I think are a lot better than the pub they're getting this year:

Linas Kleiza -- A solid SF at 6-8, 245, Kleiza can shoot from the outside and get his shot off around the basket as well. He's averaging 11 points and 4 board this season, and shoots well from the floor and the line (and passably from 3-point range) but what has struck me most is his attitude. He's just a hard-case who doesn't take shit from anyone. Has sort of a serial-killer look in his eye -- the kind of guy I'd much rather have on my team than against me.

Joel Pryzbilla -- He's pretty much been a goon his entire career, but this season, he's been an effective goon. Doesn't score much, but he shoots a high percentage from the field, and his main strengths are shotblocking and rebounding. He's just an old-school enforcer, and if you drive the lane on him, you can expect to be picking yourself up off the floor at the end of it.

Matt Bonner -- He was a free agent a few seasons ago, and I coveted him for the Wizards, but I think we landed AD that summer instead. I prefer AD, but Bonner would be a good addition to a lot of teams. Unlike Kleiza and Pryzbilla, he's not a regular, but he can shoot the 3 (.411 this season) and is 21-for-21 from the line this year. He's only averaging 7 points and 4 boards, but he makes the most of his minutes, and he always plays like a pro. A good roleplayer. He reminds me of Darius Songaila, but a better rebounder and with 3-point range -- and at half the price.

Francisco Garcia and John Salmons -- I guess you could make the case that every member of the Kings is unsung, but these guys are rarely ever mentioned, they both have dynamic offensive games with good shooting numbers, and they just no how to play. Salmons is more quiet, but Garcia plays with a mean streak.

There are a couple other guys who I'd put on the list, but my baby's waking up from a nap, so I'll end this here.

This represents the view of the user who wrote the FanPost, and not the entire Bullets Forever community. We're a place of many opinions, not just one.

0 recs  |  Comment 9 comments

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Joel Pryzibilla
No nominating yourself, VG.
Bullets Forever: Your place for the very latest in Wizards news and PhD-level analysis.

by JakeTheSnake on Jan 1, 2008 1:59 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

How 'bout the announcers?
Any announcing teams you enjoy? I like Buck and Phil well enough but don't think that they're great. Especially Phil. I used to catch parts of Bulls games on WGN and felt like Johnny Kerr and whomever the play by play guy is were the worst homers I'd ever seen. Of course I never actually heard Johnny Most of the Celtics, so they could only be the second worst ever.

by hotplate on Jan 1, 2008 12:20 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Heh
I've got a restless one-year-old, so by the time I'm ready to settle in for most of my NBA-watching, he's generally sleeping. I tend to watch with the sound off so I don't disturb him, and I don't end up hearing the announcers. I make a point to watch the Suns whenever I can, and I think those guys are decent.

Perhaps the strongest impression of an NBA announcer I ever had was wondering why in the world Tommy Heinsohn did national broadcasts of Celtics games when he was so openly rooting for them. Now that he only works for Boston, it makes more sense.

As for Buchhanz and Chenier, they're fine. I could do without so many daggers, but I guess it's Steve's signature.

"Now, obviously individual production does not unilaterally equal better team production, but there's a high level of causation."

by Vanilla Gorilla on Jan 1, 2008 1:14 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I Wish
Man, I wish I had the time to watch more than just the Wizards!  Back when I was single, I would easily pay for NBA League Pass, and probably NFL Sunday Ticket too.  But with a wife, a two-year-old, and another small one on the way, I barely have enough time to watch every Wizards game.

It would be interesting to see other teams that don't normally make the national broadcasts play.  The teams I'm most curious about this year are the Trailblazers and the Grizzlies.  I'm curious about Portland because they seem to be playing so good despite their complete overhaul this off-season that seemed to most people to be in preparation for a rebuilding year.  If 18-13 is a rebuilding year, then the Wizards should rebuild as soon as possible!  And this is without their prized draft pick Greg Oden, wow!

I'm curious about Memphis because I want to figure out how a team can play so badly when they appear to have so much talent.  They sure didn't look like an 8-22 team when the Wizards played them a couple of months ago.  Pau Gasol and JCN seemed like really good players, so what's the problem with this team?

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Jan 1, 2008 5:22 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

the ticket is pretty great
If you don't have little ones running around the ticket is well worth the money...pretty much phenomenal. I agree with the Kleiza call - he's stuck on a team loaded with scorers but he could do real damage on a team that needs offensive help. Can't get on board with Pryzbilla call though - he is a poor man's Mel Turpin (just wanted to mention Turpin). Memphis is better than their record. I was watching about a month ago and as they lost at the buzzer to Portland one of the Memphis announcers just goes "how many times?" so I think they have lost a lot of tough games. Fun catching parts of games involving either Phoenix, Portland (loaded with young talent), Toronto (Calderon most underrated player in nba) and Memphis is somewhat fun to watch.

by Moonman on Jan 3, 2008 10:28 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Yup
It's especially good for West Coast games. I don't think it's a coincidence that my list of underexposed gems includes all guys out West. Sure there are undervalued players on this side of the country, but the media pay so much less attention to the West that there are bound to be more there. Getting to see Golden State run around like a bunch of cheetahs and watching guys like Kevin Martin and Elton Brand play (not this season, obviously) are real treats, but the League Pass is pretty much the only way to do it.

As for the family obstacles, they worked in my favor last season, when our newborn son was going through the worst of his cholic. I spent many nights holding and rocking him while watching League Pass games late into the night.

This season -- he's sleeping better (as we all are), but I'm seeing less hoops.

"Now, obviously individual production does not unilaterally equal better team production, but there's a high level of causation."

by Vanilla Gorilla on Jan 3, 2008 11:12 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

VG
Those are five outstanding calls.  
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Jan 3, 2008 2:18 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Thanks
For the record, I just re-read my original post and noticed a couple editing errors, which is amusing in light of my nitpicking of your game thread last night.
"Now, obviously individual production does not unilaterally equal better team production, but there's a high level of causation."

by Vanilla Gorilla on Jan 3, 2008 3:52 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

salmons
I've never actually seen Salmons play, but I love his stats. He was an early season pick up for my fantasy team and has been consistently good throughout. Loved Garcia when he was at Louisville! Glad to see that he's putting it all together.

by hotplate on Jan 4, 2008 12:29 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

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