fknmclane and I hchat via IM about sports. A lot. In order to capture the essence of our geniusness, I'm starting a new, occasional series called "Wasting Time at Work", where we run these IM conversations raw and unfiltered. It's an uncensored behind-the-scenes look at what makes a sports blog tick. You'll be shocked, amazed and enthralled, to be sure. Complete with helpful footnotes!
[09:24] THE DUKE: I had two big realizations watching the Jazz/Lakers game last night
[09:24] THE DUKE: 1. Deron Williams is amazing, even better than I thought
[09:24] THE DUKE: 2. The Pau Gasol deal might go down as one of the most one-sided trades in NBA history
[09:25] FKNMCLANE: agreed on both points
[09:25] FKNMCLANE: all this stuff about bynum, the lakers don't even need him...because they have gasol
[09:25] THE DUKE: It's to the point where I have friends who are casual sports fans coming up to me and asking "couldn't the Commissioner have vetoed that trade like in my Fantasy Football league?"
[09:26] FKNMCLANE: right
[09:26] FKNMCLANE: it really was that bad
[09:26] FKNMCLANE: especially since kwame brown averaged 10 minutes a game in memphis and got a dozen or so DNP-CDs
[09:27] THE DUKE: Hey! But at least they have cap space for free agents!
[09:27] THE DUKE: Because bringing in someone like Corey Maggette is really going to turn that franchise around
[09:28] FKNMCLANE: that's the sad thing...it's fkn Memphis(1)
[09:28] FKNMCLANE: maggette is the best they'll be able to get
[09:31] THE DUKE: I can't remember the last time a team that won a championship brought in some midseason (either as a signing or a trade pick up) this valuable
[09:32] FKNMCLANE: sheed took the pistons to the next level
[09:32] THE DUKE: Yeah, I was just typing that
[09:34] FKNMCLANE: but at least that trade wasn't ridiculously lopsided...the pistons definitely made out like fkn bandits but not in the laker sense
[09:34] THE DUKE: IS the Lakers getting Gasol from Memphis as much of a steal as the Pistons getting Sheed for Bobby Sura, Zeljko Rebraca and a #1?
[09:35] THE DUKE: and I guess Chucky Atkins and Lindsey "Fat" Hunter(2)
[09:36] FKNMCLANE: keep in mind sheed was at the height of his insanity though
[09:36] THE DUKE: It's funny to think that Sheed was basically TO five years ago
[09:36] FKNMCLANE: that was when he was completely unpredictable, led the league in technical fouls, and right after he burned every bridge in the greater portland area(3)
[09:36] FKNMCLANE: yeah
[09:36] THE DUKE: Or Milton Bradley or someone like that
[09:36] THE DUKE: Now, he's Mr. Team Player
[09:37] FKNMCLANE: just fatter
[09:37] THE DUKE: I mean, Randy Moss isn't the poster child for "we're going to take a chance on a guy with questionable character."
[09:37] THE DUKE: It's Sheed
[09:37] THE DUKE: Now, if anyone gave a shit about the NBA Hall of Fame(4), we'd be arguing if he should be in there
[09:38] FKNMCLANE: i say he doesn't
[09:39] FKNMCLANE: simply because while he's an incredible player, he has the ability to be even better...now, not so much, but the past five years or so, he really left a lot to be desired
[09:39] FKNMCLANE: barkley is kinda right about him...he coul have been an all-time great
[09:39] THE DUKE: plus, he has mange
[09:41] FKNMCLANE: is that what the white spot is called?
[09:41] THE DUKE: That's what I call it
[09:41] THE DUKE: If your dog started developing that shit, your vet would charge you $200 for medicine.
(1) The sad part is that I love Memphis – it’s one of my favorite cities ever to visit. That being said, they will never, ever, ever get free agents there. – The Duke
(2) It’s bad enough to be a pro sports athlete with a girl’s name. It’s worse when you are fat and useless. But when you are both of these things, and then blame your wife’s diet pills after testing positive for a banned substance, you’ve hit the Triple Crown of Sucking. – The Duke
(3) And there are a lot of bridges in Portland. And as JR Rider will tell you, many of them will lead you to places like Medford where they are lynching people. – The Duke
(4) I’d like to see a list of less important Halls of Fame. – The Duke
