Mission Trails Friday

Yesterday, did a nice training run at Mission Trails with my friend Andy. Up Quarry Hill, over to the Rim Trail, dropped into Suycott Wash the hard way, running the reverse of the Xterra 15k, then up where I usually drop in at the south side of the wash and back out to the car. About an hour and 15 min. Only walking was the top part of the drop in trail. Legs felt heavy but manageable. Wish I felt a little better on the climbs.

Right before we reached the construction area by the stacks, narrowly missed a little rattler, about 3 feet long. Andy hadn't seen a rattlesnake before in the wild. Not sure exactly where he's been to not see one in San Diego County, but he put on a good show, giving us a good rattle before heading off into the bushes.

I'll have to use map my run to see what the mileage and climb was on the run. It was an interesting link of some of the eastern trails that I had not done before. Next week it will be back to my usual Friday test. On tap today will be a couple of hours in the heat followed by a giant steak dinner at Donovan's courtesy of Greg.

Main victory for the day yesterday? Fending off my desire for fried ice cream at Casa de Pico. I'd guess I'm down about about 5 pounds so far. So far, so good.

Oh, and the mystery around Rubio continues. It wouldn't be the worst thing if he stayed in Spain for a few years to work on a shot . . .

Where goest thou, Rubio?

That seems to be the big question after the draft today. Rubio's people are making a lot of noise that Ricky might be staying in Spain. I might too given what I can see from the TimberPups. Look, I don't think Rubio is going to be all that. He's great in transation, but he's skinny as a rail, has the usual Euro defensive liabilities (with apologies to Mickeal Pietrus), and doesn't function that well in the half court. He's Steve Nash before the haircut.

But, in this draft, he is one of the 3 or 4 guys who has a great shot at being a long time starter in the NBA, so he does have some value. And already teams like the Knicks are circling the Pups for a chance to clean up their leavings. What superstar free agent wouldn't want to play with a flashy passer who wants to get them the ball in transition? Oh, Pups. You amuse me. Oh, and apparently, the Knicks could have had the number 5 pick which turned into Rubio for Wilson Chandler and Larry Hughes. Really? Hmmmm. Lets see what they are willing to give up now. Something tells me the Wolves aren't going to do this deal for expiring contracts . . .

So, lets talk about the pre-draft trades to see what went down.

Vinsanity and Ryan Anderson to the Majerks for Courtney Lee and some salary cap throw-ins - OK, I get that New Jersey wants cap room, but what is their plan B? I mean who are they going to build around? Devin Harris and who? Its a shame because I really like Devin Harris. As for the Majerks, while I generally hate Vinsanity, I think this deal works for them. Orlando has the best offensive rebounder in the game who has very little skill at creating his own shot. Why not let him chase Vinsanity's crazy shots and throw them down for easy points. Consider them alley-oops! Howard doesn't need the ball to be successful. Jameer Nelson doesn't need the ball to be successful. Rashard Lewis is happy fading back to the perimeter and hucking them up from there. What the didn't have was a guy who could create his own shot and finish. Now they do.

Shaq to Cleveland for a few more bucks in Robert Sarver's wallet. Why is Phoenix always doing this? You want to know the picks Phoenix has literally given away in the last few years to stay below the luxury tax? They have given away picks that have turned into Rajon Rondo, Rudy Fernandez and Luol Deng (who also could have been Andre Igoudala). And worse still, the ex-Sonics still have Phoenix's unprotected first rounder next year which they dumped to shed Kurt Thomas. What a joke. Someone needs to save that team. The Suns fans are good fans and don't deserve that. For the Cavs, why not? You gave up Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic? What, they didn't want a box of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame towels as well? This won't fix Cleveland that needs athletic wing players to throw down LeBron feeds and actually defend to protect Mo Williams and the rest of that group. But those guys fall off trees in the NBA, so I expect Cleveland to land a few.

Richard Jefferson to Spurs for Fabricio Beef Jerky, Bruce Bowen, and Gymkata. How do they do it? Think of the Spurs starting 5 now, assuming Pop will let Manu's bald spot into the starting lineup: Manu, Mr. Longoria, Tim Duncan, Richard Jefferson, and fill-in-the-blank token white American, probably my man Bonner (former Gator). Your bench still might need help, but Finley is good for a few minutes, both George Hill and Roger Mason proved capable for stretches, and they got the steal of the draft in Dejuan Blair who I think is going to be a beast. They need a little size on the bench, but who is not going to want to come there to play with that lineup? I don't know if they have their mid-level exception, but could they bring Sheed and would he accept a role on that team? He would be a great 6th man. Regardless, there is enough there that they put themselves up in the list of contenders again.

Oh, and no way Amar'e goes to the Warriors for Curry and Biedrins and Brendan Wright (who has potential) without Amar'e agreeing to an extension. Otherwise you give up a legit big man (Biedrins) and a fan favorite with lots of potential in a run and gun system like Nellie's (or the Suns) for one year of a superstar who promptly bolts. Not even the Warriors can be that dumb, can they?

Something actually about running and ultras next post, I promise. Still suffering from NBA post-draft-itis.

T-wolves have their guard up?

So, the NBA draft was tonight. Frankly, the NFL could take a few lessons. Two rounds knocked out in about 3 hours. I can't think that picking which fat guy will better protect a quarterback's blind side is that much more difficult that deciding which 6 foot 9 inch athlete will sit on the end of the bench.

Be that as it may, while the draft was fairly predictable, the Twolves draft doesn't make any sense to me. I get that there could still be stuff in the works, but the Wolves GM insists that he thinks Rubio and Flynn can play together. Neither has a great 3 point shot. Nor can either one really create his own shot other than getting to the rim. My thought is that they don't think Rubio is ready yet, so they took Flynn for now, thinking they can trade him down the road. But that's a high price for a short term solution. I have to think they could have gotten a veteran backup for the number 6 pick. And then they trade Lawson for the Nuggets first round pick next year? With that team, it is likely they converted the 18 pick this year for a pick in the 20's next year. That just doesn't make sense. Why not take a guy in Europe and let him develop for a while off your salary cap if you are concerned about finances? It was a haphazard draft by a team that has seemed to lose its direction.

The most annoying thing about GM's in the NBA is they rarely have a plan. They just draft the best talent available and hope it works for the best. Terrible. Look at San Anotonio. They know they needed athleticism and toughness, especially on the glass. What did they come away with? Dejuan Blair (highest rebound per acl ratio!), who is a beast inside and on the glass, Jack McClinton, who is a lights out shooter for Duncan to pass to and can run up and down the floor, and Richard Jefferson, for whom they gave up an over-the-hill one dimensional Bruce Bowen and Fabricio Beef Jerky (both of whom will likely be bought out and may resign for the minimum back in San Antonio).

It takes a plan people. Know what style of team you want and go get the guys to fit the bill. Don't draft Shaq and play half-court if you are the Suns and geared to run. Don't go get over the hill star names whose games don't mesh at all. Don't take a guy because of a name or just because you think he's the best talent there. If there is someone who is close who is going to fit your system or improve your chemistry, use your brain and get this guy, no matter what the pundits say. Its your team. make it yours, not theirs.

More thoughts on the draft and trades tomorrow

On the workout side, lifted weights in the AM, did my bike commute to work (25 miles and 45 minutes each way) then went for an hour run before dinner in the canyon. A pretty good day if I could have only put down the cheese fries before dinner . . .