#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

Wilbon: Pardon the Interruption but I'm Mike Wilbon. We just passed the trade deadline and are in the home stretch of the season. Tony, I heard you almost got traded to Fox Sports. Any comment?


Kornheiser: Pardon the Interruption, I'm Tony Kornheiser and Fox Sports can't afford me.

Wilbon: Today we're going to talk about the big deals at the deadline, we're going to analyze the playoff races in both conferences in Oddsmakers, and we're going to figure out what is wrong with certain teams. But first, let's look at the deadline headlines!

Kornheiser: It was an active trade deadline, with big trades, small trades, even trades with chickenpox. One of the biggest highlights of the day, Mike, was the trade between the Sixers and Lakers. The Sixers unloaded their maligned overpaid center, Andrew Bynum, to the Lakers for a bunch of nothing, understandably so because Bynum isn't really a prize to be won. But the big question is why would the Lakers take on such a big deal when they already have an awful contract on the books in the injured CJ Miles. What do you think, Wilbon?

Wilbon: I applaud the Sixers getting out from under that deal, but I don't get why everyone is blasting the Lakers. This team wants to be bad, Tony. They're the second worst team in the league in the year of a great draft. It's not like they're trying to sign people next year. So what if they have overpaid underperformers on their team? It pretty much helps their agenda!

Kornheiser: I'd agree if we could just ignore the future, but I'm not Doc Brown and there's no Delorean in my back yard. Look, Mike, these contracts are going to be on the books until 2016 and 2017. Those years are so far away in the future. Who knows if the Lakers will be ready to compete, but can't because they have those bloated contracts? This is a mess of a situation, and I too applaud the Sixers, but I certainly do not applaud the Lakers. In fact, I boo them. Boo!


Wilbon: Another big trade that happened at the deadline occurred between the Bucks and Timberwolves. These two teams, which have had highly reported trading conflicts in the past year, were able to get together to swap Draymond Green and Otto Porter, Jr., with some cash flying the Bucks' way as a sweetener. There are rumors flying around that the cash was required because Draymond Green was involved in a locker room altercation with new Timberwolf Glen Davis according to Hoopshype. The Bucks front office released the following statement on the rumored altercation: "Draymond is a passionate guy, and while we don't know all the details about what happened in Minnesota, we know that he's going to bring that same passion on the court night in and night out. We are thrilled to have him. And honestly, Big Baby probably deserved what he got." Some critics are saying this is all lip service. Did the Bucks get a hothead, Tony? Is this trade going to work out for them?

Kornheiser: It will, Mike, and it will work out for the Wolves as well. Green has a temper, and we've all seen that, but he also is a glue guy on the court. And in the last few games after the trade, Green clearly has changed the defensive culture of the Bucks for the better. And the best part about it? No Glen Davis in the Bucks locker room.

Wilbon: There almost was, Tony!

Kornheiser: What a nightmare that would've been.

Wilbon: I think you're right. The Bucks will benefit from this trade, but let's not forget to look at it from Minnesota's perspective. They got rid of a potential locker room issue and brought a guy who barely speaks in Porter. And already this guy, who scored double digits thrice in Milwaukee...

Kornheiser: Thrice?

Wilbon: Thrice! He's already got 5 double digit games in Minny! I think this trade will go down as a great one for both sides. Last headline!


Kornheiser: The last blockbuster of the trade deadline was probably the one with the biggest championship implications. The Spurs and Warriors made a trade that effectively swapped Zach Randolph and Arron Afflalo. Both players are averaging around 20 points a game and both can impact a team. With such a big trade, Wilbon, who do you see coming out better on the other side of it?

Wilbon: Warriors now, Spurs later. The Warriors are the best three point shooting team in the land. They just removed one of the few players who doesn't shoot threes and replaced him with Afflalo, one of the best shooters in the league. And this is after they acquired Ryan Anderson, whose main skill is shooting. So now you have a team who can torch you from deep, which can usually be the difference in the playoffs. I really like what the Warriors did here, Tony, but the Spurs did free up some future cap burden and may be on their way to blowing it up soon.

Kornheiser: Well let's not act like the Spurs got a lemon here. Z-Bo can still play, and he allows Smith to roam around to other positions, which is the strength of the Spurs. I think the Warriors got a little worse in this trade, but the Warriors could be even more dangerous next year if they gel a little more. But in any case, the West may have trouble dealing with both of these teams in the playoffs. We're gonna take a quick commercial break, folks, but when we come back, we'll play Oddsmakers.

Kornheiser: Welcome back to PTI folks. It’s time for Oddsmakers, which means it’s also time to bring back the internet’s favorite stat boy, Anthony Tony Theodore Simon Cowell Reali.

Reali: Odds the Cavaliers will miss their first postseason under the LHamilton era. Wilbon, you’re up.

Wilbon: The Cavs are currently in 9th place, a game and a half back of the Magic and only one game ahead of the Celtics and Sixers. They’ve been a good regular season team for the last few years, but something is off this year. Paul and Gasol no longer look like the dynamic duo of the past. I think the Magic continue to improve so I’m giving the Cavs an 80% chance to miss the playoffs.

Kornheiser: Of the four teams you just mentioned, Wilbon, the Cavs are the only one with a positive point differential. So I think they’ll go on a surge late, and I’m putting these changes at 45%.

Wilbon: Still seems kind of high for how confident you sounded, Tone. What’s next, Reali?

Reali: Odds the Kings clinch the #1 seed in the West. Tony?

Kornheiser: I love this team, Wilbon. One of the few teams who stood pat at the trade deadline, supposedly because other GMs are too afraid to trade with them. And they had a great couple of weeks since, currently on a five game streak. With the Warriors struggling to get cohesion after their trade and the Nuggets being the Nuggets, I’m going high here. 90%.

Wilbon: That is high but I agree with you. The Kings have a stifling defense, and Randy Foye is an all star. I think the Nuggets are more dangerous than you do, Tony.

Kornheiser: Nothing in Denver is dangerous.

Wilbon: But the Kings still win their division and the #1 seed, and I’ll be more conservative at 60%.

Reali: Odds the Raptors get home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Wilbon?

Wilbon: I don’t know what happened to the Raptors this week. They have been on fire since Lowry came back from injury, but they lost to the Hornets this week and only got two wins against the Blazers and the lowly Mavericks. It’s possible there’s some tension between Lowry and new acquisition Ray Felton stemming from their Minnesota days. And if that’s the case, with as well as the Heat, Bulls, and Bucks have been, I don’t see it happening. Maybe the 5th seed at best. 30%.

Kornheiser: Looks like someone fell victim to one of the classic blunders. Never vote against Chris Bosh. This man is shooting 58% from the floor for the season. 37 points per game! He’s surely going to rally his troops, and the Heat and Bulls will fall off. Give me 70%. What’s our final one, Reali?

Reali: Odds the Mavericks pick remains Top 3 by the end of the season. Go Tony.

Kornheiser: It really doesn’t depend on the Mavs, because they’ll only win 5-7 games for the rest of the year. It depends on how bad the Hornets, Lakers, and Timberwolves will be, and the odds look promising for the Knicks, who own the Mavs pick. I think the Timberwolves and Hornets win just enough to keep this top 3, and I’m 80% confident on that one.

Wilbon: The Mavs looked like they were going to do better after getting some talent in a trade with Minnesota, but man the bottom of the league is ugly. I guess we have to talk about as many teams as possible, but who cares? Not me. 0% because I just don’t give a darn! Who won, Reali?

Reali: Well it won’t be someone who doesn’t give a ‘darn,’ that’s for sure. Tony wins.

Wilbon: Funny, still don’t care. We’ll be back for the final part of our show and then it’s the Big Finish.

Kornheiser: Welcome back, it’s Happy Time. Let’s wish a Happy Birthday to Chris Webber.

Kornheiser: Webber turns 41 today. He recently retired from the league after a very productive career with Minnesota, Houston, Indiana, New Orleans, and New York. I think he’s a surefire Hall of Famer, Wilbon. What about you?

Wilbon: The Hall of Very, Very, Very Good.

Kornheiser: He 100% belongs in the Hall of Fame, and you belong in the Hall of Idiots.

Wilbon: So rude. Happy 9 year anniversary to Tim Thomas winning All Star MVP. Thomas had such a bright future, and it may not have panned out, but he’ll always have those 29 points, Tony.

Kornheiser: He’s averaged 17 points per game for his entire career, that’s not a bad way to live. Congrats to him, and Happy trails to Michael Finley, who by all indications is going to retire at the end of the season. Finley will end as a 6 time All Star and a champion in Toronto.

Wilbon: Enjoy spending time with your family, Big Mike. Now it’s time for the big finish.
Wilbon: The Pacers stood pat at the trade deadline and sit in 7th place in the East. Should they have made a move?

Kornheiser: Of course they should have, they were probably one defender away from making a real playoff push. But that’s okay because Deron Williams is still amazing. The Grizzlies are headed to another losing season after going 42-40. What happened in VanMemphis?

Wilbon: Owner apathy and nothing else. The Pistons have three great players and are still nine games below .500. Are they ever going to get over the hump?

Kornheiser: Not unless the league hands them Chris Bosh on a silver platter, and even then maybe not. The Wizards are clearly in the driver’s seat in the Atlantic but get no attention. Is that fair?

Wilbon: Life isn’t fair and the Wizards aren’t exciting. If they win the playoffs we’ll take notice. Has a team ever went from promising to bust quicker than the Utah Jazz?

Kornheiser: From promising youth to Andrew Bogut and Courtney Lee making 16 million dollars, it isn’t a pretty sight. The Sonics started off promising but have now lost 8 of their last 10 games. Is Isaiah Thomas really that important?

Wilbon: Look at their record and tell me. He’s the soul of that team Tony. Finally, the Clippers are now 26-14 after starting the season 8-11. Are we sleeping on the defending champs?

Kornheiser: We definitely are but we probably won’t be for long, this team is going to be tough in the playoffs. OK we're out of time, try to do better next time.

Wilbon: See you later, knuckleheads. Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes.

Woman whisper: PTI...

I read this and honestly feel like I'm watching the show. Fantastic stuff. And Glen Davis would've been a nightmare in Milwaukee.... A NIGHTMARE FOR OPPONENTS.

Great stuff as always Raby with PTI. Again, you hit this tone and rythum out of the park. Here's +5 for your article and thank you for your media contribution.

Yas!!