What Community? #44: That was quick.

I guess Baron sitting court side with pal Adam Sandler was not just a marketing ploy for that Zohan thing. I guess it really was foreshadowing. Baron's going home to play ball in Los Angeles. The deal came so quick it has me wondering if Baron's been hiding his plans for a while. It would make sense, I suppose, since he's been trying to play chess with the Warriors. Anyways, it's not even official yet; just a verbal agreement. This whole side of sports is just kind of annoying, and I wish I wouldn't pay this much attention, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't care. So: I'll probably pay closer attention to the next phase of Baron's career, as tinselstar PG on the other LA team, because he played such an important role in the past two years of serious Warriors resurgence. And because I just like the guy. He seems to be enjoying life. You see pictures of Jordan out and about, playing pool with cigars in the corner of his mouth, but he never seemed to be having much fun on the court. It was simply a test of will. Baron's out there smiling all the time. Just last week he played in Steve Nash's soccer game wearing a hat and Reebok Pumps. And why shouldn't he smile? It's a good life.

But back to basketball for a minute. The Warriors have made an offer to Elton Brand. I don't think this makes much sense, at least in terms of on-court needs. With Baron gone, they should devote all their resources to Monta and Fast Andy first. Then look around for a guard, like Kirk Hinrich or Luke Ridnour. They need somebody to play point; they have a glut of forwards to develop; Brand would sell tickets but not necessarily improve the team long term. Besides, he wants to remain a Clipper. Further, the Warriors should realize that they playoffs aren't a realistic goal this year without some kind of star wattage replacement (which won't happen with the Wizards offering Gil a near-max contract).

At least on paper, at least right now, the Warriors are a weird team: all long limbs and implacable desire to shoot, not drive, except for Monta. With the Blazers looking like they'll take over from the Spurs as the next dynasty, as well as the possible re-tooling of Denver (which would undoubtedly make them more cohesive, and better), not to mention the skill level of the Kings, and (oh yeah) the new and improved (already) Clippers, the final spot in the playoff field of eight will be hard won for whatever team pushes hardest. Don Nelson's team are renowned for pushing the break hard and fast but that continual lack of defense will catch up with them someday. Especially with a team full of young dudes known for their scoring, not defending. (Altho, to be fair, Fast Andy does a pretty good job and B-Rite can block shots with his pinky.) That's why next year all I'm hoping for (as of right now; we'll see how the summer develops) is a fearsome fast break, led by Monta and Anthony Randolph (I want to think of a nickname on my own but the only one that comes to mind is Rudolph, as in the red-nosed dude, cuz AR (wince) flies through the lane pretty well), with Cap'n Jax trailing at the 3-point line, that leads to a bunch of highlights and points off turnovers. Maybe if the W-Men stay real quick they can win more games than they're supposed to; but I still don't think they'll be enjoying the playoff glory again any time soon. Oh well. I just hope the team stays positive. With Baron gone, taking his infectious good nature with him, it might be hard. But people forget that Cap'n Jax is usually smiling, too. Like when he hit that game winner in LA late last season (in the first of a home-and-home) and cheesed all the way to commercial break.

At least we can say thanks to Baron for those highlights we did get to enjoy these past two years. And wish him continued good luck in the seasons to come. He probably needs the luck, right? That, or he needs to stretch a lot more. --RWK

What Community? #42: The Redeem Team.

First off: who said what about Dwight Howard? And why is Michael Redd the only one grossed out? Is D-Wade hiding? Next: I think they'll get the gold. Even without much interior size. I don't know what the "experts" are talking about: there's plenty of shooters out there. Melo and Kobe from the wings? Redd off the bench? Deron has a beard now? Wait: Deron has a beard now. He really is the next best thing after, okay he's better than, Baron. They're one consonant sound away as it is. (Also, D's look like B's only bigger.) Anyways: glad they're having a good time. The new era of the NBA starts this summer. --RWK

What Community? #40: Baron Opts Out.

The buzz had been that Baron would not walk away from $17.8 million. Looks like he did. There's talk of The Clippers (Elton Brand and Corey Maggette opted out, too, potentially clearing some cap space) and the Knicks (D'antoni loves 3 pointers just as much as Baron; but D'antoni also like FG%, unlike BD) as possible destinations. I'm sure it's a story we'll be watching for weeks to come. But, regardless of destinations and endpoints, the only clear fact is that Boom, here, wants security. He wants to be wanted. He's no different than any of us! He's insecure, too, underneath it all! Or not.

I was coming to grips with the idea of a starting five reprise (Baron at 1, Monta at 2, Cap'n Jack at 3, Al at 4, Fast Andy at 5) with more playing time for the young guys (Belinelli spelling the backcourt, B-Rite and Randolph stretching in space at the 4). But maybe this means they sign Monta long term and put him at the 1? Despite Nelli's love, I doubt the W's resign Kalenna; I doubt we see Pietrus back; hell, isn't Patrick O'Bryant ready to bolt? If they do, somehow, manage to resign Baron and Monta and Fast Andy, tho, it'll be quite the energized team ready to win. They'll have a tough time contending with the Blazers' rise next season but I could see the W-men stepping into the playoffs ahead of the basket case Nuggets (even if they get Chauncey) and -- wait for it -- Steve Kerr's failed Suns experiment. Anyways: that's, like, a year away. For now the drama rests with number 5. Because, after that big trade, it doesn't look like Memphis will be looking at Monta after all. Although, to be honest, I worry somebody smart will offer Fast Andy a good deal the Warriors will be too stingy, and bolstered by too much confidence in B-Rite and Randolph, to match. --RWK

It's a lot to ask...

..but when are we going to be wowed like this again? I don't need two amazing shots but I'd like one game-winner. Granted, I haven't watched every game this post-season. But, you know what? Not much point in the second round given all those home-court wins. For instance: why did the Cavs/Celts even get to game 7? (For that matter, how did the Hawks push it that far?) And, when it gets down to it, I only watched the last quarter -- and even that only had one amazing play:

But even that, with all that excitement, it was -- again -- another instance of LeBron-as-team: the Cavs are, for the most part, past their prime (which was never that good to begin with; except the weird, anomalic career/talent/work ethic of Ben Wallace and the hindered-by-being-white-and-enormous Big Z; I'm looking at you, Joe Smith) or just plain boring and one-note (Devin Brown? Sasha Pavlovic? "Boobie"? Damon "asshole" Jones?), with the sole exception being Delonte and his too-crazy-to-suck style. Or is it a routine?

Carlton thinks, whatever it is, it's gross; I think it's kind of great.
Some of my displeasure with this round has been the home-team-wins mentality, but I'd be lying if it wasn't also simply a lack of in-game drama, no matter the arena. And of course, my bias would have loved to have seen the W-men take it to the Lakers for at least one win in the first round. There wasn't really a chance of Baron and Monta and Jax repeating their wild and crazy ways this year (these Lakers are led by Kobe, not Dirk, and have more all-around talent than last year's Mavs), but at least we might have seen something like this dagger-shot, which I got to see live and in person,

or, another favorite highlight from The Best Regular Season Ever (tm):

I haven't seen amazing happen like that in the playoffs yet. But we can hope that a Kobe-Paul or Kobe-Manu conference finals -- hey, who am I kidding? it's gotta be Kobe-Paul -- will give us some heroics. I mean, Kobe-Deron has given us the greatest game of this playoffs so far --

and the best shot I've seen in the playoffs so far --

-- I mean, right? And, if Kobe keeps playing, and maybe even wins the Finals this year, his legend will be cemented and people can stop talking about that and move on to how hilarious his self-parody has become, or will become, what with all that tree-shaking and Aston Martin-jumping and rape-beating (uh, beating a rape rap?) and back-spasming and no-Shaqing and all that adds to his already large ego. Cuz, if you're not laughing at (and, to a lesser extent, with) the man, you're probably hating the man, which means you're probably unhappy -- and you don't need to be unhappy because this man is supremely talented, lucky and a beauty to watch on the court. He makes magic happen in a special way. I just hope he makes some magic happen in the next two rounds. Should be easy when flanked by Lamar and Pau -- when Lamar and Pau are playing like they've been playing. I mean, Odom was the real reason Game 4 was so awesome. --RWK

PS -- Yes, I was inspired by BS

What Community? #23: Baron dominated the college scene

Off the court, too, I'm sure. --RWK

10 minutes later update (as the first Final Four game begins): I think Kevin Love is good and all that but Memphis should win this first game since their backcourt is so talented, and so much bigger than UCLA's. As for the next game... I think I've got UNC, actually. (Even though I hate, yea, hate Tyler Hansborough.)

Encounter #72: "Fair Weather Fan" moment of the decade

This is from Bill Simmons' most recent all-NBA mailbag, which is a lot longer and insightful (and funnier) than I expected since I stopped reading Simmons with any kind of regularity about three years ago. But, now, peep this -- I couldn't agree more:

Q: As a Warriors fan who witnessed a truly unique fan experience last year, I feel the need to report that the fans officially jumped the shark (on Sunday night against the Mavs) when I witnessed The Wave at the Oakland Arena. Did you see it?
-- Mike, San Fran

SG: Yup, I watched it happen live and reacted the same way I did when Jaye Davidson revealed her member in "The Crying Game." For the real Warriors fans who stuck with the team through thick and thin and got priced out from home games after last spring's memorable run, we're feeling for you. Not only are we down to one potentially great NBA crowd and that's it (MSG if the Knicks ever get resucitated), but my "Roar of the Crowd" column from the 2007 playoffs officially feels like it was written 20 years ago. It's just appalling. I can't get over it. Is there any throwback experience that doesn't eventually get ruined in professional sports? Watching Warriors fans doing The Wave with one of their own players at the foul line would be like seeing Bruce Springsteen take over the "Our Country" commercials from John Mellancamp -- an indefensible, legacy-altering violation in every conceivable respect. This might have been the "Fair Weather Fan" moment of the decade.

Although I don't agree with his assessment that part of the reason the W-men are fading is because they don't have J-Rich's fire and that Monta isn't enuf of an "hombre"... The only thing logical in that response is that the team's biggest players (Baron, Jax, Monta) are tired because Nellie never rests them. Still, I'm holding out hope. Even though they'll most likely lose tomorrow and seal their fate as the most lovable flame-outs in recent memory (since those C-Webb/Divac Kings teams). And, who knows, maybe they'll be able to keep their core together. Just so long as they keep smiling before, during and after every game, including losses. (There's more to read about the Wave incident over here.) --RWK

Encounter #69: One Shot

Starring Baron Davis, directed by Emmanuelle Chriqui. That's a lifestyle. He's easily the coolest NBA player. --RWK