MLB Trade Deadline Report Cards: The Dodgers Ain't F***in' Around This Time

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The Los Angeles Dodgers and their fans are sick and tired of coming up short. They've reached the postseason five seasons in a row, but ultimate glory always finds a way to elude them. Last World Series was particularly brutal, as the Dodgers played their freakin' hearts out, only to fall to the mighty Houston Astros, led by superstars Jose Altuve and Justin Verlander.

This year, they have no intentions of easing off the gas pedal. Owners Mark Walter and Magic Johnson, and front office leaders Stan Kasten, Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi are all-in. The Dodgers are the stars of the MLB trade deadline, and here's why:

1. Dodgers acquired SS/3B Manny Machado from the Orioles for OF Yusniel Diaz, 3B Rylan Bannon, RHP Dean Kremer, RHP Zach Pop and IF Breyvlc Valera. 

Dodgers Grade: A++
Orioles Grade: A-

This one is old news at this point, but it's the most important deal of them all. Machado is the all-around impact superstar the Dodgers needed to make their playoff push (and ultimately their consecutive World Series appearance push). Keep in mind the following: the D'Backs are only 0.5 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West. The Rockies are only a game back. The veteran Giants are only 5.5 games behind. Making the playoffs isn't a guarantee for the Dodgers. They need an all-world player like Machado.

2. Dodgers acquired 2B Brian Dozier from the Twins for IF Logan Forsythe, RHP Devin Smeltzer and OF Luke Raley. 

Dodgers Grade: A
Twins Grade: B

Justin Turner is on the DL, and the Dodgers just aren't taking any chances. They already lost Corey Seager for the season; so they are stocking up on big-time infielders to ensure this doesn't become a lost year. The risk is in the combined number of prospects moved between the Machado and Dozier deals. Both studs are impending free agents, so the Dodgers better win it this year. If they fall short -- or, worst case scenario, miss the playoffs altogether -- LA's braintrust is going to have an awful lot to answer for. Obviously, on the plus side, Dozier has been a consistently elite big-league second baseman. He'll be asked to deliver run production alongside Machado.

Moving on to the rest of the MLB...

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3. Pirates acquired SP Chris Archer from the Rays for P Tyler Glasnow, OF Austin Meadows and an undisclosed third piece. 

Pirates Grade: A+
Rays Grade: C+

I'm generally very impressed by the work of Brian Auld, Matthew Silverman, Chaim Bloom and Erik Neander in the Rays' front office, but I'm not a huge fan of this deal. Archer has three years left on his contract, for the delicious price of $27.5 million. You just don't find arms like that for that price. The Pirates are winning on this deal, as Archer's transition to the NL Central should be an easy one. The kid has been contending with the high-powered Yankees and Red Sox throughout his MLB career. Now, Archer will consistently face light-hitting (or no-hitting) NL pitchers at the dish, so we can expect both his ERA and WHIP to drop, while his strikeouts increase.

On the other side, Glasnow always tends to trick people. He has electric stuff, but may be one of those kids who never puts it all together. Luckily he's still only 24 years old, and the Rays can generally afford to take chances on young projects like this. In fact, it's virtually mandatory for them to take chances like this. As they continue to sell their prime players for younger, cheaper replacements -- a la Billy Beane and his A's, particularly during the dog days of Moneyball -- moves like this become customary and expected.

But my question is...what's the endgame for this franchise? Just accept that they can't truly compete with the Yankees and Red Sox? 53-53 is an accomplishment for this club. Whatever combination of moves they make, how much better can they possibly get?

Is there anywhere but the middle for the Tampa Bay Rays?

4. Rays acquired OF Tommy Pham from the Cardinals for LHP Genesis Cabrera, OF Justin Williams and RHP Roel Ramirez. 

Rays Grade: B+
Cardinals Grade: B-

Speaking of the Rays...now thisssss is interesting. I think I have a clear sense of this one: the Cardinals think Pham maxed out in his first full year. He hit .306 with 23 HR, 73 RBI, 25 SB, 22 2B and a .411 OBP in only 128 games. He finished 11th in the NL MVP voting, ahead of household names like Bryce Harper and Clayton Kershaw.

This year's a completely different story. Pham has dropped all the way down to .248, with an alarmingly-low .331 OBP. Which player is he? Clearly, the Rays think he's the kid from 2017. The Cardinals think 2018 is a better indicator of Pham's big-league identity. Only time will tell.

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It's interesting to see Tampa give up some decent prospects. That's not really their modus operandi. On the Cardinals' side, they are certainly looking to shake things up. Mike Matheny and Pham are now gone, and John Mozeliak's retooling is under way.

5. Brewers acquired IF Jonathan Schoop from the Orioles for 2B Jonathan Villar, RHP Luis Ortiz and INF Jean Carmona. 

Brewers Grade: A-
Orioles Grade: B

Who knows what to think about the Orioles? Obviously they are going to be rebuilding with Machado and now Schoop gone; but like the Rays, what's the endgame here? If you lose all of your prime players and you're already bad, where do you go?

I dunno, but I like this deal for Milwaukee. Schoop's career trajectory is strikingly similar to Pham's, with an off-putting year following a monster breakout. But Miller Park makes good things happen. Hitters bust out in that friendly park, and Schoop will enjoy the support and protection of Jesus Aguilar, Mike Moustakas, Ryan Braun, Lorenzo Cain and the white-hot Christian Yelich. I don't think there's too much individual pressure on Schoop here, so I expect him to fit in nicely.

On the flip side, I guess Villar is an interesting player to gamble on. In June of '17, I had him ranked as the No. 168 player in baseball. In hindsight, what I wrote about him is interesting:

"Did you know that he was the #16 overall fantasy player last season? Ahead of studs like Charlie Blackmon, Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, Anthony Rizzo and Daniel Murphy? Well, unfortunately, Villar's been terrible this year. The rest of the 2017 campaign will determine whether or not he drops out of the top 200 or works his way back into the top 100."

Clearly, since, he has dropped out of my top 200. But that doesn't mean he lacks the potential to reemerge. .261 with 14 SB in 87 games isn't that bad. I'm sure the lowly Orioles will be able to toss him plenty of at bats. Maybe the O's think Schoop was a flash in the pan.

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6. Braves acquired RHPs Kevin Gausman and Darren O'Day from the Orioles for RHP Evan Phillips, INF Jean Carlos Encarnacion, C Brett Cumberland and LHP Bruce Zimmerman. 

Braves Grade: A
Orioles Grade: A

Like Archer, Gausman should enjoy the transition from the AL East to the NL. It's a whole 'nother world. We all know about the differences in run production between the two leagues, historically. Gausman has a plus fastball and solid career strikeout rate, so as long as he keeps his walks down he should be very effective for Atlanta.

O'Day is a seasoned major league reliever who is particularly good with inherited runners. His near-submarine arm action allows him to sink his two-seamer, resulting in timely double plays late in games. If the Braves are going to take the Phillies down to the wire, O'Day will undoubtedly have to play a key role in tight ballgames.

I like this haul for Baltimore. In recent years, the Braves have done a wonderful job evaluating young talent. From the perspective of a rebuilding club, I would most certainly welcome four Braves farmhands with open arms. So that's 4 here; 2 in the Schoop deal and 5 for Machado. Eleven prospects in three deals. For the Orioles and their long-suffering fans, let's hope they find 2-4 stars in that stockpile.

7. Phillies acquired C Wilson Ramos from the Rays for a player to be named later or cash considerations. 

Phillies Grade: A
Rays Grade: F

Wilson Ramos is one of the premier offensive catchers in the world. This was an absolute no-brainer for the Phillies, and a disproportionate sell by the Rays. For Tampa, is baseball all about strategy now? Do the specific players not matter anymore? Not sure how far you can get selling off an affordable Archer contract and getting virtually nothing for one of the most productive backstops in the game.

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Phils are laughing all the way to the bank on this one. Or perhaps laughing all the way to the playoffs.

8. Pirates acquired RHP Keone Kela from the Rangers for LHP Taylor Hearn and a player to be named later. 

Pirates Grade: A
Rangers Grade: B

I was just starting to feel like Kela was coming into his own.

The energetic, right-handed flamethrower has a mundane 3.44 ERA out of the pen this season, but his 2.97 FIP is a better indicator, as he has successfully nailed down 24 saves for a sub-par Rangers club. Kela has whiffed 44 in roughly 36 innings, and his intimidating stuff should play particularly well in the NL Central. The Pirates are 6 games out of first and 3 back in the wild card, but with the Archer and Kela acquisitions, it's obvious how they feel about the rest of the 2018 campaign. The Buccos are goin' for it. It's 11:44 p.m. EST and I'm too lazy to look up Kela's contract situation, but both he and Archer should be key future pieces, as well.

The Rangers are in No Man's Land. They don't know which way is up. They kind of remind me of my pathetic Mets. But it's okay -- we only lost 25-4 tonight. Jose Reyes pitched. Nuff said.

HOT TAKES THE REST OF THE WAY OUT

9. Red Sox get Ian Kinsler: A solid vet who has been around the block; but his better days are behind him. I'm sure he'll mix in a few clutch postseason hits. He's not a major impact player, though. 

10. Braves get Adam Duvall: Loved this for Atlanta. Duvall was insanely consistent the past two seasons, so he should normalize during the second half of the '18 season. The first half was a disaster, but the Braves can afford to be patient with a power bat like this. He will not be asked to play every day. 

11. Yankees get J.A. Happ and Lance Lynn: Two veteran arms who don't rattle much mentally. Happ isn't electric but he gives ya what he has, and it's been a down year for Lynn, but in the past he was a playoff bulldog. These guys will be jockeying for position with Sonny Gray and CC Sabathia. 

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12. Astros get Roberto Osuna: Hated this deal. Obviously GM Jeff Luhnow created a PR nightmare, and Osuna's mental state is questionable as well. Houston also gave up its No. 10 minor league prospect. I'm sure Ken Giles will bounce back for Toronto, too. 

13. Braves get Brad Brach: The Orioles' firesale continues. Atlanta has bolstered its bullpen with O'Day and Brach. I really like what they are doing overall. My gut tells me - if they can keep Freddie Freeman healthy - they will squeak by the Phillies in the end. That's the reward for running an organization the right way. 

Almost midnight...goodnight! 

The Mets Are a Joke; But Are the Yankees a Mirage?

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The 2017 New York Yankees were a team full of fighters.

After failing to reach the postseason in three out of the preceding four seasons, the young Yanks -- led by up-and-coming power hitters Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez, as well as elite manager Joe Girardi -- always went a step further than people expected.

Following a rough start in the AL Wild Card game against the scrappy Twins, they came back and won in resounding fashion. Trailing 2-0 in the ALDS against the more experienced Indians, they stormed back for an epic, comeback series victory. The Houston Astros were a dominant club all season; but in the ALCS, the energetic and fearless Yanks pushed them to an unexpected seventh game.

The season was a startling success for a squad that wasn't expected to do much. Superstar GM Brian Cashman slowly moved his chess pieces around, until the rest of the league began to worry about checkmate.

Prior to the start of the 2018 MLB campaign, I predicted the Yankees would win the AL East. Judge, Sanchez, Didi Gregorius, Luis Severino and Aroldis Chapman were set to return in fine health, and the Bronx would be welcoming megastar outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, coming off the best season of his much-hyped career.

All the pieces were in place. It certainly appeared to be the Yankees' time.

But here we are on July 28, and these Yanks are five games behind the high-octane Red Sox, who have been carried by MVP seasons from both Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez. One could easily make an argument that Betts and Martinez have been the absolute best players in the American League.

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On the other hand, Sanchez is batting .188 for the Yanks. He's battled injuries throughout the year, and the little plate discipline he had has completely dissipated. Sanchez has been going way out of the strikeout all season, and we haven't seen any signs of a turnaround. From the day he reached the bigs, he's always been considered one of the worst all-around defensive players at his position. So if he can't hit, field or stay on the active roster...what value does he have?

Judge recently fractured his wrist; so we'll see how he looks in about a month when he returns. Obviously, going forward, a major wrist injury is a serious concern for a player who is relied upon for his offensive production. Hopefully Judge returns in fine form; if not my fantasy team is dead. In reality, if Sanchez is injured and/or ineffective, this Yankee offense needs all-star contributions from Judge.

After a superhero start, Gregorius is hitting just .263. Brett Gardner is down at .249, Aaron Hicks .245, Greg Bird .228 and Neil Walker .213. The Yankees are tied for 11th in team batting average; keep in mind that the Astros won the World Series last year and had the highest average in the majors -- by a significant margin. Eleventh simply may not get it done.

The Red Sox are first in batting average, and the Cubbies are second. They also have the best records in their respective leagues.

It's time for a Frascella tangent, but this one is warranted -- you see how dumb all of the sabermetric stats are? The Astros won the World Series last year and had the highest batting average. The Red Sox and Cubs have the best records in their leagues this year, and they have the highest batting averages.

Ya think, just maybe, we don't need WAR, Base-Out Runs Added or Win Probability Added? I still think batting average and home runs are all we need. If you have one of those, you have a nice player. If you crush it in both of those categories, you have a stud. Analytics experts have made things more complicated so they can secure jobs in the MLB. For them, it's a sound business strategy. But at the end of the day, you can read what I just wrote about the facts of batting average in the game right now.

Back to the Bronx, Sonny Gray has a 5.08 ERA. Masahiro Tanaka is over 4.00, and CC Sabathia is 38 years old. How much can you really lean on Severino? Is J.A. Happ really the answer?

On the whole, Severino, Stanton, Gleyber Torres, Chapman and Dellin Betances have all been superb this season. We know where the bright spots are. But are there simply too many question marks, when it comes to competing with powerhouses like the Astros, Red Sox and Indians in the playoffs?

I mean, we're all thinking about the elephant in the room...

Aaron Boone. This guy isn't one-tenth of the manager Girardi was. Ya can't exactly blame him -- he has zero managerial experience and has to work out the kinks -- but this Yankee club is ready to compete now.

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Will he screw up a potential Wild Card game against the Mariners or Athletics? Will the Yankees need Judge and Sanchez at 100 percent to win that game?

Of course, the biggest problem is the Wild Card game itself. It's just dumb. One hundred sixty-two games to play just one? After all that? It's totally illogical and unfair, and it should be a best-of-three series with the better record earning the home field.

But it is what it is. The Red Sox show no signs of slowing up. There's a very high probability they'll be the AL East champs.

That leaves these disjointed Yanks in a one-game scenario. Anything can happen. What if you fall behind again this year, but you can't come back this time? That's it. It's all over. What if Boone gets out-managed by Scott Servais or Bob Melvin? What if Severino struggles the way he did against the Twins last year?

These are all legitimate concerns. This is what happens when you don't win your division. The Yankees still have time to make a move, but it doesn't look promising without Judge or Sanchez. To be honest, it doesn't look promising without Girardi, either.

So...all of that promise from a year ago. All of that positive energy. All of that fighting against the odds. Those are all faded memories of a not-so-distant past, while the current reality is that the Yankees are on shaky ground.

Cashman was so close to checkmate...and now?

Lowly Knicks Are Slowly Rebuilding; Are They Heading In the Right Direction?

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Ask any die-hard Knicks fan about the hellish recent years of the franchise, and they'll finger-point three infamous scapegoats:

Owner James Dolan, former team president Phil Jackson and former franchise player, Carmelo Anthony. Can't really argue with that list, right?

Dolan is notorious for meddling in player personnel decisions; Jackson signed a broken-down, washed-up Joakim Noah for 4 years and $72 million, and Melo passed the ball once in 7 seasons in a Knick uniform. These are legitimate scapegoats.

But things are (very) slowly changing in the big city. New team president Steve Mills -- at the very least -- makes some logical moves. He seems to have some semblance of a big-picture plan. Let's take a look at some of his early bright spots...

PART 1: THE NEW ADMINISTRATION'S DEFENSIBLE MOVES

1. Trading Melo for Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott and second-round pick. 

Obviously Melo was the biggest name in the deal, but at the time I texted my buddies that Kanter could easily be the best player of the three. Melo's slow-but-permanent decline was already under way, and Kanter has always showcased tremendous hands and finishing ability around the rim. He's a coordinated big with solid post moves and a knack for offensive rebounding. 

I was lucky enough to select Kanter in my fantasy draft, and he was a pleasure throughout the season. He played 71 games in a year where dozens of key players were over-rested, while averaging 14.1 points and 11 rebounds per game. His percentages were fantastic: 59.2% from the field and 84.8% at the charity stripe (a career high). 

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Melo, on the other hand, tanked a promising OKC team. He shot just 40.4% from the floor and 35.7% beyond the arc, then proceeded to implode in the playoffs. Melo was the worst defender to touch the floor in the postseason, and to be honest, he wasn't much better offensively. He averaged just 11.8 PPG while shooting an embarrassing 37.5%. He didn't want to accept a bench role from Billy Donovan, and the Thunder were promptly bounced by the unselfish Utah Jazz. 

I defended Melo while in Denver, but he was completely cancerous for New York and OKC. Kanter was the best player in the deal, but simply getting rid of Melo was a win in itself. 

2. Trading McDermott and a second-rounder for Emmanuel Mudiay. 

So basically Mills traded Melo for Kanter and Mudiay. Can't beat that, right? 

Mudiay was the 7th overall pick in the 2015 draft, but he never quite panned out for the Nuggets. He doesn't project as a future superstar, but this was a classic why not? move by Mills. Mudiay's field goal percentage jumped throughout his Nuggets tenure, from 36.4 to 37.7 to 38.8 to 40.1. The same for three-pointers, from 31.5 to 31.8 to 37.3. 

Outside shooting was always a concern with him, but his stroke isn't that bad. He has the potential to improve, which he has already shown in small increments. His per-game averages dipped because of the emergence of Jamal Murray, but overall this was a low-risk move for the Knicks. I actually wrote about this deal when it happened. 

Big picture, Mudiay was brought in to push Frank Ntilikina at the point guard position. So was the next kid on my list. Ntilikina was a Jackson guy; Mills is bringing in his guys to compete. 

3. Signing Trey Burke off the scrap heap. 

This was similar to the Nets' move for Spencer Dinwiddie, but not quite as successful. Burke was a fantastic collegiate guard and NCAA Tournament champion with the Michigan Wolverines, but his pro career has been far less fruitful. His aggressive, score-first offensive style didn't mesh with the Jazz or Wizards, so he ended up down in the G-League. 

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But the Knicks snatched him up at exactly the right time. In 36 games in the blue and orange, Burke scored double-digits 23 times. He had 10 games of 18 or more, including a jaw-dropping 42-point explosion at the Charlotte Hornets on March 26. How many G-League players can drop 40 in an NBA game?

Clearly Burke didn't belong down on the farm. With New York, he averaged 12.8 points in just 21.8 minutes a night. His 4.7 APG were promising, and it was obvious that the big-city crowd energized him. Mills breathed life into a forgotten young player who was once a highly-touted prospect. Burke is hungry to stick around in the NBA this time. 

Burke is probably a little better and more confident than Mudiay, which means he deserves to be the Knicks' starting point guard to begin the 2018-19 campaign. Ntilikina has a long way to go. 

4. Signing free agent Mario Hezonja. 

"Super" Mario can play ball. On nights when Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon and/or Evan Fournier were out for the Magic, Mario was The Man. In February, he posted three consecutive 20-point games (23, 24 and 21). Hezonja has unlimited range and a pretty stroke, and he won't hesitate to pump and take it to the rack. He's just 23 years old, and he'll have plenty of on-court opportunities this season. With Kristaps Porzingis out until at least February, New York will be getting a good, long look at Hezonja. 

Shout to my great friend Jimmy Kelly who texted me, "The Knicks continue to stack young, top-10 picks that never did anything." We see that here with Mudiay, Burke, Hezonja and the next man up...

5. Signing free agent Noah Vonleh. 

Vonleh, the 9th overall pick in the 2014 draft, is still just 22 years old. He's a long, rangy athlete with plus rebounding ability, though the rest of his game leaves a lot to be desired. The youngster can knock down a triple from the corner, but his overall offensive game is limited at this early stage in his pro career. 

However, Vonleh has some potential as a two-way bench player. His physical gifts should allow him to mature as a defender, and his rebounding and occasional threes are useful on a light, rebuilding team like the Knicks. 

Between Mudiay, Burke, Hezonja and Vonleh, even if one of them emerges as a legit long-term producer, you've gained a lot without risking much here. All of these moves make logical sense to me. 

6. Hiring David Fizdale as head coach. 

To be honest, I thought Jeff Hornacek did a pretty solid job. Prior to Porzingis' devastating injury, Hornacek had the Knicks playing good, team-first basketball. Jarrett Jack is washed up, but he was piling up assists, while Courtney Lee and Tim Hardaway, Jr. provided the necessary floor spacing. Above all else, Porzingis and Kanter were the keys to the Knicks' early season success. 

Unfortunately, Porzingis went down and everything changed. Obviously, such a light team couldn't win without its star player. Then Hornacek had to deal with Noah's shitty attitude, which was unfair because Jackson saddled him with that problem from the get-go. Hornacek definitely got a raw deal; but hey, that's life in the big city.

Which leads us to Fizdale. He was an elite assistant coach for the world-champion Heat, as well as a playoff head coach with the Grizzlies. I like his passion, and I think he understands the rapidly-evolving nature of the NBA: Run-and-gun, 3-and-D, pass-and-cut, space the floor and switch everything. 

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I kind of feel like that's why he had issues with Marc Gasol in Memphis. Gasol is a very good all-around center, but he's a big, lumbering guy. That simply isn't the norm in the game right now. Look at the Warriors with Draymond Green occupying most of the key minutes at the center position. Clint Capela is fast, lean, long and athletic. Karl-Anthony Towns can dribble like a point guard. Anthony Davis can dunk from the three-point line. You get the idea. 

So, I think that's what Fizdale was rebelling against in Memphis. He was looking for faster, more versatile and athletic lineup combinations with JaMychal Green getting some minutes at the 5-spot. It was a horrible political move on Fizdale's part -- obviously, that is Gasol's team to manipulate -- but I can sort of understand the basketball logic. Or the organizational culture logic. 

But now the Knicks are his team. And he is Mills' coach. More so than anything else, this represents a clean slate and fresh start for both shot-callers. 

7. Drafting both Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson. 

Talk about rave early reviews. Knox was one of the all-around darlings of Summer League, and Robinson is drawing comparisons to another sleeper who made good, Hassan Whiteside. 

Knox just looks the part. He's one of those kids; he just fits the mold of the way people wanna play these days. He's long, athletic, rangy, bouncy and can shoot the trey. He's a problem for opposing defenses in transition. Most importantly...the kid wants the ball. He's not interested in sitting around and "waiting his turn" (a la Ntilikina). Knox wants the rock, and he wants to chuck that thing up in the air. I think he'll get all the minutes he can handle as a rookie. 

Robinson -- considering the comparison to Whiteside -- you can probably figure out what type of player he is. He's an athletic eraser. You ain't comin' in his paint. Early on he's been a shotblocking machine, and of course the Knicks hope he'll catch-and-finish like Capela, DeAndre Jordan and my Nets' Jarrett Allen. If Mills and Fizdale can keep Robinson out of trouble off the court, he should be a key reserve on the court. 

If I were Fizdale, this would be my rotation:

C - Kanter

PF - Knox

SF - Hezonja

SG - Lee

PG - Burke

6th - Hardaway Jr. 

7th - Mudiay

8th - Robinson

9th - Ntilikina

10th - Vonleh

PART II: IS THE CAVALRY ON THE WAY?

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By now I think everyone has heard the rumors...

Are Kyrie Irving and Jimmy Butler eventually headed to New York?

Butler declined Minnesota's generous extension offer, and we all know Kyrie's out for himself. Things are getting awfully crowded in Boston with Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, Gordon Hayward, Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart. 

Is Kyrie secretly concerned about becoming another face in the crowd?

He didn't like when LeBron James took all of the credit in Cleveland. Now the Celtics went to the Eastern Conference Finals without him. Hayward is back this year, and Kyrie didn't have to share any minutes with him last year. 

Don't forget the fact that Kyrie is a local boy. He played for West Orange (New Jersey) in high school. He's already turned himself into a (shitty) movie star. Wouldn't he love the bright lights of New York? Wouldn't he want the credit for turning a floundering franchise around?

I'm starting to think all of these arguments have legs. The East is wide open now. A year ago I would have said no chance. Why deal with LeBron, the Raptors and up-and-coming Sixers with a suspect supporting cast in New York?

But, as I've documented here, that's slowly changing. Mills is adding talent. In 2019-20, Porzingis is expected to be at 100% health. That gives you the potential for Porzingis, Kyrie, Butler, Knox, Robinson and other interesting, cheaper talents. 

That doesn't sound half-bad. Especially with LeBron in Los Angeles. Especially if you take Kyrie's talent off the Celtics' roster. 

We can't possibly have all of the answers now, but it's clear that the Knicks' culture is beginning to change. Patrick Ewing, John Starks, Charles Oakley and Anthony Mason seem like players from a different lifetime.

Is it almost time for The Garden to come alive again?

Underrated Movie: Damon, Jolie, Pesci & Baldwin Share Screen in De Niro's Star-Studded "The Good Shepherd"

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This one comes with a disclaimer straight off the top:

If you automatically hate "slow" movies, regardless of their content, then The Good Shepherd probably won't be for you. Furthermore, if you religiously steer clear of long films, you can likely disregard my (mostly) positive review.

With that out of the way -- damn! -- talk about big names in this one.

We have the legendary Robert De Niro calling the shots as director and actor, with megastar Matt Damon in the lead, and some superstar support from Angelina Jolie, Alec Baldwin and Joe Pesci. We also get Eddie Redmayne -- Best Actor at the 2014 Oscars and a '15 nominee -- in one of his very first big-screen roles. I'm sure you'll recognize William Hurt, Billy Crudup (do you know Russell from Stillwater?), Timothy Hutton, Michael Gambon (aka Dumbledore) and John Turturro as well.

Considering all that talent, how could this movie be so widely dismissed?

The Good Shepherd has a pedestrian 6.7 rating on IMDb, to go along with middling scores on Rotten Tomatoes -- 53% from the critics and 51% from the public. Despite De Niro behind the camera and Damon in front of it, the film garnered only one Oscar nomination (Art Direction; it did not win).

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So today I finally sat down to tackle this two hour and forty-seven minute beast, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. The Good Shepherd meanders in a multitude of different directions in the first hour or so, but down the stretch it stitches together tighter than I thought it would. Eric Roth's writing could have been trimmed, and De Niro could have edited himself more, but the film is a mostly-effective examination of cold, hard life in the CIA.

The story operates within a few different timelines, but the overall premise is simple: Edward Wilson (Damon) gets gradually recruited into the CIA by Philip Allen (Hurt) and his boss, Bill Sullivan (De Niro). The FBI, represented by Sam Murach (Baldwin), also tries to court Edward. Woven within his professional endeavors are two different love stories -- one with his true love, Laura (Tammy Blanchard), who is deaf; and the other with his eventual wife, Margaret aka "Clover" (Jolie). We get to see how Edward balances his work and love life, not to mention his fragile son, Edward Jr.

Needless to say, there isn't much balancing. Edward leans heavily in favor of the CIA. He's dedicated his time, focus and determination to the agency, and everyone and everything else are secondary.

More like tertiary, to be accurate.

In the late 1950s and early 60s, Edward is in tactical command of various covert ops involving Russians, Brits and Cubans, among others. Margaret serves as an audience surrogate because, like her, we don't know exactly what Edward does. We know he's in the CIA, in a position of both power and respect, but what exactly does he do in that position?

We know he orders one murder. A second is up for debate. He has a Russian mirror in a similar position, Stas Siyanko aka "Ulysses" (nicely played by Oleg Shtefanko, but we'll get back to him), and there's a grainy, mysterious tape that is being analyzed intermittently throughout the film. But along the way I kept wondering to myself, what did this guy do at work all day? From what De Niro opted to show, it seemed like Edward took a few daily calls and whispered some important orders. How come he never had any time for his family?

Overall, The Good Shepherd works because of its casting. This is a quiet spy movie -- not much in the way of gunfights, chases and explosions -- but it stays mostly interesting because the talented ensemble knows how to pass the baton. Damon is a steady force at the heart of the story -- what he doesn't say often makes him an intriguing protagonist -- Baldwin and Gambon spark the first third; Jolie, Shtefanko and Crudup energize the middle and Redmayne brings us home.

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This is also a story about fathers and sons. Edward is very much motivated by his father's past. Edward Jr. also intends to follow in his father's footsteps. Roth's screenplay doesn't make any groundbreaking statements, but it does speak simple truths. Most people are motivated by the approval (or lack there of) of their parents and loved ones, and both Damon and Redmayne effectively convey this universal fact.

Yet, in spite of Damon and Redmayne's solid performances, as well as the appearances of De Niro, Pesci, Jolie, Baldwin and Hurt, it's the lesser-known European actors who shined in my eyes. Shtefanko is note perfect. He's charismatic, but dangerous. He's Edward's friend, and foe. He delivers his lines in a way that sounds like he's telling the truth, but his facial expressions suggest otherwise. Or maybe they don't. Maybe he's doing what's best for both countries.

In a small-but-crucial role, Mark Ivanir takes over The Good Shepherd as a tortured Russian claiming to be Valentin Mironov. He takes a beating from Ray Brocco (Turturro); then it gets even worse. Just watch the work that Ivanir does in 4-6 minutes. He gets to be pained, misunderstood, funny and tragic in a single sequence. He nails every note while thoroughly out-acting both Turturro and Damon. You may also know Ivanir from Schindler's List, Homeland and Barry. It's amazing this guy hasn't earned more substantial roles in his nearly 30-year career.

In the end, I think back to the beginning of the film. In entirely different scenes, I saw the same lifeless expressions on the faces of Baldwin and Turturro's characters -- these secret soldiers are drained and disgusted, but they also know what needs to be done. Espionage is a dirty business with no friends or loyalty. These lifers are conflicted, but they also believe they are protecting American liberty.

When Edward shakes down gangster Joseph Palmi (Pesci, in a single-scene role), the latter asks:

Let me ask you something... we Italians, we got our families, and we got the church; the Irish, they have the homeland, Jews their tradition; even the n*****s, they got their music. What about you people, Mr. Wilson, what do you have?

With little hesitation, Edward replies, "The United States of America. The rest of you are just visiting."

** JOHN FRASCELLA'S SCORE: 7.5 out of 10 **

My updated review rankings:

1. Up in the Air (9.5/10)
2. Steve Jobs (9.5/10)
3. Margin Call (9/10)
4. Stay (9/10)
5. Gone Girl (9/10)
6. Nocturnal Animals (9/10)
7. 45 Years (9/10)
8. The Edge of Seventeen (9/10)
9. Tape (9/10)
10. A Perfect Murder (9/10)

11. War Dogs (8.5/10)
12. In Bruges (8.5/10)

13. Split (8.5/10)

14. Bad Moms (8.5/10)

15. Basquiat (8.5/10)

16. Moonlight (8/10)

17. The Revenant (7.5/10)
18. The Good Shepherd (7.5/10)

19. The Shallows (7.5/10)
20. Focus (7.5/10) 

21. The Night Before (7.5/10)
22. The Walk (7/10)

23. 10 Cloverfield Lane (7/10)
24. Loving (7/10) - No review available
25. The Boy (6/10) - No review available

26. Joy (5.5/10)

27. La La Land (5.5/10)
28. Molly's Game (5/10)
29. Set It Up (5/10)
30. Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates (4.5/10) - No review available
31. Why Him? (3.5/10) - No review available
32. The Program (3/10)
33. Shut In (2/10) - No review available
34. Premonition (2/10) - No review available

35. Rings (1.5/10)
36. Mother's Day (1.5/10)

Reviews to Come...

Lady Bird
Eastern Promises
A Quiet Place
Life of Pi
Wind River
Hell or High Water

Sunshine Cleaning

Zero Dark Thirty
The Box
Annabelle: Creation
The Conjuring 2
Baby Driver
Body of Lies

Untraceable

The Wonder Boys

Jackie Brown

Mean Streets

Nerve

The Hateful Eight

The Seven Five

How to Be Single

Deadpool

Ratatouille

The Spectacular Now
The Visit
The Purge: Election Year
And more...

The Kawhi Saga Has Finally Ended: Are the Raptors NUTS?

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After a tumultuous year riddled with bizarre and unprofessional behavior from its star player, the San Antonio Spurs finally traded away Kawhi Leonard.

One would think...when a player is essentially forcing your hand...that you wouldn't have much leverage in trade negotiations. But, this is just another case of the Spurs being the Spurs, and the Raptors being the Raptors. In life, there will always be the haves and the have nots.

Spurs GM R.C. Buford absolutely ripped off Raptors GM Masai Ujiri when he dealt Leonard and Danny Green for Jakob Poeltl, a protected 2019 first-round pick and...DeMar DeRozan???

Man! Talk about a sweet haul.

Gregg Popovich and his Spurs rid themselves of Leonard's cancerous behavior -- not to mention the fact that he's a serious injury risk -- and they get back an elite scorer in his prime. This move reeks of Raptors' panic. LeBron James swept them out of the postseason in embarrassing fashion, and Ujiri is clearly looking to shake things up.

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But...is now the time to panic? LeBron is finally gone. The Raptors won the most games in the East this past season. They had continuity with DeRozan, Kyle Lowry and Jonas Valanciunas leading the way, with some up-and-coming youngsters like OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, Delon Wright and Poeltl supporting Toronto's veteran stalwarts.

The only true threat to the Raptors' pre-existing roster was Brad Stevens and his hungry-and-talented young Celtics. The East was looking like a two-horse race, and the Raptors clearly had some hope for the future.

Now, they take on an injured player with a bad attitude. AND most of the talking heads are saying Kawhi will go elsewhere in free agency (most likely to join "LABron" and the Lakers).

So you traded one of your franchise players -- in his prime -- for a potential one-year injured rental who sometimes decides he doesn't want to play basketball at all?

Yikes. Ujiri puts his job on the line with this one.

Furthermore, I like Poeltl. He's a rangy, active big who can rebound, block shots and finish around the rim. He is a very good back-up big. I'm sure Pop can coach him up a level, too.

On the flip side, Green and Tony Parker were relics of a past era. Green has done little to nothing since he burned the Heat in the NBA Finals many years ago, and Parker finally moved on by signing with the clueless Hornets.

While the Leonard saga hung over the Spurs' heads, things were looking grim. You can't trade him to a West contender, right? Can you get a fair enough package from the Celtics? (Danny Ainge is too sharp.) Has the West become too stacked for the Spurs to even matter?

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But, rather suddenly, that has all changed. The Spurs are right back in the thick of things with LaMarcus Aldridge and DeRozan leading the way, with veteran support from Rudy Gay, Marco Belinelli, Pau Gasol and Patty Mills. On the youth front, Pop will do his best with Dejounte Murray, Poeltl, Davis Bertans and Bryn Forbes. I'm sure at least a couple of them will outperform their raw ability.

Up north, Ujiri is all-in. He needs Kawhi to be healthy, and he needs him to commit. The odds of both happening are very slim. I don't like this move for the Raptors. Sure, LeBron owned them, but that's no longer an issue. You've destroyed your continuity. You're gambling...big time.

In the end, the Spurs are a world-class organization. Kawhi should be truly ashamed of his babyish behavior. But, as always, San Antonio will push forward. They will compete -- night in and night out. They will maximize what they have.

The Raptors, on the other hand, will come up short. In basketball, there will always be the haves and the have nots.

Shocking NBA Prediction: Why the Brooklyn Nets Will Make the Playoffs

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PART I: Marks and Atkinson Change the Culture of a Floundering Franchise

When former GM Billy King traded years worth the draft picks to acquire Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett at the tail end of their Hall of Fame NBA careers, the Nets franchise fell into a deep, dark hole with no hope for survival.

The Pierce-KG-Joe Johnson-Deron Williams core was eventually dispatched from the postseason by LeBron James' original Heat superteam in unceremonious fashion. Money-is-no-object owner Mikhail Prokhorov went all-in with King, and the Nets lost. They didn't have a single chip left on the table.

Of course, King's head had to roll. Enter Sean Marks, a former assistant GM and coach for the enviable Spurs. This was a logical and acceptable hire from the get-go. You want to pull on and off-court talent from the organizations that know how to win, and Prokhorov did exactly that with Marks. The best basketball is team basketball, and the Spurs have always subscribed and committed to that successful ideology. There was little doubt that Marks would bring the same philosophy to Brooklyn.

The same could be said of his head coach and partner-in-crime, Kenny Atkinson. When the Hawks were successful with the triumvirate of Jeff Teague, Paul Millsap and Al Horford under HC Mike Budenholzer, they mimicked the style championed in San Antonio. Atkinson was Budenholzer's right-hand man, and the former clearly took a liking to the pass-and-cut, constant-movement, team-first, unselfish offensive basketball that Atlanta played on a nightly basis.

Not surprisingly, Budenholzer had previously worked as a top assistant for Gregg Popovich. Pop passed his knowledge down to Budenholzer, who then proceeded to do the same for Atkinson. From there, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to make the connection between Atkinson and Marks. It's no coincidence that these are like-minded individuals.

Marks and Atkinson have made things very simple for their young Nets: We play fast. We push the ball. We run, cut and finish hard. We share the ball, and we always support our teammates. No bullshit. All professionalism.

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Coming off the best year of his professional career, SG Joe Harris was a sleeper name on the free agent market this offseason. Considering his three-point shooting, surprising finishing ability, consistent energy and all-around efficiency, many teams expressed interest in signing Joe. However, he stuck with the Nets. His remarks were the most interesting part of the situation:

“It’s a family-first organization and they want that to be noticeable in the organization with the players,” said Harris. “They don’t force anything on us. But guys, we tend to gravitate and want to hang out and be around each other. There’s good chemistry and continuity. Ultimately it’s going to help us be better. The teams that have got good continuity, good chemistry typically have more success.”

“I believe in Kenny. I believe in Sean.”

These are pointed comments from a player who had a clear opportunity to play for more "proven" franchises -- teams that are expected to reach the postseason this upcoming year. Harris sees what Marks and Atkinson are building. The oncoming wave is gathering height and momentum. The first major step is coming in the 2018-19 NBA season. 

PART II: Spotting Diamonds in the Rough

The key to long-term success is management. Despite my Mets' success in 2015, I remained concerned about their future because of an ill-prepared front office led by Sandy Alderson, who is out of touch with the current standards of player evaluation and development. The Mets have since fallen off the map, and their inability to evaluate talent dooms them long-term. Any potential rebuild won't work because they'll acquire insufficient packages of incoming talent. 

The Nets don't have that problem with Marks, assistant GM Trajan Langdon and Atkinson. Let's take a look at some of their incredible finds:

1. Signing scrap-heap free agent G Spencer Dinwiddie in December of 2016. 

Dinwiddie was a second-round selection by the Pistons in the 2014 draft, and no one ever seemed to think much of him. After a mostly unsuccessful tenure in Detroit, they traded him to the Bulls for Cameron Bairstow, who has been an absolute zero at the NBA level. After doing little-to-nothing in Chicago, the Bills waived Dinwiddie, leaving him out in the cold. 

NBA execs weren't knocking down his door, but Marks and Atkinson saw something. At 6-foot-6, 200 pounds with a sneakily long wingspan and a spectacular first step, Dinwiddie possesses physical gifts that are usually sought after. The problem was that the Pistons and Bulls normally had him playing off the ball, on the wings or in the corners. Dinwiddie has a nice outside stroke, but Atkinson quickly realized that he is at his best with the rock in his hands. Dinwiddie's quick first step allows him to drive both right and left, and he's quite good around the rim. During D'Angelo Russell's injury absence, Dinwiddie was Brooklyn's undisputed go-to-guy. The latter displayed a shockingly-strong ability to close tight games, something Russell -- despite being the bigger name -- simply hasn't been able to do. 

Long story short, Dinwiddie became a finalist for the NBA's Most Improved Player award. His confidence should be at an all-time high, and he'll be an integral part of the Nets' success this upcoming season. 

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2. Getting G/F Caris LeVert and C Jarrett Allen late in the 1st rounds of the 2016 and '17 drafts, respectively. 

If you really want to evaluate executives, see how they do in a round dominated by busts. Look around LeVert in the '16 draft -- Guerschon Yabusele, Henry Ellenson, Malachi Richardson, Furkan Korkmaz and more of the like -- yet Marks and Atkinson nabbed a kid who can drive, shoot, defend and successfully play multiple positions. LeVert is long, athletic and versatile -- a perfect fit for the style of today's NBA game. That's a move by executives who are in touch with the rapidly-evolving nature of the league. 

Allen was selected after Terrance Ferguson, T.J. Leaf, D.J. Wilson and Justin Patton. Yikes. What were all of those teams doing? The near 7-footer went on to become a surprising stud as a rookie -- finishing with flair and athleticism, showcasing top-notch coordination, blocking shots and making himself available to drive-and-dish teammates. The early comparisons to Clint Capela and DeAndre Jordan are most certainly warranted. Allen is a much better free throw shooter, though. Allen is a catch-and-finish big who shows the potential to step back into the midrange over time. He has a very soft touch for a true big. 

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3. Signing Joe Harris in the first place. 

In his rookie season, Harris played 51 games for the Cavs, in which he averaged just 2.7 points per game on 40% shooting. The next year he played 5 games and averaged 0.6 points.

That ensuing offseason, Marks and Atkinson sought him out. 

Why? How? What exactly did they see?

Harris quickly rewarded his bosses with the best two years of his career. He's improved in every category, and he consistently provides the perimeter shooting that is an absolute necessity these days. He knocks down his standstill shots, as well as curls and rolls off down-screens. When the D closes too hard, he puts the ball on the deck and finishes at the rim. Joe Harris is a smart player. Joe Harris is a VERY good all-around professional basketball player. 

PART III: The East Is Wideeee Open

LeBron is gone, the Celtics and Raptors should be locked in atop the conference, while many other playoff spots should be up for grabs. We can pencil in the 76ers, Wizards, Bucks and Pacers for the postseason, but teams like the Hawks, Magic and Knicks are essentially tanking. The actual number of teams in competition for playoff spots is shockingly small. The window of opportunity is open for the Nets, and they have the personnel and management to get it done. 

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Russell, Dinwiddie, LeVert, Allen and Harris are joined by DeMarre Carroll, Allen Crabbe, Rondae-Hollis Jefferson and Ed Davis in Atkinson's rotation. These Nets don't have any dead weight. They are fast, athletic, versatile and hungry. Yes, they lack the big-name franchise player -- which is why I would love to trade Russell and a 1st rounder for Kemba Walker -- but they rarely run into mid-game lulls. Their starters and reserves are interchangeable in a positive way; so in the end, the ultimate key for Atkinson's club will be closing tight games. They weren't able to do that last season, but I'm certain Atkinson and Marks will figure out the right ways to utilize Russell, Dinwiddie, LeVert and Carroll down the stretch. 

You heard it here first...the 2018-19 Brooklyn Nets are making the playoffs.

Report Cards for Round 3 of NBA Signings: Randle & Rondo Switch Places; Tyreke to Indy; LaVine, Favors & Nurkic Re-Sign

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Earlier this week I wrote that I was officially retiring from NBA writing because DeMarcus "Boogie" Cousins signed with the almighty Warriors.

Looks like I lied about that.

Well, I don't know if lied is exactly the right word; I've often been referred to as "Flip-Floppin' Frascella" (aka "Flip-Floppin' Fro"), and that appears to be what I'm doing right this very second. Flip-floppin' in full effect. Hey, at least I'm consistent. Sort of.

Before we get into Round 3 of my report cards, take a moment to track how we got here:

Round 1: Headlined by Paul George, Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan and Nikola Jokic.
Round 2: Featured megastars LeBron James, Kevin Durant and more.

This time around, we might as well start with the elephant in the room...

1. DeMarcus Cousins signs a 1-year, $5.3 million deal with the 2x defending-champion Warriors.

Team Grade: A
Player Grade: A

I almost gave the Warriors an A- because Cousins could bring controversy to a club that doesn't need it. Obviously Golden State was vulnerable against Houston in the Western Conference Finals, so I understand the Warriors' interest in bolstering their already-legendary attack.

Coming off such a devastating injury, I'm sure Golden State will bring Boogie along slowly. I don't expect to see him early in the regular season; 2019 marks a more likely return to the hardwood.

But, he should be mostly healthy come playoff time. And that's when this move is really going to be annoying for the rest of us. The Rockets weren't able to add LeBron to James Harden and CP3; the Spurs continue to deal with the never-ending Kawhi Leonard saga; the Thunder are one short behind Russell Westbrook and PG, and the rest of the conference isn't experienced or ready enough to be considered a legitimate preseason threat to The Evil Empire.

This is bad. It's all bad. The Rockets better at least get Clint Capela back.

2. Julius Randle inks a 2-year, $18 million deal with the Pelicans.

Team Grade: C+
Player Grade: C

Errrrr, I'm not too sure about this one.

Is Nikola Mirotic going to play small forward? Is Randle? Are one of these two guys gonna be asked to carry New Orleans' second unit?

Any way you slice it, these two are going to see the court together -- most likely at crunchtime. I don't like the skillsets in relation to the franchise's centerpiece, Anthony Davis. AD and Mirotic work very well together, but not those two plus Randle. I don't like the floor spacing and I don't like the mix of personnel.

Randle and the Pelicans both could have made better decisions.

3. Zach LaVine re-signs with the Bulls for 4 years, $78 million. 

Team Grade: C
Player Grade: A-

I mean, the Bulls are supposed to be tanking, right? Am I missing something here?

Obviously they are looking to save face from the Jimmy Butler deal. They don't feel they've had enough time to evaluate LaVine's potential long-term impact, so...seventy-eight million?? Yikes, fellas. (I know they had to match Sacramento's offer sheet.)

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Every article I read tells me LaVine sucks according to almost all advanced metrics. Buuuut, I'm gonna choose to ignore those articles. He's a plus-plus athlete with volume-scoring ability. The mental aspect of his game needs years of careful development, but the potential impact is there. I don't view him as a franchise player, but he could be a 22-24 PPG guy.

In the short-term, the Bulls are going nowhere. We'll see how their youngsters develop over a 2-4 year span.

4. Tyreke Evans signs with the Pacers for 1 year, $12 million.

Team Grade: A+
Player Grade: A

"That's a bingoooo!" in Christoph Waltz's voice from Inglourious Basterds.

The Pacers lost Lance Stephenson to "LABron" and his Lakers, but Tyreke is a far superior player. This is a savvy slasher who averaged 19.4 points, 5.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game with the offensively-challenged Grizzlies last season. His three-point shooting percentage was the second-best of his career, at 39.9. Evans is aging like fine wine...except for the injuries. That's always something you have to keep an eye on with him.

IF he can play 60+ games, this is a home run for both parties. Tyreke can start or carry your second unit. Nate McMillan and Victor Oladipo will have fun with him.

5. Jusuf Nurkic re-signs with the Blazers for 4 years, $48 million. 

Team Grade: B+
Player Grade: B

I happen to like Nurkic; but this feels like a sinking ship. Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum have been voicing some public concerns about the construction of the Blazers' roster, and they absolutely shit the bed against the Pelicans in the postseason. Portland has reached the playoffs three-straight seasons, but I have a feeling that streak ends this year.

Eventually it'll be time to tear it down. Nurkic is a good, old-school center, though.

6. Derrick Favors re-signs with the Jazz for 2 years, $36 million.

Team Grade: C
Player Grade: A+

Derrick Favors is just a blah player. He's not terrible, but he's bad enough that Quin Snyder had to completely avoid using him at times in the playoffs. Favors knows his role, which is nice, but that role isn't impactful enough for me to care. The Jazz will be battling for a postseason spot with the aforementioned Blazers and Pelicans, as well as the Timberwolves, Nuggets and others. Brutal conference.

7. Avery Bradley re-signs with the Clippers for 2 years, $25 million.

Team Grade: C
Player Grade: A

Ugh, do we really care about the Clippers at this point? What a mess. Doc Rivers drives Chris Paul out of town with preferential treatment for his son, Austin; then, with CP3 gone, he ends up trading his son for washed-up Marcin Gortat. I dunno what's going on.

Bradley was more of a thing with the Celtics. He's lost his luster. Like Favors, I don't really view him as a true impact player.

8. Rajon Rondo signs a 1-year, $9 million deal with the Lakers. 

Team Grade: B-
Player Grade: B-

I don't know, man...what exactly is going on here?

Rajon Rondo had a great thing going with Davis, Mirotic and Jrue Holiday in New Orleans -- why would both parties want to break that up? That was as well as Rondo has played in a looooong time.

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Now he joins "Showtime" aka the "Baby Lakers" with the LeBron circus and a truly bizarre roster. Maybe Lonzo Ball will be out longer than we expect? LeBron, Lonzo, Rondo and Brandon Ingram all like to handle the ball. I dunno about this mix, either. If Lonzo is out a long time, the Rondo move makes a bit more sense.

Meanwhile the Pelicans committed to Elfrid Payton, instead. He's horrible. I don't understand what anyone is doing anymore.

9. Kyle Anderson signs a 4-year, $37.2 million offer sheet with the Grizzlies. 

Team Grade (if they ultimately get him): D
Player Grade: A

Would you actively seek out an NBA player whose nickname is "Slow-Mo"?

And it's not like, a cute childhood moniker or anything of the sort. His nickname is Slow-Mo...because he's slow. At the NBA level, his lack of foot speed sticks out like a sore thumb. He's a nice little defender and team-first player, but he also isn't that good at basketball.

$37 million is a lot of money for a fringe role player. Memphis likes dumping money on guys like this and Chandler Parsons. What a disaster over there.

Tune in next time, if Capela ever signs on a dotted line.