Tidbitzzz

Thank God Gore was locked up long-term relatively quickly. I'm surprised Drew "The Agent from Hell" Rosenhaus didn't cause that big of a stink. Anyways, check the great article by Matt Maiocco here. It's pretty ironic how most "draft experts" hated on the pick and how SI supposedly felt he was "the most overrated back in the draft."
ESPN has more insight into the deal:

Pretty much under the radar by NFL standards, Gore ran for 1,695 yards and averaged 5.43 yards per carry during the 2006 season.

Don't just sail past those numbers; they're special. Only five other players in NFL history have enjoyed seasons in which they reached the Gore levels for both rushing yards and yards per carry: Jim Brown (1963), O.J. Simpson (1973 and 1975), Walter Payton (1977), Eric Dickerson (1984) and Barry Sanders (1994 and 1997).

Pretty good company huh?

Todd McShay from Scouts, Inc. has a new mock up at ESPN (posted 3/27). Many thanks to the Insider subscriber who posted it on the 49ersworld forum!

I honestly think it would be a godsend if DT Alan Branch dropped to us. Then again, would Nolan and Co. use a 1st round pick on a guy who's been described as looking lazy, out-of-shape and unmotivated during workouts? Doesn't really seem to fit the profile of players they want on the team, that's for sure.

***

ESPN has their new NBA Mock Draft Lottery Simulator up. It's fun to keep refreshing the lottery to see different scenarios pop up. After hitting "Play Lottery" three or four times, I see that the Warriors either end up drafting C Roy Hibbert of Georgetown or SF Thaddeus Young of Georgia Tech w/ the 14th pick...which makes me wonder - do we really need another C or SF? If I were the W's, I'd be more worried about trying to secure a low-post threat at the PF position, even if it would mean perhaps trading our 1st rounder this year along w/ one of our guys...I know trading within conferences is typically a no-no, but I read somewhere that PF Zach Randolph is looking more and more expendable w/ the improved play of F LaMarcus Aldridge. Can someone fiddle w/ the RealGM Trade Checker and work out a deal for him that includes J Rich? I'm sorry J Rich fans out there...it's just that I'm convinced that Monta is the future of this squad...

One more note about the Draft Sim...Memphis almost always gets the #1 overall pick (and if not that, then #2). Isn't it almost unfair that they get to pair either Oden or Durant w/ Pau next year? That frontcourt is gonna be sick.

Get well soon, Shawn

I only heard about it, but here's a clip of Shawn Livingston's grotesque knee injury...please be forewarned - it's not for the faint of heart...

I don't know about you, but I winced and groaned out loud when the injury occurs in the vid. As someone who's an avid player of the game, I guess it's something I can identify with.
Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! Sports has this interesting read up about Livingston:

Had Livingston gone to college, he never would have gotten out, each injury serving as a red flag to the NBA that would have kept him from being drafted. And eventually Livingston's knee was destined to fail him. It just would have been in Cameron Indoor rather than the Staples Center.

Instead he got when the getting was possible, and smart, savvy and mature, he then protected his money. One of his business advisors said Wednesday that Livingston has perhaps $6 million in bank. He is set to earn additional NBA and shoe company millions while he rehabs over at least the next eight to 12 months.

He probably will play again. But even if he doesn't, even this is a worst-case scenario and he never sees another minute in the NBA, he forever has changed the economic realities of his family.

Personally, I'd have to disagree w/ his first point. I feel that if he had gone on to spend a year or two at Duke before joining the NBA ranks, he would have given his body some time to mature. Maybe it's in his genes to have a lanky (borderline wispy) frame, but at least he would have access to personal team trainers to help him bulk up and gain some semblance of musculature (thus reducing his injury risk). It can be argued that he was banged up so much during his brief NBA career because his body was, simply, not prepared (please don't mention LeBron...or Oden...they're freaks of nature...or Human Growth Hormone guzzlers).

Not that they don't have trainers and nutritionists in the NBA. In fact, I'm sure that they boast of the services of some of the best in the biz. It's just that with a grueling 82-game schedule that involves an insane amount of travel, it's hard to see where he'd have the time to work on getting his body up to par to NBA standards.

Then again, there's always the summertime to put in the work. And if Livingston's frail condition is a reflection of his lack of dedication during that time, then it's all on him.

Isn't it funny how his rail-thin body sticks out in today's jacked-up NBA? In another era, bodies like his were the norm. Case in point - the Iceman, George Gervin.

Dwight got robbed...Dick Bavetta is strange

Easily the most creative dunk I've seen in awhile. I guess his scores were lowered due to the fact that he's 6-10, but still...

Oh and did anyone else notice the nasty, oozing cut on Dick Bavetta's right knee right after his race w/ Charles? And need I say anything about the kiss on the lips they shared?

What a joke...

Sophs 155 def. Rooks 114 (boxscore)

I caught a few minutes of this 'game'...what a joke. No 'D' being played whatsoever. Case in point, David "White Rodman" Lee went 14-14 for a ridiculous line he will never replicate in an NBA game: 30, 11 and 4. It was almost boring to watch. Monta's insane alleyoop jams made things a bit more bearable though.

I also had a hell of a time figuring out who the hell was wearing a strange powder blue alternate jersey for the Rooks. Turns out it was Paul Millsap on the Jazz who had a quiet 22 and 8.

I wonder how they could make this game more relevant/interesting in the future. Maybe give a cash prize to the winners? After seeing this year's results, maybe the best thing would be to spot the Rooks a 20 pt. lead at the beginning of the game.

Then again, this was a weak-ass rookie class. I mean, the fact that Jorge Garbajosa got run speaks volumes.