No, You’re Wrong.

Photo By Seth Johnston

Connor Huchton and Scott Leedy like to argue. Instead of shouting at each other over Twitter, they’ve decided to try something more constructive: An actual, semi-coherent email conversation. What you see below are the results. 

Huchton: So, this lockout sucks.

Leedy: I know. SO MUCH GOOD STUFF TO WRITE ABOUT. I love it.

Huchton: I was interested to see how it would affect people that we know (at least vaguely), the basketball media people and the fans, as it progressed. It feels like a slow-moving plague. Initially there was this foreboding, ominous mood (July-August), and now we’re in the throes of September tension. It feels like October anger is next, and the only thing that can stop that is a deal.

Leedy: I think more than anything it’s the uncertainty and the lack of control that’s so unsettling. As we get closer to losing games it becomes more and more apparent that us fans have almost no power over basically anything that happens. More importantly, even if we do get a season, there’s no J.R. Smith. So it’s kind of like, what’s the point?

Huchton: One of the things I’m worried about is losing the continuation of any sort of storyline from the previous year. Who’s going to remember the Mavericks, Derrick Rose, and Kwame Brown finally having a “breakout year”?? Even if we still have a season, the only thing people will talk about is the lockout and the ensuing flurry of signings. Well, that and the Heat. There won’t be a continuation of questions and debates. It’ll just be “How will this team be affected by the lockout?” I like fresh starts, but this won’t feel fresh. It’ll feel forced.

Leedy: I’m all for forgetting the Mavericks. In fact, let’s just pretend the 2010-11 season didn’t happen. In all seriousness though, I’m perfectly fine with losing some of the narrative. It’s often the most obnoxious part of sports anyway (see the LeBron coverage during this year’s finals). With that said, I still believe some of the more interesting basketball related questions will remain at the forefront. We will still be wondering about the viability of a Durant-Westbrook tandem, and the emergence of James Harden as a potential third star. Both Boston and The Lakers will be the subject of the “Are they finally too old?” discussion, and many (myself included) will be interested to see how everything in New York plays out (Melo-Amare, Mike D’Antoni, and Chauncey Billups continuing to inexplicably be considered a terrific “leader” while hoisting up awful threes in critical situations). The real crime of this lockout will be forcing all of us to watch more college basketball. Hate you so much, NCAA.

Huchton: I don’t really get why NBA people often have this disdain for the NCAA. It can be as fun or exciting as anything else. March Madness is a little over-hyped by some, but it’s still fantastic and unpredictable. It’s going to be interesting to see the ridiculous analysis of future NBA prospects playing the college game if we don’t have a season. “Is Jared Sullinger the next Greg Oden?” No, he’s the next DeJuan Blair (though he’s way better defensively).

Leedy: I can’t speak for everyone, but my disdain for NCAA is two-fold:

1)    I can’t stand the NCAA as an organization (that’s a discussion for another time).

2)    The quality of play is a huge step down, and I don’t think that’s debatable. I understand the lure of March Madness and I get why people love its unpredictable nature, but I prefer a seven-game series and a structure that more effectively determines the best team. Furthermore, while evaluating prospects is both fun and interesting, it’s never grabbed me the same way it has others. I guess it boils down to the ever present fact that none of us really “know” how these prospects will turn out. It’s much more engaging (for me at least) to watch a player develop and grow throughout his NBA career than it is to try and simplify a prospect down to characteristics that make him analogous to a current or former NBA player.

Huchton: This seems like a good time to ask you how you feel about Evan Turner. I feel like he’s really got lost in the shuffle. Jeez, I wouldn’t want to be a #2 pick. That hardly ever turns out well.

Leedy: This is where I could pretend to actually know something or I could just admit that I hardly watched the Sixers play this year. However, as you noted, being a high pick in general can be a curse. Unlike the NFL, there isn’t a giant pile of money waiting for you, and yet expectations remain incredibly high. If you’re anything short of a franchise changing force you’ll most likely be deemed a bust. And who knows? Your wife, ex-girlfriend or hookup might even end up on Basketball Wives.

Huchton: I did have an idea for a Basketball Wives spin-off the other day, if things get too bad. It’s pretty simple, really. It’s called Basketball Dads, and it’s basically exactly the same.

Leedy: I think it’s a rule that once you start discussing theoretical/fake reality show the conversation has come to an end.

Huchton: I think it’s the opposite. Since you’re in the advising mood, give me some advice on how to get though this lockout. Porcelain blankets?

Leedy: I think this lockout is going to take my sobriety. Or kill me. I’m not sure which.