Running Draft Commentary From The WaMu
Stay tuned throughout the night as Andrew Perna and Jason M. Williams comment on the 2009 NBA Draft.
Andrew Perna | Jun 25, 2009
A Trade Deadline Of Spenders And Savers
While most of the deadline was focused on saving money, there were some deals that could alter the playoffs in the East.
Jason M. Williams | Feb 20, 2009
2008-09 Midseason Report Cards: Atlantic Division
The Atlantic is currently home to the defending champion Celtics and a crew of underachievers currently resting below the .500 line.
Jason M. Williams | Feb 4, 2009
2008-09 Midseason Report Cards: Central Division
The Central division has had at least one representative in the Eastern Conference Finals for each of the past six years and Cleveland looks like the pick this season.
Jason M. Williams | Jan 29, 2009
2008-09 Midseason Report Cards: Southeast Division
The Southeast is the only Eastern Conference division containing three teams over .500 at the midway point of the season.
Jason M. Williams | Jan 26, 2009
2008-09 Midseason Report Cards: Southwest Division
The Texas Trio is having its usual expected success, the Hornets continue their ascent to the top of the league, and the Grizzlies have fared far better than anticipated.
Jason M. Williams | Jan 20, 2009
2008-09 Midseason Report Cards: Pacific Division
The Pacific is quickly sinking to the bottom of the West despite being home to the most recent Conference Champion Lakers.
Jason M. Williams | Jan 14, 2009
2008-09 Midseason Report Cards: Northwest Division
The Northwest should send three teams to the playoffs while things are looking suddenly more promising for the Wolves and Thunder.
Jason M. Williams | Jan 12, 2009
More Than A Salary Dump
For most of the NBA, the Knicks' trades last Friday were about 2010. But this trade can also help the club this season.
Jason M. Williams | Nov 25, 2008
2008-09 Season Preview: Atlantic Division
The Celtics were the first NBA champion from the Atlantic since they won it all back in 1986. Can they repeat?
Jason M. Williams | Oct 23, 2008
2008-09 Season Preview: Central Division
Do the Pistons have a good enough blend to once again go deep into the playoffs, or will the additions of Cleveland bolster LeBron's chances?
Jason M. Williams | Oct 15, 2008
2008-09 Season Preview: Southeast Division
Between Beasley, Howard and Horford there are no shortage of talented big men, but what kind of seasons will Wade, Gilbert, Johnson, and Rashard have?
Jason M. Williams | Oct 9, 2008
2008-09 Season Preview: Southwest Division
No division in basketball is deeper than the Southwest. The Hornets, Rockets, Mavericks and Spurs all made the postseason in 2008 and have the personnel to do it again this season.
Jason M. Williams | Oct 2, 2008
2008-09 Season Preview: Pacific Division
Shaq will be in Phoenix an entire season, Baron Davis has joined the Clippers, Maggette is with the Warriors and Artest is gone but the Pacific still belongs to Kobe and the Lakers.
Jason M. Williams | Sep 23, 2008
2008-09 Season Preview: Northwest Division
As Utah stayed pay and Denver regressed, the Blazers, Thunder, and Wolves are all rebuilding and significantly improving their rosters. Is this the year Portland can usurp the Jazz?
Jason M. Williams | Sep 19, 2008
Final Thoughts On The 2008 NBA Draft
This year's draft was decidedly more calm and casual than the Oden/Durant showdown, which made for a more candid and personal experience.
Jason M. Williams | Jun 30, 2008
Running Draft Commentary From NYC
Stay tuned throughout the night as Andrew Perna and Jason M. Williams comment live from the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Andrew Perna | Jun 26, 2008
A Calm Uneasiness To Media Day
With mock drafts around the internet placing lottery players anywhere from the third to the eighteenth pick, there was more of a ‘Let’s wait and see’ attitude permeating the room.
Jason M. Williams | Jun 25, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Boston Draft Preview
The Celtics need depth at both guard positions and could take a talented wing with the 30th overall selection.
Jason M. Williams | Jun 25, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Detroit Draft Preview
The Pistons can use a big man who can really score down low, as Sheed and McDyess rely so heavily on the mid-range jumper.
Jason M. Williams | Jun 24, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Memphis Draft Preview (28th)
If the Grizzlies make an inspired selection with this pick, it will help offset those who believed the Lakers fleeced them for Pau Gasol.
Jason M. Williams | Jun 23, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: New Orleans Draft Preview
With Chris Paul at the helm, the remainder of the team will always overachieve. Can they bring in a wing that can get to the rim?
Jason M. Williams | Jun 22, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: San Antonio Draft Preview
Could the Spurs draft a point guard to give them some depth behind Tony Parker, or will they go younger on the wing?
Jason M. Williams | Jun 21, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Houston Draft Preview
Let’s face it – when Yao goes down again, the Rockets just don’t have enough firepower. They desperately need another scorer.
Jason M. Williams | Jun 20, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Seattle Draft Preview (24th)
The Sonics have five picks in the top-50 and need an upgrade at point guard and a center who actually eats food.
Jason M. Williams | Jun 19, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Utah Draft Preview
Utah will likely look in the draft for a guy who can take up some space and give them strength in the paint.
Jason M. Williams | Jun 18, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Orlando Draft Preview
The Magic need a big body they can pair with Dwight Howard or a wing that can create his own shot in the lane.
Jason M. Williams | Jun 17, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: New Jersey Draft Preview (21st)
Will the Nets get ambitious with the 21st pick, which came over in the Kidd trade?
Jason M. Williams | Jun 17, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Orlando Draft Preview
The Magic need a big body they can pair with Dwight Howard or a wing that can create his own shot in the lane.
Jason M. Williams | Jun 17, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Denver Draft Preview
The Nuggets could look for a real point guard or improved defense on the wing in their familiar position of drafting 20th.
Jason M. Williams | Jun 16, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Cleveland Draft Preview
The Cavs put together a team on the fly last year at the deadline; what will they find with their highest pick since 2004 when they selected Luke Jackson?
Jason M. Williams | Jun 15, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Washington Draft Preview
The Wizards could address their lack of depth at the point guard position or might look to add some beef in the middle.
Jason M. Williams | Jun 14, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Toronto Draft Preview
The Raptors need help on the glass and an upgrade at the small forward position; could Donte Greene be their guy at 17?
Jason M. Williams | Jun 13, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Philadelphia Draft Preview
The Sixers could use an offensive beast in the paint or a perimeter shooter in this year's draft, but they could address either issue with their cap room, as well.
Jason M. Williams | Jun 12, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Phoenix Draft Preview
The Suns have continually dealt away first round talent for cap savings and have zero titles to show for it; will they keep their pick this year?
Jason M. Williams | Jun 11, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Golden State Draft Preview
The Warriors don’t possess many gifted scorers on the inside but could find one if Arthur, Speights, or Love is available at 14.
Jason M. Williams | Jun 10, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Portland Draft Preview
When healthy, the Blazers have absolute studs at shooting guard, power forward, and center; will they upgrade at small forward or point guard in this draft?
Jason M. Williams | Jun 9, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Sacramento Draft Preview
With Artest in the final year of his contract, why not take a gamble on a big European wingman as they did a decade ago with Peja and Hedo?
Jason M. Williams | Jun 8, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Indiana Draft Preview
The Pacers desperately want D.J. Augustin, but would they go with the big upside of DeAndre Jordan if the point guard is off the board?
Jason M. Williams | Jun 7, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: New Jersey Draft Preview
The Nets have a talented core but need a big who can score inside; could Speights or Arthur become that guy at 10?
Jason M. Williams | Jun 6, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Charlotte Draft Preview
The Bobcats need interior scoring and depth at both guard positions; could Anthony Randolph be their guy if he's still on the board?
Jason M. Williams | Jun 5, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Milwaukee Draft Preview
Not a single player selected number 8 over the past five years is still on his original team; will the Bucks stop the trend with Westbrook or Augustin?
Jason M. Williams | Jun 4, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: LA Clippers Draft Preview
The Clippers have a great team on paper, but their 59 losses last year would suggest otherwise. Can they upgrade their backcourt in the draft?
Jason M. Williams | Jun 3, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: New York Draft Preview
The 6th pick has produced great results in recent years and will represent the first acquisition of the post-Isiah, Walsh/D'Antoni-era.
Jason M. Williams | Jun 2, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Memphis Draft Preview
O.J. Mayo would team with Conley and Gay to be an extremely athletic backcourt combination, but the Grizzlies also need to improve their frontcourt.
Jason M. Williams | May 31, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Seattle Draft Preview
Seattle has made a habit of drafting raw centers, so will they buck the trend this year and draft scoring point guard Jerryd Bayless?
Jason M. Williams | May 30, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Minnesota Draft Preview
The Wolves are in full speed rebuilding mode right now. With the third pick in the Draft, they will add yet another talented youth to their core.
Jason M. Williams | May 29, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Miami Draft Preview
Miami gets to just sit back and relax and pick whomever the Bulls don’t pick out of the Beasley/Rose Debate.
Jason M. Williams | May 28, 2008
30 Teams, 30 Days: Chicago Draft Preview
The Bulls have one of the deepest rotations eight-deep in the league, and adding either Beasley or Rose will only strengthen their young core.
Jason M. Williams | May 27, 2008
Breaking Down The Conference Finals
We shouldn't be at all surprised that the Lakers, Spurs, Celtics, and Pistons are each one series win away from a return to the NBA Finals.
Jason M. Williams | May 20, 2008
Breaking Down The 2nd Round
After a somewhat surprising first round of the 2008 NBA playoffs, we find ourselves with even better match-ups in the Round of Eight.
Jason M. Williams | May 5, 2008
Breaking Down The 1st Round
In this column we identify four hot topics for each series: the key storylines, the best individual match-up, the biggest mismatch, and the Trade Deadline Airball.
Jason M. Williams | Apr 18, 2008
Picking The 2007-08 Awards
Kobe or Paul? Durant or Horford? Camby or J-Smoove? Hedo or Calderon? Here are Jason Williams' 2007-2008 award picks.
Jason M. Williams | Apr 15, 2008
Follow The Future At The Final Four
Don’t care about college basketball? Think the NCAA Tournament has way too many teams? Are you strictly a fan of the NBA? Then this weekend’s Final Four is right up your alley.
Jason M. Williams | Apr 2, 2008
How The Top Prospects Fared In The Opening Round
Beasley, Rose, Bayless, Mayo, and Gordon. These are five of the top six picks in Reina’s RealGM Mock Draft. Can one of these five young athletes use the tourney as a stepping stone to the top overall selection in the Draft?
Jason M. Williams | Mar 22, 2008
Dream Playoff Match-Ups Out West
If given the choice of the four Western Conference first round match-ups, here is what would offer the most fun and excitement to the worldwide community of drama-hungry NBA fans.
Jason M. Williams | Mar 4, 2008
Looking Beyond The Shaq Shock
The Suns have continually fallen short in the postseason, and it is often because they are exposed by having nobody to patrol the paint to slow down prolific inside scorers.
Jason M. Williams | Feb 6, 2008
Midseason Awards
We sifted through the numbers and all the tape and have determined the rightful owners of the NBA’s midseason hardware.
Jason M. Williams | Jan 26, 2008
The Chicken Or The Egg?
Is it Isiah’s one-dimensional rotations that put the Knicks in a position to fail, which ultimately leads to booing?
Jason M. Williams | Dec 12, 2007
Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Tuesday's spurt of savage relentlessness in the 2nd half is what separates Derrick Rose from the rest of the young point guards in the nation.
Jason M. Williams | Dec 5, 2007
2007-2008 Season Preview: Southwest Division
The state of Texas might have three of the best four teams in the NBA and the Southwest Division will be the toughest division to win this season. What kind of impact will Luis Scola have? Have the Mavs recovered from the Warriors' series? Can Chris Paul and Pau Gasol stay healthy? Can the Spurs finally repeat?
Jason M. Williams | Oct 24, 2007
2007-2008 Season Preview: Pacific Division
Will this finally be the Suns' season to get over the hump? Can the Warriors return to the playoffs? Will Kobe Bryant begin and end the season with the Lakers? Can the Clippers win if Elton Brand's not healthy? Where are the Kings going?
Jason M. Williams | Oct 16, 2007
2007-2008 Season Preview: Northwest Division
Can the Jazz make another long playoff run? How will the Nuggets play in year two of the Iverson era? Will the Blazers progress while they wait for Oden? Will Durant or Green be the better Seattle rookie? Just how bad will Minnesota be?
Jason M. Williams | Oct 11, 2007
2007-2008 Season Preview: Southeast Division
The Southeast Division produced three playoff teams last season (Heat, Wizards and Magic), while the Bobcats and Hawks are convinced that their talented young rosters are ready to take the next step as well. Which teams will be around in May?
Jason M. Williams | Oct 3, 2007
2007-2008 Season Preview: Central Division
Expectations in Cleveland, Detroit and Chicago are very high, where all three clubs have The Finals on their minds. Simply winning a division crown will be difficult for any of these teams.
Jason M. Williams | Sep 25, 2007
2007-2008 Season Preview: Atlantic Division
With the season approaching, we here at RealGM decided to offer a six-part series that will break down the off-season maneuvers of each team, take a look at who went where, and pose burning questions that will plague each team as it prepares for the start of the regular season.
Jason M. Williams | Sep 19, 2007
The 30 GM's: Steve Kerr Of The Phoenix Suns
Since officially being named the team’s GM in June, Steve Kerr has been carefully stringent to say the least. With their payroll rapidly threatening the luxury tax threshold, Kerr has felt the pressure from ownership to cut costs wherever possible.
Jason M. Williams | Aug 31, 2007
Brand Injury Could Put Clips Back In Cellar
Two years removed from being a game away from a date with the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals, the Clippers once again appear to be destined to be… well, the Clippers – the cellar dweller of the Pacific Division.
Jason M. Williams | Aug 13, 2007
Sad Day In ‘Sota
Once the Minnesota fan base is willing to move on and accept the departure of The Kid, they will look into their game programs and realize that they have a wealth of youthful talent on the floor that is not too far away from competing.
Jason M. Williams | Jul 31, 2007
Grading The Draft: Western Conference
With Kevin Durant, Greg Oden, Brandan Wright, Corey Brewer amongst others going to the Western Conference, many teams improved on draft night.
Jason M. Williams | Jul 17, 2007
Grading The Draft: Eastern Conference
The criterion that will compose the overall grade will be based on three subjects – overall quality and talent of player(s) selected, team needs addressed, and an added plus for teams who landed a steal versus a minus for those who jumped on a guy who could be a potential first round bust.
Jason M. Williams | Jul 9, 2007
Winners Of Draft Day Trades
Thirteen deals took place during the 2007 NBA Draft and here we break them down to see who came out on top.
Jason M. Williams | Jul 4, 2007
Running Draft Commentary From MSG
RealGM's Jason M. Williams and Andrew Perna are camped out at the media hotbed that is the NBA Draft. Make sure to check back here all night as they'll be supplying you with running commentary on everything going on at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden.
Andrew Perna | Jun 28, 2007
How Do These 'Franchise-Savers' Handle The Media?
As usual, Joakim Noah had the crowd laughing with his childish excitement, humorous remarks and eccentric antics. He mentioned that he was getting a “crispy shapeup” for his hair and told us to be excited about his suit.
Jason M. Williams | Jun 28, 2007
Lottery Spotlight: Acie Law
Acie Law's ability to involve and create for his teammates is still improving and he is more of a shoot-first point guard, rather than a pure distributor.
Jason M. Williams | Jun 23, 2007
Much To Be Determined
What makes The Finals so interesting is that it will definitely play a major role in sculpting the historical landscape of the NBA.
Jason M. Williams | Jun 6, 2007
Give And Go Reader Response
We appreciate all of the reader feedback, and will initiate this column in an attempt to offer personal responses to a select number of emails from fans who decided to take time from their day to provoke our level of thinking in terms of the NBA.
Jason M. Williams | Jun 4, 2007
Lottery Spotlight: Corey Brewer
Florida's Corey Brewer has the height, wingspan, quickness, and agility to mature into a dominant defender that will punish opposing wingmen in the league. He also has an excellent perimeter shot and is a proven winner.
Jason M. Williams | May 27, 2007
Northwest Hits The Jackpot
No other division has experienced this much positive change over the past year, and collectively they should be able to increase their overall combined winning percentage more than any other division in the league.
Jason M. Williams | May 23, 2007
Lottery Spotlight: Roy Hibbert
Roy Hibbert is a traditional center with a back-to-the-basket repertoire that rivals any other player in this year’s draft. He can become an effective slower paced center who can put up 15 and 10 every night with 2 blocks and assists.
Jason M. Williams | May 21, 2007
Suns Get Burnt
After the Suns have already been victim to countless “inadvertent” knees and legs from San Antonio over the first three games of the series, the Spurs finally took it to the highest level of absurdity.
Jason M. Williams | May 16, 2007
Second Round Playoff Predictions
Two of these series are already being considered the respective Conference Finals and could both not only produce the eventual NBA Finals combatants, but also become instant classics.
Jason M. Williams | May 6, 2007
New Playoff Plan Backfires
This marked the initial postseason that reordered the top four seeds in each conference based on winning percentage, rather than granting the top three spots to the three division champions.
Jason M. Williams | May 4, 2007
Where'd These Guys Come From?
The Warriors are a collection of individual talents with unparalleled moxie and a dangerous swagger. They are for real and could go deep into the playoffs.
Jason M. Williams | Apr 29, 2007
What A Difference A Year Makes..
Now that the regular season has come to a close, it is time to step back and take notice to which teams have experienced the most significant fluctuation in their performance.
Jason M. Williams | Apr 23, 2007
First Round Playoff Predictions
There are some great first round match-ups, and some familiar foes getting together to do battle early on. Here’s what we expect will happen in this year’s Sweet Sixteen.
Jason M. Williams | Apr 20, 2007
Not Spooked By The Second Round Scarecrow
Since the Tournament expanded from 48 to 53 teams in 1983, and from 53 to 64 teams in 1984, four teams have faced a scare in the second round, regrouped, and rallied off of the adrenaline from near-elimination to win the national championship.
Jason M. Williams | Mar 29, 2007
Race For The Wild Wild West
While the West already has five teams locked and loaded for the playoffs this season, there are still three remaining invitations yet to be mailed out.
Jason M. Williams | Mar 20, 2007
Playoff Spot Madness
With less than a quarter of the NBA season remaining, the playoff races are heating up for the final spots in both conferences.
Jason M. Williams | Mar 14, 2007
Knicks Mail It In Again
This type of streak is unprecedented. Never has a team followed up huge wins over playoff contenders with abysmal losses to the bottom feeders of the league for an entire month.
Jason M. Williams | Mar 1, 2007
The Forgotten Man
The argument is not that Renaldo Balkman is the key to winning basketball, but rather that the team plays harder, more aggressively, with more heart, and rebounds a lot better when he is on the floor.
Jason M. Williams | Jan 21, 2007
Is Stern On A Power Trip?
David Stern must realize that some of these trends he is trying to destroy are the primary reason for the recent surge of the league that’s captured more fans in the past decade than ever before.
Jason M. Williams | Nov 9, 2006
Three Year Lease On LeBron?
If the Cavaliers continue to teeter around the four-seed every year, LeBron may very well follow in the footsteps of other superstars like Manny Ramirez and Eli Manning looking to win championships and adoration in a big market city.
Jason M. Williams | Aug 23, 2006
Focus On The Overpriced Talent Already On Your Roster
The Knicks extending Jared Jeffries an offer sheet can only be described in one word: ridiculous. The addition of Jeffries not only further complicates the positional logjam that is the New York Knickerbockers, but adds even more financial obligations to the largest payroll in NBA history.
Jason M. Williams | Aug 2, 2006
