NBA Post-Draft thoughts

Thoughts on the NBA, just after the draft:

1)  I have loved the moves Cleveland has made recently.  Everything I've read about David Blatt makes me think he'll be an outstanding coach.  The Spurs have shown that playing Euro-style pass works, and Blatt has been coaching for 30 years.  And it doesn't hurt that people rave about him being an offensive genius.  

2)  Drafting Andrew Wiggins was the right move with the #1 pick.  With Embiid injured, it came down to Wiggins and Jabari Parker.   And quite frankly, the Cavs already have a player like Jabari Parker in Anthony Bennett.  We need a small forward, and Blatt's system works with uberathletic wings.  Wiggins was the right choice.

3)  I don't blame the 76ers for drafting Embiid- he has the highest ceiling.  But drafting both of their first round picks on guys who won't play this year?  Man, I feel for the 76ers fans.  I get the concept on paper, but this next year is going to be ugly.  And, having just seen a long rebuild, I can tell you it's harder to turn the switch to 'on' after a few years of a culture of losing.

4)  LeBron's not leaving Miami.  Wade and Bosh wouldn't have opted out if they didn't have a plan in mind to keep all three and restructure their contracts to reload.

I'll give the Heatles credit- they have played their cards brilliantly.  They joined the weaker conference at the right time, and have walked all over the Eat into four straight Finals.  If they were doing so for my franchise, I'd love it.  Am I pissed that LeBron is showing dedication and loyalty to Miami that he never did with Cleveland?  Yes- but I'm over it.  LeBron will retire a member of the Miami Heat as one of the best players of all time.

5)  Jason Kidd is either a maniac or a genius- he just pulled a power play that will get him removed as Brooklyn's coach and into a sweeter deal with Milwaukee.  Given Brooklyn's aged lineup and lack of future draft picks... this may be a ruthless way to get out of Brooklyn before the bill comes due.

6)  Five Predictions for the upcoming season:

1. If Noel doesn't come back 100%, the 76ers might lose 70 games.
2. Rajon Rondo gets traded from Boston to Sacramento
3. The Miami Heat resign James, Wade, and Bosh, and have enough- not for Carmelo Anthony, but for 2 free agents (say, Luol Deng and Shaun Livingston)
4. Anthony Bennett will emerge as one of the five best players from the rookie class of 2013
5. Jabari Parker will win the Rookie of the Year (Milwaukee needs scoring, and he fills an obvious hole for them; I still prefer Wiggins long-term)

 

Business Concept: The Game's The Thing

Spent the past week at Origins Game Fair in Columbus, Ohio.  Had a fantastic time- played in two LARPs, one game of NSDM (National Strategic Decision Making), several 7th Sea games- really enjoyable.

In the dealer room, they were giving a demonstration of the game Mage Wars.  The game looks fantastic and fun- but it's also $60, and I'm not sure when I would play the game.  So that got me thinking...

Here's my idea:  A coffeehouse or bar (the bar would make more money, but also has a much higher overhead) that also doubles as a gaming room.  The place would have several tables and chairs, and a stocked bookshelf of every board and card game that would be interesting to players.

Anyone can come in and buy a drink or sit down.  If they want to borrow a game, they have to pay a fee.  I'm thinking $10 allows anyone to borrow any game for the day- but you can buy a subscription- say, $100 for a full year.  During that year, you can come down to the bar, borrow a game, play it with friends while drinking, and return the game afterwards.

The bar owner makes his money, not just from the drinks, but from the subscription fees.  And people would pay a once a year fee to stop by and use any game in the system.  So a group of four could stop by once a week and play Mage Wars one week, Cards Against Humanity the next week, 7 Wonders the third...

I've seen businesses like this for computer games.  But computers require a much higher level of expenses, compared to board games.

It gives people (a) a place to play and (b) a library of games.  It gives a bar a good theme that isn't being used, and I don't think the upkeep would be that much.

This might be a workable business concept.