In part one of this semi-final match-up, Mason Ginsberg and Michael Pellissier debate whether the Pelicans should go with Trey Burke or Alex Len if they both fall to the sixth pick. Part two will feature counter-arguments and a poll for you to vote for your choice.
In this part, Michael and I decided to utilize a somewhat unorthodox approach to make our cases for Len and Burke. He and I went back and forth via e-mail last night in a rap battle during which we both defended our players. Michael started things off, and we each alternated verses from there on out. For a deeper analytical breakdown of both players, make sure to check out each player’s victories in the first two rounds of this tournament. Part two on Thursday will be much more research-driven, including responses to the thoughts that you provide in the comments. Enjoy, and let us know what you think! (Michael’s verses are on the left and Mason’s are on the right.)
*Disclaimer from Michael Pellissier (a.k.a “MC Pellican”): I was raised in the ‘burbs and consider my work more along the lines of poetry- many people call me a young Shakespeare.
**Disclaimer from Mason: My rhymes are so good that I don’t need a disclaimer.
Trey Burke’s college stats may make you drool,
but they don’t translate, and that’s not cool.
So listen to this, it’s a basic rule:
don’t draft a point guard who’d be short in high school.
You discuss height like it’s the law;Real talk though – it’s Burke’s only flaw.
He’s a purer point than Wolverine’s claw,
And Len? That dude’s just straight up raw.
Len’s not raw, that’s a misconceptionBut you know that, so it’s straight deception
I know a few things without exception:
You can’t teach 7 feet,
Size at the rim cannot be beat,
And don’t draft a guard who needs a booster seat
If anyone needs a boost, it’s LenAfter hurting that ankle again and again
When the Pels pass him up, I’ll be saying amen.
I’ll remind you then, but I’m telling you now –
He’ll have a shorter career than Yao
And it’ll make for one lonely unibrow.
You’re gonna act like Burke can surviveGetting waxed by a center on all of his drives
Leave it to you to try to connive
He’s a nonathletic, small guard
There’s no way that he’ll thrive
If you think he’ll get waxed then I think you’re confusedBurke’s pick & roll game will leave match-ups abused.
Paul, Rondo & Lawson – all small but all cruised
And Burke’s better numbers keep me quite enthused
So before you keep making that size case overused
Admit the potential he’s already oozed
I’ll make the size case until you refuteThat this is a man’s league
There should be no dispute
It happened to Paul, Rondo, and Westbrook to boot
And now bitty, bantam Burke won’t follow their suit?
The strength of a man lies not in his sizeBut instead in his drive for the ultimate prize.
Len may be quite tall, but it’s just a disguise
Exposed when his team truly needs him to rise.
As for Burke, you can simply just use your own eyes
The man only wins while his opponent’s dream dies.
Calling him “clutch” is just a misnomer1 for 8 in the semis? Don’t be such a homer
How did college career come to an end?
With a first half on the bench, cause he cannot defend
He’s useless on defense, yet you would contend
That another bad defender will help us ascend
I’ve had enough, this argument must be pretend
So listen to me- this needs to be penned
Your Chris Paul wounds are screaming for mend.
Your Final Four trolling seems ironic to me;Do they even keep stats in the NIT?
You bring up the semis but ignore Trey Burke’s D:
Carter-Williams’ turnovers trumped his own points by three.
All Len could do throughout this time is wait;
He has proven nothing, don’t bite on fake bait.
This argument’s over, there is no debate;
Vote for Trey Burke, not the life sized paperweight.
Part 2 will be posted on Thursday as Mason and Michael make their counterpoints to each other’s arguments and comments left in this post. So, let us know what you think!
28 responses to “Sixth Pick Tournament Semi-Finals: Trey Burke vs. Alex Len (Part I – RAP BATTLE)”
With all the crap going around with clippers and boston, do you see good value in courtney lee as a backup to EG if Clippers take on too much payroll and look to trade him back out if he’s part of the deal ?
Would G Henderson be a 5m guy or more?
Call Timbaland right now! We need a beat over this fast!
Fresh.
This was a really clever piece– a unique concept and excellent execution. More people need to see this!
You guys hear that?
It’s 2pac and Biggie rolling over in their graves.
Im stil patient that our boy austin rivers is still the PG of the future for the pels…
That overrated Rivers belong at sg not pg.
I’m with u all the way Rivers is our pg
This what happen when lame white guys try to rap.
This is an EPIC RAP BATTLE OF HISTORY.
I take Len, but he’ll be gone.
Whoever said rap is dead knew what they were talking about.
Interesting that in the sth invite to the pels draft party, they cited the third linchpin to the roster after big ez and rhino is “floor general greivis vasquez”, when most of us assume he won’t be around long or at least be moved to backup and or play more at the 2/3 spot, and follow that with thinking our greatest need is a pg, burke or otherwise. anything to read into that or was that just written by some intern in marketing dept?
” The New Orleans Pelicans invite you to join us at the official 2013 Pelicans
NBA Draft Party on Thursday, June 27 2013. The Pelicans have the #6 pick in this year’s draft and
look to add to a roster that features last year’s #1 pick Anthony Davis, sharpshooter Ryan Anderson
and floor general Greivis Vasquez.”
Houpgarou we are actually discussing that right now. It isn’t so unusual that GV was included, but moreso that Eric Gordon was excluded
palochak Houpgarou
good point, they went out of their way last year to mention he was the franchise whenever they could
this is what was predicted to be our top two choices all along – short guy vs bad feet, man I hope there’s a shake up at the top. although i don’t put too much stock in len going 1st, the bobcats at 4 desperately need a post man (yes, I know they need everything else too)
Len is a stiff, Burke is a smurf
Don’t want either those guys on my teams turf
Neither of those guys move the needle a tick
If no Oladipo or Porter, then move the pick
ryanschwan +1, my thoughts exactly
seems like every one of len’s verses is about what burke can’t do, not what len can do…… not a good sign
Just say no to Tiny Trey.
Why is Trey Burke’s jersey backwards in the picture above, oh, and cute approach, got to have fun with this stuff, but looking forward to the data to come. Starting to like Burke more, he did a lot of impressive things against a high level od competition. Still worried a bit about his defense.
shantadiva I guess they have to FACE each other when they Face each other…….
Who do you pick between the two?
I’ll pick the boy that can mesh well with the crew.
That boy be named Trey I must say.
I’ll run with that boy that took his team to a CHAMPIONSHIP.
Shoot what can you say bout that boy Len, that he walking wit a limp.
Bigs are cool to have on the ship, but I’ll take that boy who can DRIVE the SHIP.
White guys should stick to Limericks….
There once was a man from Ukraine,
His arms were as long as a train.
But a bit hobbled he is,
On these ankles of his
So who picks a man with a cane?
Or
Why then would you, for a second or two,
Draft a little guard from Big Blue?
A big heart has he
That he wears on his sleeve
If not this one, says Dell, then who?
Actually I believe I would pick Len over Burke. But the limericks that came out of my brain say otherwise.
Rob_Wil Nice. 🙂
You tellum B-Rabbit!
I think Michael forgot to mention that Burke is small.
Alex Len!
[…] Part One featured opening arguments (in incredible rap battle style) for each prospect. Part two features a more comprehensive, detailed analysis and gives you the chance to vote for who you think should make it to the finals of the sixth pick tournament. […]