NBA Trading Post

One of my favorite times of the year..the NBA trading deadline..its like basketball christmas..new toys for alot of teams..some good some..not lol..heres how it breaks down.

From earlier in the week:

Mavs get Caron Butler/Brendan Haywood/Deshawn Stevenson
Wizards get Drew Gooden/Josh Howard

The Mavs get the better part of the deal because they get 2 starters that are both weaker parts of Dallas' rotation(its rare you get what you need these days) but yeah I think the most important player in the deal was Haywood..if the Mavs have any shot at beating LA they need frontcourt depth.They had Gooden playing the center spot behind Dampier and while that was alright..it was just that..alright..now they have a legit player who is better than Dampier and young which is rare to find in the center spot.Great move.

The Wizards are salary dumping..well sort of here..Howard isn't really expiring(team option) but he's still a pretty good talent when healthy/not moody and Gooden was later tossed into another trade(read on)

Blazers get Marcus Camby
Clippers get Steve Blake/Travis Outlaw

This is one of the most short term deals you'll ever see..all 3 players are capable of playing while all 3 are also expiring deals at the end of the year.This is how it shakes out.Portland was killed with injuries this year but hit the worst at center with Oden and Pryzbilla out for the year..and while Juwan Howard was filling in as best as he can..if you want to make the playoffs,you need better..bam..Camby is better..2nd in the league in rebounds and will block a shot like no one's business..great short term fix..Clippers it gets a little dicier.They could go either route of getting a young emerging wing player(Outlaw) and a very solid if/when Baron gets hurt(Blake) but if not...more cap space there..it works out both ways I guess.

Cavs get Sebastian Telfair/Antawn Jamison
Wizards get Z.Ilgauskas/Brian Skinner/Al Thornton
Clippers get Drew Gooden

The Cavs clearly get the best part of the deal here in every way.Jamison is the best player in the deal and actually fits better with the Cavs than Amare did(in my opinion) He plays better defense(by default) , a better rebounder,doesn't clog the middle(like Amare would;not his fault) and there was never a personality conflict ever attached with Jamison(unlike Amare).You could argue that Cleveland was the favorite last week before all this happened but now they get a 20-10 player for basically nothing.And here's a larger trend that these days..there is a likely chance that the Wizards will be buying out Ilgauskas so he could go back to the Cavs in 30 days.Yeah...not fair lol.And Telfair,while hyped coming out of high school massively,he can be a small asset in terms of playing backup point guard.

The Wizards(again)are dumping salary left and right..they realized that this current team wasn't getting anything done(albeit a few years late but yeah).So they ship out their high-priced guys for scraps..not much more to add.

The Clippers are really trying to get something done for the future(read that one again...and again...and again...lol) They are clearing some space for this summer and are trying to make a play for someone big.There are rumblings that Gooden could be bought out and could go back to Dallas.

Celtics get Nate Robinson/Marcus Landry
NY gets Eddie House/JR Giddens/Bill Walker

This benefits more so Nate and the Celtics than the Knicks but the relationship between Nate and D'Antoni wasn't really working out. He has an expiring deal but apparently it wasn't fast enough(lol) so you ship him to a team he wants to go to(he has a no-trade clause;that he waived for this one) Eddie House has a short deal too and D'Antoni likes him, but its more money on this one..theres also a chance of House being bought out and going back to the Celtics(sense a reoccurring theme?)

NY gets McGrady/Sergio Rodriguez
Kings get Larry Hughes/Carl Landry/Joey Dorsey
Rockets get Kevin Martin/Jordan Hill/Jared Jeffries/Kenny Thomas/Hilton Armstrong

That was messy..okay..there isn't much actual talent here..I'd say that NY isn't focus on talent,more money..who knows if Tracy McGrady can even play at all but his contract is a great piece to have go away at the end of the season.D'Antoni loved Sergio so that could be nice for the remainder of the year.
The Kings make away with a decent off guard in Larry Hughes and a legit low post guy in Carl Landry..they have a bit of a logjam up front but I'm sure someone like Jon Brockman will be buried somehow in all this but they have that much young talent there.I'm a little surprised that they gave the Evans/Martin experiment about a month or so..they werent the reason they were tanking.
The Rockets make out very nice again with Jordan Hill and Jared Jeffries...Jeffries is a great role guy who can do everything a little bit well..defend 4 positions..rebound..pass..think of his new teammate Shane Battier but less of a jumpshot and more height. Hill is a longer termed project at this point but he's shown flashes of rebounding ability so that could prove useful down the road. Oh they also make out with an easy "how did that guy get 20+ points tonight off 9 shot attempts" in Kevin Martin..that upgrades the guard position for them tremendously.With Houston I'm thinking in terms of when Yao gets back and I think that Martin is a great fit with him. Now the real question is how reliable is Yao in terms of being healthy..don't have to answer that one until next year.

Bulls get Hakim Warrick/Joe Alexander
Bucks get John Salmons

The Bucks needed to get help at the shooting guard position with Michael Redd out for the year again with a knee injury.Delfino and Stackhouse are alright but you'd rather have the combination of Salmons and Delfino at the off guard spot. I don't think much of Salmons but he is a long wing who can play defense and hit a few jumpers.Milwaukee needs someone who can do that.

The Bulls have an unusual logjam at the 4 now with Ty Thomas/Taj Gibson and now Warrick coming in.Taj has taken the starting spot away from Ty and I'm sure Warrick can do whatever Ty can..he may be the next guy out.

(Literally right after that this happened)

Bobcats get Ty Thomas
Bulls get Flip Murray/Acie Law

I guess I was right..I would think they could've gotten a better talent deal but its a nice salary deal.Flip is a guy who could score off the bench if given the chance and the Bobcats get something for nothing..Any one with any sort of personality I think that they will clash with coach Larry Brown and this is no different..Stephen Jackson seems to be doing fine but we'll see how that works out for them.I would suppose that he would back Diaw at the 4 and be a 5 on a small lineup?....or maybe just provide energy off the bench in generally.

Jazz get 2011 1st rd pick
Grizzlies get Ronnie Brewer

Its a little hard to quantify this trade for Utah just because they were playing so well up until this point..are a top 3 seed in the West and have a lack of depth at the shooting guard spot..who gets these minutes now?..CJ Miles?..Kyle Korver?..Wesley Matthews?...uh I guess but he's better than all of those guys..maybe another salary cutting deal here.
The Grizzlies get another young athletic swingman to get running.He'll back up OJ Mayo and Rudy Gay and provide much what they do.Solid defense and slashing for points.Good pick up for them.

All Star Picks

I won't get into how Kobe,Iverson,and Brandon Roy have to miss out on the All Star game being replaced by David Lee,Chris Kaman and Jason Kidd(Yeah..?) I'll just do picks..

Rookies over Sophmores
Steve Nash in the Skills Challenge
Stephen Curry in the 3 point shootout
Shannon Brown in the Dunk Contest
West over East
MVP Dirk

Sporting Randoms

I guess I'll start off with the NBA All Star Rosters..for the most part I'd say that they got it right..this is who they are sending out

East
G-Dwyane Wade
G-Allen Iverson
F-Lebron James
F-Kevin Garnett
C-Dwight Howard
Well clearly KG and AI shouldn't be there this year..but its the fans and they vote of popular players..fine whatever..here are the reserves

G-Rajon Rondo
G-Derrick Rose
G-Joe Johnson
F-Gerald Wallace
F-Paul Pierce
F-Chris Bosh
C-Al Horford

Well..I don't think Horford should've made it..New Jersey's Brook Lopez or New York's David Lee play the same position and are playing better..but..the theme is "winning teams" instead of "best players" so I suppose thats fair all things considered(Even though AI is the anomaly here).I'm really happy Wallace got his due and was recognized making it,he's on my underrated list(noted for later)

And for the West?
G-Kobe Bryant
G-Steve Nash
F-Carmelo Anthony
F-Tim Duncan
C-Amare Stoudemire

Amare is the one here..given the options on the ballot yadda yadda..thats why he's here..he doesnt even play center for them this year,Robin Lopez or Channing Frye does..but I digress..oh yeah..I'm glad that David Stern put a freeze on Tracy McGrady's all star ballots so he wouldn't make it in(In your face China!)...onto the reserves...

G-Chris Paul
G-Deron Williams
G-Brandon Roy
F-Kevin Durant
F-Dirk Nowitzki
F-Zach Randolph
C-Pau Gasol

Again..only one player I would take out which would be Pau..the Clippers' Chris Kaman is my pick but it goes back to the rule of record over talent..so yeah.

I'll only touch on the Gilbert situation briefly..he was suspended for the rest of the season without pay...I can agree with that for the most part..dumb act..now if he can avoid any jail time there is an outside chance he could sail his way out of the miserable Washington franchise with a lowered buyout...or he could just come back for his $80 million.

Kurt Warner retired from the Arizona Cardnals..paging Matt Leinart...paging Matt Leinart...

Jim Zorn the much maligned former Redskins coach takes the job as the Baltimore Ravens QB coach...thats nice that he landed somewhere..

Here is a list a complied of some of the NBA's most underrated players


Gerald Wallace(Bobcats)-Has always been overlooked even back in Sacramento when he couldn't get any burn on those playoff squads..the guy plays a wing position but yet avg 10 boards a game.He's a statistical anomaly and he has really come a long way from coming into the league,his style of play is very reckless and gets injured a fair amount of times so thats the only thing that could set him back.

Rajon Rondo(Celtics)-Its hard to be overlooked on a championship level squad with 3 hall of fame level players..but I would argue in a way it is.Its very easy to overlook his skill and just blanket it with "he plays with the big 3" and be done with it but there are things that he was doing things before they got there.His defense at the point guard spot is on a elite level,his steal total is an accurate depiction of that..His jumper is coming along quite nicely..he reminds me of a version Jason Kidd the way he gets rebounds at his size

Taj Gibson(Bulls)-Now heres a sleeper of a rookie...he was underrated at college with the OJ Mayo show at USC and it wasn't until Tyrus Thomas went down with an injury that he was able to show what he had. He's not a sexy player but the most productive players in the post is the classic "overlooked" combo.He rebounds well,has a decent midrange game and can post..he fills Thomas' role almost seamlessly.

Carl Landry(Rockets)-If you are wondering who is scoring the ball with Yao hurt and Tracy sent home,this is one of those guys..he's a bruiser(he was the guy who got two teeth ripped out from a collision with Dirk's elbow,gross I know) and gets to the free throw line allllot..I believe he is a top 5 scorer in the 4th qtr..think about that one for a moment

Chris Kaman(Clippers)-This guy is constantly overlooked as a top center in the league as well as one who has a great array of post moves.He has been the only constant for the Clippers(Hard to do right?) But he's averaging over

Marc Gasol(Grizzlies)-As most of the pub gets hit on Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph for the surprising start for the Memphis Griz,Pau's younger brother should be getting some as well. From a talent standpoint he was a techical throw in in the trade to get Pau Gasol to the LA(LA had his rights..interesting right?)

Omar Casspi(Kings)-I won't stop singing this guy's praises..Tyreke is the big rookie we all know but Casspi isn't too far off..he's another form of Rudy Fernandez in that he was a standout overseas playing for a big team so when he gets over here, his adjustment curve is much shorter than what people gave him initially.He has no problem taking and hitting big shots,not having much fear..he deals with contact quite well and is the anti-euro in that is aggressive on defense

Jerryd Bayless(Blazers)-Arizona's own...I won't gush too much on the guy but I knew he was going to be a player but it was just in what context on what team...Portland had too many young guys to really play him and the signing of Andre Miller seemed like the next progression of a guy on his way out.With the rash of injuries to almost everyone on the roster,they had no choice but to player the young guy and he exploded onto the scene. When he has everything going offensively he's almost unstoppable because of his quickness,ability to to get to the rim and mid-range jumpshot.Portland is going to have a real interesting decision to make when everyone gets healthy again.I don't think you can bury talent like that for very long.

Eran Ilyasova(Bucks)-What do you know about Turkey?...if you are like me then the answer is not too much..but Eran took an interesting route..being drafted...sucking...going back to europe..then coming back to the NBA and being a contributing starter..most don't get that 2nd chance. He can shoot the lights out when given a chance for the Bucks and he's aggressive offensively and thats always a plus for a 6-10 player.

NFL Picks

Colts over Jets
Saints over Vikings

Enjoy!

NBA Hitters

Its almost the midpoint in the NBA season and its about time to start acknowledging some surprises as well as disappointments thus far.

The Goods

-Houston-You would be hard pressed to find a person who would say this team would be 22-18 without Yao Ming and an exiled Tracy McGrady. They are the anti-notion that you need star players to be moderately successful and it shows.They have alot of pieces that can shoot(Battier,Brooks,Budinger) mix it up defensively(Landry,Lowry,Ariza,Scola) and you aren't sure where the scoring will come from next. That's how they get you.

-Sacramento-They were widely considered the worst team in the league coming into this year for various reasons(I didn't buy it but would be in the bottom 5) but the emergence of Tyreke Evans even without Kevin Martin playing for any length of time has pleasantly surprised the league. Evans is going to be an elite talent and the pieces of Martin,Hawes,Thompson and Cassipi all complement him pretty well.They won't push for the playoffs in the deep west, but they are on a higher curve than people considered them earlier.

-Memphis-Another team that had some talent but not many thought that they would piece it all together for the better. The Allen Iverson experiment never got off the ground to "work" and so I think that helped the younger players(Conley/Mayo) not have to look over their shoulders for playing time. OJ Mayo,Marc Gasol and Rudy Gay have all taken a collective step forward and anytime that happens you will see the results quickly.Also another risk that has worked out quite well is the signing of Zach Randolph. He has always had the 20pts/10rebs, but it has been the bad plays and lack of defense that has killed him in many circles and thus far he has shook that stigma and turned it into a positive with a 20-18 record

The Bads

-New Jersey-I thought they would be bad..sure..3-36 bad?...never..that is so bad its almost painful to watch.They've been relatively competitive in their games so its not a lack of talent technically.Brook Lopez and Devin Harris are good young players but they are misused. Also the surrounding pieces aren't really working at all..Bobby Simmons,Trenton Hassell and Jarvis Hayes shouldn't be seeing the floor at all when you have Chris Douglas-Roberts,Terrence Williams and Courtney Lee..doesn't add up at all.

-Washington-Yeah...yeah...the Gilbert Arenas situation isn't helping but they weren't winning when he was playing.The team is poorly constructed and no one plays defense.Caron Butler is in love with taking bad shots and the funny thing about taking those are,more than likely you won't hit them.The only people who are producing and giving real effort are Antawn Jamison and Brendan Haywood and only Jamison is truly producing to his capabilities. This team needs to be blown up as soon as possible.

-Portland-Not for a underachieving standpoint..they are doing quite well in that aspect..just in terms of luck.This team is soooo unlucky in terms of injuries its almost funny...heres a list of injuries this year.

-Nicolas Batum-Torn Shoulder
-Rudy Fernandez-Leg/Back pain(returned)
-Greg Oden-Knee
-Joel Pryzbilla-Knee
-Steve Blake-Pneumonia(returned)
-Brandon Roy-Hamstring
-Travis Outlaw-Foot
-Nate McMillian(Coach)-ACL
-Paul Allen(Owner)-Cancer

Yeah..wild stuff..

Quick Picks

NFL picks(I went 1-3 last week lol)

Colts over Ravens
Cardinals over Saints
Vikings over Cowboys
Chargers over Jets

Quick Coaching Hits

I'll start with the random one with USC..

Lane Kiffin bounces from Tennessee after one 7-6 season..random..but not really that random..only out of the blue because no one thought he was on the list to leave..again after one season. But he was under Pete Carroll for around 5-6yrs so he's familiar with the school..he's also been a questionable guy..he has Tennessee under alot of NCAA violations and oddly enough..the whole Al Davis thing in Oakland was weird but still..an alright coach overall though.He also somehow lured the offensive coordinator Norm Chow from UCLA(who was at USC prior..big rivalry eh?) back to USC..Kiffin can't stop pissing people off lol.

The man that Kiffin is replacing has gone to the NFL..the team being my Seattle Seahawks and the coach is Pete Carroll.I like the move personally..Jim Mora was not the answer(ahem..like I knew all along,but I digress) and I think trying something new is always appreciated rather than running the tread off of the same NFL coaches again and again. For Pete I really feel that if he was going to leave it would have to be a west coast city and the run at USC was kinda closing faster than he would've like to.Regardless he had a wonderful run with USC and I think he'll be okay in the pros..he won't be a savior of a franchise..if so not right away..but with anyone coming in you need consistency and patience.

NBA All Stars

With the All Star game coming in about a month..I would like to add my lineups..

East:
PG-Rajon Rondo-Easy pick..his jumper is improving and already plays defense and rebounds really well..I think he and Jason Kidd are in the same mold.
SG-Dwyane Wade-He is carrying the Heat...the entire team..for the most part lol..top 5 scorer
SF-Lebron James-He's carrying the Cavs lol...averaging 7.7 assists is ridiculous..anyone who is a top 10 assist guy and isn't a point guard..wow..
PF-Chris Bosh-Best power forward right now..Duncan is on the downside..somehow he's still overlooked..I'm sure its the Canada thing..but whatever..24 pts and 11 rebs is nothing to shake at
C-Dwight Howard-He takes alot of crap from people's expectations but the coach wants jump shooters instead of working it inside..if 17pts,13rebs and 2.5blk is a down year..maybe you should take a step back and think about that again.

West
PG-Chris Paul-You can't keep him out..Nash..Williams..his numbers are too good..he's the reason New Orleans is whatever they are at this point..putting up MVP numbers.I really feel like he is the new KG..great player on a bad team that refuses to get better...shame
SG-Kobe Bryant-Leading scorer in the NBA..most clutch..arguably the best in the game now..2nd best SG all time?...all that..thats what I'll end it,yeah
SF-Carmelo Anthony-2nd leading scorer in the NBA..he's finally taken "the" step where he can take over games consistently..defense is another story..
PF-Dirk Nowitzki-Remember when I said Bosh was the best PF?..uh..this guy might have something to say about that...he's been pouring it in this year and quietly carrying the Mavs more than before..they go as he goes
C-Tim Duncan-I cheated..he doesn't play center per se' but whatever....play by your own rules..even as the Spurs aren't that great thus far,Tim still is penciled in with 20 and 10..still dominate..still consistent..never changed..

NFL Stuff

The NFL playoffs will be starting later today and I'll give you a few thoughts on how I think things will shake out.

Jets vs Bengals
This is the game that has too much working against it.The Jets have the defense and the running game to dominate,but the rookie QB Sanchez is just that....a rookie...and that will work against any team.If they can keep him handing the ball off instead of throwing it deep,it has to increase their chances.
The Bengals have decades and decades of history working against them..they hadn't been to the playoffs since 2005(Palmer knee injury) and hadn't won a playoff game since 1990...yikes..but they have top 10 QB in Carson Palmer,a hard running back in Cedric Benson and an elite(and comical) receiver in Chad Ocho Cinco. I think the run defense could be a bit better but I don't think the Jets will mind but ultimate I think that the Bengals pull it out..

Eagles vs Cowboys
This one will be a tough one..any time division rivals play each other it will get messy, but these teams played last week and the Cowboys smashed them 24-0.I really feel that the Eagles will make the proper adjustments to slow the Cowboys offense down but I think that the lack of running game will hurt more than any pass by Tony Romo.I will take the Eagles but theres a real chance for the Cowboys to win.

Ravens vs Patriots
I like this matchup alot..Tom Brady and Randy Moss vs the Ravens D...while it sounds sexy,the defense for the Ravens hasn't been the memories that we all attach to them. But Joe Flacco is no pushover and the Pats defense hasn't been anything to write about so the game could be closer than most would think.And I think that the loss of Wes Welker will hurt..Tom Brady has had years of spreading the ball around and it wouldn't be much different than that.Pats over Ravens

Packers vs Cardinals
This is the other good matchup..both have potent offenses and active,aggressive defenses.If Anquan Bolden plays I feel that this will give the Cards the edge in the offensive category and I think the key for the Packers is keeping the penalties to a minimum..throughout the year they've shot themselves in the foot in big spots..I will take the Cards

Welcome Back?

386 days later?..hi there..welcome back reading..I haven't done this in a while..well sort of..just individually with people verbally..but this recent Gilbert/gun thing has me crawling out of my own head and here it goes..

Was Gilbert dumb in playing a "joke" on Crittenton?..very
Was he careless in having unloaded guns in the arena or in the DC area?...also very

But don't make it into this super huge thing crossing his personality+the incident+on court performance because it doesn't add up..not all of them..the incident has more to do with his personality than on the court stuff..

His personality is one that is rare in terms of the public visibility..the "off-beat" one..the one who kind of plays by his own rules but not in a threatening to the establishment kind of way..more entertainment than purpose.They don't give you the general cookie cutter answers..they do different things..sometimes refreshing..sometimes frustrating..

Look around the the leagues..they are out there..Gil is one..Clinton Portis..Manny Ramirez...Chad Ochocinco.. Ron Artest...the kind of people you are never really sure if they are completely serious even when they smile..

Now these guys are all well and good..but here's a variable that is like the unwritten rule in any kind of job..salary..Gil signed a 6yr $111-million deal last season..thats a lot of money..and in sports..rare air..

Only the elite(in theory) are signed to $100-million deals..Kobe Bryant money..Kevin Garnett money...Shaq money..Alex Rodriguez money..

Its alot of pressure...as an athlete you are already under tremendous pressure as is..to get a bigger contract..stuff like that..now picture getting what you've worked for all your life...now what?..there aren't too many stories of what to do when you get to the top of the mountain...

Sidebar..still not justifying what he did..just getting all the perspectives out

Now..he has that money pressure to live up to the contract..he's coming back from repetitive knee surgeries..the team was awful last year..the blanket reasoning is because he wasn't there..locked into that money..everything will be fine..right?

All that pressure is there it makes it a little hard to be carefree these days..with money comes expectations and no one is expecting him to be the same guy..the money is there..get serious and get us winning..

That seems rational because any non-rich person given a boatload of money would be the best person to be well adjusted right?..

"Well with all that money,they need to figure it out" they say...it makes zero sense..when has money ever made anything clearer than before?..in history?..very few times..

Perfect example of this that I followed closely is Barry Zito of the SF Giants..he was just like Gilbert..carefree..had his own set of idiosyncrasies playing for the Oakland A's..

then he signed the $126 million deal with San Fran..all that pressure I was talking about earlier..same thing..he lost himself in a way..the people expected it in an indirect way.

Again that doesn't translate into on the court success..Gilbert isn't the complete reason why the Wizards are underachieving thus far..people fail to realize that its a team game win or loss..the "star driven" ideology is only set up to sell more tickets because of recognition off of the combination of number and face...ask Alex Rodriguez what the difference of playing for the Texas Rangers then the New York Yankees is like...the checks are the same..his numbers are around the same too..he won the World Series with what team again?

Same with Kevin Garnett..and Kobe Bryant..very very very very rarely can a scrub team be strapped onto a back of one guy..Dwyane Wade this year is a good example of that..Kevin Garnett in Minnesota is another..can't be done often if at all..

So let that idea go..thanks..

Collectively that team is underachieving..Caron is..Antawn is..Brendan is..Nick is..Flip is..Gilbert is..

But since the pay isn't distributed evenly..blame isn't either...that I can understand..but there isn't an relationship between check amount and leadership..that team doesn't have one at all..everyone is at a loss there..but he is their best player...for what its worth..

Guns aren't a joking matter..but...no one knows where the line is not to cross..until after you cross it

I think I covered everything..I feel better now...

Week 15

Week 15 picks...

Tampa Bay over Atlanta
Washington over Cincinnati
Tennessee over Houston
Indianapolis over Detroit
Green Bay over Jacksonville
San Diego over Kansas City
Miami over San Francisco
NY Jets over Buffalo
Seattle over St Louis
Arizona over Minnesota
Baltimore over Pittsburgh
Carolina over Denver
New England over Oakland
Dallas over NY Giants
Philly over Cleveland

Recapped

There is alot to cover...lets see if I can try to do it all..

NBA trades...The Suns trade for Jason Richardson...ship out the unhappy Boris Diaw and Raja Bell to Charlotte..the Suns get the better part of the deal easily..he's explosive and can score alot of points..but it doesnt help me decide what this team is...are they trying to run again?...maybe?..how about shot distribution?..Amare was complaining before..now Jason will command some shots..they have questionmarks still...the Bobcats sidestep with this one...Raja is a decent defender on the wing...but they have a semi logjam with DJ Augustin,Ray Felton,Sean Singletary and Raja Bell..I really think that Ray is the odd guy out here..I expect a few more moves on this roster..

On a point guard shuffle...New Orleans gets Antonio Daniels...Washington gets Javaris Crittenton and Mike James and Memphis gets back a draft pick they traded away a few years back(stop laughing)...I think the real winner is Crittenton in all this..I think he's a good talent(6'5 pass 1st point guard) and Washington needs warm bodies until Gil gets back...Daniels is good for NO as well but he's a little over the hill..but he's better than Mike James..

76ers fire Mo Cheeks...another quick trigger I feel...the team was underachieving yes..I get that..but I dont know how any of these coaches could fix that..the roster is similar to what Phoenix is doing..run?..slow?...whos the guy?...but Mo wasnt the problem...he actually messed with the lineup last year(pre Brand) to get that team to overachieve and make the playoffs..raw deal.

Cowboys are the clear hyped non-story ever...TO is a malcontent..thats just what he is..he's always been that..he's had a well documented track record of messing up bad situations...so why would this be any different?....why is this breaking news?...

Why are the LA Clippers bad?...I still dont get it...

Bill Simmons had a really really good podcast interviewing NBA commissioner David Stern..he talked about alot of little things..but he did get pressed for hard questions..2 things that I noted was regarding Seattle and Vancouver...he said that Seattle would be given another chance to get another team..but its not forseen to be via expansion..so basically another team would be pressed to move..which I dont like..another was him saying that the NBA messed up the situation in Vancouver(the now Memphis Grizzlies) just interesting that he brought that up unprovoked...I would recommend you give it a listen

Yankees have allllllot of money to just pass around huh?....161 million to CC...80-something to AJ Burnett...I wont pile on with everyone else saying it was a bad move blah blah blah..but it was alot of money..thats clear..but with everyone saying they overpaid blah blah blah..if you had a zillion dollars....no salary cap..and glaring holes...wouldnt you do it?..I could understand in other sports how money effects what you can spend on other players..but...not in baseball..there isnt one..I would rather have a GM react to what their team needs and overpay rather than a GM penny pinch and do nothing...make moves to win..thats the goal right?..

Reasonings

Can someone tell me why I've been hearing alot of Plaxico was the reason the Giants lost to Philly on sunday?.....that is the ridiculous thing I've ever heard...so let me get this straight...Plaxico wasnt going to play anyways(remember the hammy injury?)...so..he gets into the trouble...and hasnt been near the team since that incident..and....why again was the entire team flat?...get out of here..no one else is going to say this(now) but...the Giants are going to struggle without Plaxico...they dont have another playmaker at the receiver position...just putting that out there...

Another coach gets the bounced from a bad team....Minnesota T'Wolves fired Randy Wittman...not really sure of the reasoning of why he was fired...but the team is bad..it doesnt matter who's coaching...its nice to see Kevin McHale managing the team that he has "assembled"..go down with the ship..

Raptors also fired their coach,Sam Mitchell(last weekish)....I think this was more of a GM/Coach clashing on the kind of talent they had and how it was being used..he wasnt that good of a coach...but at the same time..to think that this team is going to compete with this talent is a bit lofty..

College football is almost over...Florida and Oklahoma for the national championship?....they kinda got it right..in a...lets pretend that Texas didnt finish with the same record or beat Oklahoma head to head kind of way....

And no...I wont be watching any bowls this year...again...I still feel that the BCS is another way of sidestepping a clearcut champion...instead lets have 5 different champions!...atleast the schools make money off the bowls...I dont care..and since you have a million and one bowls going on...missing them wont mean anything..

Week 14

Picks for week 14...

Chicago over Jacksonville
Minnesota over Detroit
Green Bay over Houston
Indianapolis over Cincinnati
Atlanta over New Orleans
NY Giants over Philly
Tennessee over Cleveland
Miami over Buffalo
Denver over Kansas City
NY Jets over San Francisco
New England over Seattle
Arizona over St Louis
Pittsburgh over Dallas
Baltimore over Washington
Tampa Bay over Carolina

Enjoy

Around the Leagues

Here are my pressing issues...

Does anyone else think that Amare is seeming like a malcontent?....he wasnt happy with Joe Johnson there..wasnt happy with Shawn Marion there nor Mike D'Antoni...now he's complaining about touches and new coach Terry Porter's slower offense...he's making a real bad case for himself over the years....I dont think anyone critcizes like he should be though...not yet..

Is the Marbury situation resolved yet?.....no?....okay moving on....

Can all the 2010 talk chill out until...like...a year from now?...if its this summer cool...everyone is going to be bouncing around(in theory)..but not only is it not this year...its not next year either...like 2 NBA champions will be crowned by then....let that sink in...just chill..

Um...Plaxico Burress...I dont have much to say about it...stupid?....oh yeah..you have no business having a gun in a club..and if you think he did...he doesnt need to be in that club...someone could have been really hurt in his carelessness...but the NY mayor is talking some really big stuff like fullest extent of the law...no one wants to hear that...for anything...if you heard his press conference..you'd be a little scared lol...as his football goes..I'd be really shocked if he'd suit up for the Giants next year..he's been a bit of a headache this year before this...and if they do anything without him...doesnt look good.

Portland is 7-0 at home...just thought I should point that out early...

Tampa Bay is the most intriguing team in the playoff picture...they dont score alot..but their defense isnt like the Ravens or Titans..but its not terrible..its really good...how they generate their points offensively is very very odd to me..so I cant get a read on them like everyone else.

Devin Harris is more than likely going to take someone's all star spot..you dont drop 47 on Steve Nash and go unnoticed...so far he's the most improved player...

76ers...Clippers...both are underacheiving...I mean I didnt think the Clippers would make the playoffs or anything...but 3-13 isnt good...Sacramento has more wins than them..76ers are still lacking a go to guy on the wing...Igoudala just doesnt want to step up and take over..maybe its because he's playing the 2 instead of the 3...but 7-10 isnt going to cut it.

NFL Picks

Week 13

Indianapolis over Cleveland
Baltimore over Cincinnati
Miami over St Louis
Buffalo over San Francisco
Green Bay over Carolina
Tampa over New Orleans
NY Giants over Washington
Atlanta over San Diego
New England over Pittsburgh
NY Jets over Denver
Kansas City over Oakland
Minnesota over Chicago
Jacksonville over Houston

Uni

I forgot to add this Uni Watch....it ties into the Wizards...maybe Jordan quit once he saw these throwbacks..

Questionables

Donovan McNabb got benched yesterday at halftime of a 12-7 game vs the Ravens....yes he had 2 ints and a fumble...but to bench him?....he's gone..theres no way you could tell me Kolb would have done better against that team..nor is it good to "evaluate" him against that defense...and as a result...he did no better than Donovan did...he's gotta go...i'd be really angry if I was McNabb..that city and this staff has done nothing but criticize me...from the day he got drafted...he has his faults..like every other QB..but he takes waaaaay more shots than any other QB for no reason.

The Wizards fired coach Eddie Jordan after going 1-10 so far...I dont think he should have been fired..but with a record of 1-10...its hard to defend when you have Jamison and Butler healthy and playing...yes...Gil isnt playing..nor is Haywood...but 1-10?..I dont know who you are going to bring in that will do any better...just keep in mind that Gil,Butler and Jamison are never healthy together...and all are locked in for a while..

Texas...Texas Tech...and Oklahoma are all 10-1...Oklahoma lost to Texas..but beat Texas Tech..Texas Tech beat Texas...but lost to Oklahoma...and Texas beat Oklahoma...but lost to Texas Tech....did your head explode there?....

Speaking of college...you know who should be fired?...Charlie Weis of Notre Dame...6-5 is decent..but their losses are very good ones..last week it was to Syracuse and they blew a big lead..certain schools have big expectations..and if you dont meet them..you get replaced by someone who can...sorry...he isnt...

Week 12

11-3 last week...here we go

Cleveland over Houston
Kansas City over Buffalo
New England over Miami
Tennessee over NY Jets
Baltimore over Philly
Dallas over San Francisco
DETROIT OVER TAMPA BAY
Jacksonville over Minnesota
Chicago over St Louis
Denver over Oakland
Carolina over Atlanta
NY Giants over Arizona
Washington over Seattle
Indianapolis over San Diego
Green Bay over New Orleans

Trade To The Future

The Knicks...the Warriors and the Clippers have made a trade with each other....sorta..this is how it went

NY sends Zach Randolph and Marty Collins to LA for Tim Thomas and Cuttino Mobley

NY sends Jamal Crawford to Golden State for Al Harrington

Here is how I see things...Golden State is....sidestepping?...Harrington wanted out so getting him out is a good thing..but bringing in Crawford is..questionable..he's a scorer..he needs alot of shots..but at his position would be Steven Jackson...Corey Maggette and Kelenna Azubuike all manning the wings...I cant see how that would work..well if you move Crawford to the point..things become a little more interesting...I dont know if he can play the point(for the reasons i've provided earlier) or if Jackson plays full time at that spot(had been doing heavy unofficial work there already)..but Monta Ellis(remember him?) is coming back within the next month and that would create a problem there as well...I dont know..I'll give more when I actually see it.

The Clippers have a similar issue but at a bigger position...they bring in Zach to play the 4..well that helps the small issue with the Camby/Kaman duo...Camby should be the one who goes to the bench..even though any combo is pretty good..I actually think that there will another trade involving Kaman..but thats for another time...anyways getting Cuttino out of town frees up time for rookie Eric Gordon to get some regular minutes...but the downside is that Ricky Davis is still there and will use most of those minutes taking bad shots...good and bad.

And there is the Knicks....who..were playing fairly well...they get Al Harrington..whos...okay...just never a player you could be excited about..he does some things well..some things bad...but his basketball IQ isnt there alot of the time..so he'll have some really bad plays..but somehow he'll be masked by the uptempo style.They get Cuttino and Tim Thomas...both are decent shooters who underachieve..um..the reason they made this trade was to free up space for the summer of 2010...so when Wade,Joe Johnson,Lebron,Bosh,Amare and others are free agents..they can make a run for 2 players and go for whatever..um...thats 2 years away...so are you committed to sucking and not making the playoffs now and next year...so in 2010 you have a "chance" to get a superstar?...risky...very risky...they better get 2 good ones because if not...you've wasted 2 years that you can never get back....oh yeah..Stephon and Eddy still arent playing...