Friday, February 27, 2009

Friendship

Do you have friends? I would hope the answer to that is yes, but how good a friend are they? Barry Bonds and Greg Anderson have shown us what a friend truly is. The government needs Anderson to cooperate so that they can send Barry Bonds to jail on perjury charges. Anderson has denied the offer and the government has had Anderson jailed for an entire year for refusing to testify (refused to answer questions to a grand jury). I mean this guy went to jail for an entire year. The government even went so far as to try and pressure Anderson by talking about possibly sending his mother to jail on a tax charge (tax evasion or something) and this guy still said 'no'. All of this to help/save his longtime friend and client, Barry Bonds. Now that Bonds' trial is coming up the government has asked that Anderson cooperate and he again has denied that request. Without Anderson, the judge has said that a lot of the evidence won't be admissible in the trial. It looks like those charges against Bonds go out of the window and the case goes to hell.

WWYFD? What would your friend do? I know we all think we have good friends and a lot of them tell you that they'll stick by you through thick and thin, but how many of you have a friend that will go to jail for you for a year? How many of you have a friend that would constantly face jail instead of rolling on you? If you have a friend like this, you should go out and do something for them today. This kind of friendship just doesn't have a price on it.

Dawkins to Broncos

Well, maybe Donovan won't re up. Brian Dawkins, one of the leaders on the Eagles defense, has agreed to a 2 year deal with the Broncos. I can say that Dawkins has been one of, if not the best defensive players that has ever played for the Eagles. Yes, I'm willing to go there. Add him to Reggie White, Jerome Brown, Eric Allen, and a few more. It's a sad day in Philadelphia.

Winslow to Bucs

Another WOW!!!! Kellen Winslow has been traded to the Tampa Bay Bucs for some draft picks. This is what calling out your organization gets you. Good move all in all for both teams.


Did you think that this was a good trade? Can Winslow help the Bucs? Remember, Luke McCown is the probable starter at QB.

Marbury a Celtic?

Stephon Marbury will clear waivers today and is expected, by some Celtics insiders, to be in uniform tonight for the Celtics. I have gone back and forth with this deal and finally I am on the side of this being a good thing. Stephon has got to realize that this is his last opportunity to show that he can conform and be a teammate, a good teammate that can play within a team and not for Marbury/Starbury. The Celtics have been hit by injuries to Garnett, Tony Allen, and others and could use a spark off the bench. KG and the rest of the big three won't let this guy get out of hand. I'm sure that this will work out. If it doesn't, the deal he'll get is probably not a long term one.


Is this is a good deal for the Celtics? For Marbury? Is this going to help the Celtics win a title this year?

One Raven Flew the Coop

It seems as though Bart Scott went for the money and has signed with the New York Jets. Scott had been an intricate part of what the Ravens had been doing on defense and he capitalized on this opportunity to make some big loot with the Jets (5 years, $40M deal).
Next up for the Ravens, cutting Ray Lewis the biggest check they can find.
(Updated: 6 years $48M deal)

Good deal? Is Bart worth that?

Fred Taylor signed

Fred Taylor has signed a deal with the Patriots for right around $6M per year, but the number of years hasn't been released (or at least I can't find it yet). This should be a definite help to the Patriots ground game. Taylor should be able to find lots of holes behind that Patriots line.
This sounds like a good deal, what do you think? The Patriots need a ground game and they got Taylor on the cheap. AFC just got a little tougher.

$100 Miiiillllllliiiioooon Dollars

WOW! With the NFL free agency period upon us, the people in the beltway have decided to provide two people with their own stimulus package. The Washington Redskins have given DeAngelo Hall a 6 year $54M deal ($22.5M guaranteed) to keep him one of the highest paid corners in the league and then to one up that deal the Redskins also gave former Tennessee Titan Albert Haynesworth a 7 year $100M deal ($41M guaranteed). He will make $32M in the first 13 months of his deal. Dayum!!!!

It looks like Jerry Jones moved to DC or something. I hope this makes them better, cause that's $154M for two guys. Ray Lewis is sitting somewhere smiling.


Did Dan Snyder fall asleep at his checkbook? Is this going to translate into wins for the Redskins? Is Haynesworth worth it?

Friday, February 20, 2009

Amare Out

Amare Stoudemire's regular season is over after having a eye surgery to repair a partially detached retina. This is his second eye injury in the last year or so. Talk about the bubble that just burst in Phoenix. Stoudemire had been shopped prior to the trade deadline, but after the Suns fired Terry Porter and gave Alvin Gentry the head coaching position, the Suns have been on fire. The Suns have put up 282 points in two games since the change. Stoudemire looked like the old Amare and people started thinking that the Suns will definitely make some noise in the playoffs. Now this. There's a lot of crying going on in the Land of the Sun right now.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Houston Rockets - Orlando Magic - Memphis Grizzlies

ESPN is reporting this one,.....the pieces are as follows:

To Orlando - Rafer Alston

To Houston - Kyle Lowry, Brian Cook (former Illinois player), and some other pieces

To Memphis - A first round pick.

If this one goes through, I'm not sure it makes sense. Houston gets a new point guard that you're hoping will help you to the playoffs THIS year? Orlando gets a replacement for the injured Jameer Nelson, but is Rafer the player they need? We'll see what happens.

NYSTOM Rookie Of The Year 2-19-09

Well, you saw my take on the Rookies, let's see what NYSTOM thought.

1. Derrick Rose, CHI---17.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 6.3 apg, 47.3 FG% in 36.8 minutes per game

2. Marreese Speights, PHI---8.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 0.4 apg, 53.6 FG% in 15.5 minutes per game

3. Brook Lopez, NJN---12.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 0.8 apg, 50.8 FG% in 29.9 minutes per game

4. Greg Oden, POR---9.0 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 0.7 apg, 56.8 FG% in 22.9 minutes per game

5. Michael Beasley, MIA---13.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 0.9 apg, 45.5 FG% in 24.3 minutes per game

Who's right? I'm not scared to go up against NYSTOM. Is there someone that we left off?

Inquisitive Mind - Rookie Report

I have left the majority of the NBA stuff for my guy NYSTOM to discuss but I am going to take a stab at putting together my assessment of the Top 5 rookies for the NBA season so far. Yes, it's only 5 but I got other things to do too. So without much ado, here's my list:

1 - Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

I thought Michael Beasley would have walked away with ROY honors this year, but I was sadly mistaken. Derrick Rose has proven that he is by and far the best rookie. Rose has shown his willingness to try and make this Bulls team better. Definitely a hard job considering that they don't have a post presence. He's averaged about 17pts and 7 assists a game, while showing off a decent jump shot. All I can say is, God, please get this kid some help.

2 - Mario Chalmers, Miami Heat

Chalmers isn't going to wow anyone with pure stats, but he's the starting point guard on a playoff team. He just got a post presence in Jermaine O'Neal and he has D Wade running in the back court with him. Chalmers is averaging 10 points, 5 assists, and almost 2 steals a game. I thought Miami got the steal of the draft when they got him and he's proving me right.

3 - OJ Mayo, Memphis Grizzlies

One thing Mayo can do is score (19 points a game), and with that he's adding a few boards (4 per game). He averages the same amount of turnovers as assists, so I'll leave that alone. He and Rudy Gay can probably put up close to 50 a night together. Mayo's scoring hasn't necessarily made the Grizzlies better, but his numbers can't be ignored.

4 - Brook Lopez, New Jersey Nets

Wow!!! That's all I can say. I didn't have this guy pegged as someone that could really play. Just a small upgrade over like a Jason Collins. Lopez has proven that he is truly gifted and he's putting up 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game. His last 4 games have showed an improvement in his ppg (18) and rebounds (10). He has a chance to move up this list quickly.

5 - Michael Beasley, Miami Heat

Not fair to have two guys from the same team on the list, right? Beasley has played well at times and then others you wonder about his shot selection. He's averaging 13 points and 5 boards, but it's for a winning team. I have to think that given the green light on any occasion and Beasley would put up better numbers. So, for now, he's number 5 on my list, but I think he'll definitely move up.


That's my take on things. Am I as crazy as NYSTOM? I'll have to post his top 5 Rookies and then you make your own decision.

New York Knicks - Oklahoma City Thunder

Man, they are quickly trying to get rid of all of Isiah Thomas' mistakes in New York. First Jerome James and now this. The Knicks have sent Malik Rose (and a ham sandwich) to the Thunder for Chris Wilcox. Wilcox is more of the athlete that the Knicks would want and can back up Lee and play a little center. Malik Rose will definitely provide the Thunder with a veteran presence and he could almost turn into a Charles Oakley kind of player for Durant (and Green).

If only the Knicks could make a move to get rid of Eddy Curry.

New York Knicks - Chicago Bulls

Finally!!! The Bulls have found a sucker to take Larry Hughes and all it took was a sucker to take on Jerome James. There in lies the Bulls/Knicks trade today. The Knicks have agreed to trade Jerome James and Tim Thomas to the Bulls for Larry Hughes. Jerome James has been stealing money for a few years since Isiah gave him a big deal and Tim Thomas, well, if it isn't a contract year you can count on him mailing it in. The Bulls recently had Tim Thomas and paid him to stay at home (something between him and Coach Skiles). Larry Hughes is a two guard who can't shoot, but he's a scorer. I didn't think the Knicks needed another one of those. Overall, everyone that wanted out (Hughes and James) got another opportunity elsewhere.


What's your take on this trade? Even? Backwards for both teams? Just plain stupid?

Timberwolves and Kings


Seems like the Timberwolves have made a deal to fortify their front court after losing Al Jefferson for the season. The Timberwolves have sent Rashad McCants and Calvin Booth to the Kings for Shelden Williams and Bobby Brown. It looks like the Kings have decided to go run and gun based on their additions from their trade with the Bulls earlier. McCants is a scorer who hasn't really shown much since leaving UNC. Shelden Williams or as we'll refer to him, Candace Parker's husband, hasn't done anything since leaving Duke except figuring out a way to get Candace to marry him. This will be an opportunity to prove to people that he isn't a bust after being drafted in the top ten by the Hawks a few years ago (2006 Draft). Calvin Booth is still in the league because of height and Bobby Brown will be out of the league soon.

Chilling with Marshawn


I have tried to wait for more information to come out about this but nothing as of yet. Supposedly Marshawn and two of his boys were chillin in his car. Not sure whether they were outside a friends house, a parking lot, a housing development, but they were in Culver City, CA. The police who happened to be on patrol 'came into contact' with these individuals and one of them realized that one of the individuals was in fact Marshawn Lynch. Supposedly a window rolled down in the car and the police smelled marijuana, which sparked a search of the car. A loaded gun was found and attributed to Lynch, who was subsequently arrested and charged with having a concealed handgun.

I'm normally not in defense of stupid, but this sounds like a lot of baloney. How do officers on patrol happen to 'come into contact' with three (I'm making the assumption here) black men in a Mercedes? Lynch was not given any traffic violation and I haven't seen a verification that any drugs were found in the car. Can you spell C-O-N-S-P-I-R-A-C-Y?

Now Lynch has been in trouble with the law in the past (hitting a woman while driving his vehicle and leaving the scene, she required 7 stitches and had a bruised hip), but now he will probably incur the wrath of the NFL because of his slip ups. I want to wait and see if more information comes out, but right now, it looks like this could get tossed out of court. The NFL may still punish him.
Is this an example of Driving While Black? Just concerned police? Have you heard anything different about this case?

NBA Round Up 2-19-09

Lots to catch up on and with the NBA Trade deadline to expire at 3pm (EST) today, we've already seen a lot of movement. I expect to see some more.

Chicago Bulls - Sacramento Kings

The Bulls and the Kings have made a deal that will send Andres Nocioni, Drew Gooden, Michael Ruffin, and Cedric Simmons for Brad Miller and John Salmons. Is it me or did the Bulls have Miller years ago? Anyway, the Bulls gave up a lot to get Miller and Salmons. Miller will be able to provide a presence in the post for the Bulls (not sure how much he has left in the tank) and Salmons can replace Nocioni from a scoring standpoint. The Kings get a host of players to rent, I mean meld into their team. Nocioni provides some toughness and scoring that will be helpful and Gooden can rebound and shoot spot up jumpers. As I start to think about this, it's not as bad for either team as I originally thought. It's really a swap of personnel that play the same positions. Maybe Paxson will stay around for a while.

Los Angeles Lakers - Memphis Grizzlies

In a salary dump move, the Lakers move Chris Mihm to Memphis for a conditional second round pick in 2013. Nothing like planning ahead. Note to self: Size is something you can't teach.

Portland Trailblazers - Sacramento Kings

The Trailblazers in a salary cap move dump Ike Diogu for Michael Ruffin. (Why is Michael Ruffin still in the league?). Because Darius Miles' contract will hit the Blazers and put them in luxury tax hell, the Blazers are probably a team that will look for more ways to cut salary. They did create a $3M trade exemption that they have up to a year to use.

We'll keep you posted on what happens today prior to the deadline. Who else do you think will be moved? Vince Carter? Chris Bosh? Tyson Chandler again? Nate Robinson?

The Trade That Was

The Hornets and the Thunder made a trade earlier this week involving Tyson Chandler (NOH) where the Hornets were to receive Joe Smith, Chris Wilcox, and the rights to center Devin Harden. It seems as though Chandler's stubborn toe, the one that has kept him off of the court for extended periods of time, is the reason that this trade will be rescinded. Chandler was noticeably surprised and I think that a lot of people are. If the Knicks can make a trade for Cuttino Mobley, who has since retired from the NBA due to a heart issue, what's the big issue over a little toe? Is this a buyer's remorse kind of deal? Either way, it looks as though the Hornets are getting bigger up front with the re-addition of their starting center.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Marion to Toronto

Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to the Raptors for Jermaine O'Neal, Jamario Moon, and a conditional (protected) future #1 pick. Miami is small team that got a post presence, depending on the number of games that he plays. The Raptors get a guy that they will rent for a half a season.


The Raptors have to do something with Chris Bosh. Rumors have run rampant that he will bolt the Raptors and head to NY or somewhere else where he can win a championship. O'Neal has worked with former #1 pick Andrea Bargnani and has influenced him to play better. Maybe the Raptors are thinking that Bargnani will start to play and develop and they rent Marion for a half a season and then dump him to free up space to bring someone else in to make Bosh want to be in Toronto.


The Heat get Jermaine O'Neal who can give the Heat a presence in the paint and allow Michael Beasley to be more of perimeter player when they try and put a big on him. The Heat have a good point guard in Chalmers, they have DWade, and now they just need a knock down shooter to be in the run for the playoffs in the East.



Who do you think got the better end of this deal? Miami, Toronto, or neither of them because they can't get Amare?

Thursday, February 12, 2009

NYSTOM Top Ranked Player

I know these are late, but hey I got lots of stuff going on. NYSTOM's Top 50 NBA Players is back for your perusal. NYSTOM, we might have to tweak your formula, because there are some people that should (in my humble opinion) much higher than they are. No one on the Rockets should be on this list.
What do you think? Where does NYSTOM's formula go wrong?

Steroids, Schmeroids

Why so much time spent with this steroids stuff? Alex Rodriguez comes out and says that he used a banned substance for 3 years (and he obviously tested positive those years) along with 103 other players. Is this a big surprise? I mean during the years they are talking about, baseball was lauded as America's sport. People were hitting home runs and as they used to say 'chicks dig the long ball'. Baseball stadiums were filled at an amazing rate and everyone was getting paid.


The players, under direction from their union, tested these 104 players promising that this would be something that would allow them to test and not be reported. All of this information was supposedly going to be destroyed afterwards. Years later the players find out that the tests (and results) were not destroyed and are now 'out in the open' (an old Mission Impossible quote). A-Rod is caught up now because of this. Miguel Tejada is caught up, and we don't know who else is on that list.


Now you have MLB saying that they are thinking about stripping players of their stats during the times where they tested positive for banned substances. The government is going after Barry Bonds and Roger Clemmons for lying. When will this madness stop? I'm not an advocate for steroid use in the game, but who wasn't using during this time period. I would assume that some of the best players in MLB were using during this time. If you're going to start stripping statistics, aren't you opening up a can of worms? If I lost a World Series because a guy was cheating, do we strip them of their title? If you're Roy Oswalt, can you sue someone, like an A-Rod, for performing better on banned substances and costing you money? Can fans sue because of the 'product' that they paid to see wasn't pure?


Just call the early 2000s the 'lost years' or something, clean up the sport (mandatory 65 games for 1st banned substance failed test 130 games for a 2nd banned substance failed test), and move on. I wasn't a big baseball fan anyway, but this is really starting to turn me and I'm sure other people off. The NFL is doing great, the NBA is doing great, and even the NHL is starting to pick up. The MLB needs to fix this quick.

NYSTOM MVP Race™


NYSTOM has his updated MVP Race for us. I'm still wondering how Rajon Rondo is in the picture. Anyone else with concerns?


Wake Forest @ North Carolina State, 2/11/09


What is going on with the Deacons? They seem to play well when they are playing the big time teams in the ACC (3-0) but they have problems with everyone else (2-4) in the ACC. The Deacons came to the RBC Center and got embarrassed. At one point the Deacons were down 20 to the Wolfpack. The 'Duke Killer' James Johnson ended the game with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Jeff Teague probably had one of his worst performances with 11 points and 7 assists, but he only attempted 3 shots.


Brandon Costner led the Wolfpack with 23 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Talk about filling the stat sheet. He got help from Courtney Fells (12 points), Tracy Smith (12 points), and Farnold Degand (14 points). The Wolfpack needed this win to keep them in the running for the NCAA tournament. The Wolfpack won the game 82-76.

North Carolina @ Duke, 2/11/09

What a game!!! Duke was down early by 11, but after Tyler Hansbrough's 2nd foul, Duke climbed back in the game. They went from not being able to hit a shot, to shooting 61.8% from the field. Paulus, Scheyer, and Henderson hit big shots in the first half. Carolina stayed in the game with great starts from Bobby Frasor and Deon Thompson who went 7-8 from the field for 16 points in the first half. Thompson looked like he was on track to outshine last season's player of the year after he hit everything that came out of his hands.


To my surprise, Duke was able to battle on the boards against the Tarheels who are much bigger and more athletic. Duke lost the rebounding edge 30-33, but they hustled last night. As always Duke relies on the 3 point shot and towards the end of the first half it looked as though Duke was catching fire and Carolina was okay with them shooting those shots.


I don't know what happened at halftime, but all of the momentum went from Duke to Carolina quickly. I think the most important play early in the second half was the steal by Wayne Ellington and his layup. That was his first bucket of the game and it got him in his groove. You always hear the worst thing to do against a shooter who is having a terrible game is give him a layup or give him a free throw. Ellington hit the layup, a possession or two later he came back and hit a 3 and Carolina was on a roll.


The star of the game was Ty Lawson. Lawson ended the first half with 4 points and 1 assist. In the second half not only did Carolina pick it up on the defensive end, Lawson started playing ball. Lawson destroyed the Duke back court, including his friend Nolan Smith, by getting to the rim at will and finishing. He ended the game with 25 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds and the hearts of all the Duke fans.


In the end, this was expected. Carolina has the bigger and better team. They didn't play up to expectations in the first half, but their second half dominance showed us all why many have picked them to win it all this year. Duke needs an inside presence, badly. Where are the Elton Brands and the Carlos Boozers of the world? Carolina is #1 in the ACC and Duke is tied for 2nd place with 3 other teams. UNC won the game 101 - 87.

Sunday, February 01, 2009

Bad Math Strikes Again


First Michael Vick and now this. Michael Phelps has been caught on camera (in a photo) smoking 'Mary Jane' from a bong. Phelps has admitted to the following:

In a statement released to The Associated Press, the swimmer who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Games conceded the authenticity of the exclusive picture published Sunday by the tabloid News of the World. Phelps said: "I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. I'm 23 years old and despite the successes I've had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again."

Now, from a marketing standpoint this guy is messing up his money. He came back from the Olympics as a hero and a good image for all to market. He was going to make millions of dollars an not even have to get back in a pool. He had Mastercard, HSBC, Speedo, and others just flocking to him to pay him money. Now he's caught on film hitting a bong. What a dummy?!?!?!? When you have that much money, why not get high at home? Invite your boys over, invite a couple of women, smoke and have a good time. Don't mess up your money like this.

Now with that said, I don't condone smoking the endo, because I've never done it myself and I didn't need it to have have fun or mello out. But if you're going to smoke, smoke at home. Get you a weed carrier (from my boy AB) and don't mess up your money. It's not a big deal to get caught with the endo, but it is illegal.


What was Michael Phelps thinking? Why do something illegal outside of your own crib when you have stacks of loot? Where is his weed carrier?

Superbowl Prediction

Ok, it's a hour before the game kickoff. I've taken my time to come to this conclusion, but I think I'm at a point where I can safely go ahead and make my pick.


So this will be quick. I expect the Steelers to win this game and the Superbowl. I expect it to be a blow out and I think that the Steelers win 34 - 17. Mike Tomlin becomes the second African American coach to win the Superbowl.


Who do you have winning? Maybe 34-17 isn't a blowout, but defense normally wins.