NCAA sanctions have robbed the Trojans of their Hollywood mojo.Ken Levine/Getty ImagesDear Coach Kiffin, Boy are you a debbie downer. You finally get your dream job, coaching one of college footballpremier programs, and all youve done is sulk and pout. Like somebody died. Hey, I know the sanctions suck but lighten up for petesake (sorry, I couldnresist). Youre taking all of the fun out the game so itno wonder your team is playing like Ohio State in a national championship game: flashes of greatness but a deficit of consistency. Youve banned Reebok Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald Realtree camo Jersey
everyone from practice, including the athletic directorwife. Even if the sidelines needed a little housekeeping, they donneed to be empty for petesake (oops, sorry again). It looks weird. Wherethe glitterati? The former players? Reality check: if you think all that star power at practice and on the sidelines doesninfluence an 18-year-old recruit youre even more delusional than your old boss, Al Davis. Youve axed the traditional pregame huddle at midfield. You criticize your team every chance you get. Whatnext? Banning the Spirit of Troy marching band and the Song Girls? Did you not know that you were becoming head football coach of the University of Swagger and Celebrity? Athletic performance is as much, if not more, mental than it is physical. If you keep hammering your players and talking with that sour puss on your face youre going to lose your team, games, your fans and, ultimately, your job. Dear Mr. Haden, Congratulations on the new gig! I hear youre a smart guy, a Rhodes scholar. Wow. Thatimpressive. So Im going to assume youve already told your head football coach to stop acting like Bill Belichick in a sun visor. It only reminds us how much we miss Pete. But why the paranoia over the football program? I know you donwant to irritate the NCAA while the sanctions are under appeal (good luck with that). But hiring the former head of the FBI to monitor compliance? Donyou think thatoverkill? Shouldnhe be doing something more useful, like tracking Osama bin Laden? Frankly, Im tired of watching my alma mater getting hammered. By everyone. Why are you letting them get away with it? Wherethe campaign to repair our image? Sure, youve done a couple of interviews but considering what were up against itnot nearly enough. Roll out the NFL alumni. Remind everyone that John Wayne, Jerry Buss, Neil Armstrong, the creator of the frisbee and hula hoop and the founders of Kinkos, Costco, California Pizza Kitchen, MySpace, Qualcomm, Vizio, Intuit, Quiksilver, and Oakley sunglasses are Trojans. So are the owners of the Kings, Lakers, Dodgers, and the Texas Rangers. And while youre at it, make football fun again. Bring the celebrities back to the sidelines. Put on a rock concert during halftime. Embrace our L.A. culture. Prove that we can be the University of Swagger and Compliance. Pete Carroll restored USC to glory but some say he bolted to the NFL to avoid the fallout from harsh NCAA sanctions.Stephen Dunn/Getty Images Dear Coach Carroll, Please come back. Please, Reebok Baltimore Ravens #5 Joe Flacco Realtree camo Jersey
please, please, please. Pretty please. With a cherry and sprinkles on top. Im begging you. I know the sanctions arenyour fault. How in the world were you supposed to know who was paying Reggieparents mortgage? Ridiculous. I know the new AD seems a little compliance-happy but maybe you and Will Ferrell can work out a skit or something to loosen him up. Really, we need you. Bad. Dear NCAA Infractions Committee, Can you please explain how an athletic department can lose control of a football program when only one player accepted improper benefits? Doesnloss of control look more like North Carolina, which has about a dozen players implicated in a cheating scandal? Or Florida, where almost 30 players have been arrested in six years? And why do you continue to punish players who did nothing wrong? Why donyou go after the athletic directors, coaches and, in cooperation with the NFL, the players who actually committed the infraction(s) in the first place? If youre an institution of higher learning shouldnyou start acting like it? Dear Roger Goodell, Reggie Bush gets a hug from teammate Matt Leinart after winning the 2005 Heisman trophy. Runner-up Vince Young (far left) remains on the sidelines after the Heisman Trust declined to grant him the award following Bush's surrender of it.Pool/Getty ImagesWhy havenyou punished Reggie Bush under the leaguePersonal Conduct Policy? While he was playing in your No Fun League he repeatedly lied and failed to cooperate with an NCAA investigation into his familyacceptance of hundreds of thousands of dollars of improper gifts, including a house. A house! His failure to take responsibility for his conduct resulted in innocent kids being punished for possibly their entire collegiate careers. What kind of personal conduct is that? Dear Reggie, Are you kidding me? A house?! You didnthink a convicted felon was going to spill the beans on you? I donknow what you knew when, or what you arranged personally or whether people close to you were freelancing. But at some point you knew a line had been crossed and to this day you have not accepted an iota of responsibility for it, nor have you apologized for your actions. Sorry, but giving back the Heisman in order to pre-empt it being taken away from Reebok Baltimore Ravens #27 Ray Rice Realtree camo Jersey
you does not cut it. With the permission of the NCAA, you should fly to Los Angeles and apologize in person to the players at USC, who are (insanely) being punished for what you (and your parents) did. You should also try doing something constructive, like meeting with high school and college athletes (and your parents) to talk to them about the importance of integrity and playing by the rules. And of course you should meet with the NCAA and offer suggestions for how the rules governing gifts, agents, spending money and the like can be reformed and better monitored. No one expects them to listen, but you should do it anyway. Fight On! Kelly
2011年1月22日星期六
22 Jan 11 Georgia Football: With Loss to Arkansas, The Bulldogs Have Some Work to Do
Mike Zarrilli/Getty ImagesThere is a phrase that goes, Itnot how you start, ithow you finish. In the case of the Georgia Bulldogs, they need to have a strong finish because itbeen one of the worst starts for the team in the last 17 years. There really isnone particular aspect or person to blame for the Bulldogs struggles because Detroit Lions
they entire team is struggling. It was evident in the game against Arkansas yesterday when they were down 24-10 early in the fourth quarter. Before the comeback where they scored 14 points to tie the game at 24, there was no consistency on offense, miscommunication on defense, and the special teams could have been better. So what needs to be done in order to fix things and get back on the right track?A good team has to have a good offensive line, and the Bulldogs offensive line has not been as good as many people predicted them to be. The reason for that is unknown, but if the offense wants to have more of a flow game in and game out, guys such as Clint Boling, Cordy Glenn, Ben Jones, and Josh Davis have to step-up right now, because the performance against Arkansas as well as South Carolina was not up to par. The defense, for the most part, has played well, but there are still times when the secondary gets confused and plays out of position. Against Arkansas, the Razorback receivers were open numerous times, and two of the times they were open led to points. This could be part of the growing pains of learning the 3-4 scheme, but improvements need to be made because the competition is going to get tougher as the season rolls on. The most important thing for this team now is not to panic. They have to continue to play their game and continue to get better in all aspects of the game. Is the SEC East out of reach? Itpossible, but if they can find a way to get on a winning streak, then the season wonbe lost and they will have a chance to compete for a title, Green Bay Packers jersey
because the SEC East is going to be a three-team race. It hurts for a Dawg fan to see this team struggle, because the expectations were so high. But the one thing the fans have to remember is this team has veterans in some positions such as the offensive line, and are really young in other positions such as quarterback and secondary. They have to find a way to put it all together and get back to playing Georgia football. But right now, this team has a lot of work to do, and they do not have an easy road ahead of them.
they entire team is struggling. It was evident in the game against Arkansas yesterday when they were down 24-10 early in the fourth quarter. Before the comeback where they scored 14 points to tie the game at 24, there was no consistency on offense, miscommunication on defense, and the special teams could have been better. So what needs to be done in order to fix things and get back on the right track?A good team has to have a good offensive line, and the Bulldogs offensive line has not been as good as many people predicted them to be. The reason for that is unknown, but if the offense wants to have more of a flow game in and game out, guys such as Clint Boling, Cordy Glenn, Ben Jones, and Josh Davis have to step-up right now, because the performance against Arkansas as well as South Carolina was not up to par. The defense, for the most part, has played well, but there are still times when the secondary gets confused and plays out of position. Against Arkansas, the Razorback receivers were open numerous times, and two of the times they were open led to points. This could be part of the growing pains of learning the 3-4 scheme, but improvements need to be made because the competition is going to get tougher as the season rolls on. The most important thing for this team now is not to panic. They have to continue to play their game and continue to get better in all aspects of the game. Is the SEC East out of reach? Itpossible, but if they can find a way to get on a winning streak, then the season wonbe lost and they will have a chance to compete for a title, Green Bay Packers jersey
because the SEC East is going to be a three-team race. It hurts for a Dawg fan to see this team struggle, because the expectations were so high. But the one thing the fans have to remember is this team has veterans in some positions such as the offensive line, and are really young in other positions such as quarterback and secondary. They have to find a way to put it all together and get back to playing Georgia football. But right now, this team has a lot of work to do, and they do not have an easy road ahead of them.
2011年1月18日星期二
18 Jan 11 Iowa-Ball State: Hawkeyes Look to Get Back on Track Against Cardinals
David Purdy/Getty ImagesAfter an upset loss against Arizona late last Saturday night, the Iowa Hawkeyes look to turn their season around against Ball State on Saturday afternoon at Kinnick for their annual Throwback Game.The Hawkeyes and Cardinals have met one other time, in 2005, and Iowa had the upper hand, blowing Reebok Dallas Cowboys #9 Tony Romo Realtree camo Jersey
out the Cardinals 56-0.Although last week's devastating loss is one that the Hawkeyes would like to forget, there are still lingering reminders of the upset.Iowa has plummeted to No. 18 in both the AP and USA Today polls and seemingly out of national championship contention unless the unforeseeable happens.The injury news isn't all that pleasant either. Running back Jewel Hampton and linebacker Bruce Davis are out for the season with knee injuries, andbackup running back Paki O'Meara will sit on the bench Saturdayleaving Adam Robinson to man the backfield by himself.Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz is very confident in Robinson's performance this season and doesn't see a problem with one running back getting all the snaps. Robinson has carried the ball 48 times for 270 yards and four touchdowns and has caught three passes for 62 yards so far this season.Through all the issues during Saturday night's game against Arizona, there was a silver lining in Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who appears to have matured in the offseason and is making much better decisions. Reebok Denver Broncos #15 Tim Tebow Realtree camo Jersey
The stats prove itStanzi has completed 47 of 74 passes for 711 yards and six touchdowns in 2010. Only one interception is credited to Stanzi, which was the tipped pass against Arizona.Expect Stanzi to find his favorite targets during Saturday's game and shake off that last bit of rust before Big Ten play starts.Stanzi has an excellent selection of targets for Saturday. For the last three seasons, Derrell Johnson-Koulianos has been Iowa's go-to guy through the air, and he is off to another hot start this season with 13 receptions for 183 yards and one touchdown. His fellow wide receiver Marvin McNutt is having equally an impressive year with seven receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 22.7 yards per catch.McNutt and Johnson-Koulianos came up big against Arizona, and one can expect to see the same results against Ball State.On the other side of the ball, the Hawkeyes defense looks to get back on track after bending and breaking at crucial times against Arizona. Linebacker Jeremiha Hunter, who recovered a fumble last Saturday that led to a touchdown, ranks second in tackles through three gameshaving four solo stops and 15 assistsand looks to continue to his run-stopping defense.Through the air, Ball State will have to go through defensive back Tyler Sash, who has 11 career interceptions andReebok Green Bay Packers #12 Aaron Rodgers Realtree camo Jersey
165 career tackles.With this being the final game before Big Ten play starts next week against Penn State, look for Iowa to address its major issues and make final adjustments to prepare for a conference title run. Iowa is a 27-point favorite over Ball State; expect quarterback Ricky Stanzi to continue to build on last week's air game.Saturday's game will be televised before a national audience on the Big Ten Network and broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network as well as Sirius channel 154 and XM channel 198 at 11 am CT.
out the Cardinals 56-0.Although last week's devastating loss is one that the Hawkeyes would like to forget, there are still lingering reminders of the upset.Iowa has plummeted to No. 18 in both the AP and USA Today polls and seemingly out of national championship contention unless the unforeseeable happens.The injury news isn't all that pleasant either. Running back Jewel Hampton and linebacker Bruce Davis are out for the season with knee injuries, andbackup running back Paki O'Meara will sit on the bench Saturdayleaving Adam Robinson to man the backfield by himself.Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz is very confident in Robinson's performance this season and doesn't see a problem with one running back getting all the snaps. Robinson has carried the ball 48 times for 270 yards and four touchdowns and has caught three passes for 62 yards so far this season.Through all the issues during Saturday night's game against Arizona, there was a silver lining in Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who appears to have matured in the offseason and is making much better decisions. Reebok Denver Broncos #15 Tim Tebow Realtree camo Jersey
The stats prove itStanzi has completed 47 of 74 passes for 711 yards and six touchdowns in 2010. Only one interception is credited to Stanzi, which was the tipped pass against Arizona.Expect Stanzi to find his favorite targets during Saturday's game and shake off that last bit of rust before Big Ten play starts.Stanzi has an excellent selection of targets for Saturday. For the last three seasons, Derrell Johnson-Koulianos has been Iowa's go-to guy through the air, and he is off to another hot start this season with 13 receptions for 183 yards and one touchdown. His fellow wide receiver Marvin McNutt is having equally an impressive year with seven receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 22.7 yards per catch.McNutt and Johnson-Koulianos came up big against Arizona, and one can expect to see the same results against Ball State.On the other side of the ball, the Hawkeyes defense looks to get back on track after bending and breaking at crucial times against Arizona. Linebacker Jeremiha Hunter, who recovered a fumble last Saturday that led to a touchdown, ranks second in tackles through three gameshaving four solo stops and 15 assistsand looks to continue to his run-stopping defense.Through the air, Ball State will have to go through defensive back Tyler Sash, who has 11 career interceptions andReebok Green Bay Packers #12 Aaron Rodgers Realtree camo Jersey
165 career tackles.With this being the final game before Big Ten play starts next week against Penn State, look for Iowa to address its major issues and make final adjustments to prepare for a conference title run. Iowa is a 27-point favorite over Ball State; expect quarterback Ricky Stanzi to continue to build on last week's air game.Saturday's game will be televised before a national audience on the Big Ten Network and broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network as well as Sirius channel 154 and XM channel 198 at 11 am CT.
2011年1月15日星期六
15 Jan 11 St. Louis Rams "Part I: Will the Rams make the playoffs?"
With the offseason crawling along at a snail's pace, there isn't a terrible amount of information to report regarding the St. Louis Rams. Thus, when all else fails, we turn to such things as draft grades and previews to ward off the shakes until we can score our syringe full of NFL smack come September.Therefore, we present to you, the reader, the following preview of the Rams upcoming season. I won't go into detail as to the highly scientific method utilized to reach the following conclusions, as understanding would only drive you to the brink of madness: Carolina: The combination of Opening Day and it being the "we don't need Kris Jenkins" game has Rams fans in a frenzy from the outset. In contrast to its slow start last season, the Rams' offense comes out with all cylinders firing. Richie Incognito "accidentally" gets a St. Louis Rams jersey
forearm underneath Kris Jenkins' facemask, staining the fertile artificial grass crimson with blood and teeth. The feared Carolina defense looks extremely ordinary and the Rams put the league on notice. Rams win 34-17.San Francisco: The Niners put their well-paid henchmen to the test against the potent St. Louis offense. The Rams' receivers immediately turn Nate Clements inside out, proving no cornerback in the league is worth $80 million, or even half that amount. However, unlike the previous week, the Rams are in for a slugfest against a San Francisco squad that is always up for its contests with the blue and gold, regardless of either teams' record or talent level. The Rams pull out a close one against an obviously improved 49ers squad, suggestive of the once and future yearly battle for the NFC West crown. Rams win 24-20. @ Tampa Bay: The once-fierce rivalry has since fizzled, but the Bucs, still looking for their first win of the season, dig in against the high-flying Rams. Jon Gruden attempts to exploit the traditionally weak Rams rushing defense by pounding Cadillac Williams between the tackles, but the St. Louis defenders are equal to the task. However, the Rams' offense is unable to run effectively against the still staunch Bucs' defense and both teams must throw to generate offense. The newly spleenless Chris Simms plays valiantly, matching Marc Bulger pass for pass in terms of accuracy and sending the game into overtime, tied 17-17.The closely contested quarterback duel continues in OT, where it is evident that the first team to make a mistake will seal its fate. It is Simms who flinches first, and Tye Hill jumps a slant pattern and takes it to the house. Rams win 23-17. @ Dallas: Bill Maas' streak of 18 straight games as Fox's color commentator for the Rams broadcast is broken as the A-team (sans B.A. Baracus) of Troy Aikman and Joe Buck is trotted out for the battle with the likewise undefeated Cowboys.The Rams look ordinary after their thrilling victory a week prior. Tony Romo completes three TD passes, but none to superstar Terrell Owens, who immediately accuses his QB of ignoring him because Romo is, quote, "obviously gay." T.O. is promptly suspended by owner Jerry Jones, in turn causing Owens to hold workout sessions in front of Texas Stadium each Sunday. The Rams drop their Tennessee Titans jersey
first game of the season to the Cowboys, who win by a field goal in large part because Romo is no longer the holder. Final score: 24-21.Arizona: A combination of an improved Rams D-line and an even more diminished Cardinals O-line leads to the first sack of Adam Carriker's career, knocking Matt Leinart out of the game. With the Rams up 14-3 in the second quarter, Kurt Warner enters and proceeds to torch the St. Louis secondary, putting up 300-plus passing yards and three touchdowns before the end of the third quarter allowing the Cards to come roaring back. Warner then fumbles on three successive possessions and the Rams pull out a squeaker, 34-31. After the game, Brenda Warner calls a joint press conference with Doug Christie's wife, explaining that "God caused Kurt to fumble" and it is time to announce his re-retirement. Sitting quietly at his wife's side, Kurt Warner's only comment is, "I'm not allowed to comment." @ Baltimore: The contest quickly becomes a battle of attrition in a low-scoring defensive struggle. With the Rams down by six in the waning minutes, the Ravens need only make a goal-line stand to preserve the hard-fought victory. Steven Jackson pauses only long enough to wave to the terminally ill child in the stands before lowering his head into Ray Lewis' chest and driving him into the endzone for the winning score. Reminiscent of your favorite Hollywood football cliché, Rams win, 14-13.@ Seattle: The once-highly anticipated contest with their coffee-swilling rivals from the northwest has dimmed somewhat by the fact that a re-injured Matt Hasselbeck and a still-injured Shaun Alexander cause the Seahawks to stumble out to a 3-3 start.Unfortunately for St. Louis, Seattle wakes up for the fiercely contested rivalry and mirrors its impressive play from the last few seasons. The Rams give as good as they get, and the lead trades hands several times. Down by two in the fourth quarter, the Rams drive into field goal range with a handful of seconds left. Maas repeatedly reminds the viewing audience that place-kicker Jeff Wilkins is perfect on the season to that point, naturally resulting in Wilkins pushing the 48-yard attempt wide right in a sickening turn of irony as time expires. The Rams lose in heartbreaking fashion, 30-28. Cleveland: There is much speculation that the crushing defeat in Seattle a week prior would deflate the Rams, but it is not to be. The Rams jump all over the Browns, evoking shades of Az-Zahir Hakim pushing/punching that Browns defender in the back of the head as he danced in for Washington Redskins jersey
the score during the Rams 1999 contest with Cleveland. Brady Quinn, who has already been labeled a bust before midseason, actually manages to throw his first touchdown pass of the year, but to no avail. The Rams gut the ineffectual Browns, 41-13.At this point the Rams head into their bye week with an impressive 6-2 record. Can they make the playoffs? The saga continues next week.**You can e-mail Steve Reynolds at sreynoldsComing soon...the official RealFootball365.com NFL Podcast... (9)
作者:
forearm underneath Kris Jenkins' facemask, staining the fertile artificial grass crimson with blood and teeth. The feared Carolina defense looks extremely ordinary and the Rams put the league on notice. Rams win 34-17.San Francisco: The Niners put their well-paid henchmen to the test against the potent St. Louis offense. The Rams' receivers immediately turn Nate Clements inside out, proving no cornerback in the league is worth $80 million, or even half that amount. However, unlike the previous week, the Rams are in for a slugfest against a San Francisco squad that is always up for its contests with the blue and gold, regardless of either teams' record or talent level. The Rams pull out a close one against an obviously improved 49ers squad, suggestive of the once and future yearly battle for the NFC West crown. Rams win 24-20. @ Tampa Bay: The once-fierce rivalry has since fizzled, but the Bucs, still looking for their first win of the season, dig in against the high-flying Rams. Jon Gruden attempts to exploit the traditionally weak Rams rushing defense by pounding Cadillac Williams between the tackles, but the St. Louis defenders are equal to the task. However, the Rams' offense is unable to run effectively against the still staunch Bucs' defense and both teams must throw to generate offense. The newly spleenless Chris Simms plays valiantly, matching Marc Bulger pass for pass in terms of accuracy and sending the game into overtime, tied 17-17.The closely contested quarterback duel continues in OT, where it is evident that the first team to make a mistake will seal its fate. It is Simms who flinches first, and Tye Hill jumps a slant pattern and takes it to the house. Rams win 23-17. @ Dallas: Bill Maas' streak of 18 straight games as Fox's color commentator for the Rams broadcast is broken as the A-team (sans B.A. Baracus) of Troy Aikman and Joe Buck is trotted out for the battle with the likewise undefeated Cowboys.The Rams look ordinary after their thrilling victory a week prior. Tony Romo completes three TD passes, but none to superstar Terrell Owens, who immediately accuses his QB of ignoring him because Romo is, quote, "obviously gay." T.O. is promptly suspended by owner Jerry Jones, in turn causing Owens to hold workout sessions in front of Texas Stadium each Sunday. The Rams drop their Tennessee Titans jersey
first game of the season to the Cowboys, who win by a field goal in large part because Romo is no longer the holder. Final score: 24-21.Arizona: A combination of an improved Rams D-line and an even more diminished Cardinals O-line leads to the first sack of Adam Carriker's career, knocking Matt Leinart out of the game. With the Rams up 14-3 in the second quarter, Kurt Warner enters and proceeds to torch the St. Louis secondary, putting up 300-plus passing yards and three touchdowns before the end of the third quarter allowing the Cards to come roaring back. Warner then fumbles on three successive possessions and the Rams pull out a squeaker, 34-31. After the game, Brenda Warner calls a joint press conference with Doug Christie's wife, explaining that "God caused Kurt to fumble" and it is time to announce his re-retirement. Sitting quietly at his wife's side, Kurt Warner's only comment is, "I'm not allowed to comment." @ Baltimore: The contest quickly becomes a battle of attrition in a low-scoring defensive struggle. With the Rams down by six in the waning minutes, the Ravens need only make a goal-line stand to preserve the hard-fought victory. Steven Jackson pauses only long enough to wave to the terminally ill child in the stands before lowering his head into Ray Lewis' chest and driving him into the endzone for the winning score. Reminiscent of your favorite Hollywood football cliché, Rams win, 14-13.@ Seattle: The once-highly anticipated contest with their coffee-swilling rivals from the northwest has dimmed somewhat by the fact that a re-injured Matt Hasselbeck and a still-injured Shaun Alexander cause the Seahawks to stumble out to a 3-3 start.Unfortunately for St. Louis, Seattle wakes up for the fiercely contested rivalry and mirrors its impressive play from the last few seasons. The Rams give as good as they get, and the lead trades hands several times. Down by two in the fourth quarter, the Rams drive into field goal range with a handful of seconds left. Maas repeatedly reminds the viewing audience that place-kicker Jeff Wilkins is perfect on the season to that point, naturally resulting in Wilkins pushing the 48-yard attempt wide right in a sickening turn of irony as time expires. The Rams lose in heartbreaking fashion, 30-28. Cleveland: There is much speculation that the crushing defeat in Seattle a week prior would deflate the Rams, but it is not to be. The Rams jump all over the Browns, evoking shades of Az-Zahir Hakim pushing/punching that Browns defender in the back of the head as he danced in for Washington Redskins jersey
the score during the Rams 1999 contest with Cleveland. Brady Quinn, who has already been labeled a bust before midseason, actually manages to throw his first touchdown pass of the year, but to no avail. The Rams gut the ineffectual Browns, 41-13.At this point the Rams head into their bye week with an impressive 6-2 record. Can they make the playoffs? The saga continues next week.**You can e-mail Steve Reynolds at sreynoldsComing soon...the official RealFootball365.com NFL Podcast... (9)
作者:
2011年1月13日星期四
14 Jan 11 New Orleans Saints expected to file paperwork with the NFL and the players' union by Wednesday to designate DE Darren Howard as a franchise
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The Saints expected to file paperwork with the NFL and the players' union by Wednesday to designate defensive end Darren Howard as a franchise free agent, General Manager Mickey Loomis said.The move would require the Saints to pay Howard a $7.8 million base salary in 2005 - a 20 percent Philadelphia Eagles jersey
increase from the $6.5 million salary he received as a franchise free agent in 2004. The club has until February 22 to make an official designation."It's just one of tools teams have to keep high quality players they feel probably would be gone otherwise, and I don't think there's any doubt Darren would have a number of suitors," Howard's agent, Gary Wichard, said Tuesday.Although he missed three games and at times played through neck and knee injuries, he led the Saints with 11 sacks, his most since his rookie season in 2000. "He's a really good player," Loomis said. "We've got a lot of time and effort invested in him, and we don't want to see it go to waste. He had a really good year for us last season, and we want to keep as many good players here as we can."He has made a team-high 41 sacks in five seasons since joining the Saints as the first draft pick after Jim Haslett took over as coach in 2000. With then-general manager Randy Mueller directing the team's draft, Howard was selected in the second round with the No. 33 overall pick.Under terms of the franchise Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
designation, Howard may negotiate with other teams, but the Saints can match any offer he receives. If they elect not to match the offer, they would receive two first-round draft picks from Howard's new team as compensation.The Saints also could trade Howard, which would clear his entire salary from the salary cap. Some teams have used the franchise tag to retain the rights to top players in order to trade them, but Loomis declined to comment on whether the Saints would consider trading Howard if a long-term deal can't be completed with the 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive end.Wichard said Howard would be comfortable playing for New Orleans long-term."I would love to sit with them and work out a long-term deal," Wichard said. "It's where he started his career. This certainly would be a great situation San Diego Chargers jersey
for him to finish his career there. He's very comfortable with the organization and obviously they're very comfortable with him."With Howard, the Saints would have more than $10.4 million in salary cap money devoted to defensive ends. Charles Grant and Will Smith, two former first-round draft picks, will count $1.3 million each against the cap.Loomis said Howard's salary will be relatively hefty, but that he would "find a way to make it work. It's always a tough decision to franchise a player. But, if you're going to have depth and be good at a position that's a good place to be good at, that's a good problem to have," Loomis said.
increase from the $6.5 million salary he received as a franchise free agent in 2004. The club has until February 22 to make an official designation."It's just one of tools teams have to keep high quality players they feel probably would be gone otherwise, and I don't think there's any doubt Darren would have a number of suitors," Howard's agent, Gary Wichard, said Tuesday.Although he missed three games and at times played through neck and knee injuries, he led the Saints with 11 sacks, his most since his rookie season in 2000. "He's a really good player," Loomis said. "We've got a lot of time and effort invested in him, and we don't want to see it go to waste. He had a really good year for us last season, and we want to keep as many good players here as we can."He has made a team-high 41 sacks in five seasons since joining the Saints as the first draft pick after Jim Haslett took over as coach in 2000. With then-general manager Randy Mueller directing the team's draft, Howard was selected in the second round with the No. 33 overall pick.Under terms of the franchise Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
designation, Howard may negotiate with other teams, but the Saints can match any offer he receives. If they elect not to match the offer, they would receive two first-round draft picks from Howard's new team as compensation.The Saints also could trade Howard, which would clear his entire salary from the salary cap. Some teams have used the franchise tag to retain the rights to top players in order to trade them, but Loomis declined to comment on whether the Saints would consider trading Howard if a long-term deal can't be completed with the 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive end.Wichard said Howard would be comfortable playing for New Orleans long-term."I would love to sit with them and work out a long-term deal," Wichard said. "It's where he started his career. This certainly would be a great situation San Diego Chargers jersey
for him to finish his career there. He's very comfortable with the organization and obviously they're very comfortable with him."With Howard, the Saints would have more than $10.4 million in salary cap money devoted to defensive ends. Charles Grant and Will Smith, two former first-round draft picks, will count $1.3 million each against the cap.Loomis said Howard's salary will be relatively hefty, but that he would "find a way to make it work. It's always a tough decision to franchise a player. But, if you're going to have depth and be good at a position that's a good place to be good at, that's a good problem to have," Loomis said.
14 Jan 11 New Orleans Saints expected to file paperwork with the NFL and the players' union by Wednesday to designate DE Darren Howard as a franchise
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The Saints expected to file paperwork with the NFL and the players' union by Wednesday to designate defensive end Darren Howard as a franchise free agent, General Manager Mickey Loomis said.The move would require the Saints to pay Howard a $7.8 million base salary in 2005 - a 20 percent Philadelphia Eagles jersey
increase from the $6.5 million salary he received as a franchise free agent in 2004. The club has until February 22 to make an official designation."It's just one of tools teams have to keep high quality players they feel probably would be gone otherwise, and I don't think there's any doubt Darren would have a number of suitors," Howard's agent, Gary Wichard, said Tuesday.Although he missed three games and at times played through neck and knee injuries, he led the Saints with 11 sacks, his most since his rookie season in 2000. "He's a really good player," Loomis said. "We've got a lot of time and effort invested in him, and we don't want to see it go to waste. He had a really good year for us last season, and we want to keep as many good players here as we can."He has made a team-high 41 sacks in five seasons since joining the Saints as the first draft pick after Jim Haslett took over as coach in 2000. With then-general manager Randy Mueller directing the team's draft, Howard was selected in the second round with the No. 33 overall pick.Under terms of the franchise Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
designation, Howard may negotiate with other teams, but the Saints can match any offer he receives. If they elect not to match the offer, they would receive two first-round draft picks from Howard's new team as compensation.The Saints also could trade Howard, which would clear his entire salary from the salary cap. Some teams have used the franchise tag to retain the rights to top players in order to trade them, but Loomis declined to comment on whether the Saints would consider trading Howard if a long-term deal can't be completed with the 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive end.Wichard said Howard would be comfortable playing for New Orleans long-term."I would love to sit with them and work out a long-term deal," Wichard said. "It's where he started his career. This certainly would be a great situation San Diego Chargers jersey
for him to finish his career there. He's very comfortable with the organization and obviously they're very comfortable with him."With Howard, the Saints would have more than $10.4 million in salary cap money devoted to defensive ends. Charles Grant and Will Smith, two former first-round draft picks, will count $1.3 million each against the cap.Loomis said Howard's salary will be relatively hefty, but that he would "find a way to make it work. It's always a tough decision to franchise a player. But, if you're going to have depth and be good at a position that's a good place to be good at, that's a good problem to have," Loomis said.
increase from the $6.5 million salary he received as a franchise free agent in 2004. The club has until February 22 to make an official designation."It's just one of tools teams have to keep high quality players they feel probably would be gone otherwise, and I don't think there's any doubt Darren would have a number of suitors," Howard's agent, Gary Wichard, said Tuesday.Although he missed three games and at times played through neck and knee injuries, he led the Saints with 11 sacks, his most since his rookie season in 2000. "He's a really good player," Loomis said. "We've got a lot of time and effort invested in him, and we don't want to see it go to waste. He had a really good year for us last season, and we want to keep as many good players here as we can."He has made a team-high 41 sacks in five seasons since joining the Saints as the first draft pick after Jim Haslett took over as coach in 2000. With then-general manager Randy Mueller directing the team's draft, Howard was selected in the second round with the No. 33 overall pick.Under terms of the franchise Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
designation, Howard may negotiate with other teams, but the Saints can match any offer he receives. If they elect not to match the offer, they would receive two first-round draft picks from Howard's new team as compensation.The Saints also could trade Howard, which would clear his entire salary from the salary cap. Some teams have used the franchise tag to retain the rights to top players in order to trade them, but Loomis declined to comment on whether the Saints would consider trading Howard if a long-term deal can't be completed with the 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive end.Wichard said Howard would be comfortable playing for New Orleans long-term."I would love to sit with them and work out a long-term deal," Wichard said. "It's where he started his career. This certainly would be a great situation San Diego Chargers jersey
for him to finish his career there. He's very comfortable with the organization and obviously they're very comfortable with him."With Howard, the Saints would have more than $10.4 million in salary cap money devoted to defensive ends. Charles Grant and Will Smith, two former first-round draft picks, will count $1.3 million each against the cap.Loomis said Howard's salary will be relatively hefty, but that he would "find a way to make it work. It's always a tough decision to franchise a player. But, if you're going to have depth and be good at a position that's a good place to be good at, that's a good problem to have," Loomis said.
2011年1月12日星期三
13 Jan 11 NBA Quick Shots for Jan. 13: Chris Kaman To Have MRI on Back
Stephen Dunn/Getty ImagesChris Kaman Out, Scheduled To Have MRIKaman "tweaked" his back in pre-game warm-ups on Tuesday night, and missed the contest. He's also been ruled out for Wednesday night's game, and is scheduled to undergo an MRI.It wasn't reported as being a serious injury originally, but one has to Reebok Dallas Cowboys #9 Tony Romo Realtree camo Jersey
wonder if the team is pulling the quick trigger on an MRI.Keep up on Kaman's status, and feel free to use his replacement, DeAndre Jordan, as the big man has looked good in spot duty for the Clippers.?Kevin Martin To Make His Return on FridayMartin has been practicing and is gearing towards a return this Friday, although he's expected to come off the bench in limited minutes.With Tyreke Evans, Beno Udrih, and Omri Casspi all playing so well together, it'll be interesting to see whether or not Martin's scoring ability adds to the Kings' offense, or takes away from its chemistry.If he has a negative effect, rumors of Martin going on the trading block could emerge.?Vince Carter Still Not Ready To PlayAs expected, Carter missed Tuesday night's game, and will almost definitely not participate in Wednesday's game.Orlando head coach Stan Van Gundy suggested he may be out until the Magic end their road trip, which could have him returning next Monday.J.J. Redick started in place of Carter and logged 37 minutes, while scoring just eight points. It was an off night for Redick, but as long as he's getting the minutes and shooting 8-12 shots, he's not a bad utility play in most leagues.?Kobe Bryant Looking To Play on WednesdayBryant sat out of the fourth quarter in Tuesday's game with "severe" back spasms, making him questionable for Wednesday's game.Bryant said that he couldn't even walk, but his condition is better, and he's confident he'll play. With head coach Phil Jackson also indicating Bryant will be able to go, keep him in your starting lineup for tonight.?Devin Harris Expects To Play against BostonHarris expects to play against Boston tonight (Wednesday), despite tendinitis in his right wrist.Weekly league owners should have been sitting Harris this week, as he and the Nets have just two games Reebok Denver Broncos #15 Tim Tebow Realtree camo Jersey
this week.?Ron Artest Questionable for WednesdayArtest played Tuesday night, but is now questionable for Wednesday's action with a sprained finger.Artest hasn't been a great fantasy option, especially in January, as he's averaging fewer than eight points per game in the last 13 days.If Artest is out, look for Luke Walton and Adam Morrison to get some extra minutes, although neither is likely to be even an average fantasy option.?For more NBA news and Fantasy advice, go here.
wonder if the team is pulling the quick trigger on an MRI.Keep up on Kaman's status, and feel free to use his replacement, DeAndre Jordan, as the big man has looked good in spot duty for the Clippers.?Kevin Martin To Make His Return on FridayMartin has been practicing and is gearing towards a return this Friday, although he's expected to come off the bench in limited minutes.With Tyreke Evans, Beno Udrih, and Omri Casspi all playing so well together, it'll be interesting to see whether or not Martin's scoring ability adds to the Kings' offense, or takes away from its chemistry.If he has a negative effect, rumors of Martin going on the trading block could emerge.?Vince Carter Still Not Ready To PlayAs expected, Carter missed Tuesday night's game, and will almost definitely not participate in Wednesday's game.Orlando head coach Stan Van Gundy suggested he may be out until the Magic end their road trip, which could have him returning next Monday.J.J. Redick started in place of Carter and logged 37 minutes, while scoring just eight points. It was an off night for Redick, but as long as he's getting the minutes and shooting 8-12 shots, he's not a bad utility play in most leagues.?Kobe Bryant Looking To Play on WednesdayBryant sat out of the fourth quarter in Tuesday's game with "severe" back spasms, making him questionable for Wednesday's game.Bryant said that he couldn't even walk, but his condition is better, and he's confident he'll play. With head coach Phil Jackson also indicating Bryant will be able to go, keep him in your starting lineup for tonight.?Devin Harris Expects To Play against BostonHarris expects to play against Boston tonight (Wednesday), despite tendinitis in his right wrist.Weekly league owners should have been sitting Harris this week, as he and the Nets have just two games Reebok Denver Broncos #15 Tim Tebow Realtree camo Jersey
this week.?Ron Artest Questionable for WednesdayArtest played Tuesday night, but is now questionable for Wednesday's action with a sprained finger.Artest hasn't been a great fantasy option, especially in January, as he's averaging fewer than eight points per game in the last 13 days.If Artest is out, look for Luke Walton and Adam Morrison to get some extra minutes, although neither is likely to be even an average fantasy option.?For more NBA news and Fantasy advice, go here.
12 Jan 11 Wall Could Be Wizards Savor
Andy Lyons/Getty ImagesWith so much controversy going around in Washington D.C about three time All star Gilbert Arenas and whether he will be in a Washington Wizards uniform long term, It looks like it would be just best for both parties to part ways. Washington's organization has protected Arenas way to Cincinnati Bengals jersey
long from incidents in the past and now they have come to the conclusion where they can not baby him anymore. They paid him $111 dollar contract in the summer of 2008, and gave him the signs that he would be their franchise player. When Arenas brought four guns into the teams locker room on December 24, that showed that he did not have respect for the Wizards organization and the National Basketball Association. Both parties has to come to some agreement where they can part ways and move on.The Wizards are 14-30 and have the fourth worst record in the NBA, its most likely they will be in the NBA lottery when the draft comes around in Late June.Last season, the Wizards traded away Etan Thomas, Darius Songaila, Oleksiy Pecherov, and the 5th overall pick In the 2009 NBA draft for Randy Foye and Mike Miller. As great as the move looked for Washington, because they saved $2 million in the deal but they passed on players such as Jonny Flynn, Stephen Curry, Brandon Jennings. Those players all have good talents and could have help the Wizards out tremendously.This upcoming draft in 2010, maybe Washington could get lucky and grab the number one overall pick and draft Kentucky point guard John Wall.Wall is the best freshmen in the game of college basketball and he is quick, Cleveland Browns jersey
explosive,and a great team leader.Wall could save the franchise, he is a young talent and could provide the team a point guard if Gilbert Arenas and the organization decide to part ways.If Washington is able to draft Wall, the team would be in great position for the future and have a great point guard who cares about winning, oppose to a point guard who only cares about himself and not the team.
long from incidents in the past and now they have come to the conclusion where they can not baby him anymore. They paid him $111 dollar contract in the summer of 2008, and gave him the signs that he would be their franchise player. When Arenas brought four guns into the teams locker room on December 24, that showed that he did not have respect for the Wizards organization and the National Basketball Association. Both parties has to come to some agreement where they can part ways and move on.The Wizards are 14-30 and have the fourth worst record in the NBA, its most likely they will be in the NBA lottery when the draft comes around in Late June.Last season, the Wizards traded away Etan Thomas, Darius Songaila, Oleksiy Pecherov, and the 5th overall pick In the 2009 NBA draft for Randy Foye and Mike Miller. As great as the move looked for Washington, because they saved $2 million in the deal but they passed on players such as Jonny Flynn, Stephen Curry, Brandon Jennings. Those players all have good talents and could have help the Wizards out tremendously.This upcoming draft in 2010, maybe Washington could get lucky and grab the number one overall pick and draft Kentucky point guard John Wall.Wall is the best freshmen in the game of college basketball and he is quick, Cleveland Browns jersey
explosive,and a great team leader.Wall could save the franchise, he is a young talent and could provide the team a point guard if Gilbert Arenas and the organization decide to part ways.If Washington is able to draft Wall, the team would be in great position for the future and have a great point guard who cares about winning, oppose to a point guard who only cares about himself and not the team.
12 Jan 11 Portland Trail Blazers Are In a Slump
Jonathan Ferrey/Getty ImagesThe Portland Trail Blazers are in a dire need of hope. Without Brandon Roy, winning is like trying to tie a Velcro shoeimpossible.The Blazers are now on a three-game losing streak after tonight game. Monday, they dropped one at home against the Hornets; Wednesday, they got it handed to them at home by the Jazz; and today, the Rockets tried to give Portland a win, but the Blazers generously denied it.What is it going to take for the injured Blazers to get their act together?Brandon Roy is the obvious answer, but Portland is full of talent and should be able to win without Roy.Now that Batum and Fernandez are back, the Blazers are in a great position talent-wise. But the real question is why are the Blazers playing like kindergartners?Andre Miller has not been playing to his potential; he had two points tonight, complemented by two turnovers. That is not an expectedperformance.The Blazers need to decide who will take their game-winning shots instead of passing the ball around and losing all hope for a victory.The concept of a team is playing like a team. Although the Blazers act like a team, lately, they have not played like a team. Teamwork is an important concept to the game of basketball. That is why the Blazers and any other NBA team are called a team, to play with a team and succeed.The Blazers did make a hell of an effort to come back in the last seconds, but it was not good enough.The starting lineup needs to be Miller at point, Rudy at shooting guard, Batum at small forward, Aldridge at power forward, and Juwan Howard at center. That way there will be three threats at the three-point line but also enough power to have a threat at the basket.Once Roy returns, replace Rudy for Roy and sub Rudy in throughout the game, more frequently than usual.Portland has to deal with their height issues due to Oden and Prybilla injuries, but they can still be contenders with their roster, which is full of outstanding talent.The Blazers can contend in the NBA, they just need to take time and think things through and decide on a better game plan. Right now things are not looking good for the Blazers, but there can easily be a drastic turnaround, which is necessary.Most likely Portland will still make the playoffs, but not if they keep this style of play going.A few adjustments and heart can take the Blazers a long way. Nate McMillan has been doing a great job throughout his career coaching Portland, he will figure things out. As of right now, there is no need to worryyet.Keep your heads up Blazers fans, and do not lose hope.
2011年1月10日星期一
10 Jan 11 Will Nate Robinson Really Make The Boston Celtics Better?
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty ImagesLast night the Celtics won their second straight since the All-Star break, edging the LA Lakers last night 87-86. But, realistically, this was a Kobe-less LA, and doesn mean the Celts problems are fixed.In an effort to fix them, the Celtics gained a jolt of energy before yesterdays trade deadline. New England Patriots jersey
But how big of a jolt exactly?Boston received three-time Slam Dunk champion Nate Robinson and Marcus Landry from the New York Knicks in exchange for Eddie House, J.R. Giddens, and Bill Walker.Landry, Giddens, and Walker are throw-ins essentially. The centerpieces are House and Robinson.The extremely athletic Robinson gives the Celtics six more points a game, one more rebound (even though he only 59 and four inches shorter than House), almost three more assists, and shoots better from the field.There also the chance Robinson can really go wild like the time he put up 41 against theAtlanta Hawksthis season.Yet, even with those improvements, the Robinson trade is questionable.For starters, House is a much better three-point shooter both this season and in his career than Robinson and has hit a number of clutch shots for the Celts in both the regular season and the playoffs.Robinson offensive numbers could also be a product of Knicks Head Coach Mike DAntoni offensive scheme that encourages lots of shots and opportunities.Will Robinson be as effective in a more structured offense?Robinson attitude has also been widely criticized. He was benched for nearly an entire month earlier this season by DAntoni because he felt Robinson was concerned with only himself and not the team.The Celtics are hoping New Orleans Saints jersey
that strong veteran leadership from guys like Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen will steer Robinson in the right direction.But that leadership has been absent thus far this season and is part of the reason why they are slipping in the standings.When youre a team having leadership and discipline issues, is it smart to trade for a player whose attitude has been questioned so frequently?Robinson can be a sparkplug off the bench and will bring a renewed enthusiasm to a Celtics team sleep-walking through the season. However, another reason to question the trade is because it doesn push the Celtics over the edge or past their two main competitors.The trade for Robinson means nothing compared to the Cavaliers, the Eastern Conference leader, getting Antawn Jamison from Washington. Adding a 20-point-10-rebound threat to add to the starting lineup really upgrades the entire Cleveland team, especially improving their ability to finally match up with forwards that play on the perimeter, like Boston Rasheed Wallace and Orlando Rashard Lewis.The trade for Robinson also New York Giants jersey
doesn even make Boston better than the Orlando Magic. The Magic didn make a move at the deadline, but they made their splash in the offseason getting Vince Carter and looks like they have finally found a good chemistry, winning 11 of their last 14 games.So can Robinson really inject enough energy and enthusiasm into the Celtics to really be a meaningful addition, or was it a trade that shook the team up just for the sake of doing something different?
But how big of a jolt exactly?Boston received three-time Slam Dunk champion Nate Robinson and Marcus Landry from the New York Knicks in exchange for Eddie House, J.R. Giddens, and Bill Walker.Landry, Giddens, and Walker are throw-ins essentially. The centerpieces are House and Robinson.The extremely athletic Robinson gives the Celtics six more points a game, one more rebound (even though he only 59 and four inches shorter than House), almost three more assists, and shoots better from the field.There also the chance Robinson can really go wild like the time he put up 41 against theAtlanta Hawksthis season.Yet, even with those improvements, the Robinson trade is questionable.For starters, House is a much better three-point shooter both this season and in his career than Robinson and has hit a number of clutch shots for the Celts in both the regular season and the playoffs.Robinson offensive numbers could also be a product of Knicks Head Coach Mike DAntoni offensive scheme that encourages lots of shots and opportunities.Will Robinson be as effective in a more structured offense?Robinson attitude has also been widely criticized. He was benched for nearly an entire month earlier this season by DAntoni because he felt Robinson was concerned with only himself and not the team.The Celtics are hoping New Orleans Saints jersey
that strong veteran leadership from guys like Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen will steer Robinson in the right direction.But that leadership has been absent thus far this season and is part of the reason why they are slipping in the standings.When youre a team having leadership and discipline issues, is it smart to trade for a player whose attitude has been questioned so frequently?Robinson can be a sparkplug off the bench and will bring a renewed enthusiasm to a Celtics team sleep-walking through the season. However, another reason to question the trade is because it doesn push the Celtics over the edge or past their two main competitors.The trade for Robinson means nothing compared to the Cavaliers, the Eastern Conference leader, getting Antawn Jamison from Washington. Adding a 20-point-10-rebound threat to add to the starting lineup really upgrades the entire Cleveland team, especially improving their ability to finally match up with forwards that play on the perimeter, like Boston Rasheed Wallace and Orlando Rashard Lewis.The trade for Robinson also New York Giants jersey
doesn even make Boston better than the Orlando Magic. The Magic didn make a move at the deadline, but they made their splash in the offseason getting Vince Carter and looks like they have finally found a good chemistry, winning 11 of their last 14 games.So can Robinson really inject enough energy and enthusiasm into the Celtics to really be a meaningful addition, or was it a trade that shook the team up just for the sake of doing something different?
2011年1月9日星期日
9 Jan 11 John Salmons Proving To Be Perfect Fit for Bucks
John Salmons has played seven games with the Milwaukee Bucks since coming over in a deadline deal that sent Hakim Warrick to the Chicago Bulls.Since the trade, Milwaukee has gone 6-1, winning its first six games since acquiring the 6' 6" 30-year old from Chicago.When Michael Redd went out earlier in the season with a torn ACL, his second such injury in as many years, the Bucks needed someone who could score on a consistent basis.Charlie Bell just wasn't going to cut it as a viable scoring option for the Bucks.Over the past two seasons, Redd has Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers #86 Hines Ward Realtree camo Jersey
become a liability for Milwaukee, playing in just 51 games over that span and seeing his shooting percentages decrease as well.After his first injury, Redd showed fans this season that he wasn't fully recovered, shooting just 35 percent from the field, including 30 percent from behind the arc and just 71 percent from the free-throw line.What Salmons has done in just a short period of time is just what the Bucks needed, helping them into the seventh playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.Salmons only has a 9.2 ppg scoring average for his career, but averaged 18 ppg with the Sacramento Kings and Chicago Bulls last season.So far this season, Salmons is averaging about 13 ppg with the Bulls and Bucks, including20.1 ppg with Milwaukee in his seven games.Salmons also holds the responsibility of guarding the opponent's best scorer, something that Redd couldn't be trusted with; Luc Richard Mbah a Moute handled those duties before the trade.Milwaukee's six-game winning streak may have come to an end recently, but it still holds a coveted playoff spot in the East. Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
The Bucks probably had ideas of trading Redd away prior to the deadline, but that point became mute when he went down with his second torn ACL.Redd still won't be 100 percent if he returns, making Salmons the obvious choice of the future.Plus, Salmons is on pace to earnjust over$6 million next year, while Redd will earn over $17 million. It's time to save some money, especially since the loss of Redd isn't affecting the number of victories being put up by the Bucks.With the addition of Salmons, and his good performances, it makes Redd's days in Milwaukee numbered.Because, as they say, "This town ain't big enough for the two of them."
become a liability for Milwaukee, playing in just 51 games over that span and seeing his shooting percentages decrease as well.After his first injury, Redd showed fans this season that he wasn't fully recovered, shooting just 35 percent from the field, including 30 percent from behind the arc and just 71 percent from the free-throw line.What Salmons has done in just a short period of time is just what the Bucks needed, helping them into the seventh playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.Salmons only has a 9.2 ppg scoring average for his career, but averaged 18 ppg with the Sacramento Kings and Chicago Bulls last season.So far this season, Salmons is averaging about 13 ppg with the Bulls and Bucks, including20.1 ppg with Milwaukee in his seven games.Salmons also holds the responsibility of guarding the opponent's best scorer, something that Redd couldn't be trusted with; Luc Richard Mbah a Moute handled those duties before the trade.Milwaukee's six-game winning streak may have come to an end recently, but it still holds a coveted playoff spot in the East. Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
The Bucks probably had ideas of trading Redd away prior to the deadline, but that point became mute when he went down with his second torn ACL.Redd still won't be 100 percent if he returns, making Salmons the obvious choice of the future.Plus, Salmons is on pace to earnjust over$6 million next year, while Redd will earn over $17 million. It's time to save some money, especially since the loss of Redd isn't affecting the number of victories being put up by the Bucks.With the addition of Salmons, and his good performances, it makes Redd's days in Milwaukee numbered.Because, as they say, "This town ain't big enough for the two of them."
2011年1月8日星期六
8 Jan 11 LeBron And Cavs Have Right Coach In Mike Brown
Elsa/Getty ImagesAll the pieces aren't in place, but it doesn't look as if that matters to coach Mike Brown. His Cavaliers are playing about as well as any team without a legitimate NBA center can play these days, and for God's sake, what might Brown's team play like once arealcenter does show up? Atlanta Falcons jersey
That's a question that only the postseason might be able to answer. In a lot of ways, his Cavaliers are a different team altogether than the one Brown led into the NBA Eastern Finals last season against the Orlando Magic.For one thing, these Cavs are deeper. Brown can dip into his bench and find a useful piece from one to 12. In Antawn Jamison, Brown has found a premium power forward. Complementary players in Jamario Moon and Anthony Parker were not there for Brown a season ago either.He also has a more seasoned J.J. Hickson, and Jawad Williams has been more than stagehands for Brown."We stress playing the right way," he says.Pay no attention to the fact that Brown hasn't had the Delonte West of a year ago or that the flashy Daniel Gibson has been pushed to the end of coach's rotation. Baltimore Ravens jersey
The team hasn't missed them. Ask Brown about this team, and he almost ignores the fact that center Shaquille O'Neal, a summer acquisition, is injured and sidelined until the playoffs or that Zydrunas Ilgauskas, a key part of the Jamison trade, is sitting and awaiting the official go-ahead to re-sign.But even when Z returns, will Brown need him?Maybe not these fine-tuned Cavs.Read More ...
That's a question that only the postseason might be able to answer. In a lot of ways, his Cavaliers are a different team altogether than the one Brown led into the NBA Eastern Finals last season against the Orlando Magic.For one thing, these Cavs are deeper. Brown can dip into his bench and find a useful piece from one to 12. In Antawn Jamison, Brown has found a premium power forward. Complementary players in Jamario Moon and Anthony Parker were not there for Brown a season ago either.He also has a more seasoned J.J. Hickson, and Jawad Williams has been more than stagehands for Brown."We stress playing the right way," he says.Pay no attention to the fact that Brown hasn't had the Delonte West of a year ago or that the flashy Daniel Gibson has been pushed to the end of coach's rotation. Baltimore Ravens jersey
The team hasn't missed them. Ask Brown about this team, and he almost ignores the fact that center Shaquille O'Neal, a summer acquisition, is injured and sidelined until the playoffs or that Zydrunas Ilgauskas, a key part of the Jamison trade, is sitting and awaiting the official go-ahead to re-sign.But even when Z returns, will Brown need him?Maybe not these fine-tuned Cavs.Read More ...
2010年12月30日星期四
30 Dec 10 Karl Malone To Join John Stockton and Jerry Sloan in Hall of Fame This Summer
George Frey/Getty ImagesKarl Malone was absolutely the most dominant power forward of his time. He was also arguably the greatest power forward in the history of the game.It was unofficially announced on Friday that Malone will enter the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this summer. The official announcement will be made Monday in Indianapolis as part of the NCAA championship festivities.His induction comes a year after the enshrinement of his longtime running mate John Stockton and venerable coach Jerry Sloan.Joining Malone Atlanta Falcons jersey
will be Scottie Pippen, making it back-to-back Jazz-Bulls inductions. Michael Jordan was enshrined with Stockton and Sloan last summer.It only fitting as these two teams played in the Finals in back-to-back years in 97 and 98.There was never a doubt in anyone mind that Malone would enter the Hall of Fame. I personally think it's a shame he didn enter at the same time as Stockton.That extra year he played in L.A. didn do anyone any good, and it just wasn right seeing Malone in a different uniform.Despite the unexciting ending to his career, Malone gave the fans in Utah a lot to cheer about.He was a two-time MVP and twice led his team to the Finals.He was strong on the inside, but had a tremendous fade-away jumper that kept defenders on their heels. He wasn a shooter like some of the big men today, but he could hit the big shots when he needed to.Anybody who grew up in the Utah area during Malone career can hear the familiar sounds of Hot Rod Hundley yelling out, Stockton to Malone, on numerous occasions when the Jazz played.Itwas one ofBaltimore Ravens jersey
those rare times when teammates just click with each other. The result was something special.Malone was always giving reporters plenty to write about with his play on the courtand his mouth off the court.Despite his constant whining about wanting to go somewhere where it rained more, Malone will always be one of Utah most well-respected athletes.I had the chance to meet Malone a couple of times. Nothing beats the time my 5-year-old neighbor walked up to the massive Malone though, and told him he wasn a team player during one of his whiny periods.Say what you want about the end of his careerand the many times he appeared less than thrilled to be in Utahbut you have to give the man his due.He teamed up with Stockton to form one of the most consistent teams in NBA history. Buffalo Bills jersey
They were always in the playoffs, and often in it right until the end.It is a pity that neither won the ultimate prize, but both had stellar careers.The Mailman is finally getting his spot in the hall like we all knew he would. It just feels right for him to be back with Stockton again after all these years.Thanks for all of the memories, Karl. You deserve the recognition.This article is also featured onSports According to Dave
will be Scottie Pippen, making it back-to-back Jazz-Bulls inductions. Michael Jordan was enshrined with Stockton and Sloan last summer.It only fitting as these two teams played in the Finals in back-to-back years in 97 and 98.There was never a doubt in anyone mind that Malone would enter the Hall of Fame. I personally think it's a shame he didn enter at the same time as Stockton.That extra year he played in L.A. didn do anyone any good, and it just wasn right seeing Malone in a different uniform.Despite the unexciting ending to his career, Malone gave the fans in Utah a lot to cheer about.He was a two-time MVP and twice led his team to the Finals.He was strong on the inside, but had a tremendous fade-away jumper that kept defenders on their heels. He wasn a shooter like some of the big men today, but he could hit the big shots when he needed to.Anybody who grew up in the Utah area during Malone career can hear the familiar sounds of Hot Rod Hundley yelling out, Stockton to Malone, on numerous occasions when the Jazz played.Itwas one ofBaltimore Ravens jersey
those rare times when teammates just click with each other. The result was something special.Malone was always giving reporters plenty to write about with his play on the courtand his mouth off the court.Despite his constant whining about wanting to go somewhere where it rained more, Malone will always be one of Utah most well-respected athletes.I had the chance to meet Malone a couple of times. Nothing beats the time my 5-year-old neighbor walked up to the massive Malone though, and told him he wasn a team player during one of his whiny periods.Say what you want about the end of his careerand the many times he appeared less than thrilled to be in Utahbut you have to give the man his due.He teamed up with Stockton to form one of the most consistent teams in NBA history. Buffalo Bills jersey
They were always in the playoffs, and often in it right until the end.It is a pity that neither won the ultimate prize, but both had stellar careers.The Mailman is finally getting his spot in the hall like we all knew he would. It just feels right for him to be back with Stockton again after all these years.Thanks for all of the memories, Karl. You deserve the recognition.This article is also featured onSports According to Dave
2010年12月29日星期三
29 Dec 10 The NBA Draft and The Ongoing Eligiblity Debate
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images With the 2010 NBA Draft scheduled to take place June 24th, the traditional declaring of college players is fully under way. As has been the case for the last several years in regards to the players who put their name in for the NBA Draft, an outstanding majority of them are underclassman. This recent trend of underclassman declaring for the NBA Draft, has added more fuel to a debate that has been occurring for over the last five years. The debate surrounds the requirements for a player to enter the NBA Draft. Reebok Chicago Bears #54 Brian Urlacher Realtree camo Jersey
Both supporters and opponents of the currently in place requirement of 1 year removal from high school feel that the eligibility requirements should be modified. Supporters of the current requirement feel that it should be raised to 3 years removed from high school. Opponents want to remove the restriction all together, and allow players to enter once again from high school. This brings to the minds of some, why is it that the NBA is the only Major Sports league to be scrutinized for it requirements to be eligible in its Draft. The NBA, MLB, NHL, and the NFL all have different requirements for eligibility in their respective leagues. MLB MLB has a requirement that a player can go directly out of high school if they do not attend college, Junior College players can enter whenever they may, if a player attends a 4-year college they must stay till their junior year to be able to enter the MLB Draft. Why is it that there is not a similar backlash to what the NBA endures for its eligibility requirements?NHL For a player to enter the NHL Draft theyReebok Chicago Bears #6 Jay Cutler Realtree camo Jersey
must be atlas 18 years old. Yet again there is no backlash for the lack restriction that NHL enforces in eligibility restrictions.NFL The NFL probably has the toughest eligibility requirements in regards to entering its draft. A player must three years removed from high school before they can be considered eligible to enter the NBA Draft. Understandably there is not, and there should not be any negativity directed toward the NFL in their age eligibility requirements. Why is it that out of all the leagues previously mentioned, the NBA is continued to be finger pointed at for it failures in the department of Draft eligibility?Some possible reasons for this fingerprinting may come from the following: 1) Struggles of underclassmen when entering NBA. 2) The problems that have occurred on the College level with the phenomenon known as the "one and done". 3) The lack of preparation for life after a career of basketball.Possible Solutions to the Eligibility Debate: 1) Remove the age restriction, and allow players to enter the NBA Draft straight out of high school, similar to a couple of years ago. In turn this removes the "one and done" players from College Basketball, and returns it back to its days of committed to the program players. OR 2) Implement an eligibility requirement similar to NFL and MLB, where a player must be 3 years removed from high school before he could be deemed eligible to enter the NBA Draft. In return this would allow the players to gain their college degree as well basketball knoReebok Dallas Cowboys #82 Jason Witten Realtree camo Jersey
wledge, that they would not have been able to achieve by leaving for the NBA early. After taking a further look at the debate about the eligibility requirement to enter the NBA Draft, individuals will continue to disagree on what is the appropriate solution. Some individuals will see the debate one way, and others will see it another, and in the end the issue will continue to be open to interpretation.
Both supporters and opponents of the currently in place requirement of 1 year removal from high school feel that the eligibility requirements should be modified. Supporters of the current requirement feel that it should be raised to 3 years removed from high school. Opponents want to remove the restriction all together, and allow players to enter once again from high school. This brings to the minds of some, why is it that the NBA is the only Major Sports league to be scrutinized for it requirements to be eligible in its Draft. The NBA, MLB, NHL, and the NFL all have different requirements for eligibility in their respective leagues. MLB MLB has a requirement that a player can go directly out of high school if they do not attend college, Junior College players can enter whenever they may, if a player attends a 4-year college they must stay till their junior year to be able to enter the MLB Draft. Why is it that there is not a similar backlash to what the NBA endures for its eligibility requirements?NHL For a player to enter the NHL Draft theyReebok Chicago Bears #6 Jay Cutler Realtree camo Jersey
must be atlas 18 years old. Yet again there is no backlash for the lack restriction that NHL enforces in eligibility restrictions.NFL The NFL probably has the toughest eligibility requirements in regards to entering its draft. A player must three years removed from high school before they can be considered eligible to enter the NBA Draft. Understandably there is not, and there should not be any negativity directed toward the NFL in their age eligibility requirements. Why is it that out of all the leagues previously mentioned, the NBA is continued to be finger pointed at for it failures in the department of Draft eligibility?Some possible reasons for this fingerprinting may come from the following: 1) Struggles of underclassmen when entering NBA. 2) The problems that have occurred on the College level with the phenomenon known as the "one and done". 3) The lack of preparation for life after a career of basketball.Possible Solutions to the Eligibility Debate: 1) Remove the age restriction, and allow players to enter the NBA Draft straight out of high school, similar to a couple of years ago. In turn this removes the "one and done" players from College Basketball, and returns it back to its days of committed to the program players. OR 2) Implement an eligibility requirement similar to NFL and MLB, where a player must be 3 years removed from high school before he could be deemed eligible to enter the NBA Draft. In return this would allow the players to gain their college degree as well basketball knoReebok Dallas Cowboys #82 Jason Witten Realtree camo Jersey
wledge, that they would not have been able to achieve by leaving for the NBA early. After taking a further look at the debate about the eligibility requirement to enter the NBA Draft, individuals will continue to disagree on what is the appropriate solution. Some individuals will see the debate one way, and others will see it another, and in the end the issue will continue to be open to interpretation.
2010年12月28日星期二
28 Dec 10 2010 NBA Playoffs: The Cavs Aren't The Real Deal But The Celtics Are
Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesThe original article can be found at LOSCY.com --Im not going to sit here and toot my own horn about how right on my predictions about the playoffs have beenbut, toot toot...And Im not talking about just predicting winners and upsets, that easy.Im talking about Reebok Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald Realtree camo Jersey
story lines: how the series would unfold in front of us all.But, like I said in the previous post, I take back everything I said about the Cavs. EVERYTHING.The Cavs still are playing uninspired ball.There is nothing that I have seen in either games, One or Two, that make me say, Oh boyThem there Cavs are good.The collapse in Game One was just that. The Celtics losing focus, and inability to execute on both offensive sets and defensive assignments.It was nothing that the Cavs implemented in order to raise the frantic and chaotic play that the Celtics demonstratedthe Celtics were their own worst enemy in Game One.But in Game Two, it was clear the Celtics stuck to a game plan and knew what to do.Move the ball, get the ball in the hot hand (Ray, Sheed), deny LBJ entry passes, fill the lane/paint when LBJ even thinks about stepping in there, and forcing the other Cavaliers to earn their paycheck.All of it worked. All of it.I will admit that I was fooled, too.Ive watched a lot of basketball this season, and I finally thought that the Cavs had the team to compete.Danny Ferry finally assembled a team that could match up against anyone, and that Mike Brown was actually demonstrating some coaching skills by putting the best lineup to Reebok Baltimore Ravens #5 Joe Flacco Realtree camo Jersey
match up against whoever was playing the Cavs on a particular night.But something happened in the playoffseven in the opening round against the lifeless Bulls.The players stopped doing what they were doing, and Mike Brown stopped doing what he was doing.The ball movement ceased. The dynamic lineups off the bench changed. Everything went back to status quo for the Cavs, and as a result, they got lucky to split the first two games at home.LUCKY to split.I don need to write about why the Celtics are winning. Well, okay, maybe a little. But quickly.They are playing defense. Whoa. Is that it?Yeah, pretty much.The Celtics are playing defense again, and it so disruptive to the Cavs that LBJ and his teammates can get anything going. There is no momentum, there is no real opportunity for a run.Yes, defense wins titles.Even if the Celtics don win this series (more on this in a second), there is no way the Cavs are winning the title unless they snap out of this weird playoff induced coma that they have been in during the last two seasons.If the Cavs can just play the way they were playing before the playoffs, they should be the clear favorites.No one matches up well against them.But Mike Brown puzzling reluctance to keep Shaq as the No. 2 option and stop running plays to free up Anthony Parker and Mo Williams is stunning.The fact that Varejao and JJ Hickson aren playing together more is equally as puzzling. But hey, Im not one to complain.Rondo has been key in this series. He is Reebok Baltimore Ravens #27 Ray Rice Realtree camo Jersey
controlling the tempo and playing terrific help defense. Rondo shoulders are growing as he continues to carry more of the team on them. It wonderful to see.The Celtics can win this series. In fact, I now think that it is their series to lose.What a refreshing thing to say: it the Celtics series to lose.
story lines: how the series would unfold in front of us all.But, like I said in the previous post, I take back everything I said about the Cavs. EVERYTHING.The Cavs still are playing uninspired ball.There is nothing that I have seen in either games, One or Two, that make me say, Oh boyThem there Cavs are good.The collapse in Game One was just that. The Celtics losing focus, and inability to execute on both offensive sets and defensive assignments.It was nothing that the Cavs implemented in order to raise the frantic and chaotic play that the Celtics demonstratedthe Celtics were their own worst enemy in Game One.But in Game Two, it was clear the Celtics stuck to a game plan and knew what to do.Move the ball, get the ball in the hot hand (Ray, Sheed), deny LBJ entry passes, fill the lane/paint when LBJ even thinks about stepping in there, and forcing the other Cavaliers to earn their paycheck.All of it worked. All of it.I will admit that I was fooled, too.Ive watched a lot of basketball this season, and I finally thought that the Cavs had the team to compete.Danny Ferry finally assembled a team that could match up against anyone, and that Mike Brown was actually demonstrating some coaching skills by putting the best lineup to Reebok Baltimore Ravens #5 Joe Flacco Realtree camo Jersey
match up against whoever was playing the Cavs on a particular night.But something happened in the playoffseven in the opening round against the lifeless Bulls.The players stopped doing what they were doing, and Mike Brown stopped doing what he was doing.The ball movement ceased. The dynamic lineups off the bench changed. Everything went back to status quo for the Cavs, and as a result, they got lucky to split the first two games at home.LUCKY to split.I don need to write about why the Celtics are winning. Well, okay, maybe a little. But quickly.They are playing defense. Whoa. Is that it?Yeah, pretty much.The Celtics are playing defense again, and it so disruptive to the Cavs that LBJ and his teammates can get anything going. There is no momentum, there is no real opportunity for a run.Yes, defense wins titles.Even if the Celtics don win this series (more on this in a second), there is no way the Cavs are winning the title unless they snap out of this weird playoff induced coma that they have been in during the last two seasons.If the Cavs can just play the way they were playing before the playoffs, they should be the clear favorites.No one matches up well against them.But Mike Brown puzzling reluctance to keep Shaq as the No. 2 option and stop running plays to free up Anthony Parker and Mo Williams is stunning.The fact that Varejao and JJ Hickson aren playing together more is equally as puzzling. But hey, Im not one to complain.Rondo has been key in this series. He is Reebok Baltimore Ravens #27 Ray Rice Realtree camo Jersey
controlling the tempo and playing terrific help defense. Rondo shoulders are growing as he continues to carry more of the team on them. It wonderful to see.The Celtics can win this series. In fact, I now think that it is their series to lose.What a refreshing thing to say: it the Celtics series to lose.
2010年12月27日星期一
27 Dec 10 NBA Playoffs: Lakers Look Finals-Bound; Is There Still Time For Suns?
Jeff Gross/Getty ImagesAs much as I hate to admit it, the LA Lakers appear to be Finals-bound once again.I don want to suggest that anyone is just handing LA the titlebut with the number of blowouts the Lakers have had, most of this postseason has been a cakewalk for Kobe Bryant and company. Philadelphia Eagles jersey
What next?Is there still time for the Suns to regroup and retie the series when the two teams meet in Phoenix this weekend?Sure, it could happen.Oklahoma City did it, but can it occur again?It appears as though most of the Lakers have learned hard lessons in their minimal defeats, gaining a lead and never letting go until the final buzzer.Maybe Phil Jackson is a decent coach after all.Maybe Bryant is a better leader than I make him out to be.Or maybe LA competition has yet to truly show up.Whatever the case might be, here reality: the Lakers are two gamesand two winsaway from returning to the NBA Finals.Phoenix better wake upand fastif they want to make this an entertaining and exciting Western Conference Finals.They are down 2-0 with their backs against the wall, but it a deficit that can be overcome.The Suns must win at home.They must focus on defense.And they must stop Kobe Bryant at all costs.Otherwise, Phoenix can kiss its postseason goodbye and can begin reserving tee-times at the local golf course. Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
The Lakers look good right now, there no doubt about it.But the series isn over yet.And the NBA Finals have yet to even begin.
What next?Is there still time for the Suns to regroup and retie the series when the two teams meet in Phoenix this weekend?Sure, it could happen.Oklahoma City did it, but can it occur again?It appears as though most of the Lakers have learned hard lessons in their minimal defeats, gaining a lead and never letting go until the final buzzer.Maybe Phil Jackson is a decent coach after all.Maybe Bryant is a better leader than I make him out to be.Or maybe LA competition has yet to truly show up.Whatever the case might be, here reality: the Lakers are two gamesand two winsaway from returning to the NBA Finals.Phoenix better wake upand fastif they want to make this an entertaining and exciting Western Conference Finals.They are down 2-0 with their backs against the wall, but it a deficit that can be overcome.The Suns must win at home.They must focus on defense.And they must stop Kobe Bryant at all costs.Otherwise, Phoenix can kiss its postseason goodbye and can begin reserving tee-times at the local golf course. Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
The Lakers look good right now, there no doubt about it.But the series isn over yet.And the NBA Finals have yet to even begin.
27 Dec 10 NBA Playoffs: Lakers Look Finals-Bound; Is There Still Time For Suns?
Jeff Gross/Getty ImagesAs much as I hate to admit it, the LA Lakers appear to be Finals-bound once again.I don want to suggest that anyone is just handing LA the titlebut with the number of blowouts the Lakers have had, most of this postseason has been a cakewalk for Kobe Bryant and company. Philadelphia Eagles jersey
What next?Is there still time for the Suns to regroup and retie the series when the two teams meet in Phoenix this weekend?Sure, it could happen.Oklahoma City did it, but can it occur again?It appears as though most of the Lakers have learned hard lessons in their minimal defeats, gaining a lead and never letting go until the final buzzer.Maybe Phil Jackson is a decent coach after all.Maybe Bryant is a better leader than I make him out to be.Or maybe LA competition has yet to truly show up.Whatever the case might be, here reality: the Lakers are two gamesand two winsaway from returning to the NBA Finals.Phoenix better wake upand fastif they want to make this an entertaining and exciting Western Conference Finals.They are down 2-0 with their backs against the wall, but it a deficit that can be overcome.The Suns must win at home.They must focus on defense.And they must stop Kobe Bryant at all costs.Otherwise, Phoenix can kiss its postseason goodbye and can begin reserving tee-times at the local golf course. Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
The Lakers look good right now, there no doubt about it.But the series isn over yet.And the NBA Finals have yet to even begin.
What next?Is there still time for the Suns to regroup and retie the series when the two teams meet in Phoenix this weekend?Sure, it could happen.Oklahoma City did it, but can it occur again?It appears as though most of the Lakers have learned hard lessons in their minimal defeats, gaining a lead and never letting go until the final buzzer.Maybe Phil Jackson is a decent coach after all.Maybe Bryant is a better leader than I make him out to be.Or maybe LA competition has yet to truly show up.Whatever the case might be, here reality: the Lakers are two gamesand two winsaway from returning to the NBA Finals.Phoenix better wake upand fastif they want to make this an entertaining and exciting Western Conference Finals.They are down 2-0 with their backs against the wall, but it a deficit that can be overcome.The Suns must win at home.They must focus on defense.And they must stop Kobe Bryant at all costs.Otherwise, Phoenix can kiss its postseason goodbye and can begin reserving tee-times at the local golf course. Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
The Lakers look good right now, there no doubt about it.But the series isn over yet.And the NBA Finals have yet to even begin.
2010年12月26日星期日
26 Dec 10 NBA Draft Busts: Do Bowie, Brown, Milicic Make the All-Time List?
Here are the busts from the 1950's: Irwin Dabmrot,Gene Melchiorre,Marcus Freiberger, Zeke Sinicola, John McConathy, Ed Smith, Joe Dean, Bob Stauffer, Chuck Darling, Mark Workman, Ralph Polson, Bob Lochmueller, Jim Neal, Jim Fritsche, Jack Turner, Johnny Horan, Hal Lear, Ron Shavlik, George Bon Salle, Brendan McCann, Pete Brennan, and John Richter.1960s: Al Bunge, Tom Stith, Wayne Yates, Gerry Ward, Tom Hoover, Roger Strickland, Bill Green, Gary Bradds, Barry Kramer, Nate Bowman, Ollie Johnson, Dave Schellhase, Sonny Dove, Tom Dallas Cowboys jersey
Workman, Mel Daniels, Dave Lattin, Mal Graham, Craig Raymond, Bill Hosket, Terry Driscoll, and Bud Ogden.1970s: Jim Ard, George Johnson, Greg Howard, Jimmy Collins, Al Henry, John Valley, Gary Greman, Mike Price, Ken Durett, Clarence Glover, Dana Lewis, Collis Jones, LaRue Martin, Russ Lee, Tom Riker, Rob Nash, Travis Grant, Kevin Joyce, Barry Parkhill, Steve Downing, Raymond Lewis, Cliff Pondexter, Glenn McDonald, Gene Short, Bob Bigelow, John Lambert, Chuckie Williams, Norm Cook, Tate Armstrong, Bo Ellis, Wesley Cox, Rich Laurel, Glenn Mosley, Rod Griffin, Raymond Townsend, Lary Demick, Roy Hamilton, Brad Holland, Lee Johnson, Wiley Peck, and Larry Knight.1980s: James Ray, Rickey Brown, John Duren, Monti Davis, Chad Kinch, Danny Vranes, Jeff Lamp, Ray Tolbert, Charles Bradley, David Thirdkill, Eddie Phillips, Mark McNamara, Darren Tillis, Russell Cross, Leo Rautins, Greg Kite, Stewart Granger, Tom Sewell, Earl Jones, Michael Young, Jon Koncak, Joe Kleine, Uwe Blab, Len Bias, Christian Washburn, William Bedford, Maruice Man, Anthony Jones, Ken Barlow, Joe Wolf, Jose Ortiz, Christian Welp, Ronnie Murphy, Will Perdue, Eric Leckner, David Rivers, Kenny Payne, Jeff Sanders, Ray Marble, Anthony Cook, John Morton, and Kenny Battle.1990s: Dave Jamerson, Jerrod Mustaf, Duane Causwell, Tate George, Lance Blanks, Rich King, Kevin Brooks, John Turner, Leron Ellis, Shaun Vandiver, Mark Randall, Pete Chilcutt, Bobby Hurley, Scott Haskin, Doug Edwards, Rex Walters, Greg Graham, Luther Wright, Ervin Johnson, Corie Blount, Geert Hammink, Malcolm Mackey, Eric Montross, Yinka Dare, Eric Mobley, B.J. Tyler, Dickey Simpkins, Bill Curley, Brooks Thompson, Denver Broncos jersey
Shawn Respert, Cherokee Parks, Randolph Childress, George Zidek, Loren Meyer, David Vaughn, Sherrell Ford, Mario Bennett, Greg Ostertag, Todd Fuller, Dontae' Jones, Roy Rogers, Efthimi Rentzias, Martin Muursepp, Brian Evans, Priest Lauderdale, Travis Knight, Adonal Foyle, Johnny Taylor, Scott Pollard, Paul Grant, Jacque Vaughn, Keith Booth, Robert Traylor, Michael Doleac, Bryce Drew, Brian Skinner, Sam Jacobson, Vladimir Stepania, Aleksandr Radojevic, William Avery, Frederic Weiss, Cal Bowdler, Quincy Lewis, Tim James, Scott Padgett, and Leon Smith.2000s: Joel Przybilla, Jerome Moiso, Mateen Cleaves, Dalibor Bagaric, Jake Tsakalidis, Mamadou N'diaye, Erick Barkley, Mark Madsen, DeSagana Diop, Kedrick Brown, Steven Hunter, Kirk Haston, Michael Bradley, Jason Collins, Joseph Forte, Jeryl Sasser, Brandon Armstrong, Nikoloz Tskitishvili, Marcus Haislip, Curtis Borchardt, Ryan Humphrey, Qyntel Woods, Frank Williams, Chris Jeffries, Reese Gaines, Troy Bell, Zark Cabarkapa, Zoran Planinic, Ndudi Ebi, Rafael Arajuo, Luke Jackson, Robert Swift, Kris Humphries, Pavel Podkolzin, Viktor Khryapa, Sergei Monia, Sasha Vujacic, Fran Vasquez, Yaroslav Korolev, Julius Hodge, Ian Mahinimi, Wayne Simien, Shelden Williams, Patrick O'Bryant, Cedric Simmons, Oleksiy Pecherov, Quincy Douby, Renaldo Balkman, Maurice Auger, Mardy Collins, Joel Freeland, Acie Law, Julian Wright, Sean Williams, Jason Smith, Morris Almond, Tiago Splitter, Petteri Koponen, Joe Alexander, Alexis Ajinca, Kosta Koufos, JR Giddens, Hasheem Thabeet, Ricky Rubio, Gerald Henderson, Earl Clark, Jeff Teague, Eric Maynor, Victor Claver, Byron Mullens, Demarre Caroll, and Christian Eyenga.The way drafts are held today there's a lot of hype with Detroit Lions
first round players, especially when they are in the top 10. If they don't put up numbers, they are considered a bust. In my opinion, though, if a player is drafted in the first round they need to make a difference regardless if it's the first pick or now the 30th pick of the draft in the first round.There's a tremendous number of busts in the article, but it doesn't include the likes of Bowie, Brown, and Milicic because even though they did not live up to the expectations of where they were drafted, they still put up better numbers than the busts from any of the decades.
Workman, Mel Daniels, Dave Lattin, Mal Graham, Craig Raymond, Bill Hosket, Terry Driscoll, and Bud Ogden.1970s: Jim Ard, George Johnson, Greg Howard, Jimmy Collins, Al Henry, John Valley, Gary Greman, Mike Price, Ken Durett, Clarence Glover, Dana Lewis, Collis Jones, LaRue Martin, Russ Lee, Tom Riker, Rob Nash, Travis Grant, Kevin Joyce, Barry Parkhill, Steve Downing, Raymond Lewis, Cliff Pondexter, Glenn McDonald, Gene Short, Bob Bigelow, John Lambert, Chuckie Williams, Norm Cook, Tate Armstrong, Bo Ellis, Wesley Cox, Rich Laurel, Glenn Mosley, Rod Griffin, Raymond Townsend, Lary Demick, Roy Hamilton, Brad Holland, Lee Johnson, Wiley Peck, and Larry Knight.1980s: James Ray, Rickey Brown, John Duren, Monti Davis, Chad Kinch, Danny Vranes, Jeff Lamp, Ray Tolbert, Charles Bradley, David Thirdkill, Eddie Phillips, Mark McNamara, Darren Tillis, Russell Cross, Leo Rautins, Greg Kite, Stewart Granger, Tom Sewell, Earl Jones, Michael Young, Jon Koncak, Joe Kleine, Uwe Blab, Len Bias, Christian Washburn, William Bedford, Maruice Man, Anthony Jones, Ken Barlow, Joe Wolf, Jose Ortiz, Christian Welp, Ronnie Murphy, Will Perdue, Eric Leckner, David Rivers, Kenny Payne, Jeff Sanders, Ray Marble, Anthony Cook, John Morton, and Kenny Battle.1990s: Dave Jamerson, Jerrod Mustaf, Duane Causwell, Tate George, Lance Blanks, Rich King, Kevin Brooks, John Turner, Leron Ellis, Shaun Vandiver, Mark Randall, Pete Chilcutt, Bobby Hurley, Scott Haskin, Doug Edwards, Rex Walters, Greg Graham, Luther Wright, Ervin Johnson, Corie Blount, Geert Hammink, Malcolm Mackey, Eric Montross, Yinka Dare, Eric Mobley, B.J. Tyler, Dickey Simpkins, Bill Curley, Brooks Thompson, Denver Broncos jersey
Shawn Respert, Cherokee Parks, Randolph Childress, George Zidek, Loren Meyer, David Vaughn, Sherrell Ford, Mario Bennett, Greg Ostertag, Todd Fuller, Dontae' Jones, Roy Rogers, Efthimi Rentzias, Martin Muursepp, Brian Evans, Priest Lauderdale, Travis Knight, Adonal Foyle, Johnny Taylor, Scott Pollard, Paul Grant, Jacque Vaughn, Keith Booth, Robert Traylor, Michael Doleac, Bryce Drew, Brian Skinner, Sam Jacobson, Vladimir Stepania, Aleksandr Radojevic, William Avery, Frederic Weiss, Cal Bowdler, Quincy Lewis, Tim James, Scott Padgett, and Leon Smith.2000s: Joel Przybilla, Jerome Moiso, Mateen Cleaves, Dalibor Bagaric, Jake Tsakalidis, Mamadou N'diaye, Erick Barkley, Mark Madsen, DeSagana Diop, Kedrick Brown, Steven Hunter, Kirk Haston, Michael Bradley, Jason Collins, Joseph Forte, Jeryl Sasser, Brandon Armstrong, Nikoloz Tskitishvili, Marcus Haislip, Curtis Borchardt, Ryan Humphrey, Qyntel Woods, Frank Williams, Chris Jeffries, Reese Gaines, Troy Bell, Zark Cabarkapa, Zoran Planinic, Ndudi Ebi, Rafael Arajuo, Luke Jackson, Robert Swift, Kris Humphries, Pavel Podkolzin, Viktor Khryapa, Sergei Monia, Sasha Vujacic, Fran Vasquez, Yaroslav Korolev, Julius Hodge, Ian Mahinimi, Wayne Simien, Shelden Williams, Patrick O'Bryant, Cedric Simmons, Oleksiy Pecherov, Quincy Douby, Renaldo Balkman, Maurice Auger, Mardy Collins, Joel Freeland, Acie Law, Julian Wright, Sean Williams, Jason Smith, Morris Almond, Tiago Splitter, Petteri Koponen, Joe Alexander, Alexis Ajinca, Kosta Koufos, JR Giddens, Hasheem Thabeet, Ricky Rubio, Gerald Henderson, Earl Clark, Jeff Teague, Eric Maynor, Victor Claver, Byron Mullens, Demarre Caroll, and Christian Eyenga.The way drafts are held today there's a lot of hype with Detroit Lions
first round players, especially when they are in the top 10. If they don't put up numbers, they are considered a bust. In my opinion, though, if a player is drafted in the first round they need to make a difference regardless if it's the first pick or now the 30th pick of the draft in the first round.There's a tremendous number of busts in the article, but it doesn't include the likes of Bowie, Brown, and Milicic because even though they did not live up to the expectations of where they were drafted, they still put up better numbers than the busts from any of the decades.
2010年12月25日星期六
25 Dec 10 NBA League Intervention Puts Stars In Limbo Broadway's Other Lead
Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesThis week the NBA announced plans to take over the fiscally struggling New Orleans Hornets whose financial predicaments have left the league with no choice but to take temporary ownership.Perhaps such a situation could have been avoided had the team Reebok Oakland Raiders #21 Nnamdi Asomugha Realtree camo Jersey
decided to retain a 17-year-old Kobe Bryant draft instead of swapping him on draft day in 96 for aging center Vlade Divac. Or perhaps it all went wrong in February of 2005 when the team shipped rising star Baron Davis to Golden State for Long Island own Speedy Claxton and Dale Davis.Regardless, the team is in a state of financial flux following their torrid start but now the franchise sees itself sinking fast in the ultra competitive NBA southwest division.Like Major League Baseball did when the league assumed ownership of the struggling Expos, many Hornet players could see themselves shipped off at bargain prices in order to cut losses so to make the team more attractive for potential sale to a new owner. Among the list of pricey talent-laden players who will soon be available: Chris Paul.Paul heads many fantasy leagues as a front-runner for MVP. His 16.2 PPG combined with a stately 10.4 ASG plus a near 5 RPG places the Wake Forest product as not just a candidate as a fantasy MVP but also an NBA MVP. Add to Paul totals a 90 percent conversion rate from the charity stripe and the Hornet point guard compels trade suitors to salivate.The 25 year-old guard is set to make over $15MM in 10-11 plus incentives which make Paul an imminent trade candidateReebok Pittsburgh Steelers #86 Hines Ward Realtree camo Jersey
looking to shed payroll. A team rumored to be a suitor is the Orlando Magic whose ability to offer young trade pieces like Jameer Nelson and J.J. Reddick make a potential deal viable. The feasibility of Paul teaming up with a hyper-athletic scoring center like Dwight Howard could cause the guard peripheral stats to explode.As the February 24th trade deadline approaches and the league pressure for New Orleans to unload payroll intensifies, Chris Paul tenure as a Hornet may be coming to a close.Wilson Chandler may not be the draw that three-time all-star Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
Chris Paul is, but Chandler emergence as the Knicks blossoming star certainly has staked his claim as one of Broadway newest draws. Statistically Chandler is a top 20 player who contributes in every statistical category including blocked shots where the 68 forward blocks nearly two shots per contest.Continue Reading
decided to retain a 17-year-old Kobe Bryant draft instead of swapping him on draft day in 96 for aging center Vlade Divac. Or perhaps it all went wrong in February of 2005 when the team shipped rising star Baron Davis to Golden State for Long Island own Speedy Claxton and Dale Davis.Regardless, the team is in a state of financial flux following their torrid start but now the franchise sees itself sinking fast in the ultra competitive NBA southwest division.Like Major League Baseball did when the league assumed ownership of the struggling Expos, many Hornet players could see themselves shipped off at bargain prices in order to cut losses so to make the team more attractive for potential sale to a new owner. Among the list of pricey talent-laden players who will soon be available: Chris Paul.Paul heads many fantasy leagues as a front-runner for MVP. His 16.2 PPG combined with a stately 10.4 ASG plus a near 5 RPG places the Wake Forest product as not just a candidate as a fantasy MVP but also an NBA MVP. Add to Paul totals a 90 percent conversion rate from the charity stripe and the Hornet point guard compels trade suitors to salivate.The 25 year-old guard is set to make over $15MM in 10-11 plus incentives which make Paul an imminent trade candidateReebok Pittsburgh Steelers #86 Hines Ward Realtree camo Jersey
looking to shed payroll. A team rumored to be a suitor is the Orlando Magic whose ability to offer young trade pieces like Jameer Nelson and J.J. Reddick make a potential deal viable. The feasibility of Paul teaming up with a hyper-athletic scoring center like Dwight Howard could cause the guard peripheral stats to explode.As the February 24th trade deadline approaches and the league pressure for New Orleans to unload payroll intensifies, Chris Paul tenure as a Hornet may be coming to a close.Wilson Chandler may not be the draw that three-time all-star Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
Chris Paul is, but Chandler emergence as the Knicks blossoming star certainly has staked his claim as one of Broadway newest draws. Statistically Chandler is a top 20 player who contributes in every statistical category including blocked shots where the 68 forward blocks nearly two shots per contest.Continue Reading
2010年12月24日星期五
24 Dec 10 Lebron James: Not Riding Coattails, Just a Step Ahead of the Rest
Lebron is just trying to winMarc Serota/Getty ImagesSince Lebron left Cleveland, everyone from team owners to ex-NBA greats have had something to say. He has been called all kinds of things including coward, narcissist, and ring chaser. Many claim the reason he joined up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami is because he needs other superstars to hide his own deficiencies. The truth is no one person can win a title on their own, and Lebron knows it.The fact that the James-led Cavaliers have posted 60+ win regular season records Atlanta Falcons jersey
means nothing. The playoffs are a whole different game and if you are relying on players like Mo Williams and Antawn Jamison, chances are you are not going to have much success regardless of how good you are. This is something Lebron realized and took advantage ofwith the opportunity that free agency created.It is easy for players such as Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan to come out and say they would not have done what Lebron did, in going to a team with a player like Dwyane Wade. Magic was drafted into a team with players like Kareem-Abdul Jabbar and James Worthy. Jordan’s Bulls were able to acquire players such as Pippen and Rodman. When you have teammates like these, it’s a no-brainer to not want to leave your team. James however did not have that luxury.Charles Barkley was also another strong critic of Lebron’s move. Barkley also said he would not have switched teams in his prime in order to team up with another superstar. But Barkley did go to Houston later in his Baltimore Ravens jersey
career for the shot a championship. A championship he did not win. The fact that Barkley never won a championship is something he most likely regrets. Why should Lebron be criticized for trying to accomplish his ultimate goal early in his career instead of later? Would it have been OK to leave Cleveland five years from now in order to try and win a championship? You can’t blame a player for wanting to win and win often. That is what Lebron is trying to do with this Miami Heat team. In the NBA success is measured in championships. If Lebron truly wants to be considered as one of the best to ever play the game then going to Miami was a smart move. His individual statistics may suffer a bit, but the chance for a title is increased. That is what James is going after. Buffalo Bills jersey
Let’s not blame Lebron for trying to win championships at an early age in order to cement his legacy. He knows the history of the game and is aware a championship is hard to win. He now has a head start and a great opportunity to do it. We should not question his competitiveness. We should honor the sacrifice he is making in putting aside his personal statistics, ego, and millions of dollars for the chance to win.
means nothing. The playoffs are a whole different game and if you are relying on players like Mo Williams and Antawn Jamison, chances are you are not going to have much success regardless of how good you are. This is something Lebron realized and took advantage ofwith the opportunity that free agency created.It is easy for players such as Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan to come out and say they would not have done what Lebron did, in going to a team with a player like Dwyane Wade. Magic was drafted into a team with players like Kareem-Abdul Jabbar and James Worthy. Jordan’s Bulls were able to acquire players such as Pippen and Rodman. When you have teammates like these, it’s a no-brainer to not want to leave your team. James however did not have that luxury.Charles Barkley was also another strong critic of Lebron’s move. Barkley also said he would not have switched teams in his prime in order to team up with another superstar. But Barkley did go to Houston later in his Baltimore Ravens jersey
career for the shot a championship. A championship he did not win. The fact that Barkley never won a championship is something he most likely regrets. Why should Lebron be criticized for trying to accomplish his ultimate goal early in his career instead of later? Would it have been OK to leave Cleveland five years from now in order to try and win a championship? You can’t blame a player for wanting to win and win often. That is what Lebron is trying to do with this Miami Heat team. In the NBA success is measured in championships. If Lebron truly wants to be considered as one of the best to ever play the game then going to Miami was a smart move. His individual statistics may suffer a bit, but the chance for a title is increased. That is what James is going after. Buffalo Bills jersey
Let’s not blame Lebron for trying to win championships at an early age in order to cement his legacy. He knows the history of the game and is aware a championship is hard to win. He now has a head start and a great opportunity to do it. We should not question his competitiveness. We should honor the sacrifice he is making in putting aside his personal statistics, ego, and millions of dollars for the chance to win.
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