Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Are the Celtics finally back?

It appears to be almost official - Kevin Garnett going to the Boston Celtics. Minnesota and Boston have been in trade talks and supposedly the deal is almost complete. Boston would get Kevin Garnett. The Timberwolves would get Al Jefferson a good young power forward, Gerald Green a young athletic wing player, Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair and possibly more. The holdup is Garnett's contract. The Celtics don't want to give up so much and then lose him to free agency in a year.

This deal would make the Celtics Eastern Conference competitors. Finally the East is coming back after so many down years. The Celtics would have Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Garnett. Even though they have traded the rest of their team away they would still be pretty good with only 3 players. They definitely need to make sure they have role players to fill in or they still won't be dominant, look at the Nets big 3.

More to come.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

How to you spell overpaid? Rashard Lewis.

I like Rashard Lewis as a player. He's big, he shoots, he's athletic, but he gets injured a lot. Lewis opted out of his contact with the Seattle Sonics and signed with the Orlando Magic. This will make Orlando a much better team, but will they be a contender? No. It gives them another scorer and an outside shooter, but Lewis has become injury prone and will he be on the court is a big question. The Magic gave Lewis a max deal worth reportedly 5 years and $75 million. For $15 million a year the Magic had better hope overpaying the best free agent of the 2007 offseason will pay off.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Rugby player has opponents tooth stuck in his head for 3 months

So this rugby player in Australia, Ben Czislowski, had a collision (which happens often) with an opposing team player during one of his team's matches. Czislowski was playing for Brisbane team Wynnum on April 1, 2007 when he collided with Matt Austin of Tweed Heads. Czislowski had his head stiched up and continued playing.

Three months pass and he suffers an eye infection and complains of shooting pains in his head. His doctor examines him and finds a tooth imbedded in his head. What? Yeah, Austin's tooth has been lodged in his head this entire time. Talk about crazy. We all know rugby players are nuts, this now proves it. Czislowski was quoted as saying, "I've got the tooth at home, sitting on the bedside table. If he (Austin) wants it back he can have it. I'm keeping it at the moment as proof that it actually happened."

Doesn't that make you want to play rugby?

Source: The Associated Press.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Marco Belinelli

I have been telling you this dude is good. So far Italian Marco Belinelli looks awesome. Las Vegas is all talking about him since the start of the Vegas summer league. He put up impressive numbers, outstanding shooting and looks like he will be an excellent NBA player. and a steal in the draft at the 18th pick nonetheless.

He averaged 23 points a game in the Las Vegas NBA summer league and shot over 44 percent from the three point range. He even had 37 points in one game. I wanted my team to pick him, but it didn't happen. The Golden State Warriors made an excellent move to draft him.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

University of Oklahoma goes 0-4 in 2005?

The NCAA has just ruled that the University of Oklahoma football team must erase 8 victories in the 2005 football season because of 2 players receiving money. The two players, Rhett Bomar and JD Quinn, each received around $7,000 from a car dealership where they did not perform any work. The players have already been kicked off the team.

Oklahoma went 8-4 that season. So the Sooners are now 0-4 for that season? That's dumb. I agree with the rule, but let's penalize them another way. They are required to reduce scholarships by two and are on probation until 2010.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Top 10 NBA Point Guards

During the playoffs there was a lot of talk of the top point guards in the NBA. Baron Davis has a phenomenal run, and after beating the Mavs is called the best point guard by some. A few weeks later after Deron Williams of the Jazz beat the Warriors soundly the talk is then all on Williams. Deron was called a great new point and even one of the best point guards in the league, period. The votes definitely fluctuated depending on which team was winning and who was playing good.

Every one forgot about Chris Paul, Mike Bibby and Gilbert Arenas (if he can even be considered a point guard, but he is officially point so I will consider him). Billups's perceived value plummeted with lack luster playoff play.

Right now, I think the league has lost many of the old well known point guards (Stockton, Jackson, etc). There does not seem to be many dominant points in the league anymore. I think this is partially because the NBA has more of a scoring mentality than a true team-ball point guard.

After the playoff memories have died done a little I decided to rank the point guards with an overall value and not let the playoffs sway my thinking.

1. Steve Nash - He is the best and amazing to watch. He plays so effortlessly.
2. Tony Parker - Quietley becoming one of the best point guards in the NBA. Dominated the NBA Finals.
3. Chauncey Billups - Still one of the leagues best shooters and team leaders.
4. Gilbert Arenas - 28.5 points a game. Is he a point guard? I don't know, but he is good.
5. Baron Davis - Amazing when healthy. Definitely the most exciting player on the list.
6. Jason Kidd - He averaged nearly a triple double for almost 15 years
7. Deron Williams - Awesome in the playoffs and second in the league in assists. Look for him to be in the top 3 next year if his outstanding play continues.
8. Chris Paul - Injuries and not making it to the playoffs is making this outstanding young player forgotten
9. Mike Bibby - Dangerous shooter, but has lost something the past few years
10. Andre Miller - He is still one of the best passers in the game

Friday, July 6, 2007

The Results of the Number 1 NBA draft pick

Greg Oden was taken number 1 in this years NBA draft. I think he is going to be an awesome player for years to come. I thought I would look back and see how the other number 1 draft picks are doing. Here is the history of the number 1 pick:



2007-- Greg Oden, C, Portland, Ohio State
2006-- Andrea Bargnani, F, Toronto, Benetton Treviso (Italy)
2005-- Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee, C, Utah
2004-- Dwight Howard, Orlando, F, Southwest Atlantic Christian Academy (Atlanta)
2003-- LeBron James, Cleveland, G, St. Vincent-St. Mary HS
2002-- Yao Ming, Houston, C, China
2001-- Kwame Brown, Washington, F-C, Glynn Academy HS
2000-- Kenyon Martin, New Jersey, F, Cincinnati
1999-- Elton Brand, Chicago, F, Duke
1998-- Michael Olowokandi, Los Angeles Clippers, C, Pacific
1997-- Tim Duncan, San Antonio, C, Wake Forest
1996-- Allen Iverson, Philadelphia, G, Georgetown
1995-- Joe Smith, Golden State, C, Maryland
1994-- Glenn Robinson, Milwaukee, F, Purdue
1993-- Chris Webber, Orlando, F, Michigan
1992-- Shaquille O'Neal, Orlando, C, Louisiana State
1991-- Larry Johnson, Charlotte, F, UNLV
1990-- Derrick Coleman, New Jersey, F, Syracuse
1989-- Pervis Ellison, Sacramento, C, Louisville
1988-- Danny Manning, Los Angeles Clippers, F, Kansas
1987-- David Robinson, San Antonio, C, Navy
1986-- Brad Daugherty, Cleveland, C, North Carolina
1985-- Patrick Ewing, New York, C, Georgetown
1984-- Akeem Olajuwon, Houston, C, Houston
1983-- Ralph Sampson, Houston, C, Virginia
1982-- James Worthy, Los Angeles Lakers, F, North Carolina
1981-- Mark Aguirre, Dallas, F, DePaul
1980-- Joe Barry Carroll, Golden State, C, Purdue
1979-- Earvin (Magic) Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers, G, Michigan St.
1978-- Mychal Thompson, Portland, C, Minnesota
1977-- Kent Benson, Milwaukee, C, Indiana
1976-- John Lucas, Houston, G, Maryland
1975-- David Thompson, Atlanta, G, North Carolina St.
1974-- Bill Walton, Portland, C, UCLA
1973-- Doug Collins, Philadelphia, G, Illinois St.
1972-- LaRue Martin, Portland, C, Loyola-Chicago
1971-- Austin Carr, Cleveland, G, Notre Dame
1970-- Bob Lanier, Detroit, C, St. Bonaventure
1969-- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee, C, UCLA
1968-- Elvin Hayes, Houston, C, Houston
1967-- Jimmy Walker, Detroit, G, Providence
1966-- Cazzie Russell, New York, F, Michigan


Just looking at over the past 20 years a couple names stand out as superstars. A couple I thought "thats right, I had forgotten they were taken #1." And some I said that was a mistake.

Kwame, and Olowokandi were mistakes. Kenyon, Joe Smith, and Glenn Robinson didn't turn out as good as promised and probably weren't worth the #1 (KMart does still have a chance to come around if he is ever healthy). Bogut and Bargnani are still young and need to show they can become a star or they may fall into the bad pick category. Shaq, Iverson, Duncan, Brand, Yao, LeBron, and Howard are all superstars and excellent picks.

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Derek Fisher's request to leave the Utah Jazz is granted

The Utah Jazz announced today that they are releasing Derek Fisher from the rest of his contract. Fisher requested that the team release him from his contact so he can better help his daughter and her ongoing eye cancer situation.

Fisher will become a free agent and look for a place to play in one of the major cities by his doctor. Fisher said that life is more important than playing basketball. The Jazz granted his wish and parted on good terms.

This means a couple of things. Fisher may or may not play next season. He may retire. He may find a home in and eastern conference because his doctor was in New York. He would say where he might land, but he mentioned 6 cities. He is probably looking at the north eastern teams around that area.

The Jazz are now in need of a back up point/shooting guard. Rumors have it that Morris Peterson may be an option here and would be an excellent pick up for the Jazz.

Monday, July 2, 2007

Yi JianLian

In the NBA draft last week, the Milwaukee Bucks selected Yi JianLian with the 6th pick. Yi has not reported to Milwaukee and has had no communication with them. He did not attend the typical post draft welcoming meetings in Milwaukee but decided to work out with his Chinese national team in Dallas instead.

Yi JianLian and his agents do not feel Milwaukee is a good fit for Yi. Why? Because they reportedly want a city with a large Chinese heritage. Again I ask why? That might have a small affect on the situation, but that should not matter. That is a long way from home, and has anybody in China ever heard of Milwaukee? Probably only a few. Because how many of us has ever heard of He Shan where Yi is from?

Anyway, I think Yi needs to look at the situation he is going to play in, not the city itself. The Bucks have got Michael Redd, Andrew Bogut, hopefully can resign Mo Williams, Charlie Villanueva, Bobby Simmons and a nice looking core. They definitely are not a contender and have a long ways to go. But with Yi they start to look quite a bit better.

Yi's agents want a trade. I agree with Milwaukee, Yi entered the draft, the Bucks picked him. He belongs to them.