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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

The Excitement of the 2007 NBA Draft

Why do I like the NBA draft so much? I thought about this last night as my wife was mad that I sat there and watched all 5 hours of it. "Can't you just read about tomorrow or see the highlights on the news?" she would say. Are you kidding me? That's why people don't watch it and don't think it is interesting - because they read about it the next day and watch the highlights on the news. The news destroys the atmosphere, destroys the excitement of the draft.

I love the draft because it is all about the future. The futures of these young players is partially laid out in front of us. The future of the teams, future of the NBA and it's stars are right before me and I am watching it happen. That's why I like it. I get to see and imagine what the NBA could be like in the upcoming years. Lame? maybe. but I find it exciting.

The draft victory last night went the Trail Blazers. They continue to stock up on young talent and drop Zach Randolph to New York. I like the trade. Channing Frye is young and improving. I like the Blazers future.

Here were the results from the draft last night:

1st Round
1. Portland Trail Blazers -Greg Oden 7-0 257 C Ohio St. Fr.
2. Seattle SuperSonics - Kevin Durant 6-10 215 SF Texas Fr.
3. Atlanta Hawks - Al Horford 6-10 244 PF Florida Jr.
4. Memphis Grizzlies - Mike Conley 6-1 175 PG Ohio St. Fr.
5. Boston Celtics (traded to Seattle) - Jeff Green 6-9 228 SF Georgetown Jr.
6. Milwaukee Bucks - Yi Jianlian 7-0 242 PF China 1984
7. Minnesota Timberwolves - Corey Brewer 6-8 185 SF Florida Jr.
8. Charlotte Bobcats (traded to Golden St.)- Brandan Wright 6-10 200 PF UNC Fr.
9. Chicago Bulls - Joakim Noah 6-11 230 PF Florida Jr.
10. Sacramento Kings - Spencer Hawes 7-0 244 C Wash. Fr.
11. Atlanta Hawks -Acie Law 6-3 186 PG Texas A&M Sr.
12. Philadelphia 76ers - Thaddeus Young 6-7 210 SF GT Fr.
13. NewOrleans - Julian Wright 6-8 211 SF Kansas So.
14. LA Clippers - Al Thornton 6-7 221 SF/PF Florida St. Sr.
15. Detroit Pistons - Rodney Stuckey 6-5 207 SG E. Wash. So.
16. Washington - Nick Young 6-6 206 SG USC Jr.
17. New Jersey Nets - Sean Williams 6-10 235 PF BC Jr.
18. Golden St. Warriors - Marco Belinelli 6-6 200 SG Italy 1986
19. LA Lakers - Javaris Crittenton 6-4 194 PG G.Tech Fr.
20. Miami Heat (traded to Philadelphia) - Jason Smith 7-0 233 PF Colorado St. Jr.
21. Philadelphia 76ers (traded to Miami) - Daequan Cook 6-5 210 SG Ohio St. Fr.
22. Charlotte Bobcats - Jared Dudley 6-7 225 SF Boston Celtics Col. Sr.
23. New York Knicks - Wilson Chandler 6-7 230 SF DePaul So.
24. Phoenix Suns (traded to Portland) -Rudy Fernandez 6-6 172 SG Spain 1985
25. Utah Jazz - Morris Almond 6-6 214 SG Rice Sr.
26. Houston Rockets - Aaron Brooks 6-0 160 PG Oregon Sr.
27. Detroit Pistons - Arron Afflalo 6-5 215 SG UCLA Jr.
28. San Antonio Spurs - Tiago Splitter 6-11 240 PF Brazil 1985
29. Phoenix Suns - Alando Tucker 6-5 210 SF Wisconsin Sr.
30. Philadelphia 76ers (traded to Portand) - Petteri Koponen 6-4 195 PG Fin.1988

2nd Round
31. Seattle SuperSonics - Carl Landry 6-9 235 PF Purdue Sr.
32. Boston Celtics - Gabe Pruitt 6-4 170 PG USC Jr.
33. San Antonio Spurs - Marcus Williams 6-7 207 SG Arizona So.
34. Dallas Mavericks - Nick Fazekas 6-11 240 PF Nevada Sr.
35. Seattle SuperSonics (traded to Boston) - Glen Davis 6-8 280 PF LSU Jr.
36. Golden St. Warriors (traded to Charlotte) - Jermareo Davidson 6-10 220 PF Ala. Sr.
37. Portland Trail Blazers - Josh McRoberts 6-10 240 PF Duke So.
38. Philadelphia 76ers - Kyrylo Fesenko 7-0 240 PF/C Ukr. 1986
39. Miami Heat - Stanko Barac 7-1 220 C Bosnia 1986
40. LA Lakers - Sun Yue 6-9 205 SG China 1985
41. Minnesota Timberwolves - Chris Richard 6-8 255 PF Florida Sr.
42. Portland Trail Blazers (traded to Philadelphia) - Derrick Byars 6-7 225 SG/SF Vand. Sr.
43. NewOrleans - Adam Haluska 6-5 210 SG Iowa Sr.
44. Orlando Magic - Reyshawn Terry 6-7 232 SF UNC Sr.
45. LA Clippers - Jared Jordan 6-2 190 PG Marist Sr.
46. Golden St. Warriors - Stephane Lasme 6-8 225 PF Mass Sr.
47. Washington Wizards - Dominic McGuire 6-8 210 SF Fres.St. Jr.
48. LA Lakers - Marc Gasol 7-0 270 C Spain 1985
49. Chicago Bulls - Aaron Gray 7-1 280 C Pittsburgh Sr.
50. Dallas Mavericks - Renaldas Seibutis 6-6 180 SG Lith. 1985
51. Chicago Bulls -JamesOn Curry 6-3 171 SG Okla.St. Jr.
52. Portland Trail Blazers - Taurean Green 6-0 177 PG Florida Jr.
53. Portland Trail Blazers - Demetris Nichols 6-7 205 SF Syracuse Sr.
54. Orlando - Brad Newley 6-6 198 SG Australia 1985
55. Utah Jazz - Herbert Hill 6-10 240 PF Providence Sr.
56. Milwaukee Bucks - Ramon Sessions 6-3 190 PG Nevada Jr.
57. Detroit Pistons - Sammy Mejia 6-6 200 PG/SG DePaul Sr.
58. San Antonio Spurs - Giorgos Printezis 6-8 205 SF Greece 1985
59. Phoenix Suns - DJ Strawberry 6-5 201 SG Maryland Sr.
60. Dallas Mavericks - Milovan Rakovic 6-10 240 PF Serbia 1985

Greg Oden going #1

Greg Oden will be picked number one tonight. Oden Dominated the middle at Ohio St. this last year. Did you see him throw it down in the NCAA championship game? Talk about shock and awe. He will be a huge piece to a very young a talented team next year.

I love watching Kevin Durant play and he will be number 2. He wasn't able to bench press 185 pounds, but does anyone care? Well, yes but that isn't important. This kid can play. Give him a few years to beef up and he will be a dominating player in the NBA for years to come.

This should be a exciting draft (if you are a sports junkie like me). Otherwise keep watching So You Think You Can Dance.

Check out my last version of my mock draft.

Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant

Minnesota Timberwolves and the LA Lakers are reportedly in trade negotiations. The Lakers want another big name player for three reasons.

1. Make Kobe happy and convince him to stay around
2. Have the Big Ticket sell more tickets
3. Apparently Kobe can't win on his own, so the team needs to be become a two headed dragon.

I think Minnesota should not part with Garnett that easily. Nothing bugs me more than teams trying to reload and they dump their best players for little or nothing in return. Minnesota needs some more good young players. Get some high draft picks - which the Lakers don't have.

Supposedly the Lakers offered Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom. Not enough in my mind. I like Bynum and think he is developing into a good center. Odom is solid, but is not a go to franchise player.

Come up with a lottery pick somehow and throw that in and then we are talking business.

Another rumor out there has Garnett possibly going to Phoenix and Amare Stoudemire going to Atlanta and draft picks going to Minnesota. What? Any more teams want to offer something?

Jason Smith

I like to watch the Mountain West conference. This last year I watched a couple Colorado St. games in which I saw Jason Smith play. I was very impressed at how athletic he was. At 7-0 tall he played and acted like a 6-7 small forward. He was good inside, very quick and has a decent jumper. At times he dominated. However, when he had a physical defender on him he struggled. He did not like being pushed around and it took him out of the game. He tends to be foul prone as well. If he can find a good situation with a run and gun offensive team he would fit in the best.

Index

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Tony Parker for MVP

Did LeBron James airball a free throw?

Spurs win titles in odd years

2007 NBA Playoff Awards


NBA Finals

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Tony Parker for MVP

Did LeBron James airball a free throw?

Spurs win titles in odd years

Is anyone else sick of seeing Eva Longoria?

The Cavs didn't look like they cared


NBA Draft

2007 NBA Draft

NBA Draft Predictions

NBA Draft Thoughts

Jason Smith

Greg Oden going #1

The Excitement of the NBA Draft

Yi JianLian

The Results of the Number 1 NBA Draft Pick


NBA Floppers

Top Ten NBA Floppers

NBA Rumors

Shawn Marion going to Boston?

Does anyone like Kobe Bryant anymore?

Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant

Yi JianLian

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

NBA Awards

Top Ten NBA Point Guards

2007 NBA Playoff Awards

Sports

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College Basketball

Jason Smith

NBA draft thoughts

This weeks NBA's draft should be a good one. A couple of things to watch.

• The number 3 pick by Atlanta Hawks is the swing vote. There are many players and teams awaiting this pick. It should tell the direction of the rest of the lottery. They can go with another young athletic forward which they have plenty of or they can surprise everyone and pick a point guard much higher than expected. This pick might change many draft projections and make teams go with plan B.
• Trades. There has been many talks of superstars being traded. Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Shawn Marion, Paul Pierce, Jermaine O'Neal and more have all been rumored with trades. The draft might bring these trades to light
• The number one pick. Greg Oden or Kevin Durant. Have we heard anything else over the past few months?
• International players. Over the past few seasons international players we taking over the draft. This year only 2-3 projected in the first round. Will there be surprises we don't know about?
• Will the Hawks blow another good pick?
• Second round steals? Who will fall into the second round and be a steal. Paul Millsap and Daniel Gibson showed this is very possible
• No high schoolers. For the second year in a row no high school kids entering the draft. I like the rule change.
• Draft attire. What crazy suits and crazy fashions will be on display?