Rough Week for the Phils

As if there weren’t enough questions about the makeup of the Phillies, they were dealt two huge blows this week to their stellar offense.
In the process, their defense has taken a hit, too.

Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino, the top of the Philadelphia order, were both lost to leg injuries once again throwing a wrench into the start of a shaky season.

The Phils 6-5 loss on Sunday to the Cubs brought their early record to 6-7. More importantly, we’ve learned in the first two weeks of the season that the Phils are an unstable club.

Besides losing their leadoff men and having an up and down pitching staff, the Phils have struggled mightily on defense. In their 12 games this season the defense has committed 13 errors, second-worst in the National League behind only the bumbling Pirates.

On Sunday, Geoff Jenkins dropped a ball down the left field foul line that appeared to be very playable, which led to a two run double later on in the inning by Derrek Lee.

Second baseman Chase Utley’s errant throw on a surefire double play ball in the 10th inning led to the winning run for Chicago as Ryan Howard could not pull the ball out of the dirt on the hop.

With enough to worry about throughout their pitching staff, and now at the top of the lineup, the last thing the Phils need is terrible play from the D. This is a major role-reversal from the 2007 season when the team was third in the NL in fielding percentage, and committed just 89 total errors.

This week alone, the Phillies tacked on eight errors including a 4-spot on Wednesday against the Mets. Without Rollins, who had just 11 errors in all 162 games last year, the defense is searching for a leader to step in.

In his place comes career backup Eric Bruntlett who is suspect with the bat and is average with the glove. With Rollins possibly coming back Tuesday against the Astros, the Phils should be in better shape next week, even though Rollins is off to a worrisome start in the field.

Shane Victorino can cover a lot of ground in center field, however, with a strained calf, there will not be much running going on. Victorino was placed on the 15-day DL and hopes to be back when he is eligible to come off of it.

Last season, Victorino endured the same injury, which cost him about a month. This injury appears to be minor in nature, which is good news.

Jayson Werth has filled in admirably in center for the Phillies, and has become an on-base machine in the process.

In addition to the injuries and defensive woes of the past week, the Phillies also may have lost a game due to a blown call.

Mark Derosa stepped to the plate in the sixth inning and blasted a Jamie Moyer offering down the third base line that looked to go behind the foul pole from the foul side. However, third base umpire Adrian Johnson called it a home run and that gave the Cubs an extra run to work with.

Another bizarre occurrence happened at the “new” top of the Phillies lineup, where Geoff Jenkins batted leadoff for the first time in his career. After 1,246 games in the major leagues, Jenkins found himself penciled in at number one, going 2-for-6 with a run scored.

The leadoff experiment probably won’t last long for Jenkins as Rollins is on his way back and Jayson Werth has found himself on base a bunch in the early going.

Another constant seems to be the up and down pitching staff.

Only one starter has been lights out so far, and that is Cole Hamels, who was expected to be lights out this season. Brett Myers, staff ace 1A, has been less than first rate in his first three starts. His 5.00 ERA and five home runs allowed have been a bit of a disaster. Add Kyle Kendrick’s 6+ ERA and Jaime Moyer’s early inconsistencies, and you have yourself a ticking time bomb of a starting rotation.

Half of the bullpen has been outstanding, while the other has been awful. JC Romero, Brad Lidge, and Rudy Seanez have given up zero earned runs in their combined 15.2 innings of work. On the flip side, Tom Gordon, Clay Condrey and Ryan Madson have allowed 16 earned runs in 17 2/3 innings.

Even with all of the bad, there comes a little bit of good. Pat Burrell has been stroking the ball with confidence, hitting .359 with four homers and 13 rbi. Hamels has anchored the pitching staff and Carlos Ruiz and Chris Coste have supplied a great tandem behind the plate.

So there is a sign of hope that as the warm weather comes, the Phils can snap out of the rocky start.

When J-Roll returns, the leader in the clubhouse will have to be the man to right the wobbly ship for the Phillies.

The pitching staff needs to follow suit, or Philadelphians will be seeing several other crazy weeks throughout this long and possibly agonizing season.

Woe is Philly

We all know the Philadelphia Phillies can score runs. Lots and lots of runs. Last year, the Phils paced the National League with 892 runs scores, 32 more than the thin-air bombers in Denver.

What we also know is, the city of Philadelphia could be in for a long year if their pitching continues the way it has for the first week of the season.

With the exception of the second game of the year against Washington in which the staff gave up just one run in a loss, they have give up at least four runs each of the others.

Staff ace Brett Myers has struggled with his control, walking five batters in 10 innings while giving up seven earned runs. For the Phillies to put fear into their competition, Myers will need to find his location on the fastball and go deeper into games as to not wear down the bullpen.

Cole Hamels looked great in his debut this season, going eight innings in a 1-0 loss to Washington. His incredible effort was outdone by the Nationals Tim Redding who gave up just one hit to the vaunted Phils lineup.

Hamels needs to stay the course after a beautiful 2007 season, and maybe even take the next step towards becoming an elite pitcher in the National League.

As of Monday, before the Phillies afternoon match against the Reds, only the Marlins pitching staff has given up more runs than the Phillies. Granted, the Phils play in the bandbox known at Citizens Bank Park, but that can no longer be an excuse.

One pitcher who is looking for a huge turnaround is Adam Eaton. After being the recipient of boos on opening day, Eaton started off the season with a nice outing. He went 7 2/3 innings giving up three earned runs and six hits.

That is a far cry from last years debacle of a season for Eaton who had a 6.29 ERA in 30 starts, somehow managing a 10-10 record. They need a just-above-average season from Eaton and if his first start is any indication of his season, he might give them just that.

Kyle Kendrick and Jaime Moyer round out the rotation and both had shaky outings to open up their year. Moyer allowed six earned runs in just 3 2/3 innings and was saved by the offense as the Phils came from behind to win 8-7. Moyer needs to be efficient as he was in ’07, or it could spell trouble for the ageless wonder.

Kendrick went five innings in his opener and hopes to build on a rookie season in which he went 10-4 with a 3.87 ERA in 20 starts. You can’t ask for much more than that from a guy who was in Double-A to start the year. Building on a year like that might be too much to ask from Kendrick, but it would be nice to see a steady performance this year.

The biggest problems lie in the later innings. The bullpen has been notoriously shaky in recent seasons, and it is no different in the early stages of 2008.

Tom Gordon, now 40, has started the year off with a 27.00 ERA, blowing a game in the first week for the Phillies, something fans have become accustom to. Whether his shoulder is not healed, or it simply his age catching up to him, he is not the same pitcher as he was before joining the Phils. He has a lot of mileage on the arm and may be nearing the end of a long career.

The rest of the bullpen needs to band together behind the obvious leader, JC Romero. His incredible 2007 led to a contract extension with the team and might now be the right choice to set up for Brad Lidge.

Speaking of Lidge, after coming over from the Astros for Michael Bourn and others, he started the first few games on the disabled list while rehabbing a knee injury. This may be a bit of a stretch, but the season may hinge on the arm of Lidge. He needs to hold down the fort when the Phillies have the lead.

Other pieces of the bullpen are vital as well, even though the average fan may not know them. Names like Seanez, Madson, Durbin and Condrey make up the rest of the unstable stable of arms.

Sure, the offense will explode at any moment. Yes, the staff may implode at any time as well.

For an encore of 2007 to occur, the there can be no implosion.

But is that possible? Only time will tell.

Comeback Kids

Every season a new player will come along and break your heart.Perhaps this player was a perennial all-star who has a bad year. Maybe it’s the young up-and-comer who can’t quite match his previous season. It could be the aging veteran who was being counted on for a stellar year, but just couldn’t produce.

Each year, teams hopes are dashed due to a number of factors. However, a down year by a key cog could spell the end of your season before it begins.

So comes a new year with new aspirations. Who might come back to life after a painful 2007 season? Let’s take a look at players who need a big turnaround for their teams to have a chance.

Carlos Delgado, New York Mets:
Part of the Mets' epic collapse in ’07 was due to a rash of injuries and a terribly timed slump at the end of the year. But a major force behind the fall of the Mets was Carlos Delgado’s poor excuse for a season.

24 home runs and 87 RBI is nothing to shake a stick at. But when you look at the overall body of work from Delgado’s career, it goes down as possibly his worst.

You can blame his performance on a failed recovery from elbow surgery. However, Delgado has missed 18 or more games in five of the last six seasons. Sadly, his time as a prolific slugger may be coming to an end. He ranks 37th on the all-time home run list. While he should hit 30 homers this year, he is quite obviously on the downside of his amazing career. The Mets need him this year, so can he deliver?

Richie Sexson, Seattle Mariners:
For a guy who has five 30-homer seasons under his belt, last year was a sickening season for Sexson.

Hitting .209 with only 21 home runs is terrible on any level, but the frustrating season for Sexson who endured hamstring and hip issues throughout the year.

Seattle is in need of a middle-of-the-order bat to produce big power. Adrian Beltre has not lived up to the hype following his 48 home run season with the Dodgers a few years back, and Raul Ibanez is not a masher, but will knock in runs.

To be a contender, the weight will be on Sexson’s cortinzone-injected shoulder to carry the offensive load. Anything less that 30 bombs will be a disappointment again, and will probably mean the end of the run for this once incredible slugger.


Adam Eaton, Philadelphia Phillies:
Some, including myself, scratched their heads after the Phils gave Eaton a $24 million contract before last season.

Somehow reaching 10 wins in first season with the Phillies, Eaton struggled mightly, yes with injuries, but also with allowing anyone and everyone to hit off of him.

His 6.29 ERA was the worst of any starting pitcher in the big leagues, a sure sign that the Phillies have wasted money.This is a new season, but will Eaton be the same man? A comeback year is one where a player reaches a level he was previously at before his decline. Eaton’s best year came in an abbreviated season where he went 11-5 with a 4.27 ERA, which isn’t anything special.

Even so, the Phillies will gladly take that. They need just about anything they can get from Eaton, realizing that they are short on arms.


Dontrelle Willis, Detroit Tigers:
When you win 22 games in a season and blow people away with unhittable stuff at just 24-years old, people expect you to be the next big thing.

Things went the other direction for Willis the last two seasons after that memorable 2005 campaign when he came in second for the NL Cy Young Award.

Florida cleaned house as they seem to do every few seasons, and Willis was sent to Detroit who believe he still has the tools to become a top-tier starter. After a rough spring, questions are again surfacing on whether or not Willis still has it.

His lack of control and loss of velocity has worried some, and this could be a telling year not only for the Detroit Tigers, but in the career of Dontrelle Willis.

The D-Train needs to get on the track again, and if he does, it could mean huge things for the Tigers.

Changing of the Season

As winter turns to spring, the season changes and the sun shines a little brighter and the days become a little warmer.

When we look back on this NBA season a month, a year, a decade from now, a few things will pop out at us. Who are the players responsible for changing this season?

The New Orleans Hornets amazing turnaround. The Houston Rockets 22-game winning streak. The resurgence of the Boston Celtics organization thanks to the “Big 3”.

The season has been shifted and shaped by so many different storylines. Here are a few of the players who have stood out at the forefront of the great NBA season.

Chris Paul:
He has blossomed before our eyes, becoming perhaps the premier point guard in the league.

What’s more, Paul has single-handedly led the turnaround of the Hornets franchise from bottom feeder to Western Conference elite. He simply makes everyone around him better.

Watching him play is special, and he should be at worst third in the MVP voting this year.

At over 21 points and 11 assists per game, he has the Hornets within grasp of the all-important number one seed in the tough West.

This year has become the year of Chris Paul, and after a special regular season, we can only hope he keeps it up well into the playoffs.

Shane Battier:
Don’t laugh. Yes, Battier only averages a measly nine points and five rebounds per game this year for the Houston Rockets. But his defensive game is one that speaks volumes.

Every night, Battier has to focus all of his attention to the other teams best player. That means guys Kobe, Ginobili, and Nowitzki in the stacked West.

You might say guys like Tracy McGrady and Rafer Alston have been more important to the Rockets during their impressive run here in the second half, but you would be wrong.

Battier puts it all out on the line on D, and then leaves himself a little bit to knock down some big three pointers. Thirty-Eight percent from downtown is nothing to shake a stick at, especially after exerting so much guarding the elite players in the league.

If you want an unsung hero, Battier is your guy.

Pau Gasol:
After his trade from Memphis, everyone declared the Lakers the winners of the trade deadline, and crowned them champions before playing a postseason game.
His move to LA is critical to the shape and tone of the upcoming playoffs, as he has turned the Lakers an formidable championship contender.

People say Memphis was robbed, and it might be true, but the fact is, this trade shaped the NBA for the next few months.

The Lake Show is scary good, and Gasol has played without Andrew Bynum since he arrived on the West Coast.

When the three-headed monster of Bryant, Gasol and Bynum reassembles for the playoffs (if Bynum’s knee should allow), we could be looking at the cream of the crop in the Association.

Hedo Turkoglu:
You were expecting someone else?

Turk’s numbers go something like this: 20 ppg, 6 rpg, 5 apg.

Only two other players in the entire NBA go for 20,6,5. They would be LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.

Just how important is Hedo to the success of the Orlando Magic? Besides opening up the middle for Dwight Howard with his 40 percent from three, he can penetrate and kick to Rashard Lewis, helping Lewis shoot his 40 percent from three and average over 18 points per game.

Rashard may make the max-dollars, but it’s evident that Hedo has been the leader of the Magic this season.

Rajon Rondo:
Sure, the Celtics have three perennial all-stars on their team in Allen, Garnett, and Pierce. But Rondo is the man that makes this machine move.

If Rajon Rondo hadn’t grown up in just one season, we may not be talking about the Celtics as having the leagues best record. He has been the floor general that the Celtics needed, dishing the ball to the right players and the right time, and more importantly keeping everyone happy.

Rondo is in the top 25 in assist to turnover ratio, better than counterparts Andre Miller, Rafer Alston, and Tony Parker.

If he can keep this stellar play up in the postseason, we may be looking at yet another banner for the Celts.

Is the Sun Setting on Steve Nash?

In the great history of the National Basketball Association, there may never have been a more unlikely Most Valuable Player winner than Steve Nash.
And the man won twice.

Now 34, and without a ring on the finger, Steve Nash might be looking at the end being nearer than he likes.

Perhaps Nash will not be undone by his own physical limitations, having age and a chronically bad back working against him, but possibly by a roster that will drive him to the end.

The Suns have been accepted as a fun team and nothing more. They have not garnered respect over the past few seasons for their up-tempo, run-and-gun style, predicated by the smooth, fierce Nash.

Sure, people love the style, but the critics frown upon it because defense wins championships. It is not playoff type basketball, which is usually when the game slows down and the boring half court set takes over.

Maybe you’ve heard that the Suns brought in Shaquille O’Neal? Maybe you’ve also heard that it hasn’t worked so well in the early going.

With all of the negatives on his side, Nash has persevered through it all.

Even though he has not won a championship, he has brought the Suns back to an elite level, along with mastermind Mike D’Antoni.

This year, he has kept the team afloat with his dynamic leadership skills.

Even still, something always seems to go wrong at the worst time for Nash and his team.

In the 2005 playoffs, the Suns were the number one seed in the West and lost to the Spurs after sharpshooter Joe Johnson went down with an untimely injury, and the Suns went down.

In 2006, Amare Stoudemire missed the entire season due to Microfracture surgery on his knee. The Suns went on to have an incredible regular season, yet their demise came at the hands of the Mavericks in the conference finals. They ran out of gas.

In 2007, the Suns were once again a team poised to make noise. But when Robert Horry leveled Steve Nash into the scorers table in game 4, leading to suspensions for Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw being suspended the following game for leaving the bench, it changed the complexion of the series. The Suns were eliminated in six.

Will this year be different? If their track record is any indication of how things will go in the next few months, then it doesn’t look good.

Nash is having himself another stellar campaign, averaging over 17 points and 11 assists per game. But it may not be enough to get over the proverbial hump.

It seems that the fun is over.

Currently, the Suns sit as the 6th seed out West, which is stacked with playoff contenders this season.

They have had internal turmoil all season, culminating with the trade of Shawn Marion, who was thought of to be a cancer to the locker room for his me-first attitude and unwillingness to be thought of as the third wheel to Nash and Stoudemire.

In comes O’Neal, on the downturn of an illustrious career, poised to be another cog in the fast-paced Phoenix Suns game plan.

The project has yet to work for the Suns as they have gone 3-6 with Shaq in the lineup.

The playoffs aren’t even a certainty.

The Suns are a cap strapped team and Nash is only getting older. The window for a title with this team is becoming extremely tight, unless they have something up their sleeve for the postseason.

We all know Phoenix can be a force to be reckoned with on any night, but the flair and passion seems to have been sucked out of the team due to countless “almosts” and “could haves”. They almost beat the Spurs in ’05, had Joe Johnson not been badly injured. If Amare is not sidelined the entire ’06 season, maybe they get through on the back of their big man. If Robert Horry doesn’t give Nash a check into the boards last year, all of these may be moot points.

But the fact remains; the Suns have not gotten it done. And all of these almosts and could haves can start to wear on a player like Nash.

He has given it his all during these great Phoenix years, but with that comes a toll. The body begins to crumble, and the psyche can be worn out.

Hopefully the Suns surprise a lot of folks and get to the title this year. Steve Nash deserves it. If not for his great skill and tireless work ethic, than for his work off the court. Because he has given his all, not just to the game, but to the world.

Nash has played recently in shoes made of recycled garbage, as way to promote environmental consciousness.

The Steve Nash foundation has helped children all over the world that are affected by poverty, illness or abuse.

Steve Nash is a good guy. He also deserves better on the court.

So maybe the end is nearing, the sun setting on an incredible career that many said wouldn’t happen. One of the great ambassadors of the game of basketball is playing at a high level for now, and we can only hope that it stays this way for many more years.

However, what happens around him is out of his hands.

The trades, the injuries, the shortcomings and the “almosts” and “could haves” are beyond his power, on and off the court.

So, will this year be the year that the Suns silence the critics?

If Steve Nash has anything to say about it, then yes.

But the rest is out of his control.

Whine and Cheese

Cry me a river, boys.

Over the last few weeks, and even the past few seasons, more and more major leaguers have been complaining about one thing.

Money.

In baseball, salary arbitration allows a team to hold on to its youngsters at a low salary level for a few years so that skyrocketing contracts don’t get out of hand. What they don’t want is a player who has been in the league for 100 days asking for A-rod type money.

But here they go.

In the past few days, two of the great young players in the game, Cole Hamels of the Phillies, and Jeff Francouer of the Braves have both cried foul after being re-upped by their teams. The Brewers Prince Fielder was also upset at the notion of making just six figures.

Cole Hamels went 15-5 last season with a 3.39 ERA and made what could be the first of many all-star teams. As a player with less than three years of service, the Phillies can give Hamels whatever they want; he is under their control. So what they gave him was $500,000 for the upcoming season.

The following words were uttered from Mr. Hamels: “Low blow”, “not fairly compensated”, and “I want what’s fair”.

What Hamels failed to realize, however, is that his new contract is on par with the rest of the players with his service time and numbers.

And before he makes more of a fool of himself, he should shut his mouth.

Baseball of course is a business and should be treated as such. Yet, when we have near-rookies complaining about compensation, but barely have been out on the field, they need to slow it down.

Granted, Hamels had a sensational 2007 campaign. But the players union agreed to system where this will happen to young players.

Why blame the organization if it’s the players themselves that have incorporated this into the game?

Jeff Francouer and Prince Fielder voiced similar opinions when asked of their new deals.

The Brew crew gave Fielder, one of the best young power hitters in the game, $670,000 for ’08. He went on to say:

“I'm not happy about it at all. The fact I've had to be renewed two years in a row, I'm not happy about it because there's a lot of guys who have the same amount of time that I do who have done a lot less and are getting paid a lot more. But my time is going to come. It's going to come quick too."

Oh, we know Prince. People are starving all over the world, but $670,000 for one more season is a shame. An outrage, even.

Young stars need to get one thing through their minds. Nothing will be handed to them.

Right now, Major League Baseball has rules in place. Players will abide by them, and like it.

Players like Hamels and Fielder, after just one or two seasons, are now among the elite in their profession. But as the old adage goes, good things come to those who wait. And wait patiently.

Hamels and the rest could have went about this gracefully and taken it on the chin, collected their measly salaries now, and cashed in a year from now. With any job, there are uncertainties. But one thing remains true; if you do your job, you will be rewarded.

Last season, Ryan Howard whimpered the same sentiment, while making $900,000. A year later, he turned that into $10 million tears. I mean dollars.

Everyone knows the youngsters will be compensated a year from now, and compensated handsomely. However, they have put a sour taste into a lot of fans mouths with their shameless comments.

It’s quite understandable to be upset after seeing budding stars like Grady Sizemore and Troy Tulowitzki handed multi-year contracts. They are all basically in the same boat.

But again, the team has the control in this situation.

By acting like children, they have put a negative spin on what can be the most cheerful and spirited time of the year; Spring Training.

As we release from the doldrums of winter, we expect to be ushered into spring by the sweet sounds of the diamond.

Not the harsh cries of the stubborn and the spoiled.

Sorry fellas, but you shouldn’t get off easy for this one.

Don't Sleep on the Marlins

A Marlin is an extremely fast fish.

That’s usually the same thing we say about the Florida Marlins rebuilding process.

Super quick.

In the last 10 years, the Florida Marlins have won two World Series titles.

That’s more than 28 other teams.

What’s crazy is that every few years, the Marlins brass completely tears apart the roster, basically starting from scratch in an attempt to make the payroll as low as possible.

What’s even more absurd is that they win more than most using that method.

Their prize pieces from the past few years, Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera, have both been dealt. Going with them is about a third of the entire payroll, which is music to owner Jeffery Loria’s ears.

And even though their two young stars are gone, several more may be on the way.

In the deal with Detroit, the Marlins received a plethora of young talent, with the headliners being starting pitcher Andrew Miller and outfielder Cameron Maybin.

Miller is a young, strapping gentleman, at 6’6, 210 lbs. He has a rocket arm, but lacks control and is perhaps a year or two from making a noticeable impact.

Maybin is no slouch either, standing 6’4, 205. Scouts say he is a legitimate 5-tool player, basically meaning he will be able to do it all. He too needs to hone his skills.

The Marlins also received three pitchers to bolster their system for down the road.

But the moral here is that the Marlins cleaned house yet again. And it will most likely work.

A good friend of mine once told me that he despises the Marlins because they always seem to be lucky. There is definitely more to it than luck.

In 1997, the Marlins turned a World Series roster of players like Kevin Brown, Gary Sheffield and Moises Alou into youngster like Derrek Lee and Mike Lowell in the following seasons.

By 2003, they had another championship and turned players like Josh Beckett and Brad Penny into the roster of players like Hanley Ramirez and Josh Willingham.

They have accumulated a great deal of youngsters over the pas few season, with Ramirez being the latest prize of the bunch.

We should give the scouting staff more credit than just luck, right?

They also have a new Stadium in the works that will be coming to South Florida by 2011, which may keep the talent around for several more years beyond that. Hopefully, the retractable roof will keep the fans there too.

As for this year, the Marlins look to be an NL bottom feeder. They have a wholly inexperienced roster, save Luis Gonzalez and lesser-known veterans like Matt Treanor and Jorge Cantu.

However, the Marlins have proved us wrong in the past. If Fredi Gonzalez can get this team to play with a passion, with an attitude of “we aren’t going to let the rest of the league take us for granted”, then the Fish could surprise a lot of people.

It will be interesting to see where this season goes, but I do not see Florida as a team anyone will want to play. Simply put, this team will be a nuisance. A pain in the ass, if you will.

Between 72 and 76 wins should not be out of the question for the FLA. That would be just about the same as last year. So, basically, they won’t miss a beat without Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis.

What we should see though is a rapid improvement as the season progresses.

More importantly, don’t be surprised to see the Marlins in the postseason in a few years.

Because in Florida, this sort of thing happens all the time.

MLB Preview: The Biggest Moves of the Winter

Every year, great players change addresses in the Majors, changing the landscape of the league.

This year, there were a ton of moves during the winter, and even a blockbuster or two.

Spring training has begun, and the parts that moved during the off season are now becoming acquainted with their new teams. Here are a few that could impact their new teams more than others for the 2008 season:



OF Kusoke Fukudome (Japan to Chicago Cubs)

What the Cubs have been lacking the past few years in the outfield, Fukudome more than makes up for.

After signing a four year, $48 million contract to jump the Pacific, Fukudome will take over right field for the sorry platoon of Jacque Jones and Cliff Floyd. At 30, he does have some mileage on him.

However, the guy is an “Ichiro-Matsui Hybrid” by all accounts, which is something the Cubs surely will want to drive to the postseason.

Look for him to have a stellar year; a little pop in the bat and some speed on the paths, and just enough energy to get Chicago back to the playoffs.



3B Miguel Cabrera and P Dontrelle Willis (Florida to Detroit)

When you give up nary a big leaguer and get two superstars back in return, things are looking damn good. Just ask the Detroit Tigers, who unloaded up and coming talent, for here and now talent.

If we were to look 10 years down the road, there would be a select few players who will still have their footprint on the game.

Miguel Cabrera will be one of them.

The Tigers gave up studs Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin in the deal, but it’s a win-win for both sides. Florida is amazing at utilizing talent, and will get the most out of the two youngsters.

Detroit will get on the large back of Cabrera and the arm of Willis (slated to be a third or fourth starter) and could be on their way back to the World Series.



P Erik Bedard (Baltimore to Seattle)

Finally, we can take baseball seriously in the Emerald City again.

The Mariners have spent and spent and spent the last few seasons, with nothing to show for it.

Adrian Beltre, Richie Sexson, Jarrod Washburn, Jose Vidro. All fairly big names, yet none has had the impact the M’s were hoping for.

That may change with the addition of Erik Bedard.

Giving up one of the games great young players in Adam Jones, Bedard stablizes the rotation, giving them two front line starters along to go with Felix Hernandez. He also can help the maturation process of Hernandez by taking the pressure off of him as a #1.

That could be the biggest key.

Right now, the M’s and Angels are painstakingly close to one another in all aspects of the game. The AL West is now up for grabs.



P Eric Gagne (Boston to Milwaukee)

The former Cy Young Award winner has derailed in the last few seasons.

A balky elbow and a bad back have sent Gagne falling from grace. A link to steroids hasn’t helped the cause either.

The Milwaukee Brewers are sending a message with this deal.

They are contenders.

Taking a $10 million chance could be a steep one. But if Gagne can get back on track, so can the Brewers.

They have a great young team, and Gagne at the back end of the bullpen could provide huge dividends down the road as they fight on with the Cubbies.



P Dan Haren (Oakland to Arizona)

You’ve heard the one about Johan Santana going East.

But the real key off season deal could lay in Arizona, where young Ace Danny Haren was shipped from Oakland.

The cash-strapped A’s have fielded an entire all-star team in the past decade, gettin zero out of it but a few playoff wins. Haren is the latest in line to go elsewhere.

This is Arizona’s gain however.

Putting Haren in the two slot behind Brandon Webb gives them a formidable combination in the rotation.

The D’Backs made it to the NLCS last year and haven’t changed a thing. Except bringing in an amazing pitcher.

Look out.



OF Delmon Young (Tampa Bay to Minnesota) and Matt Garza (Minnesota to Tampa Bay)

A great talent of the Rays organization, Young was dealt due to a logjam in the outfield.

The Rays traded Young for Matt Garza, a good looking pitcher who could give Tampa something they sorely need.

Another working arm.

The Rays have failed to make that next step, largely due to their inability to get guys out. They have the offense, so can Garza step in and give them 200 innings and maybe 13 wins?

They sure hope so.

As for Young and the Twins, he could be the face of this franchise in the next few seasons now that Johan and Torii are gone. Look for big numbers, if not this year, certainly next year from Delmon Young.



Brad Lidge (Houston to Philadelphia)

Albert Pujols.

Nightmares.

Those two words are synonymous with the fall of Brad Lidge.

The guy can absolutely still pitch in this league. But Albert Pujols sure wrecked his psyche.

After seeing that ball smashed to the Gulf of Mexico back in the ’05 playoffs, Lidge has had some trouble on the mound.

New GM Ed Wade realized that maybe a change of scenery would do him and the franchise some good, so he shipped him to Philly for a few kids.

Lidge could be the main force behind another playoff run for the Phils. If he can do what Brett Myers did last year in the closers role (besides get hurt), then the Phillies could be back again.

The Most Important Players for the NBA Stretch Run

The NBA All-Star Game has come and gone, and for most teams, that leaves little room for error.

From here on out, every game should be viewed as a playoff battle. It comes down to the last 30 or so games, and it will be the intangibles, grit, and determination that will propel a team to the playoffs.

The first 50 games of the NBA season gave us a various assortment of goodies.

The New Orleans Hornets atop the Western Conference. Mega-deals for several contending teams. Young superstars leading their respective franchises. Dwight Howard becoming The Man.

As the playoffs draw near, each franchise looks for a spark during this most important time. Every team has that leader who guides the way, or that up and coming player who hits his stride at just the right time. What we all want to know is, who will be the select few that can take their teams to the next level?

As we are now past the Gasol to L.A. deal and the Shaq to Phoenix trade, let’s take a look at a few others who could be responsible for shaping the final two months of the NBA season:



-Gilbert Arenas:

It’s not everyday a team looks forward to getting a 3-time all-star averaging 22.4 points and 6 assists per game at this time of the season.

Turns out, the Wizards are a lucky bunch.

Agent Zero is making his return from knee surgery after taking part in only eight games this season. The Wiz are hoping he can come back for part of the stretch run, and then make his mark come playoff time.

Coming back soon would be clutch for Washington.

And Gilbert wouldn’t have it any other way.



- Linas Kleiza:

The young Lithuanian got our attention with a 41-point outburst on January 17 against Utah.

Granted, Denver doesn't need that every game with Anthony and Iverson, but they could use a third wheel. Kleiza could be the guy to lift the scoring load a bit from the big two.

The Nuggets need as much D as possible too, something that Kleiza can also provide.

Linas could be a big part of the Nuggets plans for the last few weeks…provided he’s still a Nugget.



-Andrew Bynum:

Last year, Kobe Bryant pined for the Lakers to deal this young man for Jason Kidd because he didn’t want to wait for progress to be made by the 19 year-old.

That could take years, Kobe thought.

How about YEAR.

Before going down with a knee injury, Andrew Bynum was blossoming like a flower. A giant flower with a knack for the boards and a great post game.

If he comes back for the final run, the Lakers could be sitting pretty.



-Larry Hughes:

7-1.

When Larry Hughes shoots 50% or better from the field, the Cavaliers are 7-1 this season.

It doesn’t happen very often, as shown by his 37.6% shooting this year. But, if Hughes can find the touch down the road, he might be just what LeBron is looking for; someone else who can find the basket.

For LeBron’s sake, please find the hoop Larry.



-Peja Stojakovic:

As crazy as it may sound, he may be more important to the immediate future of the Hornets than any other player on that team.

More crucial than Chris Paul, and more pivotal than David West or Tyson Chandler.

Peja, one of the few Hornets with playoff experience, will be leaned on down the stretch to stroke the three and provide the leadership that New Orleans needs. If Stojakovic fails, the Hornets may falter.

Any lengthy losing streaks out West can be extremely damaging.

It’s up to Peja to keep the bees stinging.



-Sam Cassell:

The Clippers will not make the playoffs this year; that much we know. So how will Sam I Am make an impact on the final weeks of the season?

Well, there are a few playoff hopeful teams yearning for a tested point guard that can make a difference come the postseason.

Sure, Cassell plays for the Clippers. But that may not last long.

If the Clippers decide to buy him out, Boston, Cleveland, Phoenix, and Denver will come knocking.

Sam’s impact could figure to be huge by seasons end.



-Tracy McGrady:

He has never made it to the second round of the playoffs.

I’m sure Tracy McGrady has heard that before, but he hopes to change that this year.

With a healthy body and a healthy team in Houston, he has a chance.

As we see in the West anything can happen. Having Yao Ming helps a little too.

If McGrady can keep his team in the top eight with his uncanny knack for scoring, and with a little help from his friends, he just might be able to make it there.



- Mike Bibby:

Didn’t see that coming.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Billy Knight’s first blockbuster!

Excluding the Joe Johnson trade, the positive decisions have been few and far between for the Atlanta franchise.

With Mike Bibby now in the fold, the Hawks can smell the playoffs. For years they smelled garbage, which was most likely from the team they we’re putting out on the court.

Bibby can be the leader they have waited for since the days of Mookie Blaylock. Good luck, Mike. The Hawks need you.

10 Things to Look For (In the final 2 Months of the NBA Season, even if they are a little crazy)

10. The Hornets falling off:
You can’t help but think that the Hornets have been playing just slightly over their heads for the better part of this season. They have barely hit a rough patch in the road, going 36-15 into the All-Star break. Hate to spoil the party. The Hornets are due to fall off. They are still a fairly young squad, and while they have been undoubtedly one of the greatest stories this year, I feel like they will slip to the 5th or 6th seed out West. The conference, and division for that matter, is too deep. It’s possible that four teams from their division will be playoff teams, so every game from this point on will be difficult. They do have a great point guard (Paul) and two dominant big men (West, Chandler) to get them into the playoffs and possibly very deep. Just look for them to fade a bit on the stretch run.

9. Dwight Howard will be unstoppable:
Not that he wasn’t already, but if there’s something that will set this guy off, it’s harsh words from his coach. Dwight Howard takes pride in his game, and the best should be yet to come for the big man in the final 30 or so games; Especially after that ridiculous showing at the Dunk Contest on Saturday Night. What I see in his near future? How about a 30-30 game? Look for one of those to end his season. Also, look for his Orlando Magic as a 4-seed come playoff time. It seems there’s nothing this kid can’t do.

8. The Pistons will lose one of the Big 4 down the stretch:
I hate to predict terrible things like this, but the Pistons have been one of the healthiest teams the past few seasons. While it seems every other powerhouse team in the league has been hit with a major injury to derail their championship hopes, the Pistons have stayed lucky. Not this year. I feel like a major injury could strike this team down the stretch. However, Detroit is far too talented and playoff-ready to allow an injury to take them out for good. They might get hit with the bug, but they still should make at least the Conference Semi’s in the shallow Eastern pool.

7. The 76ers will win more games than they lose:
The Sixers are a nice young franchise that had been playing superb in the past few weeks leading up to the break. They are standing at 23-30, which is right now good enough for 8th place in the East. Amazingly, seven-under .500 gets you a playoff berth. What I see for Philadelphia is a 15-14 record to finish the year. Whether or not that gets them in is another story for another time. But that definitely should help. Atlanta just acquired Mike Bibby from Sacramento, making it even more difficult. But if Jason Kidd goes to Dallas, the Nets could fall off. And the Sixers could be in.

6. Shaq won’t disappoint:
Hear me out on this. I was as just as bewildered as the next person after the Suns traded franchise-staple Shawn Marion to the Heat for Shaquille O’Neal. But the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Phoenix gets killed on the glass. If Shaq can give them 25-29 minutes per game down the stretch, he should clean up some of those rebounds that the Suns have been losing, due to their lack of height in the small-ball scheme. Phoenix is 29th in the league in opponents rebounding, usually because they are worried about the offense. However, Big Daddy gives them those rebounds back (if he stays on the court). That means a strong stretch run…and even farther into the playoffs.

5. Spurs will not repeat:
They still have Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker. They just signed Stoudamire. Finley can still stroke. But you can’t help but think this team is getting too old. Injuries have plagued them this season, especially with Tony Parker out the past few weeks. The Western Conference is possibly the best it has ever been, meaning the teams will continue to beat up on each other. In my mind, the Spurs will finally fall off. I don’t think they will be able to keep up with all of the youth out West. Look for them to make a quicker-than-normal exit come playoff time.

4. The Cavaliers will go back to the Eastern Conference Finals:
LeBron James will not allow his lack of a point guard and shabby supporting cast slow him from the ultimate goal. The Cavs will be back in the East Finals, beating out the Pistons in round two. Last year, LeBron did it without an elite point guard, so why not this year? He is far too brilliant. Look for them to meet up with the Celtics in the Finals, finally bowing out in six games. Sorry, LeBron.

3. But….LeBron will win the MVP this year:
So the Cavs might not make the Finals again, but LeBron will get his first Most Valuable Player award at the end of this campaign. He is averaging an outstanding 30+, 7+, 7+ per game. He is the life preserver wrapped around Quicken Loans Arena. Without the King, that place would be sinking in Lake Erie. Give him his first MVP; nobody else has done more with less.

2. Suns/Jazz out West, Celts/Cavs in the East:
I’m with Charles Barkley; The Jazz are a heck of a team. He picked them to be the team to make it out of the incredible Western Conference this year. I do believe they are an elite squad and will face off with the Suns in the West Finals. In the East, Kevin Garnett and the Celtics will face off against LeBron and the Cavs, making the Eastern Finals fun again.

1. The Suns will win the NBA Championship, Nash will be the MVP:
That’s right, you heard it here. The Suns will beat the Celtics in 7 games to win the NBA Title. Steve Nash will be your Finals MVP. I think the trade for Shaq will seal up the leaks in the middle, just enough that the Suns can do their usual run-and-gun thing. Kevin Garnett will make it farther than he ever has with the Celtics, but unfortunately, it will not be enough. Look for an amazing Finals series to go 7 games and finally, the Suns will run their way to the championship. Steve Nash deserves this and all the hard work will pay off. Proving the naysayers wrong by winning with the up-tempo style, the Suns are your new champs.


So, maybe one or more of these bold statements will be wrong in the upcoming days, weeks, and months. It’s still fun to try and figure it all out though, especially for arguments sake. So keep watching. It’s shaping up to be a good ending.

The Sights and Sounds of Spring Training

Seventy-nine degrees and sunny. Freshly cut grass in a criss-crossing pattern through the outfield. Birds chirping. The chalk laid down the lines. The infield dirt being groomed ever so gently. Click-clack on the pavement as they make their way to the field. Pop in the mitt every few seconds. Crack of the bat.

Stretch it out boys; it’s a new season.

Every year, the same sounds resonate through the states of Florida and Arizona. This is the sound of Spring Training. It’s a new year with new hopes and dreams for baseball players.

Every year, players from all 30 teams make their way to the training complexes in hopes of becoming a champion nine months later.

Every year, February becomes a symbol of the All-American game taking shape for a new season. Major League Baseball is about to begin, and with it comes many questions about the upcoming 2008 season.

We are currently immersed in a steroids scandal that now has Washington involved. Yet, with the negatives surrounding the game, there are still positives.

The biggest acquisition of the off-season is Johan Santana. Can he make New York forget about the epic collapse suffered in the final weeks of last season? He makes the Mets a legitimate contender right away.

Will the Oakland Athletics, and their “Moneyball” philosophy, be able to tread water this season, having traded away several key assets? Nick Swisher, Dan Haren, and Mark Kotsay have all gone elsewhere, leaving the A’s short of an identity.

Can the Boston Red Sox repeat as champions? They are loaded throughout the roster with talent, including a great infusion of youngsters like Clay Buchholz and Jacoby Ellsbury. However, with arm problems surrounding Curt Schilling, are the Sox deep enough?

The Colorado Rockies had a most improbable season in 2007. Can they prepare themselves for another run at the World Series?

Will the Philadelphia Phillies use the momentum from last year’s great run in the NL East to reach the playoffs for consecutive seasons? It’s been since the early ‘80’s, so the Fightin’s Faithful sure hopes so.

The New York Yankees have the league's highest payroll again this season. But will that mean the end of the World Series drought that has plagued George Steinbrenner and the evil empire since the beginning of this decade?

Or is there another team out there looking to create a story-book ending?

Perhaps a young Diamondbacks squad that made the NLCS in ’07? Maybe a Chicago Cubs franchise that has been without a title for nearly an entire century? How about a talented Cleveland Indians team that nearly shocked baseball last year, before bowing out to the eventual champion Red Sox?

The questions put forth will be followed by answers in the upcoming days, weeks, and months. This is what we look forward to as fans of a great sport. We follow along all year to have our respective teams take us along on a journey of fun throughout the summer. We long to be part of the story of a magical season.

So as the sights and sounds begin to take shape during this spring training season, we will all be watching. Watching and waiting for one final moment.

The final pitch. The cheer of the crowd. The hugs. Screaming fans embracing each other.

The lift of the trophy.

Philly's Youth Movement

So, maybe Billy King knew what he was doing after all.

The Philadelphia 76ers stand with a below-average record of 22-30, which is good enough for only fourth best in the Atlantic Division. However, eight games below-.500 in the Eastern Conference means hovering around that 8th and final playoff spot.

Record aside, the Sixers youth movement is showing several sings of life. Former New Jersey Nets Assistant General Manager Ed Stefanski took over for the aforementioned King in December, handing over the keys to a team that had no identity, and worse, seemed to lack direction.

Are the Sixers a running team? Will Larry Brown take over for Mo Cheeks? Has Billy King ruined this franchise with expensive contracts in the past with guys like Chris Webber and Kenny Thomas?

Several other questions surrounded the team: Will Andre Iguodala take the money and run to another team? Is Andre Miller strictly trade bait for the deadline? How many swingmen do you need on one team?

While they aren’t exactly an elite franchise, the 76ers are showing a pulse.

Andre Miller has been the MVP of this team for the first 50+ games. Perhaps recharged by the idea of playing with a new infusion of young talent, or perhaps to elevate his status as a top-notch point guard in hopes of enhancing his trade value, Miller has been a steady force.

Andre Iguodala is one of the most exciting young players in the Association. He can jump out of the gym and is a human-highlight reel waiting to happen. However, there are concerns that he wants to go elsewhere after turning down a huge contract extension with the Sixers. The team has several decent young wing players with Iguodala, Thaddeus Young and Rodney Carney. That seems like one too many, so look for one of those three to be absent in the near future.

As for Thaddeus Young, the rookie from Georgia Tech looks brilliant since becoming a starter. In his last five games, all starts, Young has averaged 11.2 ppg and 7 rpg in just over 30 minutes. These are modest numbers to say the least.

If we look deeper, Young is just 19 years-old and has just six total starts this season. He is quickly showing alot of promise. He is long and athletic and should have a place to stay in Philly for a long while.

There are some other good young talents on the squad as well. Rookie Jason Smith has alot to learn, but looks like he can be a 14 point, 8 rebound a night guy in this league. He has a nice outside stroke which will help spread the floor.

Sam Dalembert is coming into his own as a formidable presence in the middle, blocking shots and tearing down the boards on a regular basis.

Lou Williams looks like he could be Allen Iverson Lite in a few years, as he is usually the quickest player on the court. Being Miller's understudy can only help in the maturation process.

One weak link could be Willie Green. He does not shoot the ball well, and the Sixers need a 3-point shooter in the near future. After giving up Kyle Korver for the expiring contract of Gordon Giricek, the Sixers hoped Willie Green could be the guy from the outside. That has not worked.\

Above all of this, give some dap to Mo Cheeks for getting his team to play hard every night. He has handled his young players with care, keeping a fragile young team from shattering.

What we have here is a hoard of youthful talent that could come together in the next few years. That's not to say they are a championship caliber team, but they have given teams a run for their money all season.

Beating Dallas last night 84-76 shows that they are not afraid to play with the big boys. They have won four straight and six of their last eight. If they can keep playing for all 48 minutes, look out.

No one will want to play these guys.

Billy King, congrats, even though your gone. It looks like whatever you did just might be working.

Wild, Wild, West

If we look at the standings in the Western Conference as of Sunday night, the match-ups that would take place in the playoffs in a little over two months would be unbelievable. The “Bestern” conference has been far and away better all season. As of this writing, the West boasts 10 teams with 28 or more wins, compared to just four in the East. As an NBA fan, it’s time to start getting excited about what could shape up to be an entertaining Western Conference playoffs come April. Let’s take a look at what we could be expecting.

Round 1 Matchups:

(1) Phoenix Suns v. (8) Golden State Warriors: Talk about firepower. This would be far and away one of the most entertaining and fast paced playoff series since the 1980’s. Think of the speed and the points that would be put up here. With the two highest scoring teams in the NBA under one roof for seven games, we could see 130-125 almost every game. We can only hope that it remains this way through April, and NBA fans around the country can rejoice. Because this is one pairing I would pay to watch.

(2) Dallas Mavericks v. (7) Denver Nuggets: Slightly slower pace than the series above, but a hell of a pair of teams nonetheless. Dirk, Melo, Camby, Howard, AI, Avery. How fun would this be? Dallas has slowed the pace considerably since the days of Don Nelson, but they can still run with the best. Denver loves to run and gun, and they are very good at it. Put me down as a fan of seeing this one as well.

(3) New Orleans Hornets v. (6) LA Lakers: When you have Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul on the floor at the same time in a seven-game series, good things can only come out of it. Both are MVP candidates right now, and both are leading their teams to heights that only seemed like a dream before the season started. The Hornets look to be slipping, but if they can hold on to this spot, this 3-6 match up would be amazing as well.

(4) Utah Jazz v. (5) San Antonio Spurs: Last, but certainly not least, would be a rematch of last seasons Western Conference Finals. Utah came out of nowhere last year to get as far as they did, but this year they will look for certain revenge against the Spurs team that went on to take the title. The Jazz are a fun, fast paced team led by Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer. The Spurs are the Spurs. Duncan, Ginobili and Parker. If they can stay healthy, this would be yet another great series to see come playoff time.


As you can see, the West would set itself up for one wild ride through the postseason. If you’re a fan, hold on.

This should be fun.

Marion/Shaq Deal, plus Baseball!!!

Shame on you Shawn Marion!:
-I think it’s about time we get past the Marion/Shaq deal because there is really nothing more to say about it. Steve Kerr put it best when he said that if this goes well, he’s a genius and if it doesn’t then he’s an idiot. I’ve paraphrased that obviously, but you get the point. It’s a huge risk, as we all know, so for the Suns sake, let’s hope it works out. They have been so close for the last few years, and hopefully this takes them to the Promised Land.

As for Shawn Marion, he should be ashamed of himself as a basketball player. He let his ego get in the way for the last two years. Did you see how excited he looked during his press conference? Who gets excited to go to the WORST TEAM IN THE NBA? Marion is a selfish individual. I love him as a player and enjoy his work ethic and prowess on the court. He is certainly one of the top 20 players in this league. But most players would die to make $17 million on a team that is a playoff contender every year. Sure he doesn’t get plays run for him and has trouble putting up the points he wants to with Stoudemire and Nash, but he went with the ego and now will pay for it. He will be with a bad team. He doesn’t care, so why should we? Have fun down in Miami Shawn. You blew your chance at a ring.


Seattle Slew of Talent:
-So as East-Coaster’s, we tend to forget that there are still sports on the opposite side of the country. But we have to take notice of what the Seattle Mariners are doing. They have just brought in Erik Bedard, one of the best pitchers in the American League, in a trade with the Orioles. They gave up a huge prospect in Adam Jones, who will most likely start right away in Baltimore. However, realizing the importance of pitching in the hitter-potent AL, the M’s have made a huge acquisition. Keith Law of ESPN.com believes that it was a poor move to give up “6 years of Jones for 2 years of Bedard.” However, I disagree in that pitching is so important, and to get your hands on a top flight #1 starter, it’s a chance you have to take as an organization. As a Philadelphian, you would only like to hope the Phillies could get their hands on a top of the rotation guy. All signs point to Jones being a very good player in the league, but you just never know. I see it as a good move, and if Seattle’s offense can get back on track (after Richie Sexson’s horrible 2007 season, and with Jose Vidro ageing rapidly), then the Mariners can definitely win the West this year. They have a very solid rotation. Watch out for the M’s. And pay attention to the Left Coast once in a while.


Schilling Needs Mending:
- Curt Schilling is 41 years old. He is in bad shape physically and has used his arm to offset his flabby body for so long, that it has finally caught up to him. Schilling is now reporting arm problems and may lose most, if not all, of the 2008 season. The ever outspoken Schilling is making $8 million this season, but deserves none of it. All I have to say is thank god the Phils didn’t take a chance on him. That would have been another nightmare for the organization. But looking past that, instead of him running his mouth, he should be spending his time in the gym getting in the best possible shape for every upcoming season. The older you get, the more you have to be fit to keep up with the pace of an entire season. Schilling has not done that and now may pay the consequences, with perhaps the end of his career. I loved Schill when he pitched here in Philly, and was amazing in Arizona and Boston, winning a few titles down the road. However, it might be time to hang it up. He became lazy, and this is what happens to lazy athletes. They fade out.

Thursday Stuff

Shaq in PHX:
-An unlikely scenario, but it is now officially official. Shaquille O’Neal is a Sun. When news broke, about 99% of sports fans wondered what the hell was going on. We now know the motives behind the trade. Basically, Shawn Marion wanted out, and Steve Kerr is looking to an old-school approach to try and get his team over the top. It’s a risky endeavor to say the least, but we won’t know how it works until the playoffs start. As we saw last night against New Orleans, the Suns did not miss a step, putting up 130 points. Hopefully Shaq can give them 25-28 minute per game down the stretch and be half of the force in the middle that he was. The more I think about it, the more I believe the Suns will be able to incorporate him into their style of play. You can’t ignore what Shawn Marion did for this club however. He will be sorely missed. If Shaq stays healthy and can hit that next gear, then this just may work. But let’s not jump to conclusions just yet. He needs to show he is in shape and that his body is not completely broken. If he can give decent minutes, we might be singing Steve Kerr’s praises. If not, it may go down as one of the head-scratchers of all time.

Phillies:
-So the Phillies are looking at free agent pitcher Kris Benson. Odd move perhaps? Benson has a losing record during his (68-73, 4.34 ERA) and is quite fragile. Of course, the market is shady on starting pitching in the major leagues, and teams like the Phillies will do whatever they can to get someone to eat innings. The Phillies are interested, but it remains to be seen what they will offer him. If you had to choose between Benson and Adam Eaton, whom would you go with? That seems to be the same state of mind the Phillies brass has entered here with this possible move. Signing Benson obviously gives them a little bit of flexibility, something they sorely needed last year. This might not be an amazing move by the Phillies, but one that could pay some sort of dividends this season. If Benson is your 5th starter and gives you a something like 12-10, 4.20 ERA, then we should all rejoice. You know Adam Eaton is going to give up a ton of runs if he is in the rotations, so why not take a chance. It looks like the Phils might. Good luck boys.

Shaq Goes Where???!!!

Shaq Goes Where?

If you follow basketball even a little bit, you know that the man they called Superman is becoming more and more fragile. Shaquille O’Neal is nearing the end of an unbelievable and illustrious career.

Shaq has four titles, three with Los Angeles and one with Miami. He is oft injured as of late and is not the same man he was even two years ago.

And the Phoenix Suns want to trade for him. This deal make zero sense. Shaq for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. That’s it? That’s the best that Steve Kerr can do for a 4 time all star in his prime.

This would be a huge mistake for Phoenix to make. I’m sure Shawn Marion is unhappy in Phoenix as he has let everyone know. But this cannot be done. Shaq’s star is fading by the minute, it seems. Shawn Marion is still a game changing player on both sides of the ball, and is CHEAPER THAN SHAQ. Why would the Suns take on the more expensive contract of an elderly player, and give up two young, athletic players in return.

Perhaps tomorrow we will be able to figure this out. As of now, details are not available. Hopefully this falls through, and fast. If not, the Valley of the Sun will become the Valley of the Done.

Falling Off...Smoking Hot

Falling Off

Many people this season are calling Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets the Most Valuable Player. He has brought the Hornets back from obscurity, albeit with a little help from some of the great play of guys like Chandler, West, and Stojakovic. The Hornets currently sit at 32-15, tied for 2nd place in the Western Conference with the Mavericks, and just behind the Suns. Having lost three games in a row, one question still looms. Can this young team keep up the pace throughout the season?

Their first loss of this three game streak was a 116-103 loss to the high-powered Golden State Warriors, with Baron Davis putting up a solid 23 and 9 against his old franchise. The Hornets then came back with another dud against the Sacramento Kings, a team they should handle, losing 112-103. On Monday night they visited the Utah Jazz, and were blown out of the building. In what shaped up to be Deron Williams against Chris Paul, it became a laugher by the end of three quarters, and a 110-88 Jazz victory. Williams outplayed Paul by a long shot in this one, putting up 29 and 11 to Paul’s 6 points and 6 assists, to go with 5 turnovers.

The moral of this story? Look at the numbers. They gave up 116, 112, 110 to those three opponents. New Orleans gives up a meager 93.8 points per game, and defense is something that has given them the extra edge over their competition this year. In the stacked West, teams like the Hornets have no room for error. They are young and mostly inexperienced, and cannot falter against teams that they have been beating all season. It’s understandable to hit a tough patch in the sked. However, it is another thing to give up 110+ when you have been so stellar on defense.

Sadly, I see a slight relapse for this Hornets team. I still do believe they are playoff material. But before that happens, they need to find themselves defensively. Without that edge, there may be no playoffs in sight. From this point on, look at New Orleans to finish as a 5 or 6 seed out West.


Smoking Hot

The Utah Jazz have finally hit their stride. Going to the Western Conference Finals last year was a piece of cake. They were a team nobody saw in their rear view mirror until it was too late. The eventually lost to the champion Spurs, but not without a great run. This year, expectations were obviously higher. But they had the pieces to take them back. An older, wiser Deron Williams and the steady force behind it all in Carlos Boozer.

However, 2007-08 didn’t start off the way they had hoped. They hit 16-16 on December 29, their low point of the season. Out West, a .500 record will get you a long off-season.

Since then, Utah has strung together an impressive 15-2 stretch, with a current 9-game win streak to boot. They have hit their stride at the right time. Perhaps the factor behind this huge run has been the snubbing of Deron Williams. Left off of the All-Star team, Williams may feel he is due, and is taking it out on the opponent. Whatever the case, this is a dangerous team; well-rounded and eager to get past last years breaking point.

Look for Utah to stay right around where they are presently. Before the season started, I believed Utah would be a top seed out West, and that hasn’t changed. Utah should be a 3-seed by year’s end.

How Did That Happen??

How Did That Happen?

Well it happened. Not many of us saw it coming, but it did. One of the great upsets in Super Bowl History came to fruition last night as the Giants defeated the Patriots 17-14. Super Bowl 42 started off as just your average game, but evolved into something much more in the end.

It marked the first loss for New England, who was trying to become the second undefeated team in the history of the great game. It marked the coming out party for Eli Manning, who now can be called something other than Peyton’s little bro. Manning was the Most Valuable player, a year after his brother did it. It marked the smack down of one of the greatest offenses ever assembled by a Giant defense that absolutely dominated and outplayed the opposition. The game really took off later in the second half, as both teams sensed the urgency of the game. A touchdown throw from Manning to David Tyree made it a 10-7 Giants lead early on in the 4th. Tom Brady connected with Randy Moss in the endzone for a 6-yarder, made easy when Giants defensive back Corey Webster fell down. But the comeback drive for the G-men came to when Manning hit Plaxico Buress on a 13-yard pass over Ellis Hobbs, who seemed to be fooled on the play. That drive was one that will be fresh in the minds of Giants fans for years to come.

Taking nothing away from Eli, the real MVP’s of this game were the Giants front four on defense, who made it hell for Brady all night. They blew past the O-line on several occasions, and destroyed any continuity on offense for the Patriots. The only player who could get going was Wes Welker, who did what he does, and that’s catch passes. He finished with a record 11 catched on the evening. Even still, Tom Brady was bashed all night. Randy Moss was kept in check for the most part. The running game was suffocated.

But above all of this, Eli Manning became a man, showing loads of poise and discretion in the pocket. The throw to David Tyree (the one where Manning slithered his way out of the oncoming New England D, only to scramble away and heave an up-for-grabs jump ball to Tyree, who somehow used his helmet as a third hand and made the catch with Rodney Harrison hacking and whacking away) was one of the greatest in Super Bowl history, and will be replayed for years to come. The Giants did everything they needed to do to win.

So no more undefeated season for the Pats. They went into this game trying to become another piece of the NFL record books. They failed, but we will never forget the amazing season that they had. So many records broken, so many games won. I still believe that this Patriots team is the best ever assembled. I might be crazy for writing this, but it has to be true. The competition in today’s NFL is amazing, and the Pats ran off 18 straight. They lost a nail biter in the final seconds of the Super Bowl, their only blemish in an otherwise immaculate campaign. This does not mean I am taking anything away from the Giants. They played a hell of a football game, and are now world champs. However, I still believe that this Patriots club may be the best we have ever seen.

On a side note, jeers go out to Bill Belichick, the sore loser who left the field with time still on the clock, and that smug, annoying look on his face. The Patriots talk about sportsmanship and "humble pie", yet Belichick couldn't stick around for the extra second. Shame on him.

Congratulations to the Giants and the fans, as much as that hurts me to say being from Philadelphia. The off-season will bring uncertainty for both clubs, as it usually does for teams following a Super Bowl season. The Patriots are getting older; can they continue this amazing streak? The Giants will now be the hunted. Can they make next year just as special? All of those questions will be answered 365 days from now. Have fun at the parade tomorrow if you are attending, and soak this all in.

Now that football is over we can all quickly shed a tear.

‘Cause here comes baseball, baby!

SUPER BOWL XLII

SUPER BOWL XLII

We are on the eve of the biggest sporting event in the Western world, the Super Bowl. If you’ve watched TV for more than 5 minutes in the past two weeks, you know the story line. Undefeated vs. Cinderella. Brady vs. Manning. Moss. Plax. Coughlin. Spygate. Belichick. The story lines are there. The football world is abuzz in Glendale, Arizona, patiently awaiting the 6:30 pm eastern kickoff of the greatest spectacle in American sports.

Even if you despise the Patriots or Giants, you will probably be watching. Americans treat this day as if it were a national holiday. On this day, we celebrate the manhood and artistry of the country’s favorite sport. Lets break down the need-to-know’s and figure out who will be champion of the NFL this season.

Offense: Pretty much self-explanatory if you have been paying attention to the NFL this season. The Patriots have broken so many records, it's just unfair. Their offense is a well-oiled machine, and it can strike at anytime, anywhere. They have an assortment of playmakers like Moss, Welker, Gaffney, Watson, and Maroney. Everyone plays a part. It’s obvious that this is Tom Brady’s team. If he can pull out a victory tomorrow, he will have placed himself in the upper reaches of football history. Brady will most certainly be the greatest quarterback to ever live. He has already established himself as the new James Dean of our generation, but with this win, he will be the ultimate athlete, spoken in the same breath as Gretzky, Jordan, and Tiger. Lets not sleep on the G-Men, however. They come with firepower of their own. Eli Manning will never be mistaken for his brother, but he has the tools to manage this team methodically, allowing them to be in a position to succeed. However, the Patriots are still head and shoulders above New York. EDGE PATRIOTS.

Defense: The Giants D is made up of a furious front four and a decent secondary that can make life hell for the Patriot offense. They led the NFL in sacks this season with 53. They do give up their fair share of points, however. They showed they were game in the shootout week 17 against New England, but the Patriots offense showed just how special they were. The Patriots D is nothing to shake a stick at either. They were second in the league in sacks with 47. They are aging, but they still seem to have a cohesiveness that teams only dream about. They have elderly linebackers and a decent front four. It will come down to which defense bends, but does not totally break. This is too close to call, as both teams have their positives, but there are also some worries on this side of the ball EDGE GIANTS

Coaching: Bill Belichick can be thought of as prickly, unhappy little man who speaks few words to the media, afraid to give any sort of edge. Creepy perhaps. But the guy can coach. There are now more “Spygate” revelations rearing their ugly head on this week of madness, and the Pats of course refute them all. What we do know is that with the information at hand, we see Belichick as a coaching genius. An Einstein of the Gridiron. The Plato of the Pigskin. He won’t be mistaken for a great public speaker like Martin Luther King, but he gets his ideas across to his players, which is what he cares about. Tom Coughlin, on the other hand, has been on rocky ground with the Giants in the past, but seems to have mended the fences and brought his team to the promised land. He is a brash coach, a no-nonsense leader who typifies the hard-nosed coach of yesteryear. However, he has learned to calm his emotions and has done so at a great time. Belichick has the overall coaching edge though. He prepares for games unlike any other and his record speaks for itself. Rarely will there be a mistake on his watch. EDGE PATRIOTS

We will have a wild game on our hands, and if it’s anything like the last match up of these two teams, this will be one of the greatest Super Bowl games ever seen. It will only add to the lure of the history of this fine game.

In the end though, how can one bet against a team that hasn’t lost all season. The Patriots are an absolute juggernaut and if they play their game like they have been all year, the Dynasty will continue. The Giants will spill their blood and guts out on the field to show that they are a worthy opponent. They have already shocked many by finding themselves in the greatest game of all. But it may be too much to handle. Brady will do his thing and find the open man. The Giants D will show up big, but not enough in the end. There is something far to special about this Patriots team. The Dynasty will continue.

Patriots 33, Giants 27

Everyone have a safe and happy Super Bowl Sunday.

Somewhat Reserved

Tonight's NBA All-Star Reserve selections come as a bit of a surprise. Every year, players are left off. There are only 12 spots on the team (there should be 15, not sure why there isn't, its a friggin all star game) and that means a player who is worthy of the position won't be going. This years ASG is in New Orleans, which will answer some questions down the road as to why certain people are on it. Who deserves it, and who doesn't? Lets have a look...

Eastern Conference:
Chauncey Billups
Chris Bosh
Caron Butler
Richard Hamilton
Antawn Jamison
Joe Johnson
Paul Pierce

- Not too many complaints here. I thought Josh Smith deserved the position over teammate Joe Johnson, but thats neither here nor there. The problem I have is with Paul Pierce. Yes, Pierce is a great player, but the team's record is not directly correlated to his performance. It's because of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen this time. I would rather have seen Allen or Jose Calderon as the reserve in place of Pierce. Yes the Celtics have the best record in the land, but Paul Pierce has reaped the benefits of having two other superstars on the C's. Also, Richard Hamilton makes it because of Detroit's record, he too could be replaced. Overall, most of this team was selected with care.


Western Conference:
Carlos Boozer
Steve Nash
Dirk Nowitzki
Chris Paul
Brandon Roy
Amare Stoudemire
David West

- David West and Brandon Roy are the two names that stand out here. The two youngsters have worked hard and put up great numbers this year, helping lead their teams to outstanding first halves. I have to say it comes as a bit of a surprise. Baron Davis probably could have made the squad over David West, but the game is in NOLA, so looking at it from that perspective, West becomes a great pick. Playing in front of the hometown crowd is an amazing accomplishment. Shawn Marion was also snubbed here. The guy is down a little bit this year in the numbers game, but he is the absolute glue of the best team in the West. He plays great D and does it all. Does everything. He will see more, no doubt, in the future.


So stepping back and looking at the big picture, there are of course some shockers, but all-in-all, the players chosen aren't bad. I do like that David West made it, the Hornets deserve two players in this game. Hopefully, in the near future, we see 15 players on each squad. Brandon Roy making it to the squad is also a sign that the young players are growing fast in this league. The Blazers have come out of nowhere as well, and Brandon Roy will be a star in the association for a long, long time. The coaches too absolutely deserve to be there. Congrats to Byron Scott for leading a team of youngsters to the best second record in the West. NOBODY saw this coming. Doc Rivers has done his job in Boston, and will be there too. Hopefully the game is a blast and brings a little bit of brightness to a city that has seen it's share of gloom in the past few years. New Orleans deserves a great game, and these guys should give them one.

Dosage of Phils

Pedro Feliz Signs With the Phils:
-Not a bad move for the Fightin's, bringing in a 6th or 7th man in the order to take over at hot corner. He's 32 but can hit for some pop. He had a down year last year, but brining him in at a modest 2 years with an option for a 3rd is not a bad idea. I feel like we could see another David Bell, however, the Phils left themselves flexible in the situation by giving up only $8.5 million over those two years. If he can just make contact with the ball and put it in play, the Phillies will get what they paid for. Somewhere around 84-88 rbi would be about right, and he should hit about .275-.280 in the ballpark and lineup. However what overshadowed that move for the Phils was the news that...

Johan Santana Shipped to New York:
-The Mets won the ultimate prize of the 2008 offseason, by acquiring 2-time Cy Young winner Johan Santana. They gave up a package of 4 decent prospects, but it was nothing that the Mets could not handle. However, does this outright make them better than the Phillies? As a Philadelphia fan, it's hard to come at this question with a clear mind, but we can break it down.

The starting pitching is still relatively equal. As much as the Phils back end of the rotation is shaky, so is the Mets. Both teams have two great pitchers at the top of the rotation. I believe they are about even however, because we do not know what to expect from Pedro. However, the Phillies do not have a 2-time Cy on their team. That can make a huge difference. EDGE METS

The lineup for the Phillies has a definite advantage though, especially brining in Pedro Feliz and Geoff Jenkins. The Phillies will strike out a ton, yet they get on base so much that it nearly negates the fact that they whiff so damn much. The Phillies bench is also stronger than the Mets in nearly every aspect. Defense within the starting lineup is also just about equal. We'll give the lineup/bench to Philadelphia. EDGE PHILLIES

The bullpens for both teams, as for all teams, can and will be an issue at some point in the season. However, the Phillie seem to have plug the holes by getting Brad Lidge and re-signing JC Romero. Aaron Heilman is a decent reliver for the Mets, but the Phillies just have more power at the back end. EDGE PHILLIES.

This will be close in the end, there is no doubt about it. It always comes down to the pitching in the end. The Mets have the starters and the Phils have the relivers. Both have great lineups. Everyone, start getting excited for the '08 season. Should be a hell of a ride in the NL East.

Feeling Horny...In New Orleans

Is anyone else excited about the prospects of this New Orleans Hornets franchise? Fresh off whooping the Spurs ass on Sunday night by 24 and then Monday night smoking the Melo-less Nuggets by the same amount, this Hornets team is ready. Ready to take the West. Ready to put people in the seats. Ready to focus on the playoff run. This team is comparable to the Blazers in that they are a group of mostly young, high-energy players who feed off of each other on a given night. The King Hornet is obviously Chris Paul, but don't let this team fool you, it isnt just about him. From Tyson Chandler and David West, on down to the last player, each guy serves a purpose and they realize it. They realize something special is happening.

A Hornet is a hard working insect and it's sting can be as powerful as it is painful. Just ask the rest of the NBA about it. The King Hornet right now is Chris Paul. He is near the top of the speculation for Most Valuable Player right now, and deservedly so. The kid is a monster. The other worker Hornets supply the right amount of cohesion for the nest to stay in order. Peja Stojakovic is the elder statesman of the group, and a hell of a shooter. David West is the new up and comer in the NBA and has a strong work ethic, proving is naysayers wrong when they told him he was a tweener and probably wouldn't make it far in the league. Tyson Chandler was deemed a bust and shipped to the South when the Bulls saw Ben Wallace available. Wrong move. Chandler is now the best offensive rebounder in the Association at 4.5 per game and 12.4 overall. The guy is a beast and probably should be an all-star if not for Marcus Camby and Amare Stoudemire waiting behind Yao.

Then comes the backup Hornets. Just as vital to the well-being of all the Hornets in the nest. Bobby Jackson, Jannero Pargo and Ryan Bowen are normally your first three off the bench. Jackson brings the intensity and know how of a playoff-savvy veteran. Pargo gives you some instant offense and is a great dime dropper (see 13 points, 7 assists in 30 min. against Denver). Ryan Bowen is the wild-card. He can give some mid-range buckets on a good night, but he will never stop defensively. Coach Scott uses him at just the right times, and just enough to maximize his importance on a game. In 18 minutes against the Nugs, Bowen had 8 points, 3 rebs, 3 steals. That helps. Then you have Melvin Ely and Rasual Butler who are great options. Ely is a big body who can give West and Chandler a break and Butler is a "3" who can give you instant offense from the outside.

This team excites me. It should excite fans everywhere. For fans of the Sixers, T-Wolves and Bobcats, you want your team to become this. They went through the trials and tribulations of Hurricane Katrina and came back 2 years later to rule the West. This team was built a few years ago and are now flourishing for the whole NBA to see. Even if it doesn't work out this year, the groundwork has been laid for this team to stay a contender. On a side note, I think we should see more than 99 ppg from this Hornets squad, but that will come with time. Their offense is starting to pick it up in the last few games. They are stellar defensively and have just the right combintion of athleticism and excitablility to take this magical season and make it continue.

Are you feeling Horny yet?

March Madness in January and more...

As we creep closer to March and the Tournament, we have to figure out the best teams in the land. Surely, we do not want to go into picking the bracket without an idea of who does what. Right now, there is so much hope for so many teams. Let's figure out who the pretenders and contenders are all across this great nation. Will there be another George Mason? Is Memphis unbeatable? Can powerhouse UNC pull it off? Only time will tell. But for now, lets all hop aboard and look at who I believe will make it and who will not.

Pretenders:
-Memphis Tigers: Seems crazy. But thats what we are all about here at Daily Dose. Acting nuts. Memphis plays nobody, we all know that. So who will prepare them for the finest teams come March? They do play UAB twice, who always give Memphis a run for their money. They also play a ranked opponent in Tennessee later on in the season. But their conference is faily awful and Other teams like UCLA, Duke, UNC and other become prepared as the season goes because of their rigorous conference skeds. Memphis is a pretender and while they may make it to Elite 8 status, I just can't see them winning it all.

-Georgetown Hoyas: No Jeff Green. No title. Roy Hibbert can not do this alone. Jonathan Wallace's numbers are down from a year ago. They are a seasoned team, but I just can't take them seriously for a run at the Final Four. Stay away come March.

-Vanderbilt Commodores: 2-3 in the SEC just doesn't cut it. After a beatdown by the Gators by 22 down in the swamp, they have officially been put on the pretender list. They do have the superstar that it takes to go deep in Shan Foster. But you cant start off 2-3 in the SEC and expect to go on a long run come tourney time. Vandy is coming back to earth.

Contenders:
- Washington State Cougars: Led by Derrick Low and Kyle Weaver, the Cougs can make another run in the tourney after last years improbable season. Coach Tony Bennett is a year wiser, as are his star players. Wazzu also has a deep bench which will allow them to rest the weary when need be. This is a team to watch for come March, let that be known. They play in the uber-tough PAC-10 and are constantly up against teams like UCLA, Arizona and Oregon. They will be ready when the field of 65 is selected.

- Kansas State Wildcats: This team is as talented as any in the country with Michael Beasley and Bill Walker leading the squad. Those two alone make it a talented roster. They are ranked 24th as of this writing, but this team can be a nightmare to play in March. Having two stars can be hell in a pressure environment, especially if these guys play like they have nothing to lose. They can play that way because it is almost assured that Beasley will go pro and probably be a top 3 pick, and Walker will be a first rounder and will be right on his heels to head to the Association. Look out for K-State.

-UCLA Bruins: This isnt out of the blue (and gold, stupid I know). But UCLA is a very, very good team. They have several key players from both tournament runs of the last few seasons. Right now, UCLA is my pick to win it all. You heard it here. With the experience and talent of this Bruin squad, Ben Howland will be cutting down the nets at the Alamodome in early April. Darren Collison runs the team flawlessly, and making that easy for him is super-freshboy Kevin Love and returning starter Josh Shipp. This team is poised and will settle for nothing less than a 12th championship title.


And more..

-Hilarious Youtube videos sent to Rudy Gay so that he can try them in the dunk contest.

The Most Overrated NBA Teams

Every year, there are certain teams whose record looks better than they actually are. Teams that fall apart in the end after possibly a great season. Happens all the time. Here are my teams that I believe are playing better right now than their records show.

1. Denver Nuggets: The Nugs are filled with me first players, plus two superstars. They have a very good record right now (26-16), but have beaten up on the weaker opponents in their division going 4-0 against Minnesota and 1-0 against Seattle. Two shoot first superstars on the same team can be a tough match, but AI and Melo have done an admirable job of working together. However, I don't think they play enough defense to get deep into the playoffs and are a ticking timebomb. AI can snap at any moment and JR Smith is a budding headcase himself. Even Melo can get pissy from time to time. Love George Karl, but i just don't see the Nuggets getting far.

2. Boston Celtics: Here me out. 34-7 is an amazing record for 42 games into the season. From now on, teams all over will be gunning for them because they are the new force in the NBA. Every team will get up for this challenege because everyone wants to beat the so called best. Don't get me wrong, they are a great team, just not as amazing as the record indicated. They still have a young point guard and center and a shky bench as well. Brian Scalabrine should not even be in YMCA Rec leagues for christ sake. They can make a run at the title with this team, they are just overrated right now.

3. San Antonio Spurs: I might be crazy for saying this, but this year will be different. They are getting old, with their bench the equivalent of a bingo hall on a tuesday night. Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili have been beat up all year and now the West is as good as ever. I see an uphill battle for this team. They are overrated because everyone believes that they will show up huge and make another run. This year, I just do not see it. Too old.

4. Miami Heat: Yes they are overrated. I think they are far worse than their record indicated. Shaq is virtually washed up on this team (he may be better suited in another role somewhere else). D-Wade can't do it all himself. With Ricky Davis and wash ups like him, the Heat could actually be worse then their record says. This team is a one D-Wade injury away from never winning again. Pat Riley should quit like I know he wants to because this won't be getting any better. Do yourself a favor and hang it up Riles.

Conspiracy, anyone?

The starting five for the NBA All Star teams from each conference are now set. In the Western Conference, something strikes me as odd. Just two weeks prior, guard Tracy McGrady was holding on to a decent lead of around 80,000 votes over Denver's Allen Iverson, who was stuck in 3rd place. Fast forward to yesterday when the starters were announced on TNT before the Spurs/Heat game, and look who passed McGrady. Iverson jumped ahead of McGrady by more than 10,000 votes in just two weeks time. That's a 90,000 vote swing in under 14 days.

Sounds like something shady going on, no? What I believe happened, and don't yet call me a conspiracy theorist, is that the NBA did not want a starting spot wasted on a player who was not deserving. In the past few days, Tracy McGrady talked about sitting the ASG out if the rules would allow, because he realized others were having superior seasons. Now, granted, McGrady has been battling injuries, but is still a fan favorite. However, it is true that he should be left off the roster, and now, by this stroke of luck, we won't have to worry about it. Does anyone else believe that the NBA set this up? David Stern and the other suits at the top saw this as a possibly terrible scenario. How can the NBA leave off someone who is rightfully deserved of the roster spot when McGrady clearly is not? How can Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams, or Baron Davis sit home? And how would the public know what goes on behind closed doors anyway? Should we have a recount? I think Stern sat at his desk for about 4 days, clicking on Allen Iverson as many times as possible so that McGrady would be left off. Over 90,000 more voted in 14 days for AI than T-Mac.

For some reason, I just don't believe it.

The Things I Miss in Sports, and more.

DO you ever watch professional sports and think back to the old days. Well for me, the old days wasn't that long ago, but the ever changing sports universe looking markedly different than it did 10 years ago, or even 10 months ago. Free agency, higher contracts, and failing leagues (i'm looking at you NHL) have contributed to the altered state of professional sports. While looking at the leagues, I wondered what was missing that was so great in previous seasons. Maybe some of the ideas should be brought back, maybe some shouldn't. But just know, I miss them.

- The Good, Old Rivalry: They just don't seem to be there anymore. In college, they will always be there. UNC/DUKE, Florida/FSU, USC/UCLA. Most of them are due to geography. But in pro sports, it is too uncommon. The Boston Celtics are intruiging due to their offseason acquisitions. However, why does that automatically mean that everyone they play now can be a rival? Their so-called rivalry will not flare up with the Lakers until they both make the Finals AT LEAST one more time, against each other. Boston/Detroit looks like it may match up better in the East. Dallas and San Antonio in the NBA also have a good rivaly going, but it's not like it was in the 80's, where there were so many. Even the NHL is lacking anymore. You have your Rangers/Devils, Rangers/Flyers, Wings/Avalanche. But think back to the mid 90's. They were much hotter. Rivalries in Baseball are fake anymore because of free agency. There are a few in the NFL with the entire NFC East mired in hatred. Packers/Bears, Chiefs/Broncos, and Steelers/Ravens aren't bad either. But the passion is still not there. Think back to Bird/Magic, Jordan/Wilkins, and so many more. Wouldn't life be better with a rivalry or two?

- Short Shorts:
Hear me out. When was some of the best basketball played in the history of the great game. The 1980's, my friends. Barkley, Bird, McHale, Jordan, and Purvis Short! He fit right in. SEE HERE Purvis Short's Shorts
What I am trying to say here is we've become too worried about appearance. The NBA used to be simpler. Guys weren't worried about being gangster and embarrased about having shorts above the knee. They went out there and played "balls out" basketball, clearly no pun intended. We can thank the Fab 5 for the long shorts. But as the shorts have gotten longer hasn't the game gotten worse? Now by no means do I think the NBA is a free fall, but we need to get back to that simpler time. Scores were higher, players were better shooters, and short shorts reigned supreme.

- Running and Gunning, and not just the NBA:
The NFL is on the right track. Higher points means people watch the game. Would you rather see a 9-6 field goal fest or a 45-42 barnburner with long scores and big yards? The answer is simple. The NBA once consisted of every team scoring over 100 points per game in a season. Take 1984-85 for example: Every single team scored at least a buck, with the low being 102.1 by Seattle. The high that season: Denver at 120.0 per game! This season, 21 teams average under 100 points. with Miami at just 92 per. That's sad. What happened to the wild run and gun style that the NBA used to employ. We need that back. Baseball tried to have numbers shoot through the roof and all that got them was the George Mitchell Report. Chicks dig the long ball. The NHL in the 1970's, 80's and early 90's was one big shootout as well. Take the year 1984-85 in the National Hockey League. Wayne Gretzky set the record that season for points scored with 215. He scored over 200 four times in his illustrious career. Compare that to 2003-04, which was not that long ago. Not one player scored over 100 points that season. Scoring is down across the board, except for the NFL, where the overall product is at its peak. Take note, other leagues. More scoring means more people in the seats.

- Loyalty and Integirty:
This is something that waved bye bye to the sports world. Loyalty to one team left when free agents began moving from team to team, treating the game more like a business than ever before. Integrity was lost, if it really every existed, when the cocaine movement of the 80's screwed the NBA, and now the Steroids Scandal of the 00's in Major League Baseball. What we have on our hands is a business. And with any business comes the opportunity for profit. We can't turn down more money in this world because the future is far too uncertain. So with that being said, when there is money to be made, there is loyalty to be lost. It's just the way of the world, and it's ok by me. However, that takes away from the committment and dedication to one team. Just for a second think of the Tony Gwynn's and Mario Lemieux's of the world. Great players staying with one team for 15 years or more. It no longer happens. We need someone like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade or a David Wright to stay with one team to show us that loyalty still lives on.

Fun Fact of the Day: The Philadelphia Flyers lead the league as of this writing with 42 fighting majors on the season. Broad Street Bullies, anyone?

NBA All-Stars '08

We are rapidly approaching the NBA All-Star break, which takes place the weekend of February 15. As with every all star game, there will be people who probably should not be on the team, and with that comes with snubs. We try not to snub anyone here at Daily Dose (Sorry Erick). But it will happen. So here is one man's look at the upcoming All-Star madness.


EASTERN CONFERENCE:
Starters:
F- LeBron James: A no-brainer as you all know. LeBron is having a great season with 29+, 7+, 7+, and is a world renouned dancer, plus he can fly planes. I just made those up. But he is good.
F- Kevin Garnett: Brought the Celtics back from obscurity, and every old, irish 1980's, Celtic lover out of the bars and into the Fleet. Good for him, he earns an All-Star bid.
C- Dwight Howard: A bigger boy amongst smaller boys, Dwight is 22 years old and is dunking on everyone. That must feel good. When I was 22 I didn't have a job, or money. And I could not dunk.
G- Chauncey Billups: Did you see the other night when he hit that 35 foot three-ball with under 5 seconds left? Granted he walked, but still. He shoots the big shots and makes them. And is keeping Detroit going.
G- Caron Butler: That's right I did it. Butler has put together his best season because Gilbert isn't around. He has the Wizards in the playoffs (unlike Wade) and is shooting 50% from the field (unlike Kidd). He gets the last spot.

Benchers:
Jason Kidd (he's Jason Kidd)
Dwyane Wade (even though the Heat stink, I guess he's still one of the best)
Ray Allen (because of him and Garnett, Pierce is reaping the benefits of a great team, which is why Pierce stays home here).
Jose Calderon: (Filled in admirably for the fallen TJ Ford. Is a spectacular passer, just ask Bosh).
Chris Bosh (Just asked him and he said that Calderon is a very good passer).
Antawn Jamison (Screw Arenas, who needs him anyway).
Josh Smith (One man wrecking crew deserves this spot for his awesome D and jump out of the gym leaping ability).
SNUBS ALERT!!- No Paul Pierce for reasons above. Michael Redd's team sucks, though I do like him. Can't have two Hawks so Joe Johnson stays home. Shaq is washed up and crusty. Hedo Trukoglu has been surprising, but can't take anyone off this list. Andre Miller has played well, but the Sixers are too young. Brian Scalabrine has not yet earned being there.


WESTERN CONFERENCE:
Starters:
F- Tim Duncan: He does it all so he deserves this spot until he retires.
F- Dirk Nowitzki: Still the best shooting big man alive. Dallas still one of the best teams in the league. He deserves this spot as well.
C- Amare Stoudemire: Microfracture, Shmicrofracture. He is dominating the paint. Only thing is, he needs to plays some god damn defense.
G- Kobe Bryant: Probably the MVP right now. The Lakers are winning. He's in.
G- Steve Nash: I might be slightly biased, but he is having statistically his best year. He deserves it because he is an MVP and Chris Paul is still young. Paul's time will come soon.

Benchers:
Chris Paul (MVP Candidate, just ask David West and Tyson Chandler. He's helping make them stars).
Shawn Marion (Guy doesn't get enough credit for his D and his ability to do it all, except shoot decent looking jumpers).
Yao Ming (numbers are awesome and hes learning better English so he can curse out the refs. Any guy who does that makes my team).
Baron Davis (Fun to watch, likes movies alot, and hangs out with Jessica Alba. Winner.
Carlos Boozer (He has done nothing wrong, but the Jazz around him have. Still deserves this spot).
Allen Iverson (Due to Carmelo's lack of defense and sprained ankle, Iverson gets the nod.)
Manu Ginobili (He is borderline, neck and neck with Brandon Roy for this spot. For now it's Ginobili)
SNUBS!!!!: Brandon Roy and Deron Williams will see plenty in the future. Carmelo sits it out because he stinks at D and he's hurt. Tracy McGrady is too hurt, doesnt deserve it. David West may see one soon playing with Chris Paul. Chris Kaman is ugly, but his game is not. Unfortunately hes snubbed.

My Biggest Issue with the Steroids Scandal

Let's first go back to 1989. Sammy Sosa was just breaking into the league as a skinny, over-matched outfielder with the Texas Rangers. He was a domincian version of my friend Erick Weinstein. Skinny, weak and not much else. He broke into the majors a relative unknown. 1989 was the same year that fellow "Bash Brother" Mark McGwire was struggling with his swing. He was the anti-weinstein. Standing 6'5 (Weinstein would die for that kind of height) and weighing somewhere around 210, McGwire blasted a rookie record 49 homeruns just two years prior, but his batting average dipped into the .230's.

Fast-forward to 1998. The "Summer of love" for us America at the time. It was a reinvention of a classic game. The 1994 strike harmed the game. But this summer would bring it back. Everyone was glued to a TV set and their heads in a newspaper, just watching, waiting, for Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire to do the unthinkable. Both would shatter the old home run record set by Roger Maris. 61. Big fly numbers were on the increase in the mid-90's, but nobody thought anything of it. This year would be the apex of the home run hitting in baseball history. Forget Barry Bonds in 2001 with his 73 long balls. During the "Summer of Love" as we should now call it, 13 players hit 40 or more home runs, including gentlemen such as Mo Vaughn and Greg Vaughn. Christ, even Dean Palmer hit 34 home runs and knocked 119 runs that season. It was a statisticians dream. It was an American dream. America's Pasttime was on a new level. And we fell in love with the game.

Keep going to 2007. We are now embroiled in controversy surrounding the so-called "Steroid Era." The 90's were the peak of this, with home run records being shattered and people injecting themselves with performance enhancing drugs. As we can see by the Mitchell Report, which reared its ugly head in December of '07, there is a long list of players who are in some way tied to the use of steroids. Some players weren't great, some were better, and some were Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire.

They can't get the votes needed to make the Baseball Hall of Fame. Here is Baseball loses me. For starters let's go out on a limb and say Commissioner Bud Selig new a little something about the use of performance-enhancing drugs within his game. There had to be one or two times he heard those words being used. He realized a good thing when he saw it. Attendance was booming due to "The Chase." People were falling in love with the game again. And the good, old American dollar was being pulled in by MLB. Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were directly responsible for saving the game, in my mind. Major League Baseball cashed in on them. So now, they deserve better.

In no way am I condoning the use of drugs. I've never smoked a joint, or tried any kind of drug in my life. I know where I stand on that. But as far as looking at the numbers put up during that time; at the turnstyles and on the back of baseball cards, we should not deny these men there chance at the Hall. If Major League Baseball was so eager to make money off of these men, and let the drug use slide, then they should turn an eye for a second time and put them in the Hall. Players such as McGwire, Sosa, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Gary Sheffield should have their face hanging on the walls of Cooperstown. During a time when it's safe to say drug use was prevalent, these men still put up worthy numbers.

We will never truly known with 100 percent certainty that these men used performance enhancing drugs. Public opinion has already deemed these men guilty, and perhaps rightly so. But the Hall of Fame is not a beauty pageant either. Was Ty Cobb the greatest person in the world? Most say no, he was a drunk and a sleazebag. I'm sure there are countless other assholes enshrined. The fact of the matter is, numbers don't lie. We may think of these men as scumbags for using drugs to become better players. But wouldn' we all like a leg up if it means a promotion? As the old adage goes, "if your not cheatin', youre not tryin'." Well these men cheated and will pay for it down the line. But put them in the Hall of Fame. The game of Baseball used these men for a profit, so they are just as guilty. Put them in, put an asterisk next to their name, but realize that the numbers don't lie. They helped save the game, so show respect even though what they did may not have been morally correct.

So these baseball players may have transformed themselves from a Weinstein to a wrestler, but give them credit for helping to keep the game afloat. What they did was wrong, but in the end, it was still good for the game. If Baseball was allowed to exploit them, then in my opinion, let them in.

Cool New Commerical

I saw this commercial at work about a month ago, and it looks like it's about to hit the airwaves soon. Its a cool Steve Nash commercial that centers around his navigation system. Pretty cool graphics, and a great idea. Henry Abbott of TrueHoop had this link, but i'm going to put it in my own anyway. Check it out, you'll like it. I obviously did since im a big fan of Nashes.

Steve Nash NBA Commercial

NFC and AFC Championships

Well here we are. It seems like yesterday when most of us believed that the 49ers were a chic pick to make it to the playoffs, along with countless other underdog teams like the Lions, Cardinals and Texans. Most figured that the Saints were ready for the next step. Others gushed that Brett Favre was too old, the Patriots were stupid for bringing in a cancer like Randy Moss, and that Norv Turner couldn't succeed in the playoffs. And the Giants? Seriously?

Throw it all out the window. Because here we are. Giants/Packers. Chargers/Patriots. Every story line that was going to be, can now be discarded. We are down to the final four because these are the four teams that chose to play well at the right time. Here is a look into one man's preview of Championship Sunday

AFC: 3pm, Chargers @ Patriots:
- Just looking at the two words, Chargers and Patriots, it reeks of a mismatch. But lets hold on here. The Chargers are playing fierce, and it showed that they are one of the deepest teams in the league. When LT and Rivers went down, Turner and Volek came in to seal the deal for San Diego against the defending Super Bowl Champion Colts. And if there is one thing that scares Patriot fans, it's their shaky linebacker core which is a combined 224 years old. If LT can do damage, assuming he is he healthy enough, he can make the LB's pay. But on the other hand, lets be serious. The Patriots have stopped everything coming there way, at least enough so that the offense can jump back on the field and bail them out. I'm sorry, but I just do not trust Philip Rivers, even if he does play. He may not with a bum knee. But it might not matter anyway. He's incredibly overrated and there is no way that Bill Belichick under-prepares for this one. Welcome to the SB Pats.

New England, 35, San Diego 24


NFC: 630pm, Giants @ Packers:
- Cold is the word that comes to mind. Sunday will be six degrees with wind and possibly some snow (thank you weather.com). Can the G-Men deal with that? Can the Packers even deal with that? I picked the Giants to be here after they beat on Tampa (who I previously picked). However, I just don't believe they can keep up with the balance of the Packers. The Packers looked like toast after falling behind 14-0 early to the Seahawks. But their D settled in, and the offense got on track, most notably Ryan Grant, who ran for over 200 yards. It seems like a cinderella story waiting to happen with Brett Favre in the NFC Championship game after planning to retire. The Giants will beat you up with the defense they have, and they have shown that they are for real with making it this far. But Eli Manning still hasn't had to win a game himself. Granted they are 9-1 on the road this season. But they have not seen negative temperatures. I believe the Packers win this one because of the arm of Brett Favre. Should be a fun one.

Green Bay 28, NY Giants 23


Be back tomorrow with some steroids talk. And our first look at Erick Weinstein.

Sixers Prove Me Right and Wrong

The enigma that is the Philadelphia 76ers continued today. Andre Miller jumped in the first seat, followed by Sam Dalembert and Andre Iguodala. And then Willie Green got in behind them. And then Lou Williams jumped on just before they closed the gates. And the 76ers rode another roller coaster. They must be getting sick to their stomach riding so often.

The Sixers proved me right, jumping out to a high energy, quick-paced first quarter that is brought on by their youth and ignorance when playing superior teams. They did this tonight against Houston and last night against San Antonio. Then the malaise sets it as a fan when between the 2-minute mark of the first quarter and the 9-minute mark of the second, they become lazy and disinterested and start firing up ill-advised shots and refraining from playing what is now known as defense. Sometimes this happens in the middle of the third quarter, or maybe even late in that period. But it seems to happen far too often.

But tonight against Houston they dug deep and played a hell of a ball game and proved me wrong as well. Riding the coaster from 16 down in the 3rd, and taking the lead on a huge run had to give a spark of confidence to a team trying to find an identity. Houston is a bubble playoff team in the West, which means they are a damn good team. But the 76ers showed poise, led of course by the elder statesman Andre Miller, and with some help from the young guns, got a victory. The scored a ton of fastbreak points in the 4th quarter, and made the game look fun. It's doubtful that they can sustain any type of even kiel for the season. But Sixer fans can only hope this is a positive sign of things to come.

Something Funny Happened on the Way to my Email..

Normally, at this hour of the night or early morning I should say, I check my e-mails before fading comfortably into a sweet slumber. However, tonight at approximately 12:40am, I checked my email and was given a funny, yet certainly needed, surprise. From time to time I will receive messages from the NBA that will give me updates on job openings within the company, or with one of the several franchises. To my utter delight, I was given an email to apply for this position:

Public Relations Coordinator: New York Knicks.

Hilarious. Not only was did I smile and immediately laugh at the notion, but I began ponder the overall look of the Knicks organization. That email completely summed up the way the Knicks act has gone for the past few season. Now word has gotten out that Stephon Marbury will miss two games, and possibly more, with a bad ankle that may require a fix. The situation will not get any better until Isiah Thomas is relieved of his duties and until James Dolan is no longer associated with the team. I believe that the real enemy should be James Dolan, not Isiah Thomas, due to his incoherent reign as the top dog of the franchise. It's humorous the think the Knicks ship has sunk so low, but it has. Even after a huge blowout win against the Pistons, negative word has to come out regarding Marbury. For every positive, there have been multiple negatives. James Dolan has to go.

And the Knicks have to stop stalking my emails asking me if I'm interested in becoming the next Anucha Browne Sanders.

Cause I don't.

The State of the Sixers

Young teams will continually lose and their confidence will waiver throughout a tumultuous season. As new General Manager Ed Stefanski comes in to oversee the rebuilding process that Billy King left a total mess, it seems like the confidence of the team is back and forth. It shows on the court. The Sixers this season have notoriously started strong, usually bolting out to quick leads with their athleticism and energy. However, the second half seems to be the time when they start overthinking and losing leads.

The 76ers have a future. Whether or not it is bright is another story. Having traded Philadelphia staple (and ladies man) Kyle Korver, conceeds that they are looking for more cap space to perhaps make a run at a big free agent in the next year or two. They have a bulge in young talent with Thaddeus Young and Jason Smith coming via the Draft this season, plus youngster Louis Williams and Sam Dalembert coming into their own this year. There are so many pressing needs however, for this team to even sniff a great year.

First and foremost is an inside scorer that can pound the ball and grab 10 boards. Reggie Evans is half that man, but half that man is half of what they need. Whether it be in the draft, or by free agency, they need a big low post guy. They also are in need of a point guard that can take over if/when Andre Miller leaves. Louis Williams, in my opinion, is more of a 2-guard, and is shades of a young Allen Iverson. Whether or not that is a good thing remains to be seen. But Williams does bring a great attitude and slew of energy. Willie Green looks like the round peg trying to fit into the square hole. He doesnt play great defense and doesn't shoot particularly well. That doesn't sound good for his future here in the Stefanski regime.

So there is your overview of the Sixers. Hopefully they address the needs soon. Andre Iguodala does not seem to want to be here for the long haul, but I believe he will change his mind when he realizes the cap space they will have available down the road, and when the young talent begins to fuse together. This does not look like a championship roster, but it could be a 5 or 6 seed roster for next year in the depleted East. Look for a few playoff runs in the next few years, but nothing more.

KORVER GONE-

Kyle Korver misses Philly. After being dealt to the Utah Jazz, Korver feels "uprooted" from the city he has grown to love. Korver was undoubtedly a great human being. But his contract and cap number did not fit the business side of the sport. He made too much money for a one-dimensional player. Here is a good article from David Aldridge in the Philadelphia Daily News on Korver.

Something You Don't See Everyday

Here is some inside information I have gathered. The Miami Heat protested a game against the Atlanta Hawks that ended in an overtime loss. During that game, Shaquille O'Neal was inadvertently given a 6th foul in the 4th quarter, when really the foul was on Udonis Haslem. Here is the protest.

NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2008 – The NBA today granted a game protest filed by the Miami Heat after its 117-111 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on December 19 at Philips Arena, which will result in the replay of the final 51.9 seconds of the game’s overtime period with the Hawks leading 114-111. The replay will occur immediately prior to the next scheduled game between the two teams -- on March 8, 2008, also at Philips Arena.

The Heat protested the game because, with 51.9 seconds remaining in overtime, the Hawks' scoring table personnel incorrectly disqualified the Heat's Shaquille O’Neal – asserting that a foul committed by O'Neal was his sixth foul of the game, when in fact it was only his fifth. The error occurred because the Hawks’ Official Scorer mistakenly attributed to O’Neal a foul at 3:24 remaining in the fourth period that was actually called against the Heat’s Udonis Haslem.

NBA Commissioner David Stern found that the Hawks were grossly negligent in committing this scoring error, since they failed to follow league-mandated scoring procedures and failed to respond effectively when the members of the statisticians' crew noticed the mistake. Because of this conduct by Atlanta's personnel, Miami suffered a clear competitive disadvantage, as O’Neal – the Heat’s second leading scorer and rebounder that night – was removed from a one-point game with only 51.9 seconds remaining. Under this unprecedented set of circumstances, the Commissioner granted the Heat's protest, and fined the Hawks $50,000 for their violation of league rules.

The protest is the first granted by the NBA since December 14, 1982 when then-NBA Commissioner Larry O’Brien upheld a protest by the San Antonio Spurs concerning their 137-132 double overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Nov. 30. The Spurs and Lakers finished the game on April 13 with San Antonio collecting a 117-114 win.

That's some pretty wild stuff. Since I am an insider (ha) I got this info on the down low. This has not happened in 26 years, meaning its big news. It doesn't happen everyday. What if the Heat come back to win and the loss down the road on the Hawks means the loss of a playoff birth. This could potentially be huge. Be sure to mark this down on your calendar NBA fans, since it's such a rare occurence. I got excited when I heard about this because normally David Stern apologizes for the wrongdoing and sends you on your way. But not today.

Greatest Players You've Never Heard of....in the NHL

While the NFL is in the playoffs and the NBA is in full swing, we forget to give love to the ice. Not Figure Skating, but the NHL. It has become the forgotten sport since it had a year-long lockout just a few years ago, cancelling the Stanley for the first time since the flu epidemic of 1919. While this cancellation was about the American (and Canadian) dollar, many fans lost interest, some overnight. But it is still an amazing sport to watch, with several young stars blossoming. You know the big names. Crosby, Ovechkin, Pronger, Brodeur, Jagr. But do you know of the load of young stars carrying the Red Wings this season. Or the kids in Chicago trying to uplift the Blackhawks from the doldrums of the league. Here are a few of the great players you probably haven't heard of.

7. Jonathan Toews & 6. Patrick Kane Chicago Blackhawks: Toews and Kane are both 19 years old and are part of the future of the league. Kane is a smaller 5'10", but has blazing speed. Toews is of the larger variety, 6'2" and over 200 lbs. Together, they give the Hawks some hope that they can make it back to the playoffs for the first time since '02. Good luck boys.

5. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins: He plays in the shadow of the great Sidney Crosby, but this dude has game. He's fast and is a nightmare to get away from the puck at 6'3" and almost 200 lbs. Malkin and Crosby give the Pens a 1-2 punch going into the playoffs, and they can make a run this year. Look out for Malkin for the next 15 years in the league.

4. Marian Gaborik, Minnesota Wild: When you look up fast in the dictionary it reads; moving or able to move, operate, function, or take effect quickly. It should have a picture of Gaborik, as the old addage goes. But seriously, this guy IS speed. He's so quick he keeps pulling groin muscles and missing time because the rest of his body can't keep up with his legs. He alsojust recently scored 5 goals in one game, the first player to do that in 11 years. Nice.

3. Mike Richards, Philadelphia Flyers: If you want a mix of speed and braun, this might be your guy. Richards is in the top 20 in scoring, but also likes to throw down, as is seen in his three fighting majors this year. Not bad for a guy at 5'11", 195. He is the new leader of the Flyers, having just signed a 12-year deal. The kid is shades of Bobby Clarke and the Broad Street Bullies, although they used to fight a bit more. But hey its a new game.

2. Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings: Hockeytown is not selling out games like it used to, but it has nothing to do with this guy (or his teammates). Pavel Datsyuk is one of the brightest stars in the gam. He is 8th in the NHL in scoring and is a plus-26, meaning they score when he is out there, and the other team does not. The Red Wings will continue to be a powerhouse for years to come with a slew of talent like this on the roster, which leads to #1...

1. Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings: Now, I'm sure i've left out a few greta players, but this is my list. Two Wings are at the top because, wwell, their team is at the top. Zetteberg is in the top 5 in scoring, and you might not know who he is if you dont follow the NHL. He's only one point behind Sid the Kid. Now that's impressive. He's another of the young do-it-all, speedster types. Plus, his ESPN bio pic makes him look like Colin Farrell. Badass.

Have a good weekend, i'll be around with more sports.

Follow up to the funest teams...and more.

-A few days ago I wrote a post about the Golden State Warriors being the "funest team in sports." No funest isn't a word, but if it was they would be it. Well, they proved my point in a huge win over San Antonio on Monday Night. The fun of the run and gun was on display against one of the formidable defenses in all the land. Check it out: http://www.nba.com/games/20080107/SASGSW/gameinfo.html?nav=scoreboardhome

-Also, I ranked the Suns #3 on the short list. They did not disappoint either, smoking the Nuggets with a buck-37 in regulation. Nash is still running hard and they love to fire away. What a great matchup this will be on Wednesday, February 13. Basketball fans, mark it down. Check this out too: http://www.nba.com/games/20080107/DENPHX/gameinfo.html

-Here is a good video of the greatest white dunker in the world...His name is Henry Bekkering. I actually shed a tear while viewing this. Check it out:

Look for more tomorrow, I'm tired.

PatGallen

Divisional Games on Sunday, and a Little McNabb

Let's start today off with Sunday Playoff predictions.

Sun 1pm: San Diego @ Indianapolis:
- Last week, San Diego looked very beatable against a suspect Tennessee team. That wont work with tried and tested Colts team that is still the defending champs. San Diego's D put the clamps down on Vince Young, but I don't see it working as well on Peyton Manning, who has seen it all. Ladainian should have some more room to run in this one against a less effective front four, but i'm afraid it wont mean too much. I see Philip Rivers unraveling, especially if Antonio Gates is out. The Colts secondary is led by Bob Sanders, who just recently won the Defensive POY in the NFL. Look for a good matchup, but the champs coming out with a victory, and on their way to meet up with the New England. Doesn't everyone want to see that anyway?
Indianapolis 28, San Diego 20

Sun 430: NY Giants @ Dallas:
- Eli Manning finally got his Giants team over the hump after years of waiting. Well the time is now for the Giants, and this game is going to oh so close. However, I still think Tony Romo and the Cowboys are too much. Now, this depends very much on the availability of Terrell Owens, who is a game time decision with a bad ankle. I know I can only make one choice, but I believe it depends on whether or not T.O. plays. I don't think he plays and as of this writing it is not looking good. In the upset special of the playoffs, I think the Giants squeek this one out (especially if T.O. is out). Eli brings them to the brink of the Super Bowl. If T.O. plays, though, throw this out the window.

NY Giants 23, Dallas 21 (If T.O. doesn't play) Reverse this score if he does.


D-Mac Back?

I actually got my frist request for a blog (sort of, thanks Ivers). It was regarding Donovan McNabb. Now, by no means am I an expert on the situation, but I do believe he will be back, as of now. Barring a great trade offer, possibly from Chicago or Minnesota, Donovan will be back wearing the green. I say this because of a few factors.
One, is money. Donovan McNabb's cap number is just under $10 million for the 2008 season, making it incredibly hard to trade him. He is injury prone, so say the games played numbers, and the number of teams looking to take a chance on a $10 mil, 31 year old (32 in November), possibly injury prone QB, is slim.
Secondly, McNabb gets along great with Andy Reid. Any Philadelphia fan knows what coach Reid went through this season, and I can't help but think next year will be a little bit easier on both Reid and McNabb. Donovan will be healthy physically, and hopefully Reid can be healthy mentally going in to the '08 season. The roster does need some fine tuning to make it playoff-ready, and the Eagles have been one of the best in the business at making something out of nothing. Reid and McNabb will definitely want to prove their worth next season, and prove it together.
Lastly, how many 5-time Pro Bowl quarterbacks are out there? Why give an 8-8 team to a second year player who has limited NFL playing time (you, Kevin Kolb). It's not easy to find a QB that knows the West Coast Offense that Andy Reid has employed. McNabb knows it inside and out, and it will take a few full seasons for Kolb to fully understand the nuances of the way it works. It doesn't make sense to take two steps backward, rather than possibly two steps forward with a healthy McNabb, a better roster, and a fully focused Andy Reid.
The verdict: McNabb stays and should enjoy a better year. Look for a possible playoff run for the Eagles next year with Reid and McNabb together in the nest (not literally).

NFL Sunday Games, Next Week, Too

Ny Giants 24, Tampa Bay 14:
What had yet to be seen for the Giants was finally fulfilled on Sunday. Eli Manning won a playoff game. Personally, I didn't think it would come this week, but the G-Men pulled out the victory over Tampa, and did it quite easily. Their defense controlled the final three quarters, making it impossible to move the ball for the Bucs. But more importantly, Eli made people forget about the missteps earlier in his career. Now comes the hardest test of all. The Dallas Cowboys. Good luck next week Eli, good luck.

San Diego 17, Tennessee 6:
This was the ugly game of the weekend; there usually has to be one. San Diego couldnt do much offensively until later in the game, and thank god their defense was on, or the city of San Diego's collective heads would have exploded. Tennessee looked anemic on offense, led by the highly overrated Vince Young. Their D did a great job of shutting down Ladainian Tomlinson, but they caved at the end and San Diego pulled it out. A good game defensively, but that means a rather sloppy game on the other side of the football. Phillip Rivers was the one to save them in this one. And he needed this for morale. Next comes a huge game against the defending champion Colts. A great game indeed.


As for next week, some great matchups are about to take place, and we can start with Saturday

Sat. 430 pm Seattle @ Green Bay:
-This means a trip back to Lambeau for Mike Holmgren, who led the Packers to their last Super Bowl victory. Seattle played a great game, showing up when they needed to against the Redskins. However, Green Bay has Brett Favre, who is aging gracefully. Favre should exploit the secondary all game against Seattle, in what is shaping up as a shootout for two teams who love to sling it. Matt Hasselbeck is a Favre disciple, having been his protoge for a few years in GB. They both throw the ball all over the place, and are the respective leaders of their franchises. Seattle struggles mightily to run the ball, so Green Bay will load up on the secondary trying not to get beaten deep. It should work for the most part, but this will indeed be a shootout. Favre wins, but not easily.
Green Bay 38, Seattle 31

Sat. 8pm Jacksonville @ New England:
- Obviously, this very well could be the matchup of the entire playoffs. The hottest team in the league in Jacksonville against a team that was hot all season in the Patriots. If there was ever a tough matchup for the Pats, this is the one. Boston should be bracing for a possible upset. We know what the Patriots bring to the table, they have been the story of the season. Brady, Moss, Welker, Belichick. We know what they are all about. However, Jacksonville is less than well known in the public eye, but boast two pro-bowl caliber running backs in Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew that will wreak havoc on the linebackers of New England. With that said, it still remains difficult to pick against a team that has not lost yet this season. I say a FG at the end wins it for NE. A close game, and a great one as well.
New England 34, Jacksonville 31

Be back tomorrow with more useless bullshit.

NFL Saturday Games

All I can say about Saturday's wild-card games on the opening day of the playoffs for the NFL is wow. If this is any indication of the way the playoff will playout, then we are in for a good couple of weeks here. All sports fans need this, as there is a kind of lull in the action from now until baseball opens up.

Seattle 35, Washington 14: Somehow, this game looks like a blowout, but it was certainly closer than it first appears. Seattle blew it open late after a missed FG by Washington in the 4th. After that, Seattle took control. But for the first three periods, this game was as entertaining as it gets. Back and forth, great defense, great offense, great special teams. This game had the whole package. I predicted a Seattle win, and a close one, and that nearly came to fruition until a few late TD's. However, Seattle looked good, and could give Green Bay a run next weekend.

Jacksonville 31, Pittsburgh 29: A hell of a football game that also had it all, including the score being close than that of the earlier matchup. This game REALLY had it all. Pounding hits, big runs, amazing special teams plays. Just when you thought the QB was looking good for either side, an interception was thrown. Just when you thought the defense was shutting it down, the offense blows up for a huge play. A true character test for both sides was won by Jacksonville on a late field goal inside of a minute. Both teams played their asses off til the end, but Jacksonvilly had a little more in the tank, as it was obvious that PIT was rather dpeleted. Good play by all. I predicted a 31-23 win by JAX, but I guess thats close enough. 2-0 is a good start for I.

Most Funest Teams to Watch in Sports

If funest was a word, it would describe these few teams who play the way we would want to play on the diamond, or on the court or field. The criteria for basketball is an uptempo style with alot of flair, but also with a crowd that plays behind you. In baseball, chicks dig the long ball, so teams that smash the ball, and have a good time doing it, are part of the list. In football, scoring points and smashing opponents is a must. In hockey, though few watch anymore, you have to be fast paced, but also rugged. Because we all like a good fight. Here is one man's look at the Funest Teams around.

7. Ottawa Senators: Possibly the most fast-paced team in the league along with Detroit, the Sens can blow past you on the wings, and the punch you in the mouth. With three of the most entertaining players in the league with Dany Heatley, Daniel Alfredsson, and Jason Spezza, the Sens are just a ball of fun. Chris Neil, the right winger who leads the team with nearly 100 penalty minutes, has no teeth in his bio pic on ESPN.com. Enough said. Watch the Sens and enjoy.

6. Indianapolis Colts: Why wouldnt it be fun to play with one of the greatest QB's to ever step on the turf. Peyton Manning doesn't always look like he's having a blast, but the rest of the team does when he is slinging the ball around. Reggie Wayne must have a great time becoming one of the greatest Wide Recievers in the game due to Manning's timing and incredible work ethic. Marvin Harrison is already there. On the defensive side, Bob Sanders will run right through you and then laugh about it. He is a monster, and fun(est) to watch. Go Colts.

5. Philadelphia Phillies: This team showed grit and determination, and had a blast doing it during the '07 season. They caught up to the failing Mets in the final week of the season, led by Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, to clinch a playoff berth for the first time in 14 years. It didn't go so well once they got there, but who cares, it was a blast just arriving. Chase Utley is a balls-out player, and Ryan Howard always has a smile on his face. Shane Victorino is the class clown, maybe one of the best in MLB in that category. Brett Myers is wild, even sometimes a little bit too much. But all in all, this team has fun. Which is what you should have when playing America's Pasttime.

4. Portland Trail Blazers: Now, they may not play the fast paced style that we have become accustomed to when talking about fun teams. However, I include them because of the blast they seem to have as a young group of kids that know how to win. They have a relatively young coach, a few young up and coming stars in Brandon Roy, Greg Oden, and LaMarcus Aldridge. They look like a team who is built to win in a few years, but in doing so, keeping up the fun level as well.

3. Phoenix Suns: These guys would normally be at the top of every fun list when putting together a group of sports teams that play fast paced, run and gun stuff. But, we are kind of used to them by now. Everyone knows about the Suns. Steve Nash is a two-time MVP, Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion are perennial all-stars too. They still play the way we all play at the gym. Run it, and gun it.

2. New England Patriots: I have fun watching, and imagine what its like to play for them. Randy Moss is probably doing Tom Brady's laundry, walking is dog, and giving him a back massage after every win for pulling him out of Oakland. I doubt that Bill Belichick brought him in withouth Brady's consent. But that's neither here nor there. What is important is the spread offense that they use to run up the scoreboard. They can also play a little bit of defense too, which gives them the ball back, which puts more points on the board. Fun, fun, for everyone.

1. Golden State Warriors: The new gold-standard for fun. Don Nelson once said "A bad shot is one that doesn't go in." He also drank beer during post-game conferences. But the fun factor soars because of the whole package that the Warriors bring. The Oracle is a high energy, blow-the-roof-off type of atmosphere that suits the team perfectly. They can put up nearly 50 points in one quarter, and do it with style. Baron Davis leads the pack of grown up kids who look like they actually enjoy playing the game. Stephen Jackson is a head case, but he is the heart and soul of the cohesive unit. All other parts seem to fit perfectly in the scheme that Nelson has provided from his days with RUN-TMC (Tim, Mitch, Chris). Its a blast, but probably better in person. Go if you have the opportunity.

Some would probably disagree that fun means running up the score and not playing defense. But the fact remains that most people would rather watch a 140-130 NBA game then a 78-72 game. It's human nature. The faster, the funer, the funest.

NFL Weekend Picks, part II

Here are the Sunday picks, if anyone is reading.

Sunday 1pm: NY Giants @ Tampa Bay
- The Giants are the Giant enigma. One week they are keeping pace with the undefeated Patriots, and the next it's a blowout loss to the Vikings. It all falls on the slight shoulders of Peyton's bro, something that he has not handled with care. This is another example of it. Against a great Cover 2 D, the Giants, I believe, will suffer. On the offense for Tampa, Jeff Garcia makes no mistakes and can run with the ball if he feels he is about to. His instincts are beautiful, and he should show them against a powerful front four of NY. Look for a deep bomb at some point to Joey Galloway, but Garcia will also be using his feet against a depleted LB core of the G-men. Tampa wins this one, but hopefully Eli can show some playoff spirit.
Tampa Bay 27, NY Giants 21

Sunday 430pm Tennessee @ San Diego
- This one might be a laugher. Even though the Titans have a stoudt front four, the Chargers have LT. And that's really all that needs to be said. If Phil Rivers can minimize the mistakes by looking at short routes for Gates and the like, the Chargers should blowout. The Titans don't have a stellar offense, especially, or maybe not especially, since Kerry Collins is the man now, without VY. Look out below, thats the Chargers stomping the Titans.
San Deigo 37, Tennesee 17

Hope i'm right. Have a good NFL weekend.

NFL Weekend Picks

Here are my first playoff week picks. That way, down the road, I can look back and see how incredibly wrong I was...

Saturday 4:30pm Washington @ Seattle:
-Alot of people are hopping on the Redskin bandwagon, and I can understand why. They have faith on their side for one thing (Sean Taylor), and are on a roll. But Todd Collins and playoff win just dont seem to add up in my mind. All in all, this will be a close one I believe, with the Rain and Wind a big factor. The ground games will be on call, and that obviously gives the Redskins an edge. However, Seattle has a great home-field advantage, and I think they overcome the weather and squeak out a close victory. SEATTLE 24, WASHINGTON 20

Saturday 8pm Jacksonville @ Pittsburgh:
-Wow, David Garrard. Who knew that you could lead a team like this? The guy had the tools coming up from East Carolina, and the team obviously saw this by keeping him around behind Mark Brunell and Byron Leftwich. Well, great job, because you have had one of the best seasons this year for a QB and JAX is a team nobody wants to mess with. Pittsburgh can talk tough, but they are depleted all over the place, especially on the O-Line. Look for JAX to continue the hot streak in a victory over PIT.
JACKSONVILLE 31, PITTSBURGH 23


Be back later with the Sunday Games.

The rise and fall of the great white hoop.

And by hoop I mean basketball player. What has happened to the good white ball player? Dont take this as being racist, because it certainly is not. Just wondering why there are so many Scot Pollards and not enough Steve Nashes? We've become the equivalent of the nerd in class. Just a few years back, guys like Tom Chambers were soaring through the air, slamming on guys. Now, bless his soul, but Steve Nash hasn't touched rim since he had a bowl cut. There are so few great white players, and even fewer high flyers. Here is my own list of top white dunkers in the NBA history. If you want to check out a great blog, go here...Jones on the NBA
He puts a spin on the great white players of the last few years.

5. Rex Chapman: "The Boy Wonder" as he was so passionately called, Rex spent alot of time on the injured list (Played 12 seasons with a career high of 75 games; Played 60 games or less in 8 of those years!). But the guy could throw it down heavy.

4. Dan Majerle: "Thunder Dan was a hell of a shooter, but could dunk it down with the best of 'em for a few years. Thunder Dan can also hit half-courters from his announcers chair without taking off the makeup.

3. David Lee: Lee is 6'9 or so, and is a thick body guy, but he can get up. Maybe not as much anymore, but definitely back in his days at Florida, and high school. He was a sick dunker in high school...see here...David Lee Dunk contest

2. Brent Barry: As evident by his 1996 Slam Dunk Contest Victory, capped with a foul line dunk, still one of the greatest feats for a white person since the invention of the telephone and the automobile. Check the youtube video of his dunk, and its totally legit. No visual effects or trampolines here.

1. Tom Chambers: The finest white dunker in the history of whiteness. This guy was from Ogden, Utah, so there is no way to even question his whiteness. The guy could be used as a glue stick. He may have one of the top 5 in-game dunks in history over Marc Jackson. I present that here.




So as you can see, white boys are playing with concrete feet these days, and it's a damn shame. We need a high flyer to show we can still jump. We can't really, but we need a better name than Rex Chapman on this list. This is a sad group of names. Don't get me wrong, they were all great players in their own right. But if started a best dunker list, the top 10 would be cream-free. NO disrespect to anyone, in anyway.

Greatest Commercials ever...

Here, my friends, is my first real post. It's a quick one because it's so late, but worth it I think for a first post. Does anyone other than myself not love this commercial from when we were young, and when McDonalds didn't give you a massive coronary?

Day 1 (Hopefully with more to come)

Today is my first day, it seems, using a computer. This is my new web page/blog. I have done this for the sole purpose of getting thoughts out to you, the public, on everything sports. Now, I have never done anything like this before, so stay with me. But for all of you who know me, and for those of you who do not, keep checking back. Everyone has an opinion, especially on sports. Let it be known. That's what I am trying to accomplish here. I'll try to post every day, at the very least. It's quite obvious that everyone thinks they are some sort of gifted writer (note the 14 billion people that have a blog of some sort). But, for me it's all about getting whats on my mind out into the world. For years I have had an opinion on the world of sports. Everything from the Phillies shitting down their own leg in the playoffs, to the Patriots undefeated season, to every player from the 90's being juiced on roids like a goddamn racehorse. Well here it goes. Hopefully it works out. So check back...please.