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.