FanNation - The Republic of Sport

i don't think any nba players need to jump turnstiles, except perhaps antoine walker, and do you really think he can get that high off the ground? no, he's much better off trying to wiggle it.

I wouldn't be surprised if an agent is involved. The NCAA is hypocritical, yes, but (not that this justifies it but) only to the extent that it prosecutes what it can prove. The NCAA clearly does not have enough on Reggie Bush to effectively sanction USC... if they did choose to pursue this further, it would be a waste of money and essentially just a crusade against USC. I won't say every school cheats but more than get caught do. Braylon Edwards could really afford an Escalade as a senior? Plus anyone who has ever been to college know how athletes carry themselves, how despicable many of them are, but how nobody especially a coach or administrator will ever tell them to shape up because they'll just quit or transfer to somewhere that can accommodate them.

Not that I'm saying this about Bryant, I don't know the man, I know he's steered clear of the law thus far, he's helped his team perform well on the field. But sorry, the NCAA might be inconsistent with their punishments but I'm sorry they aren't petty enough to punish a big star for lying about dinner.

For all the grief the NCAA gets, look at all the money the college sports generates for schools, what a great vehicle it is for corporate advertising, and the opportunities it gives young men and women who otherwise wouldn't sniff college. When someone has a better idea for a governing board let me know

I wouldn't be surprised if an agent is involved. The NCAA is hypocritical, yes, but (not that this justifies it but) only to the extent that it prosecutes what it can prove. The NCAA clearly does not have enough on Reggie Bush to effectively sanction USC... if they did choose to pursue this further, it would be a waste of money and essentially just a crusade against USC. I won't say every school cheats but more than get caught do. Braylon Edwards could really afford an Escalade as a senior? Plus anyone who has ever been to college know how athletes carry themselves, how despicable many of them are, but how nobody especially a coach or administrator will ever tell them to shape up because they'll just quit or transfer to somewhere that can accommodate them.

Not that I'm saying this about Bryant, I don't know the man, I know he's steered clear of the law thus far, he's helped his team perform well on the field. But sorry, the NCAA might be inconsistent with their punishments but I'm sorry they aren't petty enough to punish a big star for lying about dinner.

For all the grief the NCAA gets, look at all the money the college sports generates for schools, what a great vehicle it is for corporate advertising, and the opportunities it gives young men and women who otherwise wouldn't sniff college. When someone has a better idea for a governing board let me know

brian scalabrine 1, dirk nowitzki 0. game over?

Um, they had two all stars last year. Without a doubt, Mo Williams is better.

Not trying to pin this on LeBron, my any means, he is the city's savior, but his leadership skills could use some serious improvement. He loves his hometown, yes, but this whole "i-might-stay-i-might-go" is wearing on the team and the city. It's no secret he loves New York, loves Jay-Z, and is more interested in being a millionaire than winning championships. He's an unselfish player on the court, and with the exception of a few recent slip ups, a decent enough guy who gives back to the community... but I just get the impression he's in it for himself, for the money. Disturbingly similar to Kobe, post-Shaq, when he was putting up 30 shots a game, all he cared about was his endorsements and max contract. Then, the Lakers got some pieces, he put the legal troubles and attitude behind him, two straight championship appearances. Had a great case for MVP- the Cavs would be nothing without LBJ whereas without Kobe the Lakers could still be anywhere from respectable to really good- but he willed them to that championship last year like LeBron couldn't do.

So just to reiterate D West has problems that he caused and he has to deal with. I hope he can. But there is definitely something wrong with the Cavs and it's not lack of talent.

Attitude reflect leadership, captain. Step up, Lebron.

i WAS impressed with the maturity t.o. showed at his news conference

then, he logged into twitter...

Brandon Roy or Kevin Durant. I would take nobody else- not even Deron Williams.

The best thing the Nationals have going for them is Andy Benes. That's because at 155-139 for his career, Benes has had the most pitching success of any top pick (with nods to Mike Moore and Kris Benson). A .576 winning percentage over 13 years hardly justifies a $50,000,000 contract. What if this was Brien Taylor? What if he IS Brien Taylor? Now, I think he will be good, but I can't yet say if he'll be Cy Young good- NOBODY can. This kid was overweight and had no work ethic when he got to school- how can you say for sure what he'll do with tens of millions of dollars guaranteed? There is NO way you can justify a huge contract for a pitcher, because the ones with the ace "stuff"- hard sliders, biting breaking balls, flamethrowing fastballs- are the ones more susceptible to arm problems (Matt Anderson). I would love to see what Strasburg could do, and though I would not choose a pitcher 99% of the time number one, I would gamble on Strasburg IF I could get him for a fair price. He's not worth a $50 million gamble- otherwise, I would go for another pitcher (White or Gibson), Ackley, or Green at SS. All would make fine selections, and I feel that White will be the best pitcher to come out of this draft when it is looked back on some years from now.

It will be interesting, however, to gauge the careers of David Price and Strasburg, and see if 5-10 years from now there is an opinion shift regarding drafting pitchers with the top pick.

um chris horton

No, Jay Williams, as in the one who can't ride a motorcycle properly.

While Nash contributed much to this team, his time has passed. Phoenix's time has passed. Kerr was trigger-happy, eager to prove his worth as a GM, and with one swoop, destroyed everything that Colangelo and D'antoni had built. The day Shawn Marion was traded was the day the Suns ended. There are no excuses, it was a horrible trade. Cheap owner? No- how is Shaq's contract going to help them avoid the luxury tax any more than Marion's? Marion unhappy? Correct me if I'm wrong, but at various times, haven't Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, and Andrew Bynum all been unhappy in the past 18 months? None of them were shipped out. The fact is, the Suns were perhaps a Stoudemire one game suspension away from beating the Spurs four years ago. If they got past the Spurs, they could have won the whole thing. Senseless, sensless to blow that up.

Now, they are just a mess. There is ONE player on the team to build around- Stoudemire- and apparently he doesn't play defense (IMO, he and Chris Bosh are one in the same, yet Bosh avoids criticism, but that's for another day). Other than that, it's overpaid veterans who don't mesh. There is no team philosophy because every three weeks, there's a new idea, which means a new trade. The cap situation, for an owner so determined to avoid the luxury tax, is pretty poor if you ask me. Additionally, a team should NEVER give away first round picks, not to mention GIVING a team Kurt Thomas (when he was an integral component) so they can take the pick off their hands.. that's no way to handle a cap situation. Cheap owner, maybe, but you can't put that on Sarver.

Conclusion: Blow it up. I personally would build around Stoudemire, I'm not sure what the problem is everyone has with him, but everyone else- GO. out. Keep whatever young bench players (Amundson, Tuck, Lopez) you have but it's time to completely retool. They're going to be a rebuilding period, either do it now, or do it later, waste time and money, and perhaps Stoudemire's career. As far as Nash is concerned, he's a designated hitter, and I'd say a David Ortiz-like decline is coming. No way would I let him be making personnel decisions, let alone sign him to a $15 mil/year extension. That's akin to resigning Jason Kidd at this point. If you can sign him to a veterans minimum, go for it, if not, thank him for his time, let him go, think about what could have been, than actually build a team that can compete in five years.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Rice universally regarded as the greatest receiver of all time? You could apply this thinking to any player because unlike basketball, football requires the help of teammates to be good. Using your logic, Randy Moss is no good, because when he played for Oakland he didn't do jack. With the exception of Barry Sanders, you need good teammates to be a bigtime football player.

That being said, name some fourth round picks off the top of your head from last year. I didn't think you could. Taking a guy with NFL size and apparently NFL athleticism (if he's performing well in workouts) in the fourth round or lower is not at all a bad gamble. He obviously has the hunger to succeed if he's shooting up draft boards, and the 3 year, 1.2 million dollar contract isn't exactly setting him for life- I see no reason why he wouldn't keep working.

Nearby Tampa Bay should take a look. Ronde Barber is getting a little long in the tooth. If this guy really is as passionate as he's made out to be he should have no problem coexisting with Coach Morris.

KG is the defensive player of the year.

Glen Davis doesn't play defense.

End of story.

Seriously...BARKLEY?!?!?!?!

Well, isn't that the same with Syracuse then? Or UConn? Most of their success has come under the current coaches. Sorry, but Syracuse's two titles before the Great Depression do NOT make give it a basketball-rich tradition. You could even make the same argument for Duke, using your logic. Now, I'm not trying to say Arizona is in Duke's class, but the name does carry some cache, recruits flock there... do you really think Brandon Jennings would have turned down the chance to be the next great one at Point Guard U if he had the SAT scores to get in? The recent defects are strictly due to Lute Olson's personally problems, and the uncertainty if he'd be there or not. Similar situation to when a coach leaves for another school- you don't know what you're going to get, so you go somewhere else. Theus has proven he can recruit, he has coaching experience, he should be able to bring in both the big names and the depth that Arizona has been accustomed to prior to the last 3 years.

So, Arizona, go for the home run. If you think that's Theus. You're a basketball school. You're certainly not a football school, at least.

This trade WAS designed for the future- anything this season would have been a bonus. Obviously, Dumars was counting on a little more out of Iverson this year, in terms of both ability and cohesiveness. Stuckey isn't killing Stuckey, Iverson is, he's killing the whole team.. he hogs the ball, even when he does pass he does not put his teammates in a good situation. Where Billups is missed the most is the locker room, I've heard Sheed is actually a marginal leader but he's gone after the season too. So Maxiell, Rip, Prince, and Stuckey will need to step up to be leaders soon.

But back to the point of the trade- $34,000,000 is the point of the trade. It's all about how they use that money though- bringing in a Joe Johnson for instance is not the way to go. They need winners. The difference between stars and SUPERstars is the superstars, when there is any doubt, will (not CAN, gilbert arenas, WILL) take the ball and put it in the basket. They put in the effort at both ends of the floor, win or lose, and try to win at all costs, and make their teammates better. They are leaders who lead by voice and by example. That's what makes Paul Pierce a superstar, while perhaps more talented players like Stoudemire or Arenas not.

The number one reason the trade was smart, as established, is that the Pistons team that made their title run has maxed out. Furthermore, the East is light years behind the West, and it looks unlikely to change; Toronto and Washington U-turned, Boston will age sooner or later, Atlanta will never play defense, Orlando has maxed out because they can't add to the team because of overpaying Lewis. Basically, its the Cavs, the Cavs, and the Cavs (though I'd watch out for the Heat in coming years). The Pistons, if they rebuild right, can be the team to appear in and conference finals year in and year out to battle LeBron.

Don't be an idiot LittleMikey. Does the name "star forward Malik Rose" ring a bell? The double doubles may not be there, but he ranks amongst the league leaders in DNP-CD's, which I assume are some sort of compilation of effectiveness, efficiency, and awesomeness. Do those idiots really play a no-good whitey named Daniel Lee or something in front of him? If Isiah was still around he'd know better!

Gary did recruit Gus Gilchrist to come in this year and start down low and give Maryland some sort of post presence offensively. The word was Gilchrist didn't come because the ACC wouldn't let him play the first semester. That fact is true, but also true is that Yow did not allow him into the program- as well as the other guard Gary recruited that had been in and out of JUCO ball- so Mosely was basically Gary's only recruit. Gilchrist is averaging 14 points a game in his first year at USF- the Big East is no slouch- imagine what he could be doing at Maryland in a few years. It is not entirely Gary's fault, but he does need to bring someone in to recruit

Dead on. Williams is a motivator, and he's fairly good with X's and O's, but he's not a recruiter. He makes do with what he has, that's part of his sell. Of course, when you have assistants bringing in Dixon's and Baxter's and Mouton's, it's much easier. All of his assistants who played key roles in recruiting, especially Patsos, are gone (though if Patsos keeps losing games by 30 points because he insists on doubling Stephen Curry WITHOUT the ball, he might coming crawling back to CP). Look at all the talent that has slipped out of the DC/Maryland/Nova area, and lots of these guys didn't even look at Maryland. That's not changing any time soon, it appears, Starks, the next big thing who could have been a scoring guard at Maryland, is headed to Georgetown.

I'm biased, because I know the kid, but Williams should go hard after All-American candidate swingman Christian Webster and sell hard on academics. He's from DC, his father was an All-Met back in his day and well-respected throughout the DC area... sometimes it just takes one to get the dominoes rolling.

PG- Steve Blake, Sergio Rodriguez
SG- Brandon Roy, Rudy Fernandez, Jared Bayless
SF- Nicolas Batum, Travis Outlaw, Martell Webster
PF- LaMarcus Aldridge, Channing Frye, Ike Diogu
C- Greg Oden, Joel Pryzbilla

Shavlik Randolph, Raef Lafrentz

13 guys who could be starters or top 8 rotations players for a good team. Roy is fast becoming an elite superstar, Oden will at least be a second-tier star, Aldridge arguably already is a second-tier star, Batum will become an excellent player and top-notch defender, Blake is a more than capable if not spectacular point guard, Fernandez will become an even better 6th man, Bayless could be the next Jason Terry (or better), Webster already has proven he can spot start, Outlaw is instant O.... the list goes on and on and the fact is most of these players are 20-25 years old! Patience is a virtue.

I understand the urgency for Portland to win right now, but look at the age of the roster... Steve Blake is the oldest player actually in the rotation! Brandon Roy would probably be next if I had to wager a guess, I'm not pulling up the roster... that's a young team! Let Oden develop, look where Roy and Aldridge will be in 2 years, Blake is somewhat consistent, Bayless has proven he can ball and he isn't even IN the rotation, same for Webster, plus they STILL have some stockpiled draft picks... wait a year or two, let your pieces develop, THEN figure out what you still need. I agree with needing the veteran point guard and big man, but don't just pile up the salary, you will NEED it to re-sign Oden, Roy, Aldridge, Fernandez, etc. Once you see exactly what this team will need, in a year or two, THEN trade your spare parts... i.e. maybe a 1st rounder, Frye, Rodriguez, and Outlaw for a veteran PG and veteran PF. Something like that. It's just not Portland's time quite yet, let them learn and grow, but Pritchard is doing one heck of a job and will probably stay the course. This could turn into a dynasty if he plays it right (I suspect he will)

Shannon might not have Urban Meyer/Nick Saban powers to magically uplift a program, but he already is and will continue to be a good coach for the program. He's not perfect, as evidenced by his handling of the Marve situation(s), but he demands respect for the game and discipline, he's committed to making the "Thug U" label obsolete, he (with the exception of Marve) relates to his players well and recruits well (by locking down Southern Florida and the Miami area), and is defensive-minded. Let Nix take care of the offense, he will become a good one once Miami gets a few more offensive playmakers (Bryce Brown is a start, they haven't had an elite running back really since Frank Gore), Shannon can keep bringing in the Browns and Fortsons and Spences on defense and it will blossom... if he can find a QB who's either talented or can play in Nix's system (J. Harris maybe?), they'll be winning 10 games in 2 years, and from there they can keep attracting the top talent that will make them a BCS player year in and year out ala 10 years ago.