Well the NBA trade deadline has come and gone and all the talk now is how will some of the trades that were made will effect my team. But what I am looking forward to now is what is going to happen next season. With so many teams making trades to collect expiring contracts and other teams just receiving cash for players, I want to take a look at the winners of the trade deadline: the Salary Dumpers.
Now I know that I will probably sound like a huge homer for this but, I think the winner for this year was the Chicago Bulls. They were already sitting $12-$13 million under the salary cap for next year, but when the Bulls dumped the salaries of John Salmons and Tyrus Thomas and received 4 expiring contracts in return, that brought them to $21-$22 Million under the salary cap. This is the best case senerio that could have come out of this for the Bulls. This means that they could possibly sign 2 of the big names that will be in free agency this year (HINT: DWAYNE WADE AND CHRIS BOSH)
Another winner at the trade deadline was the New York Knicks. With the fact that they got $22 Million that will come off of the books when the season ends and Tracy McGrady's contract is up, this sets them up really nicely to pursue LeBron James and possibly someone else as well. The one thing that I didn't like for them was the fact that they got rid of Nate Robinson and sent him to Boston and really got nothing back in return. Yes it was all about cutting payroll for the Knicks, but the fact is that they dont have any kind of PG there cause Chris Duhon has shown his true colors there, they will be having to hope to lure a great PG to come in there next year. Robinson was not a great PG, but he was good enough that you should have thought about getting rid of some other parts.
Now when the summer hits and the NBA Championship has been handed out, everyone will have just one thing on there mind- what will the Bulls and Knicks be able to do with all of the payroll that they now have in there pockets. Will any of the big stars go to those two cities or are both of these teams just living a pipe dream that will lead them to the cellar of the NBA? Only time and money will tell!!!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Does Danica Really Stand a Chance???
When we all hear the name of Danica Patrick what do we think of? We think hot, attractive, and intelligent. But the title of race car driver gets laughed at alot by tons of people because Danica has never really been sucessful as an IndyCar driver. But this weekend she becomes something new. A NASCAR driver. Danica in the "Silly Season" of NASCAR signed a deal with JR Motorsports which is attached to the Hendrick Motor Racing stable to race in the ARCA league for most of this season while also choosing to race in 13 races in the Nationwide Series, then on top of that she is also racing in a full time schedule of the IndyCar series. Most people are saying that she is a joke and what is Dale Earnhardt Jr. thinking???
I know what he is thinking, he's thinking "I can see the talent that this driver has and I want to be the one that brings this driver to the world of NASCAR." Yes I know that she has only won 1 IndyCar race and most people say that she won it because everyone else ran out of gas. BUT SHE STILL WON. Most people will also say that she has never won a championship in IndyCar. Some of the best racers in the world that have been in IndyCar have never won a championship in that series. Do the names Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart ring a bell to anyone. That is where they got there start and they never won a championship there. And also most people say that she has never won the biggest race in the IndyCar series season, the Indy 500. Lets look at the facts here too. She is the only female to ever lead any laps and the Brickyard, and also she has finished in the top 10 there twice in 4 seasons of her in IndyCar.
So when you look at all of the facts, you should be able to plainly see that she has not completly failed at IndyCar like most people say she has (The men that are scared of her being sucessful). I think that she can and will go into the NASCAR series' and learn from some of the best racers within the Hendrick stable and become one of the most sucessful racers that we have seen male or female.
So when you try to answer the question "does Danica really stand a chance at succeeding in NASCAR???" You have to say a resounding YES!!!
I know what he is thinking, he's thinking "I can see the talent that this driver has and I want to be the one that brings this driver to the world of NASCAR." Yes I know that she has only won 1 IndyCar race and most people say that she won it because everyone else ran out of gas. BUT SHE STILL WON. Most people will also say that she has never won a championship in IndyCar. Some of the best racers in the world that have been in IndyCar have never won a championship in that series. Do the names Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart ring a bell to anyone. That is where they got there start and they never won a championship there. And also most people say that she has never won the biggest race in the IndyCar series season, the Indy 500. Lets look at the facts here too. She is the only female to ever lead any laps and the Brickyard, and also she has finished in the top 10 there twice in 4 seasons of her in IndyCar.
So when you look at all of the facts, you should be able to plainly see that she has not completly failed at IndyCar like most people say she has (The men that are scared of her being sucessful). I think that she can and will go into the NASCAR series' and learn from some of the best racers within the Hendrick stable and become one of the most sucessful racers that we have seen male or female.
So when you try to answer the question "does Danica really stand a chance at succeeding in NASCAR???" You have to say a resounding YES!!!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
What is the SEC's problem???
First the SEC can't find good enough referee's for an NCAA football games in there conference, now the SEC wants to fine schools for rushing the basketball court after a game is over. South Carolina today got fined $25,000 for having their fans rush the court after the huge upset of newly crowned #1 Kentucky.
Why is it the SEC thinks that it can take away one of the greatest staples of college basketball in rushing the court after your college team wins the game? It's not like people are getting hurt all of the time doing this. The SEC wants to be the "no fun league" of college sports. What's next for the SEC, are they going to take the cheering away from the fans next? Cause that is what rushing th court is like. This has been a tradition of college sports for a hundred or so years. All of our greatest college sports memories end with the crowd storming the court or field. It's what makes college sports so great, the thrill of your team as bad as they may be, knocking off the mighty "Goliath" that rules there land.
So SEC when you have an idea to fine the next team that has their crowd rush the court after a big win. Throw it in trash can and accept that this is history and this is what makes the crowds feel so close to there college team. Don't become the "No Fun League" or you will have every college student and fan staying at home to watch a game where they don't have to worry about getting there school fined.
Why is it the SEC thinks that it can take away one of the greatest staples of college basketball in rushing the court after your college team wins the game? It's not like people are getting hurt all of the time doing this. The SEC wants to be the "no fun league" of college sports. What's next for the SEC, are they going to take the cheering away from the fans next? Cause that is what rushing th court is like. This has been a tradition of college sports for a hundred or so years. All of our greatest college sports memories end with the crowd storming the court or field. It's what makes college sports so great, the thrill of your team as bad as they may be, knocking off the mighty "Goliath" that rules there land.
So SEC when you have an idea to fine the next team that has their crowd rush the court after a big win. Throw it in trash can and accept that this is history and this is what makes the crowds feel so close to there college team. Don't become the "No Fun League" or you will have every college student and fan staying at home to watch a game where they don't have to worry about getting there school fined.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Getting Ready for Spring Training
Once football season ends for me and the Bears dissapoint me for another year, I start turning my attention to MLB and the begining of Spring Training. I always look forward to the begining of Spring Training not just for the chance to see what the Chicago Cubs can do this year, but how all the teams shape up this year. We have had quite the off season with the moves of Roy Halladay to the Phils and Cliff Lee to the Mariners, but we have also had alot of money pushed towards free agents like Matt Holiday, Jason Bay, and John Lackey just to name a few. With some players having new addresses this year its going to be interesting to see how the divisions are going to stack up. Well I know its early but here are my early favorites for every division in the AL and NL and my playoff picks version 1.0.
AL East Winner- New York Yankees
Sometimes you don't have to go out in the offseason and spend tons of money to bring in new people. Just spend money on the people that got you there last year. Thats what the Yankee's have done. With this division, no one went out this year to really improve there team and the Yankees show no signs of slowing down this year and I think with there rotation staying intact and the lineup that they have they should put up another 100-win season.
AL Central Winner- Kansas City Royals
This is kind of the pick to throw against the wall and see if it sticks. The ownership in KC has really started to understand that sometimes you will have to go out and spend a little money to bring in free agents. With the additions of Scott Posednik and Josh Fields to the line up that they already had they should be much improved over last year. The Division winners from last year, the Twins stood pat in the offseason and didn't add one bat or one pitcher to there team and this may hurt them this year. Also don't rule out the additions of acouple more pieces to make them a little bit better.
AL West Winner- Seattle Mariners
With LA Angels losing alot of talent in the offseason and the Rangers not having the finacial flexibility to add a big piece to the team, I think the Mariners will run away with this division just due to the starting rotation that boasts King Felix and Cliff Lee.
AL Wild Card- Texas Rangers
With the addition of Vlad to an already potent line up that has Michael Young, Ian Kinsler and Josh Hamilton they will be banging home runs out of the ball park at record pace. Also there starting rotation is another year older and with the expirence that they gained last year will make them much wiser this year.
NL East Winner- Philadelphia Phillies
One name is really all that is needed to sum up why they will win this division: Roy Halladay. One of the most dominant pitchers that we have seen in the last 3 to 4 years added to the young talent of Cole Hamels will make this team be very difficult to deal with in the post season.
NL Central Winner- Chicago Cubs
Yes I know this is my "INNER HOMER" coming out in me but really I think last year was kind of a freak year for them cause they were dealing with so many injuries that they couldn't put out the lineup that they invisioned. With Milton Bradley gone, this makes the locker room so much easier to deal with for Pinella.
NL West Winner- San Fransisco Giants
Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain are probably the two best pitchers in the NL behind the Roy Halladay. With the additions that they made in getting Mark DeRosa and Aubrey Huff to there lineup this team will not have the same fate as last year and miss out on the playoffs.
NL Wildcard Winner- New York Mets
With the addition of a power bat like Jason Bay and the come back of injured players like Jose Reyes in this lineup will push the Phillies for the East but I think they will come out and smoke everybody in the wild card.
With the season coming around the corner and more moves to be made, Version 2.0 of Eric's Picks of the Divisions will be coming soon to a computer screen near you.
AL East Winner- New York Yankees
Sometimes you don't have to go out in the offseason and spend tons of money to bring in new people. Just spend money on the people that got you there last year. Thats what the Yankee's have done. With this division, no one went out this year to really improve there team and the Yankees show no signs of slowing down this year and I think with there rotation staying intact and the lineup that they have they should put up another 100-win season.
AL Central Winner- Kansas City Royals
This is kind of the pick to throw against the wall and see if it sticks. The ownership in KC has really started to understand that sometimes you will have to go out and spend a little money to bring in free agents. With the additions of Scott Posednik and Josh Fields to the line up that they already had they should be much improved over last year. The Division winners from last year, the Twins stood pat in the offseason and didn't add one bat or one pitcher to there team and this may hurt them this year. Also don't rule out the additions of acouple more pieces to make them a little bit better.
AL West Winner- Seattle Mariners
With LA Angels losing alot of talent in the offseason and the Rangers not having the finacial flexibility to add a big piece to the team, I think the Mariners will run away with this division just due to the starting rotation that boasts King Felix and Cliff Lee.
AL Wild Card- Texas Rangers
With the addition of Vlad to an already potent line up that has Michael Young, Ian Kinsler and Josh Hamilton they will be banging home runs out of the ball park at record pace. Also there starting rotation is another year older and with the expirence that they gained last year will make them much wiser this year.
NL East Winner- Philadelphia Phillies
One name is really all that is needed to sum up why they will win this division: Roy Halladay. One of the most dominant pitchers that we have seen in the last 3 to 4 years added to the young talent of Cole Hamels will make this team be very difficult to deal with in the post season.
NL Central Winner- Chicago Cubs
Yes I know this is my "INNER HOMER" coming out in me but really I think last year was kind of a freak year for them cause they were dealing with so many injuries that they couldn't put out the lineup that they invisioned. With Milton Bradley gone, this makes the locker room so much easier to deal with for Pinella.
NL West Winner- San Fransisco Giants
Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain are probably the two best pitchers in the NL behind the Roy Halladay. With the additions that they made in getting Mark DeRosa and Aubrey Huff to there lineup this team will not have the same fate as last year and miss out on the playoffs.
NL Wildcard Winner- New York Mets
With the addition of a power bat like Jason Bay and the come back of injured players like Jose Reyes in this lineup will push the Phillies for the East but I think they will come out and smoke everybody in the wild card.
With the season coming around the corner and more moves to be made, Version 2.0 of Eric's Picks of the Divisions will be coming soon to a computer screen near you.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Lane Kiffin is a Fool!!!
The big news in college football this week is about how Pete Carroll left USC to go to the Seattle Seahawks and that now Lane Kiffin is leaving Tennessee to go back to where it all started for him at USC and be there new head coach. All I can say to you Lane is, YOU ARE A MORON.
Lets look at some of the facts.
USC went into a steep decline this year cause of the fact that they didn't have a polished QB running the system for them this last year. Matt Barkley is going to turn out to be an OK QB that will get way over valued cause he is playing at a big school like USC. But now you are going to be installing a new offense in for him to get used to and you expect him and this team to be back to promenince. I don't think so!!!
On the defensive side you have your daddy Monty coming to be the Defensive Cordinator and you don't think that for one second that there were other teams that have studied what your dad has done for years and haven't figured a way to beat this system. COMMON? REALLY??
Now onto the most important issues; the two investigations that are going on with your football team. Do you really want to go to a school that has two investagations going on into whether or not your players were getting improper benefits? Thats a big stigma that you are going to have to deal with when you go on recruiting trips and a parent asks you about it cause there kid wants to win a national championship. You cant tell them that everything is going to be ok cause you have no idea. If and when these allegations turn out to be true that NCAA is going to come down so hard on your school its not even funny. Can you say BCS and Bowl Game Probation for the next 5 years? Why not stay at a school that you know will not have to go through problems like this and give yourself a chance (be it a small chance) to get into the BCS picture and possibly a National Championship picture.
SO Lane, when you think about all of this when you go to bed at night you are going to have to ask yourself one question: am I a Fool and a Moron for taking this job? AND THE ANSWER IS A RESOUNDING YES!!!
Lets look at some of the facts.
USC went into a steep decline this year cause of the fact that they didn't have a polished QB running the system for them this last year. Matt Barkley is going to turn out to be an OK QB that will get way over valued cause he is playing at a big school like USC. But now you are going to be installing a new offense in for him to get used to and you expect him and this team to be back to promenince. I don't think so!!!
On the defensive side you have your daddy Monty coming to be the Defensive Cordinator and you don't think that for one second that there were other teams that have studied what your dad has done for years and haven't figured a way to beat this system. COMMON? REALLY??
Now onto the most important issues; the two investigations that are going on with your football team. Do you really want to go to a school that has two investagations going on into whether or not your players were getting improper benefits? Thats a big stigma that you are going to have to deal with when you go on recruiting trips and a parent asks you about it cause there kid wants to win a national championship. You cant tell them that everything is going to be ok cause you have no idea. If and when these allegations turn out to be true that NCAA is going to come down so hard on your school its not even funny. Can you say BCS and Bowl Game Probation for the next 5 years? Why not stay at a school that you know will not have to go through problems like this and give yourself a chance (be it a small chance) to get into the BCS picture and possibly a National Championship picture.
SO Lane, when you think about all of this when you go to bed at night you are going to have to ask yourself one question: am I a Fool and a Moron for taking this job? AND THE ANSWER IS A RESOUNDING YES!!!
Lane Kiffin is a Fool!!!
The big news in college football this week is about how Pete Carroll left USC to go to the Seattle Seahawks and that now Lane Kiffin is leaving Tennessee to go back to where it all started for him at USC and be there new head coach. All I can say to you Lane is, YOU ARE A MORON.
Lets look at some of the facts.
USC went into a steep decline this year cause of the fact that they didn't have a polished QB running the system for them this last year. Matt Barkley is going to turn out to be an OK QB that will get way over valued cause he is playing at a big school like USC. But now you are going to be installing a new offense in for him to get used to and you expect him and this team to be back to promenince. I don't think so!!!
On the defensive side you have your daddy Monty coming to be the Defensive Cordinator and you don't think that for one second that there were other teams that have studied what your dad has done for years and haven't figured a way to beat this system. COMMON? REALLY??
Now onto the most important issues; the two investigations that are going on with your football team. Do you really want to go to a school that has two investagations going on into whether or not your players were getting improper benefits? Thats a big stigma that you are going to have to deal with when you go on recruiting trips and a parent asks you about it cause there kid wants to win a national championship. You cant tell them that everything is going to be ok cause you have no idea. If and when these allegations turn out to be true that NCAA is going to come down so hard on your school its not even funny. Can you say BCS and Bowl Game Probation for the next 5 years? Why not stay at a school that you know will not have to go through problems like this and give yourself a chance (be it a small chance) to get into the BCS picture and possibly a National Championship picture.
SO Lane, when you think about all of this when you go to bed at night you are going to have to ask yourself one question: am I a Fool and a Moron for taking this job? AND THE ANSWER IS A RESOUNDING YES!!!
Lets look at some of the facts.
USC went into a steep decline this year cause of the fact that they didn't have a polished QB running the system for them this last year. Matt Barkley is going to turn out to be an OK QB that will get way over valued cause he is playing at a big school like USC. But now you are going to be installing a new offense in for him to get used to and you expect him and this team to be back to promenince. I don't think so!!!
On the defensive side you have your daddy Monty coming to be the Defensive Cordinator and you don't think that for one second that there were other teams that have studied what your dad has done for years and haven't figured a way to beat this system. COMMON? REALLY??
Now onto the most important issues; the two investigations that are going on with your football team. Do you really want to go to a school that has two investagations going on into whether or not your players were getting improper benefits? Thats a big stigma that you are going to have to deal with when you go on recruiting trips and a parent asks you about it cause there kid wants to win a national championship. You cant tell them that everything is going to be ok cause you have no idea. If and when these allegations turn out to be true that NCAA is going to come down so hard on your school its not even funny. Can you say BCS and Bowl Game Probation for the next 5 years? Why not stay at a school that you know will not have to go through problems like this and give yourself a chance (be it a small chance) to get into the BCS picture and possibly a National Championship picture.
SO Lane, when you think about all of this when you go to bed at night you are going to have to ask yourself one question: am I a Fool and a Moron for taking this job? AND THE ANSWER IS A RESOUNDING YES!!!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Byron Hout Deserved What He Got
Now I want to justify this before anything else. I don't condone what LeGarrette Blount did in punching Byron Hout.
Now if you have been in a cave for the last week and a half here is the video of what happened:
Now that is out of the way, I have to say that D-Bag Byron Hout got what he deserved. Hout deserves to get suspended. Especially when the NCAA was having there Sportsmanship Iniative week. If anything the NCAA should step in and suspend Hout. Now you guys go out before the coin toss and shake hands, then at the end of the game you go up to Blount and decide to grab him by the shoulder and rub it in his face that he just got beat. Act like you have been there before. Be a man and let your game do the talking, not your mouth.
Now I know what you may be saying; no one deserves to get a sucker punch in the jaw like that. I say shut it. How would you like it if the team you are playing for just loses by a touchdown or less, you get a jackass that comes up to you, grabs you, and starts rubbing your nose in that fact. Most of you guys will let your competitive spirit get the best of you and take the punch like LeGarrette Blount did cause who wants to lose. Not I.
So LaGarrette, I do understand why you took the punch. But you also got what you deserved. Being suspended for the year. So I guess in this instance, everybody got what they deserved.
Now if you have been in a cave for the last week and a half here is the video of what happened:
Now that is out of the way, I have to say that D-Bag Byron Hout got what he deserved. Hout deserves to get suspended. Especially when the NCAA was having there Sportsmanship Iniative week. If anything the NCAA should step in and suspend Hout. Now you guys go out before the coin toss and shake hands, then at the end of the game you go up to Blount and decide to grab him by the shoulder and rub it in his face that he just got beat. Act like you have been there before. Be a man and let your game do the talking, not your mouth.
Now I know what you may be saying; no one deserves to get a sucker punch in the jaw like that. I say shut it. How would you like it if the team you are playing for just loses by a touchdown or less, you get a jackass that comes up to you, grabs you, and starts rubbing your nose in that fact. Most of you guys will let your competitive spirit get the best of you and take the punch like LeGarrette Blount did cause who wants to lose. Not I.
So LaGarrette, I do understand why you took the punch. But you also got what you deserved. Being suspended for the year. So I guess in this instance, everybody got what they deserved.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
