A lot is going on, so let's get started....
- The Chris Paul ordeal is finally over as the NBA has agreed to allow the trade of the Hornets star point guard to the Clippers for three players and a very key draft pick, which will be discussed in a moment. The Clippers will also get two second-round picks. I'm just glad this is finally over and the focus can actually be on the game on the court starting Christmas Day.
- Now to that draft pick, New Orleans is getting Minnesota's 1st round pick in 2012. Why is this important? From all indications, the Timberwolves won't make the playoffs and could be one of the worst teams in the league meaning the Hornets could end up with two of the top picks in the 2012 draft. May be able to rebuild very quickly.
- While Paul is being traded, Dwight Howard won't be....for now. The Magic has decided to wait to see if the market heats up more for Howard and maybe wait until closer to the trade deadline. Orlando is the kind of team that could have used Paul or maybe another superstar to pair with Howard. No state tax in Florida should be a big selling point.
- On a much more serious note, Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will undergo surgery for a kidney condition and will be away from the team for 7-10 days. Phillips has completely turned around Houston's defense, going from the worst last season to near the top this season. Wishes go out to Phillips for a speedy recovery.
- Also in the NFL, the league has renewed the TV deals with CBS, Fox and NBC through the 2022 season. A few changes are coming to your TV with this deal. First, the deal allows the NFL Network to expand their Thursday Night Football package. Sure seems like Thursday games are going to be all season long starting next season to me. The Thanksgiving night game will now be shown on NBC so all three Turkey Day games will be on free TV and flexible scheduling continues with a change. You may see AFC games on Fox and NFC games on CBS along with networks can not simulcast games online. Interesting developments to make the NFL viewer even more happy.
- In MLB news, the Red Sox traded Jed Lowrie to the Astros for closer Mark Melancon. Boston was in need of a closer after Jonathan Papelbon left to go to Philadelphia. I'm not sure Melancon will be the closer though next season. Ryan Madson, who was the Phillies' closer for most of last season, is still available. Melancon would be better-suited in a set-up role anyway. Boston isn't done with signings yet, trust me.
That's all for now......back in the morning.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Trivia Answer: Wednesday, Dec. 14
The answer is......Karl "Tuffy" Rhodes. Rhodes would hit just five more home runs that season for the Cubs and later would tie the Japanese single-season homerun record of 55 while playing. With his 3 HR performance, Rhodes became the first National League player to hit three homers on Opening Day.
Sports analysis from today coming later....
Sports analysis from today coming later....
Trivia: Wednesday, Dec. 14
Today's question is this......what former Cub hit 3 HRs on Opening Day 1994 against the Mets' Dwight Gooden?
Answer later....
Answer later....
Midweek Ramblings....
Wednesday has arrived, here is what's up....
- The Chris Paul saga lingers on as now the Lakers are still involved in potentially getting the New Orleans star. It seems like the league doesn't want to make any move on this or wants the world back in return kind of like the Herschel Walker trade from many years past where the Vikings basically gave away everything for Walker to the Cowboys. The Cowboys used all the draft picks to build a dynasty in the '90s. Who knows how this one will end.
- In another trade that drags on, ESPN reports this morning that the Nets and Magic are in serious discussions on a trade for Dwight Howard. The Portland Trail Blazers would also be involved and could receive multiple first-round picks if this happens. I thought the new CBA was to prevent all these big-time players from basically saying I've had enough here, I want a big-market team. I guess not.
- Other NBA news brings that the Nuggets have resigned Nene for 5 yrs/$67 million. Denver is still trying to get over Carmelo Anthony leaving during last season and couldn't lose Nene as well. However, this is another smaller market team so in the end, they probably won't have a chance at a NBA title.
- Moving to baseball, the Twins have signed OF Josh Willingham to a multi-year deal according to sources. Solid move for the Twinkies to put into a lineup with Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau when both are healthy. Keeps Minnesota competitive in the AL Central.
- Time to discuss the thing that is Tim Tebow. Yes, he has led the Broncos to a 7-1 record as a starter but has been horrible in the first three quarters of almost every game this season. There are people who would suggest he's a better running back than quarterback. That is true for now and maybe a full offseason can help him work on his throws. The media coverage is overblown with Tebow, the world doesn't revolve around him but for now, he's the story and takes a lot of pressure off the undefeated run of the Packers.
- Last item this morning involves former Braves closer John Rocker, who has admitted to taking steroids while on the team. Is it ironic that he is also selling a book right now so all these new things are coming out. We all know those drugs were all over baseball right after the strike and beyond as the game tried to rebuild itself. In Rocker's case, the way he was acting.....everyone had to have known.
That's all for now, back tonight with more....
- The Chris Paul saga lingers on as now the Lakers are still involved in potentially getting the New Orleans star. It seems like the league doesn't want to make any move on this or wants the world back in return kind of like the Herschel Walker trade from many years past where the Vikings basically gave away everything for Walker to the Cowboys. The Cowboys used all the draft picks to build a dynasty in the '90s. Who knows how this one will end.
- In another trade that drags on, ESPN reports this morning that the Nets and Magic are in serious discussions on a trade for Dwight Howard. The Portland Trail Blazers would also be involved and could receive multiple first-round picks if this happens. I thought the new CBA was to prevent all these big-time players from basically saying I've had enough here, I want a big-market team. I guess not.
- Other NBA news brings that the Nuggets have resigned Nene for 5 yrs/$67 million. Denver is still trying to get over Carmelo Anthony leaving during last season and couldn't lose Nene as well. However, this is another smaller market team so in the end, they probably won't have a chance at a NBA title.
- Moving to baseball, the Twins have signed OF Josh Willingham to a multi-year deal according to sources. Solid move for the Twinkies to put into a lineup with Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau when both are healthy. Keeps Minnesota competitive in the AL Central.
- Time to discuss the thing that is Tim Tebow. Yes, he has led the Broncos to a 7-1 record as a starter but has been horrible in the first three quarters of almost every game this season. There are people who would suggest he's a better running back than quarterback. That is true for now and maybe a full offseason can help him work on his throws. The media coverage is overblown with Tebow, the world doesn't revolve around him but for now, he's the story and takes a lot of pressure off the undefeated run of the Packers.
- Last item this morning involves former Braves closer John Rocker, who has admitted to taking steroids while on the team. Is it ironic that he is also selling a book right now so all these new things are coming out. We all know those drugs were all over baseball right after the strike and beyond as the game tried to rebuild itself. In Rocker's case, the way he was acting.....everyone had to have known.
That's all for now, back tonight with more....
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Tuesday night thinking...
Another day has passed, here is what's going down....
- The Steelers' James Harrison was suspended for one game by the NFL for his hit on Browns QB Colt McCoy Thursday night. While I like the hard-nosed play that Harrison likes to show and the fact it is old-school football, sometimes he goes a bit over the line. He won't learn but don't change your game, big guy. You are one of the few left who actually doesn't tippy-toe around.
- More details of the new MLB labor deal have become public and some interesting things come out of it. The fact divisional teams can now play before the league championship series is great. Means Red Sox-Yankees won't always be for the AL Title. Also, the All-Star break will be extended to four days with the chance the game could be moved to Wednesday in some years with the Home Run Derby on Tuesday. Different I must say, I like the longer break but don't move the game. Just play Tuesday and start games again on Friday.
- NBA players are not happy and now at least one is speaking out. The Celtics' Kevin Garnett has called out Commish David Stern for a "rushed" training camp. There is no doubt Garnett has a point, just 16 days from the start of training camp to the beginning of the season. Not enough time you would figure but the NBA needed games on Christmas for them to have any chance of keeping fans for what will be a roller coaster 66-game season.
- I usually don't bring up golf but you have to give props to Luke Donald for not only winning the PGA money title but the European Tour money tour as well. That's impressive to say the least....
- A little more NFL for you and especially to you fantasy football types, go pick up Felix Jones and especially James Jones from the Packers. Just saying...
- I'm a media guy and when I heard Craig James had decided to run for a Senate seat in Texas, I couldn't be more happy. ESPN would be better off without him anyway. Go pollute something else with your ideas on Boise State and the fact you ranked them 24th in your last vote.
That's all for tonight, more in the morning.....
- The Steelers' James Harrison was suspended for one game by the NFL for his hit on Browns QB Colt McCoy Thursday night. While I like the hard-nosed play that Harrison likes to show and the fact it is old-school football, sometimes he goes a bit over the line. He won't learn but don't change your game, big guy. You are one of the few left who actually doesn't tippy-toe around.
- More details of the new MLB labor deal have become public and some interesting things come out of it. The fact divisional teams can now play before the league championship series is great. Means Red Sox-Yankees won't always be for the AL Title. Also, the All-Star break will be extended to four days with the chance the game could be moved to Wednesday in some years with the Home Run Derby on Tuesday. Different I must say, I like the longer break but don't move the game. Just play Tuesday and start games again on Friday.
- NBA players are not happy and now at least one is speaking out. The Celtics' Kevin Garnett has called out Commish David Stern for a "rushed" training camp. There is no doubt Garnett has a point, just 16 days from the start of training camp to the beginning of the season. Not enough time you would figure but the NBA needed games on Christmas for them to have any chance of keeping fans for what will be a roller coaster 66-game season.
- I usually don't bring up golf but you have to give props to Luke Donald for not only winning the PGA money title but the European Tour money tour as well. That's impressive to say the least....
- A little more NFL for you and especially to you fantasy football types, go pick up Felix Jones and especially James Jones from the Packers. Just saying...
- I'm a media guy and when I heard Craig James had decided to run for a Senate seat in Texas, I couldn't be more happy. ESPN would be better off without him anyway. Go pollute something else with your ideas on Boise State and the fact you ranked them 24th in your last vote.
That's all for tonight, more in the morning.....
Trivia Answer: Tuesday, Dec. 13
Answer is...
2004- Detroit Pistons
2006- Miami Heat
2008- Boston Celtics
2011- Dallas Mavericks
Sports thoughts coming tonight.....
2004- Detroit Pistons
2006- Miami Heat
2008- Boston Celtics
2011- Dallas Mavericks
Sports thoughts coming tonight.....
Trivia: Tuesday, Dec. 13
Today's question is this.....In the last 20 years, just 4 years did a team other than the Lakers, Bulls, Rockets or Spurs win the NBA Title. What teams are years did it happen?
Answer later....
Answer later....
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