Wednesday night deep thoughts

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.

Friday night thoughts

Last look for the week at things before weekend games begin...

- That Chris Paul deal to the Lakers appears to be regaining some legs. The three teams involved in the trade (Lakers, Hornets and Rockets) are talking again about how to do this deal. Let's just hope it actually happens for everyone's sanity.
- Speaking of NBA, the meeting Dwight Howard and the New Jersey Nets had has been deemed illegal. The NBA should do something positive and slap the Nets with some penalty. Competitive balance is the key right? Well that means Howard can't go to New Jersey.
- The Oakland A's are cleaning house again with their trade of Trevor Cahill to Arizona Friday. This means the Diamondbacks a serious threat in the National League putting Cahill with Ian Kennedy. I guess the Marlins weren't the only team making big time moves.
- Now on a completely different scale and something of a positive nature for Penn State....well maybe not on this night but the four-time defending women's volleyball champions were defeated by UCLA. Reason I bring this up is just the fact they won 4 YEARS IN A ROW! Not the easiest thing to do when players graduate.
- Last thing, if you have time on Saturday....sit down and watch at least some of the Army-Navy game. One of the best games every year with the service academies. Just take 30 minutes out and take a look.

Saturday selections coming in the morning.....

It's Late Night in Blogland

Sitting at the desk late tonight, let's go...

- Just after I posted the morning report, reports begin flying that Albert Pujols and CJ Wilson have signed with the Angels. A war has developed now between the Angels and Rangers for the AL West crown, this should be interesting. Pujols gets over $250 million while Wilson gets $77 million, would be nice to make that kind of money.
- Also on Thursday, the Cubs traded Tyler Colvin to Colorado for Ian Stewart. North Siders needed a 3rd baseman with Aramis Ramirez now gone. This is a big risk for a Cub team that wants defense and there is no doubt Stewart won't match Ramirez's production offensively.
- Very interesting news in the NBA as the New Orleans Hornets were going to trade star point guard Chris Paul to the Lakers but one problem, the NBA owns the Hornets right now and killed the trade. David Stern wants competitive balance but I'm not sure if he should be sticking his nose in this.

That's it for tonight, more in the morning