Month: January 2009 (Page 22 of 61)

      Dissecting the Larry Hughes trade rumor

      January 20, 2009 /

      Larry Hughes to the Nets? It’s a possibility, according to NorthJersey.com.

      The Nets and Bulls have discussed a deal that would bring veteran shooting guard Larry Hughes to New Jersey for Bobby Simmons and Maurice Ager, league sources said. Sean Williams was offered instead of Ager, but Chicago wasn’t interested.

      Both sides are considering it, although the Bulls are talking to many teams about Hughes, who is signed through next season.

      The Nets are weighing whether the deal makes them that much better and if it’s financially smart. The additional salary next season would be more than $3 million.

      Every time I hear a trade rumor, I ask myself the following questions…

      1. What is Team A (or B) trying to accomplish?
      2. What are the salary cap ramifications?
      3. Is this is a good idea?

      Larry Hughes is one of the most overpaid players in the league. He has another year left on his deal at the tune of $13.6 million. This season, he is an average shooting guard (PER: 14.68) which is an improvement over his performance in the two previous seasons.

      Since his contract expires in 2010, this trade wouldn’t affect the Nets’ ability to woo LeBron James or any other big-name free agent that summer, so the Nets are apparently trying to get better in the short term with this deal. Bobby Simmons hasn’t been the same player since his foot injuries he suffered with the Bucks, and since it looks like Hughes has a little left in the tank, it wouldn’t be a bad move for the Nets. He plays the same position as Vince Carter, but since the league is getting smaller, Carter could play a little small forward as well. It’s possible that the Nets are giving themselves a backup plan at off guard if they decide to trade Carter away.

      For the Bulls, Hughes has been complaining about his lack of minutes and has been somewhat of a distraction. It would appear that the main benefit for Chicago would be to rid itself of that headache.

      So, from that point of view, it looks like a good idea for both teams. The Nets get a little better, they don’t threaten their ability to sign a free agent in 2010 and they give themselves a backup at shooting guard if they trade Carter away. The Bulls rid themselves of a headache, create a happier locker room, and save a little money.

      It seems like a fair trade to me.

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Rumors & Gossip

      2009 college football ranking predictions: Florida No. 1

      January 20, 2009 /

      Stewart Mandel of SI.com takes a crack at predicting how the top 25 will look in college football next season.

      Tim Tebow1. Florida (13-1 in 2008)

      Who’s back: QB Tim Tebow, DE Carlos Dunlap, LB Brandon Spikes, CB Joe Haden, S Ahmad Black.

      Who’s not: WRs Percy Harvin* and Louis Murphy, T Phil Trautwein, G Jim Tartt.

      Skinny: The defending champs return a former Heisman winner at quarterback, their top three tailbacks and, remarkably, their entire starting defense.

      2. Texas (12-1)

      Who’s back: QB Colt McCoy, WR Jordan Shipley, T Adam Ulatoski, LBs Sergio Kindle and Roddrick Muckelroy.

      Who’s not: WR Quan Cosby, DE Brian Orakpo, DT Roy Miller, CB Ryan Palmer.

      Skinny: McCoy and the offense should be potent again, and last year’s young secondary should improve with another year under Will Muschamp.

      3. Oklahoma (12-2)

      Who’s back: QB Sam Bradford, RBs DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown, TE Jermaine Gresham, DT Gerald McCoy.

      Who’s not: WRs Jauquin Iglesias and Manuel Johnson, T Phil Loadholt, G Duke Robinson, S Nic Harris.

      Skinny: Bradford’s return is huge for an offense that must retool its line and receiving corps. The defense has nine starters back from the BCS title game.

      4. USC (12-1)
      Who’s back: RBs C.J. Gable, Stafon Johnson and Joe McKnight, WR Damian Williams, S Taylor Mays.

      Who’s not: QB Mark Sanchez*, DT Fili Moala, LBs Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing, S Kevin Ellison.

      Skinny: New QB Aaron Corp or Mitch Mustain will have a solid supporting cast. The defense loses a boatload of staples but should be able to reload.

      5. Ole Miss (9-4)
      Who’s back: QB Jevan Snead, RB/WR Dexter McCluster, DE Greg Hardy, CB Marshay Green, S Kendrick Lewis.

      Who’s not: T Michael Oher, DT Peria Jerry, LBs Tony Fein and Ashlee Palmer.

      Skinny: After knocking off Florida, LSU and Texas Tech, the Rebels are ready to take the next step behind star QB Snead. Hardy’s return is a huge boost.

      The 2008 season isn’t even a month dead yet and already I miss college football. (Although not the constant playoff debate, which shouldn’t even be a debate at all if BCS-supporters could ever get their heads out of their asses and realize they ruin college football every year.)

      I like seeing Ole’ Miss that high. As Mandel points out, the Rebs knocked off Florida, LSU and Texas Tech last year, and also gave Alabama a run for its money, too. Snead is the real deal and that’s a team that will be fun to watch next season.

      College Football

      NBA Top 10 Plays: 1/19

      January 20, 2009 /

      Yesterday was an exciting day in the NBA. The first six games of the day were decided by four points or less. I don’t normally post these highlight videos, but there were two game winners at the end that are worth a look.

      I love watching the home crowd (even an NBA crowd) when their team hits a game winner.

      NBA, Television, Video

      Fraley: Brewers should trade Prince Fielder

      January 20, 2009 /

      Gerry Fraley of SportingNews.com suggests that the Brewers trade Prince Fielder before he (possibly) wins arbitration and soaks the club for millions.

      Prince FielderTheir argument against Fielder would be interesting and potentially incendiary.

      Would the Brewers mention Fielder’s deteriorating defense?

      Fielder and Howard each have 31 errors during the last two seasons. That is the highest total by a major-league first baseman since Kevin Young had 40 errors with Pittsburgh in 1999-2000.

      (The legendary Dick “Dr. Strangeglove” Stuart had 53 errors at first base with Boston in 1963-64.)

      Would the Brewers bring up Fielder’s increasing weight and decreasing power?

      Fielder adopted a vegetarian diet last season, but he seemed to expand while his power shrunk. Fielder went from 50 homers, 119 RBIs and a .618 slugging percentage in 2007 to 34 homers, 102 RBIs and a .507 slugging percentage last season.

      Fielder is a sensitive slugger, especially when his weight is an issue. He can sit in on the hearing as the Brewers make their case. If Fielder was angry when the club exercised its right of renewal last season, what would he be like after listening to a club-built case against him?

      Melvin has the payroll flexibility to keep Fielder this season, even if he wins a big award. The Brewers want to build on last season’s success. Trading Fielder now or during the season would send a bad message to the growing fan base.

      A year from now, the situation will be different.

      Fielder and Boras have rejected one proposal from the Brewers on a multi-year contract and seem set on going into free agency after the 2011 season. The Brewers would be better served moving Fielder then rather than letting him get closer to the walk-away season. Milwaukee is on the clock.

      Most clubs are in constant search for more offensive pop, so trading a young slugger heading into the prime of his career doesn’t make a lot of sense on the surface. But as Fraley points out, the Brewers will be in a bind very soon because of Fielder’s contract situation (Boras is going to rape Milwaukee) and they could get a couple of arms in the right deal.

      If the Brewers make a move now before Fielder shows up for camp (no doubt out of shape) and trade him for a starter (Jake Peavy?), then they could sign Adam Dunn as a stopgap until Mat Gamel (his natural position is 3B, but he’s rumored to be brutal defensively) is major-league ready. Just an idea…

      MLB, Rumors & Gossip

      Erin Andrews: Greatest Hits

      January 20, 2009 /

      The Love of Sports compiled a top 10 list of great Erin Andrews moments of the past couple of years. (Hey, someone had to do it.)

      2. The Chicago Cubs get easily flustered in her floozy presence
      “Yup. I’m just a hot chick covering a baseball game. [Blows bubble.] Nothing to see here, please move along.” Not so fast. Mike Nadel, a Chicago news service columnist (and, in the children’s game of Eye Candy Land, would be Mr. Molasses) penned the scathing report, “Blonde Bombshell can’t distract red-hot Cubs” and, well, let’s just say he takes issue with her … assets. And flirting. Or something.

      Erin Andrews

      1. Playboy’s Sexiest Sportscaster
      Of course she is. The people have spoken. I wonder for whom these gentlemen below voted.

      Erin Andrews

      You’ve got to admire Andrews’ longevity. Normally America shuffles “what’s hot” out the door as quickly as we ushered he/she/it in. But Andrews has stuck around and you know what? She’s pretty good at her job, too. (Yes…and nice to look at.)

      College Basketball, College Football, General Sports, MLB, NBA, Women

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