It should be an interesting scene at MSG tonight as LeBron comes to town on the heels of the Knicks’ cap-cutting trade that sent Zach Randolph to the Clippers. Rachel Nichols speculates on what the scene will be like tonight:
Author: John Paulsen (Page 613 of 937)
Artest sits down with a former elementary school classmate to talk about his childhood.
Ron Artest loved recess as a kid. At his elementary school, P.S. 122, after lunch students would either fill the auditorium to watch movies or empty into the yard behind the cafeteria and run wild. It depended on the weather. But rain or shine, the youngster known as Ron-Ron was happy. When indoors, he was entertained by DTV: Pop & Rock, which was a VHS compilation of songs from the 1950s set to Disney cartoons. (His favorite was Sheb Wooley’s “The Purple People Eater.”) He preferred, however, playing handball or punchball in the massive schoolyard. And that was where I broke up a fight between Ron and a friend of mine in the fourth grade.
Kosta* was a tough, stocky Greek kid with serious pluck, but this was a mismatch. Ron had him beat on height, reach and sheer aggression. “Ron was bothering my cousin and I went to defend her,” Kosta says today. “Then he punched me.” Basically, Ron hit Kosta and Kosta hit the floor. “Ron dropped him like a sack of potatoes,” remembers John Castellano, a witness to the scrap. Afterward, Ron stood tall breathing heavy, emphasizing his exhale. His lower jaw jutted out and his arms were extended, balled into fists. I stepped between him and Kosta, who was still slumped against a fence. “Thomas,” Ron seethed. “You don’t understand. You don’t understand.”
It’s a good read.
Zach Randolph has joined the Clippers, but he can’t play until Cuttino Mobley sees a heart specialist.
The source said Mobley would see a heart specialist on Tuesday.
When asked about ESPN.com’s report by reporters after the Clippers game on Monday, coach Mike Dunleavy said: “From the standpoint of Cuttino’s concern, there’s nothing they have or don’t have that hasn’t been known to us or hasn’t been approved by us and all the other teams he’s played for. Neither one of those guys has had any issues with any of the things that are even being talked about.
“All I know is that if Cuttino has anything, he’s been asymptomatic,” Dunleavy said. “He’s never had any issue with us. There’s never been one time that he missed a practice or missed a game or had any issues in any physical of any kind for us. I mean, I’ve been told by our doctors that the things that are under concern is not something that we haven’t known about or have had any issues with. So hopefully, it won’t be an issue.”
Another source told ESPN.com that Mobley’s condition has been present throughout his career and has never been a grave concern, although the Knicks were prudent in their diligence.
On the surface it would be hard to imagine the Knicks wanting to void the trade because they achieved their goal of clearing Randolph’s contract (which carried two more years and $33.3 million after this season).
No disrespect to Cuttino Mobley, but why would the Knicks even care if he has a heart condition? This trade is mostly a salary dump, though there is the possibility that Mobley and Tim Thomas may see some minutes this season. But really, if Mobley weren’t able to play, would the Knicks really take Randolph (and his salary) back?
If your goal is to free up cap space to make a run at LeBron James in 2010, and you’ve successfully found a sucker to take on Zach Randolph’s contract, then why would you jeopardize it by holding up the deal?
Click here for an in-depth analysis of how the Randolph trade affects the Knicks’ future salary cap flexibility.
This might be the best episode yet. Check out the other four here.
“I would make pudding for you.”
Every week, I highlight a few players that you should target in waivers. I use the ESPN league data when filtering players, so the only players eligible for discussion here are those that are available on the waiver wire of at least 50% of ESPN’s leagues. I’ll list each player’s percentage-owned after their name so you have an idea of how available they are in leagues around the country. I’ll always try to mention a few players that are available in 90% of leagues for those of you in 12-team leagues or leagues with big rosters. I’ll rank them in the order I’d pick them up in a league with a high-performance, PPR scoring system.
Please note that these rankings are for total value through the end of the year. Players with particularly good matchups this week are in bold.
QUARTERBACKS
I’d pick up Tyler Thigpen, Trent Edwards and Jeff Garcia ahead of Collins this week and Matt Hasselbeck after him, before moving on to the rest of the list:
Kerry Collins (36.5)
Over the last three weeks, Collins has averaged 254 passing yards and 2.0 TD per game.
Shaun Hill (25.3)
Hill has thrown for at least two TD in each of the last three games.
Gus Frerotte (30.7)
He has nice matchups in Week 14 and Week 15, which makes him a good QB2 for the playoffs.
Sage Rosenfels (24.0)
Joe Flacco (43.1)
Ryan Fitzpatrick (6.6)
JaMarcus Russell (24.1)
RUNNING BACKS
If Justin Fargas, Kevin Faulk or Leon Washington is available, they are worth consideration. I would grab Hillis and Morris first, however.
Peyton Hillis (48.7)
Hillis has posted 32 touches for 166 yards and three TD over the last two weeks. Not bad.
Maurice Morris (15.7)
Broke out with a big game against the Redskins and it looks like he is the RB1 in Seattle right now.
Pierre Thomas (35.8)
He was very involved in the Saints attack and looked much quicker and more effective than Deuce McAllister. But with Reggie Bush on the way back, his upside is somewhat limited.
Cedric Benson (45.7)
LeRon McClain (41.6)
Carnell Wiliiams (35.5)
Got some work in relief of RB1 Warrick Dunn. This role might grow to keep Dunn fresh.
Antonio Pittman (28.1)
Lorenzo Booker (0.6)
Might get the start if Westy can’t go.
Tatum Bell (25.8)
Ahman Green (23.8)
Ladell Betts (23.3)
Jamal Charles (22.5)
WIDE RECEIVERS
Steve Breaston, Ted Ginn, Isaac Bruce and Anthony Gonzalez are available in 30-40% of ESPN leagues. With Greg Camarillo out, I like Ted Ginn’s chances to produce over the stretch run.
Mark Bradley (24.1)
Bradley left Sunday’s game with a calf injury. Monitor that situation before committing too much.
Domenik Hixon (3.7)
If Burress misses time, Hixon should produce. He went for 6-57 this week and 4-102-1 back in Week 5.
Amani Toomer (34.3)
With Burress iffy, Toomer is the most dependable WR option for the Giants.
Devin Hester (40.5)
Michael Jenkins (29.9)
He just keeps churning out decent numbers in PPR leagues.
Davone Bess (0.4)
Bess is a deep sleeper who has posted 8-137 over the last two weeks. With Greg Camarillo out for the year, he could be a decent (albeit risky) play in PPR leagues.
Matt Jones (44.0)
Bryant Johnson (18.9)
Fourteen catches over the last four games is nothing to sneeze at.
Justin Gage (41.1)
Gage has been inconsistent, but he plays the Lions this week.
Ike Hilliard (18.1)
He has a nice matchup this week with the Saints.
Steve Smith (20.6)
He would get a bump if Burress misses time.
Antwaan Randle El (39.9)
TIGHT ENDS
If Kevin Boss is available, I’d pick him up if Keller isn’t available.
Dustin Keller (49.8)
Over the last three weeks, he has posted 20-236-1 and looks like a good TE start down the stretch. In fact, you might want to start him over some of these bigger-name guys that have been disappointing.
Heath Miller (49.3)
Zach Miller (46.8)
John Carlson (40.2)
Donald Lee (44.3)
Marcedes Lewis (24.0)
David Martin (15.6)
With Camarillo out, he may get more of the underneath stuff.
Desmond Clark (10.5)
Robert Royal (10.7)
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