Author: John Paulsen (Page 739 of 937)

      The Rumor Mill (2/12)

      February 12, 2008 /

      Here are a few rumblings from around the league:

      – Stan Van Gundy isn’t pleased with Dwight Howard’s recent play on defense. Van Gundy wants Howard to be more active in his help defense and be more of a force by blocking shots.

      – Sam Cassell isn’t expecting the Clippers to buy him out or trade him to the Celtics, though he’d welcome the move.

      – Isiah Thomas is still in charge of the Knicks and he’s shopping two of his latest acquisitions – Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry – around the league. Isn’t it the next guy’s job to clean up Isiah’s mess?

      – Heat owner Mickey Arison feels fortunate that he was able to get out of Shaq’s remaining contract. Apparently, Shaq initiated the trade by having his agent call Arison and request a buyout.

      – Through his agent, Jason Kidd told the Nets that he wants to play for a contender. If New Jersey sends him to a lottery team, his agent (Jeff Schwartz) has threatened to steer clients away from the Nets in the future.

      – People give the Timberwolves grief for not getting enough in the Garnett trade. In a rarity, I’m going to come to Kevin McHale’s defense. Al Jefferson has been a beast thus far, averaging 21.4 points and 12.2 rebounds per game. He’s just 23 and Minnesota can build around him. Given what the Grizzlies got for Pau Gasol, I’d say Minny did pretty well.

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Rumors & Gossip

      No more March Madness blackouts

      February 11, 2008 /

      CBSSports.com has decided to broadcast ALL March Madness games – including games on local TV and the Final Four games – as a part of its March Madness On Demand online product.

      Until now, the network has protected its affiliates by maintaining roughly the same blackout rules online as it has on air and in its DirectTV out-of-market package, essentially keeping the “local” games TV only. It also has stopped coverage after the first 56 games. Both decisions were meant to protect the TV franchise.

      The changes show some growth in the thinking of CBS (NYSE: CBS) Sports, the NCAA and the affiliates, aided by the success of previous years and some proof that most people who have a choice between watching March Madness on TV versus a computer will pick the former. (Then there are those of us who use a combination to watch multiple games at once.) Jason Kint, SVP and GM of CBSSports.com told me: ”It’s an across-the-board decision by all the partners that this is additive—not cannibalistic.” Kint said affiliates were part of the discussions. “I think they appreciate that the main consumers watching MMOD are doing it at work.”

      If I’m not at a bar watching multiple games with friends, I utilize the MMOD to watch a game that I otherwise wouldn’t be able to see on local TV. Also, it’s nice to be able to switch over to a close game with ease. This is the kind of forward thinking that the NFL should try next time DirecTV’s Sunday Ticket monopoly expires.

      College Basketball, March Madness, Television

      Duke holds off UNC

      February 7, 2008 /

      It was a battle of #2 vs. #3 last night, and the Blue Devils held off the Tar Heels’ comeback attempt, ultimately prevailing, 89-78.

      Duke is undersized, and had a tough time matching up with Tyler Hansbrough inside. He finished with 28 points and 18 rebounds. However, the rest of the team combined for just 16-48 (33%) from the field, while the Blue Devils countered by shooting 13-29 (45%) from long range. That included a blistering 6 of 8 performance from Greg Paulus, who led six Dookies in double figures with 18.

      North Carolina was without point guard Ty Lawson, and it showed, as the Tar Heels committed 20 turnovers, many of them unforced.

      With a win at UNC, Duke has the inside track now for the ACC title and the #1 seed in the East, which is vital because the first four games would be played in Raleigh and Charlotte.

      College Basketball, March Madness

      Gasol’s Laker debut

      February 6, 2008 /

      Gasol posted 24 points, 12 rebounds and four assists in a 105-90 win over the Nets last night, and it looks like he’s going to fit in just fine with the Lakers.

      Despite having just one practice and one shootaround with the Lakers, Gasol was in the starting lineup and received a loud ovation when he was announced during introductions.

      “I’m starting to realize how big the Lakers are around the country and around the world,” Gasol said before the game. “I had a little bit of a feel when they coming (into Memphis) because I see more Lakers jerseys than Grizzlies jerseys in the stands. But that happens everywhere.”

      Living in Southern California, I know more than a few Laker fans, and they are all riding high after this trade. (And they should be.)

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA

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