Category: News (Page 196 of 199)

      Bynum to return soon

      April 7, 2009 /

      The stars are aligning for the Los Angeles Lakers. Yesterday, news broke that their chief rival to the Western Conference crown — the San Antonio Spurs — would be without the services of Manu Ginobili for the rest of the season. Now it looks like Andrew Bynum will be back before the week is out.

      He probably won’t play Tuesday against the Sacramento Kings and he might not play Thursday against the Denver Nuggets. If he doesn’t play Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers, that leaves next Sunday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

      It would be the perfect night and opponent, as far as Phil Jackson is concerned. The Lakers coach wants Bynum to clear a mental hurdle sooner rather than later. He doesn’t want the 7-foot center developing a complex about facing the Grizzlies.

      Maybe it’s too late, however.

      Bynum tore a right knee ligament Jan. 31 against Memphis.

      He injured his left kneecap Jan. 13, 2008, against Memphis.

      He faced Marc Gasol when he was hurt this season.

      He faced Pau Gasol when he was hurt last season.

      He scored 25 points in the game before he was injured this season.

      He scored 25 points in the game before he was injured last season.

      Bynum runs down the list of coincidences with anyone who will listen. Jackson would prefer Bynum get past his phobia about playing against Memphis.

      Jackson said Bynum’s role has yet to be determined, although he might be better suited to start because he could warm up and then begin the game. He wouldn’t have to warm up, then sit and get stiff and then try to play.

      Prior to the Ginobili injury, I thought that the Lakers would need a healthy and productive Bynum to make the Finals again, but now I’m not so sure. Barring an injury to Kobe Bryant or Pau Gasol, the Lakers look like they are destined for a second consecutive Finals appearance, so Bynum’s impending return is just frosting on the cake.

      NBA, NBA Finals, News, Rumors & Gossip

      Manu Ginobili out for season…and playoffs

      April 6, 2009 /

      The Spurs are going to have a tough time winning their fourth title in seven years without their star wing.

      The stiffness Spurs guard Manu Ginobili felt in his right ankle during Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers turned out to portend the worst possible news for the star guard and the Spurs: A stress fracture that will cost him the remainder of the season, and the playoffs.

      Ginobili had returned to game action March 25 in Atlanta after missing 19 games with a stress reaction in his right distal fibula. Sunday’s game was his sixth since returning to the lineup, and followed three games in which he had totaled 50 points. After scoring 16 in a victory in Indianapolis on Friday, Ginobili had reported that he felt “super.”

      When the ankle stiffened Sunday, he sought advice from the team’s athletic training and conditioning staff, and was sent back to San Antonio for a CT scan and MRI. The results of tests conducted Monday morning showed the stress fracture, and the determination that the team’s starting shooting guard would miss the remainder of the season.

      Laker fans will be dancing in the street when they hear this news. When healthy, the Spurs posed the biggest threat to L.A.’s title hopes. With Ginobili out and Kevin Garnett hobbled, it’s looking more and more like we’re destined for a Cavs/Lakers Finals.

      NBA, NBA Finals, News, Rumors & Gossip

      Report: Xavier’s Sean Miller rejects Arizona’s offer

      April 6, 2009 /

      The University of Arizona can’t catch a break. First, Tim Floyd turns them down and now Sean Miller has (reportedly) decided to stay in Cincinnati.

      Xavier’s Miller met with Arizona athletic director Jim Livengood on Sunday about the Wildcats’ open head coaching job but rejected the school’s offer later that night, according to multiple media reports.

      Xavier AD Mike Bobinski told ESPN.com’s Andy Katz that he expected to speak with Miller late Sunday or early Monday. He wrote in a text message: “Nothing firm at this moment, but I remain very optimistic that Sean Miller will continue as our head basketball coach at Xavier.”

      Miller “has a potential Final Four team coming back next season, loves where he lives, has security and is paid well and has the best job in his league, yet has to decide whether or not this is the right job for him to explore,” Calipari said earlier Sunday.

      So who’s next for Arizona? I’m sure the Wildcats would like an established guy in his 40’s (or early 50’s) who could guide the program for the next 10-15 years, but those coaches are hard to come by. Tim Floyd (55) elected to stay with USC, and now Miller (40) has as well.

      Monday afternoon update: Sean Miller has accepted the Arizona job.

      College Basketball, News, Rumors & Gossip

      Green Day single to be debuted Monday night on NCAA championship telecast

      April 5, 2009 /

      Film and TV have become the new radio for debuting music, and now the major labels are using big events as a vehicle to showcase some of their top talent. Tomorrow night to kick off CBS’ broadcast of the NCAA men’s basketball championship, Warner Bros. will debut the new single, “Know Your Enemy,” from powerhouse rock band Green Day’s forthcoming album, 21st Century Breakdown.

      90 seconds of the lead single, in its television world premiere, will serve as the backing music to the show’s intro featuring video of contestants Michigan State and North Carolina, who will then square off in the title game in Detroit. 21st Century Breakdown is due out May 15, and Green Day is planning a world tour immediately following in support of it.

      For CBS, this is their 28th straight season broadcasting the Final Four. After that, the network will turn its attention to golf next weekend, when The Masters kicks off Thursday in Augusta, Georgia.

      Bullz-Eye Sports Channel, College Basketball, General Sports, Golf, Happy Hour, March Madness, News, Television

      Giants release Plaxico Burress

      April 3, 2009 /

      The Giants have officially decided to release wide receiver Plaxico Burress.

      The New York Giants released Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress on Friday, a little more than four months after the talented but troubled wide receiver accidentally shot himself in the thigh in a New York City nightclub.

      Burress’ four-year tenure with the Giants was highlighted by a game-winning touchdown catch in the Super Bowl 14 months ago but it was also dogged by fines and suspensions.

      Burress’ status has been uncertain since he shot himself on Nov. 29. He faces a felony weapons charge that could put him in prison for at least 3 1/2 years if convicted.

      Some fans will be upset by this news because of what Burress did to help the Giants win the Super Bowl two years ago, but what was the team supposed to do? Sit idle why he goes through a possibly messy trial and then have to wait to see if he’ll be available to play? Why not douse the fire now before it gets out of control?

      The only potential issue for the Giants (besides the fact that they now have one of the weakest receiver units in the league) is now they don’t have much leverage in trade talks. They apparently have already talked to the Browns about Braylon Edwards and if Cleveland was willing to make a deal on draft day, they’ll certainly ask for decent compensation knowing the Giants don’t have many options. The draft is pretty deep in receiver talent, but prospects like Michael Crabtree, Jeremy Maclin, Percy Harvin and Darrius Heyward-Bey could be gone by the time New York selects in the first round (No. 29).

      It’ll be interesting to see if any of the Edwards-to-Giants trade banter starts up again after Plax’s release.

      News, NFL

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