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      Bucks interested in Troy Murphy

      February 12, 2010 /

      The Milwaukee Bucks are hovering around the #8 spot in the East and can probably make the postseason with their current roster. But according to Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal-Times, they’re eyeing Troy Murphy.

      The Bucks and Pacers have bandied about several players in exchange for the 6-foot-11 Murphy, who is averaging 14 points and 9.9 rebounds this season. One of those players is Ersan Ilyasova.

      The Pacers want Ilyasova, but the Bucks don’t want to give him up. Ilyasova is only 22, capable of playing both forward positions and has flashed signs of becoming a big-time scorer.

      While he is averaging a modest 10.5 points and 6.3 rebounds, Ilyasova has had five 20-plus games this season, including 25 against the New York and 24 against Portland and the Los Angeles Lakers.

      He also had 20-point outing against Orlando and San Antonio, two of the best teams in the NBA.

      The Bucks would be wise to hold onto Ilyasova, unless they can get more of an impact player than Murphy. The Bucks aren’t the Cavs; they’re not looking for one missing piece to the championship puzzle. They’re building for the future, and Ilyasova could be part of that future. He can play either forward position, can hit the three (36%), is a pretty good defender and rebounds almost as well as Murphy (rebound rate: 17.1 to 15.3). Plus, he’s only 22, so he has room to grow.

      Milwaukee should be looking to upgrade at shooting guard and small forward. Caron Butler would be a good fit, but the Bucks don’t want to make the same mistake they did with Richard Jefferson. Unlike Jefferson, Butler’s contract isn’t a cap killer. Unfortunately, the Bucks don’t have the pieces to acquire Butler unless the Wizards are willing to give him up for expiring contracts and a mid-first round pick. I’m not even sure I’d include Ilyasova in a deal for Butler as I think he (Ilyasova) could be a starter on a good playoff team in a couple of years.

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Rumors & Gossip

      Is Julius Peppers worth a huge contract?

      February 12, 2010 /

      There’s no doubt that Julius Peppers will cash in on this year’s free agent market and in what should be a quieter-than-usual offseason, the defensive end would certainly be a huge catch.

      But the question that all interested parties will inevitably be faced with is: Is Peppers even worth the price tag?

      Peppers can be explosive at the point of attack and uses his speed to get off the edge to create havoc in an opponent’s backfield. He has great size and speed and can use a variety of techniques to disengage blockers and pressure the pocket. He’s also a better run defender than people give him credit for and simply put, he’s an athletic freak.

      That’s the good, but here’s the bad. He has been known to take plays off, he’s highly inconsistent, and he can be unmotivated at times. He also just turned 30 and is the same player that virtually took an entire season off in 2007 when he finished with just 2.5 sacks (by far a career low) in 14 games.

      Consider these stats from RevengeoftheBirds.com:

      Age 32 is a bit of a brick wall for defensive ends. Twenty-nine defensive ends are in the top 50 for career sacks. Those ends averaged 10 sacks at age 30, 9.8 sacks at age 31, but only 7.3 sacks at age 32. Only eight of those 29 reached double digit sacks at 32 and four were Bruce Smith, Reggie White, Michael Strahan and Chris Doleman-four of the top five leaders in career sacks. They totaled 54.5 sacks at age 32. The remaining 24 totaled 150 sacks and averaged just 6.3 at age 32.

      Peppers is the best free agent on the market and given the position he plays, he might wind up becoming the highest paid defensive player in the league this offseason. But let’s assume that he’s the norm and not the exception when it comes to defensive ends. Is he worth the hefty price tag? Is it worth it for some team to fork over millions of dollars when he might only be productive for the next two years? Sure, he may average 10 sacks over the next two years, but what happens after that?

      I realize all of this is hypothetical, but given Peppers’ history of inconsistent play, age, and price tag, he might not be worth a long-term investment in the end. In fact, he probably won’t be.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL

      LeBron claims he hasn’t lobbied for Jamison

      February 12, 2010 /

      After the Cavs’ 115-106 win over the Magic on Thursday, LeBron James denied ever lobbying that his team make a deadline trade for Antwan Jamison, or any other player for that matter. (Chris Sheridan, ESPN)

      Do the Cavs still need what’s known as a “stretch 4,” a power forward such as Antawn Jamison who can play inside and outside, another pricey piece to add to the puzzle in an effort not only to win a championship but also to convince LeBron James to stay in Cleveland past July 1?

      It’s such a good question, we went ahead and asked it of James after the power forwards currently on Cleveland’s roster, J.J. Hickson and Anderson Varejao, both had huge games in Thursday night’s 115-106 victory over the Orlando Magic.

      “I never said we needed one,” James said, immediately putting himself at odds with what is being whispered around the league — that James has made it known that he wants the Cavs to find a way to acquire Jamison. “I think our team is built to win a championship, and with the group of guys we have here, if we continue to get better we’re headed in the right direction.”

      “So I haven’t really thought about the trade deadline or what guys are on the board or whatever, so we’ll continue to play the way we know how to play,” James said.

      Hickson and Varejao combined for 36 points and eight rebounds Thursday night, outplaying the Magic’s PFs Rashard Lewis (19 points, 4 rebounds) and Ryan Anderson (5 points, 2 rebounds).

      That’s all well and good, but this is eerily similar to the pre-deadline position that the Cavs found themselves in last year. They were playing well and looking strong, so they elected to stand pat at the trade deadline. We all know how that turned out.

      I’m not saying that trading Hickson would be the right move. We just don’t know. But in Jamison we’re talking about a two-time All-Star who is averaging 20.5 points and 8.8 rebounds, even at 33 years old. I think it’s safe to say that he’s going to be better than Hickson for the rest of this season and next.

      The Cavs could just be posturing, hoping to get themselves the best possible deal next week. But if they lead another deadline pass without making a move, and this season ends the same way, it isn’t going to be pretty.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Rumors & Gossip

      Is Donovan McNabb worth a first round pick?

      February 12, 2010 /

      One of the hot topics this offseason will be whether or not the Eagles will trade one or two of their quarterbacks. Michael Vick is the most likely candidate to be dealt, but there’s also a possibility that Philly commits to Kevin Kolb and thus makes Donovan McNabb available as well.

      According to ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio, the Eagles have told teams that both McNabb and Kolb are not available for trade, although it’s likely that the team is just saying that to maintain its leverage. Considering McNabb is 33, injury prone and consistently comes up short in the playoffs, there’s no doubt that Andy Reid will at least listen to offers for the veteran QB. Three years ago, the Eagles asked for two first round picks in exchange for McNabb and while he has diminished value today, the team reportedly still wants at least a first rounder.

      But is McNabb worth a first round pick? Well, that depends on what team it is. If the Bills or Rams are interested, then no, he isn’t. Neither Buffalo nor St. Louis is one Donovan McNabb away from competing, so acquiring a 33-year-old quarterback in exchange for a high draft pick would be unwise. Either one of those teams would be better off going with Vick, who is a low-risk, high-reward option at this point in his career because he could be had for a low draft pick.

      Continue reading »

      NFL

      Frank Thomas, Tom Glavine officially retire

      February 12, 2010 /

      According to MLB.com, two predominant figures in the 1990s have decide to hang up their cleats, as Frank Thomas and Tom Glavine have officially announced their retirement.

      Glavine’s legacy in Atlanta will always be highlighted by the dazzling performance he produced in the clinching Game 6 of the 1995 World Series. His eight scoreless innings against the potent Indians lineup is celebrated just as much as the decisive solo homer delivered that evening by David Justice.

      Regarded as one of the most determined pitchers to stand on a mound, Glavine made 672 starts and compiled 4,361 1/3 innings before making his first career trip to the disabled list during the 2008 season. A torn flexor tendon in his left elbow would necessitate two more trips and lead to the August surgical procedure, during which Dr. James Andrews also cleaned out some tissue around the veteran hurler’s left labrum.

      For 19 seasons, Thomas tore apart opposing hurlers with his immense power and keen batting eye to the tune of a .301 average, an amazing .419 on-base percentage, .555 slugging percentage, 521 home runs and 1,704 RBIs. Sixteen of those years came on the South Side of Chicago, so it’s only fitting Thomas announced the end to what looks like a Hall of Fame-bound career Thursday night in the same city.

      “The Big Hurt” definitely has a case for Hall of Fame enshrinement after winning back-to-back MVP awards in 1993 and 1994. The only thing that hurts (no pun intended) his chances of reaching Cooperstown is that he was primarily a DH, so he’ll be on the bubble when it comes time for voting.

      Glavine on the other hand, should be a shoe-in for the Hall. He’s a two-time Cy Young winner, a 305-game winner and holds a career ERA of 3.54. Although this won’t have a barring on whether or not he gets into the HOF, he was also on the most dominant pitching staffs in baseball in the 90s.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      MLB

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