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      Spurs’ supporting cast keys big win in Boston

      February 8, 2009 /

      The Spurs posted an impressive win over the Celtics, 105-99, which marks the first time this season that Boston has lost two consecutive games at home.

      Check out the Spurs’ possessions down the stretch:

      3:20 Matt Bonner misses 25-foot three point jumper
      2:34 Manu Ginobili misses 23-foot three point jumper
      1:57 Matt Bonner bad pass (Kevin Garnett steals)
      1:19 Roger Mason misses 27-foot three point jumper
      0:45 Matt Bonner makes 14-foot two point shot
      0:20 Roger Mason makes 24-foot three point jumper

      It’s not often that you see an NBA team go away from their stars for that long in crunch time. The trio of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker only combined for one shot attempt in six possessions over three full minutes. The Spurs started that stretch leading, 90-87, fell behind 93-90, and then ultimately went ahead, 95-93, on the made shots by Bonner and Mason.

      Bonner co-led the Spurs with 23 points on 10-17 shooting, and led the team in shot attempts. George Hill was 3-3 and scored all seven of his points in the fourth quarter with Duncan and Parker on the bench.

      Kevin Garnett led the Celtics with 26 points, but after hitting two jumpers to give his team the lead, he missed a key 17-footer with 0:28 to play.

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA, NBA Finals

      Lakers trade Radmanovic for Morrison

      February 8, 2009 /

      In one of the most random trades ever, the Lakers and Bobcats traded disappointments.

      The Charlotte Bobcats traded managing partner Michael Jordan’s first draft pick on Saturday, sending struggling forward Adam Morrison and reserve guard Shannon Brown to the Los Angeles Lakers for forward Vladimir Radmanovic.

      Jordan’s first major decision after becoming part owner with the final say on all basketball decisions was taking Morrison with the third overall pick in the 2006 draft over Brandon Roy, Rudy Gay and others.

      Morrison and Brown were never a good fit. Morrison’s defensive deficiencies didn’t mesh with Brown’s style, and Morrison had failed to hit shots consistently, struggling in a starting role the past four games after small forward Gerald Wallace suffered a partially collapsed lung and a broken rib against the Lakers on Jan. 27.

      Morrison, who cut his trademark hair short before this season, will get a chance to crack the Lakers’ rotation and become an outside scoring threat. Morrison, who averaged a national-best 28.1 points for Gonzaga in 2005-06, missed all of last season after tearing a knee ligament in a preseason game.

      Morrison, due about $5.3 million next season in the final year of his rookie contract, was averaging just 4.5 points while shooting 36 percent from the field and 34 percent from 3-point range.

      The deal also gives the Lakers some salary-cap relief. Radmanovic is owed $6.5 million next season and $6.9 million a year later in a player option.

      Since he plays so little (and for the Bobcats), I haven’t seen much of Morrison since he entered the league. His PER (6.02) is brutal and his career shooting percentage (37%) is equally awful. The Lakers are rolling the dice that the guy just needs a change of scenery. He’s a decent three-point shooter (33%) and if he can get his confidence back, maybe he can help his new team. After all, he’s just 24 and still has a little upside.

      With this trade, Lakers’ GM Mitch Kupchak rids the team of one of his worst signings — Radmanovic. He’s a good shooter, but he’s completely lost defensively and can’t be trusted on that end of the court. Morrison may turn out to be equally as bad, but the Lakers get out of the last year of Radmanovic’s contract, which runs $6.9 million in the 2010-11 season.

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA

      Rams rumored to be shopping Orlando Pace and Torry Holt

      February 8, 2009 /

      The St. Louis Rams might be willing to part with long-time veterans Orlando Pace and Torry Holt this offseason.

      Torry HoltThat bring us to Holt and Pace. The Rams would free up $8 million of cap space by cutting or trading Holt by June 1. They’d save $6 million by cutting or trading Pace by June 1.

      So in essence, the Rams would double their cap room — from $14 million to $28 million — by dispatching Pace and Holt. These would not be easy decisions. Pace and Holt have been to seven Pro Bowls a piece. They were mainstays of the Greatest Show on Turf squads. They have conducted themselves in exemplary fashion on and off the field in St. Louis.

      But with the arrival of Spagnuolo, the franchise is two coaching tenures removed from the “glory days” of Rams football. Will the wave of change sweeping over Rams Park extend to Pace and Holt — a pair of Hall of Fame candidates?

      League sources told the Post-Dispatch that an NFL club — believed to be Tennessee — was offering a first-round pick for Holt before the trading deadline last fall. The Rams decided against making the trade, the source said.

      It must be tough for a team to part with franchise-type players, but all good things must come to an end. The Rams need to turn a new leaf and what better way then to hire a new head coach and part with some of the aging veterans? These guys can’t play forever and as sad as it would be for some St. Louis fans not to see Pace and Holt in Ram uniforms next year, it’s an inevitable process. This team needs a new core group of players.

      NFL, Rumors & Gossip

      Phillies agree to $54 million deal with Ryan Howard

      February 8, 2009 /

      The World Champion Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to terms with first baseman Ryan Howard on a three-year, $54 million contract.

      From Rotoworld.com:

      Ryan HowardHoward was a super-two player last year, so this merely buys out his remaining three years of arbitration. Still, it seems like a fine deal for the Phillies, considering that they’ll no longer have to fear what an arbitration panel might choose to award him. Howard made $10 million last year and asked for $18 million for this season. Had he won in arbitration again, he could have asked for something like $22 million in 2010 and $25 million in 2011. Instead, he’s opted to take just $18 million per year until he becomes eligible for free agency after 2011. He’s no bargain at that price, but the Phillies get him for a reasonable figure without having to lock him up beyond what figure to be his prime seasons.

      If Howard continued to perform at a high level, his arbitration numbers would go through the roof over the next couple years. It’s nice to see a star work out a deal to stay with the same team.

      MLB

      Martz to run Cardinals’ offense in 2009?

      February 8, 2009 /

      Could the NFC Champions considering hiring the “Mad Scientist” to run their offense in 2009?

      Mike MartzFile this one in the rumor category . . . but I’ve heard that the Cardinals called the 49ers on Friday to ask for the cell number of Mike Martz, whom Singletary fired two days after the season. I have not been able to confirm this happened, so take it for what it’s worth.

      So might Whisenhunt seriously consider Martz as the man to take over the offense? Might that help convince Kurt Warner to go ahead and sign a two-year deal to remain with the Cardinals? Certainly, the Cardinals’ talent on offense would seem to be a better fit for Martz’s offensive style than what he had last season with the 49ers.

      Even though it’s only a rumor it’s certainly a viable one. Warner and Martz have worked together before and considering the Cardinals don’t have much of a running game for Mad Martz to ruin, this could be a nice match.

      Could you imagine what Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Breaston and Anquan Boldin (assuming he’s still in ‘Zona next year) could do in Martz’s offense? Wow.

      NFL, Rumors & Gossip

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