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      The Nuggets re-sign J.R. Smith to three-year deal worth $16.5 million

      August 23, 2008 /

      I estimated his value to be $6.5-$7.5 million per season, but the Denver Nuggets locked up J.R. Smith for a little bit less, signing him to a deal averaging $5.5 million per season.

      Smith has a history of being a little unruly, so that was probably the reason for the discount.

      ESPN’s John Hollinger calculates Smith’s PER to be 18.15, which is the #14 amongst shooting guards, ahead of guys like Joe Johnson, Ben Gordon, Ray Allen and Mike Miller. Smith is a terrific scorer, but his defensive intensity has always been a question mark.

      This is a good signing for the Nuggets, because even if they can’t get Smith on board defensively, his contract is very movable.

      NBA

      Jason Kidd plans to give his gold medal away…

      August 23, 2008 /

      …assuming the U.S. men’s basketball team wins, of course. It turns out Kidd’s medal is already spoken for.

      His name is Steve Wynn. He’s a billionaire. And his wife, Elaine, is getting Jason Kidd’s gold medal if Team USA wins one more game in China.

      “No, it’s not a (gambling) marker or anything like that,” Kidd said. “She’s just a great friend and a really great person.”

      “Last summer, we stayed at the Wynn (resort) for a lifetime, close to three weeks,” Kidd said. “We met at a banquet, we got to talking, and she really understands the game.

      “I told her I’d make a deal with her, that if we won the gold medal, I’d give it to her. She thought I was kidding. But I told her I had one already, and the way they treated us at the Wynn, it was the least I could do.”

      So I’m trying to figure out this “deal” that Kidd is talking about. Did he stay at the resort for free and the gold medal is his way of paying Mrs. Wynn back? Really? It’s either that or he paid for his stay and doesn’t get anything in return for giving her the gold medal. This is apparently the “least” he can do. Hmm.

      I guess the lesson here is that if you treat Jason Kidd well, he’ll give you things… like gold medals.

      NBA, The Olympics

      Does Vince Young have enough weapons?

      August 23, 2008 /

      In the weeks leading up to the kickoff the 2008 NFL Season, I’ll take a look at position groups that could potentially lift teams to new heights, or bury them and their postseason hopes. Today I take a look at the lack of weapons the Tennessee Titans have in their receiving corps.

      While Vince Young deserves praise for turning the Tennessee Titans’ fortunes around since being selected with the third overall pick in the 2006 draft, it’s no secret that the team would like him to develop more as a passer.

      But does he have enough weapons to throw to?

      The Titans signed longtime Atlanta Falcons’ tight end Alge Crumpler in the offseason and while Crump has struggled with chronic knee problems the past two seasons, he’s still a viable option in the passing game. Crumpler has excellent hands, runs smooth routes and looks healthier this season than he has the past two years.

      But receiver looks like a weakness as Tennessee prepares for the 2008 season. The starters, Justin Gage and Justin McCareins, are both capable, but are also limited. Roydell Williams, Brandon Jones, Biren Early and Chris Davis have all been given the opportunity to make plays this preseason, but outside of maybe Early, none has stood out.

      Even though the receivers are marginal at best, it won’t matter how good the wide outs are if Young doesn’t develop as a passer. Outside of a couple of drives, Young hasn’t looked good this preseason and continues to show a lack of sound fundamentals.

      One issue he continues to have is that he won’t square his body to his target while throwing to the sidelines. Young tends to “get out on his front foot” and use his arm to make throws instead of a combination of his arm, hips and legs. Young will continue to keep the Titans competitive with his legs, but if he doesn’t develop as a passer, defensive coordinators are implementing ways to stop him in obviously passing situations.

      Many pundits were shocked Tennessee drafted another running back (Chris Johnson) in the first round of the draft instead of targeting a wide receiver. But Johnson will get looks in the slot and short passing game, which will help Young in the short term. The Titans had the same idea when they signed Crumpler – strengthen the short to mediate passing game until Young gets more comfortable going down field, then the team can add a quality receiver maybe next year. But as of right now, Gage and McCareins will have to do.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Top 10 Active MLB Windmills

      August 23, 2008 /

      Many power hitters in baseball also have a penchant for swinging and missing. While batters have evolved over the years into more complete players, and Dave Kingman types aren’t the norm anymore, there are quite a few that we can classify as “windmills.” Here is a list of the Top 10 active players in strikeouts in baseball today.

      1. Jim Thome, Chicago White Sox (2155)—Even though Mr. High Socks has a career batting average of .280, his 533 home runs are tempered by the air created when he swings and misses. Thome has struck out 2155 times in his 17-plus seasons, or roughly 30 % of his at-bats. Yikes.

      2. Carlos Delgado, New York Mets (1701)—Sitting comfortably behind Thome is Mets’ first baseman Carlos Delgado, who is a cool 454 strikeouts behind Jimmy. Delgado has clubbed 457 home runs, but he has now struck out 100 or more times for the thirteenth straight season.

      3. Ken Griffey Jr, Chicago White Sox (1669)—Around the time Griffey was tearing up the American League in the late ‘90’s with 209 home runs over four seasons, he also tallied 454 strikeouts. And with 1669 career windmills, Griffey strikes out about as often as he smiles.

      4. Jim Edmonds, Chicago Cubs (1656)—Edmonds has quietly amassed 378 career homers, and has also compiled 1656 career strikeouts. But he’s currently in one of the two places (other than Colorado) where his power more than makes up for his K’s.

      5. Manny Ramirez, Los Angeles Dodgers (1643)—Will someone tell me how a career .313 hitter averages 102 strikeouts per season? Wait, let me guess — Manny being Manny?

      6. Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees (1614)–$22 million for a guy that fans 107 times per season and doesn’t produce in the postseason? Am I missing something?

      7. Mike Cameron, Milwaukee Brewers (1605)—Mike Cameron is a six-tool player—speed, average, power, glove, arm, and a penchant for missing the ball with his bat. That’s a very odd combination.

      8. Jeff Kent, Los Angeles Dodgers (1515)—Ripping on Vin Scully? In Los Angeles, that’s like the priest ripping on the pope. Yeah, Jeff….you are 40, and even though Manny Ramirez now hits behind you, you still have almost as many career K’s on the scorecard as he does.

      9. Andruw Jones, Los Angeles Dodgers (1468)—Seriously, now…..three of the current top ten windmills play for the L.A. Dodgers. No wonder this team can’t seem to catch the Diamondbacks.

      10. Frank Thomas, Oakland Athletics (1394)—Mr. Thomas has 521 career homers, and though he’s only struck out more than 100 times three times in his career, he has landed here mainly because of his longevity (currently in his 19th season).

      Source: Baseball Reference

      Bullz-Eye Sports Channel, MLB

      Michael Phelps wins gold medal in tonsil hockey

      August 23, 2008 /

      The New York Post is reporting that Michael Phelps celebrated his historic performance at the Bejing Olympics by sucking face with Australian swimmer (and hottie) Stephanie Rice.

      Phelps, fresh from shattering Mark Spitz’s 36-year-old record, was spotted Monday night in a hot make-out session with Down Under swimmer Stephanie Rice, a source tells The Post’s Clemente Lisi and Luke Dennehy. The pumped-up pair clinched and swapped spit at a celebratory bash outside the Olympic Village.

      The Baltimore Bullet swooped in for the lip-lock with the 20-year-old brunette just weeks after she split from Aussie swimmer Eamon Sullivan. “All the swimmers are talking about it, and [Sullivan] is cut up about what happened,” the source said.

      The day after the face-sucking frolics, Phelps and Rice cheekily posed together for Speedo – laughing and playfully groping each other as a photographer snapped them in their swimsuits. “I definitely admire him for his athletic ability and everything he’s achieved,” gushed Rice, who won three gold medals of her own. “I’m just really glad to be in the mix with that.”

      In the mix, indeed.

      Some are saying that Usain Bolt is having a better performance than Phelps at these Olympics, but I think this puts Phelps over the top.

      Rumors & Gossip, The Olympics

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