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      Is Carmelo trying to force a trade?

      August 16, 2010 /
      Apr. 25, 2010 - Salt Lake City, UTAH, USA - epa02132054 Denver Nugget's Carmelo Anthony (R) argues with official Dick Bavetta (L) after a foul in a game against the Utah Jazz's in the second half of their Western Conference first round playoff game at the Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, 25 April 2010. The Jazz beat the Nuggets 117-106 to take a 3-1 lead in the series.

      Ric Bucher was on SportsCenter today talking about the Carmelo Anthony situation, which has gone from simmer to red hot in a matter of days.

      Clearly the Knicks are very attractive. He has a great relationship with Mike D’Antoni and he loves to play in an up-tempo system. His new wife Lala Vasquez is from New York. He was born in the area, so that’s the attraction.

      But more than anything, my sources are telling me, that it’s not in Denver. That at the beginning of this season, he is hoping to be someplace else. The only question is — can he do that signing the three-year, $65 million dollar extension, or does not signing it give him the leverage to force the Nuggets to send him elsewhere?

      This is the first I’ve heard about Anthony potentially forcing a trade. It looked like he was going to play out the year and probably become a free agent next summer and sign with the Knicks. But with that dark cloud hanging over the franchise, questions are asked of sources and news is generated. Now we have a prominent NBA writer saying that Anthony wants to be elsewhere at the beginning of the season.

      For all the angry (or in denial) Nuggets fans out there, let’s not forget that we just went through this with Chris Bosh and the Raptors, and even then the signs weren’t that strong that he was leaving, at least not before the season started.

      The writing is on the wall and the Nuggets’ job now is to get the best deal they can get. Given Melo’s reported love affair with NYC, the Nuggets will probably get the best offers Knicks or the Nets — the two teams who believe that they’ll be best able to re-sign him next summer.
      The Knicks could offer Danilo Gallinari, Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry’s expiring contract, but would that be enough for the Nuggets to bite? And [erhaps New Jersey would be willing to part with Derrick Favors and/or Terrence Williams, though it should be noted that the Nets don’t have an expiring contract like Curry’s to balance the deal.

      External Sports, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, News, Rumors & Gossip

      WEC Bantamweight No. 1 Contender Joseph Benavidez chats with The Scores Report

      August 16, 2010 /

      A year ago, few knew who Joseph Benavidez was. Even the hardcore MMA fans knew little about the 5-foot-4, 135-pound bantamweight that trains out of Ultimate Fitness in Sacramento, California.

      On Aug. 9, 2009, Benavidez suffered his lone loss of his career to Dominick Cruz and since then has rattled off back-to-back wins, including a second round submission win over Miguel Torres on March 6 that put him on the map.

      Now, with the MMA eye clearly on him, Benavidez looks to avenge his loss to Cruz this Wednesday at WEC 50 when he challenges Cruz for the WEC Bantamweight title from the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The event can be seen live on Versus starting at 9PM ET.

      I got the chance to speak to Benavidez and ask him about his title match, having his teammate Urijah Faber drop down to his weight class, and his sponsorship with AMP.

      The Scores Report: Joseph, thanks for your time. I know you have a busy schedule.

      Joseph Benavidez: Not a problem.

      TSR: Tell me about when you found out you were getting the title fight and a chance to face Cruz again.

      JB: I kind of felt like I was going to get the fight after I beat Miguel Torres and shortly after the WEC 48 Pay-Per-View event, I found out I was getting it. It was 50-50 at one point but I knew I deserved the fight and I pleaded my case some what and the WEC made their choice to have the rematch and the feeling was just unreal. Becoming champion is the reason most people fight and I felt like I took the right steps to get this opportunity. I remember when I got the contract to sign, I had this feeling that I was going to become champion. That really means everything to me. My goal is to be the best and the hardware will be cool to have, but the recognition that you are the best in the world is really what I am after. When I win that fight, my name will be in history forever.”

      Continue reading »

      External Sports, Interviews, Mixed Martial Arts, UFC, WEC

      2010 NFL Question Marks: New Orleans Saints

      August 16, 2010 /
      NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 24: Sedrick Ellis #98 of the New Orleans Saints looks on against the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC Championship Game at the Louisiana Superdome on January 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints won 31-28 in overtime. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

      Merry training camp season, everyone. It’s been a long offseason, but football is finally gearing up again and to celebrate I’m rolling out a new series on TSR entitled “2010 NFL Question Marks,” where I discuss one or two of the biggest concerns that teams have heading into the new season. Granted, some teams have more issues than others, but I’ll primarily be focusing on the biggest problem areas. Today I’ll be discussing the defending champs’ weakness up the middle on defense.

      You’re not going to find too many Saints fans that will complain about last year’s Super Bowl. It was an impressive, well-deserved win for Sean Payton’s team, which could easily find itself back in the big dance again this year.

      That said, there was one element of the Super Bowl that Payton and his coaching staff can’t be pleased with. And it’s something that could wind up costing the Saints this season, especially considering the run-first teams that they face in the NFC South.

      Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams took the Saints’ defense last year to new heights. His aggressive, attacking style of play was a perfect fit for New Orleans’ high-powered offensive attack because it kept the pressure on the Saints’ opponent all four quarters.

      But Williams’ use of a three-man front early in the Super Bowl nearly put the Saints in a bigger hole then the 10-0 deficit that they found themselves in at the end of the first quarter.

      Williams used a four down linemen set only once on the team’s first two defensive drives, which resulted in the Colts putting 10 points on the scoreboard quickly. Credit Williams for making a fast adjustment, but just because the Saints wound up winning doesn’t mean that their problems at the defensive tackle position have been fixed.

      Continue reading »

      External Sports, NFL

      It’s hard not to like Strasburg’s take on Harper’s signing decision

      August 16, 2010 /
      Washington Nationals' pitcher Stephen Strasburg pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Nationals Park on on August 15, 2010. UPI/Kevin Dietsch Photo via Newscom

      When the 22-year-old face of your franchise says things like, “If he doesn’t want to play here, then we don’t want him here,” it’s hard not to take a liking to him.

      That comment was uttered by Stephen Strasburg when asked whether or not he had any advice for Bryce Harper – the Nationals’ No. 1 overall pick this year who has until Midnight tonight to agree to terms with the club.

      Here’s Strasburg’s full quote, courtesy of Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post:

      “I don’t have any advice for him,” Strasburg said. “It’s his decision. If he wants to play here, he’s going to play here. He doesn’t need advice from anyone to confirm his views. If he doesn’t want to play here, then we don’t want him here. That’s the bottom line.”

      Granted, it’s a little easier for Strasburg to say that now that he’s comfortably viewing the situation from the inside looking out. A year ago, Strasburg and the Nationals went down to the final seconds of the 2009 deadline before agreeing to a record-breaking four-year, $15.1 million contract. He’s represented by Scott Boras, the same agent that represents Harper.

      Strasburg knows that signing a contract is just business. He had talent that the Nationals wanted, so he and Boras made them pay for that talent. But the bottom line is that he eventually did sign, which is something the 17-yard-old Harper has yet to do.

      By saying what he did, Strasburg has drawn a line in the sand for Harper: You’re either with us, or against us. Strasburg reminds us that even though financial matters are part of the business, the game of baseball still boils down to competing. Seeing as how Harper is going to be a rich man know matter what, the only question that remains is whether or not he wants to compete along with Strasburg and an up-and-coming Nationals club.

      If he doesn’t, then here’s hoping that he can sleep tonight knowing that he passed up on millions of guaranteed money.

      External Sports, MLB

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