Quick NBA Free Agency Predictions

Lebron James
James is looking for the perfect mix of a big market and a chance to win. Could he stay in Cleveland purely for money and loyalty? Yes he could, but I do not see that happening at all. I see Lebron joining young stars Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah in this win-now situation; as he tries to take on Chi-town and the legend of Jordan.

Predicted Destination: Chicago Bulls

Chris Bosh
There were rumors of the Heat acquiring Bosh in a sign-and-trade before the FA period began. Whether it happens in a sign-and-trade of just Free Agency, I feel confident that Bosh will be playing in Miami next year. Think of Bosh as Beasley, only taller, proven, mature, reliable, and much better offensively.

Predicted Destination: Miami Heat

Dwyane Wade
I have never really considered D-Wade a threat to leave Miami. All he has ever wanted is a supporting cast and if my predictions are correct he is going to get it! Flash isn't going anywhere!
Predicted Destination: Miami Heat

Amare Stoudemire
Other than Chris Bosh, Amare is the best FA power-forward available. Obviously the Nets want LeBron, but what team doesn't? The way I see it James will choose Chicago and the Nets will end up with Stoudemire.

Predicted Destination: NJ Nets

Joe Johnson
ESPN is reporting that Johnson is almost surely to take a max deal from the Hawks, and why not?! He would be foolish to not accept that deal.

Predicted Destination: Atlanta Hawks

Dirk Nowitzki
I see Dirk as likely to leave Dallas as Dwyane Wade leaving Miami. I just do not see it happening, especially given his age. If I had to pick somewhere else for him to go I could see him going to the Suns. But I'm going with Dallas all the way on this one.

Predicted Destination: Dallas Mavericks

Carlos Boozer
Boozer would be top priority for Miami if Bosh went elsewhere. However, sticking with my picks thus far I figure the Knicks have to get someone here right? Boozer plays good defense and he fits the Knicks' pick-and-roll offensive style well. He's not what the Knicks want, but I say he's the best they will be able to get.

Predicted Destination: NY Knicks

What do you think about my predictions? Let me know where you see everybody ending up when it all shakes down!

Spur of the Moment

Look for the San Antonio Spurs to be the early title favorite in 2010 after acquiring Richard Jefferson from the Bucks on Tuesday.

From a winning standpoint the Spurs trade for Richard Jefferson looks brilliant (They gave up Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas, & Fabricio Oberto). But from an economics standpoint, it may not be the best.

The Bucks gave up Jefferson to clear some much needed cap. It would clear $15 million for the Bucks in 2010-11 and give them more options for next season. They're also expected to release Bowen and Oberto (Look for the Spurs to pick Bowen back up on a minimum contract).

In my opinion, they gave up Jefferson so they could re-sign likely both Charlie Villanueva and Ramon Sessions, plus I am sure they want to start developing Joe Alexander.

As for the Spurs, if they wanted to be a title contender again this was the right move. They've lacked a big-time threat out on the wing. Jefferson will provide that. He's averaged 21 ppg the past two seasons and looked very impressive towards the end of 2009. He's also a big threat from the arc, averaging about 40%; which is something the Spurs have lacked.

San Antonio also got rid of some unneeded veterans. It was time to bring in another scoring threat to help compliment Duncan, Parker, and Ginobli.

Financially, it may not be the best for the Spurs, but I still think it was necessary. They are now over the cap by 4.5 million this year and have no room for the 2010-2011 season. They may have to trade Matt Bonner now to save cap, which will hurt the bench. But I still think this trade was worth it.

Duncan, Parker, Ginolbi and most of the team are not getting any younger and it was now or never for San Antonio. The Spurs will be a title threat for at least the next couple of years and this trade could put them over the top. They might as well of done it because in a few years the Spurs will need to start bringing in some young and fresh blood anyways. The Spurs are my early 2010 title favorite.

The NBA just ain't what it used to be

On Sunday night during Game 5 of the NBA Finals I found myself watching the College World Series and Fox News. I would flip back and forth between the two and occasionally watch a few minutes here and there of the NBA Finals.

The NBA just ain't what it used to be. I remember watching it non-stop when I was a little boy.

I remember watching Hakeem "The Dream" and his Rockets dominating and winning titles in 1994 and 1995. I remember Michael Jordan's ridiculous performances night after night. I remember Penny Hardaway and Shaq going toe-to-toe with Jordan but continually coming on the losing end. Who can forget Reggie Miller, Dale Davis, Jalen Rose and the Pacers trying to do the same? The NBA's glory years have come and gone...

Really, I have no idea what it is. I just couldn't get myself to watch more than 5 minutes of a game in the playoffs unless it was my Spurs or close to the end of the game. If the Finals was Lebron vs. Kobe I probably would've watched more of it, but it wasn't. To be honest, I really can't tell you what has happened.

Is it the selfishness and self-centerdness of a lot of the players now days? Is it the lack of team play? I really can't tell you, I just can't watch it like I used to. It used to be one of my favorite things to watch and now I find myself preferring to watch many other things before it.

If anybody has an answer I would really like to know, because I can't tell you exactly why.

Witnesses to Weakness

It's true we were all witnesses. We were witnesses to greatness all year long. We were also witnesses to weakness on Saturday night.

Lebron said he was too competitive and upset after the loss to shake hands with the opposition. Well that is kind of a poor excuse, but in the heat of the moment it is understandable and forgivable. What I don't like however, is that he also used the same reasoning for not addressing the media after the game. He was too upset and competitive so he left his teammates out to dry? Left them to face the music all alone? Left them to try to explain how the best team in the NBA was not going to the Finals? C'mon Lebron!

We all know that you aren't going to be in Cleveland very much longer at all. But you still have to do your part as a teammate and teamleader! I am a very firm believer that Lebron James is the best player in the NBA--hands down. However, his behavior after last night's loss to the Magic proved that best player does not equal best teammate. Lebron has got some growing to do as a teammate, most of which he will almost surely do in New York or New Jersey. I also believe he will continue to grow on the court as well. As good as he is, something just tells me he hasn't reached his potential yet.

Well, we all would have loved to be witnesses to Kobe vs. Lebron but it will have to wait. Instead we'll all be witnesses to a Lakers vs. Magic finals, and that includes King James from his couch at home. And what about those commercials? Was that Nike's way of assuming Kobe and Lebron would be squaring off in the finals? Maybe they should run some Kobe and Dwight Howard puppet commercials for the finals!

Why the Lakers Won't Beat the Nuggets

When this series started I really viewed the Nuggets as the underdog. With the series now 2-2 I have realized that it is the other way around. The Lakers will not beat the Nuggets because they lack the killer-instinct needed to win a championship (or get there for that matter).

We all know what Kobe can do. I myself consider him the best closer in the game. I do believe that Lebron James as surpassed him as being the best player in the league. However, Kobe is the best closer in the league. But when you get deep enough into the playoffs you need more than just a superstar player. The Nuggets have all the pieces and the Lakers don't. The Lakers have good pieces but they haven't been playing well on a consistant basis this playoffs. Whereas it seems to me that the Nuggets have great pieces that are really playing well together. Don't get me wrong the Lakers are a good team but they lack that killer-instinct playoff intensity. We've seen this show multiple times in the playoffs. The Lakers come out and win a big game and then respond by getting blown out the next. They are just way too inconsistent right now and you can't play like that when you get deep in to the playoffs.

The Nuggets are playing much better as a team than the Lakers are. The Nuggets are playing great and are getting tons of much needed help from their bench. If they continue to play like that they will beat the Lakers and advance to the NBA finals. It very well may take 7 games but they will do it. Their team chemistry and bench play will be the difference. Even the best closer in the game can't close out a Western Conference finals all on his own.

Where Will Amazing Happen This Year?

I just cannot get enough of the NBA "Amazing" Commercials. There's a few different versions of them and I love them all. Everytime I watch them they send chills down my spine. Here's some of my favorites for you to enjoy so you don't have to look them up yourself. Enjoy...

Best TV Sports Commercials

Here's some great sports commercials over the years and whether funny or just bone-chilling, this is what keeps us going between games...

Everybody loves the SportsCenter Commercials...


"Next time have some ID"


Remember Y2K?


Who's up for a game of Ping-Pong?


New Kid


50th best heavyweight, in Georgia


Big Buddy


ESPN NBA


Now for the bone chilling ones...


A Tradition Unlike any Other


Leave Nothing


Let Your Game Speak


United We Rise


Where Amazing Happens


Just do it


The Time is Now (Bare with me, this is still a good commercial)


This was a little lengthy, but I know you'll appreciate it...

Oden a Bust?

Greg Oden's much anticipated debut was last night on TNT against the Lakers. It didn’t last long. Oden left the game after just under 13 minutes with another injury, this time it was his foot. I’m not gonna get into all his injuries because it would take to long, but he hasn’t been healthy since his junior year of high school. And it isn’t like he has one nagging injury, it’s been his wrist, his knee, and now his foot.

This guy was the number 1 pick overall. He was supposed to be the next Shaq. Now, is it too early to say he is a total bust? YES. Some people are going way too extreme with this. Is this very alarming for Oden, and Portland fans? YES. What we've seen so far is not a good sign.

I'm going to say that Greg Oden winds up kind of like a Grant Hill. I forsee him playing here and there with nagging injuries coming back all the time. Except he won’t pile up all-star years before the injuries. Greg Oden will never be a dominant force. It is a shame, because dominant centers are a rarity nowadays and a lot of fun to watch. He could have really made this young Portland team great. Yet another coulda woulda shoulda.

In his 13 minutes, Oden went 0-4, 5 boards, a block, 2 turnovers and 2 fouls….very subpar

Is this just a phase or is this what Portland fans have to look forward to? Bust or future Allstar? Let me know!

2008-2009 NBA Preview: Northwest and Pacific Divisions

West

With the season already starting, we're just going to give some quick predictions.

Northwest
1. Utah Jazz
2. Portland Trail Blazers
3. Denver Nuggets
4. Minnesota T-Wolves
5. Oklahoma City Thunder

Pacific
1. Los Angeles Lakers
2. Phoenix Suns
3. Golden St. Warriors
4. Los Angeles Clippers
5. Sacramento Kings

2008-2009 NBA Preview: Southwest Division

West

1. San Antonio Spurs

It's not a good time to overlook the Spurs; every time they have been, they've turned heads and won a title. It's that time again, another odd numbered year (2009), and they've won their last four titles in 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007. The Spurs are loaded again with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli, Bruce Bowen, and Michael Finley. Ginobli may be injured right now, but once he's back around December, he'll be healthier than ever.

2. New Orleans Hornets
The Hornets will be a very solid team again, especially with as tough of a division the Southwest is. Chris Paul is the best point guard in the league and is becoming a superstar. David West can bang it down low and hold his own vs. anybody else in the league. Tyson Chandler is a solid defender and makes the Hornets frontcourt just scary. Mo Peterson is a solid role player and Peja Stojakovic is their deadly three point shooter.

3. Houston Rockets

The top 3 of this division are so even and it will be a horse-race until the end. The Rockets look like a solid title contender this season, they're loaded with experience and some stars. If Yao Ming can stay healthy this season they'll be stellar. Tracy McGrady is their go-to scorer and add Ron Artest as a tough defensive minded player and someone who can rebound and put up points as well, is a terrific 3rd scoring option. PG Rafer Alston is a leader, but must concentrate on making better decisions. If the bench can step up, the Rockets can go deep.

4. Dallas Mavericks
Oh how the might have fallen... The x-factor will be Jason Kidd. He's lost a step and when he goes up against the better NBA point guards, this team struggles. They have a decent frontcourt with Dirk, Erik Dampier, and DeSagana Diop. Jason Terry must step up in clutch situations. He is a key scorer for them. But the big thing that has set this team back is defense, they just give up way too many points and they don't have enough consistent offensive firepower to go far in the playoffs. They may not even make the playoffs this season...

5. Memphis Grizzlies

Look for the Grizz to be improved from last season. They're a young team and Hakim Warrick, Rudy Gay, and OJ Mayo are solid young talents. I am very high on Rudy Gay, he will put up some good numbers this season. Mike Conley is developing into a pretty good PG, look out for him. This team won't be a playoff contender, but they will continue to get better as the season progresses.

2008-2009 NBA Preview: Southeast Division

East

1. Orlando Magic

Dwight Howard should only be better, even after a breakout season last year. The Magic have one of the better offensive teams out there with Howard, Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu, and Jameer Nelson. I really love their starting line-up (add in Michael Pietrus to the other four), especially in the mediocre southeast. The Magic should no doubt dominate this division.

2. Miami Heat

The Heat, yes the Heat will make the playoffs this year. I think this team will turn it around with a healthy Dwyane Wade, Shawn Marion, and rookie Michael Beasley. We all saw what Wade did in the Olympics and I don't think it's out of the question that he's back to his old-self; he'll bounce back and regain his stardom Marion's been talked about being dealt, but that's only if they continue their woes from last season, which I don't think they will. Beasley should be able to step in right away and provide this team with a key 3rd scoring option.

3. Atlanta Hawks
I think the Hawks' 37 wins from last year is a sign of things to come. Look for the Hawks to be improved. They did lose Josh Childress, but they still have Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, Al Horford, Marvin Williams, and Mike Bibby. This is a dangerous team and they give a lot of match-up problems for opponents with their versatile guards and forwards. Look for this team to be a legit threat this year.

4. Washington Wizards

This will be a down year for the Wizards with Gilbert Arenas and now Antwain Jamison out for sometime with injuries. Their loses will be felt drastically. Caron Butler will be their go to guy and he is battling some injury woes as well. Brendan Haywood is likely done for the season, which will be a big load for big men off the bench and DeShawn Stevenson. I am expecting the Wizards to miss the playoffs with all of their injury woes.

5. Charlotte Bobcats
This Bobcat team has shown flashes over the years and has been improving bit by bit. They have the make up of a potential playoff threat team, but it's just a matter of the coaching and roles players and the bench stepping up. If Emeka Okafor can stay healthy I think they could do some damage and move up the southeast standings. Jason Richardson looks primed for a big year and Gerald Wallace is a solid 3rd scorer for this team. Raymond Felton is also a solid PG; this team is fairly young and if they can get through the bulk of the season, watch out.

2008-2009 NBA Preview: Central Division

East

1. Detroit Pistons

This team still has a shot at winning a title because of their veteran core still intact. Chauncey Billups, Rasheed Wallace, Richard Hamilton, and Tayshaun Prince can still get it done and keep this team a championship contender. Rodney Stuckey and Jason Maxiell are up and coming studs and can fill the void off the bench. Look for the Pistons to contend with the Celtics again for east supremacy.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers

Obviously any team with Lebron James is going to be a playoff contender, but this year the Cavs could upend the Pistons for first place in the division. But a lot will depend on Lebron's supporting cast; Mo Williams is an underrated PG who can help lead this team and complement Lebron. This team is very good in the frontcourt with Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Ben Wallace, and Anderson Varejao, but the problem is that's all they have inside. They need more depth up-front. Second round playoff finish isn't out of the question again.

3. Indiana Pacers

Look for the Pacers to be improved this season. Look for them to make the playoffs. They don't have a straight up superstar, but Danny Granger is close to it. Granger is an underrated player averaging nearly 20 ppg last season. Mike Dunleavy can shoot and score and complement Granger very well. T.J. Ford is looking for a new beginning after years of injury, I think he's found a new home in Indy. The bench isn't that bad either, Jarrett Jack is a good guard and Roy Hibbert could be a key player down the stretch. This team will turn heads this season.

4. Chicago Bulls

The Bulls were terrible last season with all of the hype and talent they have. But it seems like the chemistry isn't there. Ben Gordon continues to complain about money and playing time; and it seems everybody else has been under performing. Look for Derrick Rose to take over at PG for Kirk Heinrich sometime during the season. We all know Luol Deng, Kirk Heinrich, Ben Gordon, and Andres Nocioni have gotten it done before. The talent is there, it's just a matter of executing, coaching, and egos.

5. Milwaukee Bucks

This should be an interesting season for the Bucks. They finally have a playmaker that compliments Michael Redd well in Richard Jefferson. Luke Ridnour is a great addition at PG. If Andrew Bogut stays healthy he could be a big factor. But the problems lie at the defensive end and up-front. They don't have much depth or scoring for that matter off the bench. They need someone to step up to help out Redd, Jefferson, and Ridnour.

2008-2009 NBA Preview: Atlantic Division

East

1. Boston Celtics

They're the defending champs and still have the playmakers to get it done once again. The "Big 3" are back and should be the favorite to win it all. After what Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen did last season there's no way you can question their age. The Celtics play the best defense in all of the NBA and it truly showed last season. It wasn't just all the "Big 3", PG Rajon Rondo stepped up and made plays. Kendrick Perkins is a capable presence at center but if his shoulder doesn't get any better they can still play Leon Power or Garnett there. Tony Allen and Bill Walker could contribute off the the bench. It should come down to defense and the role players if the Celts wanna win another title.

2. Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers can definitely contend with Boston in the Atlantic. They picked up Elton Brand over the off-season and he is as healthy as he's been since being injured from the beginning. Look for Andre Igoudala to improve even more, he has tremendous upside and is truly becoming a superstar. Andre Miller is the veteran PG that they need to help them get over the top. Thaddeus Young is young but should improve. Philly should also have a solid bench lead by Willie Green, Reggie Evans, and rookie Marreese Speights. Look for the Sixers to be improved this season. 50 wins is not out of the question.

3. Toronto Raptors

The Raptors have the potential to be one of the top teams in the league. They have a dominant front court in Chris Bosh and newly acquired Jermaine O'Neal. Jose Calderon is a solid PG and Anthony Parker can shoot the trey, but the one thing that this team lacks is bench depth.

4. New York Knicks
Isiah Thomas gone... check. New coach that will get this team in the right direction... check. Stephon Marbury gone... no check. Knicks will make the playoffs this year... no check. There's no doubt this team has the talent but they've lacked the coaching and chemistry. Now with Mike D'Antoni at the helm they can definitely turn it around. Zach Randolph, Eddy Curry, and Jamal Crawford can get this team to compete again.

5. New Jersey Nets

This looks as a rebuilding year for the Nets after trading Richard Jefferson over the summer and are now looking to deal Vince Carter. Gone are the veteran superstars of this team, other than Vince Carter (for now). If Carter isn't gone before the season starts, he'll be gone somewhere throughout the season. But this is still a very formidable team with Yi Jianlian, Josh Boone, Bobby Simmons, Devin Harris, and Sean Williams. But all in all, look for this to be another down year as the Nets look to rebuild.

Marquese Walker would beat me 1-on-1

So this kid is the "top kindergarten basketball prospect in the world". For whatever that's worth he looks pretty good to me. Here's a video of him dribbling kickballs at age 2.




And here is a freestyle show for the fans culminating in a sick blindfolded layup.



This video is a collection of game clips, Marquese with NBA and college superstars, and Marquese's halftime show for the Grizzlies last year.

I have Freedom of Speech too

To start off, in case some of you don't know what happened, Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard stated this about his country and national anthem at Allen Iverson's charity flag-football event:

"'The Star-Spangled Banner' is going on. I don't celebrate this [expletive]. I'm black …"

I think that is self-explanatory. But when it comes to this, it's rather stupid. I see people on both sides saying, "He's unpatriotic" and "He's a fool for denouncing his country"; and those on the other side that say "Leave him alone" and try to pull the free speech argument.

Sure, he does have a right to free speech. He has a right to say it, but free speech isn't always intelligent speech. Howard should be thanking our founding fathers for protecting his "stupidity".

I recently read an article on Slam Online titled "Leave Josh Howard alone" by Dave Zirin.

Zirin wants everybody to leave Howard alone because he has a right to say what he wants, yet he condemns J.A. Adande of ESPN for slamming Howard, claiming Howard is lucky:

“What makes America the best country on the planet is that you are free to stand or sit for the national anthem, to sing along or to yell in anger at the government as much as you want without getting tossed in jail for your political beliefs.”

Hypocrisy at it's finest. We have people defending Josh Howard for his freedom speech, yet they condemn others who also have that same right to form opinions based on what he says and treat him accordingly.

Josh Howard has a right to say what he wants, but I also have a right to think he's stupid for saying it. I have a right to form an opinion of him too.

There are so many people quick to defend Howard's antics, but yet they don't want to hear the other side. They want to censor other people's opinions about Howard.

I won't be surprised to see Mavs owner Mark Cuban, other NBA players, or Howard for that matter, defend himself, but when Howard hears boos in the crowd, sees ticket sales drop, his paycheck cut, or nobody wants to sign him, then he can only thank a little something called "free speech".

Elton Brand Makes the Sixers a Serious Contender in the East

Today Elton Brand became a Philadelphia 76er. This certainly made one fellow blogger very happy. Brand netted a 5-year $79.795 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.

I personally feel like this is going to make the 76ers serious contenders in the East. While many argue that Elton Brand is not a good low post scorer or even a great number 2 man is ridiculous. This is exactly what Bill Simmons said in his newest podcast dated 7/9. He justifies this argument by saying that in playing 40 mins a game Brand should be averaging 20 and 10. Now, I love Bill Simmons as much as anyone but only 5 players have averaged that in their career in the last 20 years. Therefore I must respectfully disagree. Elton Brand is a stud and can score in the low post and is a viable number 1 scorer. I also foresee him to have even more success now as he competes in a weaker PF pool in the East.

Now, take a look at the 76ers potential starting 5:

PG-Andre Miller

SG-Andre Iguodala

SF-Thad Young

PF-Elton Brand

C-Samuel Dalembert

Miller is a underrated veteran PG, Iggy and Thad are both up-and-coming athletic studs, and Sam Dalembert is a freakish defender. Add a solid bench to that, along with the young guys development and the possible addition of an outside shooter and I see an immediate contender, not just this year, but for years to come. With Brand as a top-of-the-line PF in the East the Sixers are instantly relevant for the next 5 years.

Facial-Hair Showdown

I'm too tired to do a full post so I'll leave that for tomorrow. I will, however, leave you with a tantalizing question. Who has the better facial hair? Baron Davis or Jason Giambi. Please vote in the poll and leave comments to justify reasonings.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

I'm just a little partial to the mustache here so I am going to get things started here with a vote for Giambi and his mustache. Please click on the link to vote and leave comments to justify your reasonings.

Wizards Should Be Wary in Re-Signing Gilbert Arenas

The start of the NBA free-agency period is upon us and the Washington Wizards have started things off by throwing out some serious money. The Wizards have reportedly resigned Antawn Jamison with a 4-year $50 million contract. Jamison averaged 20 ppg and 8 rpg last season as the Wizards leading scorer and team co-captain.

This serves a greater purpose however, because Gilbert Arenas has publicly said that he would not resign without longtime friend Jamison to play with next year. With Jamison now in place it has been released that the Wizards are prepared to offer Gilbert Arenas a 6-year $100 million contract!

When I look at this it blows my mind a bit. The Wizards are starting off the free-agent period by dropping $150 million on two players!? I have no problem with what Jamison is getting really because he is extremely reliable player. But $100 million to a Gilbert Arenas with a bum knee? It seems risky if you ask me.

If you're going to drop that kind of money on 2 players you better know you have what it takes to win or atleast contend for a championship. Look at the Boston Celtics. What do they have? They have star/marquee players. So do a lot of teams. They also play great defense. We all know that Gilbert Arenas is a below-average defender.

All i'm saying is that he's not a good defender, and his knee is a bit of a question mark. What makes the Wizards think that signing Arenas to that kind of money is going to make them any better? They're basically bidding with themselves in this situation because they're one of 3 or 4 teams that have enough money to sign Arenas for what he wants right now and they obviously have the most interest. But what makes them think that this Arenas can help them get past the Cavs in the playoffs!?

All I'm saying, I guess, is that seems to be a lot of money for a PG with a bum knee and a mouth that never closes. I think it will be really interesting to see what the Wizards will think of this contract in 3 years. I mean for real, that's 100 million Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers!

2009 NBA Draft Winners and Losers

WINNERS

Milwaukee Bucks: Traded Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons to New Jersey for Richard Jefferson, drafted Joe Alexander (No. 8), drafted Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (No.37)
I want to start with my favorite NBA team. Milwaukee upgraded its talent level. The Bucks know what they are getting in Jefferson, and Alexander has a chance to be an absolute star in this league. The problem is, they both play the same position, although there's some notion that Alexander can play some 4. They needed help at forward and they definitely got it. Their starting lineup now looks pretty good with Mo Williams at PG, Michael Redd at SG, Andrew Bogut at C, Charlie Villanueva at PF, and Richard Jefferson at SF. They also created some cap space and freed up a bit of a logjam down low. I wasn't crazy about the Mbah a Moute pick when they could have had Bil lWalker or Chris Douglas-Roberts but overall I really liked this trade for the Bucks and I think they got a lot better last night!

Portland Trail Blazers: Traded Jarrett Jack and draft rights of Brandon Rush (No. 13) to Indiana for Ike Diogu and draft rights to Jerryd Bayless (No. 11), traded draft rights of Darrell Arthur (No. 27) and the draft rights to Joey Dorsey (No. 33) to Houston for draft rights to Nicolas Batum (No. 25)
For the second straight year, the Blazers came away the big winners. Last year Portland added its franchise center in Greg Oden, and this year it added a potential franchise lead guard in Bayless. He's going to complement Brandon Roy beautifully in the backcourt. Batum is an upside pick who may not play right away, but has great athleticism and slashing ability. A squad of Bayless, Roy, Martell Webster, Travis Outlaw, Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge, Channing Frye and Oden will compete for a low playoff spot next season and for an NBA championship within three years. The Blazers have had 2 great drafts in a row.

New Jersey Nets: Traded Richard Jefferson to Milwaukee for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons, drafted Brook Lopez (No. 10), Ryan Anderson (No. 21) and Chris Douglas-Roberts (No. 40)
I think the Nets also got better from their trade with the Bucks. Yi makes sense from a marketing standpoint, even if he never lives up to the hype and Bobby simmons gives them good depth at guard along with Devin Harris. Aside from the tradethe Nets finally added a low post scorer in Lopez to complement defensive-specialists Josh Boone and Sean Williams. Anderson should be a match-up problem who can stretch defenses, and Douglas-Roberts, a first-team All-American, was probably the steal of the draft in the second round.

Memphis Grizzlies: In an eight-player deal, Memphis acquired O.J. Mayo, Marko Jaric, Antoine Walker and Greg Buckner for Kevin Love, Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal and Jason Collins. Also acquired Darrell Arthur for Donte Greene and a future second-rounder
Memphis is the winner in the deal. I personally think Mayo is the most NBA-ready player in this year's draft and he will be electric when paired with Rudy Gay and Mike Conley Jr. . Memphis also did well adding Darrell Arthur, a lottery-level talent whose representation apparently dropped the ball on notifying teams about his physical condition causing him to slip hard.

Miami Heat: Drafted Michael Beasley (No. 2), traded two future second-round picks to Minnesota for Mario Chalmers (No. 34)
O.J. Mayo came up in discussions, but ultimately the Heat made the right choice. I think you can expect Beasley to step in and help turn this franchise around. If Beasley isn't a good fit, the Heat can always showcase his talents for a year or two and unload him, his value will be substantial as he's sure to tear it up right from the start. Chalmers was considered a possible mid-first rounder who slid. He gives Miami some much-needed depth in the backcourt and may even end up starting alongside Dwyane Wade if he improves his playmaking skills.

LOSERS

Indiana Pacers: Traded Jermaine O'Neal to Toronto for T.J. Ford and draft rights to Roy Hibbert (No. 17); traded Ike Diogu and draft rights of Jerryd Bayless (No. 12) to Portland for draft rights to Brandon Rush (No. 12) and Jarrett Jack
It's unclear exactly what the Pacers are doing. They added a point guard in Ford, but traded away their franchise big man and replaced him with Hibbert who is a skilled offensive player who is too slow and lethargic to excel at the NBA level. It was time to rebuild, but Indiana looks like it will be competing for a high lottery pick next season. Giving up Jerryd Bayless for Brandon Rush and change was retarded.

Charlotte Bobcats: Drafted D.J. Augustin (No. 9) and Alexis Ajinca (No. 20)
The Bobcats have a young point guard in Ray Felton and an obvious need at center. Drafting Augustin, a good college player who's lack of size and athleticism will hurt him in the NBA, was a mistake considering Jerryd Bayless was on the board. They compounded that error by using the 20th pick on Ajinca, a very long, very unpolished prospect who averaged just five points and five rebounds per game last year in France. Oops...

Cleveland Cavaliers: Drafted J.J. Hickson (No. 19)
The Cavs had a number of options at 19 but a 6-8 project power forward was not what the doctor ordered. Since losing Carlos Boozer in free agency, this team has failed miserably to surround LeBron with proper talent, and this pick is more of the same.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Acquired Kevin Love, Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal and Jason Collins for O.J. Mayo, Marko Jaric, Antoine Walker and Greg Buckner
Basically, it's a Love for Mayo swap with a lot of bad contracts. Minnesota did well unloading some terrible contacts (Jaric and Walker) while taking on Cardinal's terrible contract. Minnesota gave up a potential All-Star guard. Even more puzzling is the decision to move Al Jefferson to center and make Love a top 5 pick. On the positive side, Miller can step in and help this team win games next year and gives them great outside shooting. They also got a lot of cap room in the deal, I just think that Mayo is going to be great and I think he is basically NBA ready right now. Just seems like a big mistake to me.

Sports Seasons too long?

Thursday night I listened to a little bit of GameNight on ESPN Radio hosted by Freddie Coleman. He started off with an interesting topic on how he thinks professional sports and even college sports may have too exhausting of a schedule, and I would have to agree.

The NBA Finals ended last Tuesday, June the 17th. What ever happened to basketball being a winter sport?

The NBA plays 82 games every season, I would have to agree with Coleman on this, it is was too long. Put the NBA at 70 games and move the first round of the playoffs back to a best of 5 series.

There is no need to end in the middle to late June, I don't think it benefits anybody. This way if you end in early May, it would give more players time off to heal up their injuries or as this year you have the Olympics.

A couple of players such as Amare Stoudemire and Tracy McGrady declined to play on the US Olympic team, if you have the season ending earlier, you would get more commitment to our national team and it would give players more time to rest.

Same goes with college basketball. Why is there a need to play more than 25 games (not including post-season)? 30 is too much (Kansas played 40 this season). If you make 25 the maximum for the regular season it would make more teams hesitate to schedule weaker, lower conference teams.

I think teams would schedule better teams if you lower the amount of games. Take Memphis for example, they already play in a semi-weak conference, if you lower the games they would have to go out and schedule tougher teams even more, to help them out with their seed come March.

This brings up another point. Why does March Madness end in April? Keep it consistent with it's name, lower the amount of regular season games, so March Madness truly ends in March.

Now comes baseball, why does the MLB need to play 162 games? If you lower the games to about 140 that could help ease the pain on some pitchers' arms; especially the younger pitchers who haven't been through or have thrown deep into a season. I think November is too late to end baseball, October is perfect.

I think some people would be against this because they say the leagues would lose revenue. For the most part I think this would create more interest, with bigger more intriguing games. By the time there's 162 games done in the MLB, the playoff teams are already set and stone, if there were 140 games, just imagine the scenario.

Overall, I think sports schedules are too long and I think it could increase fan base. It would benefit players, coaches, and teams more than it would hurt them.