10 Mar 11 Two Excellent Films With Oscar Nominations

Two Excellent Films With Oscar NominationsBy: Ed Bagley .... Click author's name to view profile and articles!!!Retargeting by ChangoTweet A Man for All Seasons poses the question: What would a man sacrifice for his principles?When Henry VIII seeks approval to divorce his wife Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn, the Pope stands in his way, and his new Chancellor and Cardinal--Sir Thomas More--stands in his way as well, leading to England's split from the Roman Catholic Church and the creation of the Anglican Church, the Church of England.Henry VIII wants Sir Thomas More's blessing in his action, but does not get it as Sir Thomas feels pelled to stand upon his principles and do the right thing.Henry VIII gets every person of any consequence in England to sign an oath (the Act of Supremacy), endorsing his action, except Sir Thomas, who will not sign, and remains silent as to the reason why he will not sign.This movie (made in 1966, the year I graduated from Michigan State University) won 6 Oscars in 1967, among them Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director. A Man for All Seasons is a period piece with exacting details of the day and time. Sir Thomas More is a scholar and statesman who bees the leading humanist of the Renaissance Era.A Man for All Seasons is a story about everything that is right in England and life (Sir Thomas More's integrity to his principles) and everything that is wrong in England and life (greed, avarice, lust, lying, cheating, stealing, the corruption of power, and the corruption of religious leaders).In the end, Sir Thomas is the only person in England who will die for his principles, and mit himself to God's hands for judgment. He is betrayed by an ambitious, lower level appointed attorney general, Richard, whose outright lie condemns Sir Thomas to be beheaded.Sir Thomas More loses his head (no pun intended) but most importantly, not his soul. Sir Thomas is later canonized as Saint Thomas More by the Roman Catholic Church. Henry VIII subsequently dies of syphilis, and the evil Thomas Cromwell (who orchestrates Thomas' demise) is himself judged a traitor to England 5 years later and is beheaded.This movie does not deviate from the truth of Sir Thomas More's stance, and as such provides a role model for acting with right thinking and right motives, even at the cost of one's life.The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl has to be the best pirate movie ever made, earning 5 Oscar nominations, and Johnny Depp (as Captain Jack Sparrow) delivered the best pirate performance ever.Depp earned a Best Actor nomination following release of the film in 2003, but did not win, of course, because he chooses not to live in Hollywood and practice the art of kissing up, sucking up, and putting on a public display of importance, like I care what actors think about politics.Johnny Depp looks and acts like a pirate you could like, and his wearing of the costume and persona is second to none (Savvy, Mate).This story is really about Captain Jack Sparrow losing his ship (The Black Pearl), and then embarking on a quest to find and win The Black Pearl back from his rival Barbossa (played by Geoffrey Rush) while helping save the governor's daughter Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightly) from fellow pirates along the way.Also chasing Elizabeth is the dashing Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), who enlists the aid of Captain Jack Sparrow to find her kidnappers.This film is littered with interesting characters who collectively help make this film great entertainment under the direction of Gore Verbinski. The Curse of the Black Pearl has great writing, directing, acting, photography, suspense, action, surprise and a musical score to match.And the end? A man finding his freedom with the ship he loves. What could be better?The Curse of the Black Pearl became the 22nd highest grossing film in USA film history, pretty improbable for a pirate flick, but then there is Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow. I have seen this film three times and would see it a fourth, which is really saying something for me.Article Source: abcarticledirectoryEd Bagley is the Author of Ed Bagley's Blog, which he Publishes Daily with Fresh, Original Articles on Internet Marketing, Jobs and Careers, Movie Reviews, Sports and Recreation, and Lessons in Life intended to Delight, Inform, Educate and Motivate Readers. Visit Ed at . . .edbagleyblogMovieReviewArticles.htmledbagleyblogLessonsinLifeArticles.htmledbagleyblogInternetMarketingArticles.htmlNote: The content of this article solely conveys the opinion of its author, Ed BagleyRetargeting by ChangoDid You Like This Article? Share It With YourFriends!Please Rate this Article 5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 Not yet Rated Click the XML Icon to Receive Free Articles About Movies Film via RSS!Additional Articles From - Home Arts Movies FilmWhy Calibrate your High Definition TV?- By : Robert ShefferSweet Phone - By : Tim Webb.Find out Home Theater Methods! What You have Been Missing in Your TV and Movie Encounter.- By : Joesph MellbergPreparing and Setting up a Home Theater system is Easier Than you Think!- By : Zachariah DivensGrown Ups 2010 Movie In Review- By : Elenor CherryCamera Crew Hire- By : Mark A. WilsonReview of Drive Angry Movie- By : Gursel BatmazReturn Of The Horror Legend: Scream 4- By : Gursel BatmazMovie Review: Clash Of The Titans Leaves Audiences Wanting- By : Elenor CherryRed Riding Hood The Movie- By : Gursel Batmaz Still Searching? Last Chance to find what you're looking for. Try using Bing Search!

5 Mar 11 How Being Nice To Customers Will Boost Your Business Sales

How Being Nice To Customers Will Boost Your Business SalesBy: Brian Wynn .... Click author's name to view profile and articles!!!Retargeting by ChangoTweet As with running any business, you have to treat the customer with respect in order to maintain a solid business relationship. Even though you are running anNHL Jersey
internet home business, you will still need to take care of your customers so that they will return again and again. Show excellent customer service and you will find that loyal customers will tell their friends and family about your web site, which could mean even more sales. But how to do you interact with customers online? Start with an email list and work from there.Once your email list has grown, you should begin by sending everyone on the list a 'thank-you' email. This will not only remind people that they signed up on your list, it will also make them feel appreciated and cause them to visit your web site again. Acknowledging people is a good selling tool. You can do this by simply sending a short email using the customer's first name and signing it with your name, company name, and web site address.In order to make money online, you will have to connect with those who are visiting your web site. Newsletters or a short email that lists what's new on your web site is usually enough to generate more traffic. By sending your customers free information that they can use is a way of promoting your web site without being rude or obnoxious. If your email list is small, you could send personalized product lists to your customers that highlight products that are the same or similar to what they have purchased before. This is another way that you can provide good customer service online.But what if you want to reach those who have not signed-up for your emailing list? The answer is to create web content that is informative and interesting to those visiting the web site. If you provide good content with pictures in a way that is logical and easy to follow, you will create customer loyalty. You have the ability to make customers feel comfortable by providing them with a web site that is easy to navigate, easy on the eyes, and updated often. Neglect your web site and you will be neglecting your customers.If you provide a page where customers can ask questions, another way to improve customer service is to answer all questions within a day. Quick Washington Capitals jersey
responses will tell customers that you are interested in their business and that you want to make them comfortable when buying from the web site. Even if the question can be answered by looking on the web site, you should still take the time to answer it in a professional and casual manner.Customer service is one of the best ways to stand out from your competition and create an internet home business that you can be proud of. Catering to your customers will improve sales and increase return business. Even though you cannot stand face to face with your customers, you can still make them feel comfortable and safe buying goods and services from your web site.Article Source: http://www.shop-on-sale.com The Millionaire League, founded by Brian Wynn, is the only millionaire's club that shows you how to become one! Just imagine waking up to $1,000+ every morning! Stop dreaming about making money and make money while you sleep instead! Visit www.TheMillionaireLeague.comNote: The content of this article solely conveys the opinion of its author, Brian WynnRetargeting by ChangoDid You Like This Article? Share It With YourFriends!Please Rate this Article 5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 Not yet Rated Click the XML Icon to Receive Free Articles About Affiliate Programs What Cloth Diaper Provides The Top Match For Newborns?- By : mirtagaylWhat is Affiliate Marketing and Why You Should Do It?- By : James A AndersonEarning Money Quickly With Email Marketing - True or False?- By : chad buistMoney Creating Capitals jersey
Tips For Individuals Involved In An Online Affiliate Marketing Home Business- By : Johnny BarrellGlobal Success Club And How To Make Money Online- By : Don SeanMake Cash Over The Internet With Affiliate Marketing- By : Leroy WheelerWhich Affiliate Networks To Look Out For When Promoting ?- By : Elsa Braxton Still Searching? Last Chance to find what you're looking for. Try using Bing Search!

24 Jan 11 Oklahoma State-Texas Aamp;M: Cowboys and Aggies Have a Showdown in Stillwater

Cowboys bring out the big stick.Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesThursday night brings a big game in the Big 12 South division. By now, the news of Texas' loss to UCLA has reached all regions of the U.S. Add the fact that the University of Oklahoma looks average at best and you get a South Reebok Dallas Cowboys #9 Tony Romo Realtree camo Jersey
division that is up for grabs.In fact, we will know more this coming weekend when the Red River Rivalry fires up at the Cotton Bowl.But before OU and Texas go head-to-head, Oklahoma State and Texas AM face off in a nationally televised game. Both teams are in the South and both teams realize by now that a win Thursday night could potentially put them in the running to be the South division champion.Granted, a lot needs to happen for both teams in the future, but a win on Thursday night would set up the season to come.Oklahoma State CowboysMike Gundy realized this past offseason that it was time for him to hang up play-calling on offense and hand it off to someone who can focus all of their time on it.That brought in Dana Holgorsen. Holgorsen has spent several years in two of the nations most prolific offenses. Texas Tech, under Mike Leech, and the University of Houston. His creative, offensive mindset makes the OSU offense, which was good in the past, even better.The Oklahoma State Defense has come under the control of coordinator Bill Young. Young is in his third year as the defensive mind for the Cowboys. Thursday night will be the first real test of his defense with Texas AM's quick offense. It's been good so far, but the season is young.Texas AMHead coach Mike Sherman has a great senior quarterback in Jerrod Johnson. Johnson is a dual-threat quarterback who has developed his game well over his tenure at Texas AM. But Johnson isn't the only offensive weapon the Aggies have. Christine Michael and Cyrus Reebok Denver Broncos #15 Tim Tebow Realtree camo Jersey
Gray are two running backs who can break ankles down the field. I would expect to see them get quite a few touches.The Aggie defense has gotten better. Tim DeRuyter has turned up the heat a little making AM no easy task. Look for the Aggies to put major heat on Brandon Weeden.If the Big 12 South interests anyone, make sure and watch this game. It could possibly hold the South division champion.

22 Jan 11 Making Mean Green Lemonade Out Of The Ruins Of The UNT Offense

Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesAnother week, another QB lost.Army intimidated, frustrated, and eventually broke the leg of talented UNT sophomore QB Derek Thompson on Saturday. UNT was forced to go with last year's starter, Riley Dodge, for most of the game.In a hugely discouraging moment for fans (and probably the players as well), the coaching staff appeared to throw their hands up in despair as they lost their 7th, 8th, and 9th players to likely season ending injuries.Third team QB Riley Dodge looked rusty, timid, and without much strength forMinnesota Vikings
most of the game. He completed 8 out of 17 passes for a dreary 63 yards.Only late in the game when UNT appeared to run the Todd Dodge spread (complete with gopher-like looks to the sidelines for instructions) for a few plays did Riley seem to show any competence.He completed 4 of 6 passes for 39 yards with 1 run for 8 yards and2 sacks for -11 yards on UNT's final drive.While it is entirely likely Riley Dodge would look a lot sharper with a week of reps as the starter, I think it is actually the wrong move for Todd Dodge and company.Ultimately Riley's arm is shot. It was quite apparent vs. Army that his arm strength comes and goes and that he limits UNT's offense too much in the Canales system. Be it due to Canales not trusting Riley's arm deep or Riley not trusting it, the game creeps up to the line of scrimmage when Dodge is playing.I have an alternate proposal that I think would help out UNT a lot more in the next few games.What is neededUNT needs an offensive identity.Army and Rice have exposed how to attack the UNT defense. If a team runs on UNT consistently they can wear out the UNT defense at thethe defensive end andoutside linebackerspots.For UNT to win, the Mean Green has to control the clock, keeping their defense off the field, their defensive ends from tiring out, and allowing their star DTs to come in fresh and play a big role in disrupting the opponent's running game. The UNT offensehas to roll up first downs.Their offensive identity needs to be that of a chain moving, clockchewingoffense that occasionally breaks big touchdown runs.Proven Assets availableUNT has an All-American RB in Lance Dunbar. He is the rare cutback runner who doesn't give up yardage angling for a better lane. He has elite game breaking ability, but is not a strong short yardage runner.Backup RBs James Hamilton and Brandin Byrd are aggressive runners who finish their runs well. They are good short yardage runners.UNT has 3 offensive linemen who were discussed as possible all-sunbelt players prior to the season in Tackles Victor Gill Esteban Santiago, and Center turned Guard Kelvin Drake. They also have goodproven players around them with good sizeinT/GJeremy Bean, G Coleman Feeley, and GMatt Tomlinson, and C Aaron FortenberryUNT has a trio of good TEs in Draylen Ross (the big blocker), Jamize Alawale (the raw deep threat), and ConorGilmartin-Donahue (the do it all guy).Finally the team has a receiver for most situations. They have two raw burners atreceiverwho have occasional concentration lapsesin Jamaal Jackson Tyler Stradford,a slightly slower receiver with much better hands and concentrationin Darius Carey, two reliable and polished receivers in Alex Lottand Breece Johnson,three hit ormiss guys with a history of mistakes ofvarying degreein the toughMichael Outlaw, the speedy BJLewis(if he is healthy now), andoccasional playmaker Willie Taylor, and last but definitely not least freshman Brelan Chancellor who's redshirt year was wisely burned by the staff vs. Army when Chris Bynes was injured.Chancellor is a very polished receiver for his age.Like Dunbar, he has ordinary speed for his position buthas the same knack for running away from people.I am sorry, this is still far more talent than all but the most elite teams in the Sun Belt. Does any teamin the Sun Belt have a better trio of linemen and a better RB? Heck no!Is UNT's receiving corps still in the top third of the Sun Belt ranks? Heck yes!Is this UNT offense still more talented than last year's? Absolutely.So you coaches quit your bellyaching, pullyourselves out of your tear-filledbeers, and go with what you got.Play personnel to optimize the talent on hand.UNT has 3 QBs available to lead the ship. Last year's starter Riley Dodge, last year's third string QB Chase Baine, and freshman Derek Teegarden.We can eliminate Teegarden. Although he looks pretty solid in his high school films, he is 17 lbs LIGHTER than Riley Dodge.There is no sense in repeating the Riley Dodge fiasco and destroying this guy's body beforeit is ready to New England Patriots jersey
play FBS ball and endure that pounding.I think the team should go with Chase Baine at QB with occasional spot work from Riley Dodge in the red zone.It is certainly out of the box, but you have already lost your first and second string QBs andthe difference between the third and fourth team QBs is not that pronounced. Riley Dodge is more polished and knowledgeable, but frankly Baine is more talented and likely far, far more durable at this point.The facts are Dodge's arm is too limited at this point and he is not physical enough running the ball.He gets ragdolled. Compounding the problem Dodge seems to have lost a lot of the instinct of when to hold on to the ball and when to hand off. He has been keeping the ball a lot this year to poor results and when he has handed off his handoffs haven't beensharp.Moreover, Dodge looked very timid playing against Army. UNT cannot afford that from their QB.Like most freshmen starters in offenses where the QB owns the ball, Riley Dodge was a turnover machine in most games last year. I think in ordinary situations one would expect him to outgrow that with work, but he hasn't had a ton of work this off-season. The bad habits he developed getting pounded last year are still there.Playing Riley Dodge every down is not a luxury the team can afford right now at the start of their run ofmore manageablegames. This team will fall apart if Dodge has a 4+ turnover game against one of these teams.Chase Bain is about 15 lbs heavier than Riley Dodge and appears to my vantage point 1-2 inches taller. He doesn't have any of the trauma screwing up his game that Dodge does.Whatever QB UNT starts is going to have to run. He is going to have to take a pounding.That QBis going to have to run options with Lance Dunbar and roll outs.Does the coaching staffreally want to risk losing Dodge to another injury? Even another shoulder injury?Given Riley Dodge's history it is unlikely he will last more than a game or two anyway as a full time starter behind a line that has lost confidence in it's ability to pass block at an elite level. I have long suspected that the move of Riley was in large part to allow the kid a full year to properlyheal up and see what he is next year. You are just inviting the injury gods to permanently finish him as a QB torole him out there as a full time starter behind a line with shaken confidence after seeing two future NFL DEs in the first 3 weeks.Riley Dodge is one of the greatest winners in Texashigh schoolfootball history. He won his games at the 5A level, the highest level of play in Texas. He may not have the skills anymore to be an effective every down starter, but he still knows how to execute a game winning play under pressure.At some point in the next 5 weeks there is a fairly good chance that UNT will be down by less than a touchdown with the game clock running down and Lance Dunbar or Tyler Stradford will break a big play that gets UNT to the 7 or 8 yardline.When that occurs do you want Riley Dodge ready to fill in and play his accurate short yardage game, or do you want him standing next to the coaches with ice wrapped around his shoulder or in street clothes holding a clipboard?This team needs Riley Dodge available for game winning situations and to play inside the 10 yard lineif the situation merits it in the next 5 weeks. The coaching staff needs every possible edge to secure wins. They shouldn't start him if it diminishes the chances he will be available for those situations.Plus, if Dodge were to start and togo down again, at that point New Orleans Saints jersey
UNT is going to have to run out Chase Baine anyway to finish out a game - and that would be a Chase Baine who would not have been given any reps!That is just a recipe for another give away loss.Getting Baine ready to go is a smart pre-emptive move.Baine plays the game similarly to Riley Dodge, but is more physical and has a better, undamaged arm. Baine is 6'0" and 210 lbs.Baine plays the game like an option QB who has learned to pass well enough to be functional in a spread. He also plays with some moxy. The thicker Baine is far more likely to get a first down running the ball than Riley Dodge would be.While I don't thinkBaine could be as accurate as Dodge, I do think he could complete 55% of his passes, throw a 35 yard pass with consistency, maybe run for 70 yards in a game without getting injured, show the strength to get a first down on a dive or QB sneak, and maintain a plus TD to turnover ratio. That I have seen he plays within his limits-like Nathan Tune.Modifying the offenseWith Tune and Thompson out,the valuegained byall those snaps inthe Canales offense over the off-season is largely lost.Riley Dodge's skillset (and most of the offensive skilled players' skillsets)are not suited for the Canales offense. They have talent and speed, but largely lack the polish, attributes,and precision to make it function right.James Hamilton -more of a straight line runner- is more effective in the Canales offense than All-American Lance Dunbar. Jamaal Jackson and Tyler Stradford are fish on bicycles trying to run precise routes, work the sidelines, and hold on to passes.Today, the Canales offense minimizes the best talents on the UNT offense. With reps and strength training that may not be the case next season, but it is this season - and this season is the one that matters.On top of that as a fourth stringer Baine has probably had little work in the Canales offense, but he did get some in the old Dodge offense last year as a third stringer and occasional backup.The Canales offense spreads teams horizontally with the run and the pass. Without a QB who can throw the ball30 yards down the field, the defense squeezes forward, minimizing what the Canales offense can accomplish. Runner and receivers moving horizontal don't have the space toturn vertical and finish their runs and get stopped short of first downs. This team has to be a little more vertical in it's attack to get any benefit out of Stradford and Jackson.That just isn't happening.Additionally, and moreimportantly, the Canales offenselimits Dunbar as a runner.Regardless of who they go with, UNT effectively has to squeeze in an off-seasonof QB preparation into a week. You can't do that with an offense as complex as the Canales offense.I think there is a crying need for both of UNT's offensive coaching minds to sit down with Riley New York Giants jersey
Dodge and Chase Baine and come up with a short list of offensive plays that fit thetwo QB's and theteam's skillsets.Go throughthe Dodge and Canales playbooks and select the best handful of playsfrom both for the team to practice this week.Watch the films of every TD Lance Dunbar scored last year and make sure those plays are in your truncated playbook and starred for heavy rotation.Put together a skeleton list of plays short enough to allow the players to work on them and get them down in time for the next game.In general, Iwould suggest running the Todd Dodge Gopher spread offense on most plays between the 20s and then shifting into a limited version of the Canales offense (with no shotgun plays) in short yardage and goalline situations as it is far better for those situations.The plain facts are Canales has been unable to utilize Dunbar effectively in the Canales offense. Putting a TE on the field forces a CB off the field to be replaced by asafety or even a linebacker.That doesn't help Dunbar and frankly increase the odds of one of UNT's QBs getting knocked out of the game on a bootleg.You can't afford that.Dunbar is a non-red zone weapon. He can break a TD run from anywhere outside of the red zone at any minute. He is a huge threat and a great decoy.He is only being used as a decoy this year. He has to be used more than he is in the Canales offense and more effectively. He is a huge reason UNT rolled up so many yards between the 20's last year. His ability to beat average to poor defenses is hugely needed now.You have to get Dunbar going if this team is going to win. He has to carry this offense. He has to break some TD runs. Dunbar's skillset is much more effectively utilized out of the Dodge offense.There can't be any sacred cows with everyones' jobs on the line. Canales needs to bite his tongue and take a perception hit for his boss. (Frankly this will make him a better OC down the road anyway.)Baine can run the option with Dunbar as well if not better than Riley Dodge did last year. Baine is a similar runnerbut one with more power. He can handle the ball well in the handoffs. He is probably a little less likely to fumble than Riley Dodge as unlike Riley,Baine was weightlifting rather than being pounded into goo last year.With the depth UNT has at receiver they can send 4 receivers down the field on every down if they want to try to clear space underneathfor Dunbar to work. Baine has a good enough arm and is accurate enoughto be somewhat credible as a passer.The team can shift into the Canales offense in the red zone or in short yardage.In those scenarios, they caneither throw underneath to Dunbar orbring inJames Hamilton or Brandin Byrd- backs far more suited to running in the Canales offense and picking up short yardage.Play selection goals.UNT has to become more of a running New York Jets jersey
eam. Through 3 games they have run the ball 38 times per game (14 by QBs) and passed 35 times per game.They need to start focusing onmoving the chainsby running the ball to allow their defense a better chance to record stops and keep the team in games.They need goals of having 60 rushes and 35 passes a game. Hitting something closer to 50 rushes per game and30 passes (what UNT did vs. Clemson, a good BCS defense) would be good.Nathan Tune had 15 carries vs. Clemson. I think Chase Baine can handle 10-15 carries.I think in an average game for the next 5 weeks, the goal should be to generate a stat line line like this:RushingDunbar 25 for 150 yards 1 TDBaine 10 for 40 yards Hamilton 7 for 35 yards 1 TDByrd 4 for 15 yardsDodge 4 for 10 yards 1 TDPassingBaine 15 of 27 for 190 yards 1 TD O INTsDodge2 for3 for 10yards and 1 TD O INTsReceivingCarey 3 for 30 yardsDunbar 3 for 30 yardsChancellor 2 for20 yardsLott 2 for15 yardsLewis 2 for 20 yardsJackson 2 for15 yardsJohnson 1 for 8 yards 1 TDStratford 1 for45 yards 1 TDOutlaw 1 for 17 yardsThat totals out to 250 yards rushing and 200 yards passing. If thecoaching staffreally focuses on making the strategy changes that are needed to getDunbar going, I think thepassing game,scoring,and time of possession will take care of itself.These stats are not unreachable by any team with a good OL and a top RB. Dunbar consistently had games of this magnitude or betterlast year against average to poor defenses in the Sun Belt. This year he is just not getting the touches and is not being utilized well as a runner.I think with the talent on hand and the marginal defenses coming up (I say marginal only in comparison to Clemson's defense), this can be a regularlyachievable stat line goal.Dunbar, theoffensive line,and the defense can save ToddDodge's job. Dodge needs to let them.UNT's Coaching staff needs to be creative and visionary...Two things they absolutely were not vs. Army.UNT is sitting on a stack of offensive talent.It is coached by two alleged offensive geniusesin Mike Oakland Raiders jersey
Canales and Todd Dodge.It is time for the coaching staff to put away their preconceptions of what they thought the offense should look like this year, look at what they have, acknowledge what they need to win, and put this team's talentto optimal good use to meet those needs.

18 Jan 11 Are MAC Invites Coming Down the Pike For Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee?

The next member of the MAC?Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesI want to freely admit thisis an entirely speculative editorial fueled by a very interesting article I came across this morning.Eastern Michigan's AD Derrick Gragg dropped the following bomb.I think the MAC is going to try to extend invitations to one or two institutions Reebok Chicago Bears #6 Jay Cutler Realtree camo Jersey
in the next year or two, Gragg told the EMU Board of Regents Athletic Affairs Committee.FromOct. 11 to 13 the MAC will meet. Among other things they will reportedly discuss realignment strategies.Gregg also speculated that Temple Universitywill likely leave the MAC for another conference at the end of their currenttwo year football-only contract.I mentioned specifically this chain of events as a scenario that could hobble the Sun Belt in a previous article.The MAC is generally pretty travel cost conscious. Their member schools recognize they are working with a limited budget as members of one of the lower level FBS conferences, so they tend to stay within a region. (Temple, as a football only add, was deemed enough of a value to allow in.)Would the MAC add Louisiana Tech as an all-sport member?I am going to say probably not. LA Tech adds a lot of travel and little market or esteem at this point, after years of bleeding in the WAC. Their basketball program is very disappointing in terms of fan support.Who else does that leave?Maybe the MAC would consider an FCS upgrade like Youngstown State, but in general FBS conferences don't like adding FCS schools unless conditions are dictating realignment terms to them(as is happening in the WAC today).AD Gragg is suggesting up to two teams are on Reebok Dallas Cowboys #82 Jason Witten Realtree camo Jersey
the MAC radar...Who else is out there?I think the obvious choices are Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky. Both were rumored to have initiated talks with the MAC in the past. (If you look at the geography and stabilityof both conferences it is pretty clear why they would be interested.)Both are strong basketball programs - Middle Tennessee draws about 4,000 a game, while W. Kentucky draws about 5,000 - and Middle Tennessee is an emerging football power. Both schools look like MAC schools in terms of their athletic programs.If such an invitation were to be offered and accepted, where does that leave the Sun Belt?There is certainly a lot to consider for schools like Arkansas State and UL-Lafayette.The WAC Could Figure in To ThisIt also could make some sense out of the WAC expansion strategy. The teams being mentioned most often frequently seem to add up to a niggling 10 football members with two non-football members in Seattle and Denver.It has been bothering me for weeks that the numbers do not seem to add up to a division-allowing 12 members in all sports.Well, the WAC could go to 10 in football, add two basketball only schools and have their division play-fueled travel cost savings in all the other sports.That would give the WAC some flexibility to wait for schools with a little more immediatefootball Reebok Dallas Cowboys #9 Tony Romo Realtree camo Jersey
credibility (ie. current FBS members) that the current WAC membersmay want more, instead of going whole hog with the FCS additions now.Is it possible that the WAC is making moves in anticipation of stealing ULL and Arkansas State a couple years down the road? After years of unrequited love for North Texas, is the WAC putting together a strategy to bypass the Mean Green and stabilize the WAC's central front?It is certainly an interesting comment open to a number of interpretations.

15 Jan 11 St. Louis Rams Jay Cutler Michael Huff

With the NFL draft nearly three weeks away, the St. Louis Rams should have solid grasp on what positions they will target with the 11th overall pick. Here's my take on what they should do come April 29th.SAFETYThe Rams' most pressing needs are on defense. With the loss of safety Adam Archuleta, who signed as a Reebok New Orleans Saints #9 Drew Brees Realtree camo Jersey
free agent with the Washington Redskins, the safety position could use an infusion of young talent. Corey Chavous was recently signed from Minnesota but O.J. Atogwe is inexperienced and therefore, he could be a liability. At the 11th spot in the draft, some intriguing prospects should grab new head coach Scott Linehan's attention. Michael Huff from Texas would be a huge upgrade and provide much-needed speed in the secondary considering he ran a 4.34 second 40 yard dash at the NFL combine. The other player who will likely be available is safety Jason Allen. The former Tennessee star was at one time thought be a top-10 pick but a dislocated hip derailed many believers. However, at the NFL Combine, Allen impressed many with his 4.39 second 40 yard dash. Allen might be viewed as a reach for the Rams at the 11th spot, but could still be available in the second or even third round.OUTSIDE LINEBACKERLast year in free agency, the St. Louis Rams signed two well-known linebackers in Dexter Coakley and Chris Claiborne. Both proved to be disappointments. Claiborne has already been released and Coakley, who suffered a broken leg last year, will most likely be a backup this season. The Rams did sign Will Witherspoon from the Panthers who will play middle linebacker. Regardless, St. Louis will still Reebok New York Giants #27 Brandon Jacobs Realtree camo Jersey
need a young talent to compete for the outside linebacker job. Manny Lawson from N.C. State and Kamerion Wimbley from Florida State may both be available when the Rams pick at number 11. Although Manny Lawson might be reach, he would be a great fit in defensive coordinator Jim Haslett's 3-4 defense. Lawson has an amazing combination of size (6-6, 241) and speed (4.43) and after a great senior year (10.5 sacks) his stock is moving up. Kamerion Wimbley also could be on the Rams radar. Again, with Jim Haslett working in the 3-4 defense, a fast athletic linebacker such as Wimbley would compliment DE Leonard Little well as someone who can effectively rush the passer. Wimbley played defensive end at Florida State, but considering his size (6-3, 248) he may be better suited at outside linebacker in the pros.QUARTERBACKThis is where it could get interesting. With Marc Bulger coming off a significant, but not very serious injury, there still may be some concern with the quarterback position, especially with a new head coach. With the 11th overall pick, the Rams stand at a great position in the draft, should one of the top QB's fall. Vince Young is a big mystery in this draft. He could land anywhere from the 1st pick to the 13th pick. He arguably put up one of the greatest performances in the National Championship game. He also has amazing athleticism for a quarterback. However, some scouts may be scared off by his low Wonderlic score. Still, if he were to fall to the Rams, Scott Linehan might not be able to pass on such a rare talent. Reebok New York Jets #6 Mark Sanchez Realtree camo Jersey
Jay Cutler is the other QB who may also fall to the Rams. Cutler is probably a better all around QB than Young is. Therefore, the Rams might be interested in him because it wouldn't be as much of a gamble. The former SEC star has good size (6-3, 226) and would walk into a great situation in St. Louis where he could learn under Marc Bulger and be surrounded by weapons at all the skill positions. (0)

14 Jan 11 Seattle Seahawks "Draft: Why did they do that?"

Tim Ruskell, the Seattle Seahawks' president, and his scouts obviously know their craft when it comes to the draft -- a fact that has been proven with the savvy selections of starters like Chris Spencer, Lofa Tatupu, Leroy Hill and Rob Sims over the past two years.So -- especially at this early juncture, just days after the draft -- it seems folly to question their picks. Certainly no one knows better than Ruskell whether certain players would fit the team's schemes; but, for the sake of argument, it's worth posing some possibly foolish questions. 1) With bigger needs at guarReebok New York Jets #6 Mark Sanchez Realtree camo Jersey
d and defensive tackle, why did the Seahawks pass on USC center Ryan Kalil and N.C. State tackle Tank Tyler and take Maryland cornerback Josh Wilson with the 55th overall pick?Kalil was considered a high second-round value, so when he slid down the round and was there when the Seahawks were picking, it looked like a very fortuitous fall for Seattle. But Ruskell decided to continue to upgrade his secondary by adding a cornerback with the team's top pick for the second straight year.The Seahawks obviously had Wilson rated higher than Kalil, but why? Perhaps it was because they felt Kalil would not make a good guard in the NFL. At 291 pounds, he would be a little light for the position. And with Spencer set to start at center, Kalil would have had to make the move to guard. Of course, in light of the news that Spencer's shoulders could hinder him all the way to training camp, passing on Kalil still looks like a questionable move. Kalil didn't last much longer than the 55th pick; Carolina took the center four selections later.The Seahawks already like the man they got at 55. Wilson showed well in the recent mini-camp and is expected to replace Kelly Herndon immediately as the nickel back and could challenge Kelly Jennings, Seattle's first-round pick in 2006, for the starting gig at right cornerback.Tyler was rated as a second-round talent by non-NFL evaluators, but he ended up going in the third round -- just three picks before the Seahawks grabbed California defensive tackle Brandon Mebane. So why wasn't Tyler worth Seattle's second-round pick? Because Reebok Oakland Raiders #21 Nnamdi Asomugha Realtree camo Jersey
he failed the character test -- he carried the baggage of off-field issues and lack of maturity and motivation. Ruskell has made character and integrity a prime requisite for anyone the Seahawks sign or draft, and Tyler didn't pass muster.2) Mebane did, but the question is: Why did Seattle rate him higher than Ohio State's Quinn Pitcock, who was generally rated a better third-round value? Because the Seahawks ignored Mebane's lack of height (he's just 6-foot-1) in favor of his production -- another typical Ruskell strategy. Pitcock was considered an unathletic underachiever, while Mebane is not as strong but is more explosive and appears to be a better fit as a run stopper in Seattle's scheme.The Seahawks obviously had Mebane rated higher than any of the remaining guard prospects; Marshal Yanda and Andy Alleman went in the next three picks, and Manuel Ramirez was picked in the fourth round. The Seahawks probably had little interest in any of them for various reasons.3) Why in the heck didn't the Seahawks draft a tight end?Delaware's Ben Patrick was lined up as a potential third-round pick for the Hawks, but the non-NFL evaluators apparently had him rated way too high because he was not drafted until Arizona took him in the seventh round.If Zach Miller had fallen to the 55th spot, the Seahawks surely would have taken him. But he was picked by Oakland at 38. And the Seahawks obviously didn't like any of the remaining tight ends enough to grab one until after the draft was over, when they signed Oregon State's Joe Newton. Thus, the tight end spot is in the 35-year-old hands of Marcus Pollard in 2007.4) When the Seahawks finally did draft a guard, they chose a big-time project in Mansfield Wrotto over a more established blocker in Josh Beekman. Why?Wrotto, a former defensive lineman, played right tackle as a senior at Georgia Tech, and he will require some major coaching to become any good at guard. Beekman, meanwhile, had started 39 games at Boston College, and his only shortcoming seemed to be the fact that he comes up a little short for a guard (6-2). The Seahawks probably thought Beekman was purely a center type in the NFL and apparently prefer the potential (and maybe the funky name) of Wrotto.In the end, the Seahawks stocked up their defense with their first three picksReebok Pittsburgh Steelers #86 Hines Ward Realtree camo Jersey
(Wilson, Mebane and defensive end Baraka Atkins) and basically have the same unresolved future at tight end and guard that they had going into the draft. And it won't be until the future that we know whether the Seahawks' answers to the above questions are the right ones.Got a bone to pick with a newspaper columnist, talk show personality or television analyst? E-mail us at mediawatch For more information, visit our Media Watch info page.

13 Jan 11 Atlanta Hawks' Jamal Crawford Deserves All-Star Status

Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesAfter beating the Boston Celtics last night on the road, the Atlanta Hawks are now 3-0 against the Eastern Conference leading Celtics. With four games left until the halfway mark of the season, the Hawks are 24-13 and just one game back of the Orlando Magic in the Southeast Division.Jamal Crawford deserves to be on the Eastern Conference All-Star team simply because he has been the Hawks most valuable player up to this point of the 2009-2010 season.Do not get this column wrong, Joe Johnson is still by far the Hawks' best St. Louis Rams jersey
player, but Crawford has been the driving force behind Atlanta's ascension into the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference. Last year, it was the Big Three in the East and everyone else. The Hawks are dangerously close to crashing that party.Crawford probably will not get on the All-Star team because he does not have the eye-popping statistics, but as often is the case, the statistics do not tell the whole story for what Crawford has meant to the Hawks and Coach Mike Woodson.Crawford is averaging more than 16 pointsper game with almost three assists in only 30 minutes of action. Those numbers are solid, but he only ranks as the 14th best scoring guard in the East; however, when you start breaking down the players ahead of him, Crawford should be an All-Star.Jamal will not be voted onto the team, but here are three reasons he should be a roster selection after the voting concludes:1. Crawford plays minutes at both guard positions. He runs the Hawks second unit on most nights and in the fourth quarter he is always on the floor in crunch time. He can play with pg Mike Bibby or he can play the point and run the high screen and roll like he did last night versus the Celtics.2. Crawford is instant offense off the bench. He definitely is one of the top candidates for NBA Sixth Man of the Year. In the past two years or so, the Hawks have struggled in their half court offense. Crawford has given them a penetrator who will find the open man. Admittedly, he likes to shoot first, but he has been more unselfish this year because he is playing with a winning team.3. Crawford appears to be so hungry to make the playoffs that his energy is rubbing off on a team that goes through ridiculous and disturbing stretches of poor play. The Hawks looked terrible losing to the Orlando Magic this past weekend. Dwight Howard intimidates the Hawks bigs like no one else in the NBA.Crawford is hungry to win and he is a dangerous scorer every night. He gives the Hawks a player that can create his own shot on the opposite side of the floor from Super Joe Johnson.Joe Johnson Tennessee Titans jersey
is going to be an All-Star. The way that the Hawks have played this year the team deserves one other selection. Al "the Boss" Horford has been playing well lately and the mercurial Josh "J-Smoove" Smith played well in November.Smith seems to be falling back into some bad habits, while Horford still struggles some nights playing the undersized center position. Crawford has been more consistent and had more impact on the team and the Eastern Conference to this point in the season.

12 Jan 11 Is This the Second Wave of the NBA's Next Great Point Guards?

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty ImagesThe 2005 NBA Draft heralded a new generation of elite point guards. Deron Williams and Chris Paul were respectively selected third and fourth overall, and both immediately entered the select elite of NBA point guards (it took Williams until his second season).It was a much needed invigoration, as, at the time, the standing crop of elite point guards, including Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, and Chauncey Billups, were deemed to be entering later stages of their careers. the glories of John Stockton and Gary Payton had long since faded. Buffalo Bills jersey
A new guard of point guards was required.The magnified importance of great and visible point guards cannot be understated. The point guard position is so visible and so scrutinized because point guards are not just the leaders and orchestrators of their teams, but also quick, crafty, and imaginative, akin to artists of the game and the court. Point guards supply the aesthetic appeal of basketball (watching Nash and Paul play is always a treat), but are also revered as gritty winners, as with Isaiah Thomas and his Bad Boys Pistons.In this sense, the emergence of Paul and Williams was nearly as important to the restoration of the league's positive image as was the class of LeBron, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony.A few short years later, there appears to be a new wave of uber-talented guards, who intriguingly bring a diverse set of skills.Derrick Rose, hailed and praised since the eighth grade as the next great Chicago point guard after Thomas, hailed as the NBA's next elite point guard, is the old man of the new wave. Drafted last year first overall, Rose, with his all-world athletic abilities, met expectations and won Rookie of the Year. Rose, however, still has enormous questions to answer. Neither a great shooter or distributor nor a fiery leader, Rose has yet to form a definitive character, and one is left wondering if he is overly reliant on his exceptional athleticism.Once thought to be THE next great point guard, Rose has company alongside. Tyreke Evans, Rose's replacement as Memphis point guard and the odd-on-favorite to be this season's Rookie of the Year, is already making waves in the pro game.With the body of a pro tight end, Evans is the rare point guard made in the Magic Johnson mold, an advantage he uses to bully opposing guards and get into the lane at will. In just this, his rookie year, Evans is Carolina Panthers jersey
averaging stunning rookie-year averages of 20.8 points per game and nearly five rebounds and assists per game, respectively. His leadership skills and winning edge are apparent too as he helped the previously woeful Kings to a respectable record; this in contrast to Rose, whose Bulls have not met expectations.Brandon Jennings is the most surprising of the lot of the new wave of point guards. Under-performing in Italy a year ago and considered a showman and a poor shooter, expectations and commentary for Jennings were largely cynical leading up the June draft. His rookie season has thus far defied such cynicism and reaffirmed the high praise Jennings received as a high-schooler. Jet-quick, occasionally dazzling, and demonstrating an eye for the pass, Jennings forms the closest approximation to Paul in the new batch of point guards. Much like Evans, Jennings has helped his team, the Bucks, to a mini-resurgence, although both him and the Bucks have met a cool stretch.While the aforementioned three have been busying plying their trade professionally in Chicago, Sacramento, and Milwaukee, the last of the new wave of point guards is logging minutes in Lexington. John Wall, thought by many to be the best player in college as a freshman, is the unquestioned star of No. 1 Kentucky. Drawing comparisons to Rose, Wall is able to dominate by sheer athleticism. His game, though incomplete, bears signs of polish, and he has the look of a winner, making a plethora of clutch plays this season. Though almost certainly the first overall pick this coming June, Wall's impact on the NBA point guard scene is speculation at this point.The point guard hierarchy is ever-evolving and will be a storyline to watch the coming seasons. How long will Nash, Kidd, and Billups stay on top of their games? Will and Paul and Williams be the behemoths of the coming years, or will Rose, Evans, Jennings, and Wall reach the same, if not higher, point in the hierarchy? Which of the new wave will be the best: Rose, the beefy Evans, the speedy Jennings, or the Chicago Bears jersey
young Wall?Right now, the league is gifted with two batches of great young point guards, and their development will be exciting to follow over the coming years. Such developments will impact the league tremendously, affecting both the NBA's marketing appeal and, let's hope, changing the playoff landscape, as nothing is quite so exciting as seeing dueling point guard wizards deep in the playoffs.

10 Jan 11 NBA Free Agency May Be a Huge Bust This Offseason

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty ImagesDon't look now, but all of these cap-clearing moves by NBA teams at the trade deadline may prove to be much ado about nothing if the top tier free agents decide the grass isn't greener on the other side.In this case, the "grass" refers to money. Both are green, and despite what many NBA stars may tell you about their desire to win, it's the almighty dollar that usually dictates their future.Plus, most of them play in situations that wouldn't automatically be improved by moving to another team anyway.Is LeBron James, for example, assured of San Diego Chargers jersey
a title if he goes to New York? Likewise, Dwyane Wade if he moves to Chicago?Of course not. And that leaves only two other potential reasons for a player to change addresses this summer.One reason could be better marketing opportunities. But in the case of LeBron, he is The Man in Cleveland. Do the bright lights of the Big Apple guarantee more exposure?Ditto for Wade and some of the others. Sure, a guy like Joe Johnson may be able to get more exposure, but is he really one of the top-tiered players that teams think of when clearing cap space?The second reason is money, and none of the top players would be in a position to benefit financially if they move to another team, barring a sign-and-trade.Assuming they will be offered a max contract by their current teams, these players will be better off staying put.Sure, LeBron's expiring Nike contract may net more dollars if he goes to New York, but until the Bird clause kicks in, nobody can pay him more in straight salary than the Cavs can over the next three years.The Cavs can offer LeBron a six year contract, while New York (or any other team with cap space) can offer only five years. And since they would be offering the absolute max deal, Cleveland would not be able to renegotiate with LeBron during those five year.New York, if it signed LeBron San Francisco 49ers jersey
as a free agent, could extend his deal after three years and help make up the difference.So it seems that if anyone leaves, it could be LeBron, though again, I don't see it happening. Meanwhile, Wade isn't leaving Miami in my opinion.Still, teams like the Bulls continue to clear space. But Chicago's best hope may be Joe Johnson, Carlos Boozer, or Amare Stoudemire. Not bad, but not exactly LeBron, Wade, or Bosh.So this free agent class, much hyped and much bally-hooed over the past couple years, could turn out to be very disappointing.And where will that leave the teams who sold out to obtain these players?

9 Jan 11 The Dallas Mavericks Are Poised For a Championship Run

The Dallas Mavericks have been a consistently good franchise this past decade. Perhaps the saddest thing about that statement, is that, the franchise and city alike know the Mavericks have been capable of greatness.Unfortunately their inability to turn their strong regular season performances into consistently deep playoff-runs has Reebok Green Bay Packers 21 Charles Woodson Realtree camo Jersey
hindered them, making them an afterthought behind dominant franchises like the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs.They've come close, like at the 2006 playoffs where Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericksunfortunatelyran into the emerging legacy of Dwyane Wade. However, since then, nobody has really believed they could truly win a championship.It's not like they helped their cause either, losing to the lowly eighth seeded Golden State Warriors in the post-season just the following year.This year is different.A sudden change-up at the trade deadline has seen the Mavericks come out with a straight-up scary lineup. Lead by perennial cornerstone Dirk Nowitzki and future Hall of Fame point guard Jason Kidd, the Mavericks finally look poised to claim that ever elusive championship.This is the time to deliver asReebok Minnesota Vikings #84 Randy Moss Realtree camo Jersey
Nowitzki in particular, has all the help he could need. Gone are the days where Maverick fans could complain about the supporting cast, or the fact that at times Nowitzki has been so heavily scrutinized by the media despite carrying a proud Dallas franchise and city on his shoulders.Caron Butler is capable of taking over a game, and hitting clutch shots. With Shawn Marion he gives the Mavericks two of the games most versatile forwards, and best defenders. Brendan Haywood has already shown what he's capable of doing, averaging 11.1 PPG, 10.7 RPG, and 2.9 BPG since arriving in Texas.With Erick Dampier hopefully at full strength come post-season, Haywood and Damp will create a physical, intimidating two-headed monster in the middle; a more than capable defensive presence against any team in the NBA.Add in the leadership and instant offense of Jason "The Jet" Terry in addition to key role players like J.J. Barea and rookie point guard Rodrigue Beaubois and the lineup is terrifying.With these added weapons comes a great deal of expectations, but with Reebok Pittsburg Steelers #83 Heath Miller Realtree camo Jersey
recent wins against the Magic, Lakers, and Hawks the Mavericks have shown they are more than capable. Especially when considering this team isn't even near their ceiling in terms of team chemistry and operating together on the court at full potential.Opposing teams should be terrified, as all the pieces are present, and the Dallas Mavericks are poised to play until June.

8 Jan 11 Cleveland Cavaliers' Anderson Varejao: Is the Wild Thing Too Wild?

Sam Greenwood/Getty ImagesThe case of Anderson Varejao is definitely an interesting one. He is this era's Dennis Rodman without the flair. He is one of the most hated players in the NBA, but to most Cleveland fans he is beloved.Now I have heard all of the complaints about Varejao; he is overpaid, a flopper, Atlanta Falcons jersey
a dirty player, and a whiner. I agree with all of these complaints, at one point in his career he was, or still is all of these things.Before he became more than a flopper, he was overpaid. Now that he has honed his defensive skill to more than just jumping in front of a player charging toward the hole, he is no longer overpaid.He still is a dirty player, but all contenders need at least one player to do the dirty work on the hardwood. Without a player that will grab, push, pull, punch, kick, and shove his way to a loose ball or a rebound, a team does not have the physicality it takes to intimidate other teams. (And he is nowhere near as bad as Reggie Evans who...well...Chris Kamen knows what I'm talking about )The Wild Thing, with the help of Shaq down low showing him how to throw his body around, has become the Cavs' most intense, physical player. His intensity also allows him to get under the skin of every player he defends and every player that defends him.This reached its peak during the season against the Boston Celtics on Sunday. C's coach Doc Rivers Baltimore Ravens jersey
described Andy as "frustrating" about 37 times during the press conference after their loss to the Cavs.Varejao came off the bench in that game and ignited the team while scoring 15 first-half points, allowing the Cavs' to outpace the Celtics and further show their dominance of the Eastern Conference.Varejao has become much more than the flopping ball of energy he was at the beginning of his career. In the 2009 postseason he was given a $42.5 million six-year contract extension, which at the time was too much for the player he was.Varejao is a different player now. He has a jump shot like he never had before in his career. He has become an effective NBA big man, a potential future All-Star, and a perennial NBA All-Defensive team candidate.The Wild Thing is as wild as ever, but he is combining it Buffalo Bills jersey
with a shooters touch comparable to Zydrunas Ilgauskis and a physical presence under the basket comparable to Shaq. He will still step on your toes and flop around once every now and then, but now he is an effective NBA player and a force to be reckoned with.

30 Dec 10 Nuggets of Info: Denver Heating Up, George Karl To Miss Playoffs' First Round

The Denver Nuggets sat firmly in the second seed in the West for most of this season, but all the magical momentum they had built up over the first 70 games was completely destroyed during their debacle of a road trip.Trouble began with a loss to the Bucks in the Pepsi Center, and it continued with consecutive losses to the Knicks and Celtics.Only a buzzer beater by Carmelo Anthony could steal the Nuggets a win against the Raptors, and Denver lost back-to-back games against the elite Magic and Mavericks to end the nightmarish roadie 1-4.Overall, Denver lost a dreadful five of seven games by an average of 9.2 points, as their defense was far too soft.The Nuggets defense has lost its personality.Once a physical and scrappy bunch, this squad looks lost and careless without Reebok Pittsburg Steelers #83 Heath Miller Realtree camo Jersey
Kenyon Martin. Plus, interim head coach Adrian Dantley has been too passive on the sidelines and needs to reign in erratic play more aggressively.Finally, being back in the friendly confines of the Pepsi Center has benefited the team and the Nuggets have been able to put together strong efforts in their last two games to break a trend of lackluster efforts.Thursday night versus the Trailblazers was arguably the biggest win of the season for Denver.The Nuggets came out with a purpose in that game, led by Anthony, and wouldn allow this meaningful game slip away. Melo scored 13 of his game-high 25 points in the deciding fourth quarter, as he fought through an off-shooting night to play well in crunch time.Then it seemed as if Denver forgot all the good things they did the night before when they started horribly against the visiting Clippers. The Nuggets came out with no intensity and found themselves down by nine points after the first quarter, and were down by as much as 19 at one point in the first half.The boys in blue were able to shorten that lead to eight by half, and took over the game in the third quarter, usually Denver worst this season.Backup turned starter Johan Petro had a breakout performance in the third, scoring 12 points and grabbing four rebounds as well. Petro was extremely active and helped the Nuggets to a win while big man Chris Andersen nursed his recently injured sprained ankle.Sure, neither win was pretty, but for a team challenged by injuries and illness, both wins showed the Nuggets have heart.They are fighting, scrapping, and producing in any way possible. Denver depth is becoming more evident, and everyone is doing their part.Nene contributions have grown, with 15 points and six rebounds averaged in the Nuggets last two wins, and Andersen played well (5 pts, 6 reb, 4 BS) before rolling his ankle versus Portland.Starting two-guard Arron Afflalo grabbed a team-high nine rebounds against LAC and Ty Lawson provided some spark with eight points and four assists.If the Nuggets want to keep this winning streak alive and move back into homecourt positioning for the playoffs, they will have to keep scrapping and continue fighting as if the playoffs have already begun.And with those two wins, and losses by the Jazz, Suns, and Mavericks Saturday, the Nuggets (50-27) are currently in a four-way tie with those teams for the second-best record in the West.Only five games remain for the Denver, and all are important, Arizona Cardinals jersey
including the season-ender in Phoenix that will almost certainly decide postseason seedings in the wild Western Conference.George Karl to miss the first round of playoff basketballJust as the Nuggets got back into winning ways, more bad news about their sick head coach was reported Sunday.In an interview with the Denver Post , Karl life partner Kim Van Deraa said that the coach will not return for the regular season and will probably not be there to run the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs that start April 17.To count out all the playoffs, that up to his body, Van Deraa said. Who knows when his return will be? No one knows. He doesn even know. Im sure he hoping that if we go on a playoff run, that he can (coach) this season.On March 21, Karl was admitted to the hospital after feeling much pain in his legs, which were due to the blood clots doctors found and had to remove. He remained in the hospital for four days, and is now home resting.Even though Karl radiation treatments are over now, he still must feed himself through the feeding tube that was implanted into his stomach, and may have to for another six months.These are ominous signs that may mean Karl won be able to return to coaching until next season, but no one can argue that he should focus on his health instead of basketball right now.A heartfelt mailbag message to KarlIt been a while since anyone has sent in mailbag questions or comments, but this email to Karl is inspirational and I had to pass it on.From Michael Hayes of Meriden, CT,I just wanted to pass along my best to George Karl. I'm a 31 year old NBA fan who recently went through head and neck radiation/chemo myself for tongue cancer. George is incredibly brave togo throughthe treatments in the public eye.Midway through my treatments (June-Aug '08) the Celtics won the NBA championship. I cried tears of joy the night they beat the Lakers to win the franchise's 17th championship. I'll never forget the incredible feeling of joy the team gave me, during what was a difficult time. I hope the Nuggets can provide Coach Karlwith similar joy.To George, all the best...you're an inspiration.Inspirational indeed.George, thank you for writing in and telling us your personal story. It enlightening to hear how sports can be beneficial to someone struggling through a life-threatening illness.Hopefully the Nuggets can keep winning for Karl, and his health continues to steadily improve.What do you want to read about? Do you have a question about the team, or just a player youd like to see profiled in a feature? Remember to write in your questions and comments about the Denver Nuggets to Denver.nuggets@rocketmail.com and they will be answered/posted in a weekly or bi-weekly mailbag piece by Nuggets Featured Columnist Rich Kurtzman.Rich Kurtzman is a Colorado State Alumnus of the Communication Department and is a freelance journalist writing for many websites currently. AlongAtlanta Falcons jersey
with being the Denver Nuggets FC here on B/R, Kurtzman is the Denver Broncos FC for NFLTouchdown.com and the Colorado State Rams Examiner for examiner.com .You can follow Rich on twitter or become a fan of his on facebook to stay up-to-date on all the happenings in Colorado sports.

But Lawson has already proved that he can play in the NBA

So whoever Kahn drafts will inevitably be compared to Lawson.Kahn also signed Ramon Sessions away from the Bucks for four years and $16 million and Sessions's averages are down more than four points and nearly three assists per game compared to last season. Chances are the Wolves are stuck with Sessions until it either expires or has just one year remaining.Kahn's future might be tied to whether or not Rubio ever makes it to Minnesota. It's hard to believe that Rubio is in a rush to leave European powerhouse FC Barcelona to join one of the league's worst teams. Especially when he knows that he can avoid the league's rookie scale by coming over three years after being drafted as opposed to just one or two.Kahn might still insist that he was happy with the pick but if he has the chance to move Rubio's rights he shouldn't allow his pride to stand in the way of making a deal that could pay off immediately.Those Who Are Trying To Win Championships Now (From Worst to Best)6) R.C. Buford, San Antonio SpursBuford convinced Spurs owner Peter Holt to abandon any hope of having cap space this summer or next and instead make the trade for Richard Jefferson. The move has backfired and now the small-market Spurs are on the hook for one more year of Jefferson's deal at $15 million.Last week Buford signed Manu Ginobili to a three-year, $40 million extension.Even though I'm sure the Spurs and their fans are thrilled to have Ginobili locked up, had Buford not traded for Jefferson then he could have at least explored the free agent market this summer and then renounced Ginobili if he was able to attract a top-tier free agent to replace him.The Ginobili signing was more of an indication that the Jefferson trade was a failure than it was a reward for one of the franchise's greatest players ever.While draft picks Seattle Seahawks jersey
George Hill and DaJuan Blair have worked out, Buford's other big free agent signing, Antonio McDyess, hasn't really panned out either.Buford had $54 million committed to just six players before re-signing Ginobili and is a year away from having to re-sign Tony Parker.Buford is still one of the league's best GMs but he will have to get creative if he wants to give Tim Duncan another shot at a title.There were already rumors that Buford tried to trade Parker to the New Orleans Hornets for Chris Paul.Don't be surprised to hear more rumors regarding Parker this summer.With Hill still on a rookie contract and Jefferson almost impossible to trade, moving Parker might be Buford's only hope at winning Duncan another ring. He can't really afford to wait for Jefferson's deal to expire in the summer of 2011 when Duncan will be 35.The good news for Spurs fans is that nobody would be surprised if Buford found a way to trade Jefferson for the type of power forward that would allow Duncan to move into the same type of role that David Robinson took on when Duncan was drafted in 1997.5) Danny Ainge, Boston CelticsAinge has quite an eventful summer ahead of him. If the Celtics don't make it back to the Finals there will be plenty of questions for this team. For example, now that Kobe Bryant has established the market for stars in their early 30s, will Paul Pierce try to sign a similar extension with the Celtics?If Bryant is worth three years and $85 and Ginobili is worth three years and $40 million then surely Pierce is worth three years and at least $60 million, right?If that's the case then does that mean that Ray Allen is all but assured of being let go?It's curious that Ainge didn't try to move Allen when he had the chance. With Rajon Rondo's extension kicking in next season and a looming extension in 2011 for Kendrick Perkins, Ainge might have lost his only chance to keep this team a contender for at least another year.While Ainge acquired Nate Robinson from the Knicks to shore up the team's bench, the move seemed to be more of a play for Allen leaving than for this season's title hopes.By acquiring Robinson's Bird Rights Ainge has found a replacement for Allen's scoring for a fraction of the price it would take to retain Allen.4) Mitch Kupchak, Los Angeles LakersSpeaking of GMs that didn't make trades when they had the chance, Mitch Kupchak didn't acquire a point guard at the trade deadline and now the Lakers are no longer the favorites to win the title.Many pundits have even wondered if this team can make it out of the Western Conference for a third straight year.Kupchak could have tried to use Adam Morrison's expiring contract to find the team help and instead will now have to use their mid-level exemption to find a third-tier free agent point guard like the Clippers' Steve Blake or the Pacers' Earl Watson since Memphis owns their first-round pick from the Pau Gasol trade.Shannon Brown is all but assured of opting out of St. Louis Rams jersey
his deal, Derek Fisher is an unrestricted free agent who has given Lakers fans migraines this season, and Jordan Farmar is a restricted free agent who is much-better suited in an up-tempo offense than in the triangle.The good news is that if he's willing to let Farmar, Fisher, and Brown leave then he can use the full mid-level to sign a point guard without adding much, if anything, to this season's payroll.Kupchak should get credit for signing Bryant to a three-year extension when Bryant could have easily demanded a maximum five-year extension. By locking up Bryant and Gasol the Lakers have sent a message to this summer's free agent and their representatives that they have nobody under contract for the 2014 season.We'll get an idea if they were listening if you see guys like LeBron, Wade, and Bosh sign deals that give them the chance to opt out in the summer of 2014.3) Otis Smith, Orlando MagicSmith was criticized for trading away Hedo Turkoglu and replacing him in a separate deal with Vince Carter. While Carter has had flashes of brilliance it is another of Smith's moves that has paid dividends. Smith signed journeyman Matt Barnes to a two-year, $3 million contract that includes a player option for next season.Barnes has given the Magic a swagger and toughness that a lot of people felt they lacked in their series against the Lakers last June.While the Magic have struggled at times this season they still finished with the league's second-best record and you'd have to think that they have a better chance of knocking off the Cavs than the Lakers or Celtics do.2) Donnie Nelson, Dallas MavericksI know it's easy to be the GM of a team with an owner whose willing to spend whatever it takes to win a championship. I also know that there isn't a GM who wouldn't have made the deal that Nelson made with the Wizards for Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood, and DeShawn Stevenson.But that's not why Nelson is so high on this list.What Nelson deserves credit for is the foresight he had when he signed Josh Howard and Drew Gooden that allowed him the flexibility to make the moves he made when the opportunity finally came about.Nelson only signed Gooden for one year after the Magic matched the team's offer for Marcin Gortat and made sure that the final season of Howard's contract was a team optionthus giving him two expiring contracts.Next summer Nelson has a team option with a buyout on Erick Dampier's contract that would allow him to swap him at his full value to a team looking to trim payroll who could then pay Dampier's buyout.1) Danny Ferry, Cleveland CavaliersEven if Ferry wasn't already bald you'd think he would have lost his hair just worrying about whether or not LeBron will re-sign with the team this summer.If the future number six does decide to bolt his home state you won't be able to put the blame on Ferry.Ferry has done everything in his power to put the best team around his superstar and as a result they have the league's best regular season record Tennessee Titans jersey
for the second year in a row and are the clear-cut favorites to the win the city its first title since 1964.Ferry hasn't been on the winning end of every trade he's made but he was able to take the free agent signees that many labeled disappointments and turn them into gold.Larry Hughes and Donyell Marshall were used to get Ben Wallace who was used to get Shaq.Damon Jones was used in the deal that brought the team Mo Williams.This season he used Zydrunas Ilgauskas to acquire Antawn Jamison without having to give up J.J. Hickson and got Ilgauskas to re-sign with the club after he was bought out by the Wizards.Ferry, with the blessing of Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, has committed an additional $150 million in payroll by acquiring Mo Williams, Shaquille O'Neal, Antawn Jamison, and re-signing Delonte West and Anderson Varejao.On the other hand, anything short of a championship would be considered a failure and could ultimately lead to the departure of the league's expected MVP.I don't envy the pressure that Ferry is under but I do admire the way that he's handled it.Those Trying To Win Championships With Economic Limits (From Worst to Best) 5) Jeff Bower, New Orleans HornetsI'm not an apologist for Bower but you have to feel for the guy. If it wasn't bad enough that his owner George Shinn instructed him to make a bunch of lopsided trades to trim payroll he also made him coach the team after he fired Byron Scott.Bower would never have made the trade that sent Tyson Chandler to the Bobcats for Emeka Okafor had it not saved Shinn money this season and next.

28 Dec 10 L.A. Lakers-Utah Jazz Recap: Three Things We Learned

Harry How/Getty ImagesMy favorite aspect of the NBA playoffs is how quickly the tides can change.Just four games ago, the Los Angeles Lakers were being called out by every radio host, talk show, newspaper, blog, and other sports mediumsincluding those in Los Angelesfor being old, slow, and not having what it takes to beat the young, upstart Oklahoma City Thunder. Suddenly, Kobe was past his prime and couldn't cut it anymore, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum weren't strong enough for playoff basketball, and Phil Jackson wasn't making proper adjustments.That was four games ago.Since then, the Los Angeles Lakers, led by Kobe Bryant, have reeled off four consecutive victories (two to close out the OKC series 4-2 and two to take a 2-0 lead over the Utah Jazz).Kobe Bryant hasSan Francisco 49ers jersey
scored 30 or more points in his last three games, playing a balanced and unselfish role while knowing when to go into attack mode. Every starter for the Lakers has played well. The bench has been as inconsistent as can be, but that is no different from the regular season.The point is, in a matter of 192 basketball minutes, the Lakers have shut up 90 percent of their doubters and brought a sense of calm and normalcy back to Los Angeles.While the Orlando Magic look like the best team of the remaining eight, it is important to keep in mind that they are playing great basketball from top to bottom. The Lakers haven't gotten consistency from their bench yet, so their ceiling seems to be a little higher.How it all shakes out remains to be seen, but 192 minutes can make all the difference.Three Things We Learned:1. The Utah Jazz Have No Chance to Win This SeriesThat's a harsh statementbut most truths and realities are harsh.There is no question that Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, and company are leaving it all on the floor. They Seattle Seahawks jersey
are scrapping and trying but they are simply outmatched. They have no answer for Gasol or Bynum, no answer for Kobe, and no consistent go-to guy on offense.In game two, the Jazz were - 58 to 40. The Lakers blocked 13 Utah shots to just four by the Jazz. The Lakers hit 51 percent of their field goals to the Jazz 39.6 percent. Despite having ten more turnovers and shooting less than 25 percent from three point range, the Lakers never had a doubt that they would win the ballgame.2. Kobe Bryant Is BackMaybe he never left, but we all assumed he did. But since the questioning of his talent and ability grew in volume, the games fiercest competitor did what he has always done; silenced the critics.The Jazz have no answer for Bryant. He is playing the most efficient basketball in a long time, possibly his career. Bryant has had no trouble getting his teammates involved while racking up assists, or taking over by scoring at will.Double teaming Bryant is not an option because the Jazz already have trouble with Gasol, Bynum, and Odom. Jerry Sloan is a heck of a coach, one of the game's best, but he simply does not have an answer and I don't blame him.3. The Lakers Get Bored EasilySimilar to game one, the Lakers had a double digit lead for most of the game, only to see it dwindle down in the fourth quarter.Complacency sets in with this ball club and they look as if they are bored out there at times. While that may be a testament to their talent and ability, it's a little worrisome when you consider the remaining teams. St. Louis Rams jersey
Guys like Steve Nash, Manu Ginobili, LeBron James, and Paul Pierce will make you pay if you let them hang around long enough.While it may be working for now, the Lakers need to get a little more of that killer instinct that they had last year and bury teams when they have the chance.

27 Dec 10 Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers Set for Finals Rematch: Just Like Old Times

Jim Rogash/Getty ImagesThanks to a rejuvenated Kevin Garnett, we can dowithout a pairpuppets and a possibleKobe/LeBron matchup becausewell be getting the next best thing: Boston vs. L.A. No disrespect to Orlando and Phoenix, but let be seriousit all about the Lakers and Celtics this year, again. It typically out of my character to just write teams off in the middle of a series, but why not? Everybody else is doing it. I couldn wait to get a crack at previewing this series, with so many twists and plots, it should be another great one.So if Boston and New England Patriots jersey
L.A. do eventually matchup for the 12th time in NBA Finals history, things should be pretty interesting. Despite the historic brilliance of both clubs, the Celtics/Lakers Finals series has been pretty one-sided so far. Boston owns a 9-2 edge in the series with their last victory coming in 2008, when visions of a Boston comeback, a Boston blowout, and Doc Rivers being doused with Gatorade defined the series. But things could be different this time around. Or could they?After all, Pau Gasol is a better player, Kobe Bryant is still Kobe Bryant and the rest of the Lakers are more experienced and better equipped to scrap with a rough and rugged Boston squad. But Boston is also sporting a different look these days. Gone is the dominance of the Big Three and in is the superstardom of All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo. Rondo emergence has continued the Celtics image of a lock and block defensive unit while upping the tempo and transforming them into a fast-paced drive and dish team.The Lakers have had a history of being openly victimized by athletic point guards and a new defensive game plan will have to be in order for a Finals rematch. Bryant exclusively locked up with Rondo in the 08 Finals in an effort to give him a rest on defense and out of New Orleans Saints jersey
chasing Boston sniper Ray Allen off screens. But Rondo was nowhere near the scorer in 08 that he is now so Bryant typically gave him an open cushion and the green light to launch jumpers. While perimeter shooter still isn one of Rondo strengths, it would be a huge mistake for the Lakers to put Bryant on him again should the teams meet. Rondo has stamina to burn while Bryant, 31, is nowhere near the thoroughbred he used to be. But L.A. will be in a tough position regardless because putting Derek Fisher on Rondo will be just an open invitation to the rim for the Celtics point guard.Therell be a lot of clashes in this possible series to keep note of; Ron Artest vs. Paul Pierce and Gasol vs. Kevin Garnett will both weigh heavily on the outcome but Boston doesn have a man to check Lamar Odom off the bench and with the way Odom is playing right now, the Celtics will definitely have to key on him.Everything about this series screams television viewership records from the names on the front of jerseys to the ones on the back. No other teams are hotter right now than the Lakers and Celtics. Los Angeles has turned into a scoring machine while Boston has been the premiere defensive unit of the postseason.It shouldn be long now, just have to wait for Orlando and New York Giants jersey
Phoenix to lie down and let history take its course. The last two NBA Champions set to slug it out in what could be the last hurrah for both clubs. Kobe vs. LeBron wouldve been nice but who needs puppets when you've got the Celtics and Lakers?This article is also featured onReading Sports with SteveDwriter

26 Dec 10 Westside Agony: Payback Time For the Lakers

Jim Rogash/Getty Images2008. A year that will live in infamy for all Laker fans.We ditched Smush Parker for Derek Fisher. We swapped Kwame Brown for Pau Gasol. Sasha Vujacic was shooting out of his mind. All was well in Hollywood.We swept an overrated Nuggets team that avoided Carolina Panthers jersey
defense like Sarah Palin avoids a textbook.We muscled through a Utah team that just could not get it done in LA.We ran circles around the San Antonio Spurs, as the youthful Lakers were just too much for the aging Spurs.We cruised through the playoffs, until we met Boston. Hardened, wizened, and determined, Boston's defense was unlike anything LA faced that year. Kendrick Perkins had his way with Gasol. Kobe was trying to play three-on-one. Sasha Vujacic was our only productive bench player.The Lakers were overwhelmed by Boston's physical game, and many Laker fans were overwhelmed by hatred.These Boston Celtics always seem to get in our way, don't they?Fast-forward to today. Instead of starting Luke Walton on Paul Pierce, we have Ron Artest to shut him down. Andrew Bynum tips the size factor to the Lakers favor. Odom off the bench is much more potent than what we had in 2008.2008 was agony. Seeing your beloved team so drastically outmatched by a hated rival burns like a never-fading Chicago Bears jersey
fire. And Game 6 was just too much. Having to watch your team thoroughly humiliated on the home floor of your most hated rival is beyond description.Now it's payback time. The Lakers must not be out-muscled. The Lakers must beat the Celtics at their own half-court game.Kobe, Pau, Derek, Ron-Ron, Drew, Lamar, Jordan, Shannon, Sasha, Luke, J-Powell, and DJ...for all the Laker fans who believe in you and support you to the very end...Give them hell.

25 Dec 10 The Big Everything: Shaquille O'Neal Burns Jim Rome!

Here's a likely answer to the question:There was this chap they called "The Diesel."Sometime during the summer of 2001, on a mutual whim, in the backyard of someone's house in Louisiana State University, he began to wrestle with a fifteen year old kid called "Big Baby." The kid today stands at 6'9" weighing about 260 lbs, but he was obviously a lot lighter back then. And a lot shorter too!That diesel guy? He stood over seven feet tall and weighed 350 lbs but it obviously didn't matter because the baby, overcome by a complete lack of Reebok New York Giants #27 Brandon Jacobs Realtree camo Jersey
intimidation, lifted his idol up and body-slammed him to the floor.And the question? What was the question? You frame it.I'm thinking "When was the last time Shaquille O'Neal ate humble pie?"Because he just tasted it again.Remember that saying about not daring to feud with someone who buys ink by the barrel? I'm not sure what exactly it was but metaphorically, it probably implies that Shaq should have swallowed his pride when ESPN presenter Jim Rome stated that Shaq Fu's career wasn't as great as it could have been and "he never approached the game with the dedication or discipline as Kobe Bryant.The outspoken commentator and host of Jim Rome is Burning was making his remarks after news that The Big Aristotle (Yes! That's how "Wilt Chamberneezy" would alwayslike to be called ), signed with the Boston Celtics for the veteran's minimum salary.Now call Jim Rome cocky but he obviously can't be stupid. The man must have been expecting some backlash! After all, he didn't just criticize a beanie baby or a stuffed teddy bear. He criticized a man who:a) did that !b) did that again !c) did "that again" again !So you see, maybe Jim didn't remember those faded grainy memories. Maybe he just remembered the MDE (Most Dominant Ever) for his juvenile sense of humor. After all, "The Big Baryshnikov" once said his game was like Pythagoras's Theorem in that no one could figure it out!Maybe Rome called up Vlade Divac who reassured him that when "The Big Galactus" sang for him, it was all in playful jest. Reebok New York Jets #6 Mark Sanchez Realtree camo Jersey
Either way, he forgot that "The Big Cordially" was on twitter (making his new nickname shwitter/shitter/shaquitter?) and promptly retaliated through his three million followers."Jim rome, I am happy with my career and the legacy that I have left behind, obviously u r not happy with yur legacy I 4got u have no legacy" Thus spake "The Big Agave.""And forget the back and forth jim rome, I challenge u to a boxing match, live at espn studios, show the world if you can bak up the tuff talk"Thus spake "The Big Felon" some more."Dats what I thought jim rome dats what i thought......I knew, we knew it bock bock bock bock tuk your feathers n lol"Thus concluded "The Big Shaqovic."Of course, in the middle of these left-hook tweets was Jim Rome twitter-taunting O'Neal some more, claiming that he would do it for $8 million and not the veteran's minimum (which is what O'Neal will be paid) of $1.5 million.Common basketball knowledge accepts that while Shaquille O'Neal is certainly not the most dominant player ever (that's a default Wilt-owned title), there were periods in his career when his dominance was unparalleled and perhaps the greatest of his generation.At 38, with injuries slowing him down, "The Big Cactus" lacks the quickness of the drop-step that made him unstoppable in his prime; but at seven feet and three hundred pounds plus, he continues to remain an imposingphysical presence .And it's clear that he wants another ring before he retires thus making the Celtics his most viable option.Either way, a wounded lion still remembers the prey it used to hunt down and kill with brute power and finesse. No matter how old and crippled it gets, it knows what it used to do . And Shaq did it all, the three-peat of rings with his three-peat of Finals MVP awards.He Reebok Oakland Raiders #21 Nnamdi Asomugha Realtree camo Jersey
doesn't need a 40 or 50 year old talk show host to question his dedication to the game!Where was this Rome fellow when the Lakers three-peated on "The Big Shaqtus's" atlas-like shoulders or when he helped Dwayne Wade get Miami its first championship?Was Rome burning then?

24 Dec 10 Washington Wizards and Gilbert Arenas Both Want a Trade

Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesHe may not admit it, but Gilbert Arenas has done everything in his power over the last year to try and get the Washington Wizards to trade him. The only problem is that the Washington Wizards did everything in their power to put themselves in a position to make Reebok New Orleans Saints #9 Drew Brees Realtree camo Jersey
him nearly impossible to move.It wasn’t but a few short years ago that “Agent Zero” was a fast-rising NBA star. He was one of the best players in the league and a fan favorite. He was a pioneer for the use of social media among athletes and that helped lead to his quickly increasing popularity.Add three years, a handful of injuries and significant off-the-court issues and you’re left with the current day Arenas.When Arenas faked an injury just days ago to “let Nick Young get more playing time,” it became quite obvious that he no longer cares about the Wizards or how much longer he is around. He continues to play coy about wanting to be traded, but is anyone buying his sarcastic banter?Arenas has showed absolutely no remorse for anything that he has done over the last year. He continually lied about the gun issue and he ended up paying for it. Now, after his fake injury, Arenas stands in front of the media and says, “Everything that I do now is someone tit-for-tat trying to blow it out of proportion. You know at the end of the day Nick is happy. He got to play, got to show that he can play—and I’m out here taking all the heat again.”You’re taking all the heat Reebok New York Giants #27 Brandon Jacobs Realtree camo Jersey
because you’re the one that lied to your team. It’s not okay to lie to your team, no matter the reason. Another thing, if Arenas didn’t want anyone to know that he had lied, he would have kept it completely to himself. If he were truly doing it for the sake of his teammate, no one would have ever found out. He wanted his coaches and the media to make a big deal out of this because he knew it could only help get him out of town quicker.Surely the Washington Wizards want to send Arenas packing more than anything and not look back. Granted, they had to take John Wall with the top pick because he’s too good to pass up, but at that point, it was clear that Arenas no longer had a place on this team. He has embarrassed the front office, his coaches, his teammates and Wizards fans.FACT: They want him gone and would do anything in their power to trade him!However, there’s one problem. The six-year, $111 million contract that they signed him to isn’t up until after the 2013-14 season. Finding someone who is willing to take that along with the baggage that comes with Arenas is nearly impossible.As if his contract and the baggage aren’t enough to deter a possible trade, his injury woes should. In the 2007-08 and 2008-09 NBA seasons, Arenas played only 15 total games. Last year, he played 32, before being suspended for the “gun in the locker room” incident. That’s 47 games in three years. Yes, even Greg Oden Reebok New York Jets #6 Mark Sanchez Realtree camo Jersey
has played more than that.This is one issue where there is no telling what might happen. On one hand, there’s no way that I can see Arenas staying in Washington for four more years, but on the other hand, I can’t imagine who would actually trade to acquire his outrageous salary, high injury risk and childish antics.The Washington Wizards no longer want Gilbert Arenas and Gilbert Arenas no longer wants the Washington Wizards.The only problem for Arenas is that no other team wants him either and with every failed attempt to force Washington to trade him, he only pushes any potential suitors further away. It might be his only option to just GTFO of the NBA!This article is also featured onSPORTSorGTFO.com

23 Dec 10Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Garnett and the Top 10 Power Forwards in the NBA Today

Dirk Nowitzki is off the a great start this season.Ronald Martinez/Getty Images1.) Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks Dallas Mavericks' power forward is having another stellar season so far as he ranks No. 1 on the list of top power forwards. Nowitzki is the heart and soul of the Mavericks and if San Diego Chargers jersey
they did not have him, they would be a subpar basketball team. The 2006-2007 MVP is averaging 24.4 points per game along with 8.4 rebounds. 2.) Amar'e Stoudemire, New York Knicks After being signed by the Knicks in the offseason, Amar'e stoudemire is quickly becoming a fan favorite in New York. Stoudemire had a successful career in Phoenix, and it is time for him to show that he was worth $100 million. Stoudemire is living up to his big contract coming off a 39-point performance against the Clippers. The big man is averaging 23.1 points and almost nine rebounds per game. 3.) Chris Bosh, Miami Heat We all know the Heat are not going to go 82-0, and they have been a disappointment, but it doesn't take away that Bosh is still one of the best power forwards in basketball. Granted, his numbers are down with Dwyane Wade and LeBron James as his teammates, but he is still having a solid start to the season. Bosh has averaged 20-plus points over the past five seasons and has established himself as a big time player in the NBA. Chris Bosh (Right) and his teammates LeBron James and Dywane Wade hope to get back on track for the Heat.Mike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesThe former Raptor is averaging 17 points and six rebounds per game. 4.) Carlos Boozer, Chicago Bulls Although Carlos Boozer has been injured for the start of this season, he is still among the top power forwards in the NBA. When Boozer returns, he and Derrick Rose will make one of the most dynamic duos in the San Francisco 49ers jersey
league. Boozer is averaging a double-double for his career, and it should be no difference once he enters the lineup for the Bulls. 5.) Paul Millsap, Utah Jazz Paul Millsap, the guy who took Carlos Boozer's place is having an outstanding start to the 2010-2011 season. The Jazz were confident that Millsap could take over and produce immediately. Producing is an understatement as Millsap is averaging 20 points and nine rebounds per game highlighted by a 46-point performance during a win over the Heat on November 9th. 6.) Luis Scola, Houston Rockets Luis Scola is having a big year so far.Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTwelve games into this young NBA season, Luis Scola is having himself quite a year. Scola is a star in the making for the Rockets, and he is certainly showing off his abilities. Scola points per game has increased by six points since 2009, and if he keeps this up, he can potentially win Comeback Player of the Year. Scola is averaging 22.6 points and nearly 10 rebounds per game7.)Kevin Love, Minnesota TimberwolvesWhen Timberwolves' power forward gets the minutes he should, he puts up all-star quality numbers. Love's numbers have improved every season since he has been in the NBA, and he is having his best season so far as a pro.The third-year man out of UCLA is averaging a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds. His season has been highlighted by his memorable 31-point, 31-rebound performance in a win against the Knicks on November 12th. 8.) Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs Tim Duncan's numbers are decreasing, but you can not talk about the best power forwards in the league with mentioning Tim Duncan. Duncan is arguably the best power forward of all time as he has led the Spurs to four NBA championships. Duncan is averaging a double-double for his career and is nearly doing it again this season. Kevin Garnett remains one of the top power forwards in the NBA.Mike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesDuncan is putting up 13 points and nine rebounds per game this season. 9.) Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics Like Duncan, Garnett has to be brought up when you are discussing power forwards in the NBA. Garnett and Duncan have had to move over for the young starsSeattle Seahawks jersey
in the league but they definitely remain among the elite players in the NBA. This double-double machine is having another solid season for the Celtics and hopes to bring them back to the NBA Finals. Garnett is averaging a solid 15 points and nine rebounds per contest. 10.)Josh Smith, Atlanta HawksJosh Smith is a part of the young talented core of the Atlanta Hawks, and what fun he is to watch. Smith is the youngest player in NBA history to reach 1,000 blocks, and he is on a block spree again this season.Josh Smith is averaging 16 points, nine rebounds and three blocks per game.(Players included on this list were either listed as a power forward or a forward-center)