Joey's Sports Blog

MLB Realignment (Supplement)

2011-08-25T21:55:00.000-04:00

The primary pitfall of my MLB Realignment proposal is the addition of two MLB teams as part of the realignment.

A simple compromise between my proposition and a short-term solution for the MLB Playoffs is simply adding two wildcard spots without the divisional realignment.

To recap my previous article and incorporate this compromise, I am suggesting that the MLB simply add two more wildcard spots. Then the first round of the Playoffs would have two three-game-series in each respective league. The two teams, in each league, with the best records would earn byes. The rest of the playoffs would presume as the playoffs currently do. The pairings in each round would be based on respective division and record.

My first article includes more analysis on why I believe such a format is superior to the current system instilled by the MLB.

MLB Realignment

2011-08-17T03:03:00.001-04:00

Recently adding an additional wildcard spot to baseball has been a hot topic. Universally, it is agreed that this is a good idea. However, the main impediment is how such a change will be implemented. The most talked about solution is to add a wildcard spot and have a one game playoff between the two wildcard teams.

I think there are two main set backs to this plan. First, the additional spot really isn't another "seat" in the playoffs. Essentially, it's a play-in game. The second, and more egregious pitfall, is if the difference between the two wildcard teams could be a considerable number of games, and the team that is considerably behind could defeat the far more deserving team.

While Baseball Moralists may be dissatisfied with this possibility of an undeserving team sneaking into the playoffs, there is a far more detrimental ramification to baseball from creating such a play-in game. This change in playoff format will lead small market team to utilize a "playing for second" mentality as opposed to today's long-term organizational strategy to develop into a championship contender. To elaborate, currently small market teams (under stricter financial constrains) such as the Tampa Bay Rays spend years carefully drafting, meticulously developing, and negotiating through strenuous arbitration to craft championship caliber teams at discount prices. Normally, these teams can only be competitive for a few years each decade until the team is forced to sell off its players in hopes of contending in the future and sustaining profits.

The new system will create a new option for these small market teams to steal a piece of playoff revenues. From now on small market teams would only have to shoot for the second wildcard spot and have one pitcher who is capable of helping the team win the play-in game in order to reek the benefits of a best-of-seven-games series. Small market teams would be reluctant to spend the difference between being a borderline wildcard team and a true contending team because the payoff would not be worth the assurance. In most cases the cost of adding one or two everyday players would not be worth the aspirations of additional ticket sales. To sum, teams will have a small risk and high reward alternative as opposed to today's system which encourages bolder decisions to create more sustainable teams.

A perfect example of this downfall would be the San Francisco Giants this year (2011). The Giants acquired Carlos Beltran, Orlando Cabrera, and Jeff Keppinger in order to become a feasible title contender. However, under the "play-in" system the moves to keep up with the Diamondbacks and Braves would be unnecessary. The Giants would simply have to stay ahead of the second place team in the NL Central (currently the injury worn Cardinals). Furthermore, the Giants could even afford to play down to the second place team in the NL Central and force a one game playoff for the play-in game. This is a more favorable scenario for the Giants. The Giants could play down and then hope to have elite pitchers Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain carry them into the playoffs. The Giants would prefer the "second place" mindset because they would not have to pay the additional salaries, nor give up the prospects for the additional players acquired during the trade deadline to remain competitive.

Currently this down fall is discouraged by the need to be a division champion or hold the prized wildcard spot. Under the current system, the wildcard is highly coveted in both leagues because of the durable big market teams. In the AL, the Yankees and Red Sox make the wildcard difficult to snatch while the Phillies, Mets, and Braves make the wildcard difficult to hold in the NL.

Rather than having a "play-in" system, a four division playoff with two wildcards would be more appealing in all regards. Such a system would use a modified NFL playoff setup as the template. The top two teams would earn byes (these could be the top two teams regardless of division and wildcard status OR the top teams that considering division and wildcard status). The remainder of the teams would play out a best-of-three-games series.

A hypothetical realignment could look like this:

AL Northeast: NY Yankees / Boston / Toronto / Baltimore

NL Northeast: Philadelphia / NY Mets / Atlanta / Pittsburgh

AL South: Tampa / Washington / Florida / New Southern Team

NL South: Kansas City / Colorado / Houston / Texas

AL Central: Detroit / Cleveland / White Sox / Minnesota

NL Central: Milwaukee / St. Louis / Cubs / Cincinnati

AL West: LA Angels / Seattle / Oakland / New Western Team

NL West: San Francisco / LA Dodgers / San Diego / Arizona

Some possible locations for the new Western team could be Albuquerque, New Mexico and Portland,Oregon. Some possible locations for the new Southern team could be Charlotte, North Carolina, Memphis, Tennessee or Louisville, Kentucky.

The most prominent factors in my proposed realignment were geographic location (to reduce the burdens of frequent long-distance travel) and rivalry status. The actual realignment is the least of concern. Installing a fair and competitive format is of higher purpose in this discussion.

The biggest concerns with my proposal are: 1) If baseball can persist in the new markets; 2) How parity is addressed within divisions; 3) Is AL South a sustainable division; 4)Is the extra time for the top two teams fair or an undeserved burden?

Of the four concerns, the first will be the most difficult to address. The proposed locations for a new Western team primarly focuses on forming new markets in seemingly strong fan bases. Albuquerque has proven to be a solid foundation for minor league baseball while Portland has proven to be a great host city in the other professional sports (including soccer). On the other hand, the locations for the southern team focuses on dividing the tremendous Atlanta market and localizing support. All three locations are baseball rich and have shown the ability to sustain teams in other professional sport. While the markets will likely be sufficient, the overlying question is if there are enough MLB caliber players for two more organizations. The globalization of baseball surely helps this dilemma, but whether or not two competitive teams can be formed quickly will remain an obstacle.

Next, parity is quelled by the addition of two playoff spots provides each team an unquestionable opportunity to make it to the playoffs. If you have one of the four best records in your league, then your team is guaranteed to play in October. For example, all four teams in the would be highly competitive AL Northeast could earn a spot in the playoffs.

The third concern is a short term concern. While the AL South wouldn't start as the most prolific division, baseball, like most sports, is cyclic to a significant extent and all the divisions will reach highs and lows.

Finally, the fourth concern is an issue faced in football as well: Is the extra time off fair for the top two teams? If a team is tired, has worn out arms, or has veteran players who need some rest, then there will be little discontent; however, if a team is young and rolling then some time off some from baseball could be destructive. Ideally, there would be four (or a maximum of five) days between the last game of the regular season and the first day of the post-season. Currently, there are two or three games between the the last regular season game and the first post-season game.

The largest possible margin of difference is three days while the smallest is one day between the current and the proposed formats. The only players who will have serious complaints (i.e. not using the break as a scapegoat) are players in their prime who are hot at the time of the break. Both younger players - not used to such an arduous schedule - and older players - worn out from the long season - will appreciate the rest while players who are cold will have an opportunity to fine tune themselves.

The other main concern is that it will leave teams who play in the first round of the extended playoffs in an unfavorable pitching order against the top teams in the second round. Consequently, this forces teams to have deeper pitching rotations. This protects against teams utilizing the "second-place" strategy since teams are almost guaranteed a cyclic playoff position with the expanded spots which leaves the only gained opportunity as pursuing a championship. Ideally, the wildcard spots would function as entry post-season positions as they do in the NFL. Obviously, there is less parity in baseball than football, so such an acclimation cannot go unquestioned; however, it is not an oblivious stretch. Ultimately, there is no prevention for a team that purposely tanks as the Pirates have done.

Below are hypothetical pitching orders for teams based on size of the pitching rotation and the length of the first round series. It is assumed that the team with the pitcher higher in his respective team's rotation wins the game; this assumption is quite sizable. Not accepting this assumption asserts that the spot of the specific pitcher in his respective rotation is not a critical component of a team's success in the game. Either way, the lower seeded team has a reasonable chance to win in all of the scenarios.

FOUR PITCHER ROTATION

- Two Game Series in First Round -

Upper Seeded Team: Ace - Two - Three - Four - Ace - Two - Three

Lower Seeded Team: Three - Four - Ace - Two - Three - Four - Ace

Result: Upper Seeded Team wins 4-2

- Three Game Series in First Round -

Upper Seeded Team: Ace - Two - Three - Four - Ace - Two - Three

Lower Seeded Team: Four - One - Two - Three - Four - One - Two

Result: Lower Seeded Team wins 4-2

THREE PITCHER ROTATION

- Two Game Series in First Round -

Upper Seeded Team: Ace - Two - Three - Ace- Two - Three - Ace

Lower Seeded Team: Three - Ace - Two - Three - Ace - Two - Three

Result: Lower Seeded Team wins 4-2

- Three Game Series in First Round -

Upper Seeded Team: Ace - Two - Three - Ace- Two - Three - Ace

Lower Seeded Team: Ace - Two - Three - Ace- Two - Three - Ace

Result: Evenly matched

FOUR PITCHER ROTATION (Upper) VS THREE PITCHER ROTATION (Lower)

- Two Game Series in First Round -

Upper Seeded Team: Ace - Two - Three - Four - Ace - Two - Three

Lower Seeded Team: Three - Ace - Two - Three - Ace - Two - Three

Result: Lower Seeded Team leads 3-1 win final three games being evenly matched

- Three Game Series in First Round -

Upper Seeded Team: Ace - Two - Three - Four - Ace - Two - Three

Lower Seeded Team: Ace - Two - Three - Ace - Two - Three - Ace

Result: The first three games are evenly matched, and the final games are split 2-2

THREE PITCHER ROTATION (Upper) VS FOUR PITCHER ROTATION (Lower)

- Two Game Series in First Round -

Upper Seeded Team: Ace - Two - Three - Ace- Two - Three - Ace

Lower Seeded Team: Three - Four - Ace - Two - Three - Four - Ace

Result: Upper Seeded Team wins 4-1

- Three Game Series in First Round -

Upper Seeded Team: Ace - Two - Three - Ace- Two - Three - Ace

Lower Seeded Team: Four - Ace - Two - Three - Four - Ace - Two

Result: Upper Seeded Team win 4-3

Essentially, this text matrix shows that the teams have the same chance of winning regardless of the pitching rotation.

All in all, big market teams are unfazed and small market teams are given a chance to contend while being encouraged to continue to develop into a championship contender (as opposed to simply making the playoffs); this is assured by creating more incentive for continued playoff revenue (in other terms, sustaining "longer" and "higher" peaks in cycles of contention) greater than the cost of retaining and acquiring players at reasonable values.

New York Islanders' 2011 Offseason

2011-07-02T21:17:00.002-04:00

Under Garth Snow, the Islanders have been progressively rebuilding. The organization is now in a transitional phase in which it is trying to balance the opportunity to contend for a playoff spot this season with the opportunity to contend for a Stanley Cup in ensuing seasons. In this situation, it is important to draw distinctions between players who are in the short-term plans and the long-terms plans.

Below are prospective short-term and long-term depth charts for Islanders.

Short-Term Depth Chart

C: Tavares / Bailey / Nielson / Reasoner

LW: Moulson / Parenteau / Martin / Gillies

RW: Grabner / Okposo / Comeau / Hunter

D: Streit / Eaton / Jurcina / Hamonic / Mottau / MacDonald

G: DiPietro / Montoya

Long-Term Depth Chart

C: Tavares / Strome / Sundstrom / Nelson | Nielson, Lee, Haley

LW: Niederreiter / Moulson / Parenteau / Bailey | Kabanov

RW: Okposo / Grabner / Comeau / Petrov

D: de Haan / Hamonic / Wishart / MacDonald / Mayfield / Hillen | Donovan

G: DiPietro / Poulin | Lawson, Nilsson, Koskinen

Given this outlook, I believe there are three keys for the Islanders trying to solidify themselves a spot in the playoffs this upcoming season as well as also giving themselves the opportunity to become a serious title contender in the near future. The squad must decide on a nucleus, consolidate the remaining talent, and keep winning the primary task at hand. While these keys focus on the players, it is also critical for the organization to establish were it will be playing once its lease runs out pretty soon. This matter cannot be neglected; however, it is not the focus of this article (roster moves will be the focus if it has not been evident so far).

Anyway, as stated before, management must decide on a nucleus. The Islanders have an abundant number of pieces with a limited amount of ice time available to be distributed. Snow has to settle on concrete top two lines for 2013-14 season and stick with most of the players he decides on while using other players as trade chips. All the players that Snow may envision on the 2013-14 squad may not necessarily be on the Isles right now. The abundant youth that the Isles have should be used to acquire a top-flight player or two if Snow believes that he can mold a better team than what is available within the organization.

Branching from the first key, the Islanders must then consolidate its talent once a nucleus is decided on. The team should try to maximize the value of players outside of the core nucleus sooner, rather than later, because limited ice time (or playing in the AHL) may actual hinder the development of players who are ready to be regular players in the NHL leading to a loss of value. A trade should be in the near future for the Isles. Garth Snow has shown interest in acquiring a defenseman which narrows in who the Islanders should expect to join the squad on Long Island.

Finally, the Islanders should place winning foremost. The organization cannot allow DiPietro's contract to restrain the team's success. If he DP is not a starting goaltender, then the Isles must accept him as the most expensive back-up and move on with a starter. While we continue to hope the DP will be able to stay healthy and possible be the goaltender the organization expected when the team drafted him first overall and signed him to one of the longest contracts in sports history.

Given these keys and the Islanders current circumstances. I believe there is an attractive trading partner in the Winnigpeg Jets. Last season, the squad formally known as the Thrashers put together a disappointing season leaving the team as a non playoff contender and with a weak farm system. The Jets have a few tradeable players in their prime who can be shipped off to help renovate the team's rebuilding process as playoff contention seems unlikely after last season. I suggest sending a bulk of youth (specifically, two centers, a winger, and two defensemen) for a prime defenseman and one of Winnipeg's marquee goaltenders. This will allow the future to come sooner for Isles while Winnipeg creates foundation for itself by creating a young group of promising players that fans can grow with.

Islanders:

2 Centers: (Sundstrom, Nelson, Nielson, or Lee)

Winger: (Comeau or Bailey)

2 Defensemen: (Wishart, Mayfield, Hillen, or Donovan)

Winnipeg:

Defensemen: (Dustin Byfuglien or Tobias Enstrom)

Goaltender: (Ondrej Pavelec or Chris Mason)

There are two important notes on this proposition. First, the salary exchange is not even. The Islanders are well under the cap and an increasing cap only provides the organization with more available space. Second, I have only offered a group of possible players who could potentially be moved. Obviously, I do not have the same resources available as does someone in the position of Garth Snow so only he knows which players are the best fit for the organization. It is a tough trade on both ends. There is a swap of quantity and potential for quality and production. It is a high risk and high reward trade on both ends as all-stars and even more potential all-stars can be moved. However, it allows players who would be seeing limited ice time on Long Island to go out to a refacing franchise and create a foundation.

Hopefully, Winnipeg is a good fit for this franchise and the Islanders can continue to play in Nassau County.

New York Knicks' 2011 Offseason

2011-06-29T21:06:00.002-04:00

As of now the New York Knicks' Depth Chart is projected to resemble this outline:

PG: Chauncey Billups / Toney Douglas

SG: Landry Fields / Bill Walker / Iman Shumpert / Andy Rautins

SF: Carmelo Anthony / Renaldo Balkman

PF: Amare Stoudemire

C: Ronny Turiaf / Josh Harrellson

The majority of minutes will be given to the starters as we saw last season. Stoudemire and Anthony each averaged over 36 minutes with the Knicks. Billups and Fields averaged at least 31 minutes per game. This will appropriately leave most of the focus on the bench and the center position. There are four keys to the Knicks' offseason in terms of roster moves.

First and foremost, the Knicks need to continue to avoid entangling contracts. Donnie Walsh rightfully made it a priority to eliminate the burdensome contracts of the Isiah Thomas era. This precedent must be followed if the Knicks want to avoid the contract fiascoes that kept them in the cellar during the past decade. It is imperative that management sticks to one year deals and small multi year contracts when acquiring role players next season. I believe veteran one year deals is the best route for the Knicks this offseason, but if the right players falls into the Knicks' lap for the right price I am not opposed to a low figured multi year deal. The Knicks should not try to outbid anyone this offseason. The CBA (and therefore the salary cap) are currently in a uncertain situation, so the Knicks must preserve as much room for the acquisition of an elite point guard as possible.

Given that, the first target should be a center who can compete with Ronny Turiaf for the Starting Center role. I am not recommending a high priced center. I am suggesting a player who will compete with Turiaf and allow Coach D'Antoni to start whichever player is performing at a higher level at that time. All of the names that have been rumored around the Knicks so far are acceptable options. The names that have been mentioned alongside the Knicks this offseason have been Kurt Thomas, Kwame Brown, and Aaron Gray. While these three are different types of centers at different points of their careers, each player is looking to prove himself and could assume the niche of rebounder.

The next key falls in line with the previous and it is to either retain or acquire back-up front court players. Shawne Williams is probably the most competent of intra-organizational options. Williams' size and athleticism allowed him to guard twos, threes, fours, and even fives at times which makes him such a compelling player to retain for defensive purposes. Williams also shot well from the wing which is a pivotal part of D'Antoni's fast paced offense as well as an important secondary option which focuses on either Carmelo Anthony or Amare Stoudemire trying to draw attention with the basketball and creating shots. Williams' ability to play mostly without the ball could make him a piece the Knicks will look to keep down the road. In addition to Shawne Williams, Sheldon Williams and Jared Jeffries are two players the Knicks may choose to retain to provide front court depth. There are a few intriguing options outside the organization that could be good fits for the Knicks. Four free agents who are likely to be low cost and able to provide rebounding (and possibly even a spark) off the bench are Hilton Armstrong, Jeff Foster, Leon Powe, and Craig Smith. As stated before, the Knicks should keep as many doors open and refrain from settling on one specific player in order to avoid a bidding war.

Lastly, the Knicks should attempt to prepare for a PG Trade. The mold of a trade in which the Knicks acquire an elite point guard is pretty obvious. Chauncey Billups will probably be shipped for salary purposes, while it is almost certain the Knicks will have to part with Landry Fields. Some other pieces that trading partners may demand would be Toney Douglas and, recently acquired, Iman Shumpert. All of the trade-able pieces on the Knicks are guards, so the Knicks may look to stash a veteran guard to unleash as a back-up if a trade does occur. However, this would require the right player at the right price. If a veteran guard such as Anthony Carter is willing to resume such a role with the Knicks, then he would be a great fit for the squad. J.J. Barea said he would not mind joining the Knicks if he does not stay with Dallas, so he would be another great option if he is willing to assume a back-up role with New York.

Hopefully, the players and the owners can settle the CBA quickly so that we can get back to basketball (and some speculation).

2010 Heisman Hopefuls XIV

2010-12-09T08:35:00.000-05:00

Top 5

1. Cameron Newton (QB - Auburn) -

2. LaMichael James (RB - Oregon) -

3. Kellen Moore (QB - Boise St.) -

4. Andrew Luck (QB - Stanford) -

5. Landry Jones (QB - Oklahoma) -

Remainder of the Top 10: Andy Dalton (QB - TCU), Colin Kaepernick (QB - Nevada), Justin Blackmon (WR - Oklahoma St.), Kendall Hunter (RB - Oklahoma St.), and Terrelle Pryor (QB - Ohio St.)

Honorable Mention

QB: Matt Barkley (USC), Kirk Cousins (Michigan St.), Robert Griffin III (Baylor), Ryan Mallett (Arkansas), Taylor Martinez (Nebraska), Bryant Moniz (Hawaii), Taylor Potts (Texas Tech), Denard Robinson (Michigan), and Ricky Stanzi (Iowa)

RB: Edwin Baker (Michigan St.), John Clay (Wisconsin), Mark Ingram (Alabama), Marcus Lattimore (South Carolina), DeMarco Murray (Oklahoma), Jacquizz Rodgers (Oregon St.), and Daniel Thomas (Kansas St.)

WR: Ryan Broyles (Oklahoma)

High Tide & Deep Water

Jonathan Baldwin (WR - Pittsburgh), Ralph Bolden (RB - Purdue), John Brantley (QB - Florida), Graig Cooper (RB - Miami-FL), Noel Devine (RB - WVU), Nick Foles (QB - Arizona), Jacory Harris (QB - Miami-FL), Case Keenum (QB - Houston), Michael Floyd (WR - Notre Dame), Tate Forcier (QB - Michigan), A.J. Green (WR - Georgia), Damaris Johnson (WR - Tulsa), Julio Jones (WR - Alabama), Dion Lewis (RB - Pittsburgh), Jake Locker (QB - Washington), Jeremiah Masoli (QB - Mississippi), Greg McElroy (QB - Alabama), Patrick Peterson (CB/KR - LSU), Christian Ponder (QB - Florida St.), James Rodgers (WR - Oregon St.), Evan Royster (RB - Penn St.), Tyrod Taylor (QB - Virginia Tech), and Ryan Williams (RB - Virginia Tech)

2010 Heisman Hopefuls XIII

2010-11-22T17:33:00.001-05:00

Top 8

1. Cameron Newton (QB - Auburn) - Auburn did not play last week which gives Newton and the Tigers an extra week to prepare for a showdown with Alabama.

2. LaMichael James (RB - Oregon) - Like Auburn, Oregon had the week off too. James and the Ducks have a big week coming up against Arizona on Friday.

3. Kellen Moore (QB - Boise St.) - The Boise St. Broncos did play last week. Moore helped lead the Broncos to an absolute dismantaling of Fresno St. Moore threw for 333 yards and 4 TDs. Moore now leads the nation in quarterback rating, is tied for fourth for passing TDs, and third in completion percentage. Like the other top candidates, Moore has an important in-conference game too. Boise St. will be taking on 19th ranked Nevada which has become a surprise game that could bolster Boise St.'s BCS bid if won.

4. Andrew Luck (QB - Stanford) - Luck finished Saturday's victory at California with a completion percentage of 80%. He also threw for 235 yards and 2 TDs. On top of that he broke out for 75 yards which included an exhilerating 58 yard run in the first quarter which featured Luck knocking down a defensive back.

5. Terrelle Pryor (QB - Ohio State) - Pryor helped carry Ohio State to a close victory over Iowa. Pryor threw for 195 yards and 1 TD passed. He added 78 yards on the ground. The Buckeyes conclude the season this week against Michigan.

6. Justin Blackmon (WR - Oklahoma St.) - Blackmon caught 10 passes for 130 yards and a TD. Blackmon seems to have taken the torch for being the best WR in the Big 12; to be compared to Michael Crabtree and Dez Bryant sets a tremendous standard for Blackmon that many believe he can live up to.

7. Kendall Hunter (RB - Oklahoma St.) - Hunter had a solid game against Kansas last week as he rushed for 105 yards. The Cowboys are approaching a big game this week against rival Oklahoma.

8. Andy Dalton (QB - TCU) - Dalton and the Horned Frogs did not play last week.

Honorable Mention

QB: Matt Barkley (USC), Kirk Cousins (Michigan St.), Robert Griffin III (Baylor), Landry Jones (Oklahoma), Colin Kaepernick (Nevada), Ryan Mallett (Arkansas), Taylor Martinez (Nebraska), Bryant Moniz (Hawaii), Taylor Potts (Texas Tech), Denard Robinson (Michigan), and Ricky Stanzi (Iowa)

RB: Edwin Baker (Michigan St.), John Clay (Wisconsin), Mark Ingram (Alabama), Marcus Lattimore (South Carolina), DeMarco Murray (Oklahoma), Jacquizz Rodgers (Oregon St.), and Daniel Thomas (Kansas St.)

WR: Ryan Broyles (Oklahoma)

High Tide & Deep Water

Jonathan Baldwin (WR - Pittsburgh), Ralph Bolden (RB - Purdue), John Brantley (QB - Florida), Graig Cooper (RB - Miami-FL), Noel Devine (RB - WVU), Nick Foles (QB - Arizona), Jacory Harris (QB - Miami-FL), Case Keenum (QB - Houston), Michael Floyd (WR - Notre Dame), Tate Forcier (QB - Michigan), A.J. Green (WR - Georgia), Damaris Johnson (WR - Tulsa), Julio Jones (WR - Alabama), Dion Lewis (RB - Pittsburgh), Jake Locker (QB - Washington), Jeremiah Masoli (QB - Mississippi), Greg McElroy (QB - Alabama), Patrick Peterson (CB/KR - LSU), Christian Ponder (QB - Florida St.), James Rodgers (WR - Oregon St.), Evan Royster (RB - Penn St.), Tyrod Taylor (QB - Virginia Tech), and Ryan Williams (RB - Virginia Tech)

2010 Heisman Hopefuls XII

2010-11-19T11:32:00.001-05:00

Top 10

1. Cameron Newton (QB - Auburn) - Despite allegations, Newton continues to lead the Auburn Tigers to success as he ran for 151 rush yards and 2 TDs in a victory against Georgia. He also completed 12 of 15 passed and tacked on 148 yards passing yards to go along with 2 more passing TDs. His four total touchdown were crucial in defeating UGA.

2. LaMichael James (RB - Oregon) - James had his lowest rush total on the season as he carried the ball 29 times for 91 yards. James also kept his streak of receptions going as he caught 2 more passes. James is now a serious duel threat which makes him a formidible player to have to line-up against.

3. Kellen Moore (QB - Boise St.) - Moore had another fair statisitcal game as he struggles to stay in the top tier of the Heisman race. He had 216 passing yards and 3 passing TDs.

4. Andrew Luck (QB - Stanford) - Luck had an exceptional game in a close victory against Arizona State. He threw for 292 yards. Luck also finished with an extremely efficient completion percentage of 80.8% completion.

5. Terrelle Pryor (QB - Ohio State) - The OSU running game was extremely successful against PSU over the weekend. Pryor accounted for 49 of the team's 314 rush yards against the Nitnay Lions. He also completed 8 of 13 for 139 yards and 2 TDs in the win.

6. Kendall Hunter (RB - Oklahoma St.) - Hunter contributed 116 yards and 2 TDs in a win versus Texas. Hunter is helping to spearhead this revived OKSU as one of senior leaders on the squad.

7. Justin Blackmon (WR - Oklahoma St.) - Blackmon has solidified himself as a serious Heisman contender as he caught 9 passes for 145 yards and 1 TD. Despite being suspended for a game, he remains the nation's top reciever by a fair margin.

8. Andy Dalton (QB - TCU) - Dalton was involved in a game that was too close for comfort against San Diego State. The Horned Frogs had a comfortably lead going into the fourth quarter, but found themsevles up only 40 to 35 with over four minutes remaining. The Horned Frogs were able to run out the clock to keep their undefeated season going. Dalton had an impressive game with 240 yards and 4 TDs.

9. John Clay (RB - Wisconsin) - Clay did not play in the routing of Indiana.Missed time may take Clay out of the Heisman race if he is not healthy. There is also no rush to bring him back injured as the Wisconsin run game has proven to be effective even without him.

10. Denard Robinson (QB - Michigan) - Robinson passed for 176 yards and 1 TD. The nation's second leading rusher also added 68 yards to his total as he helped lead Michigan to a victory against Purdue.

Honorable Mention

QB: Matt Barkley (USC), John Brantley (Florida), Kirk Cousins (Michigan St.), Nick Foles (Arizona), Robert Griffin (Baylor), Jacory Harris (Miami-FL), Landry Jones (Oklahoma), Colin Kaepernick (Nevada), Jake Locker (Washington), Ryan Mallett (Arkansas), Taylor Martinez (Nebraska), Greg McElroy (Alabama), Bryant Moniz (Hawaii), Christian Ponder (Florida St.), Taylor Potts (Texas Tech), Ricky Stanzi (Iowa), and Tyrod Taylor (Virginia Tech)

RB: Edwin Baker (Michigan St.), Ralph Bolden (Purdue), Noel Devine (WVU), Mark Ingram (Alabama), Marcus Lattimore (South Carolina), Dion Lewis (Pittsburgh), DeMarco Murray (Oklahoma), Jacquizz Rodgers (Oregon St.), Evan Royster (Penn St.), and Daniel Thomas (Kansas St.)

WR: Jonathan Baldwin (Pittsburgh), Ryan Broyles (Oklahoma), Michael Flyod (Notre Dame), A.J. Green (Georgia), Damaris Johnson (Tulsa), and Julio Jones (Alabama)

Other: Patrick Peterson (CB/KR - LSU)

High Tide & Deep Water

Graig Cooper (RB - Miami-FL), Case Keenum (QB - Houston), Tate Forcier (QB - Michigan), Jeremiah Masoli (QB - Mississippi), James Rodgers (WR - Oregon St.) Ryan Williams (RB - Virginia Tech)

2010 Heisman Hopefuls XI

2010-11-07T16:39:00.002-05:00

Top 10

1. Cameron Newton (QB - Auburn) - The allegations surrounding Newton's acceptance of money to play NCAA football has spurted his passing game. Two weeks ago Newton threw for 209 yards and 2 TDs, along with a completion percentage of 75%. This week he continued the passing dominance with 317 passing yards and 4 passing TDs; Newton also tacked on a rushing TD. Newton is one of the most efficient passers in the nation in addition to being the most dominant rushing quarterback with Denard Robinson. The success of Auburn as the number one ranked, undefeated team can be attributed to his performance.

2. LaMichael James (RB - Oregon) - James has solidified himself as the best running back in the nation. James ran for 239 yards and 3 TDs in a victory vs USC. He followed that performance with 121 rushing yards and 3 TDs vs Washington. James had 3 catches in the game against the Huskies which marks his fourth consecutive week with a reception. James can make himself the most lethal offensive player through the development of the aeriel aspect.

3. Kellen Moore (QB - Boise St.) - Moore has thrown 3 interceptions in the last three weeks which would not be so striking for most Heisman Hopefuls, but is more significant for Moore because he needs to be flawless. Regardless, led the Broncos to a victory against Louisiana Tech two weeks ago as he threw for 298 yards and 2 TDs. Moore had another impressive game against Hawaii in what was supposed to be a shootout but resulted in the Broncos destroying Hawaii. Moore accumulated 507 passing yards and 3 TDs.

4. Andrew Luck (QB - Stanford) - Stanford annihlated Washington two weeks ago. In the sabotage, Luck threw for 192 yards and 1 TD. He added 95 yards and a TD on the ground. Luck led Stanford to another victory against Nick Foles and Arizona this past week. Luck put on an aeriel display as he threw for 293 yards and 2 TDs.

5. John Clay (RB - Wisconsin) - Even after an open week, Clay still appeared not not completely healthy against Purdue as he carried the ball only 12 times; however, Wisconsin was still able to comfortably defeat Purdue. Clay's health will be critical for the Badgers as they face more competent opponents.

6. Terrelle Pryor (QB - Ohio State) - The Buckeyes had a bye this week. Pryor had a great game two weeks ago as he completed 18 of 22 passes (completion percentage of 81.8%). He accumulated 222 passing yards and added 2 TDs. He also was quite effective on the ground as he rushed for 55 yards and1 TD.

7. Kendall Hunter (RB - Oklahoma St.) - Hunter had another spectacular game with 143 rushing yards in a win versus Kansas St two weeks ago. Last week he had a sufficient statistical output with 66 yards and 2 TDs vs Baylor, but he proved to formulate an effective running tandem with fellow backs Joseph Randle and Jeremy Smith.

8. Andy Dalton (QB - TCU) - Currently leading an undefeated TCU squad. He has the fourth highest Quarterback rating. Dalton is twelfth in completion percentage. Most importantly, he led the Horned Frogs in a critical in-conference game against Utah as he threw for 355 yards, 3 TDs, and a completion percentage of 80.8% . This performance has helped TCU "leap-frog" Boise St. as the favorite-minor conference team to play in the BCS Championship if one of the teams ahead for them loses.

9. Justin Blackmon (WR - Oklahoma St.) - Blackmon did not play two weeks ago due to a suspension because of a DUI. The suspension lasted only 1 week and Blackmon was back in form against Baylor with 13 catches for 173 yards and 1 TD.

10. Robert Griffin (QB - Baylor) / Denard Robinson (QB - Michigan) - These are two quarterbacks who are having great statistical season, but both play on three loss teams which hurts their candidacy.

Honorable Mention

QB: Matt Barkley (USC), John Brantley (Florida), Kirk Cousins (Michigan St.), Nick Foles (Arizona), Jacory Harris (Miami-FL), Landry Jones (Oklahoma), Colin Kaepernick (Nevada), Jake Locker (Washington), Ryan Mallett (Arkansas), Taylor Martinez (Nebraska), Greg McElroy (Alabama), Bryant Moniz (Hawaii), Christian Ponder (Florida St.), Taylor Potts (Texas Tech), Ricky Stanzi (Iowa), and Tyrod Taylor (Virginia Tech)

RB: Edwin Baker (Michigan St.), Ralph Bolden (Purdue), Noel Devine (WVU), Mark Ingram (Alabama), Marcus Lattimore (South Carolina), Dion Lewis (Pittsburgh), DeMarco Murray (Oklahoma), Jacquizz Rodgers (Oregon St.), Evan Royster (Penn St.), Daniel Thomas (Kansas St.), and Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech)

WR: Jonathan Baldwin (Pittsburgh), Ryan Broyles (Oklahoma), Michael Flyod (Notre Dame), A.J. Green (Georgia), Damaris Johnson (Tulsa), Julio Jones (Alabama), and James Rodgers (Oregon St.)

Other: Patrick Peterson (CB/KR - LSU)

High Tide & Deep Water

Graig Cooper (RB - Miami-FL), Case Keenum (QB - Houston), Tate Forcier (QB - Michigan), & Jeremiah Masoli (QB - Mississippi)

2010 Heisman Hopefuls X

2010-10-26T23:49:00.003-04:00

Top 10

1. Cameron Newton (QB - Auburn) - Auburn is the number 1 team in the nation in all of the polls and rankings. Much of this success can be attributed to the explosive run game propelled by Cam Newton. Newton helped the Tigers beat SEC-Tiger-foe LSU this past weekend as he rushed for 217 yards and 2 TDs.

2. LaMichael James (RB - Oregon) - James has been one of the only consistent players at the top of the Heisman standings. He had another prolific game as he rushed for 123 yards and 2 TDs. An added dimension to his game appears to be the receiving game as he added another lengthy reception to his season. James is one of the focal reasons that Oregon is the #2 team in the nation.

3. Kellen Moore (QB - Boise St.) - Moore started out as the front-runner, but his lackluster opponents have led Moore to fall without extraordinarily lopsided performances. Moore is going to have to rely on Nevada and QB Colin Kaepernick to maintain credibility to help give Moore one last push at the end of the season (as well as one more contention for the Broncos to be a BCS Championship team).

4. Andrew Luck (QB - Stanford) - Luck continued his display of efficiency with a completion percentage of 71.4% on 190 passing yards and 3 TDs.

5. John Clay (RB - Wisconsin) - Wisconsin won its first game when John Clay failed to eclipse the 100 yard mark for a game. Clay came close with 91 yards, but more importantly he contributed 2 TDs in a critical Big Ten victory against Iowa.

6. Justin Blackmon (WR - Oklahoma St.) - Blackmon is the nation's leading receiving as he is part of one of the most prolific offenses in the nation. He had another impressive game in which two of his five catches went for touchdowns. Blackmon also accumulated 157 yards; however, this performance came in the Cowboys first loss of the season to Nebraska.

7. Terrelle Pryor (QB - Ohio State) - The Buckeyes demolished Purdue this weekend. As opposed to previous games in which Pryor was a substantial running force, most of Pryor's damage came through the air as he threw for 270 yards and 3 TDs. Surprisingly, Pryor was quite efficient with a completion percentage of 72.7%. All his productivity lead to a 12.3 yards per attempt ration.

8. Denard Robinson (QB - Michigan) - Robinson is losing momentum almost as quickly as he gained it earlier in the season. A bye week is a bit of a burden on his resume as other players are having impressive games against formidable in-conference opponents.

9. Kendall Hunter (RB - Oklahoma St.) - Hunter had a big game in an unfortunate loss to Nebraska. In an offensive showdown, Hunter rushed for 201 yards and 2 TDs. Hunter seems to have returned to his 2008 status as he is currently the thrid leading rusher in the nation.

10. DeMarco Murray (RB - Oklahoma) - Oklahoma had offensive Line issues in a tough loss to Missouri. Murray seemed nonexistent at times which placed a strain on the Sooners.

Honorable Mention

QB: Matt Barkley (USC), John Brantley (Florida), Kirk Cousins (Michigan St.), Andy Dalton (TCU), Nick Foles (Arizona), Jacory Harris (Miami-FL), Landry Jones (Oklahoma), Colin Kaepernick (Nevada), Jake Locker (Washington), Ryan Mallett (Arkansas), Taylor Martinez (Nebraska), Greg McElroy (Alabama), Christian Ponder (Florida St.), Taylor Potts (Texas Tech), Ricky Stanzi (Iowa), and Tyrod Taylor (Virginia Tech)

RB: Edwin Baker (Michigan St.), Ralph Bolden (Purdue), Noel Devine (WVU), Mark Ingram (Alabama), Marcus Lattimore (South Carolina), Dion Lewis (Pittsburgh), Jacquizz Rodgers (Oregon St.), Evan Royster (Penn St.), Daniel Thomas (Kansas St.), and Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech)

WR: Jonathan Baldwin (Pittsburgh), Ryan Broyles (Oklahoma), Michael Flyod (Notre Dame), A.J. Green (Georgia), Damaris Johnson (Tulsa), Julio Jones (Alabama), and James Rodgers (Oregon St.)

Other: Patrick Peterson (CB/KR - LSU)

High Tide & Deep Water

Graig Cooper (RB - Miami-FL), Case Keenum (QB - Houston), Tate Forcier (QB - Michigan), & Jeremiah Masoli (QB - Mississippi)

2010 Heisman Hopefuls IX

2010-10-19T18:00:00.001-04:00

Top 10

1. Kellen Moore (QB - Boise St.) - Moore position at the top right now is quite tenuous.

2. LaMichael James (RB - Oregon) - James has been quite consistent. He is averaging 169.6 rushing yards per game with his only game with under only game under 100 being 94 yards against Arizona St.

3. Cameron Newton (QB - Auburn) - Newton has exploded onto the Heisman scene as he has helped propel the Auburn Tigers to an undefeated season in the SEC hitherto. This week's game against LSU will determine where he will solidify himself in the standings.

4. Andrew Luck (QB - Stanford) - Luck has been very efficient through the air which has made him a force to be reckoned with due to his mobility.

5. John Clay (RB - Wisconsin) - Clay runs big. Wisconsin has won each game that Clay has rushed for over 100 yards including last week's game against Ohio State.

6. DeMarco Murray (RB - Oklahoma) - Murray has been one of the key components to leading Oklahoma to the top of the BCS.

7. Denard Robinson (QB - Michigan) - Robinson and his untied cleats burst to the top of the Heisman scene earlier in the year, but after two loses and an injury it seems that his stock is falling the other way.

8. Terrelle Pryor (QB - Ohio State) - Pryor and the Buckeyes suffered a difficult loss to the Badgers. Pryor has played big in games before, but he appeared latent at times in this one. Pryor has to remain strong if he wants his Buckeyes to contend the Big Ten.

9. Landry Jones (QB - Oklahoma) - Jones has been the other key for the Oklahoma offense.

10. Patrick Peterson (CB/KR - LSU) - Peterson has continued to be dominant on Defense and Special Teams. However, it requires near perfection to contend for the Heisman at CB and KR/PR, so a muffed punt is excruciatingly costly for Peterson.

Honorable Mention

QB: Matt Barkley (USC), John Brantley (Florida), Andy Dalton (TCU), Nick Foles (Arizona), Jacory Harris (Miami-FL), Colin Kaepernick (Nevada), Jake Locker (Washington), Ryan Mallett (Arkansas), Greg McElroy (Alabama), Christian Ponder (Florida St.), Taylor Potts (Texas Tech), Ricky Stanzi (Iowa), and Tyrod Taylor (Virginia Tech)

RB: Edwin Baker (Michigan St.), Ralph Bolden (Purdue), Noel Devine (WVU), Kendall Hunter (Oklahoma St.), Mark Ingram (Alabama), Marcus Lattimore (South Carolina), Dion Lewis (Pittsburgh), Jacquizz Rodgers (Oregon St.), Evan Royster (Penn St.), Daniel Thomas (RB - Kansas St.), and Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech)

WR: Jonathan Baldwin (Pittsburgh), Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma St.), Ryan Broyles (Oklahoma), Michael Flyod (Notre Dame), A.J. Green (Georgia), Damaris Johnson (Tulsa), Julio Jones (Alabama), and James Rodgers (Oregon St.)

High Tide & Deep Water

Graig Cooper (RB - Miami-FL), Case Keenum (QB - Houston), Tate Forcier (QB - Michigan), & Jeremiah Masoli (QB - Mississippi)

2010 Heisman Hopefuls VIII

2010-10-05T20:23:00.000-04:00

Top 10

1. Kellen Moore (QB - Boise St.) - Moore had modest numbers against New Mexico State despite a 59 - 0 victory by the Broncos. Moore was limited to the first half and the first drive of the 3rd Quarter. In that time he was quite efficient as he achieved a completion percentage of 72.2% and a passer rating of 218.69. He managed three TDs and 196 passing yards. In-Conference opponent Nevada has proven to be a surprise team and is now ranked number 21 which can help offer another competitive opponent for the Broncos in order to better gage their ability.

2. Mark Ingram (RB - Alabama) - Ingram was held to under 150 for the first time this season against Florida; however, he kept up his streak of two touchdown games and, more importantly, Alabama defeated Florida in a critical SEC game. The Crimson Tide effectively used Trent Richardson to help change up the pace in order to sustain drives through much of the first half. Ingram also seemed to appear in the passing game which could make him an even more dangerous tool in addition to being an effective runner an blocker.

3. Denard Robinson (QB - Michigan) - Robinson is currently the nation's leading rusher with over 900 yards. Robinson has had his most impressive game of the season so far as he set season (and career) highs in passing and rushing. Robinson threw for 277 yards and 3 TDs in addition to 217 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs. Robinson's ability to create the big play was quite evident in this game as he threw or rushed in 7 plays for over 27 yards of which 3 which went for 70 or more. He also showed a keen ability to produce the "big play" as he scored the game winning touchdown with 7 seconds left in the game.

4. Terrelle Pryor (QB - Ohio State) - Pryor breifly exited Saturday's game against Illinois with a leg injury but returned allowing the Buckeyes to seal of the victory. Pryor proved the effective of his mobility by running for several key gains which amounted to 104 yards on the ground. Despite his longest completion only being 16 yards, Pryor proved effective in the Red-zone with two passing touchdowns. His versatility is currently leading the Buckeyes to an undefeated season at 5 - 0.

5. LaMichael James (RB - Oregon) - James had his best game of the season against the toughest opponent hitherto. James was an absolute work-horse against Stanford as he carried the ball 31 time for 257 yards in a decesive victory. James averaged a remarkable 8.3 yards per carry which is phenomenial considering the number of touches he had. Despite being down 21 - 3 after the first quarter, James was a bigger part of the first two drives of the second quarter. He had two key rushes on the first drive which resulted in first downs allowing the Ducks to score their first TD of the game. Then after a recovered onside kick, James scored the second touchdown which brought the score to 21 - 17. James remained a lethal ground threat throughout the game as the Ducks took the lead in the 3rd quarter and never looked back.

6. Patrick Peterson (CB/KR - LSU) - Peterson continued to be a bigger factor in the return game as he averaged setting up the LSU offense at the 24 yard line after kickoffs. He had another solid punt return of 26 yards. However, his most critical contribution to the victory over Tennessee has to be the fact that he led the LSU secondary to limiting the Tennessee passing game to only 121 yards. As a Junior, his draft stock is going through the roof. Peterson has locked himself into the top ten and it will not be a surprise at all if he is taken in the top five.

7. Andrew Luck (QB - Stanford) - The game against Oregon had a disappointing finish. Stanford has not had a probably getting off to hot starts, but now that the team was matched up against another capable squad it had difficulty preserving its lead. Three turnovers in the second half (including two Luck interceptions) were absolute killers for the Stanford offense. Luck should the poise to continue to lead the team, but the turnovers and the inability to score on fourth and goal cost the Cardinal the ability to salvage themselves.

8. Ryan Mallett (QB - Arkansas) - Mallett had a nice week to think about the loss to Alabama last week. The next game against Texas A&M should be an arieal showdown could leave Mallett with some impressive numbers.

9. DeMarco Murray (RB - Oklahoma) - Murray was a key component in the victory over Texas. Murray was a force to be reckoned with on the ground as he ran for 115 yards and two touchdowns. There is no doubt that Murray is one of the most skilled runners in college football. The interesting factor about him has been the increased load in the passing game. Murray saw increments in receptions last year, but this year he has had at least four receptions in all the games except for the one against Utah State in which he ran for over 200 yards. This solidified aspect makes him an even more dangerous player (and hazard for opposing coordinators).

10. John Clay (RB - Wisconsin) - Clay was held to no touchdowns and under 100 yards for the first time this season which resulted in the first loss of the season for the Badgers to Michigan State.

Honorable Mention

QB: Matt Barkley (USC), John Brantley (Florida), Andy Dalton (TCU), Nick Foles (Arizona), Jacory Harris (Miami-FL), Landry Jones (Oklahoma), Jake Locker (Washington), Greg McElroy (Alabama), Christian Ponder (Florida St.), Taylor Potts (Texas Tech), Ricky Stanzi (Iowa), and Tyrod Taylor (Virginia Tech)

RB: Ralph Bolden (Purdue), Noel Devine (WVU), Kendall Hunter (Oklahoma St.), Marcus Lattimore (South Carolina), Dion Lewis (Pittsburgh), Jacquizz Rodgers (Oregon St.), Evan Royster (Penn St.), Daniel Thomas (RB - Kansas St.), and Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech)

WR: Jonathan Baldwin (Pittsburgh), Ryan Broyles (Oklahoma), Michael Flyod (Notre Dame), A.J. Green (Georgia), Damaris Johnson (Tulsa), Julio Jones (Alabama), and James Rodgers (Oregon St.)

High Tide & Deep Water

Graig Cooper (RB - Miami-FL), Case Keenum (QB - Houston), Tate Forcier (QB - Michigan), & Jeremiah Masoli (QB - Mississippi)

Spotlight Players

Statistics Table - Week 5 saw an absolute explosing of impressive numbers. Two Wide Receivers caught for over 200 yards: Tandan Doss (Indiana) and Kealoha Pilares (Hawaii); Pilares' teammate Greg Salas was close to eclipsing the 200 mark with 197 yards. Six players ran for over two hundred yards. This groups included two Heisman Hopefuls in LaMichael James and Denard Robsinson as well as Ray Graham who rushed for 277. The other three were Matt Brown (Temple), Allen Bradford (USC), and Jonathan Franklin (UCLA). There were also two Quarterbacks who threw for over 400 yards in losses: Ben Chappell (Indiana) and Jerrod Johnson (Texas A&M). And Pilares and Salas' Quarterback Bryant Moniz brought back memories of Colt Brennan in Hawaii as he threw for over 500 yards with 4 TDs and no interceptions. This is the first time this season that a QB has thrown for over 500 yards; the first time more than four players ran for over 200 yards; and the first time two WRs haf over 200 yards.

Dan Persa (QB - Northwestern) - Now for a more traditional spotlight player. Persa led the Wildcats to a victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers to bring the Wildcats to an undefeated record of 5 - 0. Persa threw for over 300 yards and for 2 TDs in addition to scrambling for 99 yards, but his real contribution came through his leadership. While trailing by 8 in the fourth quarter, Persa led the Wildcats down field on the team's first series in the 4th as he completed all three of his passes to lead Northwestern to a TD. Unfortunately, he was unable to convert the two-point conversion; however, on his next series he was able to lead Northwestern to a field goal and leave only 1:58 for Minnesota to try to redeem itself. The Northwestern Defense forced Minnesota into two fourth downs. Adam Weber was able to scramble for a first down the first time, but the Wildcats came up with an interception on the second attempt allowing them to seal off the come-from-behind victory.

2010 Heisman Hopefuls VII

2010-09-30T18:26:00.000-04:00

Top 10

1. Kellen Moore (QB - Boise St.) - Moore helped clinch what was considered the second most important game of the schedule for the Broncos in an out-of-conference game against Oregon St. In a smooth victory, Moore had an efficient completion percentage of 70.4%. Moore also threw for 288 yards and 3 TDs. Moore is currently has the eleventh highest passer rating in the nation proving his efficiency.

2. Mark Ingram (RB - Alabama) - Ingram led the Crimson tied to a win versus Arkansas by punching in the game-winnings touchdown with 3:18 left in the fourth quarter. Throughout the game, Ingram ran for 157 yards and 2 TDs showing that he will continue to perform against the toughest opponents.

3. Terrelle Pryor (QB - Ohio State) - Foremost, Pryor led the Buckeyes to a win versus Eastern Michigan. He put on an efficient ariel show with 224 yards, a completion percentage of 76.9%, and 4 passing TD. Pryor also did some damage on the ground with 104 rush yards and 1 rush TD. Pryor needs to gear up as Big Ten play kicks off against Illinois this week. Miami was a tough test, but the Big Ten schedule will really prove the durability of Pryor and this Buckeye team.

4. LaMichael James (RB - Oregon) - 114 yards, 1 TD; James has yet to rush for less than 100 yards as he ran for 114 yards and a TD in a victory against Pac-10 opponent Arizona State. James will have an opportunity to showcase his skill in a nationally televised game against Stanford this week.

5. Denard Robinson (QB - Michigan) - In only one quarter of play versus Bowling Green, Robinson managed to complete all four of his passes. What was more impressive was that he ran for 129 yards on 5 attemps. This included 2 rushing TDs; a short one for 2 yards to start the game off and another one for 47 yards.

6. Andrew Luck (QB - Stanford) - 238 passing yards and passing 1 TD were enough for Andrew Luck to lead Stanford to a victory over Notre Dame. Up next is a nationally televised game at Oregon. This will be Luck and Stanford's opportunity to prove that this cardinal squad is a serious national contender.

7. Ryan Mallett (QB - Arkansas) - Mallet maintained his status as the nation's leading passer as he added 357 more passing yards. Mallet also tacked on 1 passing TD and 1 rushing TD. Unfortunately, this performance came with three interceptions and a loss to the nation's top team. Mallet had a chance to lead the Razorbacks against Alabama late in the fourth quarter, but he was unable to convert in the clutch.

8. DeMarco Murray (RB - Oklahoma) - Murrary had a touch game as he ran for 67 yards. Murray averaged only 2.4 yards per carry which was quite a burden on the Sooner offense; however, Murray did managed to a score a TD in what was a close win at Cincinnati.

9. Patrick Peterson (CB/KR - LSU) - Peterson is an absolute lock-down defender. Oppoising teams rarely throw at Peterson, so it is difficult to notice him on defense. When teams have thrown at him, Peterson has managed to snag two interceptions. Where Peterson has earned national attention is in the return game. Peterson is potentially the most dangerous punt returner in college football. He is also one of the most lethal kick returners too.

10. John Clay (RB - Wisconsin) - Clay has run for over 100 yards and scored a touchdown in all four games this season. His consistency has earned him a spot in the top 10.

Honorable Mention

QB: Matt Barkley (USC), John Brantley (Florida), Andy Dalton (TCU), Nick Foles (Arizona), Jacory Harris (Miami-FL), Landry Jones (Oklahoma), Jake Locker (Washington), Greg McElroy (Alabama), Christian Ponder (Florida St.), Taylor Potts (Texas Tech), Ricky Stanzi (Iowa), and Tyrod Taylor (Virginia Tech)

RB: Ralph Bolden (Purdue), Noel Devine (WVU), Kendall Hunter (Oklahoma St.), Marcus Lattimore (South Carolina), Dion Lewis (Pittsburgh), Jacquizz Rodgers (Oregon St.), Evan Royster (Penn St.), Daniel Thomas (RB - Kansas St.), and Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech)

WR: Jonathan Baldwin (Pittsburgh), Ryan Broyles (Oklahoma), Michael Flyod (Notre Dame), A.J. Green (Georgia), Damaris Johnson (Tulsa), Julio Jones (Alabama), and James Rodgers (Oregon St.)

High Tide & Deep Water

Graig Cooper (RB - Miami-FL), Case Keenum (QB - Houston), Tate Forcier (QB - Michigan), & Jeremiah Masoli (QB - Mississippi)

Spotlight Players

Cameron Newton (QB - Auburn) - Newton helped the Tigers defeat South Carolina in a early SEC game. Newton was part of all five touchdowns against the Gamecocks as he passed for two touchdowns and ran in three. Newton also ran for 176 yards in this impressive victory.

2010 Heisman Hopefuls VI

2010-09-23T00:13:00.000-04:00

Top 10

1. Kellen Moore (QB - Boise St.) - Moore threw for 370 yards and 2 touchdowns against Wyoming in three quarters. Moore will have another opporunity to showcase himself on national television when the Broncos take on the Oregon St. Beavers. This game is critical out-of-conference game for Boise St. because of their relatively weaker in-conference schedule. A victory, especially by a wide margain, would be extremely helpful the Broncos and Moore.

2. Mark Ingram (RB - Alabama) - In his first game this season, Ingram ran for 151 yards and 2 TDs on 9 carries. Most of Ingram's damage was done in the first quarter when he had one carry for 48 yards and another carry for 50 yards which culminated in a TD. Ingram doesn't seem to have missed a step after his injury.

3. Terrelle Pryor (QB - Ohio State) - By staying consistent, Pryor has managed to creep up the Heisman Hopefuls Standings. The development of Pryor's ability to become a more efficient passer has made him one of the most dangerous players in college football considering his atheleticism and mobility.

4. LaMichael James (RB - Oregon) - James has proved to be back to form after missing the first game of the season due to suspension. This time James ran for 227 yards and 2 TDs against Portland State. James averaged 16.2 yards per carry which nearly doubled his 8.4 yards per carry performance against Tennessee last week. If James can continue to average a first down per carry, then we may see one of the most memorable seasons in college football history.

5. Ryan Mallett (QB - Arkansas) - Mallett is the only Quarterback to throw for over 1,000 yards in the FBS. Mallett has also completed an impressive 70.0% of his passes. Mallett was able to lead Arkansas to a victory over Georgia in the Razorbacks' first real test of the season. Now the Razorbacks are going to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in a games which will have major implication on both the BCS and the Heisman Standings.

6. Denard Robinson (QB - Michigan) - Robinson leads the nation in rushing and has led the Wolverines to key victories over UConn and Notre Dame.

7. Andrew Luck (QB - Stanford) - Luck has thrown 10 passing touchdowns this season. More impressively, he has managed to stay interception free. With a passer rating of 192.31, Luck has shown to be one of the best decision-making Quarterbacks in college football.

8. DeMarco Murray (RB - Oklahoma) - Murrary rushed for 2 TDs for the third consecutive game this season. Murray also caught a TD for the first time this season which brings him to a total of 7. These next two weeks will be critical for Murray and the Sooners as they take on Cincinnati and Texas.

T-9. Ryan Williams (RB - Virginia Tech) & Dion Lewis (RB - Pittsburgh) - Williams and Lewis are simply hanging on by expectations. Williams and VT are up against Boston College this week while Lewis will have the opportunity to make a national statement against Miami(FL) on Thursday night. There are player more deserving of Heisman consideration, so each player must deliver if he wants to remain in the Top 10.

Honorable Mention

QB: Matt Barkley (USC), John Brantley (Florida), Andy Dalton (TCU), Nick Foles (Arizona), Jacory Harris (Miami-FL), Landry Jones (Oklahoma), Jake Locker (Washington), Greg McElroy (Alabama), Christian Ponder (Florida St.), Taylor Potts (Texas Tech), Ricky Stanzi (Iowa), and Tyrod Taylor (Virginia Tech)

RB: Ralph Bolden (Purdue), John Clay (Wisconsin), Noel Devine (WVU), Kendall Hunter (Oklahoma St.), Marcus Lattimore (South Carolina), Jacquizz Rodgers (Oregon St.), Evan Royster (Penn St.), and Daniel Thomas (RB - Kansas St.)

WR: Jonathan Baldwin (Pittsburgh), Michael Flyod (Notre Dame), A.J. Green (Georgia), Damaris Johnson (Tulsa), Julio Jones (Alabama), and James Rodgers (Oregon St.)

Other: Patrick Peterson (CB/KR - LSU)

High Tide & Deep Water

Case Keenum (QB - Houston) - Out for Season with torn ACL.

Graig Cooper (RB - Miami-FL), Tate Forcier (QB - Michigan), & Jeremiah Masoli (QB - Mississippi)

Spotlight Players

Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon (OKST) - This QB-WR duo accumulated 174 yards and 3 TDs from Weeden to Blackmon. Weeden passed for a total of 409 yards and 6 TDs. These two are showing that the Cowboys offense has been revived to its 2008 form when Zac Robinson, Dez Bryant, and (a healthy) Kendall Hunter led one of the most dynamic schemes in college football.

2010 Heisman Hopefuls V

2010-09-16T17:38:00.001-04:00

This week will be broken down into Tiers. There has been an absense by players expected to compete for the Heisman while there has been several worthy candidates to hot starts so far. The tiers are Preseason Hopefuls (players who were expected to preform but have not played up to expectations - or played at all), Early Season Hopefuls (players who have had good starts and were considerable Heisman candidates), Elite Hopefuls (players who were expected to play well and have played well), and Honorable Mention. Hopefully, we will have a better picture of the Heisman Hopeful rankings after next week. Expect some major shake-ups in the rankings next week (or at least a solidification of previous rankings).

Elite Hopefuls

LaMichael James (RB - Oregon) - James had a solid return against Tennessee after missing the first game of the year due to suspension.
Case Keenum (QB - Houston)
Jake Locker (QB - Washington) - Locker is on the cusp after a disappointing Week 1 but more impressuve Week 2.
Kellen Moore (QB - Boise St.) - Moore is the clear-cut number one right now.
Terrelle Pryor (QB - Ohio State)

Preseason Hopefuls

Dion Lewis (RB - Pittsburgh) Mark Ingram (RB - Alabama) -First game will be this week against Duke.
Ryan Williams (RB - Virginia Tech)
Early Season Hopefuls

John Clay (RB - Wisconsin)
Noel Devine (RB - WVU)
Kendall Hunter (RB - Oklahoma St.)
Landry Jones (QB - Oklahoma)
Andrew Luck (QB - Stanford)
Ryan Mallett (QB - Arkansas)
Greg McElroy (QB - Alabama)
DeMarco Murray (RB - Oklahoma)
Taylor Potts (QB - Texas Tech)
Denard Robinson (QB - Michigan)

Honorable Mention

QB: Matt Barkley (USC), John Brantley (Florida), Andy Dalton (TCU), Jacory Harris (Miami-FL), Christian Ponder (Florida St.), Ricky Stanzi (Iowa), and Tyrod Taylor (Virginia Tech)

RB: Ralph Bolden (Purdue), Marcus Lattimore (South Carolina), and Jacquizz Rodgers (Oregon St.), and Evan Royster (Penn St.)

WR: Jonathan Baldwin (Pittsburgh), Michael Flyod (Notre Dame), A.J. Green (Georgia), Damaris Johnson (Tulsa), Julio Jones (Alabama), and James Rodgers (Oregon St.)

High Tide & Deep Water

Graig Cooper (RB - Miami-FL), Tate Forcier (QB - Michigan), & Jeremiah Masoli (QB - Mississippi)

Spotlight Players

James Madison Dukes - The upset by the FCS squad in against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg puts an incredbile burden upon the Hokies. Turnovers were key for the Dukes. JMU did not turnover the ball once; due in part to a couple of recovered fumbles by teammates. An interception by Jonathan Williams led to a touchdown, and the final turnover (Darren Evans fumble) helped seal the game for the Dukes as they were able to run off the clock; JMU literally ran the ball from 5:21 in the fourth quarter to 0:13 at which a silly penalty of Roughing the Kicker by VT allowed JMU to close the game off.

2010 Heisman Hopefuls IV

2010-09-08T18:01:00.002-04:00

Top 10

1. Kellen Moore (QB - Boise St.) - Kellen Moore lead Boise St. to comeback victory against Virginia Tech on national television. With everyone watching on Monday night, Kellen Moore did not fail to impress. He racked 3 touchdowns and 215 passing yards against the Virginia Tech D. The most memorable part of the night was Moore late game drive which helped catapult the Broncoes ahead of the Hokies with only 1:09 left on the clock. This victory has helped set up what a potential BCS Championship season.

2. Dion Lewis (RB - Pittsburgh) - The first quarter started off great for Lewis as he rushed for 42 yards on 9 carries in the first quarter. The game seemed to turn for Lewis as he was held to only 33 more yards in the next three quarters. Lewis did rush for one touchdown, but Utah adjustments after the first quarter just kept Lewis relatively out of the game.

3. Mark Ingram (RB - Alabama) - Ingram was held out against San Jose St because of a knee injury. It is also rumored that Ingram will be held out against Penn St. Ingram does have some tough SEC games in which he can make up missed time. Depending on his form when he returns, this injury may have more significant ramifications on Ingram than many had expected.

4. Ryan Williams (RB - Virginia Tech) - Williams was not too spectacular on the ground against Boise St. as he ran for only 46 yards. There were a few glimpses of him bulldozing over players, but he did not reach the level at which he played at last year which may have cost VT as Kellen Moore was given one too many opportunites to keep his team in the game. However, Williams was reliable in the red zone as he punched in 2 rushing TDs and caught on reciving TD.

5. LaMichael James (RB - Oregon) - LaMichael James was suspended for an offseason incident. Hopefully, he will be ready against SEC opponent Tennessee next week.

6. Case Keenum (QB - Houston) - Stats. Stats Stats. Ready? Keenum had 274 passing yards and 5 TDs. That is a mediocre game for Case Keenum; however, it only required one half of football to complete, so Keenum continues to impress.

7. Terrelle Pryor (Ohio State) - The hype for Pryor season seems to be no fluke, well at least for the first game against Marshall. Pryor threw for 247 yards and 3 TDs in a crushing victory. Pryor only managed 17 yards on the ground; this game was not too close, but one should expect Pryor to be more prolific on the ground when Ohio State needs to open up the field more later in the season.

8. Jake Locker (QB - Washington) - Locker's candidacy took a shot as Washington lost to BYU. Locker passed for 266 yards and 1 TD. Locker's statistics have been decent, but the loses have been what have kept Locker out of serious Heisman contention. Locker showed his game changing ability and his reliability (and some clutch) when he lead the Huskies late in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, he was not clutch enough and failed to convert two fourth downs in the fourth quarter. Locker also ran for a TD, but the loss looms over as all the other Hopeful Quarterbacks won their games.

9. Jacquizz Rodgers (RB - Oregon St.) - Quizz rushed for 75 yards and 1 TD. The most surprising matter in the game was the Quizz was held without a reception for the entire game. Despite not having Jerry Hughes, the TCU defense was able to contain Rodgers and abate him from having an explosive runs; his longest run was only 16 yards.

10. A.J. Green (WR - Georgia) - Green was held out because of an on-going investigation into his involvement with an agent. Green was the only player here significantly hurt by his absense because his presense in the Top 10 as a WR is a long-shot.

Honorable Mention

QB: Matt Barkley (USC), John Brantley (Florida), Andy Dalton (TCU), Denard Robinson (Michigan), Jacory Harris (Miami-FL), Landry Jones (Oklahoma), Andrew Luck (Stanford), Ryan Mallett (Arkansas), Greg McElroy (Alabama), Christian Ponder (Florida St.), Taylor Potts (Texas Tech), Ricky Stanzi (Iowa), and Tyrod Taylor (Virginia Tech)

RB: Ralph Bolden (Purdue), John Clay (Wisconsin), Noel Devine (WVU), Kendall Hunter (Oklahoma St.), DeMarco Murray (Oklahoma), and Evan Royster (Penn St.)

WR: Jonathan Baldwin (Pittsburgh), Michael Flyod (Notre Dame), Damaris Johnson (Tulsa), Julio Jones (Alabama), and James Rodgers (Oregon St.)

High Tide & Deep Water

Tate Forcier (QB - Michigan) - Forcier lost the starting QB job to Denard Robinson.

Graig Cooper (RB - Miami-FL) & Jeremiah Masoli (QB - Mississippi)

Spotlight Players

Jordan Wynn (QB - Utah) - Wynn lead the Utes to an upset over the Pittsburgh Panthers in overtime. Particularly, Wynn's quick decision-making against the Pitt Defense - which has one of the best pass rushes in the NCAA helped Utah to keep the ball moving. He remained particularly poised in the pocket despite a clear presense from Greg Romeus and Jabaal Sheard. Wynn finished with 283 pass yards, 3 passing touchdowns, and, most importantly, a W versus the fifteenth ranked team.

Daniel Thomas (RB - Kansas St.) - Thomas was part of an absolute bull rush on the ground by the Kansas State Wildcats against UCLA. K-St. rushed for over 300 yards - 234 of which were by Thomas. Thomas had 2 TDs including a 35 yard run which helped seal off the game in the fourth quarter. One of the most impressive statistics for Thomas was that he averaged 8.2 yards on 28 carries. 8.2 yards/carry is a great number for small loads games. 8.2 yards/carry for just under 30 carries is incredible.

Notes: Three Heisman Hopefuls did not play in the first week despite having scheduled games. Ingram and James are in safe territory because both players have tougher opponents later in the season which can make up for lost time. Green has some tough opponents as well but any inconsistency as the WR spot will make it extremely difficult to contend for the Trophy, so it will be imperative that he is back on the field soon. Additionally, Kendall Hunter seems to be revived to his 2008 form which puts him on the cusp of the Top 10.

2010 Heisman Hopefuls III

2010-08-31T18:55:00.002-04:00

Top 10

1. Dion Lewis (RB - Pittsburgh) - Expect Pitt to rely on Lewis early in the season With an inexperienced quarterback and offensive line.

2. Mark Ingram (RB - Alabama) - Knee surgury not only takes a cupcake game away from Ingram but it also may affect his play throughout the season.

3. Kellen Moore (QB - Boise St.)

4. LaMichael James (RB - Oregon)

5. Ryan Williams (RB - Virginia Tech)

6. Case Keenum (QB - Houston)

7. Jake Locker (QB - Washington) - After withdrawing from the draft and clearing any air from the NFL Draft, Locker enters the season as a Heisman Hopeful and a potential early first round pick.

8. A.J. Green (WR - Georgia)

9. Jacquizz Rodgers (RB - Oregon St.)

10. Terrelle Pryor (Ohio State) - Pryor entered college with as much hype as any recent athelete. He was not only one of the best football recruits but also a basketball gem. Now that Pryor has some experience to compliment his athleticism, Pryor could be lethal to defenses. He has consistently received praise this offseason which has made him a trendy Heisman pick lately.

Honorable Mention

QB: Matt Barkley (USC), John Brantley (Florida), Andy Dalton (TCU), Tate Forcier (Michigan), Jacory Harris (Miami-FL), Landry Jones (Oklahoma), Andrew Luck (Stanford), Ryan Mallett (Arkansas), Greg McElroy (Alabama), Christian Ponder (Florida St.), Taylor Potts (Texas Tech), and Ricky Stanzi (Iowa)

RB: Ralph Bolden (Purdue), John Clay (Wisconsin), Noel Devine (WVU), Kendall Hunter (Oklahoma St.), and Evan Royster (Penn St.)

WR: Jonathan Baldwin (Pittsburgh), Michael Flyod (Notre Dame), Damaris Johnson (Tulsa), Julio Jones (Alabama), and James Rodgers (Oregon St.)

High Tide & Deep Water

Graig Cooper (RB - Miami-FL) & Jeremiah Masoli (QB - Mississippi)

Updated New York Knicks Salary Cap

2010-08-03T21:55:00.002-04:00

These are the projected Salary Cap figures for the New York Knicks for the next five seasons:

Roster Spot Cap Hits have not been applied past the 2010/2011 season except for the 12th Roster Player Spot. Other Notes are listed on the initial post (New York Knicks Salary Cap)

Currently the Knicks are pursing Shannon Brown (formally of the Los Angeles Lakers). Brown is deciding among offers from the Lakers, the Knicks, and the Cavaliers. Rumors have it that the Knicks have offered a contract worth about $4 million this upcoming season; however, according to my calculations, the Knicks could only offer a deal for less than $3 million. A reported selling point for the Knicks is that Brown would start.

After Shannon Brown is sorted out the Knicks will probably look to add a few of the players on the Summer League Roster. The likely candidates are Andy Rautins, Landry Fields, and Jerome Jordan; the Knicks have rights to all three of these players. The Knicks already have five players with experience at center (Amare Stoudemire, Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf, Timofey Mozgov, and Eddy Curry) which does not help Jordan's situation. Andy Rautin's shooting touch, defense, and character give him an edge to make the team despite a disappointing summer league performance. On the other hand, Landry Fields played impressively during summer league which will definitely help his prospectives.

The next big day on the Knicks' calendar is December 15th. This is when the Knicks will be able to trade most of the players that they have recently acquired. Until then, expect the Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony rumors to fade away. Ideally for the Knicks, the Hornets will underachieve leaving Paul disgruntled, and Anthony will not sign an extension which will open the door for a trade as indicated by the Nuggets.

Finally, here is my prospective depth chart assuming that the Knicks sign Shannon Brown, Andy Rautins, Landry Fields, and Jerome Jordan:

Position	1st	2nd	3rd
PG	Raymond Felton	Toney Douglas
SG	Shannon Brown	Kelenna Azubuike	Andy Rautins
SF	Danilo Gallinari	Wilson Chandler	Bill Walker
PF	Anthony Randolph	Ronny Turiaf
C	Amare Stoudemire	Timofey Mozgov

Inactive: Eddy Curry, Landry Fields, Jerome Jordan

EDIT: The Knicks have signed Roger Mason Jr. to a 1 year deal worth $1.4 Million. The Knicks now have just under $1.5 Million in cap room. Without Shannon Brown, expect Kelenna Azubuike or Wilson Chandler to start at shooting guard; Roger Mason Jr. could also compete for starting time in this slot. Mason is now the Knicks' eldest player at 29 years of age. Eddy Curry has been in the league longest for 9; however, Amare Stoudemire has been around for one less season, but he has managed to play in 5 more games than Curry for his career (totaling at 516 games). Stoudemire has also played in significantly more minutes.

Instant Replay

2010-07-31T20:34:00.003-04:00

There is no doubt that video technology has revolutionized sports. Starting with the invention of television all the way to contemporary marvels such as 3D TV and Instant Replay.

Instant Replay has affected sports to the extent in which it has been incorporated in the regulations of some professional sports. For example, the NFL allows head coaches to challenge plays, and a replay booth can review controversial calls. The NHL allows the review of goals. The NBA allows referees to review last second shots as well as some scenarios to determine possession.

The MLB has adopted regulations to allows umpires to review home-runs; however, pundits still call for replay to assist umpires in ruling on fair-and-foul calls, safe-and-out calls, and even balls-and-strikes calls. There was increased outcry when player-favorite umpire Jim Joyce regretfully made an incorrect call which cost Armando Galarraga a perfect game.

American outcry for instant replay continued into the FIFA World Cup in which a missed call robbed England's Frank Lampard of a goal. While FIFA and International officials initially suppressed any possibility of the incorporation of instant replay technology, the organization has taken a more liberal stance on the issue and began to explore the technology.

Instant Replay has a clear advantage: Guaranteed Accuracy. The games are left up to the players because poor perception by referees, umpires, and officials is eliminated.

On the other hand, disadvantages still loom. Games are prolonged with idleness. Stoppage of play becomes more frequent which disrupts the flow of a game. Also, if the technology is egregiously integrated into regulations then it can threat the integrity of the game. For instance, coaches with the ability to review calls can use the time to purposely delay the game to their advantage.

Lastly, Instant Replay removes the human factor from sports. The imperfections of referees, umpires, and officials adds another dimension to games; as, nobody is perfect. It is human imperfection that has brought us some of the most memorable moments in sports history. The last second kickoff between Cal and Stanford - in which the band ran onto the field - is so monumental that it has been deemed "The Play." Bill Buckner's mishap in the 1986 World Series remains vivid for most baseball fans.

Imperfection adds a level of drama, a level of tension, and, most important, a level of humanity to sports.

If you want to watch perfect sports then you can watch computer simulations of games.

The answer to erroneous calls should not be to increase instant replay. The impact of instant replay should be minimized; instead, the number of referees, umpires, and officials should be increased to insure accuracy and precision. For example, the MLB could increase regular season field crews up to six as it is done in the post-season. Soccer could instill another official to help regulate the game; additionally, goal-line officials could be added to help determine possession at that parameter of the field and to rule on goals.

Instant Replay is a helpful tool, but it is not the answer to every dilemma.

New York Knicks Salary Cap

2010-07-10T04:34:00.001-04:00

These are the projected Salary Cap figures for the New York Knicks for the next five seasons:

Click on Spread Sheet for Large Image

Notes:

NY still has about $5.6 Million to pursue free agents this summer. It is likely that it will be spent on a one-year deal in order to preserve cap space for next season.
Available Free Agents
Walsh had an option between Ronny Turiaf and Vladimir Radmanovic in the David Lee-Golden State Trade. Vlad's contract was $2.8 Million more expensive for this season, but it is also expiring. Turiaf's is less expensive, but his has a player option for next year putting possible cap space in hold next season. Plus, Vlad's wing play merges well with D'Antoni's system showing Walsh's inclination to minimize salary this season; thus, Donnie Walsh will pursue another free agent this summer. Ideally, Turiaf will opt-out, or he will be traded in order to preserve more space next season; this would allow the Knicks to minimize the cap hit from the Golden State trade for this and next season.
If Turiaf's contract is off the books by next offseason, then the Knicks can offer another maximum salary contract without renouncing their rights to Wilson Chandler. This is courtesy of Wilson Chandler's Cap Hold which is only set at $6,391,446. The Cap Hold is the reserved salary space for a player that a team has not renounced yet. The asterisked value in the spread sheet is the difference between Chandler's Qualifying Offer and Chandler's Cap Hold. This included to show how much the Knicks would have available without renouncing their right to Chandler.
Roster Spot Cap Hits have not been applied past the 2010/2011 season.
Notable Free Agents for Next Summer include Al Horford (Restricted), Jamal Crawford, Kendrick Perkins, Tyson Chandler, Joakim Noah (Restricted), Mo Williams (ETO), Caron Butler, Carmelo Anthony (ETO), Nene Hilario (ETO), Rodney Stuckey (Restricted), Tayshaun Prince, Aaron Brooks (Restricted), Yao Ming, Troy Murphy, Marc Gasol (Restricted), Zach Randolph, Michael Redd, David West (ETO), Jeff Green (Restricted), Spencer Hawes (Restricted), Thaddeus Young (Restricted), Jason Richardson, Carl Landry, Tim Duncan (ETO), Tony Parker, and Al Thornton.

EDIT: The Knicks have signed Raymond Felton to a two year deal worth $15.8 Million and Timofey Mozgov to a three year deal worth $9.7 Million.

On the MLB Trade Block

2010-07-05T23:18:00.001-04:00

Here are some of the players who are most likely to be traded as the Trade Deadline approaches on July 31, 2010. The players are listed alphabetically. At the bottom of the entry there is an additional list of players who are also being considered for trades.

Batters

David DeJesus (KC - OF) - DeJesus is in his final guaranteed year of his contract with a club option on his contract at $6 million (with a $0.5 million buyout) for 2011. This season DeJesus is batting .327 along with an OBP of .393 and SLG of .467 which amass to a respectable OPS of .860. DeJesus has been batting in the three spot in Kansas City, but he could threatening anywhere in the line-up because of his balanced approach.

Suitors: Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants

Jose Guillen (KC - OF) - Like DeJesus, Guillen is also in his last season of his contract, but Guillen does not have an option so he would be only a one-year rental. It is likely that Kansas City would like to alleviate the burden of Guillen's $12 million salary while a contending team could surely use his production as Guillen is on pace for a 30 HR-100 RBI season.

Suitors: Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants, Tampa Bay Rays

Lyle Overbay (Tor - 1B) - Toronto will be looking to sell as many of their players as possible because many playersare in the last season of their contracts and are relishing inflated statistics from an aggressive style of baseball that has been brought to Toronto this season; this group also includes Jose Bautisita, Alex Gonzalez, and John Buck. Additionally, Toronto has farm player Brett Wallace on the verge of being ready to be an everyday player. Overbay has been struggling compared to his teammates, so a relocation could help resurge him and provide some power for any playoff team. As the Blue Jays continue to fade in the AL East, after a surprising early season run, the Jays will be looking to unload some expiring contracts in hopes of building up their farm system.

Suitors: New York Mets, Tampa Bay Rays

Ty Wigginton (Bal - IF/OF) - Wigginton's defensive versatility make him an incredible bench option for any team headed toward the playoffs. Wigginton has played most of this season at 2B and 1B, but he has also played 3B, SS, and the outfield over the course of the last two season. Plus, Wigginton is due only $3.5 million for this season, and he has an expiring contract so there isn't much risk involved. Wigginton is batting only .246, but his 14 HRs and 43 RBIs are more indicative of what is coming this season as Wigginton has been putting the ball in play as he has striken out only 48 times this season. Almost every single playoff team would love to have Wigginton, so he seems bound to be on one of the big powers in baseball.

Suitors: Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees

Pitchers

Scott Downs (Tor - RP) - Downs is another one of the players with an expiring contract who the Blue Jays are receiving offers about. Downs has been proven in both the set-up and closer roles which make him an even more appealing bullpen addition added to the fact that he throws lefty. Put that together with a 2.80 ERA and an WHIP just under 1.00 which make Downs an appealing option for contending teams. In addition to Downs, the Blue Jays are looking to sell Bobby Frasor and Kevin Gregg.

Suitors: Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies

Kyle Farnsworth (KC - RP) - Farnsworth is another one of the Kansas City Royals with an expiring contract who is likely on the move because of his high salary, value, and production. Farnsworth has an absolutely electric arm which can eclipse 100 MPH. Farnsworth also has valuable playoff experience as he pitched with the Yankees through a few playoff runs last decade. Farnsworth pitfall has been his inconsistency, but this year he seems to have figured something out as he has posted an impressive 2.10 ERA and 1.08 WHIP without sacrificing any strikeouts as he has maintained his one strikeout per inning ratio.

Suitors: Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies

Dan Haren (Ari - SP) - The Diamondbacks are struggling and may continue to struggle for a few more years as the NL West has drastically improved into one of the most competitive divisions in baseball. The D-backs are the only team that is more than 7.5 games out of first as Arizona has fallen 17 games out and seems unlikely to climb back in. The struggles are likely to continue as each of the other four teams has a prospering, young pitching core. Haren has a few years left on his deal, but the D-backs may want to alleviate themselves of his relatively high salary as the team will most likely remain out of contention. Haren does have high trade value because of his durability in terms of pitching deep into games and avoiding injuries, so several prospects will be required to pull this stud away. Haren has a poor full-season ERA of 4.38, but his season seems to be turning as he posted a 3.19 ERA in June along with a 7 inning, 1 run outing in his first appearance in July. Surprisingly, Haren has been a productive hitter this season as he is batting .408 with a OPS of 1.012 which makes him of extra value to a national league contender.

Suitors: Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals

Cliff Lee (Sea - SP) - ESPN has declared Cliff Lee as the gem of this year's trade deadline. This is hard to argue as Lee has the lowest WHIP, the fifth lowest ERA, best strikeout to walk ratio by a large margin, and second most complete games despite missing several starts earlier in the season. The displeasing part about acquiring Lee is that he is only a rental as he has stated that he intends to enter free agency as his contract expires at the end of this season.

Suitors: Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers

Kevin Millwood (Bal - SP) - Millwood is in the last year of a five year deal which pays him $12 million this season. Millwood has been egregious for the Orioles. An ERA of 5.77 and WHIP of 1.58 is bad enough to send most starters to the bullpen. Baltimore has endured Millwood and his 2-8 record in hopes that some contender will take a shot on him. There isn't many positives about Millwood at this point other than his experience - especially in the playoffs - which could provide some locker-room leadership and stability as October quickly approaches.

Suitors: N/A

Roy Oswalt (Hou - SP) - The window is wanning on Oswalt's career, and he seems urgent to win a championship. It is unlikely that this will occur with Houston as the Astros have not made the playoffs since 2005 when they were swept in the World Series, and the Astros have been struggling to even contend in the NL Central. Additionally, Oswalt wants any team that intends to trade for him to pick up his option for next year. Oswalt has been a consistent and loyal player as he has been a threat to be a 20 game winner in almost every single season of his career - all of which have been with Houston.

Suitors: Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers

Jake Westbrook (Cle - SP) - Westbrook is not the ace that Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, or Dan Haren is, but he can definitely be quality pitcher in the middle of a rotation. Cleveland will be looking take his $11 million salary off the books and receive something in return. Any suitors would not have to give up too much value in return since he is not an ace, but they would still be able to bolster part of their rotation with Westbrook.

Suitors: N/A

Kerry Wood (Cle - RP) - Obviously, Wood is not as dominant as he was expected to be, but he still has some gas left. Hitherto Wood has been struggling to lower his ERA of 6.28 and WHIP of 1.50 while combating an injury; however, he has only given up runs in one of his last nine appearances. Over his last nine appearances, Wood has established an ERA of 2.16, a WHIP of 0.96, and a strikeout total of 10 Ks while only surrendering two walks. Wood can provide some electricity to any bullpen willing to shed some cash to pay for his $10.5 million salary. Also, Wood would be a fair lease as he has a club option for 2011 at $11 million, so if Wood falls through then the team can just deny the option but if Wood proves to be reliable then a team could add a reliable set-up man or closer with experience. Wood's value on the market wouldn't draw much value because of his egregious full-season stats and salary, so a team would have to only give up relatively few pieces.

Suitors: Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, and Philadelphia Phillies

Other Players Considered To Be On the Market: David Aardsma, Rick Ankiel, Brian Bannister, Jose Bautisita, Heath Bell, Lance Berkman, Willie Bloomquist, Russell Branyan, John Buck, Alberto Callaspo, Fausto Carmona, Coco Crisp, Kyle Davies, Octavio Dotel, Stephen Drew, Pedro Feliz, Bobby Frasor, Alex Gonzalez, Kevin Gregg, Jeremy Guthrie, Aaron Heilman, Edwin Jackson, Austin Kearns, Adam LaRoche, Ted Lilly, Mike Lowell, John McDonald, Jose Molina, Xavier Nady, Jayson Nix, Jhonny Peralta, Scott Podsednik, Luke Scott, Ben Sheets, Miguel Tejada

Thank You to mlbcontracts.blogspot.com and ESPN.com for providing contractual and statistical information, respectively.

NBA Free Agency

2010-07-01T00:51:00.001-04:00

Let's put all speculation aside. No rumors. No ESPN reports. No recommendations. How does the NBA wants free agency to play out in order to preserve it image and produce a global product? Ideally, movement would be minimal (in order to advocate loyalty) and the NBA's biggest venues would have stars to fill them with. This is how an ideal offseason would play out for David Stern and his associates:

Atlanta would maintain its youth core. This team was a 50 win team despite difficulties in the playoffs. The Hawks have made the right decision by offering the maximum contract to Joe Johnson. Atlanta is a stronghold for the NBA, so it is important to maintain a playoff contender, especially since the Hawks spent such a long time building its core. Johnson has also become a favorite in Atlanta, so denying the offer would be a slap in the face to the organization and the devoted fans.

Boston needs to keep its squad together for another run. Boston has Bird Rights on Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, so keeping the two should be no trouble. Another piece who is important for Boston's future is Nate Robinson. Nate has finally found a home. This is a great fit because Nate maintains a bench role in which he can come off the bench and provide a spark. Also, Robinson's volatile temperament has been curbed by the veteran leadership in Boston which has allowed him to blossom. Nate would require the MLE which is a fitting price for such a dynamic player.

Chicago has a present and future stud in Derrick Rose. Rose is a playmaker; in fact, he is one of the best in the league, so there is no reason to add another ballhandler in Chitown. The Bulls simply need to add scorers who can play off of Rose and can draw defenders to allow Rose to play in one-on-one sets. Adding a max contract such as Carlos Boozer would be a solid addition. Adding a proven, veteran scorer such as Mike Miller would also be a solid fit. If Golden State doesn't hold onto Anthony Morrow, then he could be a final reliable addition. The Bulls would also have a MLE to provide another bench player which would make them a very deep team.

Cleveland has two options if LeBron goes: Dissemble like New York OR Restart with Gilbert Arenas. Fans will be remorseful, but if the Cavs can make a move that says a new future is coming soon or says that a new future is now then the organization could salvage some fans. If the Wizards are selling Gilbert Arenas, then the Cavs will be a small forward away from a solid starting five with Mo Williams, Gilbert Arenas, Antwan Jamison, and Anderson Varejao. Richard Jefferson and Josh Howard are now out on the market; if he would settle for a MLE then he would be an easy addition. A more complicated sign-and-trade for some of the Cavs' role players could be another option.

Dallas has been trying to play a pot that it has no business being in. The Mavericks should just sign Dirk to the four year maximum salary contract and keep Brendan Haywood with the MLE (if they do not have his Bird Rights). The Mavericks have a proven roster that is, unquestionably, a contender in the West. The team made a commitment to winning now by trading Devin Harris for Jason Kidd, and the Mavs should stick with this philosophy while Dirk is still one of the perennial players in the league.

Like Dallas, Houston thinks that it could work into this summer's free agency. The Rockets will need some help from another team but that will not come because other GMs have no sympathy for the Rockets because they are one of the teams that walked away with unbalanced trades in order to create salary space. The Rockets should be happy that Yao is staying and should just resign Scola.

The LA Clippers have surprisingly built a nice, young core with Eric Gordon, Blake Griffin, and Al-Farouq Aminu. Chris Kaman is a consistent center when he is healthy. Baron Davis is one of the most dominant players in the league when he is healthy. And, finally, Blake Griffin is one of the most promising players when he is healthy. Even with presuming injuries, the Clippers could actually make some sort of run a mediocrity. All LAC should do is add veterans like Rasual Butler and Zydrunas Ilgauskas to help foster the development of its youth.

Memphis should have only one objective this offseason: Match anything for Rudy Gay. Gay could be one of the potential steals as a back-up plan for LAC, New Jersey, or New York. The Grizzles will be successful if they are willing to spend money in order to retain its roster. Keeping other players such as Ronnie Brewer will show that this organization is committed to winning, though signing him is not as critical as Rudy Gay.

ESPN has beamed a light on Miami. One thing is obvious: Dwayne Wade is staying put. The second move would be to trade Michael Beasley for Chris Bosh in sign-and-trade with Toronto. This trade would benefit everyone involved: Bosh would be in Miami with the largest deal, Miami would have Bosh, Toronto would receive a former second pick in return, and Beasley would be in a less inciteful location which could recourse his development. From there one the Heat would finish up its cap and splurge in minimum contracts. Keeping Udonis Haslem and Joel Anthony would be a start. Also adding a shooter such as JJ Redick at the MLE would help to expand the floor. Veterans like Jermaine O'Neal and Shaquille O'Neal would fill out the roster.

Minnesota is actually starting to look like an actual basketball team. Jonny Flynn, Wayne Ellington, Wesley Johnson, Kevin Love, and Al Jefferson is the most promising one to five. Sessions, Brewer, and Webster are fine bench players. The team just needs to add some depth until the Ricky Rubio situation is figured out. They cannot let the Rubio situation drag out the way Fran Vazquez was handled by Orlando. Minnesota should look to add some short term depth such as Travis Outlaw and Juwan Howard.

New Jersey could steal a couple of very good role players to their frame of Devin Harris, Brook Lopez, and Derrick Favors. First, Tyrus Thomas and John Salmons are two immediate starters the team should not sleep on. They could walk away with two underachievers who can contribute to a defensively sound squad. Then adding Al Harrington, dynamic scorer who can reduce the load on Favors, wouldn't not be a disappointment. The Nets would not be the NBA favorite, but adding tier-two free agents could definitely catapult them into the playoffs.

The summer of 2010 has finally arrived for New York. The NBA needs New York to succeed this offseason. New York is a global stage. NY is a critical component for the NBA to spread throughout the world. When people visit the US, they go to NY. What would be better then to head to NY and see the Statue of Liberty, see the Empire State Building, and see a game at MSG. New York is also the global hub of the media. The NBA needs NY to be a playoff contender to sell its product. Whoever come to NY will automatically become a global brand. For LeBron James, this would help him become basketball royalty and achieve his goal of earning at least a billion dollars. The advertising and finanical opportunities for LeBron will be unparalleled. Jersey sales, ticket sales, and advertising will all skyrocket. All NY would have to do is add a proven point guard and a mobile center to become a powerhouse. The next order of business would be to sign Amar'e Stoudemire and allow Phoenix to make a move at David Lee. Lastly, the Knicks could acquire a point guard such as Raymond Felton with the MLE. A starting five of Felton, Wilson Chandler, James, Danilo Gallinari, and Stoudemire would be the best in the NBA for years. The bench already has Toney Douglas, Bill Walker, and Sergio Rodriguez. A motivated Eddy Curry could be a decent player. After signing draft picks Andy Rautins and Landry Fields the Knicks would only have to add one interior bench player without having to go out a recruit ten bench players.

Sacramento just needs to add a point guard. The Kings look very good from two through five at every position. Then you cross Beno Udrith and his contract which makes you say "What"? All the Kings need to do is add a compliment for Evans. Consideration should be given to Steve Blake, a veteran combo guard, or maybe trade for one of the combo guards in Cleveland to let them foster their new future.

The last team with space is Washington. Washington has snagged a few promising players from teams that are looking to unload. Kirk Hinrich and Yi Jianlian are not superstars, but they are contributing role players who can be placed around a star (cough...John Wall...cough). The Wizards need to decide what to do with Gilbert Arenas. He could be shopped as a viable back up option to NY, Chitown, Cleveland, and New Jersey.

The Most Gentlemanly Match Ever Played

2010-06-24T15:40:00.001-04:00

John Isner of the United States and Nicolas Mahut of France have completed the Most Gentlemanly Match Ever Played.

The Tennis dual lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes.

The first four sets lasted 45 games. The match was then suspended on Tuesday, June 22th.

The match resumed on Wednesday which featured on of the most impressive set in Tennis history. John Isner and Nicolas Mahut went back and forth starting at 2:30 PM London Time and continued until just after 9 o'clock.

It was during this miraculous set in which we realized that we were witnessing something special. Isner and Mahut blew by tennis records by the dozen. Match time, games played, and aces were a few of the notable records surpassed.

The class and heart each player exemplified during this marathon fifth set is what made it such an incredible match. It was rare to see either man complain about a call; any quarrels were well justified. Isner - the biggest man at Wimbledon stands tall at 6'9" and 250 lbs - seemed exhausted but managed to continue to muster up the energy to maintain the match with his forceful serve. Isner's boldness to attempt his first serve after a fault gave him an edge several times in the lengthy fifth set. Once Isner's serve was wearing out he managed to unless a powerful forehand.

Mahut played absolutely brilliantly. Before the third day, there had not been a won break point since the second set. Mahut played the entire fifth set down as he was continually was burden by being four points away from a devastating loss. Throughout the second day, Mahut seemed to have the advantage as he came closer to breaking Isner several times. The energy Mahut exerted was incredible. Mahut had to match Isner's strength with his own craftiness. Mahut memorably dove twice for balls that were out of reach. Each time he was applauded for his efforts. The first time Mahut dove, Isner could do nothing but smile at Mahut's efforts.

Their class was epitomized when a bathroom break was finally asked for as the sun was waning. Both competitors had gone the entire day without bathroom breaks and had only a few snacks to eat. The two exchanged a few polite words on their way to the bathroom which showed the conciliatory nature of the match.

The match was suspended again tied at 59-59 in the fifth set, but not without much protest from the crowd.

This dual was finally completed on Thursday, June 24th. After 11 hours and 5 minutes, after 138 games in the fifth set, after 183 total games, after 112 Isner aces, after 103 Mahut aces, after exemplar class and relentless effort, The Final score line read (I'd like to mention that the stadium score line ended after 47-47 in the fifth set): 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (3), 70-68.

Isner won the fifth and historic set thus clinching the match; however, there were no losers on Court 18.

2010 NBA Mock Draft VII - June 23, 2010

2010-06-23T21:22:00.000-04:00

Version VII

First Round

1. Washington - John Wall -

2. Philadelphia - Evan Turner -

3. New Jersey - Derrick Favors -

4. Minnesota - Wesley Johnson -

5. Sacramento - DeMarcus Cousins -Yahoo Sports has speculated that Sacramento is planning on selecting Cousins. Cousins has been perceived to be a top five talent, but he has taken criticism about his character and conditioning. Greg Monroe is too sure of a player for me to pass up on - especially because of the risk factor of Cousins; however, Sacramento seems willing to try.

6. Golden State - Greg Monroe - Golden State is eying Cousins. They are also rumored to be seriously considering Monroe, Aminu, and Davis.

7. Detroit - Ed Davis - Multiples sources have the Pistons eying Davis.

8. L.A. Clippers - Al-Farouq Aminu - Clippers are looking for a SF. Aminu is the best available and of enticing value here at eight.

9. Utah (From New York via Phoenix) - Cole Aldrich - Need interior presence with wanning Okur and departing Boozer. Udoh and Patterson will also be considered here.

10. Indiana - Xavier Henry - GUARDS!!! for Pacers.

11. New Orleans - Gordon Hayward - New Orleans seems to be interested in Xavier Henry and Gordon Hayward.

12. Memphis - Luke Babbitt -The cat has been out of the bag for a while: The Grizzles like Luke Babbit.

13. Toronto - Ekpe Udoh -

14. Houston - Patrick Patterson -

15. Milwaukee (From Chicago) - Paul George - If Memphis is bluffing about Luke Babbitt, then Milwaukee will take a shot on him. If Gordon Hayward slips then I would not be surprised if they go after him.

16. Minnesota (From Denver via Charlotte) - Hassan Whiteside - Minnesota is interested in Whiteside. The question is if they will take him here or hope he is around the next time they pick at 23.

17. Chicago (From Milwaukee) - James Anderson - The Bulls love Anderson, and they will draft him if he is still around.

18. Miami - Larry Sanders -

19. Boston - Avery Bradley - The C's will be looking for back-court depth.

20. San Antonio - Damion James -

21. Oklahoma City - Daniel Orton - The Thunder will be looking at a big man.

22. Portland - Solomon Alabi - Portland is looking to go big in the first round. Insurance is a must.

23. Minnesota (From Philadelphia via Utah) - Kevin Seraphin - Minnesota will look to go international if they keep all three picks so that this pick can stay overseas.

24. Atlanta - Eric Bledsoe - Hawks are definitely looking guard. This picks is between Bledsoe and Williams. Dominique Jones or Jordan Crawford could be a possible picks here.

25. Memphis (From Denver) - Elliot Williams -Memphis seems interested in Elliot Williams here. There is general consensus that Williams is the best pick here.

26. Oklahoma City (From Phoenix) - Craig Brackins - Size will be a theme for OKC in this draft. If not Brackins, then expect the Thunder to deal this pick or go with an overseas player.

27. New Jersey (From Dallas) - Dominique Jones - Jones has been climbing up draft boards. Jones, Crawford, and Robinson are receiving solid considerations.

28. Memphis (From L.A. Lakers) - Jordan Crawford - The Grizzles have worked out way too many players that could go here which makes it difficult for anyone outside the Memphis to guess who they will select here.Crawford has come climbed into the first round with impressive workouts.

29. Orlando - Willie Warren -

30. Washington (From Cleveland) - Devin Ebanks - This one time lottery pick is falling. It is a real possibility that Ebanks will fall into the second round.

Second Round

31. New Jersey - Stanley Robinson - This pick seems to be between whoever slips to them out of Stanley Robinson and Devin Ebanks. The Nets have worked out almost everyone in the draft, so the options here will be limitless if these two are no available.

32. Oklahoma City (From Minnesota) - Gani Lawal -

33. Sacramento - Darington Hobson - The Kings worked out Hobson among dozens of other players. Hobson has continually impressed teams in workouts each time a team has brought him in.

34. Golden State - Quincy Pondexter - Pondexter is on the verge of sneaking into the first round with Devin Ebanks falling.

35. Washington - Grevis Vasquez -

36. Detroit - Jarvis Varnardo - Varnardo will be a second round steal. He will not put up tremendous offensive numbers, but he will provide interior stability.

37. Milwaukee (From Philadelphia) - Terrico White - White is one of the players that Milwaukee worked out that would be a sensible pick here.

38. New York - Lance Stephenson - New York has worked out almost anyone might be selected in the second round. New York has the opportunity to select two players that have slipped a bit further than they should have.

39. New York (From Denver via L.A. Clippers) - Armon Johnson - Stephenson, Johnson, Torrance, and Booker are the likely bunch. Anyone higher would be fair game. Sherron Collins could also receive consideration.

40. Indiana - Mikhail Torrance -

41. Miami (From New Orleans) - Trevor Booker -

42. Miami (From Toronto) - Jerome Jordan -

43. L.A. Lakers (From Memphis) - Sherron Collins -

44. Portland (From Chicago) - Samardo Samuels -

45. Minnesota (From Houston) - Tibor Pleiss - Pleiss has been a climbing big man that could be stashed away in Europe for a team with several picks in this draft.

46. Phoenix (From Charlotte) - Lazar Hayward -

47. Milwaukee - Nemanja Bjelica - Milwaukee has been out hunting versatility. This guy is the definition.

48. Miami - Paulao Prestes -

49. San Antonio - Luke Harangody -

50. Dallas (From Oklahoma City) - AJ Ogilvy -

51. Oklahoma City (From Dallas and Minnesota via Portland) - Alexey Shved -

52. Boston - Da’Sean Butler -

53. Atlanta - Charles Garcia -

54. L.A. Clippers (From Denver) - Keith “Tiny” Gallon -

55. Utah - Dexter Pittman -

56. Minnesota (From Phoenix) - Miroslav Raduljica -

57. Indiana (From Dallas) - Denis Clemente -

58. L.A. Lakers - Artsiom Parakhouski -

59. Orlando - Omar Samhan - Someone will take a shot on Samhan; he just knows that game way too well (shooting, establishing, positioning, passing) to not be given a chance in the NBA.

60. Phoenix (From Cleveland) - Latavious Williams -

Second Round Bubble: Andy Rautins, Brian Zoubek, Derrick Caracter, Dwayne Collins, Hamady Ndiaye, Jermaine Beal, Jerome Dyson, Jerome Randle, Jon Scheyer, Mac Koshwal, Manny Harris, Matt Bouldin, Raymar Morgan, Ryan Richards, Scottie Reynolds, Sylven Landesberg, Tommy Mason-Griffin, Thomas Heurtel, Trevon Hughes,

Second Round Considerations: Arinzi Onuaku, Armon Bassett, Aubrey Coleman, Bryan Davis, Courtney Fortson, Deon Thompson, Deonta Vaughn, DeShawn Sims, Devin Downey, Dwight Lewis, Gavin Edwards, Ishmael Smith, JP Prince, Landry Fields, Marqus Blakely, Marquis Gilstrap, Michael Washington, Osiris Eldridge, Patrick Christopher, Wayne Chism

Undrafted: C.J. Webster, Elijah Millsap, John Sloan, Lazar Trifunovic, Stevy Worah-Ozimo, Ben Uzoh, Chas McFarland, Dominique Archie, Edwin Ubiles, Jeff Foote, Kevin Palmer, Landon Milbourne, Magnum Rolle, Marcus Ginyard, Marquez Haynes, Rodney Green, Sylvester Seay, Tasmin Mitchell, Theo Robertson, Tyler Smith, Dusan Korac

2010 NBA Mock Draft VI - June 20, 2010

2010-06-20T15:47:00.001-04:00

Version VI

*Only notes have been made on movers. Revert to Version V for complete player analysis.

First Round

1. Washington - John Wall -

2. Philadelphia - Evan Turner -

3. New Jersey - Derrick Favors -

4. Minnesota - Wesley Johnson -

5. Sacramento - Greg Monroe -

6. Golden State - DeMarcus Cousins - Golden State is eying Cousins. They are also rumored to be seriously considering Monroe, Aminu, and Davis.

7. Detroit - Ed Davis - The Pistons are interested in some size here. Monroe has been given high praise from the team. Davis seems to be the immediate back up plan.

8. L.A. Clippers - Al-Farouq Aminu - The Clippers have become interested in acquiring a small forward which makes you ask: Why did they trade Al Thornton? Anyway, the Clippers have Babbitt, Hayward, and George on their board in addition to Aminu.

9. Utah (From New York via Phoenix) - Cole Aldrich - The Jazz will need a center with Carlos Boozer on his way out and the deterioration of Mehmet Okur in the paint. If any PF/C slips to number nine then Utah will surely snag him.

10. Indiana - Xavier Henry - Indiana has too much young size to go big again. Henry will be the best available guard here. I wouldn't be surprised if they select one of the rising small forwards such as Babbitt, Hayward, or George.

11. New Orleans - Gordon Hayward - New Orleans seems to be interested in Xavier Henry and Gordon Hayward.

12. Memphis - Luke Babbitt -The cat has been out of the bag for a while: The Grizzles like Luke Babbit.

13. Toronto - Ekpe Udoh - The Raptors have a steal here in Udoh. The Raptors have a great interior replacement in Udoh with the pending loss of Bosh.

14. Houston - Patrick Patterson - Houston has become an organization which only seems to make really good decesions. At fourteen, the Rockets can just sit around and steal whoever falls to them.

16. Minnesota (From Denver via Charlotte) - Hassan Whiteside - Whiteside could be another nice developing piece on a team with many options here at sixteen.

17. Chicago (From Milwaukee) - James Anderson - The Bulls love Anderson, and they will draft him if he is still around.

18. Miami - Larry Sanders - A center seems imminent for the Heat in this draft.

19. Boston - Avery Bradley - The C's will be looking for back-court depth. Bradley could very well fall down to nineteen.

20. San Antonio - Damion James -

21. Oklahoma City - Daniel Orton - The Thunder will be looking at a big man.

22. Portland - Solomon Alabi - Portland is looking to go big.

23. Minnesota (From Philadelphia via Utah) - Kevin Seraphin - Minnesota will look to go international if they keep all three picks so that this pick can stay overseas.

24. Atlanta - Eric Bledsoe - Hawks are definitely looking guard. This picks is between Bledsoe and Williams. Dominique Jones or Jordan Crawford could be a possible picks here.

25. Memphis (From Denver) - Elliot Williams -Memphis seems interested in Elliot Williams here. There is general consensus that Williams is the best pick here.

26. Oklahoma City (From Phoenix) - Craig Brackins - Size will be a theme for OKC in this draft. If not Brackins, then expect the Thunder to deal this pick or go with an overseas player.

27. New Jersey (From Dallas) - Dominique Jones - Jones has been climbing up draft boards. Jones, Crawford, and Robinson are receiving solid considerations.

28. Memphis (From L.A. Lakers) - Devin Ebanks - The Grizzles have worked out way too many players that could go here which makes it difficult for anyone outside the Memphis to guess who they will select here.

29. Orlando - Willie Warren -

30. Washington (From Cleveland) - Jordan Crawford - Crawford has come climbed into the first round with impressive workouts.

Second Round

32. Oklahoma City (From Minnesota) - Gani Lawal - Lawal could very well slip to OKC here.

33. Sacramento - Darington Hobson - The Kings worked out Hobson among dozens of other players. Hobson has continually impressed teams in workouts each time a team has brought him in.

34. Golden State - Quincy Pondexter - This pick screams guard. Pondexter will be a nice addition if he slips here.

35. Washington - Grevis Vasquez - Another versatile guard gives a great deal of flexibility to the Wizard's tenuous future.

36. Detroit - Jarvis Varnardo - Varnardo would be a great steal here for a team looking to add size.

37. Milwaukee (From Philadelphia) - Terrico White - White is one of the players that Milwaukee worked out that would be a sensible pick here.

40. Indiana - Mikhail Torrance - Guard depth is needed in Indy.

41. Miami (From New Orleans) - Trevor Booker -

42. Miami (From Toronto) - Jerome Jordan -

43. L.A. Lakers (From Memphis) - Sherron Collins -

44. Portland (From Chicago) - Samardo Samuels -

45. Minnesota (From Houston) - Nemanja Bjelica -

46. Phoenix (From Charlotte) - Lazar Hayward -

47. Milwaukee - AJ Ogilvy -

48. Miami - Luke Harangody -

49. San Antonio - Paulao Prestes -

50. Dallas (From Oklahoma City) - Keith “Tiny” Gallon -

51. Oklahoma City (From Dallas and Minnesota via Portland) - Alexey Shved -

52. Boston - Da’Sean Butler -

53. Atlanta - Charles Garcia -

54. L.A. Clippers (From Denver) -Derrick Caracter

55. Utah - Dexter Pittman -

56. Minnesota (From Phoenix) - Pablo Aguilar -

57. Dallas (pick may be conveyed to Indiana) - Tibor Pleiss -

58. L.A. Lakers - Denis Clemente -

59. Orlando - Omar Samhan -

60. Phoenix (From Cleveland) - Latavious Williams -

Second Round Considerations: Andy Rautins, Arinzi Onuaku, Artsiom Parakhouski, Aubrey Coleman, Brian Zoubek, Bryan Davis, Courtney Fortson, Deon Thompson, Deonta Vaughn, DeShawn Sims, Devin Downey, Dwayne Collins, Dwight Lewis, Gavin Edwards, Hamady Ndiaye, Ishmael Smith, Jermaine Beal, Jerome Dyson, Jerome Randle, Jon Scheyer, JP Prince, Landry Fields, Mac Koshwal, Manny Harris, Marqus Blakely, Matt Bouldin, Michael Washington, Miroslav Raduljica, Osiris Eldridge, Patrick Christopher, Raymar Morgan, Robin Benzing, Ryan Richards, Scottie Reynolds, Sylven Landesberg, Tommy Mason-Griffin, Trevon Hughes, Wayne Chism

NCAA Undrafted: Armon Bassett, C.J. Webster, Elijah Millsap, John Sloan, Lazar Trifunovic, Stevy Worah-Ozimo, Ben Uzoh, Chas McFarland, Dominique Archie, Edwin Ubiles, Jeff Foote, Kevin Palmer, Landon Milbourne, Magnum Rolle, Marcus Ginyard, Marquez Haynes, Marquis Gilstrap, Rodney Green, Sylvester Seay, Tasmin Mitchell, Theo Robertson

International Undrafted: Andrew Albicy, Stefan Bircevic, Bojan Bogdanovic, Sarra Camara, Antoine Diot, Bangaly Fofana, Miralem Halilovic, Thomas Heurtel, Edwin Jackson, Dusan Korac, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Luc Louves, Uros Lukovic, Tomasz Nowakowski, Xavier Rabaseda, Fernando Raposo, Semen Shashkov, Tyler Smith

2010 NBA Mock Draft V - June 17, 2010

2010-06-17T20:41:00.001-04:00

Version V

First Round

1. Washington - John Wall - Wall is the Best Player Available. He is NBA-ready, yet he has plenty of potential still left to develop. He is a play-maker and a leader. He has incredible athleticism in terms of speed, agility, and jumping ability. He also proved himself to be quite durable throughout the college season.

2. Philadelphia - Evan Turner - An everything threat. Turner demonstrated the size and skill to do anything on the court on the college level. If his game translates, then he will be a dangerous player. Turner is one of the most versatile players I have ever seen.

3. New Jersey - Derrick Favors - Favors has possibly the most impressive size, athleticism, and defensive Presence in the draft; however, he still needs to develop his Low-Post Ability. Favors is the typical Power Forward/Center Prospect with great defensive abilities, incredible physical gifts, and a developing offensive game. He can immediately come in as a hustle player, and he can eventually become an imposing player in the league one he develops a reliable go-to game on the low block.

4. Minnesota - Wesley Johnson - Johnson is an incredible athlete with a savvy ability to score. His athleticism allows him to score around the rim but his shooting ability makes him a nightmare for defenders. His versatility and motor also make him one of the most reliable defenders on the court. Johnson is the type of reliable scorer that the T'Wolves were lacking last season.

5. Sacramento - Greg Monroe - Sacramento's balance allows them to select the Best Player available here. If any of the above players drop then no one should be surprised if Sacramento takes anyone that slides out of the top four. As the draft process continues, Monroe will rise toward the top of the lottery because he is simply a good basketball player. No big man has a better basketball IQ and only a few guards are of comparable intelligence. He has a polished low-post game. Monroe's passing ability is unheralded and his defense is sound. His only (and well documented) flaw is that he is too passive on the offensive end; his lack of aggression to take shots sometimes led Monroe to disappear from games.

6. Golden State - Al-Farouq Aminu - Al-Farouq Aminu - Aminu possess the athleticism and speed to play in the fast paced Warriors' system under Don Nelson. Aminu even had preparation to play in an up-and-down system by playing with Ishmael Smith at Wake Forest.

7. Detroit - DeMarcus Cousins - Detriot will be seeking a big man. Expect the Pistons to select among DeMarcus Cousins, Greg Monroe, Patrick Patterson, Cole Aldrich, or Ed Davis. Cousins has one of the most formidable frames in the draft pool. His size and strength are NBA ready which allowed him to dominate around the basket on both ends of the floor during his season at Kentucky. The glaring question with Cousins is his character. There have been questions about his maturity, effort, and composure all throughout the draft process. His mentality can be absolutely detrimental to a successful NBA career which makes him a risky pick.

8. L.A. Clippers - Patrick Patterson - The Clippers will be extremely active this offseason as they will only have six players not under contract (one of which has a qualifying offer). Most of the players projected in this range of the draft will be big men. The one that the Clippers select will likely depend on what type of players they plan to pursue in free agency. Patterson is a well seasoned Junior out of Kentucky. Patterson has an exquisite inside-outside balance which makes very dangerous on the offensive end. Patterson is solid on the defensive end but not dominant like some other players available here.

9. Utah (From New York via Phoenix) - Cole Aldrich - The Jazz will likely look to replace a departing Carlos Boozer. Aldrich is a high character big man with size and length that allow him to contribute on every single play. Aldrich has the fundamentals of the game down. He is restrained by side speed and outside shooting. Aldrich is simply the prototypical big man.

10. Indiana - Xavier Henry - With a plethora of big men, the Pacers will look to add a guard which should lead Indiana to either move down in the draft or reach for a guard. Henry is a solid all-around scorer. He has a nice shooting touch and is able to penetrate the lane. Henry is also quite reliable on the defensive end. The big question about Henry is his ability to create off the dribble and actually get into the lane. While he can score once he is in the lane, Henry has a hard to maneuvering into it which will surely limit his game when he is playing against NBA players who are as athletic and physical as he is.

11. New Orleans - Ekpe Udoh - Dontas Motiejunas has withdrawn allowing Udoh to climb up a couple of spots in the draft.

12. Memphis - Luke Babbitt - Babbitt’s shooting ability as well as his craftiness makes him ready to contribute on the NBA level. His size and dimensions also give an intrigue for possible improvement which makes Babbitt an appealing pick.

13. Toronto - Ed Davis - Toronto will be looking to replace Bosh. I like the prospect of Toronto reaching to draft (presuming that Memphis doesn’t snag ) Luke Babbitt since he fits the mold of this European style of basketball that Toronto has put together; however, the Raptors will need to address an interior presence. Davis' draft stock suffers greatly because of the exorbitant number of talented big men in the draft. Davis is unquestionably a top 10 talent that the Raptors can snag just outside of his value. He is along and athletic big man who uses his size to take over the offensive and defensive board. His length and athleticism really allow him to utilize the air-game of basketball (alley-oops, high passes, hanging shots, blocks). Davis has nice intangibles but is still a bit raw on the low-block especially since he sat out of most of last season with a hand injury.

14. Houston - Gordon Hayward - Hayward has been drawing more attention as he has been impressing scouts during training sessions and team visits.

15. Milwaukee (From Chicago) - Paul George - George has been climbing up draft boards as this small conference player has also been receiving much more attention. George’s athleticism attracts scouts and his production keeps them hooked.

16. Minnesota (From Denver via Charlotte) - James Anderson - James Anderson - Anderson is one of the best on the ball scorers in the Draft. He has a great ability to create good shots for himself. A looming question about Anderson will be how his dominance will translate into the NBA. Anderson has shown a niche to taking over games in the Big 12 in a manner that parallels the dominance of Kobe Bryant. Nevertheless, if Anderson is unable to maintain the same level of dominance, then he still has a great jump shot and is a great defender which will allow Anderson to compete in the NBA for years.

17. Chicago (From Milwaukee) - Hassan Whiteside - Whiteside’s draft stock has come back to reality after is soared during the college basketball season when he led Division One in blocks per game. Scouts praised his athleticism and build, but his flaws as a basketball player have overwhelmed his staggering tools.

18. Miami - Larry Sanders - The first few features one notices when watching Sanders is his size, wingspan, and how well he utilizes these physical gifts on both ends of the floor. He is unquestionably a force to be reckoned with on the defensive end. He is a threat to block any shot around the paint which makes opposing players weary when entering the paint while Sanders is in the game. Sanders is quite underrated on the offensive end; he has developed a reliable hook shot at VCU which is complemented by a modest mid-range shot. Sanders is still lean, so strength will be a short-term question with Sanders until he develops enough width to firmly hold himself throughout an entire NBA game.

19. Boston - Daniel Orton - The Celtics have done a magnificent job of developing bulky big men like Orton over the last few years. Al Jefferson was a great product before he was shipped off to Minnesota. Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis have become valuable components of the Celtics roster. Orton did not play much at Kentucky because of the stacked roster but when Orton did play he demonstrated his size and strength prolifically. Surprisingly, he also has excellent quickness inside partly due to his length. The underlying dilemma with Orton is his ability to contribute offensively because of his inexperience. Playing in Boston will not help his experience, but he will definitely be able to solidify his fundamentals in a system that has been proven to breed productive big men.

20. San Antonio - Damion James - The Spurs have drafted fairly conservatively: always choosing the safe player over risky potential and questionable character guys. James is reliable small forward with a high motor that could provide what the Spurs have been lacking at the three with Richard Jefferson.

21. Oklahoma City - Avery Bradley - Bradley is a talented guard who could go anywhere in the draft from the lottery to the late first round because of team needs. Bradley could provide solid depth to a team that seems on the verge of becoming a contender.

22. Portland - Eric Bledsoe - Portland has been looking to acquire a young reliable point guard who can play alongside of Brandon Roy. Bledsoe’s selfless approach could fit in well to the Trailblazers’ style of basketball.

23. Minnesota (From Philadelphia via Utah) - Solomon Alabi - Alabi is still developing, but it will definitely be worth a risk for a team to take a shot on this big center with a great attitude toward the game. His large wingspan and hands allows him to affect the basketball in ways other players would be unable which gives him an edge in terms of blocking shots, deflecting the ball, tipping shots, and rebounding.

24. Atlanta - Elliot Williams - Atlanta may be losing Joe Johnson this offseason. A playmaking combo guard could be given a look.

25. Memphis (From Denver) - Kevin Seraphin - Seraphin is huge prospect who has exceptional athleticism and strength to accompany his size. Seraphin is still very raw which makes him all about potential.

26. Oklahoma City (From Phoenix) - Gani Lawal - Lawal can help solidify OKC’s interior on both ends of the court right away.

27. New Jersey (From Dallas) - Stanley Robinson - Robinson has freakish athleticism. He finished several alley-oops that seemed implausible while at UConn. Robinson has great leaping ability which makes him a distinctive rebounder and finisher. The questions with Robinson were his consistency, his composure, and his limitations as only a role player since his offensive game was limited to only ridiculous dunks. His shooting range was hazardous at times, and Robinson must improve on ball-handling and decision making. Robinson has a lot of the potential, but the NBA requires more than athleticism to be successful.

28. Memphis (From L.A. Lakers) - Devin Ebanks - Ebanks’ poor production and questionable character issues has definitely hurt his draft stock in a draft filled with athletic win players.

29. Orlando - Willie Warren - The Magic will be looking for a player with the potential to create a spark on a team that seemed deflated when posed with adversity.

30. Washington (From Cleveland) - Craig Brackins - Brackins is the prototypical big man. He was projected to go higher in the draft last season and earlier this season; however, Brackins' statistics have slipped this season which was accompanied by a disappointing season by the Iowa State Cyclones pushing Brackins down the draft board considering he was supposed to be the impetus behind a contending Big 12 team.

Second Round

31. New Jersey - Jarvis Varnardo - Varnardo is a lengthy center who has a niche for blocking shots on the defensive end. He prudently blocks shots with great control. His size also makes him a solid finisher and formidable rebounder.

32. Oklahoma City (From Minnesota) - Quincy Pondexter - Another scoring threat could not hurt in OKC.

33. Sacramento - Dominique Jones - Jones helps to add depth at the guard/forward for a team that has done a good job of finding these types of gems.

34. Golden State - Terrico White - Expect Golden State to snag the best available player who can run in a fast paced offense at this point in the draft.

35. Washington - Jordan Crawford - What kind of anaylsis would this be if I didn’t mention that Crawford transferred from Indiana to Xaiver after the Indiana recruiting controversy and that he was the player who dunked on LeBron James in one of the most over-publicized camera phone virals over last summer.

36. Detroit - Darrington Hobson - Hobson was a dominant and versatile two/three/four in college at New Mexico. Expect the Hobson to be a early second round pick that could slip into the middle of the second round as a potential steal. Detroit has commitments to the one and two positions, so it should expected that the Pistons will try to add depth at the forward or center positions.

37. Milwaukee (From Philadelphia) - Lance Stephenson - Stephenson was expected to be a lottery pick coming out of high school. In college, Stephenson’s production was so poor at times that it was expected that he would go undrafted. If Stephenson can be steered in the right track then he can become an effective player in the league

38. New York - Armon Johnson - Johnson is a combo guard with nice size at the point with complimentary speed for a player at 6’3”.

39. New York (From Denver via L.A. Clippers) - Grevis Vasquez - The Knicks will have a lot of flexibility here with the 38th and 39th picks. Adding some guard depth would not hurt a team that struggled to find a consistent point guard throughout the season.

40. Indiana - Mikhail Torrance - Torrance had an excellent combine in which his impressive length (6’5” at point guard) and ball handling made him a standout. Torrance’s ability to use both hands so well allows him to be an extremely creative passer.

41. Miami (From New Orleans) - Trevor Booker - Miami has a lot of options as most of the Heat’s roster will be open, and the team has its fair share of picks.

42. Miami (From Toronto) - Jerome Jordan - Jordan is a seven footer out of Tulsa. Last year his draft stock was all over the place as he demonstrated the size and potential of a first round pick.

43. L.A. Lakers (From Memphis) - Sherron Collins - Collins has become a legend at the Fieldhouse. Collins is a leader with great motivation and work ethic. He has always been clutch in the final few minutes of the game. Collins understands that making the best play is more important than him making the final basket in the closing seconds. Late this season, Collins he fell into a rough spell which led many to question his ability pushing Collins out of the first round. He definitely has the playmaking and character to be an NBA point guard. It may take some time to transition, but Collins has the work ethic to be a starter.

44. Portland (From Chicago) - Samardo Samuels - Portland has done a nice job of adding young big men behind the frequently injured Greg Oden. Samuels could be the next in a line of stolen PF/C’s in the second round of the draft for the Trailblazers.

45. Minnesota (From Houston) - Nemanja Bjelica - Bjelica is extremely versatile. At 6’10” Bjelica has the height of a center, but he plays with the skill set of a point guard. Bjelica possess solid passing and ball-handling abilities which make him an intriguing prospect. His combination of size and touch rings the sound of potential.

46. Phoenix (From Charlotte) - Lazar Hayward - Hayward is a reliable scorer and defender who can fit into the up-tempo pace of the Suns as a wing player. Hayward can also play at the post which makes him a dynamic forward.

47. Milwaukee - AJ Ogilvy - The big Aussie has had a lot of experience playing at the highest levels of collegiate and international basketball. Ogilvy has never been a game changer but his size allows him to have a significant presence on both ends of the floor in terms of space and rebounding.

48. Miami - Luke Harangody - It would not be surprising for the Heat to take a risk on a high motor, Big East PF/C after DeJuan Blair turned out to be such an effective rebounder and role player. Harangody works well at the post as he has developed a reliable skill set with his back to the basket and face up.

49. San Antonio - Paulao Prestes - He is a bulldozer. Prestes weighs in the high two-hundreds with a height of 6’10” and a noticeably large wingspan. His second home is inside the paint where he uses his large body. Prestes is appropriately nicknamed King Kong. Also, Prestes has good character which allows many to bypass the flaws in his game and athleticism.

50. Dallas (From Oklahoma City) - Keith “Tiny” Gallon - Dallas’ never ending search for size, Gallon could be an appropriate pick here. In His nickname is actually appropriate for a 6’8”, 300 pound forward. Gallon seems to prefer difficultly forced, face-to-the-basket shots as opposed to using his body and manipulating at the post.

51. Oklahoma City (From Dallas and Minnesota via Portland) - Alexey Shved - Shved is a work in progress. His game is a little wild and still needs seasoning, but he plays for one of the best European Basketball teams, CSKA Moscow, which will allow him to develop while he is still tied in Russia because of military obligations.

52. Boston - Da’Sean Butler - Butler can turn out to be a gem in the second round. He is an extremely well rounded player with tremendous character. Butler’s work ethic will allow him to be, at the very least, a reliable role player. He can create for himself and teammates off the dribble. He is a leader who is willing, and can make, the last shot of the game. His athleticism and frame also makes him a useful defender. A season-ending leg injury draws caution to Butler who otherwise would seem to be a great pick.

53. Atlanta - Charles Garcia - Garcia was a guard for most of his basketball days but a growth spurt has led him to transition to the PF/C; however, he is still stuck in the transition which makes him a tenuous pick. As Garcia has retained many skills he obtained as a guard he has become prone to excessive turnovers. His reluctance to go inside for easier baskets is something that will need to change if he wants to play at the NBA, but since he does possess the size and length to be effective inside there is no doubt that it could become possible. With a developed inside game, Garica could become very dangerous with his mobility

54. L.A. Clippers (From Denver) - Derrick Caracter - Caracter started his collegiate career at Louisville but eventually transferred to UTEP after off-the-court issues placed a significant blemish on his career at Louisville. The smaller stage of UTEP allowed Caracter to continue his development with being under such harsh criticism. He has great mobility and athleticism which is combined with exceptional strength to make him quite effective inside. He also possesses a nice feel for the game and is excellent with the basketball. The glaring dilemma with him branches from his off-the-court issues. His mentality and work ethic are questionable which will lead teams to shy away from a player who does not have the dedication to play in the NBA. At Louisville, Caracter seemed invisible at times which was a big problem. This guy definitely has the ability to be a higher pick. He just needs to prove it.

55. Utah - Dexter Pittman - Pittman is basically the opposite of Caracter. The two have similarly large frames, but that is where the similarities stop. Pittman came into college as an oversized body who worked himself into shape to become an effective interior player. He uses his body to fight off defenders and grasp rebounds. Pittman’s work ethic basically turned him into a draft pick.

56. Minnesota (From Phoenix) - Pablo Aguilar - In addition to having a great athlete’s name, Pablo seems to be fitting the niche as a wing, role player. His height at 6’8” give him a great edge on the perimeter as he does most of his damage from outside the arc. He also possesses the intangibles which have made him a productive player on the European level at a young age. He still has room for development which makes him a solid potential pick; a team that drafts him can leave Pablo overseas to continue to develop or a team can bring him over as a small-minute role player because of his fairly seasoned game.

57. Dallas (pick may be conveyed to Indiana) - Tibor Pleiss - Pleiss has started to enter many draft boards after he has remained after the June 14th European deadline to remain in the draft. This German 7-footer could be stashed in order to allow him to continue to develop.

58. L.A. Lakers - Denis Clemente - Clemente was a solid scorer at Kansas St. His speed allowed him to drive in the lane and slash to find easier baskets. Clemente also brought great energy and leadership to the floor. Through his years at Kansas St. Clemente played in many different situations showing his plasticity in terms of playing with different teammates and in different styles of play.

59. Orlando - Omar Samhan - Many project Samhan to go undrafted because his athleticism simply does not translate to the NBA; however, Samhan is a genius on the low block which will allow him to be a successful basketball at any professional level. As long as he plays on a court with a backboard, Samhan is nearly unguardable. He utilizes his body to wisely establish position and then can pass in and out of the low post which makes him a menace. His low post game is craft and he uses the backboard to make improbable shots from awkward angles. Samhan is great in the half court. Samhan was also a solid interior presence on defense on the smaller collegiate level. Unfortunately, Samhan would be a liability in any fast paced offense and he would require tremendous endurance work in order to build up the stamina for a NBA paced game. Orlando would be a great fit for Samhan who could help motiviate Dwight Howard to develop a better set of low post moves. In the right match-up, Samhan could be a solid piece alongside Howard. Also, Samhan would be motivated to work into better shape because of the higher physique standards required by the Florida weather. A less controversial pick here would be Miroslav Raduljica.

60. Phoenix (From Cleveland) - Latavious Williams - Williams went straight out of High School to the NBDL which stirred headlines earlier in the year. Williams possesses great size and athleticism. His quickness and strength makes you question if Williams could have been a successful defensive end because of the size the compliments such impressive physical attributes. In terms of basketball, Williams is very raw. He contributes effectively on the boards but that is about it. Offensively he is absent, but he is still showing some promise on the defensive end because of his physique. The intriguing facet about Williams is his work ethic and willingness to learn which could offer a promising role player career for Williams.

2010 NBA Mock Draft IV - June 7, 2010

2010-06-07T17:47:00.003-04:00

Version IV

*Only notes have been made on movers, second-rounders, and previously unmentioned players.

First Round

1. Washington - John Wall -

2. Philadelphia - Evan Turner -

3. New Jersey - Derrick Favors -

4. Minnesota - Wesley Johnson -

5. Sacramento - Greg Monroe -

6. Golden State - Al-Farouq Aminu -

7. Detroit - DeMarcus Cousins -

8. L.A. Clippers - Patrick Patterson -

9. Utah (From New York via Phoenix) - Cole Aldrich -

10. Indiana - Xavier Henry -

11. New Orleans - Ekpe Udoh - Dontas Motiejunas has withdrawn allowing Udoh to climb up a couple of spots in the draft.

12. Memphis - Ed Davis -

13. Toronto - Hassan Whiteside - Toronto will be looking to replace Bosh. I like the prospect of Toronto reaching down to draft Luke Babbitt since he fits the mold of this European style of basketball that Toronto has put together; however, the Raptors will need to address an interior presence before adding more wing players.

14. Houston - Gordon Hayward - Hayward has been drawing more attention as he has been impressing scouts during training sessions and team visits.

16. Minnesota (From Denver via Charlotte) - James Anderson -

17. Chicago (From Milwaukee) - Larry Sanders -

18. Miami - Luke Babbitt - Babbitt’s shooting ability as well as his craftiness makes him ready to contribute on the NBA level. His size and dimensions also give an intrigue for possible improvement which makes Babbitt an appealing pick.

19. Boston - Daniel Orton -

21. Oklahoma City - Solomon Alabi - Alabi could have a year to develop with the Thunder under a low stress situation as Nick Collison and Nenad Krstic each still has one year remaining on his contact.

22. Portland - Avery Bradley - Bradley is a talented guard who could go anywhere in the draft from the lottery to the late first round because of team needs.

23. Minnesota (From Philadelphia via Utah) - Kevin Seraphin - Seraphin is huge prospect who has exceptional athleticism and strength to accompany his size. Seraphin is still very raw which makes him all about potential. Seaphin will have time to develop behind two other prospering PF/C’s in Minnesota (Kevin Love and Al Jefferson), so there will be no rush or extended pressure upon him to produce immediately.

24. Atlanta - Eric Bledsoe - Atlanta may be losing Joe Johnson this offseason. A playmaking combo guard (which Bledsoe has proved he can be even with his small frame) could be given a look.

25. Memphis (From Denver) - Devin Ebanks - Ebanks’ poor production and questionable character issues has definitely hurt his draft stock in a draft filled with athletic three’s.

26. Oklahoma City (From Phoenix) - Gani Lawal – Lawal can help solidify OKC’s interior on both ends of the court right away.

27. New Jersey (From Dallas) - Stanley Robinson -

28. Memphis (From L.A. Lakers) - Elliot Williams – Williams would be just another talented, young guard that the Grizzles could add to their blooming roster.

29. Orlando - Willie Warren - The Magic will be looking for a player with the potential to create a spark on a team that seemed deflated when posed with adversity.

30. Washington (From Cleveland) - Craig Brackins -

Second Round

31. New Jersey - Jarvis Varnardo - Varnardo is a lengthy center who has a niche for blocking shots on the defensive end. He blocks shots prudently with great control. His size also makes him a solid finisher and formidable rebounder.

32. Oklahoma City (From Minnesota) - Quincy Pondexter - Another scoring threat could not hurt in OKC.

33. Sacramento - Dominique Jones - Jones helps to add depth at the guard/forward for a team that has done a good job of finding these types of gems.

34. Golden State - Terrico White - Expect Golden State to snag the best available player who can run in a fast paced offense at this point in the draft.

36. Detroit - Trevor Booker - Detroit has commitments to the one and two positions, so it should expected that the Pistons will try to add depth at the forward or center positions.

37. Milwaukee (From Philadelphia) - Darrington Hobson - Hobson was a dominant and versatile two/three/four in college at New Mexico. Expect the Hobson to be a early second round pick that could slip into the middle of the second round as a potential steal.

38. New York - Armon Johnson - Johnson is a combo guard who is expected to be drafted in the late first round or early second round. Johnson has nice size at the point with complimentary speed for a player at 6’3”.

39. New York (From Denver via L.A. Clippers) - Lance Stephenson - Stephenson was expected to be a lottery pick coming out of high school. In college, Stephenson’s production was so poor at times that it was expected that he would go undrafted. It would be a nice story if Stephenson landed back in New York where he would have the support of his families and friends to get back on track on to what looked like to be a very promising NBA career.

41. Miami (From New Orleans) - Jerome Jordan - Jordan is a seven footer out of Tulsa. Last year his draft stock was all over the place as he demonstrated the size and potential of a first round pick.

42. Miami (From Toronto) - AJ Ogilvy - The big Aussie has had a lot of experience playing at the highest levels of collegiate and international basketball. Ogilvy has never been a game changer but his size allows him to have a significant presence on both ends of the floor in terms of space and rebounding.

47. Milwaukee - Keith “Tiny” Gallon - His nickname is actually appropriate for a 6’8”, 300 pound forward. Gallon seems to prefer difficultly forced, face-to-the-basket shots as opposed to using his body and manipulating at the post.

48. Miami - Grevis Vasquez - Vasquez can become a fan favorite down in Miami because of the electric playmaking he brings to the table. His size allows him to be a combo guard which will help to provide long-term depth behind Dwayne Wade and Mario Chalmers.

49. San Antonio - Luke Harangody - It would not be surprising for the Spurs to take a risk on another high motor, Big East PF/C after DeJuan Blair turned out to be such an effective rebounder and role player. Harangody works well at the post as he has developed a reliable skill set with his back to the basket and face up.

50. Dallas (From Oklahoma City) - Paulao Prestes - He is a bulldozer. Prestes weighs in the high two-hundreds with a height of 6’10” and a noticeably large wingspan. His second home is inside the paint where he uses his large body. Prestes is appropriately nicknamed King Kong. Also, Prestes has good character which allows many to bypass the flaws in his game and athleticism.

55. Utah - Dexter Pittman – Pittman is basically the opposite of Caracter. The two have similarly large frames, but that is where the similarities stop. Pittman came into college as an oversized body who worked himself into shape to become an effective interior player. He uses his body to fight off defenders and grasp rebounds. Pittman’s work ethic basically turned him into a draft pick.

57. Dallas (pick may be conveyed to Indiana) - Latavious Williams - Williams went straight out of High School to the NBDL which stirred headlines earlier in the year. Williams possesses great size and athleticism. His quickness and strength makes you question if Williams could have been a successful defensive end because of the size the compliments such impressive physical attributes. In terms of basketball, Williams is very raw. He contributes effectively on the boards but that is about it. Offensively he is absent, but he is still showing some promise on the defensive end because of his physique. The intriguing facet about Williams is his work ethic and willingness to learn which could offer a promising role player career for Williams.

59. Orlando - Omar Samhan - Many project Samhan to go undrafted because his athleticism simply does not translate to the NBA; however, Samhan is a genius on the low block which will allow him to be a successful basketball at any professional level. As long as he plays on a court with a backboard, Samhan is nearly unguardable. He utilizes his body to wisely establish position and then can pass in and out of the low post which makes him a menace. His low post game is craft and he uses the backboard to make improbable shots from awkward angles. Samhan is great in the half court. Samhan was also a solid interior presense on defense on the smaller collegiate level. Unfortunately, Samhan would be a liability in any fast paced offense and he would require tremendous endurance work in order to build up the stamina for a NBA paced game. Orlando would be a great fit for Samhan who could help motiviate Dwight Howard to develop a better set of low post moves. In the right match-up, Samhan could be a solid piece alongside Howard. Also, Samhan would be motivated to work into better shape because of the higher physique standards required by the Florida weather.

60. Phoenix (From Cleveland) - Andy Rautins – Rautins is in the perfect mold of being a consistent role player in the NBA. Hands-down, he was one of the best shooters in college basketball last season. Rautins improved himself on the defensive end and was an adequate contributor on defense. Rautins also demonstrated great leadership and character. Rautins also has international experience from playing on Team Canada.

Second Round Considerations: Arinzi Onuaku, Artsiom Parakhouski, Aubrey Coleman, Brian Zoubek, Bryan Davis, Courtney Fortson, Deon Thompson, Deonta Vaughn, DeShawn Sims, Devin Downey, Dwayne Collins, Dwight Lewis, Gavin Edwards, Hamady Ndiaye, Ishmael Smith, Jermaine Beal, Jerome Dyson, Jerome Randle, Jon Scheyer, JP Prince, Landon Milbourne, Landry Fields, Manny Harris, Marcus Ginyard, Marqus Blakely, Matt Bouldin, Michael Washington, Osiris Eldridge, Patrick Christopher, Raymar Morgan, Robin Benzing, Scottie Reynolds, Sylven Landesberg, Tasmin Mitchell, Tommy Mason-Griffin, Trevon Hughes, Wayne Chism

NCAA Undrafted: Armon Bassett, C.J. Webster, Elijah Millsap, John Sloan, Lazar Trifunovic, Mac Koshwal, Stevy Worah-Ozimo, Ben Uzoh, Chas McFarland, Dominique Archie, Edwin Ubiles, Jeff Foote, Kevin Palmer, Magnum Rolle, Marquez Haynes, Marquis Gilstrap, Rodney Green, Sylvester Seay, Theo Robertson

International Undrafted: Tyler Smith, Andrew Albicy, Stefan Bircevic, Bojan Bogdanovic, Sarra Camara, Antoine Diot, Bangaly Fofana, Miralem Halilovic, Thomas Heurtel, Edwin Jackson, Dusan Korac, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Luc Louves, Uros Lukovic, Tomasz Nowakowski, Tibor Pleiss, Xavier Rabaseda, Fernando Raposo, Ryan Richards, Semen Shashkov

2010 NBA Mock Draft III - June 4, 2010

2010-06-04T20:37:00.000-04:00

Version III – Second Round Picks

* This is a rough run-down of the Second Round. It shows the best available players more so than good fits and team interests.

Round 2

31. New Jersey – Kevin Seraphin

32. Oklahoma City (From Minnesota) – Quincy Pondexter

33. Sacramento – Dominique Jones

34. Golden State – Terrico White

35. Washington – Jordan Crawford

36. Detroit – Armon Johnson

37. Milwaukee (From Philadelphia) – Darrington Hobson

38. New York – Jarvis Varnardo

39. New York (From Denver via L.A. Clippers) – Trevor Booker

40. Indiana – Lance Stephenson

41. Miami (From New Orleans) – Jerome Jordan

42. Miami (From Toronto) – AJ Ogilvy

43. L.A. Lakers (From Memphis) – Sherron Collins

44. Portland (From Chicago) – Samardo Samuels

45. Minnesota (From Houston) – Lazar Hayward

46. Phoenix (From Charlotte) – Luke Harangody

47. Milwaukee – Grevis Vasquez

48. Miami – Derrick Caracter

49. San Antonio – Keith Gallon

50. Dallas (From Oklahoma City) - Miroslav Raduljica

51. Oklahoma City (From Dallas and Minnesota via Portland) - Mikhail Torrance

52. Boston – Nemanja Bjelica

53. Atlanta – Alexey Sheved

54. L.A. Clippers (From Denver) - Artsiom Parakhouski

55. Utah – Dexter Pittman

56. Minnesota (From Phoenix) - Charles Garcia

57. Dallas (pick may be conveyed to Indiana) – Latavious Williams

58. L.A. Lakers – Da’Sean Butler

59. Orlando – Denis Clemente

60. Phoenix (From Cleveland) – Andy Rautins

Second Round Considerations: Jermaine Beal, Jerome Dyson, Jerome Randle, Courtney Fortson, Manny Harris, Sylven Landesberg, Tommy Mason-Griffin, Arinzi Onuaku, Aubrey Coleman, Brian Zoubek, Bryan Davis, Deon Thompson, Deonta Vaughn, Jon Scheyer, Landon Milbourne, Landry Fields, DeShawn Sims, Devin Downey, Dwayne Colling, Dwight Lewis, Gavin Edwards, Hamady Ndiaye, Ishmael Smith, JP Prince, Marcus Ginyard, Marqus Blakely, Matt Bouldin, Michael Washington, Omar Samhan, Osiris Eldridge, Patrick Christopher, Raymar Morgan, Scottie Reynolds, Tasmin Mitchell, Trevon Hughes, Wayne Chism, Paulao Prestes, Robin Benzing, Pablo Aguilar

2010 NBA Mock Draft II - May 29, 2010

2010-05-29T22:58:00.004-04:00

Version II - Playoff Picks

First Round (continued)

15. Milwaukee (From Chicago) - Gordon Hayward - Hayward is everything anyone can ask for in a basketball player. He works hard off the court and has absolutely no character issues. He is a leader who is willing to step-up in the clutch but is still willing to hustle after every loose ball. He has a great basketball IQ and has playmaking ability that does not usually accompany his size; Hayward had a surprising growth spurt in college which has left him with a frame of 6'8".

16. Minnesota (From Denver via Charlotte) - James Anderson - Anderson is one of the best on the ball scorers in the Draft. He has a great ability to create good shots for himself. A looming question about Anderson will be how his dominance will translate into the NBA. Anderson has shown a niche to taking over games in the Big 12 in a manner that parallels the dominance of Kobe Bryant. Nevertheless, if Anderson is unable to maintain the same level of dominance, then he still has a great jump shot and is a great defender which will allow Anderson to compete in the NBA for years.

17. Chicago (From Milwaukee) - Larry Sanders - The first few features one notices when watching Sanders is his size, wingspan, and how well he utilizes these physical gifts on both ends of the floor. He is unquestionably a force to be reckon with on the defensive end. He is a threat to block any shot around the paint which makes opposing players weary when entering the paint while Sanders is in the game. Sanders is quite underrated on the offensive end; he has developed a reliable hook shot at VCU which is complemented by a modest mid-range shot. Sanders is still lean, so strength will be a short-term question with Sanders until he develops enough width to firmly hold himself throughout an entire NBA game.

18. Miami - Devin Ebanks - The Heat have a wide array of options here because how open their roster will be coming into the draft. Devin Ebanks was a top 10 pick at the beginning of the year, but his draft stock has dropped because of failure to produce at West Virginia this past season. Ebanks has great athleticism and size which make him a versatile player. He can guard anyone from the two to the four effectively. He is also extremely aggressive which make him a reliable rebounder on both ends of the floor (especially on the offensive end which separates the good rebounders from the great). There have been many questions about the character of Ebanks which makes a player like Ebanks, whose stock is mostly vested in potential, a very risky pick.

20. San Antonio - Luke Babbitt - Babbitt is an imposing shooter who has consistently produced at the college level for Nevada. Babbitt is a pure shooter: the total of his shooting percentages are above the heralded 2.7 mark (.9 free throw %, .5 field goal %, and .4 three point %) as Babbitt shot .500 from the field, .917 from the free throw line, and .416 from beyond the arc. Babbitt is an extremely crafty shooter as he has learned to manipulate defenders with both his face and back to the basket in order to create room for a shot. Babbitt could be a reliable outside scorer in San Antonio with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili creating plays off the dribble and out of sets.

21. Oklahoma City - Paul George - George is a productive Devin Ebanks. George has comparable athleticism and size, but also has a consistent outside shot which shows he is more than just an athletic specimen. Nationally, George's visibility has been quite low because he wasn't in many marquee matchups throughout the season since he was up against less competent opponents. This makes one wonder is George success and abilities were amplified because of inferior opponents.

22. Portland - Damion James - There is no doubt that James has the physique to play in the NBA as a small forward. He is strong and quick which will allow him to matchup with NBA small forwards from the start. James is also a high energy player that has the stamina to contribute throughout most of an NBA game. James will be able to play well on defense, to rebound effectively, to run with the fastbreak, and to come up with critical hustle plays. In his four years at Texas, Damion has turned into an efficient player on the offensive end with basic, yet effective, moves on the low post and in mid-range.

23. Minnesota (From Philadelphia via Utah) - Solomon Alabi - This guy is big and raw. Alabi is potential. The concern with Alabi is that he is 22 years old, and he may have a more daunting learning curve. Regardless, Solomon is a has great character and will fit into any lockerroom. Defensively, his size and length allow flexibility for him in terms of positioning, so he is capable of blocking shots that other big men would not be able to reach or would have committed fouls in the act of attempting to block. Alabi is a good finisher on the offensive end because of his size, but he still is developing his own go to moves. Another fact that grows off of his size is that he isn't the quickest big man either.

24. Atlanta - Gani Lawal - Lawal is good at everything but not excellent at anything. Unlike most big man prospects, Lawal actually has the size and skill to establish himself inside, but he is not a formidable scorer. Lawal's athleticism and quickness make him an effective defender, but he is not a significant shot changer. He was harshly scrutinized in the draft process last year which give him a few objectives to work on this season. Gani was not the focus of the Georgia Tech offense because of Derrick Favors, but he has proven to demonstrate note-worthy work ethic, especially in the face of adversity.

25. Memphis (From Denver) - Avery Bradley - At the beginning of the season Bradley was perceived as a combo guard because of his size. Bradley proved (or rather disproved) that he is only a two guard. With the mindset of only scoring, Bradley has shown the ability to use various position and dribble moves to create space for himself or blow by defenders. Bradley's mindset is justified as he is an excellent shooter with an uncanny niche for scoring. The questions with Bradley arise in terms of finding his open teammates and creating for others since he is undersized at the two. Bradley can become a burden if he falls into a poor shooting streak and because of his size he may find himself bullied at the two in the NBA even though he has exceptional quickness.

26. Oklahoma City (From Phoenix) - Elliot Williams - Williams is a solid guard. Williams has superb athleticism which gives him versatility in being a combo guard on both ends of the floor. Williams has creative play-making ability and is also a threat in the lane. Once he develops a consistent shot from all areas of the court Williams can become a very effective player in the NBA. He has shown solid character and a willingness to learn and improve his game. Right now, Williams is in the mold of a player like Rajon Rondo who uses his speed and athleticism at the guard position to create and work through his teammates.

27. New Jersey (From Dallas) - Stanley Robinson - A MON-STAR. Stanley Robinson could have been in Space Jam. Freakish size. Freakish athleticism. Robinson finished several alley-oops that seemed implausible while at UConn. Robinson has great leaping ability which makes him a distinctive rebounder and finisher. The questions with Robinson were his consistency, his composure, and his limitations as only a role player since his offensive game was limited to only ridiculous dunks. His shooting range was hazardous at times, and Robinson must improve on ball-handling and decision making. Robinson has a lot of the potential, but the NBA requires more than athleticism to be successful.

28. Memphis (From L.A. Lakers) - Willie Warren - Last season Willie Warren was proclaimed as a lottery pick. This season his stock has dramatically slipped because of inproductivity. Warren was perceived as one of the most athletic and dynamic guards in the nation before the start of the season. He showed exquisite playmaking ability and strength to drive in the paint. An impressive ability to shot from far distances and in unusual positions made him a top-tier prospect. This year he seemed to disappear and become a non-factor in many games. Still, teams can hope on the potential that Warren will rejuvenate himself in the NBA because his game has so many positives.

29. Orlando - Eric Bledsoe - Orlando has found itself in pandemonium when Jameer Nelson has been ineffective or injured. Orlando simply needs a spark. Bledsoe is an explosive player who has impressive athleticism and speed as an undersized combo guard. His physical talents allow him to remain effective on the defensive end as well as allow him to penetrate and convert in the lane. Like Daniel Orton, Bledsoe found his role disconfigured because of the wealth of talent at Kentucky. His unusual role allowed him to develop into a combo guard showing his willingness to adjust, but his role may prove to have inhibited his development as a playmaking point guard since he spent less time directing the offense and creating plays then he should have.

Cavs Need Heart-To-Heart With James

2010-05-23T19:55:00.003-04:00

(lh3.ggpht.com)

It is imperative that the Cleveland Cavaliers take an prolific approach to LeBron James' impending free agency. Someone needs to sit down with Mr. James and ask the billion dollar question before the organization finds out the hard way: Will you stay or will you go? Whether it is Coach Mike Brown, GM Danny Ferry, President Len Komoroski, or Majority Owner Dan Gilbert, one of them (or at least a combination) has to sit down with LeBron and find out what his plans are.

Once the organization finds out if James' heart is set in Cleveland or is destined elsewhere, the team must act prudently. The best situation for the Cavaliers is that LeBron wants to remain in Cleveland. Then the team would simply sign him to the max contact, and the entire state of Ohio would be saved.

However, if LeBron intends on signing elsewhere then the organization must accept this unfortunate decision and move on. The Cavaliers cannot simply allow James to walk away without anything in return. James is the most valuable player in the NBA. It would be an egregious mistake to grief the loss of James when the team still has the ability to maximize his value to the organization. If James does not intend to return to Cleveland, then the Cavs must respect this decision and must also utilize a sign-and-trade.

The sign-and-trade is the best situation for LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers if LeBron intends on leaving the team.

For LeBron, he has the choice of playing for any team in the NBA as opposed to only those with enough cap space to sign him. Furthermore, Cleveland can offer James the largest contract. He may not still be with the Cavs, but he will still have the larger contract that his Bird-Rights team can offer him. Lastly, he will land in the location he wants without completely betraying the Cavaliers fans. With the sign-and-trade, the Cavaliers will receive something in return for James. The returning package will most likely not be of comparable value, but the fans will not leave empty-handed.

It is quite obvious why the sign-and-trade is the best decision for the Cavaliers organization. As previously stated, the Cavaliers will receive something in return for James rather than absolutely nothing. Losing LeBron is a lose-lose situation. The organization simply has to choose the better of the two evils.

Now the question is: Where will LeBron be sent to? At Joey's Sports Blog we like to keep an open mind, so here is the 29 team run down of sign-and-trade possibilities (and follies) for LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers:

Atlanta Hawks - The basis of the deal would have to be a double sign-and-trade with Joe Johnson and LeBron James. The Cavs could also squeeze out Jeff Teague and draft picks.
Boston Celtics - Salary wise the deal would probably start with one leg of the Big Three; it will be hard for the C's to send Paul Pierce or Kevin Garnett. Financially speaking, signing Ray Allen to a deal with a base-year-salary of about $10 million and shipping Rajon Rondo - who is due $9 million - to the Cavs for James would work (or signing Allen to about $5 million and shipping him with Wallace or Robinson); however, it is doubtful that the Celtics management will break up the core of the roster featuring Rondo, Pierce, Garnett, and Allen because of the success this group has had which makes this a folly.
Charlotte Bobcats - The Bobcats have few nice pieces to send back in return for LeBron. The problem is convincing James to go to Charlotte. If Michael Jordan invites LeBron out to dinner in Charlotte with a few "friends" then maybe he could convince him. Never mind, that would be an absolutely terrible idea. The last time we checked Michael Jordan's ensemble includes Tiger Woods, Charles Barkley, and about two dozen exotic dancers. Nevertheless, the Bobcats could send two high priced players such as Tyson Chandler, Gerald Wallace, or Stephen Jackson. Or one of the previously mentioned players along with a couple of role such as Raymond Felton, Tyrus Thomas, DJ Augustin, and Gerald Henderson. The Cavs could walk away with a nice core of young players offering a promising future after LeBron.
Chicago Bulls - Chicago has been one of the big destinations this offseason season since the Bulls will have enough space for a marquee free agent. Any deal would have to start off with Loul Deng. The Bulls would then try to send off Kirk Hinrich in order to open up room for another prized superstar through free agency. At this point, the Bulls could pencil in Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, or Dirk Nowitzki. Cleveland would also look to acquire a blooming big man such as Taj Gibson or James Johnson as well. Deng hasn't been as consistent or productive as James, but the Cavs would have a new centerpiece to their organization.
Dallas Mavericks - The foot-in-the-door phenomenon occurs when someone makes some sort of small effort toward an objective and becomes more willing to follow through with more demanding tasks toward that objective once the smaller objective has already been completed. Mark Cuban has already donated $100,000 to the LeBron James sweepstakes; it will not be a surprise if he continue to pursue. The Mavs would start off by offering a versatile small forward replacement in either Caron Butler or Shawn Marion. Jose Juan Barea is a prospering guard that the Cavs would try to snatch as well. The final piece would be either Jason Terry or Erick Dampier. Terry is the better player, but the Cavs have an overload of perimeter guards and Dampier would replace the role of Shaquille O'Neal as immobile, overpaid, veteran center.
Denver Nuggets - Carmelo Anthony for LeBron doesn't do anybody any justice. The only deal that I could conceivably force would be Chauncey Billiups and Nene for LeBron. Again, this deal would be a stretch for both teams and James (in terms of location). It is difficult seeing LeBron go to Denver but if it did miraculously occur then this would be the most plausible situation.
Detroit Pistons - The Pistons were proabably in the hunt for James last season but were sacred into locking up Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva after tanking salary cap estimates. Financially speaking, a deal for two of the following could work out: Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Ben Gordon, and Charlie Villanueva. Prince has an expiring contract which could be used by the Cavs to acquire a different player later in the season if a free agent signing turns out to be mutually deterrent. Ben Gordon isn't LeBron James, but Gordon has proved himself to be one of the most electric scorers which could make him a fan-favortie anywhere. The Cavs would also look to squeeze out a young talent like Austin Daye and draft picks.
Golden State Warriors - The volatility of the Warriors roster makes them a possible destination for James. Again, the difficult would be convincing James to go to play in Golden State. Oracle Arena is one of the most energized places to play. Plus, James would be with Stephen Curry - a player James seemed eager to play alongside. Don Nelson's tempo would also be enjoyable for a player that is as dynamic and versatile is James is. The Warriors also have their own set of dissonant pieces in Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins in which the Warriors have been rumored to be shipping multiple on multiple occasions.
Houston Rockets - A trade of Kevin Martin and Trevor Ariza for could be plausible. James, Aaron Brooks, and Yao Ming could prove to be a dominant trio for a few years. James would also be pipelined into one of the largest basketball markets in China with his connection to Yao Ming and the Rockets. Cleveland would end up with one of the more underrated players in Kevin Martin could help replace some of the scoring void left by James. The addition of these two players would also setup a roster that was explosive enough to play in a fast paced offense yet still defensively sound.
Indiana Pacers - This is a similar situation to Denver in which there is a possibility for a straight-up superstar for superstar which doesn't make much sense (especially location wise for James). A deal is unlikely to go by for these two teams. The most plausible deal - just for the sake of it - is Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy for James. Both players have expiring deals, so if their situation don't work out then there will not be much risk; however, if one or both proves to be successful then the Cavs might come away with two nice pieces. Murphy is a lengthy, inside-outside presence that the Cavs like. At the end Murphy would be a keeper while Dunleavy expiring contract could be used to acquire a different player later on.
LA Clippers - This is another possibility that has been previously mentioned because the Clippers will have room for a marquee free agent this summer. Los Angeles is also an intriguing media destination because of the immediate comparisons between LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, for the proximity that could be impending. The Clippers have a few nice pieces to offer in Chris Kaman, Blake Griffin, and Eric Gordon. The Cavs would remain a playoff team with the additions of Griffin and Gordon along with retaining the remainder of their roster. A few years down the line Griffin and Gordon may each become one of the best players at his respective position which doesn't make this the most ridiculous deal talent wise. On another note, if the Cavs do let James simply walk away (which would be remarkably silly) and James does for whatever reason sign with the Clipper then a two-three-four combo of Gordon, James, and Griffin could become one of the best trios in the NBA if not of all time because of the hype behind the potential of Griffin and the development of Gordon.
LA Lakers - The Lakers would be a great suitor in terms of location, market, and success. Unfortunately, the only time James will be traded to the Lakers will be in a your basement while playing your favorite basketball video game. The Lakers have plenty of contracts to offer up for LeBron James, but I will allow you to conspire on these possibilities because of the improbable nature of any trade between the Cavs and Lakers for LeBron as of now.
Memphis Grizzlies - The Grizzles have a nice set of young players to offer the Cavaliers. The deal would probably start with Rudy Gay and involve two of these four: OJ Mayo, Mike Conley Jr, Marc Gasol, and Ronnie Brewer. However, it is doubtful that the Grizzles would want to dissemble this solid foundation that it has taken years to build.
Miami Heat - The Heat have been mixed in many rumors as the organization looks to add another superstar to complement Dwayne Wade this offseason. The most probable addition will be Chris Bosh through free agency. Amare Stoudemire cannot be ruled out either. In terms of a sign-and-trade possibility with Cleveland, the Heat can exchange everyone left on their roster besides Wade for LeBron James. That would include Michael Beasley, James Jones, Daequan Cook, and Mario Chalmers. The Heat could also throw in Jermaine O'Neal or Udonis Haslem through a sign-and-trade as well. In all likelihood, if James does arrive in Miami it will be via free agency - not sign-and-trade.
Milwaukee Bucks - The most concievable scernario would be a swap of Michael Redd (who can also opt out of his contract) and LeBron James along with a compilation of draft picks from the Bucks. This wouldn't do much for the Cavs, but it would be better than just waving goodbye to James. It would also be quite a hurdle to try to convince James to play in Milwaukee. This is another unlikely scenario.

Minnesota Timberwolves - Minnesota is a dark horse to acquire LeBron through free agency because at the right cap the T'Wolves could have enough to offer a maximum contract to James; however, imagining James in a T'Wolves jersey is quite difficult simply because of the location. For the sake of a possible trade, Minnesota could sent either Al Jefferson or Kevin Love, one of their young point guards (Jonny Flynn, Ricky Rubio, or Ramon Sessions), and a replacement SF (Corey Brewer or Ryan Gomes) to Cleveland. This is an unlikely scenario but this would be the mold of a trade if it did miraculously transpire.
New Jersey Nets - New Jersey is actually one of the realistic destinations that could land James because of their impending move to Brooklyn and because of LeBron James' ties to Jay-Z. The Nets have a wealthy of blooming young talent that is sure to prosper around him if they acquire him via free agency. A sign-and-trade would defeat the purpose of the Nets wasting away the last few seasons in order to build a young nucleus for the future. There are numerous combinations for a sign-and-trade, but one would leave several disgruntled individuals that beared with the Nets to develop this core.
New Orleans Hornets - The Hornets have been the subject of many trade rumors as the team has failed to reenact the success of last season. Specifically, Chris Paul has been the subject of numerous rumors - all of which ended with a denial that Paul is available. David West or Emeka Okafor would be a solid starting piece. New Orleans would be able to offer several complementary role players for the salaries to matchup. This group would include the likes of Darren Collison, Julian Wright, and either Morris Peterson or James Posey. This wouldn't be the best option, but the Hornets have been one of the most active teams in the trade market so one could not count them out.
New York Knicks - New York is the likely destination for LeBron James if he does not sign with Cleveland and if the Cavaliers allow LeBron to walk without attempting to utilize his value to the organization. A sign-and-trade would force the Knicks to cater to the Cavaliers rather than LeBron James. The Cavaliers can walk away with either Danilo Gallinari or Wilson Chandler, a few draft picks, and an expiring Eddy Curry contract which could be used to acquire a player of comparable salary later in the season. There is also a possibility of a sign-and-trade involving one of the Knicks' players whose contract just expired. The Cavs would also be able to walk out with at least a pick too.
Oklahoma City Thunder - Similar to the Grizzles' situation the Thunder have developed a concrete foundation. The Thunder have their own blooming superstar in Kevin Durant, and the addition of LeBron James could actually impede the frame the Oklahoma City has worked to create.
Orlando Magic - Like the Dallas Mavericks, the Magic have suffered an early exit from the NBA Playoffs and are in search of a roster shakeup. The Magic do not have room to acquire James through free agency, but the squad would definitely be willing to give up a few essential pieces in return for James. Either Rashard Lewis or Vince Carter could be sent along with draft picks and cash to Cleveland for James. The Magic are open to trading anybody besides Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson, so if the Cavs are willing to send some more contracts to Orlando then the Cavs could walk away with a few solid role players of comparable salary value.
Philadelphia 76ers - Philadelphia could be a plausible sign-and-trade destination for LeBron James. The city has the media and market to help propel LeBron James to the global marketability status that he is seeking. The 76ers have a few nice pieces to reel in James from Cleveland. Andre Iguodala would be a start. Then the Sixers could throw in a few of the young studs that have not yet synchronized into the Phily system; such players include Louis Williams, Willie Green, Thaddeus Young, Marresse Speights, Jrue Holiday, Jason Smith, or Jodie Meeks.
Phoenix Suns - Steve Kerr was fined for making remarks about the Suns interest in LeBron James. Kerr made his interest in LeBron clear no matter how unlikely it is for the Suns to acquire him. The Suns still need to handle Amare Stoudemire, Grant Hill, and Channing Frye in the offseason. If the Suns are some how able to retain Stoudemire then Kerr might be able to maneuver for James - whose interest to come to Phoenix would be to play alongside a formidable roster including Stoudemire and Nash. The Suns would have to part with a few players that helped them reach the Western Conference Finals. The return package for Cleveland would not be as appeasing as some of the other sign-and-trade possibilities.
Portland Trail Blazers - The Blazers grandmaster plan for the future has finally become realized. Portland will enter next season as one of the favorites to contend in the West with a healthy roster. Any speculation about LeBron James to Portland would only be video game shenanigans.
Sacramento Kings - The Kings could be another dark horse suitor for a free agent this offseason as the team has made extensive room for serious signings. The Kings have done a solid job of gathering promising players in order to become a serious contender in a few years. Acquiring LeBron James would be jumping the gun on what seems to be a foundation for a team of the future.
San Antonio Spurs - San Antonio understood its need to upgrade an aging roster by acquiring Richard Jefferson. Jefferson has simply not been the player that the organization has expected. LeBron James could bring the spark that the Spurs have been losing with age. A plausible sign-and-trade for LeBron James would include Richard Jefferson, draft picks, and a young blooming player such as George Hill or DeJuan Blair.
Toronto Raptors - Chris Bosh is objective number one in Toronto. It is doubtful that James will end up in Canada this offseason. The only possible way would be if the Raptors resigned Bosh and then sign-and-traded pieces such as Hedu Turkoglu and Jarret Jack along with draft picks for James. This would be video-game-trade territory, but the only way James would play in a location like Toronto making it doubtful.
Utah Jazz - It is unlikely that Utah will be in the running for LeBron James as they have created their own foundation with Deron Williams and Paul Millsap. Financially speaking, Andrei Kirilenko for LeBron James would be the deal but this deal would not be of worthy consideration for the Cavs considering the other more productive players that they could acquire through sign-and-trade.
Washington Wizards - Washington is one of the strongest sign-and-trade possibilities for LeBron James and the Cavaliers. LeBron would be in our nation's capital, so there would be no shortage of media or market outlets (especially on a global scale since it would become customary for foreign guests to be suited at a Wizards game gaining global coverage of James). Wizards games would have a similar atmosphere to the Georgetown basketball games when our nation's leaders were special guests at those games. Trade wise LeBron for Arenas could be the most talent that Cleveland would receive in return for a sign-and-trade. Another possibility would include Josh Howard and a role player such as Andrey Blatche or Al Thornton. Finally, the Wiz could offer up the number one pick which would equate to John Wall.

All in all, no matter where LeBron intends to play next season the Cavaliers must make it a priority to maximize his value to the organization whether he is wearing a Cavaliers jersey or not.

2010 NBA Mock Draft I - May 19, 2010

2010-05-19T17:56:00.001-04:00

Version I - Lottery Picks

First Round

3. New Jersey - Derrick Favors - Size? Check. Athleticism? Check. Defensive Presence? Check. Low-Post Ability? Question Mark. Favors is the typical Power Forward/Center Prospect with great defensive abilities, incredible physical gifts, and a developing offensive game. He can immediately come in as a hustle player, and he can eventually become an imposing player in the league one he develops a reliable go-to game on the low block.

5. Sacramento - Greg Monroe - Sacramento's balance allows them to select the Best Player available here. If any of the above players drop then no one should be surprised if Sacramento takes anyone that slides out of the top four. As the draft process continues, Monroe will rise toward the top of the lottery because he is simply a good basketball player. No big man has a better basketball IQ and only a few guards are of comparable intelligence. He has a polished low-post game. Monroe's passing ability is unhearlded and his defense is sound. His only (and well documented) flaw is that he is too passive on the offensive end; his lack of aggression to take shots sometimes led Monroe to disappear from games.

6. Golden State - Al-Farouq Aminu - Aminu possess the athleticism and speed to play in the fast paced Warriors' system under Don Nelson. Aminu even had preparation to play in an up-and-down system by playing with Ishmael Smith at Wake Forest.

11. New Orleans - Dontas Motiejunas - Motiejunas is another one of those big European shooters that follow the mold of Dirk Nowitzki and Andrea Bargnani. While most of these European big men default from a steep learning curve, Motiejunas will be able to learn for another big man that traveled this path in Peja Stojakovic. Motiejunas is great on the outside and is basically a guard in a big man's body. Worst comes to worst Dontas will be a giant two guard at 7'0"". His outside game will surely create mismatches whether defenses put faster, smaller on him or larger, slower players. If he develops an inside game then Motiejunas can become extremely dominant.

12. Memphis - Ed Davis - Davis' draft stock suffers greatly because of the exorbitant number of talent big men in the draft. Davis is unquestionably a top 10 talent that the Grizzles can snag just outside of his value. He is along and athletic big man who uses his size to take over the offensive and defensive board. His length and athleticism really allow him to utilize the air-game of basketball (alley-oops, high passes, hanging shots, blocks). Davis has nice intangibles but is still a bit raw on the low-block especially since he sat out of most of last season with a hand injury.

13. Toronto - Ekpe Udoh - Toronto will be looking to replace Chris Bosh if they are unable to resign him this offseason. The Draft will provide some protection if they cannot retain this perennial All-Star. Udoh is a high motor, high IQ basketball player. He is well seasoned allowing him to utilize his lengthy body for excellent positioning in order to score, rebound, block, and defend. Udoh's most impressive attribute is his versatility which make him extremely competitive on both ends of the floor.

14. Houston - Hassan Whiteside - Whiteside bursted onto the scene last season with spectacular athleticism and scoring ability (both inside and out) at Marshall. Whiteside is an extremely raw player. As said by NBA Express, Whiteside is epitomized by term "immature." He is tall but does not have competent build. His off the court character is questionable. And his basketball IQ is still developing as he seeks to only score once he has the ball. Whiteside is an excellent shot-blocker, but his blocks will surely decrease as he plays against more physically gifted and smarter players.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

2010-05-12T18:41:00.000-04:00

(blackmanlaw.com)

The following article is a collaboration between Joey's Sports Blog and CareMeridian in order to promote safety regard concussions and brain injuries in hockey.

As fans, we are glorified by the effort of our favorites players, but sometimes we neglect all the work that goes into recovering from injuries for players. Also, as fans we must remain aware of injuries and how to handle a threatening injury such as Traumatic brain injury.

Hockey is arguably one of the most physical professional sports. Hockey players are constantly getting body checked, slammed into boards, falling to the ice, slapped by a stick, hit by a dense, speeding puck or getting punched during a fight. If that isn’t bad enough, NHL hockey players take part in one of the most arduous seasons of any sport, effectively taking on harsher pain for a longer amount of time throughout the year. Risk of injury couldn’t be clearer as you all too commonly see hockey players missing their front two teeth. With all of the injuries that can occur, one of the most dangerous is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A TBI is a silent injury that can cause harm to the mind and body of an individual. An injury to the head or brain can alter someone’s life and can even require long-term rehabilitation and care from a skilled nursing facility. These injuries are often far too common in the sport of hockey and if not properly treated can permanently leave a hockey player's life challenging than the game they play.

TBI is an injury that Philadelphia Flyers player Ian Laperriere knows all too well. In game 5 of an NHL playoff game with the New Jersey Devils, Laperriere took a slap shot to the face that immediately caused him to bleed excessively from the wound above his eye and lose sight. Laperriere was diagnosed with a brain contusion after having a MRI a few days later. While Laperriere may have originally thought that losing sight in one of his eyes was the worst of the two injuries, in reality the bigger concern could wind up being the long-term effects of the brain injury.

A concussions have been dismissed as minor injuries because the physical nature of most sports causes them to occur regularly. Nevertheless, they are still head injuries where the brain is forced to move violently within the skull and the way it functions could change permanently. When the brain moves in such a manner, it can bruise, bleed, and even tear, which can cause irreversible damage to the victim. For a sport like hockey, this type of injury is very common and, unfortunately, at times ignored. Many hockey players don't take into account the possible effects of the injury and because it might not seem like a serious problem exists at first, and they keep on skating as if nothing occurred. Their unawareness of the injury makes the it so much more dangerous because a mild brain injury can turn into a life threatening injury in a very short period of time without seeking immediate medical treatment.

Studies by the National Academy of Neuropsychology's Sports Concussion Symposium in New York have shown that since 1997, 759 NHL players have been diagnosed with a concussion. Broken down, that averages out to 76 players per season and 31 concussions per 1,000 games of hockey. That is far too frequent of an occurrence for such a serious injury. It's a frightening statistic that should send up a red flag to hockey officials that actions need to be taken to further prevent this type of injury from occurring. Hockey is made great strides in instilling injury-preventive equipment into the game, but as players become bigger and stronger the NHL must take the initiative and continue to protect the players by continuously improving equipment - especially head gear where it is important that helmets are both protective and stabilizing but allow players to play their game. This poses a difficult yet intriguing dilemma for all involved which does not all provide a pleasing solution.

The best, and sometimes only, treatment for TBI is prevention. For the National Hockey League new rules are being considered that preserve the game but also help protect the players. Rule changes concerning blindside hits, rink size (which effects players space from each other and their proximity to walls), and stronger helmet requirements all have been considered to help curb TBI and its effects. This demonstrates that the NHL is aware of the seriousness of the injury and is taking proactive steps to help prevent it from happening.

Hockey is one of the most popular sports in North America and has millions of people participating in it every year. Unfortunately, the sport comes with the risk of a TBI. With the right awareness of the injury and the necessary precautions in place, the game should be able to continue with players excited to lace up their skates and enjoy it.

In addition to understanding the impact of TBI on hockey, it is also important to understand how to recognize possible concussions and how to handle such situations when concussions unfortunately occur.

The following is an exert from WebMD.com concerning the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of concussions:

What are the symptoms?
It is not always easy to know if someone has a concussion. Not everyone who has a concussion passes out. A person who might have a concussion should immediately stop any kind of activity or sport. Becoming active again before the brain returns to normal functioning increases the person's risk of having a more serious brain injury.
Symptoms of a concussion range from mild to severe and can last for hours, days, weeks, or even months. If you notice any symptoms of a concussion, contact your doctor.
Symptoms of a concussion include:
Passing out.
Not being able to remember what happened after the injury.
Acting confused, asking the same question over and over, slurring words, or not being able to concentrate.
Feeling lightheaded, seeing "stars," having blurry vision, or experiencing ringing in the ears.
Not being able to stand or walk; or having coordination and balance problems.
Feeling nauseous or throwing up.
Sometimes it can be hard to tell if a small child has a concussion. If your child has had a head injury, call your doctor for advice on what to do.
Occasionally a person who has a more serious concussion develops new symptoms over time and feels worse than he or she did before the injury. This is called post-concussive syndrome. If you have symptoms of post-concussive syndrome, call your doctor. Symptoms of post-concussive syndrome include:
Changes in your ability to think, concentrate, or remember.
Headaches or blurry vision.
Changes in your sleep patterns, such as not being able to sleep or sleeping all the time.
Changes in your personality such as becoming angry or anxious for no clear reason.
Lack of interest in your usual activities.
Changes in your sex drive.
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or unsteadiness that makes standing or walking difficult.
How is a concussion diagnosed?
If a doctor thinks that you have a concussion, he or she will ask questions about the injury. The doctor may also ask you simple questions such as "What day is it?" to see if your brain is working normally. Then the doctor will check your strength, balance, coordination, reflexes, and sensation. Sometimes a doctor will order imaging tests such as a CT scan or a MRI to make sure your brain is not bruised or bleeding.

How is it treated?
Initial treatment for a concussion is to watch a person closely for any changes in behavior or for any new symptoms. Some people have to stay in the hospital to be watched while others can go home safely.
If the concussion happened during a sports event, be sure to see a doctor before returning to play.
If you have any swelling on your scalp, your doctor may recommend using cold packs to reduce the swelling. He or she may also prescribe a pain medicine or recommend a pain medicine that you can buy without a prescription, such as acetaminophen (for example, Tylenol) or ibuprofen (for example, Advil or Motrin).
At home, rest is the best way to recover from a concussion. Get plenty of sleep at night and take it easy during the day. To prevent a second brain injury, avoid alcohol, illegal drugs, and any activities that could lead to another head injury for a few days or even a few weeks. Your doctor may also tell you not to drive or swim for a while.
Some people feel normal again in a few hours while others have symptoms for weeks or months. It is very important to allow yourself time to get better and to slowly return to your regular activities. It is also important to call your doctor if you are not improving as expected or if you think that you are getting worse instead of better.

Thank you to Chelsea Travers (who is an outreach representative forCareMeridian, a subacute care facility located throughout the Western United States for patients suffering from traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury or medical complexities, such as neuromuscular or congenital anomalies) and WebMD for contributions to this article.

NBA Superstar Realignment

2010-05-04T18:28:00.001-04:00

This past weekend, LeBron James was named the 2009-2010 NBA MVP. This is LeBron's second consecutive time being named the NBA's MVP.

As significant as the honor is in itself, the way the ballots were cast signifies a change in who are considered the NBA's elite players of this contemporary era.

The sixties was the era of Wilt, Bill, and the Big O. The seventies were dominated by Kareem Abdul-Jabber with a bridge to the next decade bolstered by Moses Malone and Dr. J. The eighties were known as Larry Bird and Magic Johnson's time. The nineties were all about Jordan. Shaquille O'Neal bridged nineties to the most recent decade. It remains unclear who will epitomize the past decade, but it seems that Kobe Bryant has been widely considered the best basketball player amongst a group headlined by Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and Steve Nash.

There is no question who the best player in the NBA is right now. He has won the last two MVP awards. He has led his team to the top of the Eastern Conference again. And he will be the most prized free agent in Sports History; not only because of his talent but also the fiscal denominations that are tied to his name and the enterprise for which he has come to represent.

However, as Kobe prepares to pass the torch to LeBron as the face of the NBA, will anybody join him in bearing this honor? Many pundits have already acclaimed Kevin Durant as the next embodiment of this exemplar player. Anyone who has seen Durant play since his time at Texas will surely agree with this assessment.

Now where is the line drawn? Will Dwayne Wade be considered part of this echelon once he is catapulted to this pedestal that will accompany the success impending by the addition of another great player in Miami? Will Dwight Howard join this group once he perfects his skill-set? And will this wave of dominant, young point guards produce anyone that is on par with the likes of James and Durant?

Regardless of whom joins him, Congratulations to LeBron James as the 2009-2010 NBA MVP.

Jets' Offseason Continues Trend

2010-04-26T18:52:00.000-04:00

(weblogs.cw11.com)

The Jets have continued the definitive decision making under the regime of Rex Ryan and Mike Tannenbaum. This trend started last year when the Jets traded up to acquire Mark Sanchez and Shonn Greene.

Thus far, the Jets organization has maintained a similar policy in acquiring players the team wanted. This started off with trading for Antonio Cromartie and Santanio Holmes. The Jets entered the offseason wanting to another threatening receiver and a complimentary cornerback to Darrelle Revis for standard packages (as Lito Sheppard was inadequete in the Jets scheme).

The Jets also committed themselves to David Harris and Nick Mangold. The organization maximized the value of Leon Washington by trading him for future value since the teams knows next year will be a critical contract year for Harris and Mangold which will make a Washington signing unlikely (especially with the bargains of McKnight and Connor).

The Team furthered this stance by releasing Alan Faneca. Though it is a controversial move amongst the fans, it was done in effort to create more space for Second-Round Pick Vladimir Ducasse and create more room for the players mentioned previously.

The Jets maintained this aggressive draft policy with the acquisitions of Joe McKnight and John Connor. The Jets found a less expensive, yet versatile back in McKnight who has roots with Mark Sanchez and pursued him. The Jets also saw a successor in John Connor with Tony Richardson's retirement become evermore evident each season and pursued him.

The free-agent signing of Donovan Warren - cornerback from Michigan - might end up becoming one of the biggest steals in the draft (rather outside of the draft) since he was projected to be taken by the Jets in the first three rounds of many mock drafts. Warren fell out of the draft because of lethargic 40 yard times and a poor grasp on defensive scheming since he played under three different coordinators in his three years at Michigan. Warren might have well been a higher pick with another year of grooming; however, the Jets will have the ability to groom this future-stud to their own liking.

The one questionable draft move by the Jets had to be Kyle Wilson. The Jets have Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. The talent of these two is unquestionable. Dwight Lowry is a consensus nickel back. And the Jets had their sights on Warren whether they were going to draft him (without having previously acquired Wilson), trade for him, or sign him (as they did). So why not draft Jerry Hughes, Sergio Kindle, or Taylor Mays at the spot in order to fill a need with the most talented player available at each of the positions? If the Jets knew Taylor Mays would be available at 29 before the combine then I would find it hard to believe that they would have not taken him. At the very least, they should have made a move at Jared Odrick - defensive tackle from Penn State who is now with the Dolphins - if they were interested in him as rumors indicated. Kris Jenkins is aging and showed signs of serious injuries last season. Solidifying a tenuous position should have been a priority.

The Jets may also find themselves in panic mode if the move of Vernon Gholston to Defensive End is unsuccessful. Kris Jenkins and Shaun Ellis are 30 and 32, respectively. These are not retirement ages, but the Jets should try to secure the back-up roles behind two players who have each played for at least 10 years. The Jets will have an inferior defensive line if Gholston's position change is unsuccessful and one of these guys faces a mishap. Unless the Jets believe that they can run the clock out with their coverage they might be in for a rude awakening midseason.

Free-Agent Signings of Nick Folk, LaDainian Tomlinson, Brodney Pool, and Jason Taylor may not have been the best deals but each one adds an experienced player to the depth chart for only a short-term (Tomlinson & Taylor for two years and Pool & Folk for one year). Pool might be the most questionable decision since Rhodes was a fan favorite and pro-bowl caliber player prior to his dismal performance last season. We must remember it was Rhodes who received all these exaggerations about his talent prior to the fascination with Revis Island.

None the less, Tomlinson and Taylor are two veterans known for their work ethics. Regardless of their play on the field, it is guaranteed that these two will be role-models for a locker-room filled with character issues.

The team may dodge defensive issues this year, but the organization will undoubtedly address gaping holes at the safety and defensive line positions next year.

Next year, I would expect a defensive lineman such as Marvin Austin, Allen Bailey, Adrian Clayborn, Cameron Heyward or Greg Romeus to be selected in the first round next year. The 2011 Draft is expected to be abundant with Wide Receivers, so I expect the Jets to acquire one as Edwards, Holmes, Smith, and Clowney each has only one year remaining on his contract. An acquisition of a safety will also be added to the To-Do-List. Reasonable players such as Jarrad Page, Antoine Bethea, O.J. Atogwe (if his contract situation is not settled), or one of the Safeties from Tampa Bay are expected to be free agents next offseason. Regardless of the specific names acquired, the active attitude is one that is commonly rewarded as opposed to the passive outlook; just look at how everything turned out for Young Fortinbras from Hamlet.

Joey's Sports Blog now on Twitter!

2010-04-20T19:54:00.000-04:00

(cohesion.rice.edu)

Joey's Sports Blog has recently unveiled its new account at Twitter.com.

Here Joey's Sports Blog will release short news feeds to the public about Sports News.

These releases are designed to be short news-breaks to the public about topics that may be too short for an entire post on our homepage, or topics that require immediate attention and will be expanded later on.

Joey's Sports Blog appreciates your support.

2010 Heisman Hopefuls II

2010-04-03T22:10:00.008-04:00

This edition will simply be a briefing as there have been a couple season changing developments since the end of Bowl Season (such as suspension and draft withdrawals). For some basic analysis on the Heisman race revert back to my first entry called 2010 Heisman Hopefuls I (http://joeyssportsblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/2010-heisman-candidates.html).

Top 10

1. Mark Ingram (RB - Alabama)

2. Dion Lewis (RB - Pittsburgh)

3. Kellen Moore (QB - Boise St.)

4. LaMichael James (RB - Oregon)

5. Ryan Williams (RB - Virginia Tech)

6. Case Keenum (QB - Houston)

7. A.J. Green (WR- Georgia)

8. Jacquizz Rodgers (RB - Oregon St.)

9. Julio Jones (WR - Alabama)

10. Jake Locker (QB - Washington) - Locker's withdrawal automatically makes him a Heisman Hopeful.

Honorable Mention

QB: Matt Barkley (USC), John Brantley (Florida), Tate Forcier (Michigan), Jacory Harris (Miami-FL), Landry Jones (Oklahoma), Andrew Luck (Stanford), Ryan Mallett (Arkansas), Greg McElroy (Alabama), Taylor Potts (Texas Tech), Terrelle Pryor (Ohio State), and Ricky Stanzi (Iowa)

RB: Ralph Bolden (Purdue), John Clay (Wisconsin), Noel Devine (WVU), Kendall Hunter (Oklahoma St.), and Evan Royster (Penn St.)

WR: Jonathan Baldwin (Pittsburgh), Michael Flyod (Notre Dame), Damaris Johnson (Tulsa), and James Rodgers (Oregon St.)

High Tide & Deep Water

Jeremiah Masoli (QB - Oregon) - Suspended for the Season.

Graig Cooper (RB - Miami-FL)
---

Tags: college football, deep water, heisman candidates, heisman hopefuls, high tide, honorable mention, ncaa, spotlight players, 2010, 2010-2011

NCAA Tournament Expansion

2010-03-31T14:52:00.001-04:00

USA Today has reported that Jim Delany -- the Big Ten Commissioner and the former chairman of the NCAA Men's Basketball Committee -- considers an expansion in the NCAA field as "probable."

This concept of expansion has become an omnipresent idea that has been thrown around the NCAA Tournament for the week before and the week after the Final Four in each of the last few seasons.

It is obvious that the field will not shrink and in all likelihood it will have to expand by some extent to please the higher number of competent teams as parity has strengthened. The current field of 65 teams gives a fair snap shot of Post-season worthy teams, but as the old proverb goes: If your already having a big party, then would it really hurt to invite just a couple more friends? (Yeah, I don't really think that proverbs exists... but it should).

An increase of the field to 68 or 72 would be the most fair and efficient change. Essentially there would be either four (for a field of 68) or eight (for a field of 72) play-in-games and then the tournament could carry out as it currently does. This year there was about seven teams on the bubble of which two made it into the Tournament (UTEP and Utah St. were in while Illinois, Virginia Tech, Mississippi St., Arizona St., and Rhode Island were excluded). If the Tournament expanded to 68 then three of those teams that were number one seeds in the NIT would be in. That would leave two teams quite upset and the bubble would be as large as it previously was because the only teams with nearly comparable resumes to RI would be the other NIT Two seeds -- meaning three more teams in the Tournament and three teams replacing the "IN" teams on the bubble.

Discerning teams would become a burdensome task if the field would be increased to 96 or 128 teams. College Basketball is still has a rigid pyramidal hierarchy despite the increasing parity. At the top are the few perennial college teams. Below them are the era based major-conference teams (teams revolving around a coach, type of play, or group of players) and prominent mid-major teams. Below them are good and middle- of-the-road major conference teams as well as the decent mid-major teams (usually because of a strong and reliable recruiting base). Below them are the struggling (usually because of sanctions) major conference teams, the middle-of-the-road mid-major teams, and the consistent minor-conference teams that usually have a peculiar style of play. At the bottom are the hoopla minor-conference and below-average mid-majors.

If the NCAA let in more teams, then the bubble would become gigantic because of the pyramidal based hierarchy of college basketball. Simply put, there are more teams like one another at the bottom. The number of teams that are capable of being a legitimate "65th team" is less than the number of teams that would be this potential "96th team" or "128th team." The difference among the less adequate teams is far subtler than the differences among the more competent ones. The entire resumes of teams at the bottom of college basketball differ in terms of only a few RPI spots or one more win against an RPI 100 to 200 team. Differentiating among teams within such as slim margin will undoubtedly lead to dissatisfaction and unrest.

As of now the NCAA Tournament includes all of the top two segments and taps into the third for bubble teams and the fourth for automatic bids. The NIT uses the remaining teams in the third segment and it also utilizes the fourth segment for automatic bids. Finally the CBI and CIT grab the remaining teams in the fourth segment from non-major conferences. An increase to such a substantially high number of teams in the NCAA field would flat out destroy the NIT and diminish most what the CBI and CIT would have to offer; it would force the NIT to go into the fourth segment and the CBI and CIT to pick from teams in the fifth segment that are not post-season worthy.

Expanding the field by a significant margin is imprudent. It would cause more distress for the NCAA Selection Committee, more snubbed bubble teams, and an inadequate field of teams for the other post-season tournament. By attempting to further monopolize on college basketball, it would only hurt the NCAA Post-Season. If I didn't know better I would suspect that CollegeBoard was probably behind this too.

Bracketism 310 - NIT Tournament Final Bracket

2010-03-15T14:44:00.001-04:00

The is my first attempt at seeding the NIT field, so I will only express the seeds and hope to expand to cover more of the NIT next year.

Ones - Virginia Tech, Florida, Rhode Island, Mississippi

Twos - Utah St., Cincinnati, Wichita St., Arizona St.

Threes - Connecticut, UAB, Memphis, Dayton

Fours - Seton Hall, William & Mary, Virginia Commonwealth, Charlotte

Fives - Marshall, St. Louis, South Florida, Kent St.

Sixes - Michigan, Texas Tech, Coastal Carolina, Arizona

Sevens - Northwestern, Stony Brook, Illinois St., Northeastern

Eights - Weber St., Jacksonville, Quinnipiac, Jackson St.

NIT Bubble -Miami (FL), Boston College, North Carolina, Virginia, George Mason, South Carolina, Arkansas, Nevada, Tulsa, St. John’s

Bracketism 309 - NCAA Tournament Final Bracket

2010-03-15T14:43:00.000-04:00

I deeply apologize for the late posting. My household had lost connection to the phone line, the internet, and the cable due to heavy winds and thunderstorms. The weather was so harsh that a large tree in front of my residence was torn out of the ground and had fallen onto the street.

Midwest - St. Louis (Friday/Sunday)
1 Kansas
16 Arkansas - Pine Bluff / East Tennessee St.
8 UNLV
9 Clemson
5 Vanderbilt
12 Illinois
4 Pittsburgh
13 Murray St.
3 Villanova
14 Montana
6 Xavier
11 Florida St.
7 California
10 St. Mary’s
2 Purdue
15 Houston

East - Syracuse (Thursday/Saturday)
1 Duke
16 Robert Morris
8 Oklahoma St.
9 UTEP
5 Wisconsin
12 Mississippi St.
4 Butler
13 Sam Houston St.
3 Temple
14 Ohio
6 BYU
11 Marquette
7 Northern Iowa
10 Texas
2 West Virginia
15 Vermont

---

West - Salt Lake City (Thursday/Saturday)

1 Syracuse
16 Lehigh
8 Georgia Tech
9 Missouri
5 Baylor
12 Cornell
4 Tennessee
13 New Mexico St.
3 New Mexico
14 UC Santa Barbara
6 Gonzaga
11 Washington
7 Louisville
10 Wake Forest
2 Ohio St.
15 Morgan St.

South - Houston (Friday/Sunday)
1 Kentucky
16 Winthrop
8 Old Dominion
9 Notre Dame
5 Texas A&M
12 Siena
4 Michigan St.
13 Oakland
3 Georgetown
14 Wofford
6 Maryland
11 Minnesota
7 Richmond
10 San Diego St.
2 Kansas St.
15 North Texas

Bracketism 308 - March 13, 2010

2010-03-13T11:56:00.004-05:00

This edition will only include seeding. Tomorrow's Final Bracket will include seeding and placement.

One Seeds - Kansas, Kentucky, Syracuse, Duke

Twos - Ohio St., West Virginia, Kansas St., Purdue

Threes - Villanova, New Mexico, Butler, Georgetown

Fours - Tennessee, Michigan St., Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt

Fives - Temple, BYU, Texas A&M, Maryland

Sixes - Wisconsin, Gonzaga, Xavier, Baylor

Sevens - Northern Iowa, California, Louisville, and UNLV

Eights - Richmond, Old Dominion, Oklahoma St., UTEP

Nines - Texas, Clemson, Missouri, Notre Dame

Tens - Georgia Tech, Marquette, Wake Forest, St. Mary's

Elevens - San Diego St., Florida St., Illinois, Virginia Tech

Twelves - Siena, Utah St., Minnesota, Florida

Thirteens - Rhode Island, Cornell, Murray St., Oakland

Fourteens - Sam Houston St., Wofford, Akron, UCSB

Fifteens - Montana, Morgan St., Vermont, North Texas

Sixteens - Robert Morris, Lehigh, Winthrop, Arkansas - Pine Bluff, East Tennessee St.

First Four Out - Mississippi St., Washington, Cincinnati, Mississippi,

Next Four Out - Wichita St., Connecticut, Arizona St., UAB

Honorable Mention - Memphis, Dayton, Seton Hall, William & Mary, Marshall, Charlotte, Northeastern, St. Louis

¿NIT Bubble? - Texas Tech, Virginia, Boston College, Miami (FL), North Carolina, Michigan, George Mason, VCU, Arizona, South Carolina, Arkansas, South Florida, Northwestern, Illinois St.

* Currently there are three spots left on the bubble. The teams in the running are Minnesota, Florida , Rhode Island, Mississippi St., and Washington. Four of the five teams are still alive in their respective conference tournaments, so a lot is still left to be played out before the Selection Committee releases its decisions.

** NIT Bubble is in no particular ranking order; teams are grouped near conference teams

Bracketism 307 - March 2, 2010

2010-03-02T18:32:00.001-05:00

Midwest - St. Louis (Friday/Sunday)

1 Syracuse

16 Jackson St. / Lehigh

8 Missouri

9 Wake Forest

5 Texas A&M

12 Notre Dame

4 Butler

13 Kent St.

3 Ohio St.

14 Murray St.

6 Tennessee

11 Virginia Tech

7 Richmond

10 Marquette

2 New Mexico

15 Coastal Carolina

West - Salt Lake City (Thursday/Saturday)
1 Duke
16 Belmont
8 Louisville
9 Oklahoma St.
5 Gonzaga
12 Florida
4 BYU

13 Sam Houston St.
3 West Virginia
14 Oakland
6 Texas
11 UAB
7 California
10 Florida St.
2 Purdue
15 UC Santa Barbara

---

South - Houston (Friday/Sunday)
1 Kansas
16 North Texas
8 UNLV
9 Connecticut
5 Wisconsin
12 Mississippi St.
4 Temple

13 Utah St.
3 Vanderbilt
14 Wofford
6 Maryland
11 Siena
7 Baylor
10 UTEP
2 Villanova

15 Morgan St.

East - Syracuse (Thursday/Saturday)
1 Kentucky
16 Quinnipac
8 Clemson

9 Old Dominion
5 Georgetown
12 San Diego St.
4 Michigan St.
13 Cornell
3 Pittsburgh
14 Weber St.
6 Xavier
11 Illinois
7 Northern Iowa
10 Georgia Tech
2 Kansas St.
15 Vermont - Yes Stony Brook won the both matchups against Vermont but the Seawolves dropped their next game to New Hampshire by 22 points; plus, the Seawolves still have to run the table in the American East Conference Tournament where they may have to win a third game against Marqus Blakely and the Catamounts

First Four Out - Rhode Island, St. Mary's, Cincinnati, and Dayton

Next Four Out - Mississippi, Arizona St., Washington, and Charlotte
Honorable Mention - Marshall, Minnesota, Northeastern, Memphis, St. Louis, and Seton Hall
Work To Do - Texas Tech, Wichita St., William & Mary, Virginia, Boston College, Miami (FL), North Carolina, Michigan, George Mason, VCU, Arizona, South Carolina, Arkansas, South Florida, Northwestern, and Illinois St.

Bracketism 306 - February 23, 2010

2010-02-23T18:33:00.002-05:00

Midwest - St. Louis (Friday/Sunday)
1 Kansas
16 Lehigh / Jackson St.
8 Georgia Tech
9 UNLV
5 Gonzaga
12 Florida
4 Temple

13 Kent St.

3 Ohio St.
14 Weber St.
6 Northern Iowa
11 Marquette
7 Baylor
10 Virginia Tech
2 West Virginia
15 Coastal Carolina

East - Syracuse (Thursday/Saturday)
1 Purdue
16 Belmont
8 Louisville
9 California
5 BYU
12 Dayton
4 Vanderbilt
13 Cornell
3 Georgetown
14 College of Charleston
6 Texas A&M
11 Siena
7 Xavier

10 UTEP
2 Duke
15 Vermont

---

West - Salt Lake City (Thursday/Saturday)
1 Syracuse
16 North Texas
8 Clemson
9 Old Dominion
5 Michigan St.
12 UAB
4 Butler
13 Sam Houston St.

3 New Mexico
14 Oakland
6 Richmond
11 Oklahoma St.
7 Maryland
10 Connecticut
2 Kansas St.
15 UC Santa Barbara

South - Houston (Friday/Sunday)
1 Kentucky
16 Robert Morris
8 Missouri
9 Illinois
5 Texas
12 San Diego St.
4 Wisconsin
13 Utah St.
3 Pittsburgh
14 Murray St.
6 Wake Forest
11 Rhode Island
7 Tennessee
10 Florida St.
2 Villanova
15 Morgan St.

First Four Out - Mississippi St., Cincinnati, St. Mary's, and Charlotte
Next Four Out - Notre Dame, Mississippi, Texas Tech, and Washington
Honorable Mention - Memphis, Wichita St., Arizona St., Northeastern, and William & Mary
Work To Do - Virginia, Boston College, Miami (FL), North Carolina, Saint Louis, South Florida, Seton Hall, St. John's, Minnesota, Michigan, Northwestern, Oklahoma, George Mason, VCU, Marshall, Arizona, South Carolina, and Arkansas

Yankees 2010 Projected Lineup

2010-02-22T19:14:00.001-05:00

The New York Yankees lineup will look definitely look different after several key off-season acquisitions and departures. There are no decent predictions on the Internet so here is my take on the 2010 New York Yankees Depth Chart.

Field

C: Jorge Posada

1B: Mark Teixeira

2B: Robinson Cano

SS: Derek Jeter

3B: Alex Rodriguez

LF: Brett Gardner

CF: Curtin Granderson

RF: Nick Swisher

Bench: Ramiro Pena, Randy Winn, Jamie Hoffman, & Greg Golson

Lineup

1 Granderson (L)
2 Jeter (R)
3 Teixeira (S)
4 Rodriguez (R)
5 Cano (L)
6 Posada (S)
7 Johnson (L)
8 Swisher (S)
9 Gardner (L) / Winn (S) / Hoffman (R) / Golson (R) *

*Expect Gardner to start because of his speed, his effort into bunting, and his effort into hitting past infielders guarding the bunt. There will also be some rotation with Swisher and Johnson depending on rest days and streaks opening up opportunities for Winn.

Rotation

1. CC Sabathia (L)

2. A.J. Burnett (R)

3. Javier Vazquez (R)

4. Andy Pettitte (L)

5. Phil Hughes (R) / Joba Chamberlin (R) **

**The Hughes-Chamberlin battle will be an intense matchup for spring training and the early weeks of the season. The Yankees will not be able to establish a smooth rhythm until the final pitching spot in the rotation is settled. Both players have been quite whimsical so far. Hughes has shown incredible dominance out of the bullpen as he developed a cut fastball and a more deceptive off-speed pitch. Chamberlin has some of the "nastiest stuff" most fans have ever seen. Whoever wins will be 5th starter and the other stud will be next-in- line if an unfortunate injury occurs; however, in the meantime the counterpart will be trying to hold opponents scoreless in the 8th.

Bullpen

CL: Mariano Rivera (R)

8th: Hughes / Chamberlain**

7th: David Robertson (R) / Demaso Marte (L) ***

RP:Chad Gaudin & Alfredo Aceves

Last RP Spot will be spring battle between Edwar Ramirez, Mark Melancon, recent signee Chan Ho Park, Andrew Brackman, Jonathan Albaladejo, and Boone Logan. ****

***The 7th inning will be decided upon who is hot and the righty/lefty matchup advantage.

****Personally, I remember Edwar Ramirez' first outing when he struck out the side using what seemed to be an incredible change up, so I am favoring him. If he spends his time wisely with Mariano Rivera then he should be able to develop a decent cut fastball in spring training (hopefully he has been working on it over the offseason). A solid cut along with a revived change-up from his early debuts could make him a stable in the Yankee Pen.

Bracketism 305 - February 17, 2010

2010-02-17T00:01:00.003-05:00

Midwest - St. Louis (Friday/Sunday)

1 Kansas

16 Arkansas St. / Jackson St.

8 Xavier

9 Clemson

5 Vanderbilt

12 San Diego St.

4 Pittsburgh

13 Utah St.

3 Ohio St.

14 Sam Houston St.

6 Northern Iowa

11 Charlotte

7 Texas A&M

10 Siena

2 West Virginia

15 Morgan St.

East - Syracuse (Thursday/Saturday)

1 Purdue

16 Robert Morris

8 Louisville

9 Rhode Island

5 BYU

12 UAB

4 Texas

13 Cornell

3 Gonzaga

14 Coastal Carolina

6 Tennessee

11Virginia Tech

7 Georgia Tech

10 Dayton

2 Villanova

15 Vermont

---

West - Salt Lake City (Thursday/Saturday)

1 Syracuse

16 Belmont

8 California

9 Maryland

5 Butler

12 Cincinnati

4 New Mexico

13 UC Santa Barbara

3 Michigan St.

14 Oakland

6 Baylor

11 UTEP

7 Richmond

10 Missouri

2 Duke

15 Weber St.

South - Houston (Friday/Sunday)

1 Kentucky

16 Lehigh

8 Illinois

9 Old Dominion

5 Temple

12 Oklahoma St.

4 Wisconsin

13 Kent St.

3 Georgetown

14 Murray St.

6 Wake Forest

11 Marquette

7 UNLV

10 Florida St.

2 Kansas St.

15 College of Charleston

First Four Out - Mississippi St., St. Mary's, Connecticut, and Florida

Next Four Out - Mississippi, Texas Tech, Northeastern, and Wichita St.

Honorable Mentions - Virginia, North Carolina, Notre Dame, South Florida, Seton Hall, Northwestern, Minnesota, Oklahoma, George Mason, William & Mary, VCU, Washington, Arizona, South Carolina, Arkansas

Next Generation of Football

2010-02-14T23:22:00.000-05:00

New Direction for Play Calling

It is important to acknowledge the play developments that have radically changed over the past year now that the NFL and NCAA football seasons are behind. Football has shifted significantly in terms of strategy and play-calling; The traditional form of balanced offenses have been abandoned as coaches have turned to more radically aggressive or passive offenses which in turn change player demands and scheming on defense.

Offensive strategy has turned to the extremes in order to create space and mismatches. Teams are using densely packed (goal-line resembling formations) or lose (single-back and empty backfield) formations to open up holes and lanes. In addition to opening up running room, these new formation also permit more frequent man-to man coverage which allows passers to create and expose man-to-man mismatches.

Spread

The first type of next generation offense that has become an omnipotent force in football is the Spread offense. On the NFL level, Super Bowl XLIV featured two offenses that have executed the spread offense to near perfection in two fairly different ways. The Indianapolis Colts' spread takes advantage of mismatches and man-to-man coverage when Peyton Manning makes adjustment at line in his pre-snap routine. By reading the defensive formation in attempting to identify what the safeties' duties are, whether a blitz is forthcoming, and whether the defense is lined up in zone or man are a few of the considerations that Manning attempts to read in order to set up one-on-ones and mismatches for him to expose.

On the other hand, the New Orleans Saints relied on nifty play designs (by Sean Payton) in order to open up spaces for talented runners. However, before a team can capitalize on open spaces the offense must create them by having a successful passing game which causes defenses to drop back and more defensive backs to stop the pass which in turn creates more room at the line of scrimmage. Once there is more room, the Saints use trickery and QB-draw-reads to either open up draws for the RB or add another element of play action to the offense.

On the college level the spread offense have been well executed by the Missouri Tigers with the Spaceship formation and by Mike Leach during his reign at Texas Tech. The Spaceship formation in Missouri is an empty backfield with the RB lined up as a receiver. The QB usually sets the RB in motion in which he either reads a draw or holds back and surveys his five options. Texas Tech's Spread Offense has been one of the most dominant in recent years as Taylor Potts and Graham Harrell were at the top of almost all QB statistics for the past few years.

Triple Option / Wildcat

The other offense that has become ever more successful in football is a bunch based formation. More frequently seen as the triple option on the college level and the Wildcat on the pro level, each of these two takes advantage of tightly packed players to open up lanes and one on one situations for favorable open field situations. The theory behind these offenses are to utilize the quarterback as a runner which turns a would be running back into an additional blocker. This helps to even out the offensive defensive numbers and forces defenses to bring a safety into the box in order to stop the run. Packed formations also utilize setting players in motion in order to diagnosis defensive coverage, defensive assignments, create running lanes by moving defenders in man-to-man.

Two of the most successful college teams which use the option are Navy and Georgia Tech. Along with excelling at the running and blocking portions of the triple option, each team has a capable passer in Ricky Dobbs (for Navy) and Josh Nesbitt (for GT) who makes defenses weary about dropping a safety into the box because that would open up one-on-one coverage for at least one wide receiver. This scheme is practically unstoppable when a team can successful pass out of the option. In the case of GT, the entire field must be accounted for by defensive coordinators when a high-caliber receiver as DeMaryius Thomas is at your disposal.

Defense

In essence these new offenses force defenses to line up in man-to-man to make sure all players are accounted for and possibly disrupt any type of trickery that can be derived by allowing a player to stand freely in an uncounted area in the zone. The man-to-man setup up ultimately favors whoever of the offensive and defensive player is better. Factors such as athleticism, speed, strength, and tactics all come in to this offensive-defensive standoff. Ideally a defense is supposed to have the upper hand if everyone plays man to man and first tackle is made on the player (i.e. all receivers are running backs are covered and each line man is facing a rusher leaving one free player to go after the QB). However, it cannot be guaranteed that the lone player will make the tackle (let alone actually reach the player with the ball) since no game is ever ideal which is why the games are played.

The increase of man-to-man situations and open field situations call for defenders who can make the first tackle and have the versatility to cover multiple positions so that a traditional RB/DE (speed advantage) or TE/DB (strength advantage) can be diminished or altogether eliminated. This calls for a new breed of unheralded athleticism so realism approaches idealism as close as possible and the defensive players can make the first tackle or eliminate a runner's advantage. Examples of these upper level athletes include defensive backs such as Bob Saunders and Troy Polamalu who have great speed and incredible tackling ability as well as lineman such as Adelius Thomas and Shawne Merriman who have great size, yet gap closing speed (granted the two latter examples haven't played to their potential recently). Ideally, all players will need to have at least two of three dimensions in order to be successful: pocket pursuit (DL), play development stoppers (LB), coverage (DB).

Additionally, defenses will need to develop their own "defensive quarterback" with the development of intensive pre-snap routines of offenses. A MLB or Safety will have to scout what the offense shows and will then have to counter. Such requirements would include calling audibles, calling blitzes, shifting coverages, and showing fake plays/intentions (such as move defender to fake man to man while actually playing in zone or showing a fake blitz to confuse the QB).

Let's see if this trend continues, reverses, or is nullified by a new development.