by Jared Trexler
Philadelphia, PA - Several thousand miles or one long red-eye away from our institutional core lays a different life.
The targets of both vibrancy and tragedy, events running across the emotion spectrum all happen in America's East. Polls close first there. Our economic and political foundation is based there. Out East, people will be the first to know, save closet spoiler fanatics, when Bob Saget finally lets his children in on the climax of "How I Met Your Mother."
Out West, three hours behind feels like an enormous gap. Save Los Angeles, the western time zone is where big media goes to die. Ethnicity and culture are displayed on billboards and neon signs fronting strip malls instead of on flags, pillars or other symbols of institutional respect. In two hours, one could make pit stops at the beach, atop a mountain, and in a desert.
It's unique. It's different. Steps are a little smaller. Sentences run on a little longer. People's overall approach to life also changes. Out West, life seems to stand still more often. Suits are replaced with cargos or hunting boots. Snow is far more often replaced with sun.
In the sports world, the NFL is watched over eggs. The images showcased during the first three innings of Dodger games are a bumper-to-bumper traffic jam on the LA freeway. And in a college basketball world featuring the power players stationed up and down the Eastern seaboard and cemented in America's heartland, the meaning of the Wizard of Westwood and the iconic still shots of West Coast hoops is slowly fading into dark nights of slumber.
A lot of that has to do with the lack of visibility, due in equal parts to time differential and no powerful presence on college basketball's major media home, ESPN. The Pac-10 and Mountain West play plenty of 9 p.m. local tip-offs (midnight where most of the warm bodies are on the East coast) on a satellite carrier of CSTV or Fox Sports West. Only the diehard bluebloods in the basketball rich Piedmont region or the sports crazy Northeast have the ability or the desire to stay up and watch two teams playing in half-empty Pullman, Washington on a Wednesday night.
Then, come March, many couch potato prognosticators are laying Benjamins on the Big East and ignoring that one quality squad led by that one star player playing most of its games while the nation sleeps.
If there ever was a time to focus on West coast hoops, it is this season. Now is the time to venture West, eat bacon while setting your fantasy football lineup, and watch plenty of college basketball played out in America's media wasteland. You don't have to move to Provo, Utah (unless the "lifestyle" appeals to you), but staying in the same time zone as Jimmer Fredette and the BYU Cougars will allow you to see one of the nation's most fascinating studies this season.
Other than perennial power Gonzaga, no West coast team is ranked as high in the preseason Associated Press poll than BYU, and with good reason. The Cougars are a prototypical early-1990s collegiate squad before the NBA began ransacking teams' talent pools, complete with a pair of senior, tournament- tested guards in Fredette and Jackson Emery. Each is not the 6-foot-5 guards of today's power conferences with long wing spans and high hops, but both play fundamentally- sound games driven off movement without the ball and extra care with it. Fredette is a unique breed, built like a small-school linebacker (stocky and cut, yet undersized without the athletic measurables), but a deft touch both around the rim and away from it. A Mountain West Conference assistant coach told me he "creates his shot like nobody we play, and finishes like nobody in the country can." Coincidentally, Fredette is the only Cougar originating from the East Coast, hailing from Glens Falls, New York.
He plays a big-city game in a remote area of the country, but he and Emery will lead what I believe to be the West Coast's best team this season. They may be a little laissez faire on the other side of the world (or so it feels from the coast hugging the Atlantic), and their sports teams may play at odd hours with little media attention, but when the bright lights shine, the best players (no matter where they are stationed) come to play.
Fredette is one of those players. He is a mandatory must-see this season, even if it takes one of those pesky red-eyes to watch him in person.
MORE ON "PAY TO PLAY"
Last week's column brought some fantastic insight and perspective from a variety of individuals across the country (maybe you should be writing this column!). Below are three of many opinions I received on the "pay to play" aspect of the collegiate game. This is a question that will likely not go away anytime soon, and we may address it in even greater detail later in the season.
"Great piece on the issue of 'pay to play.' The NCAA treats these individuals as property, using their talents to expand their business and generate massive amounts of income. It is fine time that these great collegiate talents are treated as such." -- Casey, Waterloo, IA
My thoughts: In a broader sense, Casey, you make an excellent point, but I'm hesitant to use the term "property" to label collegians receiving a free education that can only help them in the long term. Remember, the NBA draft is nowhere near as inclusive as the NFL version, the talent pool is larger in many cases and the amount of players given lofty contracts is much smaller. For many Division I hoops players, the free education is more than adequate pay, setting them up for a career outside the basketball court.
"What you feel to address is what the teams give these players as perks. It is not all about the education. What are the Mercedes and the free 'tutors' given to the superstars?" -- Matt, Los Angeles, CA
My thoughts: Said in jest, Matt points to the larger issue I addressed, albeit briefly, in last week's space. To "compensate" these players, many institutions bend the rules to gain a competitive advantage, wining and dining recruits, providing money to their families and free cars to cruise around campus. This form of recruiting is speculative and full of innuendo in most media circles, but the Sports Illustrated expose I referenced in last week's column highlights an agent's role in collegiate recruiting. We have seen the NCAA investigate big college hoops' programs Tennessee and Connecticut recently; indicating that perhaps where there is smoke, there ultimately is fire.
"I'm old school though and the free education (open to discussion) they get should be adequate. I do think they should be allowed to hold jobs during the school year so they can make a couple of bucks or at least provide them with a stipend during the season. Having made such a broad brush statements the devil is in the details much of which the casual sports fan isn't aware - what restrictions are mandated by the NCAA, by the school; are all rostered players prohibited from holding jobs during the season or is it just those on scholarship; what kind of time commitments do these student-athletes have imposed on them - classes/labs/study halls, practice, travel; what kind of resources are available to them that others are not privy to (athletic advisors, mentors, tutors, etc.)." -- Jim Connolly, Camp Hill, PA
My thoughts: All excellent points and one's I plan on dissecting during a column this season. From my experiences being around Division I collegiate athletes and talking to those familiar with certain programs, many of the "rules" surrounding athletes holding jobs are handled on a program-by-program basis. The time commitments, something I can answer to, are vast, from practice and weight lifting to film sessions and time meetings, and that does not include time spent on the road. Many basketball players at one institution I'm familiar with have team study halls and access to both advisors and tutors who work specifically with scholarship athletes. These are all great questions, and make the details of "pay to play" something to delve into at a later date.
5 HOOPS THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK
In this installment, we focus on five teams that have the best chance to knock off preseason No. 1 Duke come March.
1. Michigan State: The Spartans are talented, and in terms of power conference clubs, deep and full of "been-there-done-that" players. Kalin Lucas' injury last season took some muster out of both backcourt depth and leadership, but the gutty 6-foot-1 maestro is joined by fellow senior Durrell Summers in the backcourt. Interior girth, a necessity in the rough-and-tough Big Ten, with wide-shouldered juniors Draymond Green and Delvon Roe. The instant maturity and scoring support offered by freshman Russell Byrd may be the ingredient that pushes this team from "promising" to "title worthy."
2. Purdue: Much has been written about Robbie Hummel's second ACL injury in a year, but these Boilermakers still play great defense - a prerequisite in head coach Matt Painter's system...and have two high-quality scoring options in preseason first-team All-American JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore. Finding a third scoring piece is the key to a deep tournament run. The Boilermakers match up well with the Blue Devils on the inside and Moore can check Nolan Smith on the perimeter, but Kyle Singler's ability to put the basketball on the floor may cause fits for a Purdue team suddenly void a swingman.
3. Kansas State: It is preseason first-team All-American Jacob Pullen and a cast of characters, but if Curtis Kelly can provide scoring on the interior and one of more of head coach Frank Martin's freshman step up to the plate by the beginning of conference play, these Wildcats may be dangerous. Spoiler alert: I will go into more detail in the season preview column next week, but Pullen is From The End of the Bench's Preseason Player of the Year. The dual- threat guard has it all, and adding two more legitimate scoring options will keep him fresh for some Gus Johnson magic come March.
4. Florida: Speed and athleticism kill Duke, and the Gators have plenty of both to begin the most promising season for Billy Donovan's club since the back-to-back national titles. Kenny Boynton can flat out fly and has great vision off the secondary break. That is where he will find Rutgers transfer Mike Rosario, who is now finally acclimated into Donovan's system and a pure shooter in rhythm. Erving Walker's contributions will go a long way to deciding Florida's NCAA tournament fate.
5. BYU: The indirect feature of this column makes this list because of experienced guard play and the backdoor, Princeton-style offense orchestrated by the Cougars. Duke loves to overplay the ball, leaving it susceptible to precision cutting and motion without the ball, two attributes of BYU's motion offense. Fredette is the best off-ball player in the country and putting all of the focus on his movement will leave Emery in positions to attack.
NON-HOOPS THOUGHT OF THE WEEK:
A little more on my partnership with Catie's Wish. The response to date has been inspiring, and the soft cover version of the book "99 Things Your Wish You Knew Before...Filling Out Your Hoops Bracket" should be out before Christmas. To learn more about Catie's Wish, please go to Catie's Wish and read all about her story, or check out my column archive at TSN for full details.
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Flyers sign Giroux to extension
The Philadelphia Flyers have signed forward Claude Giroux to a multi-year contract extension.
Giroux, 22, was selected by the Flyers in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. In 15 games this season, he has seven goals and seven assists for 14 points to go along with a plus-2 rating. He currently leads the NHL with three shorthanded goals, and has also recorded three game-winning goals for the Flyers this season.
Giroux has appeared in 141 games for the Flyers over parts of four seasons, including all 82 games in 2009-10. During that time, he has scored 32 goals and added 56 assists for 88 points.
Giroux, 22, was selected by the Flyers in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. In 15 games this season, he has seven goals and seven assists for 14 points to go along with a plus-2 rating. He currently leads the NHL with three shorthanded goals, and has also recorded three game-winning goals for the Flyers this season.
Giroux has appeared in 141 games for the Flyers over parts of four seasons, including all 82 games in 2009-10. During that time, he has scored 32 goals and added 56 assists for 88 points.
Hilbert fired as Phantoms head coach; Paddock takes over
The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that Adirondack Phantoms head coach Greg Gilbert has been relieved of his duties.
Flyers assistant general manager John Paddock has been named interim head coach of the team, and will also retain his assistant GM title and duties.
"I met with Greg Gilbert earlier this evening and relieved him of his duties as head coach of the Adirondack Phantoms," Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said. "The lack of success for the team of late is not acceptable and I believe this move became necessary under the circumstances. I think Greg is a good coach, but something needed to be done. We want to thank Greg for his service to our organization and we wish him well. John Paddock will take over as head coach immediately."
"This is not an easy day with having to replace someone that I got to know very well over the last year and a half, but with Paul believing we need to move forward like this, I look forward to the challenge," Paddock said. "We need to do all we can to get the team playing at a higher level."
Gilbert, 48, was named the head coach of the Phantoms on July 28, 2009. He led the team to a 32-41-3-4 record during the 2009-10 season, and a 2-10-1-0 record through the first 13 games of the 2010-11 season. Prior to coaching the Phantoms, Gilbert spent three seasons as the head coach of the AHL's Toronto Marlies, compiling a 123-89-10-18 record.
Paddock, 56, returns to the Phantoms bench after leading the team to a 43-30-2-5 record and a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs during the 2008-09 campaign, the team's last in Philadelphia. He was promoted to
his current position as assistant GM of the Flyers following that season.
Paddock has won five Calder Cups - two as a player (Maine, 1978 and 1979) and three as a coach (Maine, 1984; Hershey, 1988; Hartford, 2000). Three of those championships - the two as a player in Maine and the one in Hershey - came when his team was the primary affiliate of the Flyers.
Paddock is the only coach in American Hockey League history to coach three different franchises to a Calder Cup. He has a career record of 585-424-98 over 15 seasons as a head coach in the AHL, with the 585 wins and 1,107 total games coached both ranking third in AHL history. Paddock was inducted into the American Hockey League Hall of Fame on January 19, 2010.
Paddock has also coached 346 NHL games for the Winnipeg Jets (1991-92 to 1994-95) and the Ottawa Senators (2007-08), compiling a total record of 142-161-43.
Flyers assistant general manager John Paddock has been named interim head coach of the team, and will also retain his assistant GM title and duties.
"I met with Greg Gilbert earlier this evening and relieved him of his duties as head coach of the Adirondack Phantoms," Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said. "The lack of success for the team of late is not acceptable and I believe this move became necessary under the circumstances. I think Greg is a good coach, but something needed to be done. We want to thank Greg for his service to our organization and we wish him well. John Paddock will take over as head coach immediately."
"This is not an easy day with having to replace someone that I got to know very well over the last year and a half, but with Paul believing we need to move forward like this, I look forward to the challenge," Paddock said. "We need to do all we can to get the team playing at a higher level."
Gilbert, 48, was named the head coach of the Phantoms on July 28, 2009. He led the team to a 32-41-3-4 record during the 2009-10 season, and a 2-10-1-0 record through the first 13 games of the 2010-11 season. Prior to coaching the Phantoms, Gilbert spent three seasons as the head coach of the AHL's Toronto Marlies, compiling a 123-89-10-18 record.
Paddock, 56, returns to the Phantoms bench after leading the team to a 43-30-2-5 record and a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs during the 2008-09 campaign, the team's last in Philadelphia. He was promoted to
his current position as assistant GM of the Flyers following that season.
Paddock has won five Calder Cups - two as a player (Maine, 1978 and 1979) and three as a coach (Maine, 1984; Hershey, 1988; Hartford, 2000). Three of those championships - the two as a player in Maine and the one in Hershey - came when his team was the primary affiliate of the Flyers.
Paddock is the only coach in American Hockey League history to coach three different franchises to a Calder Cup. He has a career record of 585-424-98 over 15 seasons as a head coach in the AHL, with the 585 wins and 1,107 total games coached both ranking third in AHL history. Paddock was inducted into the American Hockey League Hall of Fame on January 19, 2010.
Paddock has also coached 346 NHL games for the Winnipeg Jets (1991-92 to 1994-95) and the Ottawa Senators (2007-08), compiling a total record of 142-161-43.
Union's Moreno to rejoin Venezuelan National Team
Chester, Pa. (November 8, 2010) - Philadelphia Union's forward Alejandro Moreno reported to Mucuchies, Venezuela today to join the Venezuelan National Team for next week's friendly against Ecuador. The 20-man roster will travel to Quito, Ecuador, on Monday, November 15, and will face off against their South American foe on Wednesday, November 17.
Moreno last played with La Vinotinto in early October when the team played Bolivia to a 3-1 win on October 7 and Mexico to a 2-2 draw on October 12. The striker, who started in both games, logged 72 and 67 minutes, respectively.
Moreno last played with La Vinotinto in early October when the team played Bolivia to a 3-1 win on October 7 and Mexico to a 2-2 draw on October 12. The striker, who started in both games, logged 72 and 67 minutes, respectively.
Union's Okugo named to US U-20 National Team Roster
CHICAGO (November 8, 2010) - Philadelphia Union's Amobi Okugo has been named to the U.S. U-20 Men's National Team roster for the Torneo de las Americas, taking place at the Kennesaw State University in Georgia, November 21-29.
Okugo and the National Team will face Colombia on November 26 and Mexico two days later, with both matches scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m. EST.
Okugo's last appearance with Head Coach Thomas Rongen's squad was against Mexico at the Dallas Cup on March 28, where the U.S. fell 1-0 to its southern neighbors. The 19-year-old was also part of the U.S. Team that qualified for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup last year.
In his rookie season with Philadelphia Union, the midfielder played a total of 11 games (four as a starter) and 437 minutes. Okugo has also seen action in the Union's international friendlies against Scottish Premier League team Celtic FC, English Premier League's Manchester United and Mexican First Division club Chivas de Guadalajara.
Roster By Position
GOALKEEPERS (2): Cody Cropper (Ipswich Town; Athens, Ga.), Eduardo Fernandez (Real Salt Lake AZ; Casa Grande, Ariz.)
DEFENDERS (7): Gale Agbossoumonde (G.D. Estoril Praia; Syracuse, N.Y.), Bryan De La Fuente (Chivas USA; Bell, Calif.), Greg Garza (G.D. Estoril Praia, Grapevine, Texas), Korey Veeder (Crystal Palace Baltimore; St. Petersburg, Fla.), Parker Walsh (Karlsrucher SC; Roanoke, Va.), TBD, TBD
MIDFIELDERS (7): Sebastian Lletget (West Ham United; San Francisco, Calif.), Alex Molano (NK Dinamo Zagreb; Grapevine, Texas), Amobi Okugo (Philadelphia Union; Sacramento, Calif.), Moises Orozco (Tigres; Oxnard, Calif.), Conor Shanosky (D.C. United, Sterling, Va.), Alex Zahavi (Maccabi Haifa F.C.; Lisbon, Portugal), Cesar Zamora (Chivas USA; Sylmar, Calif.)
FORWARDS (4): Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls; Barnegat, N.Y.), Tristan Bowen (Los Angeles Galaxy; Van Nuys, Calif.), Fuad Ibrahim (Toronto FC; Richfield, Minn.), Omar Salgado (Unattached; El Paso, Texas)
Okugo and the National Team will face Colombia on November 26 and Mexico two days later, with both matches scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m. EST.
Okugo's last appearance with Head Coach Thomas Rongen's squad was against Mexico at the Dallas Cup on March 28, where the U.S. fell 1-0 to its southern neighbors. The 19-year-old was also part of the U.S. Team that qualified for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup last year.
In his rookie season with Philadelphia Union, the midfielder played a total of 11 games (four as a starter) and 437 minutes. Okugo has also seen action in the Union's international friendlies against Scottish Premier League team Celtic FC, English Premier League's Manchester United and Mexican First Division club Chivas de Guadalajara.
Roster By Position
GOALKEEPERS (2): Cody Cropper (Ipswich Town; Athens, Ga.), Eduardo Fernandez (Real Salt Lake AZ; Casa Grande, Ariz.)
DEFENDERS (7): Gale Agbossoumonde (G.D. Estoril Praia; Syracuse, N.Y.), Bryan De La Fuente (Chivas USA; Bell, Calif.), Greg Garza (G.D. Estoril Praia, Grapevine, Texas), Korey Veeder (Crystal Palace Baltimore; St. Petersburg, Fla.), Parker Walsh (Karlsrucher SC; Roanoke, Va.), TBD, TBD
MIDFIELDERS (7): Sebastian Lletget (West Ham United; San Francisco, Calif.), Alex Molano (NK Dinamo Zagreb; Grapevine, Texas), Amobi Okugo (Philadelphia Union; Sacramento, Calif.), Moises Orozco (Tigres; Oxnard, Calif.), Conor Shanosky (D.C. United, Sterling, Va.), Alex Zahavi (Maccabi Haifa F.C.; Lisbon, Portugal), Cesar Zamora (Chivas USA; Sylmar, Calif.)
FORWARDS (4): Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls; Barnegat, N.Y.), Tristan Bowen (Los Angeles Galaxy; Van Nuys, Calif.), Fuad Ibrahim (Toronto FC; Richfield, Minn.), Omar Salgado (Unattached; El Paso, Texas)
Monday, November 08, 2010
Flyers loan Wellwood to Phantoms
The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that left wing Eric Wellwood has been loaned to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms.
Wellwood was recalled by the Flyers on Nov. 1. In three games with the Flyers during his call-up, Wellwood recorded an assist, a plus-1 rating and two penalty minutes while averaging 13:25 of ice time.
Wellwood, 20 (3-6-1990), has scored three goals and added an assist in 11 games for the Phantoms this season. The native of Windsor, Ontario was selected by the Flyers in the sixth round (172nd overall) of the
2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Wellwood was recalled by the Flyers on Nov. 1. In three games with the Flyers during his call-up, Wellwood recorded an assist, a plus-1 rating and two penalty minutes while averaging 13:25 of ice time.
Wellwood, 20 (3-6-1990), has scored three goals and added an assist in 11 games for the Phantoms this season. The native of Windsor, Ontario was selected by the Flyers in the sixth round (172nd overall) of the
2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Iguodala misses Sixers practice
Sixers swingman Andre Iguodala missed practice again today as he continues to nurse his strained right Achilles tendon. The veteran had his 252-game starting streak snapped when he sat out of Sunday's win in New York. Meanwhile, forward Jason Kapono was excused from practice today for personal reasons.
The Sixers are back in action on Wednesday in Oklahoma City.
The Sixers are back in action on Wednesday in Oklahoma City.
Temple's Gerardi named MAC Offensive Player of the Week
CLEVELAND (11/8/10) - Temple r-sophomore QB Mike Gerardi (Parsippany, N.J.) has earned the Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Week honor for the East division, the MAC announced on Monday.
In Saturday's 28-10 win over Akron, Gerardi made his third consecutive start at quarterback. In the second quarter, Gerardi put the Owls on the scoreboard with the first rushing TD of his career with a nine-yard run. He finished 21-of-29 for 368 yards and two touchdowns. The 368 yards passing are the most ever by a TU first-year starter at QB, eclipsing Adam DiMichele's record of 322 yards set against Northern Illinois in 2006.
Following the game, Gerardi also earned ESPN Helmet Stickers and was named the Rivals.com National MAC Player of the Week.
In four games, Gerardi is 54-of-81 for 871 yards and eight touchdowns.
The MAC honor is the first of Gerardi's career. This fall seven Owls have been honored by the MAC eight times.
Tied for first place in the MAC East, Temple (8-2, 5-1 MAC) hosts Ohio (7-3, 5-1 MAC) on Tuesday, Nov. 16 in the team's final home game at Lincoln Financial Field. ESPN2 will televise the game nationally, beginning at 8 p.m. The Senior Class will be honored during a pregame ceremony.
In Saturday's 28-10 win over Akron, Gerardi made his third consecutive start at quarterback. In the second quarter, Gerardi put the Owls on the scoreboard with the first rushing TD of his career with a nine-yard run. He finished 21-of-29 for 368 yards and two touchdowns. The 368 yards passing are the most ever by a TU first-year starter at QB, eclipsing Adam DiMichele's record of 322 yards set against Northern Illinois in 2006.
Following the game, Gerardi also earned ESPN Helmet Stickers and was named the Rivals.com National MAC Player of the Week.
In four games, Gerardi is 54-of-81 for 871 yards and eight touchdowns.
The MAC honor is the first of Gerardi's career. This fall seven Owls have been honored by the MAC eight times.
Tied for first place in the MAC East, Temple (8-2, 5-1 MAC) hosts Ohio (7-3, 5-1 MAC) on Tuesday, Nov. 16 in the team's final home game at Lincoln Financial Field. ESPN2 will televise the game nationally, beginning at 8 p.m. The Senior Class will be honored during a pregame ceremony.
Saturday, November 06, 2010
Iguodala's streak likely to end
Sixers swingman Andre Iguodala has started in 252 consecutive games, but that streak will likely end on Sunday afternoon in New York.
An MRI on Saturday confirmed that Iguodala has a strained right Achilles tendon and doctors have recommended a few days of rest. Rookie Evan Turner will likely start in Iguodala’s absence.
Meanwhile, forward Andres Nocioni is listed as day-to-day with a left ankle sprain but coach Doug Collins expects Nocioni to start against the Knicks.
An MRI on Saturday confirmed that Iguodala has a strained right Achilles tendon and doctors have recommended a few days of rest. Rookie Evan Turner will likely start in Iguodala’s absence.
Meanwhile, forward Andres Nocioni is listed as day-to-day with a left ankle sprain but coach Doug Collins expects Nocioni to start against the Knicks.
Friday, November 05, 2010
Sixers stunned by LeBron-less Cavs
Philadelphia - Daniel Gibson scored 17 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter, while Anderson Varejao added 23 points on 10-of-10 shooting to help the Cavaliers win their eighth straight game in Philadelphia, 123-116.
Mo Williams notched 22 points to go with seven assists, and J.J. Hickson donated 16 points and eight caroms for Cleveland, which had lost three straight since a season-opening win over Boston.
"The fourth quarter was a lot of fun. it was a back and forth game but guys kept fighting," Williams said. "Our bench was huge. In the fourth quarter, we executed and defended."
Jrue Holiday scored a career-high 29 points and handed out eight assists for Philadelphia, which erased a 19-point first half deficit and led by eight in the final quarter before faltering down the stretch.
The Sixers, losers in five of six to start the year, also lost the versatile Andre Iguodala to a strained right Achilles tendon.
"We had the lead, and we are supposed to hold onto that lead and fell good after this," Sixers forward Elton Brand said. "It is very disappointing, mental mistakes. We are still a young squad at certain positions. We are growing and learning from everything."
Holiday sparked the Sixers' comeback in the third quarter, scoring 13 points by hitting all three of his attempts from behind the arc.
Andres Nocioni gave the hosts their first lead, 72-71, with a three-pointer near the midway point, and buckets by Tony Battie and Lou Williams resulted in an 84-79 Sixers advantage with a quarter to play.
Philly played front-runner until Gibson's personal 8-0 run between 4:42 and 3:25 of the final stanza. The reserve guard ended the flurry by putting in a layup after a Nocioni missed three to give Cleveland a 103-102 lead.
It was still a one-point Cavs lead, 106-105, before Varejao's reverse slam with 2:24 to play. After Lou Williams fumbled a pass out-of-bounds, Mo Williams drained two at the foul line for a 110-105 edge with 2:04 showing.
A shot clock violation gave the ball back to the visitors, and Mo Williams laid in an easy layup to finish the game-sealing 17-3 burst.
Cleveland ended up shooting 13-of-17 from the field and 17-of-23 from the foul line in its 44-point fourth quarter.
Shots were easy to come by for the Cavs to start the game, as they jumped out to an 8-0 lead and ended 13-of-24 from the field in the opening 12 minutes en route to a 34-20 cushion.
The margin reached as high as 50-31 following a Joey Graham dunk four minutes into the second frame and stayed in double digits until Battie made a jumper in the final minute for a 61-53 game at the break.
Game Notes
Cavs forward Antawn Jamison missed a second straight game due to a sore knee...Cleveland shot 38-of-48 at the foul line, compared to an 18-of-25 effort by the Sixers...The Cavs won the battle on the glass, 41-30...Battie, who played a total of 28 minutes in the first five games, played 27 minutes, scored eight points and grabbed seven boards...Brand and Lou Williams scored 20 and 16 points, respectively, for the Sixers, who got 15 points from Nocioni...Sixers head coach Doug Collins saw the game to its fruition after leaving Wednesday's game at halftime due to symptoms of vertigo...The 44 points by the Cavs in the fourth quarter was a season-high for any quarter. The 123 points in the game was also a season-high for Cleveland...Iguodala has started 252 straight games, the NBA's second longest streak. The Sixers play New York on Sunday and streak could be broken...The last time Cleveland beat Philly without LeBron James was Apr. 2, 1999. The Sixers won 16 straight over the Cavs from 4/27/99 through 2/23/03 (the season before James was drafted.).
Mo Williams notched 22 points to go with seven assists, and J.J. Hickson donated 16 points and eight caroms for Cleveland, which had lost three straight since a season-opening win over Boston.
"The fourth quarter was a lot of fun. it was a back and forth game but guys kept fighting," Williams said. "Our bench was huge. In the fourth quarter, we executed and defended."
Jrue Holiday scored a career-high 29 points and handed out eight assists for Philadelphia, which erased a 19-point first half deficit and led by eight in the final quarter before faltering down the stretch.
The Sixers, losers in five of six to start the year, also lost the versatile Andre Iguodala to a strained right Achilles tendon.
"We had the lead, and we are supposed to hold onto that lead and fell good after this," Sixers forward Elton Brand said. "It is very disappointing, mental mistakes. We are still a young squad at certain positions. We are growing and learning from everything."
Holiday sparked the Sixers' comeback in the third quarter, scoring 13 points by hitting all three of his attempts from behind the arc.
Andres Nocioni gave the hosts their first lead, 72-71, with a three-pointer near the midway point, and buckets by Tony Battie and Lou Williams resulted in an 84-79 Sixers advantage with a quarter to play.
Philly played front-runner until Gibson's personal 8-0 run between 4:42 and 3:25 of the final stanza. The reserve guard ended the flurry by putting in a layup after a Nocioni missed three to give Cleveland a 103-102 lead.
It was still a one-point Cavs lead, 106-105, before Varejao's reverse slam with 2:24 to play. After Lou Williams fumbled a pass out-of-bounds, Mo Williams drained two at the foul line for a 110-105 edge with 2:04 showing.
A shot clock violation gave the ball back to the visitors, and Mo Williams laid in an easy layup to finish the game-sealing 17-3 burst.
Cleveland ended up shooting 13-of-17 from the field and 17-of-23 from the foul line in its 44-point fourth quarter.
Shots were easy to come by for the Cavs to start the game, as they jumped out to an 8-0 lead and ended 13-of-24 from the field in the opening 12 minutes en route to a 34-20 cushion.
The margin reached as high as 50-31 following a Joey Graham dunk four minutes into the second frame and stayed in double digits until Battie made a jumper in the final minute for a 61-53 game at the break.
Game Notes
Cavs forward Antawn Jamison missed a second straight game due to a sore knee...Cleveland shot 38-of-48 at the foul line, compared to an 18-of-25 effort by the Sixers...The Cavs won the battle on the glass, 41-30...Battie, who played a total of 28 minutes in the first five games, played 27 minutes, scored eight points and grabbed seven boards...Brand and Lou Williams scored 20 and 16 points, respectively, for the Sixers, who got 15 points from Nocioni...Sixers head coach Doug Collins saw the game to its fruition after leaving Wednesday's game at halftime due to symptoms of vertigo...The 44 points by the Cavs in the fourth quarter was a season-high for any quarter. The 123 points in the game was also a season-high for Cleveland...Iguodala has started 252 straight games, the NBA's second longest streak. The Sixers play New York on Sunday and streak could be broken...The last time Cleveland beat Philly without LeBron James was Apr. 2, 1999. The Sixers won 16 straight over the Cavs from 4/27/99 through 2/23/03 (the season before James was drafted.).
Iverson misses flight to Turkey
You can't make this stuff up.
Allen Iverson, who has signed a deal with Besiktas Cola Turka in Turkey, missed his scheduled flight to Istanbul and his arrival is now delayed to Monday. No word if A.I. missed it because he was at The Borgata or the Palmer Social Club.
Allen Iverson, who has signed a deal with Besiktas Cola Turka in Turkey, missed his scheduled flight to Istanbul and his arrival is now delayed to Monday. No word if A.I. missed it because he was at The Borgata or the Palmer Social Club.
Spurs sign G Chris Quinn
The San Antonio Spurs have signed G Chris Quinn, who was with the Sixers in the preseason
Hibbert could turn Pacers from afterthought into contender
By John McMullen
Philadelphia, PA - When you see Roy Hibbert play it's clear the talent is there, even if the consistency is not.
For the last few seasons the Indiana Pacers have been an afterthought in a Central Division ruled by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The seismic shifts provided by the "Summer of LeBron" reshaped the Eastern Conference with the power landing in the Southeast. Orlando was already a legitimate title contender thanks to the overpowering play of Dwight Howard and the steady stewardship of the underrated Stan Van Gundy, while Miami quickly joined that exclusive club when they inked James and Chris Bosh to play alongside Dwyane Wade.
Even Atlanta and its less publicized "Big Three" of Joe Johnson, Al Horford and Josh Smith has a chance to make some noise in the postseason, while Charlotte is coming off the franchise's first playoff appearance and Washington has been reborn thanks to the addition of the electrifying John Wall.
In my mind, however, James' exit out of Cleveland had an even bigger impact on the Central. The Cavs are no longer the 60-win club that regards the division crown as a birthright. On the contrary, it's hard to even imagine Cleveland becoming a threat for a postseason spot, leaving a giant door leading to the division title wide open.
Most prognosticators, including yours truly, thought Milwaukee or Chicago would step up and seize control of the now LeBron-less division.
The Bucks stepped on the gas down the stretch last season and finished with a solid 46-36 record before any chance of success in the playoffs was derailed by the terrible season-ending injury to the talented center Andrew Bogut. Bogut, a former No. 1 overall pick back in 2005, along with explosive point guard Brandon Jennings and late-season pick-up John Salmons were the main cogs in Milwaukee's turnaround last season before the Australian star suffered one of the more horrific injuries in the recent history of the NBA, dislocating his right elbow, breaking his right hand and spraining his wrist after falling hard to the floor following a slam dunk against Phoenix in early April.
You had to figure it would be time to fear the deer again, if Bogut was healthy and Jennings showed incremental improvement. Early in the season, Bogut's numbers are fine, 14.0 points per game and 11.0 rebounds, but the confidence in his body and the recklessness that provided isn't there, something the veteran center alluded to prior to the season.
"I might not be 100 percent the whole year," Bogut said in The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "I won't be 100 percent, so I'll have to play through the pain through the season. Even once it gets better, I'm still going to be 90 percent for the year or 85 percent. I don't have my mobility and flexibility like I should, but I just have to adjust to it."
Meanwhile, Jennings is mired in a bit of a sophomore slump, shooting just 38.6 percent from the floor and a miserable 25 percent from beyond the arc during the Bucks' 1-4 start.
Over in Chicago, the Bulls hired a defensive mastermind, Tom Thibodeau, who inherited a pair of elite frontcourt defenders in Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson, the game's best young point guard, Derrick Rose, and a solid small forward in Luol Deng. Add the additions of All-Star Carlos Boozer, Ronnie Brewer and Kyle Korver to that mix and Chicago looked like a solid bet to take over the division.
On paper, Rose should be able to play pick-and-roll all day with Boozer, and the former Jazz stalwart is also a top-tier scorer with his back to the basket, meaning the Bulls will be a much tougher team to defend in the half- court. However, the new plan has had to wait while the oft-injured Boozer recovers from a broken hand suffered back on Oct. 2 that required surgery.
Understand, it's still far too early to push the panic button in either Midwestern city, but it has left that aforementioned door ajar for another club in America's heartland, those afterthought Pacers.
It might be a reach to call Indiana a contender this early, especially considering the team is coming off its worst performance of the season, a 101-75 drubbing at the hands of moribund Philadelphia. But, the addition of point guard Darren Collison and the continued development of Hibbert have allowed Indiana to appear in the rear view mirror at least.
And while the Pacers still might be off in the distance they do have a chance to charge and charge fast. The 7-foot-2 Hibbert is the key. He improved steadily from his first season, elevating his scoring output from 7.1 to 11.7 ppg and his rebounding from 3.5 to 5.7. The Georgetown product has always been an imposing presence in the middle, compiling 1.1 blocks in just 14.4 minutes per game in his rookie season and upping that to 1.6 in 25.1 minutes during his sophomore campaign.
Staying on the floor is paramount for Hibbert, who lost 20 pounds in the offseason and found a better way to deal with an asthma problem that has plagued him at times. So far the results have been eye-opening and the Queens native is second on the team in scoring to All-Star Danny Granger at 16.0 ppg, and first in rebounding (9.3) and blocked shots (2.75), while playing nearly 32 minutes a night.
Only centers like Howard, Horford and Brook Lopez can match that kind of production in the East.
That said, the most impressive thing to me about Hibbert early this season was his reaction after the Pacers laid their egg in Philly. Instead of chalking it up as just 'one of those nights,' like his coach Jim O'Brien did, Hibbert was happy to call out his teammates.
"We just played horrible tonight," Hibbert said after the game. "We weren't running our sets. We weren't getting open. This is not Pacer basketball. I thought we had taken a step forward, but we just took three steps back in my opinion. People have to be held accountable. We have to run the system. When we run it, it's good. When we don't, we lose like this."
The talent has always been there. The consistency is coming and the leadership? Well, who knew.
Hibbert is well on his way to turning the Pacers from afterthought to contender.
Philadelphia, PA - When you see Roy Hibbert play it's clear the talent is there, even if the consistency is not.
For the last few seasons the Indiana Pacers have been an afterthought in a Central Division ruled by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The seismic shifts provided by the "Summer of LeBron" reshaped the Eastern Conference with the power landing in the Southeast. Orlando was already a legitimate title contender thanks to the overpowering play of Dwight Howard and the steady stewardship of the underrated Stan Van Gundy, while Miami quickly joined that exclusive club when they inked James and Chris Bosh to play alongside Dwyane Wade.
Even Atlanta and its less publicized "Big Three" of Joe Johnson, Al Horford and Josh Smith has a chance to make some noise in the postseason, while Charlotte is coming off the franchise's first playoff appearance and Washington has been reborn thanks to the addition of the electrifying John Wall.
In my mind, however, James' exit out of Cleveland had an even bigger impact on the Central. The Cavs are no longer the 60-win club that regards the division crown as a birthright. On the contrary, it's hard to even imagine Cleveland becoming a threat for a postseason spot, leaving a giant door leading to the division title wide open.
Most prognosticators, including yours truly, thought Milwaukee or Chicago would step up and seize control of the now LeBron-less division.
The Bucks stepped on the gas down the stretch last season and finished with a solid 46-36 record before any chance of success in the playoffs was derailed by the terrible season-ending injury to the talented center Andrew Bogut. Bogut, a former No. 1 overall pick back in 2005, along with explosive point guard Brandon Jennings and late-season pick-up John Salmons were the main cogs in Milwaukee's turnaround last season before the Australian star suffered one of the more horrific injuries in the recent history of the NBA, dislocating his right elbow, breaking his right hand and spraining his wrist after falling hard to the floor following a slam dunk against Phoenix in early April.
You had to figure it would be time to fear the deer again, if Bogut was healthy and Jennings showed incremental improvement. Early in the season, Bogut's numbers are fine, 14.0 points per game and 11.0 rebounds, but the confidence in his body and the recklessness that provided isn't there, something the veteran center alluded to prior to the season.
"I might not be 100 percent the whole year," Bogut said in The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "I won't be 100 percent, so I'll have to play through the pain through the season. Even once it gets better, I'm still going to be 90 percent for the year or 85 percent. I don't have my mobility and flexibility like I should, but I just have to adjust to it."
Meanwhile, Jennings is mired in a bit of a sophomore slump, shooting just 38.6 percent from the floor and a miserable 25 percent from beyond the arc during the Bucks' 1-4 start.
Over in Chicago, the Bulls hired a defensive mastermind, Tom Thibodeau, who inherited a pair of elite frontcourt defenders in Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson, the game's best young point guard, Derrick Rose, and a solid small forward in Luol Deng. Add the additions of All-Star Carlos Boozer, Ronnie Brewer and Kyle Korver to that mix and Chicago looked like a solid bet to take over the division.
On paper, Rose should be able to play pick-and-roll all day with Boozer, and the former Jazz stalwart is also a top-tier scorer with his back to the basket, meaning the Bulls will be a much tougher team to defend in the half- court. However, the new plan has had to wait while the oft-injured Boozer recovers from a broken hand suffered back on Oct. 2 that required surgery.
Understand, it's still far too early to push the panic button in either Midwestern city, but it has left that aforementioned door ajar for another club in America's heartland, those afterthought Pacers.
It might be a reach to call Indiana a contender this early, especially considering the team is coming off its worst performance of the season, a 101-75 drubbing at the hands of moribund Philadelphia. But, the addition of point guard Darren Collison and the continued development of Hibbert have allowed Indiana to appear in the rear view mirror at least.
And while the Pacers still might be off in the distance they do have a chance to charge and charge fast. The 7-foot-2 Hibbert is the key. He improved steadily from his first season, elevating his scoring output from 7.1 to 11.7 ppg and his rebounding from 3.5 to 5.7. The Georgetown product has always been an imposing presence in the middle, compiling 1.1 blocks in just 14.4 minutes per game in his rookie season and upping that to 1.6 in 25.1 minutes during his sophomore campaign.
Staying on the floor is paramount for Hibbert, who lost 20 pounds in the offseason and found a better way to deal with an asthma problem that has plagued him at times. So far the results have been eye-opening and the Queens native is second on the team in scoring to All-Star Danny Granger at 16.0 ppg, and first in rebounding (9.3) and blocked shots (2.75), while playing nearly 32 minutes a night.
Only centers like Howard, Horford and Brook Lopez can match that kind of production in the East.
That said, the most impressive thing to me about Hibbert early this season was his reaction after the Pacers laid their egg in Philly. Instead of chalking it up as just 'one of those nights,' like his coach Jim O'Brien did, Hibbert was happy to call out his teammates.
"We just played horrible tonight," Hibbert said after the game. "We weren't running our sets. We weren't getting open. This is not Pacer basketball. I thought we had taken a step forward, but we just took three steps back in my opinion. People have to be held accountable. We have to run the system. When we run it, it's good. When we don't, we lose like this."
The talent has always been there. The consistency is coming and the leadership? Well, who knew.
Hibbert is well on his way to turning the Pacers from afterthought to contender.
Jon Runyan Special on Comcast SportsNet
PHILADELPHIA- (November 4, 2010) – Comcast SportsNet’s Neil Hartman follows former Philadelphia Eagle Jon Runyan during his campaign for U.S. Congress in New Jersey’s 3rd district. Comcast SportsNet had exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Jon along the campaign trail, which spanned nine months and 52 towns. Coverage includes everything from the announcement of his bid to his big win on election night. During the 30-minute program, fans will see Runyan’s transition from professional football player to Congressman-elect, plus see first-hand the daily grind of the campaign trail and the toll it takes on Jon’s family. “See Jon Run” premieres on Comcast SportsNet on Sunday, November 7 at 10:30 p.m.
Runyan spent 14 years in the NFL, including nine seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. He retired at the end of the 2010 season after playing for the San Diego Chargers.
“See Jon Run” premieres on Sunday, November 7 at 10:30 on Comcast SportsNet. It will re-air on Comcast SportsNet on Monday, November 8 at 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday, November 9 at 11:30 p.m.; Friday, November 12 at 4:30 p.m. “See Jon Run” also airs on The Comcast Network on Wednesday, November
10 at 7 p.m. and Friday, November 12 at 1 p.m. “See Jon Run” will be available to Comcast ONDemand customers beginning Monday, November 8.
By the way, classless shot by ESPN's Sal Paolantonio in the Camden Courier Post after Runyan's win.
"Of all the NFL players I've come across, Runyan as among the least articulate that I had ever covered,"
Paolantonio told the newspaper.
I've been in more than a few NFL locker rooms myself and I'm not claiming Runyan comes across as a Rhodes Scholar by any means but he's always been a class act and that statement is not even close to being true.
It only highlights SalPal's more than obvious political leanings and his own inflated ego that is well known among the local media.
Runyan spent 14 years in the NFL, including nine seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. He retired at the end of the 2010 season after playing for the San Diego Chargers.
“See Jon Run” premieres on Sunday, November 7 at 10:30 on Comcast SportsNet. It will re-air on Comcast SportsNet on Monday, November 8 at 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday, November 9 at 11:30 p.m.; Friday, November 12 at 4:30 p.m. “See Jon Run” also airs on The Comcast Network on Wednesday, November
10 at 7 p.m. and Friday, November 12 at 1 p.m. “See Jon Run” will be available to Comcast ONDemand customers beginning Monday, November 8.
By the way, classless shot by ESPN's Sal Paolantonio in the Camden Courier Post after Runyan's win.
"Of all the NFL players I've come across, Runyan as among the least articulate that I had ever covered,"
Paolantonio told the newspaper.
I've been in more than a few NFL locker rooms myself and I'm not claiming Runyan comes across as a Rhodes Scholar by any means but he's always been a class act and that statement is not even close to being true.
It only highlights SalPal's more than obvious political leanings and his own inflated ego that is well known among the local media.
Fantasy: Bradford emerging in young quarterback class
By Michael Rushton
When I became a first-time home owner three years ago, I knew there were some things I was going to have to learn in a hurry.
Needless to say, outside of hammering out paragraph after paragraph on a keyboard, kicking some tail in the latest Halo video game or bringing a big juicy steak to my mouth, my hands are pretty useless. I always have electricians, carpenters and plumbers on standby for when the tiniest problem arises.
So of course, when I bought my home I decided I was going to redo my basement by myself; and by myself, I mean with the help of my brother, father, father- in-law, stepfather and various friends. One buddy in particular always seemed eager to help me, even if he didn't know what he was doing.
Finally, while trying to figure out how to put some new block windows in, he confessed to me why he was always willing to lend a hand.
"That way, when I buy my own house, I'll know how to do it the right way," was his confession.
Being a young quarterback in the NFL is the same thing. Teams always have two options with their new signal-caller: play him right away and hope he can learn as he goes or let him sit on the sidelines and gain his initial knowledge from watching.
The Rams, partially due to a preseason injury to A.J. Feeley, picked the former with 2010 top overall pick Sam Bradford and fantasy owners -- particularly those in keeper/dynasty formats -- that followed suit are starting to reap the rewards.
Through eight starts, Bradford has amassed 11 touchdown passes. The first quarterbacks taken in the last two drafts -- Matthew Stafford in 2009 and Matt Ryan in '08 -- posted similar TD numbers in the first eight starts of their careers and both are highly regarded in the fantasy realm.
So what does that mean for Bradford?
For one, it means that he is becoming a viable fantasy option. He has five touchdown passes over his last three games without a pick and is averaging 209.2 yards throwing per game. Yes, he hasn't topped 200 passing yards in his last three games, but what do you expect when your top targets are named Laurent Robinson, Danny Amendola and Daniel Fells.
(Paging Randy Moss.)
Bradford does have a two-edged sword behind him in Pro Bowl running back Steven Jackson, who is going to get a large number of carries each week, but who also keeps defenses honest to Bradford's benefit.
The soon-to-be 23-year-old Bradford isn't a must-start each week, but he is a nice player to have on a roster for depth and if you are in a long-term league, he is a guy you might want to grab by the end of the season for future use.
Those block windows are still intact by the way.
And now, here are five players I'm liking for this weekend.
Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears - Forte has been a big hit-or-miss guy this year. He roared out of the gate with a 200-plus total yard, two-touchdown game in Week 1 and has scored a total of six TDs while making plays on the ground and in the passing game. However, he did have just 26 touches in Chicago's final two games before its recent bye week - including only 18 carries. Chicago needs to find a way to keep Jay Cutler on his feet and using Forte more is the answer. Mix in a Week 9 battle with Buffalo's 32nd-ranked scoring and run defense and you've got yourself a great play.
Pierre Garcon, WR, Indianapolis Colts - Garcon made seven catches for 78 yards on Monday night versus Houston as Indy was without tight end Dallas Clark, wide receiver Austin Collie and running back Joseph Addai. Quarterback Peyton Manning likes to spread the ball around, but Garcon is going up against an Eagles secondary that ranks 23rd in scoring defense and gave up 200-plus yards and three touchdowns to Titans WR Kenny Britt in Week 7.
Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints - You are going to start Brees anyway but he is in line for a big week this Sunday. The Saints have been inconsistent all year and find themselves third in the NFC South. Brees won't let the defending Super Bowl champs slip further behind the eight-ball this weekend in a matchup with the 1-6 Carolina Panthers despite their success versus the pass this year.
Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay Packers - Jennings has caught six passes in each of his last three games, finding the end zone twice in that span. Not surprisingly, this stretch comes with Donald Driver having failed to make a catch in his last two games while battling a quad injury. Driver won't play this Sunday, leaving plenty of passes for Jennings against a struggling Dallas team.
LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, New York Jets - Running is the key to success for the Jets and Tomlinson has almost matched his rushing total from last year (730 yards) in half as many games. He's gotten at least 16 rush attempts in four straight games, making 15 catches in that span as well and has four touchdowns in his last four games. New York will want to keep Detroit's Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson off the field and grinding the ball on the ground against a defense that ranks 27th in the league versus the run will do that.
When I became a first-time home owner three years ago, I knew there were some things I was going to have to learn in a hurry.
Needless to say, outside of hammering out paragraph after paragraph on a keyboard, kicking some tail in the latest Halo video game or bringing a big juicy steak to my mouth, my hands are pretty useless. I always have electricians, carpenters and plumbers on standby for when the tiniest problem arises.
So of course, when I bought my home I decided I was going to redo my basement by myself; and by myself, I mean with the help of my brother, father, father- in-law, stepfather and various friends. One buddy in particular always seemed eager to help me, even if he didn't know what he was doing.
Finally, while trying to figure out how to put some new block windows in, he confessed to me why he was always willing to lend a hand.
"That way, when I buy my own house, I'll know how to do it the right way," was his confession.
Being a young quarterback in the NFL is the same thing. Teams always have two options with their new signal-caller: play him right away and hope he can learn as he goes or let him sit on the sidelines and gain his initial knowledge from watching.
The Rams, partially due to a preseason injury to A.J. Feeley, picked the former with 2010 top overall pick Sam Bradford and fantasy owners -- particularly those in keeper/dynasty formats -- that followed suit are starting to reap the rewards.
Through eight starts, Bradford has amassed 11 touchdown passes. The first quarterbacks taken in the last two drafts -- Matthew Stafford in 2009 and Matt Ryan in '08 -- posted similar TD numbers in the first eight starts of their careers and both are highly regarded in the fantasy realm.
So what does that mean for Bradford?
For one, it means that he is becoming a viable fantasy option. He has five touchdown passes over his last three games without a pick and is averaging 209.2 yards throwing per game. Yes, he hasn't topped 200 passing yards in his last three games, but what do you expect when your top targets are named Laurent Robinson, Danny Amendola and Daniel Fells.
(Paging Randy Moss.)
Bradford does have a two-edged sword behind him in Pro Bowl running back Steven Jackson, who is going to get a large number of carries each week, but who also keeps defenses honest to Bradford's benefit.
The soon-to-be 23-year-old Bradford isn't a must-start each week, but he is a nice player to have on a roster for depth and if you are in a long-term league, he is a guy you might want to grab by the end of the season for future use.
Those block windows are still intact by the way.
And now, here are five players I'm liking for this weekend.
Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears - Forte has been a big hit-or-miss guy this year. He roared out of the gate with a 200-plus total yard, two-touchdown game in Week 1 and has scored a total of six TDs while making plays on the ground and in the passing game. However, he did have just 26 touches in Chicago's final two games before its recent bye week - including only 18 carries. Chicago needs to find a way to keep Jay Cutler on his feet and using Forte more is the answer. Mix in a Week 9 battle with Buffalo's 32nd-ranked scoring and run defense and you've got yourself a great play.
Pierre Garcon, WR, Indianapolis Colts - Garcon made seven catches for 78 yards on Monday night versus Houston as Indy was without tight end Dallas Clark, wide receiver Austin Collie and running back Joseph Addai. Quarterback Peyton Manning likes to spread the ball around, but Garcon is going up against an Eagles secondary that ranks 23rd in scoring defense and gave up 200-plus yards and three touchdowns to Titans WR Kenny Britt in Week 7.
Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints - You are going to start Brees anyway but he is in line for a big week this Sunday. The Saints have been inconsistent all year and find themselves third in the NFC South. Brees won't let the defending Super Bowl champs slip further behind the eight-ball this weekend in a matchup with the 1-6 Carolina Panthers despite their success versus the pass this year.
Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay Packers - Jennings has caught six passes in each of his last three games, finding the end zone twice in that span. Not surprisingly, this stretch comes with Donald Driver having failed to make a catch in his last two games while battling a quad injury. Driver won't play this Sunday, leaving plenty of passes for Jennings against a struggling Dallas team.
LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, New York Jets - Running is the key to success for the Jets and Tomlinson has almost matched his rushing total from last year (730 yards) in half as many games. He's gotten at least 16 rush attempts in four straight games, making 15 catches in that span as well and has four touchdowns in his last four games. New York will want to keep Detroit's Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson off the field and grinding the ball on the ground against a defense that ranks 27th in the league versus the run will do that.
Hot Stove heating up early
By Chris Ruddick
There is certainly no rest for the weary anymore in Major League Baseball. Within minutes of the San Francisco Giants winning the World Series, 142 players filed for free agency. Twenty more have filed since.
And rather than the 15-day waiting period free agents had to endure before talking to new teams, they can negotiate after five, meaning we will be in full Hot Stove mode by the end of the weekend.
So with that said, let's take a look at some items to prime you for the start of the offseason and free agency.
STORYLINES TO WATCH THIS OFFSEASON
WHAT THE YANKEES DO WITH THEIR AGING CORNERSTONES
For years people knew this was going to be a tough offseason for the Yankees. What do they do with Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera? Rivera continues to pitch at a Hall of Fame level, but he will be 41 at the start of next season. He has to start slowing down at some point, right? Then there is Jeter, who is clearly not the same player he once was and is coming off the worst statistical season of his 16-year career. This is probably a non-story because the Yankees have to and are going to pay both of them. But how much is too much? There are already reports that Jeter wants a six-year deal that would end when he is 42. Hard to say no since the Yankees' deal with Alex Rodriguez runs until his early '40s. Bottom line there is no way either Jeter or Rivera will be anywhere other than with the Yankees on Opening Day 2011.
WHERE WILL CLIFF LEE WIND UP
There is no doubt who the big fish in this free agent market is and that is none other than left-hander Cliff Lee. Through the first two rounds of the playoffs it looked as if Lee could have named his price, but two losses in the World Series brought him back to Earth. Lee still has one thing going for him and that is the fact that the New York Yankees want him. The Rangers could also retain him, as they just inked a very lucrative television deal. He won't sign quick, though. I expect him to still be in play at the Winter Meetings in early December. The Yankees and the Rangers are probably the frontrunners, but all the usual suspects will be in on this one.
INSTANT REPLAY DEBATE
There is no doubt the instant replayers will be out in full force this winter and that topic will be addressed perhaps as early as the owners meetings in Orlando. I am all for expanding it in some fashion. Give a manager challenges like in the NFL or something like that. I don't want to hear about the purity of the game. That stuff is nonsense. If there is a way to get it right, get it right. You would think the umpires would be for it so they don't have to hear how inept they are all the time.
BESIDES LEE, WHO ARE THE FIVE BEST FREE AGENTS AVAILABLE:
CARL CRAWFORD
If Lee is the best pitcher on the market, then Carl Crawford is the best position player. Hands down. Crawford is coming off a terrific year with the Rays, as he hit .307 with 90 RBI and 110 runs scored. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim want him, but don't count out the Yankees if Lee stays in Texas. Boston could also be a destination. How much will he get? Think Matt Holliday's 7-year, $120 million deal from a year ago.
JAYSON WERTH
For the teams that miss out on Crawford, Jayson Werth is a pretty solid fallback plan. In fact he may even be better. A true five-tool superstar, Werth can do it all. The Phillies should do everything they can to keep him, but some think he is intent on leaving anyway. Werth led the league with 46 doubles this past season. Imagine how many he would hit at Fenway? The Red Sox are in the market for an OF and he certainly fits the bill.
RAFAEL SORIANO
Rafael Soriano picked a pretty good year to post the best numbers of his career. He set just about every Tampa Bay Rays' record this season as a reliever, and saved 45 games for the AL East champions. Teams will be lining up for his services.
VICTOR MARTINEZ
It appears as if the Red Sox are not going to re-sign him. Victor Martinez is a great hitter, batting .300 with an OPS above .840 in five of the past six seasons. However, he is 32 and is nothing special behind the plate, as he has thrown out just 19-percent of baserunners in the last two seasons. I am sure somebody will put him behind the plate at the start of a new deal, but nowhere he is there at the end of what could be a five or six year deal. He is a terrific hitter, though.
ADAM DUNN
Adam Dunn's name was mentioned a lot last July at the trade deadline. Nothing happened, though. He is one of the premiere sluggers in the game. It will be interesting to see what kind of contract he winds up with. He has AL DH written all over him. The Chicago White Sox were hot on his tail last summer so he could wind up there, but don't count on him replacing Jim Thome in Minnesota either.
FIVE SURPRISING NAMES YOU'LL HEAR IN TRADE TALKS
ADRIAN GONZALEZ
I guess Adrian Gonzalez's name being bandied about this offseason isn't much of a surprise since everyone assumed he would be dealt last winter. But after the way the Padres competed this season you would think they may keep him around. Think again. Although they just picked up his option for the coming season the Padres aren't going to be able to sign him after the 2011 season. The time to deal him is now.
JONATHAN PAPELBON
I have thought the Red Sox were going to deal Jonathan Papelbon each of the last two offseasons. This winter, though, they may not have a choice. Papelbon is going to be a free agent at the end of the year and the Red Sox already have closer-in-waiting Daniel Bard ready to take over. Bard is probably better at this point anyway. What about a Papelbon for Prince Fielder deal?
JOSE REYES
Talk about a team that needs an overhaul. The New York Mets desperately need to change their identity. The fans want a change. It may be time for Jose Reyes to go. When healthy he is one of the most electric players in the game, but it seems as if he is always nicked up. The Mets would still get more for him than David Wright. Now I don't think they will deal him, but I won't be shocked if teams come a calling for the 27-year-old shortstop.
ICHIRO SUZUKI
The Seattle Mariners need a lot of help. They are not going to win anytime soon, especially while Ichiro Suzuki is still there. Why not deal him now, get a few pieces back in return and start over? Depending if they get major league ready players in return they may not be that far off considering they have the best young pitcher in baseball on their team in Felix Hernandez.
ZACK GREINKE
Zack Greinke was the AL Cy Young Award winner in 2009. This past season he was 10-14 with a 4.17 ERA. Which is the real guy? Greinke never really seemed to get on track in 2010. Since the Royals are once again in rebuild mode it may be time to think about dealing their ace for some prospects. The problem is he does not want to go to a big city. The perfect fit would be the Minnesota Twins, but even the Royals won't deal their star player within the division.
THIS YEAR'S RECLAMATION PROJECT: BRANDON WEBB
Last year it was Ben Sheets as the pitcher who missed all of the previous season then hit the free agent market. It didn't work out well for the Oakland Athletics who paid him $10 million only to watch him go down with another season-ending injury in July. Brandon Webb has made just one start in the last two years, but is a former NL Cy Young Award winner and won 22 games as recently as 2008. I think Arizona would love to keep him. He would be a perfect mentor to an impressive young staff, but there will be plenty of other options. Let's hope that it turns out better for him than Sheets, though.
There is certainly no rest for the weary anymore in Major League Baseball. Within minutes of the San Francisco Giants winning the World Series, 142 players filed for free agency. Twenty more have filed since.
And rather than the 15-day waiting period free agents had to endure before talking to new teams, they can negotiate after five, meaning we will be in full Hot Stove mode by the end of the weekend.
So with that said, let's take a look at some items to prime you for the start of the offseason and free agency.
STORYLINES TO WATCH THIS OFFSEASON
WHAT THE YANKEES DO WITH THEIR AGING CORNERSTONES
For years people knew this was going to be a tough offseason for the Yankees. What do they do with Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera? Rivera continues to pitch at a Hall of Fame level, but he will be 41 at the start of next season. He has to start slowing down at some point, right? Then there is Jeter, who is clearly not the same player he once was and is coming off the worst statistical season of his 16-year career. This is probably a non-story because the Yankees have to and are going to pay both of them. But how much is too much? There are already reports that Jeter wants a six-year deal that would end when he is 42. Hard to say no since the Yankees' deal with Alex Rodriguez runs until his early '40s. Bottom line there is no way either Jeter or Rivera will be anywhere other than with the Yankees on Opening Day 2011.
WHERE WILL CLIFF LEE WIND UP
There is no doubt who the big fish in this free agent market is and that is none other than left-hander Cliff Lee. Through the first two rounds of the playoffs it looked as if Lee could have named his price, but two losses in the World Series brought him back to Earth. Lee still has one thing going for him and that is the fact that the New York Yankees want him. The Rangers could also retain him, as they just inked a very lucrative television deal. He won't sign quick, though. I expect him to still be in play at the Winter Meetings in early December. The Yankees and the Rangers are probably the frontrunners, but all the usual suspects will be in on this one.
INSTANT REPLAY DEBATE
There is no doubt the instant replayers will be out in full force this winter and that topic will be addressed perhaps as early as the owners meetings in Orlando. I am all for expanding it in some fashion. Give a manager challenges like in the NFL or something like that. I don't want to hear about the purity of the game. That stuff is nonsense. If there is a way to get it right, get it right. You would think the umpires would be for it so they don't have to hear how inept they are all the time.
BESIDES LEE, WHO ARE THE FIVE BEST FREE AGENTS AVAILABLE:
CARL CRAWFORD
If Lee is the best pitcher on the market, then Carl Crawford is the best position player. Hands down. Crawford is coming off a terrific year with the Rays, as he hit .307 with 90 RBI and 110 runs scored. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim want him, but don't count out the Yankees if Lee stays in Texas. Boston could also be a destination. How much will he get? Think Matt Holliday's 7-year, $120 million deal from a year ago.
JAYSON WERTH
For the teams that miss out on Crawford, Jayson Werth is a pretty solid fallback plan. In fact he may even be better. A true five-tool superstar, Werth can do it all. The Phillies should do everything they can to keep him, but some think he is intent on leaving anyway. Werth led the league with 46 doubles this past season. Imagine how many he would hit at Fenway? The Red Sox are in the market for an OF and he certainly fits the bill.
RAFAEL SORIANO
Rafael Soriano picked a pretty good year to post the best numbers of his career. He set just about every Tampa Bay Rays' record this season as a reliever, and saved 45 games for the AL East champions. Teams will be lining up for his services.
VICTOR MARTINEZ
It appears as if the Red Sox are not going to re-sign him. Victor Martinez is a great hitter, batting .300 with an OPS above .840 in five of the past six seasons. However, he is 32 and is nothing special behind the plate, as he has thrown out just 19-percent of baserunners in the last two seasons. I am sure somebody will put him behind the plate at the start of a new deal, but nowhere he is there at the end of what could be a five or six year deal. He is a terrific hitter, though.
ADAM DUNN
Adam Dunn's name was mentioned a lot last July at the trade deadline. Nothing happened, though. He is one of the premiere sluggers in the game. It will be interesting to see what kind of contract he winds up with. He has AL DH written all over him. The Chicago White Sox were hot on his tail last summer so he could wind up there, but don't count on him replacing Jim Thome in Minnesota either.
FIVE SURPRISING NAMES YOU'LL HEAR IN TRADE TALKS
ADRIAN GONZALEZ
I guess Adrian Gonzalez's name being bandied about this offseason isn't much of a surprise since everyone assumed he would be dealt last winter. But after the way the Padres competed this season you would think they may keep him around. Think again. Although they just picked up his option for the coming season the Padres aren't going to be able to sign him after the 2011 season. The time to deal him is now.
JONATHAN PAPELBON
I have thought the Red Sox were going to deal Jonathan Papelbon each of the last two offseasons. This winter, though, they may not have a choice. Papelbon is going to be a free agent at the end of the year and the Red Sox already have closer-in-waiting Daniel Bard ready to take over. Bard is probably better at this point anyway. What about a Papelbon for Prince Fielder deal?
JOSE REYES
Talk about a team that needs an overhaul. The New York Mets desperately need to change their identity. The fans want a change. It may be time for Jose Reyes to go. When healthy he is one of the most electric players in the game, but it seems as if he is always nicked up. The Mets would still get more for him than David Wright. Now I don't think they will deal him, but I won't be shocked if teams come a calling for the 27-year-old shortstop.
ICHIRO SUZUKI
The Seattle Mariners need a lot of help. They are not going to win anytime soon, especially while Ichiro Suzuki is still there. Why not deal him now, get a few pieces back in return and start over? Depending if they get major league ready players in return they may not be that far off considering they have the best young pitcher in baseball on their team in Felix Hernandez.
ZACK GREINKE
Zack Greinke was the AL Cy Young Award winner in 2009. This past season he was 10-14 with a 4.17 ERA. Which is the real guy? Greinke never really seemed to get on track in 2010. Since the Royals are once again in rebuild mode it may be time to think about dealing their ace for some prospects. The problem is he does not want to go to a big city. The perfect fit would be the Minnesota Twins, but even the Royals won't deal their star player within the division.
THIS YEAR'S RECLAMATION PROJECT: BRANDON WEBB
Last year it was Ben Sheets as the pitcher who missed all of the previous season then hit the free agent market. It didn't work out well for the Oakland Athletics who paid him $10 million only to watch him go down with another season-ending injury in July. Brandon Webb has made just one start in the last two years, but is a former NL Cy Young Award winner and won 22 games as recently as 2008. I think Arizona would love to keep him. He would be a perfect mentor to an impressive young staff, but there will be plenty of other options. Let's hope that it turns out better for him than Sheets, though.
Sixers hope to build on first win vs. Cavs
The Philadelphia 76ers hope to build on their first win of the season Friday when they welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Wells Fargo Center.
The Sixers are coming off a 101-75 thrashing of Indiana in Philly on Wednesday in which Elton Brand had game-highs of 25 points and 12 rebounds. Doug Collins was unable to see the conclusion of his first win as Sixers head coach, however. The veteran mentor stayed in the locker room after halftime due to symptoms of vertigo that caused him to miss time during the preseason.
"I had another one of my bouts. I can't take my medicine on days of games because it makes me so tired," explained Collins, who committed to being back on the bench tonight. "I'm happy for our guys. How hard they have worked and to be rewarded with this win."
Associate coach Michael Curry guided the team to the finish, witnessing six players hit double-digits as the Sixers snapped a four-game slide to start the year, which included a tough overtime loss to Washington on Tuesday.
Thaddeus Young netted 16 points, Evan Turner contributed 12, while Andre Iguodala, Jrue Holiday and Lou Williams each had 11 in the resounding win.
The Cavs, meanwhile, lost their third straight game on Tuesday when Marvin Williams scored a team-high 22 points and Al Horford had 16 points and 12 rebounds, as the Atlanta Hawks defeated Cleveland, 100-88, at Quicken Loans Arena.
J.J. Hickson went for a career-high 31 points for the Cavaliers, who have dropped the three straight after defeating Boston in their season-opener.
"Very proud of the way our guys played, especially after the first quarter," Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott said. "I loved the effort that our guys had and we have to continue doing that for the rest of the season."
Mo Williams (groin) played in his first game of the year and scored 12 points off the bench but forward Antawn Jamison missed the contest with a sore knee.
Jamison is questionable for tonight's contest, while Williams is expected to return to the starting lineup in place of Ramon Sessions.
The Sixers have dropped seven consecutive home games to Cleveland, but the Cavs are a far different team now without superstar LeBron James. The last time the Sixers beat Cleveland in the City of Brotherly Love was nearly five years ago on Feb. 22, 2006.
The Sixers are coming off a 101-75 thrashing of Indiana in Philly on Wednesday in which Elton Brand had game-highs of 25 points and 12 rebounds. Doug Collins was unable to see the conclusion of his first win as Sixers head coach, however. The veteran mentor stayed in the locker room after halftime due to symptoms of vertigo that caused him to miss time during the preseason.
"I had another one of my bouts. I can't take my medicine on days of games because it makes me so tired," explained Collins, who committed to being back on the bench tonight. "I'm happy for our guys. How hard they have worked and to be rewarded with this win."
Associate coach Michael Curry guided the team to the finish, witnessing six players hit double-digits as the Sixers snapped a four-game slide to start the year, which included a tough overtime loss to Washington on Tuesday.
Thaddeus Young netted 16 points, Evan Turner contributed 12, while Andre Iguodala, Jrue Holiday and Lou Williams each had 11 in the resounding win.
The Cavs, meanwhile, lost their third straight game on Tuesday when Marvin Williams scored a team-high 22 points and Al Horford had 16 points and 12 rebounds, as the Atlanta Hawks defeated Cleveland, 100-88, at Quicken Loans Arena.
J.J. Hickson went for a career-high 31 points for the Cavaliers, who have dropped the three straight after defeating Boston in their season-opener.
"Very proud of the way our guys played, especially after the first quarter," Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott said. "I loved the effort that our guys had and we have to continue doing that for the rest of the season."
Mo Williams (groin) played in his first game of the year and scored 12 points off the bench but forward Antawn Jamison missed the contest with a sore knee.
Jamison is questionable for tonight's contest, while Williams is expected to return to the starting lineup in place of Ramon Sessions.
The Sixers have dropped seven consecutive home games to Cleveland, but the Cavs are a far different team now without superstar LeBron James. The last time the Sixers beat Cleveland in the City of Brotherly Love was nearly five years ago on Feb. 22, 2006.
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Sixers top Indiana for first win; Collins leaves with vertigo
Philadelphia - The Sixers finally got a win but Doug Collins wasn't there to see it.
Elton Brand had game-highs of 25 points and 12 rebounds as Philadelphia routed the Indiana Pacers 101-75 in front of 12,277 at the Wells Fargo Center.
Collins was unable to see the conclusion of his first win as Sixers head coach, however, after suffering another bout of vertigo at halftime. The veteran coach stayed in the locker room after intermission and let lead assistant Michael Curry handle things the rest of the way.
"I had another one of my bouts," Collins explained after the game. "I can't take my medicine on days of games because it makes me so tired and so we had the two back-to-backs and I got about three hours of sleep last night.
"The doctor feels very good. he's been able to monitor my medicine and stuff. I'll be back Friday. I got up at halftime and I had that dizzy feeling and I told Michael to grab my arm so I wouldn't fall. The brother he has been to me in my lifetime, he took me in to the doctor and got my medicine. It's all good."
Curry witnessed six players hit double-digits as the Sixers snapped a four-game slide to start the year, which included a tough overtime loss to Washington on Tuesday.
"Michael has been a head coach. Michael has been like my extension," Collins said. "One of the reasons I came here is because he came with him. He takes care of all the defense and does so much for me."
Thaddeus Young netted 16 points, Evan Turner contributed 12, while Andre Iguodala, Jrue Holiday and Lou Williams each had 11 in the resounding win.
Danny Granger was a woeful 2-of-14 from the field for seven points for the Pacers, who bested the Sixers in Indianapolis on Saturday. Darren Collison led Indiana with 11 points in defeat.
"Sometimes you're the pounder, sometimes you're the poundee," Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said. "We were the poundee tonight. They outplayed us in every category. Brand was a very tough opponent for us. We couldn't stop him and we couldn't make shots."
The Sixers jumped out to a healthy halftime lead by shooting 53.7 percent in the first 24 minutes and holding Indiana to 28.9 percent.
The hosts went on a 17-4 flurry over the final 4 1/2 minutes of the opening quarter, and Holiday had seven points during the run, including a steal in the backcourt that led to a slam.
The 31-16 margin ballooned to 57-31 at the break thanks to another late 14-4 Sixers spurt, which Turner finished with a jumper.
Indiana got as close as 15 on two occasions in the third, the last coming on a Josh McRoberts bucket with 3 1/2 minutes left that cut it to 69-54.
Williams' three-pointer at the end of the frame had Philly on top, 78-58, and the Sixers held a significant advantage throughout the final stanza.
Six Shots:
After teams made more free throws than they attempted in three of their first four games this season, the Sixers shot 21-for-25 from the foul line while the Pacers made 12-of-17...Holiday also had four steals and five assists...Indiana shooting 31.5 percent for the game, compared to 46.9 percent for Philadelphia...Indiana had won four of its previous five games in Philly...It was Collins' first win as a head coach since April 11, 2003 while with Washington.
Scout's Eye (Breaking down the Sixers):
F - Andres Nocioni - The Argentine has brought energy and defense to the starting lineup since replacing Jason Kapono but he had his second straight poor performance at the offensive end. Nocioni is best off the bench giving that nightly lift when the starters are a step slow. It would be nice if Thaddeus Young or Evan Turner could seize the starting job and enable Nocioni to come off the bench full-time.
F - Elton Brand - Brand seems to have regained his shooting touch and was really good tonight but he still lacks his old lift and explosion. Losing weight has helped and the veteran certainly knows what to do but his body doesn't always listen.
C - Spencer Hawes - Hawes easily has his best game as a Sixer against Indiana, connecting on
his first three shots and netting a season-high seven points by midway through the first quarter. He doesn't offer enough on the boards or at the defense end, however, but Curry was quick to note that he missed 16 practices in the preseason due to a balky back. As his conditioning improves, he should be able to offer more but Collins seems to have him penciled in as a guy that gives you six to eight minutes at the start of the first and third quarters.
G - Andre Iguodala - Iggy can be a frustrating player to watch because of his inconsistency at the offensive end but he is something special defensively when motivated. Iguodala didn't even take a shot in the first quarter and was content to check his USA Basketball teammate Danny Granger. When focused,
Iguodala is one of the top five perimeter defenders in basketball. He set the tone for the Pacers' poor offensive night by holding Granger to 1-of-5 shooting in the first. The All-Star and his team never recovered.
G - Jrue Holiday - The second-year point guard seems to finally be getting his sea legs after an awful start and outplayed his former UCLA teammate Darren Collison early. That said, more consistency is needed, especially with the jumper.
G/F - Evan Turner - The rookie was Collins' first sub tonight and played with more confidence, helping the club on the boards and as a playmaker. Usually when players are as talented as Turner they bring a certain swagger to the dance and I've yet to see that.
F - Thaddeus Young - The vaunted touch around the basket is back but Young needs to do more on the boards and at the defensive end to see a spike in minutes.
G - Lou Williams - LouWill is the one player flourishing under Collins early. The head coach has shown a ton of confidence in Williams' scoring ability and he has delivered for the most part. You would like to see the Atlanta native cut down on some of the bad shots and wild play but understand when he's on the floor and the shot clock is winding down, he has been Collins' bailout guy.
F/C - Marreese Speights - Speights has been the biggest disappointment in a host of disappointments early but finally showed signs of life tonight. Collins wants him to improve his conditioning and stop worrying so much about the offensive end. He did that against Indiana, hanging at the defensive end with the talented Roy Hibbert and giving Philadelphia 11 rebounds in limited minutes. Curry noted after the game that's what the Florida product needs to do if he wants more playing time.
F - Jason Kapono - Kapono offers some spacing thanks to his pure shooting skills and little else. Strictly a situational player at this point.
Elton Brand had game-highs of 25 points and 12 rebounds as Philadelphia routed the Indiana Pacers 101-75 in front of 12,277 at the Wells Fargo Center.
Collins was unable to see the conclusion of his first win as Sixers head coach, however, after suffering another bout of vertigo at halftime. The veteran coach stayed in the locker room after intermission and let lead assistant Michael Curry handle things the rest of the way.
"I had another one of my bouts," Collins explained after the game. "I can't take my medicine on days of games because it makes me so tired and so we had the two back-to-backs and I got about three hours of sleep last night.
"The doctor feels very good. he's been able to monitor my medicine and stuff. I'll be back Friday. I got up at halftime and I had that dizzy feeling and I told Michael to grab my arm so I wouldn't fall. The brother he has been to me in my lifetime, he took me in to the doctor and got my medicine. It's all good."
Curry witnessed six players hit double-digits as the Sixers snapped a four-game slide to start the year, which included a tough overtime loss to Washington on Tuesday.
"Michael has been a head coach. Michael has been like my extension," Collins said. "One of the reasons I came here is because he came with him. He takes care of all the defense and does so much for me."
Thaddeus Young netted 16 points, Evan Turner contributed 12, while Andre Iguodala, Jrue Holiday and Lou Williams each had 11 in the resounding win.
Danny Granger was a woeful 2-of-14 from the field for seven points for the Pacers, who bested the Sixers in Indianapolis on Saturday. Darren Collison led Indiana with 11 points in defeat.
"Sometimes you're the pounder, sometimes you're the poundee," Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said. "We were the poundee tonight. They outplayed us in every category. Brand was a very tough opponent for us. We couldn't stop him and we couldn't make shots."
The Sixers jumped out to a healthy halftime lead by shooting 53.7 percent in the first 24 minutes and holding Indiana to 28.9 percent.
The hosts went on a 17-4 flurry over the final 4 1/2 minutes of the opening quarter, and Holiday had seven points during the run, including a steal in the backcourt that led to a slam.
The 31-16 margin ballooned to 57-31 at the break thanks to another late 14-4 Sixers spurt, which Turner finished with a jumper.
Indiana got as close as 15 on two occasions in the third, the last coming on a Josh McRoberts bucket with 3 1/2 minutes left that cut it to 69-54.
Williams' three-pointer at the end of the frame had Philly on top, 78-58, and the Sixers held a significant advantage throughout the final stanza.
Six Shots:
After teams made more free throws than they attempted in three of their first four games this season, the Sixers shot 21-for-25 from the foul line while the Pacers made 12-of-17...Holiday also had four steals and five assists...Indiana shooting 31.5 percent for the game, compared to 46.9 percent for Philadelphia...Indiana had won four of its previous five games in Philly...It was Collins' first win as a head coach since April 11, 2003 while with Washington.
Scout's Eye (Breaking down the Sixers):
F - Andres Nocioni - The Argentine has brought energy and defense to the starting lineup since replacing Jason Kapono but he had his second straight poor performance at the offensive end. Nocioni is best off the bench giving that nightly lift when the starters are a step slow. It would be nice if Thaddeus Young or Evan Turner could seize the starting job and enable Nocioni to come off the bench full-time.
F - Elton Brand - Brand seems to have regained his shooting touch and was really good tonight but he still lacks his old lift and explosion. Losing weight has helped and the veteran certainly knows what to do but his body doesn't always listen.
C - Spencer Hawes - Hawes easily has his best game as a Sixer against Indiana, connecting on
his first three shots and netting a season-high seven points by midway through the first quarter. He doesn't offer enough on the boards or at the defense end, however, but Curry was quick to note that he missed 16 practices in the preseason due to a balky back. As his conditioning improves, he should be able to offer more but Collins seems to have him penciled in as a guy that gives you six to eight minutes at the start of the first and third quarters.
G - Andre Iguodala - Iggy can be a frustrating player to watch because of his inconsistency at the offensive end but he is something special defensively when motivated. Iguodala didn't even take a shot in the first quarter and was content to check his USA Basketball teammate Danny Granger. When focused,
Iguodala is one of the top five perimeter defenders in basketball. He set the tone for the Pacers' poor offensive night by holding Granger to 1-of-5 shooting in the first. The All-Star and his team never recovered.
G - Jrue Holiday - The second-year point guard seems to finally be getting his sea legs after an awful start and outplayed his former UCLA teammate Darren Collison early. That said, more consistency is needed, especially with the jumper.
G/F - Evan Turner - The rookie was Collins' first sub tonight and played with more confidence, helping the club on the boards and as a playmaker. Usually when players are as talented as Turner they bring a certain swagger to the dance and I've yet to see that.
F - Thaddeus Young - The vaunted touch around the basket is back but Young needs to do more on the boards and at the defensive end to see a spike in minutes.
G - Lou Williams - LouWill is the one player flourishing under Collins early. The head coach has shown a ton of confidence in Williams' scoring ability and he has delivered for the most part. You would like to see the Atlanta native cut down on some of the bad shots and wild play but understand when he's on the floor and the shot clock is winding down, he has been Collins' bailout guy.
F/C - Marreese Speights - Speights has been the biggest disappointment in a host of disappointments early but finally showed signs of life tonight. Collins wants him to improve his conditioning and stop worrying so much about the offensive end. He did that against Indiana, hanging at the defensive end with the talented Roy Hibbert and giving Philadelphia 11 rebounds in limited minutes. Curry noted after the game that's what the Florida product needs to do if he wants more playing time.
F - Jason Kapono - Kapono offers some spacing thanks to his pure shooting skills and little else. Strictly a situational player at this point.
Eagles' Sims fined
Eagles linebacker Ernie Sims has been fined $50,000 by the NFL for a hit on Titans RB Chris Johnson.
If you can carry it, you can keep it Spectrum promotion
Comcast-Spectacor is allowing fans one-last opportunity to go inside the Spectrum on Saturday, November 6 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. for a "If You Can Carry It, You Can Keep It" event. Admission is $25
which includes a commemorative Spectrum crystal, as well as the opportunity to go onto the arena floor and take home a personal souvenir of the Spectrum.
Items available for the "If You Can Carry It, You Can Keep It" event include Spectrum folding chairs, used televisions, some office furniture, couches, computer equipment, and other collectibles. Items are first-come, first-served. Patrons will be allowed to take as much as they can carry (up to four chairs per person) with no re-entry into the arena. Tools and hand carts are prohibited. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation.
Patrons interested in participating in the "If You Can Carry It, You Can Keep It" event can purchase tickets on site at the Spectrum beginning on Saturday, November 6 at 8 a.m. Fans will be directed to enter the
Spectrum from the service tunnel in Lot G by 11th Street. Fans will be able to descend the ramp and walk right onto the arena floor, the only area provided for this event.
Demolition of the Spectrum will make way for Philly Live, a spectacular new retail, restaurant, and entertainment district. Cordish Company, of Baltimore, MD, a world-renowned developer of similar projects throughout North America, is partnering with Comcast-Spectacor in Philly Live.
which includes a commemorative Spectrum crystal, as well as the opportunity to go onto the arena floor and take home a personal souvenir of the Spectrum.
Items available for the "If You Can Carry It, You Can Keep It" event include Spectrum folding chairs, used televisions, some office furniture, couches, computer equipment, and other collectibles. Items are first-come, first-served. Patrons will be allowed to take as much as they can carry (up to four chairs per person) with no re-entry into the arena. Tools and hand carts are prohibited. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation.
Patrons interested in participating in the "If You Can Carry It, You Can Keep It" event can purchase tickets on site at the Spectrum beginning on Saturday, November 6 at 8 a.m. Fans will be directed to enter the
Spectrum from the service tunnel in Lot G by 11th Street. Fans will be able to descend the ramp and walk right onto the arena floor, the only area provided for this event.
Demolition of the Spectrum will make way for Philly Live, a spectacular new retail, restaurant, and entertainment district. Cordish Company, of Baltimore, MD, a world-renowned developer of similar projects throughout North America, is partnering with Comcast-Spectacor in Philly Live.
UFC announces first featherweight title fight
Las Vegas, NV (USA) – The newest addition to the Ultimate Fighting Championship roster of world champions, featherweight title holder Jose Aldo, will make his Octagon debut on Saturday, January 1st when he defends his 145-pound crown against 22-year old phenom Josh “The Fluke” Grispi in the co-main event at UFC 125: RESOLUTION, live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday, January 1, 2011.
Two titles will be on the line during this New Year’s Day card as Frankie “The Answer” Edgar, coming off back-to-back wins over UFC great BJ Penn, defends his title in a rematch against undefeated No. 1 contender Gray “The Bully” Maynard in the main event.
“Jose Aldo is one of the best fighters in the world, pound for pound, and you’ll see why on January 1st,” said Dana White, UFC President. “Aldo can do it all, and his historic arrival in the UFC as its first featherweight champion is going to set an exciting new standard. But Josh Grispi is a finisher, and he's got every intention of taking the featherweight title back to Boston.”
This bout marks the first time a featherweight championship match is being held in the world-renowned UFC Octagon, adding a historic touch to a stacked event which features the UFC lightweight title fight between champion Edgar and the undefeated Maynard, as well as featured matchups that include Clay Guida vs. Takanori Gomi, Chris Leben vs. Brian Stann, Nate Diaz vs. Dong Hyun Kim and Brandon Vera vs. Thiago Silva.
A high-ranking resident of the pound-for-pound list, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s Jose Aldo (fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / 18-1 professional record) has taken the world by storm since his debut in the World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) organization in 2008. Winner of eight in a row in the organization, including wins over Urijah Faber, Mike Brown, Manvel Gamburyan, Jonathan Brookins, and Cub Swanson, Aldo’s dynamic style and finishing power has drawn comparisons to some of the greatest fighters to ever lace up the gloves, including countryman and UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva. Now the 24-year old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt brings his otherworldly talent to the Octagon for what is expected to be his toughest test to date.
The 22-year old Boston native Josh Grispi (fighting out of Boston, Mass. / 14-1) may be nicknamed “The Fluke”, but his performances over the last two years have been anything but lucky. A gifted battler who can handle himself wherever the fight goes, Grispi’s last five wins have seen him finish The Ultimate Fighter 12’s Spencer Paige, Mark Hominick, Micah Miller, former UFC champ Jens Pulver, and LC Davis all in the first round, with no bout lasting more than 2:55. On January 1st, he’ll make his UFC debut with an opportunity to add a championship belt and another high-profile victim to his resume.
Saying goodbye to the Enforcer
By John McMullen
Philadelphia, PA - There was a time when power forward was truly a descriptive phrase, a time when players like Maurice Lucas spread fear among the NBA's perimeter players.
The really good power forwards back in the 1960s, 70s and 80s like Lucas played with a nastiness that has largely been legislated out of the game over the past two decades.
Lucas, a former All-Star, passed away at the age of 58 on Sunday after succumbing to an opponent far bigger and badder than Darryl Dawkins ever was, bladder cancer.
"Maurice Lucas was an amazing man and I count myself lucky to have known him," Blazers owner Paul Allen said in the statement. "We all - players, coaches, the owner and the fans - were made better by having Maurice a part of our team, whether playing on the championship team, or most recently as an
assistant coach ... I'll miss him."
Lucas, of course, was the starting power forward on the Trail Blazers' 1976-77 NBA Championship team. Nicknamed "The Enforcer," Lucas, not Bill Walton, was Portland's most valuable asset in The Finals against a much more talented Philadelphia 76ers team that featured Julius Erving, George McGinnis, Doug Collins and the aforementioned Dawkins.
Walton was unquestionably the Blazers' best player but Lucas turned out to be the most important, a fact not lost on "Big Red." In fact, Walton named his son Luke, currently of the LA Lakers, after his favorite power forward and friend.
Already an ABA legend, Lucas arrived in Portland in the ABA Dispersal Draft. Portland traded Geoff Petrie and Steve Hawes to the Atlanta Hawks for the second overall pick in the draft, which they used to select Lucas in time for the '76-77 season.
Lucas led the Blazers in scoring, offensive rebounds and minutes played, helping the franchise qualify for its first trip to the postseason where they swept the favored Lakers in the Western Conference finals before stunning the Sixers for the NBA title.
With the Sixers comfortably ahead late in Game 2 of The Finals and about to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the set, Lionel Hollins, now the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies, came up empty on a shot and the Blazers' Bob Gross, along with Dawkins went up and wrestled for the rebound.
Both players came crashing down to the floor and the two appeared ready to square off when Lucas stepped in and slapped Dawkins, the Sixers' mammoth 6-foot-11, 260-pound center, from behind. Both benches emptied and Dawkins and Lucas were ejected.
"I just nailed him," Lucas told a Portland-area newspaper when recalling the incident back in April of 2010. "BAM!"
An irate giant, Dawkins destroyed the Philadelphia locker room in anger as Lucas devised a plan to get in his head. During the introductions of Game 3 at Portland's Memorial Coliseum, instead of running to the foul line to stand with his teammates, Lucas ran directly at the Philadelphia bench.
"Everybody backed up," Lucas remembered. "And Darryl was standing there by himself."
There would be no confrontation this time, however. Lucas reached for the big man's right hand and shook it.
"And I squeezed it hard," Lucas said. "Told him, 'No hard feelings.' After that -- He was done."
Yep, for whatever reason Dawkins and the Sixers wilted.
It was almost like Lucas was a member of the Thuggee cult that worshipped the Hindu goddess Kali with human sacrifice in Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom. He reached into the Sixers' chest and ripped out their collective heart.
Portland routed Philly in the next two games in front of the usual 12,666 at the old Coliseum. The Blazers then returned to the City of Brotherly Love and got Game 5 at the Spectrum, before closing things out in the Pacific Northwest.
The Sixers were left saying "We owe you one," to their disgruntled fans, while Portland captured the title for the first and only time in the franchise's history.
Although Walton was the Blazers' leading scorer and rebounder in the series and won the NBA Finals MVP, the Hall of Famer has always referred to Lucas as "The Greatest Blazer of All-Time."
Since those Finals Lucas became part of the fabric in Portland. He stuck around with the Blazers until 1980 when he was traded to the New Jersey Nets. He finished his NBA career with stops in New York, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Seattle before returning to the Rose City for his curtain call during the 1987-88 season.
The Trail Blazers retired Lucas' jersey number, 20, in November of 1988 and he was hired by the team as an assistant coach under Mike Schuler and Rick Adelman during the 1988-89 season. In 2005, Lucas rejoined the team as an assistant coach under Nate McMillan before resigning his coaching position following the 2009-2010 season thanks to his health concerns.
"He was my friend," Hollins said after learning of Lucas' death. "He was like a brother to me. He was a confidant. He helped me on the court, but he also helped me off the court. He just took care of me. I was his little brother, and I tried to take care of him -- on the court, and a little bit off the court.
"He had a tough exterior, but he was a sweetheart of a man and very loyal to his friends. He made an impact on a lot of people's lives, and he influenced a lot of people."
While the Blazers enjoyed a bit of a rebirth in the early 1990s thanks to the talents of Clyde Drexler and Company, the franchise has never been able to capture another NBA crown.
"Maurice was the consummate teammate, a guy who really cared about the team and the members of the team," former teammate and current Grizzlies assistant Johnny Davis said. "His persona to outsiders was a tough guy who was menacing and very aggressive, but the guy had the kindest, biggest heart of anybody
you'd ever want to meet. We all knew him as that.
"Whereas other people would know him as this big, mean, tough, angry guy, he was a very kind and gentle and giving person to his teammates, to people that were close to him. Now, obviously, outsiders, yes, they caught an elbow or two. But on the inside, you couldn't have asked for a better friend and a better teammate than Maurice Lucas. He was the best."
I prefer to remember "Luke" as that big, mean, tough, angry guy. The dinosaur of a player that loved to be on the blocks.
A player that enjoyed toiling with his back to the basket, and was a little too giddy to dole out an elbow or two.
I prefer to remember him the way he was -- a real power forward. The type of player we may never see again.
Philadelphia, PA - There was a time when power forward was truly a descriptive phrase, a time when players like Maurice Lucas spread fear among the NBA's perimeter players.
The really good power forwards back in the 1960s, 70s and 80s like Lucas played with a nastiness that has largely been legislated out of the game over the past two decades.
Lucas, a former All-Star, passed away at the age of 58 on Sunday after succumbing to an opponent far bigger and badder than Darryl Dawkins ever was, bladder cancer.
"Maurice Lucas was an amazing man and I count myself lucky to have known him," Blazers owner Paul Allen said in the statement. "We all - players, coaches, the owner and the fans - were made better by having Maurice a part of our team, whether playing on the championship team, or most recently as an
assistant coach ... I'll miss him."
Lucas, of course, was the starting power forward on the Trail Blazers' 1976-77 NBA Championship team. Nicknamed "The Enforcer," Lucas, not Bill Walton, was Portland's most valuable asset in The Finals against a much more talented Philadelphia 76ers team that featured Julius Erving, George McGinnis, Doug Collins and the aforementioned Dawkins.
Walton was unquestionably the Blazers' best player but Lucas turned out to be the most important, a fact not lost on "Big Red." In fact, Walton named his son Luke, currently of the LA Lakers, after his favorite power forward and friend.
Already an ABA legend, Lucas arrived in Portland in the ABA Dispersal Draft. Portland traded Geoff Petrie and Steve Hawes to the Atlanta Hawks for the second overall pick in the draft, which they used to select Lucas in time for the '76-77 season.
Lucas led the Blazers in scoring, offensive rebounds and minutes played, helping the franchise qualify for its first trip to the postseason where they swept the favored Lakers in the Western Conference finals before stunning the Sixers for the NBA title.
With the Sixers comfortably ahead late in Game 2 of The Finals and about to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the set, Lionel Hollins, now the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies, came up empty on a shot and the Blazers' Bob Gross, along with Dawkins went up and wrestled for the rebound.
Both players came crashing down to the floor and the two appeared ready to square off when Lucas stepped in and slapped Dawkins, the Sixers' mammoth 6-foot-11, 260-pound center, from behind. Both benches emptied and Dawkins and Lucas were ejected.
"I just nailed him," Lucas told a Portland-area newspaper when recalling the incident back in April of 2010. "BAM!"
An irate giant, Dawkins destroyed the Philadelphia locker room in anger as Lucas devised a plan to get in his head. During the introductions of Game 3 at Portland's Memorial Coliseum, instead of running to the foul line to stand with his teammates, Lucas ran directly at the Philadelphia bench.
"Everybody backed up," Lucas remembered. "And Darryl was standing there by himself."
There would be no confrontation this time, however. Lucas reached for the big man's right hand and shook it.
"And I squeezed it hard," Lucas said. "Told him, 'No hard feelings.' After that -- He was done."
Yep, for whatever reason Dawkins and the Sixers wilted.
It was almost like Lucas was a member of the Thuggee cult that worshipped the Hindu goddess Kali with human sacrifice in Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom. He reached into the Sixers' chest and ripped out their collective heart.
Portland routed Philly in the next two games in front of the usual 12,666 at the old Coliseum. The Blazers then returned to the City of Brotherly Love and got Game 5 at the Spectrum, before closing things out in the Pacific Northwest.
The Sixers were left saying "We owe you one," to their disgruntled fans, while Portland captured the title for the first and only time in the franchise's history.
Although Walton was the Blazers' leading scorer and rebounder in the series and won the NBA Finals MVP, the Hall of Famer has always referred to Lucas as "The Greatest Blazer of All-Time."
Since those Finals Lucas became part of the fabric in Portland. He stuck around with the Blazers until 1980 when he was traded to the New Jersey Nets. He finished his NBA career with stops in New York, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Seattle before returning to the Rose City for his curtain call during the 1987-88 season.
The Trail Blazers retired Lucas' jersey number, 20, in November of 1988 and he was hired by the team as an assistant coach under Mike Schuler and Rick Adelman during the 1988-89 season. In 2005, Lucas rejoined the team as an assistant coach under Nate McMillan before resigning his coaching position following the 2009-2010 season thanks to his health concerns.
"He was my friend," Hollins said after learning of Lucas' death. "He was like a brother to me. He was a confidant. He helped me on the court, but he also helped me off the court. He just took care of me. I was his little brother, and I tried to take care of him -- on the court, and a little bit off the court.
"He had a tough exterior, but he was a sweetheart of a man and very loyal to his friends. He made an impact on a lot of people's lives, and he influenced a lot of people."
While the Blazers enjoyed a bit of a rebirth in the early 1990s thanks to the talents of Clyde Drexler and Company, the franchise has never been able to capture another NBA crown.
"Maurice was the consummate teammate, a guy who really cared about the team and the members of the team," former teammate and current Grizzlies assistant Johnny Davis said. "His persona to outsiders was a tough guy who was menacing and very aggressive, but the guy had the kindest, biggest heart of anybody
you'd ever want to meet. We all knew him as that.
"Whereas other people would know him as this big, mean, tough, angry guy, he was a very kind and gentle and giving person to his teammates, to people that were close to him. Now, obviously, outsiders, yes, they caught an elbow or two. But on the inside, you couldn't have asked for a better friend and a better teammate than Maurice Lucas. He was the best."
I prefer to remember "Luke" as that big, mean, tough, angry guy. The dinosaur of a player that loved to be on the blocks.
A player that enjoyed toiling with his back to the basket, and was a little too giddy to dole out an elbow or two.
I prefer to remember him the way he was -- a real power forward. The type of player we may never see again.
Le Toux wins MLS Fair Play Award
NEW YORK, (November 3, 2010) - Philadelphia Union Forward Sebastien Le Toux has earned Major League Soccer's Xbox 360 Individual Fair Play Award. The award goes to the player who exhibits the best sportsmanship and receives the least amount of yellow and red cards during the MLS regular season. Le Toux, who has never received a card in his MLS career, was nominated along with Chicago Fire's C.J. Brown and San Jose Earthquakes' Chris Wondolowski. Both Brown and Wondolowski, have seen cautions this season, receiving two and three yellow cards, respectively.
"I'm very flattered to win this award," said Sebastien Le Toux. "It is proof of what I try to show on and off the field on a daily basis, as well as my respect to the MLS rules and the fans."
Le Toux's first season with Philadelphia Union was a tremendous success. Left unprotected by Seattle Sounders FC in the 2009 MLS Expansion Draft, Le Toux emerged as one of the premier offensive stars in Major League Soccer, setting this year's MLS record in Combined Goals and Assists with a total of 25 (14 goals and 11 assists).
Playing as a forward and midfielder, Le Toux's speed, accurate finishing, deft passing and tremendous work-rate made him an MLS All-Star for the first time in 2010. Le Toux started the All-Star Game against Manchester United, the first-ever player to represent the Union in the league's midseason showcase.
"I'm very flattered to win this award," said Sebastien Le Toux. "It is proof of what I try to show on and off the field on a daily basis, as well as my respect to the MLS rules and the fans."
Le Toux's first season with Philadelphia Union was a tremendous success. Left unprotected by Seattle Sounders FC in the 2009 MLS Expansion Draft, Le Toux emerged as one of the premier offensive stars in Major League Soccer, setting this year's MLS record in Combined Goals and Assists with a total of 25 (14 goals and 11 assists).
Playing as a forward and midfielder, Le Toux's speed, accurate finishing, deft passing and tremendous work-rate made him an MLS All-Star for the first time in 2010. Le Toux started the All-Star Game against Manchester United, the first-ever player to represent the Union in the league's midseason showcase.
Former Hawks chosen in D-League draft
NEW YORK - Former Saint Joseph's players Tasheed Carr, Garrett Williamson and John Bryant were selected in the 2010 NBA D-League Draft on November 1, while Darrin Govens will invited to attend a
team training camp.
Carr, who played at SJU from 2007 to 2009, was the 15th pick in the 3rd round by the Erie (Pa.) BayHawks. A 6-4 guard from Philadelphia, Carr averaged 14.3 points and 4.3 assists his senior season and was a member of the Hawks' most recent NCAA Tournament Team in 2008. The Bayhawks are affiliated with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors.
Williamson, who finished his SJU career last season, was the 3rd pick of the 4th round by the Austin Toros. The 6-5 guard from Lower Merion, Pa., earned Atlantic 10 All-Defensive honors in 2010 and averaged 12.1 points and 3.9 assists for the Hawks. The Toros are affiliated with the San Antonio Spurs.
Bryant played for the Hawks from 2001 to 2005 and was picked by the Bakersfield (Calif.) Jam with the 5th pick of the 6th round. The 6-7 forward from Woodbridge, Va., was a member of Saint Joseph's teams
which reached the NCAA Elite Eight in 2004 and the NIT championship in 2005. Bakersfield is connected with the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers.
Govens, who also completed his SJU career in 2010, was invited to attend the training camp of the Reno Bighorns. The 6-1 guard from Chester, Pa., led the Hawks in scoring with 13.9 points per game last
season while tallying 1,360 points during his career. The Bighorns are affiliated with the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings.
Complete rosters for each of the 16 2010-11 NBA D-League teams will be comprised of the players drafted along with returning, affiliated and local tryout players. Rosters will be reduced from 17 players to
opening-day 10-man rosters by Nov. 18 in anticipation of the Nov. 18 tip off of the NBA D-League's 10th season. Each team may play one or multiple preseason game(s) between Nov. 9 and 17.
team training camp.
Carr, who played at SJU from 2007 to 2009, was the 15th pick in the 3rd round by the Erie (Pa.) BayHawks. A 6-4 guard from Philadelphia, Carr averaged 14.3 points and 4.3 assists his senior season and was a member of the Hawks' most recent NCAA Tournament Team in 2008. The Bayhawks are affiliated with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors.
Williamson, who finished his SJU career last season, was the 3rd pick of the 4th round by the Austin Toros. The 6-5 guard from Lower Merion, Pa., earned Atlantic 10 All-Defensive honors in 2010 and averaged 12.1 points and 3.9 assists for the Hawks. The Toros are affiliated with the San Antonio Spurs.
Bryant played for the Hawks from 2001 to 2005 and was picked by the Bakersfield (Calif.) Jam with the 5th pick of the 6th round. The 6-7 forward from Woodbridge, Va., was a member of Saint Joseph's teams
which reached the NCAA Elite Eight in 2004 and the NIT championship in 2005. Bakersfield is connected with the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers.
Govens, who also completed his SJU career in 2010, was invited to attend the training camp of the Reno Bighorns. The 6-1 guard from Chester, Pa., led the Hawks in scoring with 13.9 points per game last
season while tallying 1,360 points during his career. The Bighorns are affiliated with the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings.
Complete rosters for each of the 16 2010-11 NBA D-League teams will be comprised of the players drafted along with returning, affiliated and local tryout players. Rosters will be reduced from 17 players to
opening-day 10-man rosters by Nov. 18 in anticipation of the Nov. 18 tip off of the NBA D-League's 10th season. Each team may play one or multiple preseason game(s) between Nov. 9 and 17.
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
Pay to Play? Business of basketball may lead to it
By Jared Trexler
Philadelphia, PA - On the eve of Election Day, one wonders what to make of an America without moral or ethical boundaries.
When did the audacity of hope become such a laughable platitude -- a societal shift in morality met by the stringent pushback of powerful agendas and financial funding of endless, powerful pockets?
And when did Wall Street's greed and corruption and our fickle society's desire for bigger over better seep into a sports world that has become less about the game and more about the financial implications of the outcome?
Sports Illustrated's scathing agent-player expose, revelations of improper dialogue and illegal backyard BBQs involving Tennessee head coach Bruce Pearl and the latest reported violation of Iowa football and basketball recruits meeting Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore just touch the iceberg of an institution severing at its core.
Iowa recruits meeting movie stars is a minor secondary violation in comparison to Pearl's pig roast, where he served Tennessee-style fixings and may have roasted his and his employer's legacy in the process. Pearl held a press conference, played the part of wrongful soul who wants to heal through tears and hugs and admitted to conveniently forgetting certain pertinent facts in the face of NCAA inquiry.
Yet, unbeknownst to any of us, Pearl's employer sent him a Notice of Termination of Employment Agreement a day earlier, ripping up his contract and leaving him...with the same job, at slightly less pay, and maybe even a frame to mount a termination letter that had nothing to do with termination at all. Pearl held a BBQ that he knew was an NCAA violation, and he told recruits and their families just as much. Pearl's silence was golden. And apparently so was everyone else's at the party.
However, he not only put his high-profile job in jeopardy, but also the collegiate careers of the recruits eating alongside him. Page 189 of the NCAA rulebook, 14.1.1 is pretty clear in stating, "an institution should not enter a student-athlete (as an individual or a member of a team) in any intercollegiate competition if it is acknowledged by the institution or established through the Association's enforcement procedures that the institution or representative(s) of its athletics interests violated the Association's legislation in the recruiting of the student-athlete."
Pearl knew what he was doing, and risking the collegiate eligibility of 16- and 17-year-old kids who he may have been entrusted in mentoring is damning in its own right, and apt justification for termination.
The letter said as such. "...Chancellor [Jimmy] Cheek and I have determined that you engaged in gross misconduct, including dishonesty and other acts involving intolerable behavior," the letter read. "Gross misconduct," "dishonesty" and "intolerable behavior" are apparently just slaps on the wrist when you have won at least 21 games in each of your five seasons, led your team to two Sweet Sixteen appearances and one regional final and increased the athletic department's profit margin at a historical football school by turning your program into a cash cow.
Then you are safe at any cost. Pearl is just the latest, sexiest case of institutional chaos, but he is hardly alone. Connecticut head coach Jim Calhoun's program is under the ire of the NCAA as well, and the school is ardently behind him because Calhoun is a great father figure, a wonderful teacher and he transforms Storrs, Connecticut into a sports landmark for national media and passionate basketball fans each November through March. Wins equal money. And at a time when athletic department budgets are strapped due to lack of state funding, the more dollars and cents a program can bring in, the easier it is to justify the costs associated with making the big bucks.
It is Wall Street's guide to Business 101. The simple tenet that the means are justified by their success no matter the cost is preached from board rooms to coaches' offices. And therein lies the major issue with collegiate recruiting today.
We could spend valuable inches in this space discussing agent-player relationships in college basketball, how AAU and summer league coaches latch on to their valuable players and "mentor" them on collegiate choices and professional contract talks. We could talk about the reactionary suggestion by college commissioners to wipe away the July recruiting period in an attempt to cut down on both accidental and purposeful contact with recruits during unsanctioned games and tournaments.
The fact remains that coercion can be bought at any price and with any vehicle. The real issue stems from sports' relationship to big business, how athletic directors are running programs as conglomerates instead of university standard- bearers and places to teach and mold the character and skill level of talented young men in the pursuit of athletic success in a highly competitive industry.
If this is the road more traveled, the path beaten down by college basketball's power programs, then perhaps it is finally time to re-define the essence of amateurism and return to the uncomfortable, yet fast-becoming- necessary discussion of pay to play. If student athletes are treated as employees, part of a business theorem taught to MBA suits across the coaching profession, then maybe it is time to compensate them as such.
What do you think? Send your comments on the possibility of paying college basketball players to jtt128@comcast.net and I will post some of the best responses in next week's column.
In the meantime, stop the water cooler fodder associated with the vehicles of corruption. They will always be the devil's candy, and if one goes away, another will emerge. Controlling their desire to run the "industry" begins and ends with taking the industry culture out of the sport.
College basketball, like our country as a whole, is at an ethical and moral crossroads. Big business has far too much influence on our government and our amateur sports world. It is either time to truly change the atmosphere or alter the rule book to work more effectively within the culture established through means without an end.
Americans have a voice on our government's principles this November. The time for change in how college basketball programs operate is reaching its apex nearly as fast.
5 HOOPS THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK
1. Duke is a near unanimous choice in both the Associated Press and Coaches Poll as the preseason favorite to repeat as national champion, and with good reason. Point guard Nolan Smith and swingman Kyle Singler, two key cogs in last season's national title run, return, and the rich got richer with the addition of transfer Seth Curry (brother of tournament legend and current Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry) and touted freshman Kyrie Irving. Who can knock off the Blue Devils? More on that next week.
2. As mentioned briefly above, the NCAA Board of Directors decided to stay the course on July recruiting at least for one year, giving enough time to study the pros and cons of the situation. The pros obviously involve a coach's ability to scout and distinguish players' strengths and weakness in relation to their offensive system. The cons involve the attempted crackdown on recruiting ethics and the ability to limit AAU power brokers in a month when they typically thrive.
3. Pittsburgh suffered an injury to its frontcourt depth when it was announced junior Nasir Robinson will miss up to six weeks after surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee. Robinson started all 34 games last season, including a 26-point, 11-rebound effort in a victory over Louisville last season.
4. Speaking of the Panthers, how about the courage shown by head coach Jamie Dixon in helping the occupants of a vehicle that hit the side wall and flipped several times on Interstate 279 two Saturdays ago? Dixon cut his hand on windshield glass as he tried to help the individuals out of the car. He said later he was "reacting" more than "responding," but he was called a "Good Samaritan" by Pennsylvania State Troopers. It's just another nice story involving a nice guy, and one heck of a defensive coach.
5. Who am I interested to see in early-season action? Touted freshmen Josh Selby at Kansas and Harrison Barnes at North Carolina have the world watching and passionate fan bases on their shoulders. Selby, in part, is responsible with replacing Sherron Collins and helping erase Kansas' disappointing second- round tournament exit last season. Barnes is in charge of putting North Carolina back on the map after a season in purgatory. Freshmen are always a buzz in Chapel Hill, but just think about the pressure on a combo guard expected to not just maintain lofty expectations, but return the Tar Heels back to their place in the very competitive Atlantic Coast Conference.
TWEET OF THE WEEK: "St. Armand's Circle is jumping. Everyone is dressed up for Halloween and I'm dressed up as Dickie V....Trick or treat baby!!!" @DickieV --Talk about a scary costume.
NON-HOOPS THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: (AND A VERY IMPORTANT ONE) We are best remembered not by our cause of death, but by the causes we championed in life.
Each of us has a personal story of sacrifice -- many across this nation are living that story right now. But while each story has a touch of sadness and many an untimely taste of finality, that is not their narrative.
No, these are narratives of perseverance. Hope. Sacrifice and strength. Make no mistake about it, cancer is an evil and often debilitating opponent, but the end game, both physically and spiritually, is far more about life.
Catie O'Brien is an extraordinary individual. Yet, I never met her. That speaks volumes for the continuing life she brings to thousands of young children just like her. The love she brings to her team of family and friends. The life lessons her profound story teaches those like me -- individuals who live in a fast-paced world and sometimes need a reminder to life's most precious gifts.
I speak of Catie O'Brien in the present tense because her story has no end; her wishes continue to come true, her presence still shapes the world in which we live. Listen closely to a story that not only moves emotions but moves mountains in its everlasting gifts to society.
Catie O'Brien was seven years old when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer called atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT). Because of its rare location in the spine, Catie was referred to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Despite 31 rounds of radiation and two rounds of chemotherapy, Catie's tumor returned. In December 2008, Catie's family -- with her blessing -- decided to stop treatment.
Catie went home to spend her final Christmas with those closest to her. She cherished her time with family, even as she became confined to a wheelchair and eventually couldn't see. When discussion turned to Catie's final wish, her mother expected to hear about a special toy or dream vacation...the sky was the limit.
However, after a month of thinking, Catie decided she wanted to help other children and families, just as St. Jude helped her. She wanted to raise enough money to run St. Jude all day on April 23 -- her eighth birthday. The cost of her wish was $1.4 million. She also wanted everyone to color April 23rd purple on their calendars because it was her favorite color...and she wanted to be remembered.
The Catie's Wish Foundation (www.catieswish.org) was organized to follow through on Catie's desire to help others. In her final months, she threw out the first pitch at a Harrisburg Senators game and met now-New York Jets defensive tackle Jason Taylor. Her family and friends wore shirts that read, "I'm on Catie's team."
Catie, I want to be a part of your team.
And here is how you and I can help. An updated version of my book, "99 Things You Wish You Knew Before...Filling Out Your Hoops Bracket" will be available in soft-cover at Amazon sometime in the next month. Click on the link below at that time to purchase a copy. If you want to donate right away, you can purchase a Kindle, iPad, iPhone or PDF version of the book right now at the link below. Forty percent of my personal profits will go directly to Catie's Wish.
It's that easy. And it will make a difference.
I never met Catie O'Brien, but she is someone special. She is still championing causes that instill the best parts of life in all of us.
That is someone I want on my team. Forever.
Trexler is the author of "99 Things You Wish You Knew Before...Filling Out Your Hoops Bracket." Click HERE to purchase the Kindle version...and stay tuned on an updated hardcopy edition this winter! Trexler also wrote "Penn State Football: An Interactive Guide To The World of Sports", a detailed look at the Nittany Lions' storied football history. It can be purchased HERE.
Philadelphia, PA - On the eve of Election Day, one wonders what to make of an America without moral or ethical boundaries.
When did the audacity of hope become such a laughable platitude -- a societal shift in morality met by the stringent pushback of powerful agendas and financial funding of endless, powerful pockets?
And when did Wall Street's greed and corruption and our fickle society's desire for bigger over better seep into a sports world that has become less about the game and more about the financial implications of the outcome?
Sports Illustrated's scathing agent-player expose, revelations of improper dialogue and illegal backyard BBQs involving Tennessee head coach Bruce Pearl and the latest reported violation of Iowa football and basketball recruits meeting Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore just touch the iceberg of an institution severing at its core.
Iowa recruits meeting movie stars is a minor secondary violation in comparison to Pearl's pig roast, where he served Tennessee-style fixings and may have roasted his and his employer's legacy in the process. Pearl held a press conference, played the part of wrongful soul who wants to heal through tears and hugs and admitted to conveniently forgetting certain pertinent facts in the face of NCAA inquiry.
Yet, unbeknownst to any of us, Pearl's employer sent him a Notice of Termination of Employment Agreement a day earlier, ripping up his contract and leaving him...with the same job, at slightly less pay, and maybe even a frame to mount a termination letter that had nothing to do with termination at all. Pearl held a BBQ that he knew was an NCAA violation, and he told recruits and their families just as much. Pearl's silence was golden. And apparently so was everyone else's at the party.
However, he not only put his high-profile job in jeopardy, but also the collegiate careers of the recruits eating alongside him. Page 189 of the NCAA rulebook, 14.1.1 is pretty clear in stating, "an institution should not enter a student-athlete (as an individual or a member of a team) in any intercollegiate competition if it is acknowledged by the institution or established through the Association's enforcement procedures that the institution or representative(s) of its athletics interests violated the Association's legislation in the recruiting of the student-athlete."
Pearl knew what he was doing, and risking the collegiate eligibility of 16- and 17-year-old kids who he may have been entrusted in mentoring is damning in its own right, and apt justification for termination.
The letter said as such. "...Chancellor [Jimmy] Cheek and I have determined that you engaged in gross misconduct, including dishonesty and other acts involving intolerable behavior," the letter read. "Gross misconduct," "dishonesty" and "intolerable behavior" are apparently just slaps on the wrist when you have won at least 21 games in each of your five seasons, led your team to two Sweet Sixteen appearances and one regional final and increased the athletic department's profit margin at a historical football school by turning your program into a cash cow.
Then you are safe at any cost. Pearl is just the latest, sexiest case of institutional chaos, but he is hardly alone. Connecticut head coach Jim Calhoun's program is under the ire of the NCAA as well, and the school is ardently behind him because Calhoun is a great father figure, a wonderful teacher and he transforms Storrs, Connecticut into a sports landmark for national media and passionate basketball fans each November through March. Wins equal money. And at a time when athletic department budgets are strapped due to lack of state funding, the more dollars and cents a program can bring in, the easier it is to justify the costs associated with making the big bucks.
It is Wall Street's guide to Business 101. The simple tenet that the means are justified by their success no matter the cost is preached from board rooms to coaches' offices. And therein lies the major issue with collegiate recruiting today.
We could spend valuable inches in this space discussing agent-player relationships in college basketball, how AAU and summer league coaches latch on to their valuable players and "mentor" them on collegiate choices and professional contract talks. We could talk about the reactionary suggestion by college commissioners to wipe away the July recruiting period in an attempt to cut down on both accidental and purposeful contact with recruits during unsanctioned games and tournaments.
The fact remains that coercion can be bought at any price and with any vehicle. The real issue stems from sports' relationship to big business, how athletic directors are running programs as conglomerates instead of university standard- bearers and places to teach and mold the character and skill level of talented young men in the pursuit of athletic success in a highly competitive industry.
If this is the road more traveled, the path beaten down by college basketball's power programs, then perhaps it is finally time to re-define the essence of amateurism and return to the uncomfortable, yet fast-becoming- necessary discussion of pay to play. If student athletes are treated as employees, part of a business theorem taught to MBA suits across the coaching profession, then maybe it is time to compensate them as such.
What do you think? Send your comments on the possibility of paying college basketball players to jtt128@comcast.net and I will post some of the best responses in next week's column.
In the meantime, stop the water cooler fodder associated with the vehicles of corruption. They will always be the devil's candy, and if one goes away, another will emerge. Controlling their desire to run the "industry" begins and ends with taking the industry culture out of the sport.
College basketball, like our country as a whole, is at an ethical and moral crossroads. Big business has far too much influence on our government and our amateur sports world. It is either time to truly change the atmosphere or alter the rule book to work more effectively within the culture established through means without an end.
Americans have a voice on our government's principles this November. The time for change in how college basketball programs operate is reaching its apex nearly as fast.
5 HOOPS THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK
1. Duke is a near unanimous choice in both the Associated Press and Coaches Poll as the preseason favorite to repeat as national champion, and with good reason. Point guard Nolan Smith and swingman Kyle Singler, two key cogs in last season's national title run, return, and the rich got richer with the addition of transfer Seth Curry (brother of tournament legend and current Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry) and touted freshman Kyrie Irving. Who can knock off the Blue Devils? More on that next week.
2. As mentioned briefly above, the NCAA Board of Directors decided to stay the course on July recruiting at least for one year, giving enough time to study the pros and cons of the situation. The pros obviously involve a coach's ability to scout and distinguish players' strengths and weakness in relation to their offensive system. The cons involve the attempted crackdown on recruiting ethics and the ability to limit AAU power brokers in a month when they typically thrive.
3. Pittsburgh suffered an injury to its frontcourt depth when it was announced junior Nasir Robinson will miss up to six weeks after surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee. Robinson started all 34 games last season, including a 26-point, 11-rebound effort in a victory over Louisville last season.
4. Speaking of the Panthers, how about the courage shown by head coach Jamie Dixon in helping the occupants of a vehicle that hit the side wall and flipped several times on Interstate 279 two Saturdays ago? Dixon cut his hand on windshield glass as he tried to help the individuals out of the car. He said later he was "reacting" more than "responding," but he was called a "Good Samaritan" by Pennsylvania State Troopers. It's just another nice story involving a nice guy, and one heck of a defensive coach.
5. Who am I interested to see in early-season action? Touted freshmen Josh Selby at Kansas and Harrison Barnes at North Carolina have the world watching and passionate fan bases on their shoulders. Selby, in part, is responsible with replacing Sherron Collins and helping erase Kansas' disappointing second- round tournament exit last season. Barnes is in charge of putting North Carolina back on the map after a season in purgatory. Freshmen are always a buzz in Chapel Hill, but just think about the pressure on a combo guard expected to not just maintain lofty expectations, but return the Tar Heels back to their place in the very competitive Atlantic Coast Conference.
TWEET OF THE WEEK: "St. Armand's Circle is jumping. Everyone is dressed up for Halloween and I'm dressed up as Dickie V....Trick or treat baby!!!" @DickieV --Talk about a scary costume.
NON-HOOPS THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: (AND A VERY IMPORTANT ONE) We are best remembered not by our cause of death, but by the causes we championed in life.
Each of us has a personal story of sacrifice -- many across this nation are living that story right now. But while each story has a touch of sadness and many an untimely taste of finality, that is not their narrative.
No, these are narratives of perseverance. Hope. Sacrifice and strength. Make no mistake about it, cancer is an evil and often debilitating opponent, but the end game, both physically and spiritually, is far more about life.
Catie O'Brien is an extraordinary individual. Yet, I never met her. That speaks volumes for the continuing life she brings to thousands of young children just like her. The love she brings to her team of family and friends. The life lessons her profound story teaches those like me -- individuals who live in a fast-paced world and sometimes need a reminder to life's most precious gifts.
I speak of Catie O'Brien in the present tense because her story has no end; her wishes continue to come true, her presence still shapes the world in which we live. Listen closely to a story that not only moves emotions but moves mountains in its everlasting gifts to society.
Catie O'Brien was seven years old when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer called atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT). Because of its rare location in the spine, Catie was referred to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Despite 31 rounds of radiation and two rounds of chemotherapy, Catie's tumor returned. In December 2008, Catie's family -- with her blessing -- decided to stop treatment.
Catie went home to spend her final Christmas with those closest to her. She cherished her time with family, even as she became confined to a wheelchair and eventually couldn't see. When discussion turned to Catie's final wish, her mother expected to hear about a special toy or dream vacation...the sky was the limit.
However, after a month of thinking, Catie decided she wanted to help other children and families, just as St. Jude helped her. She wanted to raise enough money to run St. Jude all day on April 23 -- her eighth birthday. The cost of her wish was $1.4 million. She also wanted everyone to color April 23rd purple on their calendars because it was her favorite color...and she wanted to be remembered.
The Catie's Wish Foundation (www.catieswish.org) was organized to follow through on Catie's desire to help others. In her final months, she threw out the first pitch at a Harrisburg Senators game and met now-New York Jets defensive tackle Jason Taylor. Her family and friends wore shirts that read, "I'm on Catie's team."
Catie, I want to be a part of your team.
And here is how you and I can help. An updated version of my book, "99 Things You Wish You Knew Before...Filling Out Your Hoops Bracket" will be available in soft-cover at Amazon sometime in the next month. Click on the link below at that time to purchase a copy. If you want to donate right away, you can purchase a Kindle, iPad, iPhone or PDF version of the book right now at the link below. Forty percent of my personal profits will go directly to Catie's Wish.
It's that easy. And it will make a difference.
I never met Catie O'Brien, but she is someone special. She is still championing causes that instill the best parts of life in all of us.
That is someone I want on my team. Forever.
Trexler is the author of "99 Things You Wish You Knew Before...Filling Out Your Hoops Bracket." Click HERE to purchase the Kindle version...and stay tuned on an updated hardcopy edition this winter! Trexler also wrote "Penn State Football: An Interactive Guide To The World of Sports", a detailed look at the Nittany Lions' storied football history. It can be purchased HERE.
Sixers will wait on Young
A couple of years ago the Sixers thought Thaddeus Young had a chance to develop into an All-Star type player. Now, the team has decided against extending his rookie contract to a fifth year, making Young a restricted free agent July 1, 2011.
The Sixers could still retain Young, the 12th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, and will hold a right of first refusal on any offer the forward may get from another team but the move is a clear indication on where Young currently stands.
A lack of development on the defensive end and the glass was compounded last year when Young struggled mightily in Eddie Jordan's Princeton Offense.
Doug Collins considered Young a reclamation project but any progress has been slow at this point although his shooting touch seems to have returned. Young has been coming off the bench, averaging 10.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in just 23 minutes a night. His 58.3 shooting percentage is by far the best on the team, however.
The Sixers could still retain Young, the 12th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, and will hold a right of first refusal on any offer the forward may get from another team but the move is a clear indication on where Young currently stands.
A lack of development on the defensive end and the glass was compounded last year when Young struggled mightily in Eddie Jordan's Princeton Offense.
Doug Collins considered Young a reclamation project but any progress has been slow at this point although his shooting touch seems to have returned. Young has been coming off the bench, averaging 10.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in just 23 minutes a night. His 58.3 shooting percentage is by far the best on the team, however.
For Once, We're Clean in McNabb Mess
By Steve Lienert
Philadelphia (The Phanatic Magazine) - When word spread through NFL press boxes that Redskins coach Mike Shanahan benched quarterback Donovan McNabb for the final 1:50 of Washington’s loss to the Lions on Sunday, it certainly raised a lot of eyebrows.
Here in Philadelphia, though, all it generated was another roll of the eyes.
Another chapter in the epic melodrama that has become Donovan McNabb’s NFL career was penned when Shanahan put in — I’m trying not to laugh here– Rex Grossman, saying that he had a better grasp of the two-minute offense than McNabb and that he gave his team the best chance to win at the time.
Um, yeah, whatever you say there, coach.
On his first play from scrimmage this season, Grossman dropped back, got hit and lost his grasp on the ball, which was scooped up by Detroit defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh and returned for a game-sealing touchdown.
On Monday, Shanahan then reversed field faster than Andy Reid and said he made the inexplicable and inexcusable move because McNabb didn’t have the “cardiovascular endurance” to run the two-minute offense.
OK, to paraphrase, first he called McNabb too stupid to grasp the offense after being in his system since the spring, then he called him too fat to navigate 80 yards in 1:50 of football time. Are you kidding me?
Now there are stories circulating that Shanahan never liked McNabb’s accuracy (shocker there) nor his practice habits. (Really? No way. I mean, just get out of town and stop pulling my leg already.) There’s also a rumor saying that Shanahan wanted to bench McNabb after the Eagles game.
In Philly, we’ve been there, done this. We’ve seen this show. Frankly, for once, it’s nice not to have any involvement in McNabb’s martyrdom. We can just sit back and watch the train wreck, much like Packers fans are enjoying how the Vikings season is going this year.
We’ve known that McNabb can’t efficiently run a two-minute offense for years now. We also know that he has a penchant not to be the most prepared quarterback all the time, that we won’t be the most accurate quarterback you’ll ever meet and that he can be out of shape from time to time.
Shanahan’s pronouncements on Sunday and Monday were nothing but truths about McNabb that we as Eagles fans hold as self-evident.
Shanahan seems to have the patience of an alcoholic at an open bar, with the temperament to boot. If he really thinks Rex Grossman gives his team a better chance to win a football game than McNabb does, he should have his own head examined.
Shanahan made a mockery out of defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth’s ‘cardiovascular endurance’ during training camp and Albert has just been lighting the world on fire ever since, recording a whopping 13 tackles and two sacks in eight games thus far this season.
That’s a nice return on owner Daniel Snyder’s $100-million dollar investment.
Speaking of return on investments, how does that second-round pick for McNabb look now? Because it seems to me like the Redskins got fleeced. Then again, that’s just the Redskins being the Redskins.
And McNabb, who seems to be ever preparing for an acting career after football, is fine-tuning his typecast role has the loveable victim by once again toeing the company line by saying that Shanahan makes the calls “so he went with it.”
Following the bye, Shanahan will anoint McNabb the starter (again) and proclaim to have full faith in his abilities (again), but it will all be hollow. None of this will motivate McNabb to hit the playbook or the track though.
If Shanahan expects a different McNabb, maybe the Redskins are better off with Grossman after all. And if the Vikings and their fans aren’t careful, this soap opera will be in Minneapolis by this time next year.
Steve Lienert can be reached at stevelienert@hotmail.com.
Philadelphia (The Phanatic Magazine) - When word spread through NFL press boxes that Redskins coach Mike Shanahan benched quarterback Donovan McNabb for the final 1:50 of Washington’s loss to the Lions on Sunday, it certainly raised a lot of eyebrows.
Here in Philadelphia, though, all it generated was another roll of the eyes.
Another chapter in the epic melodrama that has become Donovan McNabb’s NFL career was penned when Shanahan put in — I’m trying not to laugh here– Rex Grossman, saying that he had a better grasp of the two-minute offense than McNabb and that he gave his team the best chance to win at the time.
Um, yeah, whatever you say there, coach.
On his first play from scrimmage this season, Grossman dropped back, got hit and lost his grasp on the ball, which was scooped up by Detroit defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh and returned for a game-sealing touchdown.
On Monday, Shanahan then reversed field faster than Andy Reid and said he made the inexplicable and inexcusable move because McNabb didn’t have the “cardiovascular endurance” to run the two-minute offense.
OK, to paraphrase, first he called McNabb too stupid to grasp the offense after being in his system since the spring, then he called him too fat to navigate 80 yards in 1:50 of football time. Are you kidding me?
Now there are stories circulating that Shanahan never liked McNabb’s accuracy (shocker there) nor his practice habits. (Really? No way. I mean, just get out of town and stop pulling my leg already.) There’s also a rumor saying that Shanahan wanted to bench McNabb after the Eagles game.
In Philly, we’ve been there, done this. We’ve seen this show. Frankly, for once, it’s nice not to have any involvement in McNabb’s martyrdom. We can just sit back and watch the train wreck, much like Packers fans are enjoying how the Vikings season is going this year.
We’ve known that McNabb can’t efficiently run a two-minute offense for years now. We also know that he has a penchant not to be the most prepared quarterback all the time, that we won’t be the most accurate quarterback you’ll ever meet and that he can be out of shape from time to time.
Shanahan’s pronouncements on Sunday and Monday were nothing but truths about McNabb that we as Eagles fans hold as self-evident.
Shanahan seems to have the patience of an alcoholic at an open bar, with the temperament to boot. If he really thinks Rex Grossman gives his team a better chance to win a football game than McNabb does, he should have his own head examined.
Shanahan made a mockery out of defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth’s ‘cardiovascular endurance’ during training camp and Albert has just been lighting the world on fire ever since, recording a whopping 13 tackles and two sacks in eight games thus far this season.
That’s a nice return on owner Daniel Snyder’s $100-million dollar investment.
Speaking of return on investments, how does that second-round pick for McNabb look now? Because it seems to me like the Redskins got fleeced. Then again, that’s just the Redskins being the Redskins.
And McNabb, who seems to be ever preparing for an acting career after football, is fine-tuning his typecast role has the loveable victim by once again toeing the company line by saying that Shanahan makes the calls “so he went with it.”
Following the bye, Shanahan will anoint McNabb the starter (again) and proclaim to have full faith in his abilities (again), but it will all be hollow. None of this will motivate McNabb to hit the playbook or the track though.
If Shanahan expects a different McNabb, maybe the Redskins are better off with Grossman after all. And if the Vikings and their fans aren’t careful, this soap opera will be in Minneapolis by this time next year.
Steve Lienert can be reached at stevelienert@hotmail.com.
Monday, November 01, 2010
Briere speaks out about suspension
Courtesy of the Delco Times
Flyers center Danny Briere
Q: Where you surprised by the decision of the league?
"More shocked. I think surprised is not strong enough. Honestly, I'm shocked. I honestly didn't think I would get more than, after everything else, all of the suspensions that have been handed out the last couple of years and this year, honestly, I didn't think I was going to get a game. Then I thought, ok yes I am a repeat offender, they'll probably give me a game because of it. I'm shocked that it was more than a game."
Q: When you look at it, Danny, do you think you got 3 games because the third game was against the Islanders again?
"I mean it's possible. But, what am I going to do? Am I going to fight their whole team? I've had, what, 2 or 3 fights in my life, in my career. It's not like I'm going to do anything physical, even if I play against the Islanders, if that's what they were thinking. I don't know; it's possible."
Q: Is it fair to say that the new head shot rule is factoring it? They are making examples of everybody right away.
"Yeah. I made a mistake, my stick was up. I'm the first one to admit it. It shouldn't have been there. After what he said on the faceoff, all I was thinking was I got to protect myself, after what happened to [Andrej] Meszaros, what happened with Trevor Gilles on [Braydon] Coburn. I said, 'I got to protect myself', and if you see the faceoff before, he gets me in a headlock and punches me behind the head, the same player. So I was like I got to get my head up and protect myself. What I'm disappointed in is the fact they tried to spin it as a crosscheck to the head. If you look at the replay, it's clearly not a crosscheck. A crosscheck is two hands moving forward. It's a push with one hand. The mistake I made was that my stick was up there. Is it worth 3 games for that? I don't think so. On top of it, I missed him, I didn't even get him. There are guys whose careers are in danger for bad hits to the head. [Chicago Blackhawks' defensemen Niklas] Hjalmarsson gets two games, and we don't even know what is going to happen to [Buffalo Sabres' winger Jason] Pominville. Only 2 games for that. And then you have [Pittsburgh forward Matt] Cooke on [Boston Bruins' center Marc] Savard. Savard has already lost a big amount of time. That's why I was shocked that it was more than a game."
Q: The replay looks like your stick hits him in the helmet, but you are saying it never got to his helmet?
"I think my glove grazes the top of his helmet, not my stick. He goes down because Danny Carcillo comes in and finishes his check on the faceoff. So, I understand that that made it look worse; on the play everybody thought it was me. But if you look at the replay, it's my glove that kind of grazes over his helmet. My stick doesn't touch him."
Q: Is the old hearing system still in place? Did you get a chance to talk to [NHL Executive Colin] Campbell about this?
"I did. I explained the situation. I explained that he challenged me, and that I wanted to defend myself, protect myself. I told him that I understood that my stick should've been up there. But honestly, I don't think that. [the explanation] didn't amount to anything. I think his mind was made up before he rang, because anything I said was, obviously, not taken into consideration."
Q: You said [Frans] Nielsen was cursing at you. Was it that faceoff or a previous one?
"That one."
Q: What did he say?
"That's stuff on the ice, between two players."
Q: Did he say something threatening?
"Yeah. It was some sort of challenge, and that's why I had my stick up. I wanted to protect myself."
Q: Did it end with [Campbell hanging up on you]?
"Yeah pretty much."
Q: Are you disappointed with the timing of this, considering the team is on a three game roll?
"Well it's never a good time for a suspension. If you are losing, you don't want to be suspended; you want to try and get back on track and help the team. If the team is winning, you want to keep on a roll. There is never a good time for a suspension. Either way I would be disappointed."
Q: Can you talk about your aggression?
"He punched me behind the head, and if you look at the replay I'm shocked that Nielsen is doing that. I don't retaliate. On that faceoff, one thing you can write, that I told him, 'what are you doing? I know you are frustrated but what are you trying to prove out there?' That's when he crossed the circle, and gets in my face to tell me that stuff. Even at that point, there's clearly no anger. All I'm thinking of is to protect myself. After the play, if I wanted to hurt him, I could have jumped on him, I could have punched him in the back of the head, I could have crossed checked him in the back when he's down. Then, [Islanders' goalie Rick] DiPietro comes in and spears me, and even then there's no anger, no frustration, and that's why I was a little baffled by the whole thing. Because a lot of time, they will tell you its premeditated or you clearly knew what you were doing, you were trying to get back at him. There was none of that at any point in the incident.
Q: You mentioned the serious stuff a moment ago, is this the right track to take? Is the league on the right track as far as deterrents? Were you thinking, on the ice, if you were about to get suspended?
"No you don't think about that. It just happens. I know I don't."
Q: Do you think the league has an effective policy about cracking down on hits to the head?
"I think that they need to find a way to have the same standards for everyone."
Flyers center Danny Briere
Q: Where you surprised by the decision of the league?
"More shocked. I think surprised is not strong enough. Honestly, I'm shocked. I honestly didn't think I would get more than, after everything else, all of the suspensions that have been handed out the last couple of years and this year, honestly, I didn't think I was going to get a game. Then I thought, ok yes I am a repeat offender, they'll probably give me a game because of it. I'm shocked that it was more than a game."
Q: When you look at it, Danny, do you think you got 3 games because the third game was against the Islanders again?
"I mean it's possible. But, what am I going to do? Am I going to fight their whole team? I've had, what, 2 or 3 fights in my life, in my career. It's not like I'm going to do anything physical, even if I play against the Islanders, if that's what they were thinking. I don't know; it's possible."
Q: Is it fair to say that the new head shot rule is factoring it? They are making examples of everybody right away.
"Yeah. I made a mistake, my stick was up. I'm the first one to admit it. It shouldn't have been there. After what he said on the faceoff, all I was thinking was I got to protect myself, after what happened to [Andrej] Meszaros, what happened with Trevor Gilles on [Braydon] Coburn. I said, 'I got to protect myself', and if you see the faceoff before, he gets me in a headlock and punches me behind the head, the same player. So I was like I got to get my head up and protect myself. What I'm disappointed in is the fact they tried to spin it as a crosscheck to the head. If you look at the replay, it's clearly not a crosscheck. A crosscheck is two hands moving forward. It's a push with one hand. The mistake I made was that my stick was up there. Is it worth 3 games for that? I don't think so. On top of it, I missed him, I didn't even get him. There are guys whose careers are in danger for bad hits to the head. [Chicago Blackhawks' defensemen Niklas] Hjalmarsson gets two games, and we don't even know what is going to happen to [Buffalo Sabres' winger Jason] Pominville. Only 2 games for that. And then you have [Pittsburgh forward Matt] Cooke on [Boston Bruins' center Marc] Savard. Savard has already lost a big amount of time. That's why I was shocked that it was more than a game."
Q: The replay looks like your stick hits him in the helmet, but you are saying it never got to his helmet?
"I think my glove grazes the top of his helmet, not my stick. He goes down because Danny Carcillo comes in and finishes his check on the faceoff. So, I understand that that made it look worse; on the play everybody thought it was me. But if you look at the replay, it's my glove that kind of grazes over his helmet. My stick doesn't touch him."
Q: Is the old hearing system still in place? Did you get a chance to talk to [NHL Executive Colin] Campbell about this?
"I did. I explained the situation. I explained that he challenged me, and that I wanted to defend myself, protect myself. I told him that I understood that my stick should've been up there. But honestly, I don't think that. [the explanation] didn't amount to anything. I think his mind was made up before he rang, because anything I said was, obviously, not taken into consideration."
Q: You said [Frans] Nielsen was cursing at you. Was it that faceoff or a previous one?
"That one."
Q: What did he say?
"That's stuff on the ice, between two players."
Q: Did he say something threatening?
"Yeah. It was some sort of challenge, and that's why I had my stick up. I wanted to protect myself."
Q: Did it end with [Campbell hanging up on you]?
"Yeah pretty much."
Q: Are you disappointed with the timing of this, considering the team is on a three game roll?
"Well it's never a good time for a suspension. If you are losing, you don't want to be suspended; you want to try and get back on track and help the team. If the team is winning, you want to keep on a roll. There is never a good time for a suspension. Either way I would be disappointed."
Q: Can you talk about your aggression?
"He punched me behind the head, and if you look at the replay I'm shocked that Nielsen is doing that. I don't retaliate. On that faceoff, one thing you can write, that I told him, 'what are you doing? I know you are frustrated but what are you trying to prove out there?' That's when he crossed the circle, and gets in my face to tell me that stuff. Even at that point, there's clearly no anger. All I'm thinking of is to protect myself. After the play, if I wanted to hurt him, I could have jumped on him, I could have punched him in the back of the head, I could have crossed checked him in the back when he's down. Then, [Islanders' goalie Rick] DiPietro comes in and spears me, and even then there's no anger, no frustration, and that's why I was a little baffled by the whole thing. Because a lot of time, they will tell you its premeditated or you clearly knew what you were doing, you were trying to get back at him. There was none of that at any point in the incident.
Q: You mentioned the serious stuff a moment ago, is this the right track to take? Is the league on the right track as far as deterrents? Were you thinking, on the ice, if you were about to get suspended?
"No you don't think about that. It just happens. I know I don't."
Q: Do you think the league has an effective policy about cracking down on hits to the head?
"I think that they need to find a way to have the same standards for everyone."
Union announces front office changes
Philadelphia Union’s Tom Veit will step down as President, effective December 31, 2010, and return to the role of Primary Business Consultant for the Union and Keystone Sports and Entertainment, the club announced today. CEO & Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz will assume management of Veit’s responsibilities in addition to his duties associated with the ownership group of Philadelphia Union.
“This has been an incredible opportunity for me,” remarked Veit. “To be a part of launching this team and stadium was amazing but I always knew that I wanted to return to consulting. It was important for me to know that when I was ready to step down our organization was rock solid and today I truly believe that it is. The fact that I get to return to a part of business that I love, consulting, and still be able to work with the Union on a daily basis is a dream come true.“
Veit and Sakiewicz first worked together at the Tampa Bay Mutiny and later reunited in January of 2008 to launch Keystone Sports and Entertainment, operators of Philadelphia Union and PPL Park. Originally brought on as a consultant, Veit assumed the role of President to assist Sakiewicz and helped to orchestrate one of the most successful expansion team launches in MLS history.
“Tom has done a great job helping us with the launch of the team and the opening of PPL Park,” said Sakiewicz. “I always knew he would be returning to Tampa and I’m delighted he will still be working with us on a consulting basis.”
Flyers recall Wellwood
The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that 5’11”, 179-pound left wing Eric Wellwood has been recalled from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms, on emergency conditions.
Wellwood will be available to make his NHL debut tonight when the Flyers host the Carolina Hurricanes.
Wellwood, 20 (3-6-1990), has scored three goals and added an assist in 11 games for the Phantoms this season. The native of Windsor, Ontario was selected by the Flyers in the sixth round (172nd overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Wings re-sugn Wray
The Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) re-signed defenseman Taylor Wray for the 25th anniversary season.
Wray had three points and tallied 51 loose balls in 13 games during the 2010 season. He was traded to the Wings in 2007 after a four year stint with the Calgary Roughnecks. He began his career in 2004, winning the NLL Championship with Calgary and was named both Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.
Wray is a 2003 graduate of Duke University and has spent the last four seasons as the Assistant Coach of the Lehigh University Lacrosse Team.
Flyers' Briere suspended three games for Saturday incident
by Bob Herpen
Phanatic Hockey Editor
The National Hockey League on Monday suspended Philadelphia Flyers forward Danny Briere three games for an incident during last Saturday's game with the New York Islanders.
Briere was given a major for cross-checking and a game misconduct in the final minute of the third period during a 6-1 Flyers victory after hitting Islanders forward Frans Nielsen in the face with his stick after a face-off. Nielsen himself was given a 10-minute misconduct on the play.
The 33-year-old Quebec native, who leads the club with six goals and has also posted eight points in 11 games, will not be eligible to return until Sunday's contest in Washington, and will forfeit $237,804.87 in salary which will automatically go to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
He will miss Monday's home game with Carolina, Thursday's home contest against the Rangers and Saturday's tilt at the New York Islanders.
Phanatic Hockey Editor
The National Hockey League on Monday suspended Philadelphia Flyers forward Danny Briere three games for an incident during last Saturday's game with the New York Islanders.
Briere was given a major for cross-checking and a game misconduct in the final minute of the third period during a 6-1 Flyers victory after hitting Islanders forward Frans Nielsen in the face with his stick after a face-off. Nielsen himself was given a 10-minute misconduct on the play.
The 33-year-old Quebec native, who leads the club with six goals and has also posted eight points in 11 games, will not be eligible to return until Sunday's contest in Washington, and will forfeit $237,804.87 in salary which will automatically go to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
He will miss Monday's home game with Carolina, Thursday's home contest against the Rangers and Saturday's tilt at the New York Islanders.
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