MLB free agents: Kenny Lofton expected to move to new team for 20th time

There was always free agent and trade talks during the off-season in baseball. It's too bad no real big names have come up other than Johan Santana. Okay, players that anybody cares about for that matter. Of course, Barry Bonds is on the block for bargaining bidders. I can't see him playing as a DH in the AL. He's still up against the steroids scandal and will deny and fight until the end it looks like. Few teams won't be willing to take a chance on old Bar-roid. If they do it will only cause a black cloud to loom over the team and drops of blood with dirty syringes to be found in the clubhouse.

Who else is available in the free agency? Well, once again Kenny Lofton is up for grabs (yeah, real big surprise here!) and I believe is trying to set the record for playing for every current MLB baseball team! The speedy centerfielder has been around and tossed from one place to the next. I think Lofton has yet to play for the Twins, Nationals, Rockies, Diamondbacks, and Royals. Most likely he'll be heading back to the NL then get traded in a year. With his speed and uncanny likeness to Major League's Willie Mays Hayes character he's hard to argue he only belongs on the Cleveland Indians. They both have a better chance at stealing home than hitting a homerun in a game.

The Texas Rangers have decided to pass up on extending a contract to Sammy Sosa. He might as well forget about any multi-million dollar deals coming his way and just be glad he can stay in MLB. Wherever he ends up I don't believe Sosa will serve much of role because his best years are over. He can still play in the outfield and and platoon at the DH, but the power numbers just won't be there anymore. The only real decent free agent on the market is Mike Piazza. Oakland has apparently parted ways with the veteran catcher. Any teams looking for another quality hitter in their lineup should cash in on Piazza. His numbers have been down in recent years, but he is a clutch performer. He'd make a nice addition to a team that has yet to win a World Series in about a century.

I'm sure other names will pop up on the radar for MLB teams looking to mix it up in the market. If more active and former players are brought up in the steroids investigation as the season starts the fans probably won't be coming out to the ballparks in droves and sales on souvenirs and at food concessions will drop big time. The worst case scenario for fans would be to find out their favorite player uses steroids during the middle of a game and plummet to their death by jumping from the upper deck because they can't take it anymore. Let's hope freak incidents like that don't happen.

Hoosiers push win streak to 12 with win over Penn State

The Indiana Hoosiers are on a roll as of late. Prevailing over Penn State this past weekend 81-65 they recorded their 12th straight victory and 27th at home. A game more dictated by defense the Hoosiers were able to wear out the Nittany Lions with a series of stinging plays in the second half. Indiana freshman guard Eric Gordon set the tone on offense, scoring 25 points. D.J. White sparked a complimentary with 22 points. The Hoosiers had a slow start, but finished the game shooting 57% from the field to Penn State's 44%.

Cutting down on the turnovers a major factor in route to the home team's victory. They had only 2 in the second half. Their defense clamped down, not allowing Penn State to get in any type of rhythm. Guard Talor Battle was the high scorer for the Nittany Lions with 20 points. So confidence with his starting lineup, Coach Kelvin Sampson left them in for the entire second half. Fatigue didn't seem to set for the 5 starters who pulled out the stops to earn a 16-1 record. The Hoosiers had ran a win streak as far as 12 games in 15 years.

Baron Davis nets 40, Warriors down Bulls

The intensity of the NBA Western conference is really starting to rise. There are several tough teams and so many difficult decisions to make for All-Star selections. One star guard definitely proved he belonged in this year's All-Star game. Last night at the United Center in Chicago the Warriors continued to demonstrate their prowess on the offensive end. I have to say the Bulls hung with them for most of the game despite eventually losing 119-111. Baron Davis tied a career high with 40 points on 13-of-23 shooting. He caught fire in the 3rd quarter and ignited the offense. The fast-paced transition game of the Warriors couldn't be contained by their opponent.

When 3 of the starting players score 20 or more points a piece then it's going to be an uphill battle for their counterparts. Stephen Jackson and Monta Ellis combined for 47 points and as a team had 10 steals which lead to several fast break points. Despite the outcome the Bulls out shot the Warriors 50% to 46%. With GS gets out and runs the floor like they did Friday night it's hard to stop them. Their small lineup allows them to beat teams off the dribble and make them pay from both the inside and outside.

With the win the Warriors obtain a 24-17 record. If they can stay within 3-5 games of the Lakers and Suns around the All-Star break they'll still be in good position in the West. Few teams can match their run-and-gun, high tempo style of play. Now everyone knows there are several guards deserving of an All-Star selection in the West, but there are limited spots. If Baron Davis doesn't get chosen I will be stunned because he's played like a man possessed in the first half, averaging 22.5 points per game and around 9 assists. A few other star guards are worthy of such an honor too so it's going to be interesting to see who gets the most votes.

Good ACC matchups on tap for tonight

This is the time of the season I enjoy watching college basketball. ACC rivals are meeting at each other on the schedule and the games are tightly contested with emotion on the court running high. Tonight Duke (13-1) plays Florida State (12-5) with high-octane offense anticipated. Seeing how both teams' defense will hold up is the influencing factor. The Blue Devils are tough at home, but let's see how well they deal with pressure on the road. Look for Duke's Greg Paulus and Florida State's Tyrese Rice to be the two key players in the game.

UVA will take on Virginia Tech in what will most likely be a scrappy, up-and-down affair. The Cavs look to bounce back from their lost to Duke this past weekend and improve their 10-4 mark. Senior guard Sean Singletary (17.9 ppg) has tried his best to carry the scoring load, but he'll need his teammates to step up in bigger roles in order to pull off a victory against a conference rival. VT won't make this an easy contest as they'll push to exceed their 1-1 start in the ACC. Look for Tech's Deron Washington and A. D. Vassallo to have big scoring performances.

At the top of the conference and ranked no. 1 still in the nation the Tarheels will battle Georgia Tech will may be the game that gets out of hand. The only team that has served as a real challenge this season for North Carolina has been Clemson. Unfortunately, the Yellow Jackets aren't playing at the same level at this point and I don't feel they feel have such a pleasant game even though they are playing at home. Tyler Hansbrough continues to dominate in the low post, averaging around 21 points per game and 8 rebounds. If the sharp-shooting Wayne Ellington and him get hot look out Georgia Tech! UNC will definitely kick it into high and work to excel to 18-0.

Road roaring Hornets outlast Rockets, 87-82

The New Orleans Hornets are quietly putting together a magnificent season, posting a 15-5 mark on the road so far. Sunday they pulled out the stops to beat the Rockets, 87-82. Off a few steals the Hornets converged on a fast-break dunk and a free-throws late in the 4th quarter. With the win the Hornets snapped the Rockets' 5-game win streak. Chris Paul controlled the style of play for the young road team as he delivered 19 points and 11 assists. He's the glue that holds the team together. Without him forget about them being 25-12 and trailing the Mavericks by just a game in the Southwest division.

David West was the high scorer in Sunday's game with 26 points. He's proven his ability to be big scoring threat on any given night. He's another essential part of the Hornets' formula for success this season. All season the Hornets have been overlooked. Even at home the attendance has been low and on the road the players seem to excel at a high level. Strangely enough, they thrive off being ignored by the league. The Western conference is going to get real tight when it comes to capturing final seeds for the playoffs.

The Hornets have only had one televised game during the season, which was blowout against Miami. I've got to think these guys will be getting more exposure in the coming months. As a team they're averaging around 97 points per game and yielding about 93...not bad at all. Awaiting them this week on the schedule are the Bobcats, Sonics, and Bucks. I don't think any of these matchups will pose a problem. Keep up the hot streak Hornets!

NCAA wrap-ups and scores

Thursday night hot action brewed in the Pac-10 and Big Ten. Wisconsin knocked off Illinois 70-60 in a fierce match-up. The three-ball dagger was the big momentum changer for the Badgers in the final minutes of play. Trevor Hughes sank two huge threes to add to Wisconsin's lead. He finished the game with 22 points. Illinois lost their third straight game and dropped to 8-8 overall while their foes bumped up their mark to 13-2. The conference leader looks crisper than ever on the court.

Over in the Pac-10 Stanford whooped Oregon State in clash which resulted in a 66-46 finale. The poor performance for Oregon State can be contributed to 30% shooting from the field and having only 1 player score in double-digits. That will basically doom any team. The Cardinals on the other hand managed to capitalize on second-chance opportunities with their 16 offensive rebounds. They just took full control in the second half with the Beavers reeling without an answer on offense.

In a good Big East battle Louisville pulled out a win against West Virginia, 63-54. Both teams squared off to gain ground in the conference. It was Louisville's defense which clamped down hard and made the difference. The Mountaineers' Joe Alexander was the high scorer with 22 points, but it wasn't enough to save the day. His teammates provided little support as they combined for 32 points. Earl Clark help fuel the Louisville offense adding 11 points while snagging 12 boards. Both teams are now 11-4 in the Big East.

NBA's D-league provides less than flattering status for players

Believe it or not there are people who haven't heard of the NBA's Development league. It's not a big deal to basketball fans, but it sure is to the aspiring players. Being recognized in public and being allowed in upscale clubs and restaurants seems to be the main problem for these young athletes. Reading the NBA Experts Blog posted by D-league Dakota Wizards player Rod Benson I understand their struggles to gain acceptance amid the mainstream sports click and celebrity icons. This guy though complains about having to wait in a line to get in LA restaurant then never being admitted inside (He ought to be grateful the bouncer didn't hurl him onto the sidewalk for looking at him the wrong way).

I guess it's kind of discouraging to know as a D-league player you can't get a table inside a trendy hot spot or be allowed to go to the restroom to take a whiz....sure seems like crappy treatment to me. If fairly unknown players want to get VIP treatment why don't they just lie and hope people fall for it? From Rod Benson's experience, I know how he must feel (like a discarded, random bum), but if he saw football star Keyshaun Johnson not getting in the establishment then there was no chance for him and should've forgot about it. If he thought he could follow an entourage inside without being noticed or getting the crap beat out of him then I'd say go for it.

The NBA D-league, players must realize is a stepping-stone to the pros not the crem-del-la-crem of the sports talent. Instead it's more like the 'Bottom of the barrel wannabe something other than broke list'. Guys in this league can't expect glamour and fortune when they're playing in an arena where only the first 3 or 4 rows are filled. I feel for the low-level athletes like Benson, receiving any type of notoriety is difficult. For him to get ahead and be famous he'll probably have to sleep with a celebrity. Then he's sure to be a shoe-in among the star power elitists!

Tarheels remain undefeated after buzzer beater in OT

I knew ACC play would bring out the best in the Tarheels as well as their competition. Last night in Little John Coliseum it was a frenzied up and down battle between UNC and Clemson. Both teams brought their A-game with non-stop pushes to the basket and bunches of lead changes. As a college hoops fans you couldn't ask for better game. Wayne Ellington stole the show, netting the game-winning three-pointer with 0.4 seconds left. The Tigers set up in a zone defense for the final possession and got burned when trying to go for a steal on the left wing. Ellington was the player of the game with 36 points (11-19 FGA-M) in 90-88 thrilling victory.

With the pass Ty Lawson made in the corner to Ellington he almost turned it over and the game could've gone into double overtime. Tyler Hansbrough took a charge with under a minute in the second half then hit a free-throw on the next possession to tie the game. Although the junior forward was held to 7 shots he delivered with the big plays when the Heels truly needed them. Hansbrough also grabbed 14 rebounds. Free-throws were a major factor in the game, especially in the closing seconds. North Carolina's shot 80% from the line to Clemson's dismal 52%.

Both ACC teams were playing out of control at times with drives to the basket and rushed shots. UNC racked up 19 turnovers compared to the Tiger's 13. So far the Tarheel's undefeated streak stays intact at 15-0. The game really could've gone either way, but the Heels would have not still be ranked as the no. 1 team in the coach's poll. They are a couple other undefeated them in the nation which include Vanderbilt, Memphis, Kansas, and Mississippi. The best record UNC ever had in a season was a 32-0 mark in 1956-57.

Much of the remaining schedule for Tarheels have them playing their conference rivals: NC State, Georgia Tech, Maryland, and Duke. Wednesday the Tarheels will look to dispose another out of conference foe in North Carolina-Asheville. This one is expected to be another blowout as the no. 1 ranked team awaits their top competition. I expect more big games from the top starting 3 players in Hansbrough, Ellington, and Lawson.

Hornets kick it up a notch, buzz off Warriors

What a strong message the New Orleans Hornets are sending the rest of the Western conference. This team won't be denied. New Orleans is very much a contender and is intent on continuing to prove it. Last night lead by big games from Tyson and Chandler and Chris Paul the Hornets capped a 116-104 over the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena in Oakland. Baron Davis was left with a bitter chill after suffering a defeat from his former team. The star point guard scored 26 points and handed out 8 assists.

The player of the game was no doubt Tyson Chandler who had a major-influencing double-double, which consisted of 22 points and 22 rebounds! The Hornets Center is on a tear! Finding a way to slow down the Warriors and control the tempo was the solution. Much of Golden State's offense is fast-paced, slashing drives to the basket and points off transition. Luckily the Hornets managed to limit such chances and played good defense. Chris Paul played a major role in the win, scoring 24 points (10-20 FGM-A) and dished out 13 assists.

Everyone in the Hornets starting lineup scored in double figures and as a team shot 44% from three-point land while holding the opposition to 30% shooting from beyond the arch. Advancing to 101-88 lead with around 6 minutes left in the game the Hornets never gave the home team much breathing room. They stayed on the offensive and controlled the boards. All but 11 points came from their starting lineup. The league sooner or later will have to take the Hornets seriously because at 22-11 they are a force to reckon with and a unestimated threat in road games.

Who's more grizzled a coach: Bobby Knight or Mike Ditka?

There are several great coaches in sports history, but two prestigious names come to mind. I'm talking more about the fiery types who won't hesitate to get in an official's face and spew obscenities with a drop of a hat. I think Bobby Knight and Mike Ditka are two of the most grizzled coaches of all-time. One is retired of course and the other one occasionally gets in trouble for 'accidentally' shooting a neighbor with a pellet gun (he may have been drinking and got a little trigger happy). Neither one of these veteran sports icons seemed to show any weaknesses in coaching in their respective sport.

From the intense moments on the gridiron at his peak, Coach Ditka would get so wrapped up in the game and watch the refs cheat his beloved Chicago Bears team out of yardage due to bad calls that he'd get the impulse to land a tackle with a full head of steam. That or he'll suit up to play himself in the 4th quarter after getting riled up from a series of missed scoring opportunities near the 20-yard line. His pacing back and forth on the sidelines, directing instructions to the quarterback gave a clear indication he was reaching a boiling point. This raw emotion transferred over to his team which resulted in a turn in momentum. Deficits were erased and wins became etched into history. Ditka had a fiery passion for the game, but was he more grizzled than Bobby Knight?

Some of the best years for Indiana Hoosiers fans was in the early to late 90's when Bobby Knight was the coach. He always pushed his players to the limit and tested their strengths and weaknesses. There is a reason why he is one of the top coaches in college basketball. He moved past Dean Smith in 2006 for the all-time wins record in NCAA history. He's led Indiana to dubious records for a string of seasons and to a couple national championships. Seeing him explode with temper so hot it could ignite building a fire only seems to fuel his team's passion and energy.

Their performance overall is linked to his emotion and direction. Knight make statement to refs by tossing fold-out chairs across the court. He'll stomp out of the coach's box, debate a call before getting ejected for calling an official a blind SOB who needs glasses. His discipline he teaches his players and always striving for perfection are two striking qualities which make Knight one of the most grizzled coaches of all-time. I think he's got a little bit of an edge over Ditka...though it's pretty darn close.

Warriors wipe away Nuggets 7-game win streak

Baron Davis and the Warriors' upbeat, fast-paced style of play are keeping them afloat in the Western conference. They have shown there is no challenge to great for them to overcome. Sunday night Golden State sparkled with an offensive flair as they snapped the Denver Nuggets' 7-game win streak with a 105-95 victory. Allen Iverson had an off-night scoring and the Warriors took advantage. Running the ball hard GS flourished off fast-break chances. Baron Davis lead all scores with 28 points.

The defense was the x-factor for the Warriors in this game. They put much pressure on Iverson and forced him to take low-percentage shots while Carmelo tried to carry the scoring load, dropping 26 points. The Warriors lead the game from halftime as Harrington hit a three to put his team up 55-51. From there the Nuggets cut the deficit to 3 points in the 4th quarter, but couldn't force a tie or pull ahead. Another major contributing factor to the win was Coach Don Nelson having Baron Davis stick Iverson rather than lanky guard Stephen Jackson. The strategy resulted in 2-of-12 shooting for the Nuggets star guard.

Golden State establishes a 18-13 record, 4 games in back of the Suns in third place. I believe they have yet to play their best game of the season. If they can fend off the competition in the West they can probably garner a higher seed for the playoffs than last season. Baron Davis has a 50-point plus performance in him I just know it. Who knows it could be another Mavericks vs. Warriors showdown in the postseason.

No. 1 ranked Heels scorch Nevada 106-70

Coming home before New Years was a sweet gift for the Tarheels. They continued their winning ways, defeating Nevada Thursday night in Chapel Hill. The high-octane offense surfaced in full force. UNC built a small lead and it started to grow. Tyler Hansbrough and Wayne Ellington combined for 49 points. Ty Lawson kept the offense running smooth, finding teammates in the paint for quick buckets. He also provided a nice scoring touch with 16 points and pumped out 10 assists.

In the second half guard Bobby Frasor attempted to make a steal and while in the process twisted his ankle, apparently tearing his ACL as he landed on his leg awkwardly. He dropped to the hardwood and didn't get up for about 5 minutes. He was assisted to his feet by the team trainer and headed back to the locker room. The Tarheels may be without him for the remainder of the season. The Tarheels still have reserve point guard Quentin Thomas and should be okay, but Frasor will be missed.

12-0 are the Tarheels after picking up the win last night. They've yet to face their toughest competition which more or less lies within the ACC. I'd like to see Roy Williams give the 3rd string guys off the bench more minutes in blowout games so at least they can get further experiences on the court. There are 1 or 2 seniors on the bench that I know would relish any extra playing time they'd receive. The Heels will battle Valparaiso on Sunday before playing Kent State on January 2 at Chapel Hill.

Kobe, Lebron celebrate victories on Christmas Day

It was a happy holiday for Lebron James and Kobe Byrant. They both delivered in the clutch against their respective opponents in route to wins. The Cavaliers outlasted the Heat 96-82 as King James served a pivotal role late in the game with key shots and dishes to teammate Daniel Gibson for big threes. The superstar scored 25 points with 12 assists.

Cleveland jumped out to a comfortable lead in the 4th quarter and ran off transition for easy buckets at the rim.
Gibson hit 4-of-6 from three-point land and finished the game with 16 points. The only real memorable point the contest for the Heat was Shaq's rim-rocking jam which scared a camera crew behind the goal post.

In another good matchup yesterday the Lakers were able to defeat the Suns 122-115 behind Kobe's 38 points. It was a back-and-forth battle between two Western conference contenders. The Suns couldn't counter the Lakers' offensive output. Steve Nash mustered an effort of 24 points and 14 assists. However, his performance wasn't enough. I think Andrew Bynum isn't getting the credit he deserves as a scoring threat. The Center produced 28 points in the win on 11-of-13 shooting from the field! Having another guy in the starting who can dominate near the basket is big plus for the Lakers. The Lakers better be grateful they have a 20-year-old prodigy who only continues to develop and improve his game.

Game-winning shot seals comeback for Wake Forest

The Hokies may not have a happy Christmas after the results from Sunday's game in ACC play. Wake Forest pulled off a surprise comeback in the waning seconds. Demon Deacons guard, Ishmael Smith drained a jumper with 0.6 seconds left to go. Virginia Tech was simply out of luck as time expired. A.D. Vassallo helped keep Tech in the game scoring 19 points. Senior Deron Washington also made a nice defensive effort coming up with 14 rebounds. It was a spirited conference game with many lead changes with back-and-forth accelerated play.

Smith was the top scorer for Wake, completing 18-point output which included the biggest shot in his collegiate career. Both teams shot around 43% for the game while VT shot 91% compared to Wake's 56% from the free-throw line. Tech's defense put pressure on Wake, but within the final minute the game slipped away from them. A 10-point deficit was overcame with a minute and 23 seconds remaining. A bank shot three-pointer then another long bomb with a few fast break layups tied the game for Wake Forest.

Tech Coach Seth Greenberg couldn't believe his eyes after his star guard, A.D. Vassallo heaved up a quick three which allowed the opposition to score quick off transition. That single play probably killed the Hokies chance to win. With the final outcome the Demon Deacons advance to 8-3 overall and the Hokies fall to 6-5. The two ACC competitors will get a short rest for the holidays before heading back on the court this weekend. The action will start to sizzle in January as the big ACC match-ups are set.

Cavs hold off Lakers in 94-90 win

The Kobe-Lebron rivalry took center stage Thursday night in Cleveland. The Cavs won their 6th straight game against the Lakers. Coming down the final 3.5 seconds both teams were neck and neck until Daniel Gibson was fouled and iced two free-throws to seal the victory. Kobe got his shot to put the Lakers ahead with a three, but missed due to tight conference from his superstar counterpart. Although Los Angeles outshot Cleveland 45% to 41% the deciding factor came in the 4th quarter. There the Lakers were held to 5-of-22 shooting.

Closing this contest out was big for the Cavs. They still need to gain ground in the Central. Lebron had another outstanding performance, scoring 33 points while adding 10 rebounds and 5 assists. His teammates, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Daniel Gibson complimented his effort, combining for 27 points. Forcing the Lakers to take outside shots was the ticket for the Cavs. Center Andrew Bynum was seemingly having his way inside the paint earlier in the game and finished with 17 points.

Shutting down Byrant in the final 4 minutes as he shot 0-for-8 made all the difference. As a result Cleveland improves to 12-15. They're scheduled to face the Miami Heat who look to be be without Alonzo Mourning for the rest of the season. I expect Lebron and company to capitalize on the injured-prone Heat before heading to Dallas and New Orleans for two big games.

Jordan steps on court to show Bobcats' error of ways

Little by little the Charlotte Bobcats are developing into a winning team showing signs of beating league contenders. Earlier this week part owner of the franchise, Michael Jordan ran a few drills in practice with the Bobcat players in an attempt to give them some direction while serving as motivation to excel to the next level. No basketball player can take advice from the 44-year-old NBA legend and think the experience was pointless or get nothing out of it. The young-oriented franchise has watched leads evaporate in games.

First-year coach Sam Vincent seems to be on the same page as Jordan, realizing there are no real All-Stars on the team this year to carry them. It's going to take a combined team effort almost every night to win. Trying to find the right component for the inside game the Bobcats worked out a trade sending Primoz Prezec and Walter Herrmann to the Pistons in exchange for Center Nazr Mohammed. I think that was a wise move by the Bobcats management team. They got rid of two extra bench players who spent short time on the court and really didn't fit well into their offensive strategy.

At 8-14 the Bobcats still look to be the odd team out in the Southeast division. They don't quite generate enough offense per game to win the close games down the stretch. Raymond Felton and Jason Richardson are the top scorers and clutch performers for the team. Their ability to energize their teammates and get them involved will have the greatest impact on their overall success. Michael Jordan understands how important it is for Felton to start the offense and get inside the paint. When the speedy point guard does usually good things happen. Now if Charlotte can manage to keep those big leads like they had against Orlando and pull out the big victories.

Tarheels breeze by Rutgers 93-71

UNC came off a season schedule break to capture a 93-71 victory on the road against the Rutgers Sunday night. The closest the game ever got was in the first half with the score 20-15. The attempts at a comebacks where short-lived for the Rutgers as they couldn't match North Carolina's speed off transition and low post scoring. Point guard Ty Lawson lead all scores with 26 points and collected 5 assists. The UNC sophomore is a super prodigy on the court and only continues to get better as he moves further into his collegiate career. His counterpart for the Scarlet Knights, freshman Corey Chandler scored 23 points.

Due to a nasty spill on the court where resulted from a barreling charge (no foul actually called by officials) Tyler Hansbrough sustained a mild concussion. He laid motionless behind the backboard after crashing into the goal post. Luckily he was okay after walking away from the tumble and heading back to the locker room. The junior forward had a fine performance finishing with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Roy Williams as well as Tarheels fans were glad to see Hansbrough wasn't injured.

Off to a 9-0 start UNC stays on a roll anticipating a successful run in the tourney. I think they're better than Duke in the ACC yet haven't faced their best competition outside the conference. They'll defeated Ohio and Kansas. March Madness will put UNC to the real test. Their bench is so productive with the efforts of Danny Green and Marcus Ginyard. Those guys have developed well in the North Carolina program. Keeping them healthy will be so important come tournament time.

MLB steriods list continues to grow

Being a baseball fan isn't as fun as it used to be when America's National Past-time held intregity. Really, the Game has shown it's visible loose ends and shortcomings for a couple of years. The recent announcement of additions to the aforementioned steriods lists is only escalating. Senator George Mitchell is cracking down on the illegal performance enhancing drug use in MLB. He's released a new list of names that is quite staggering, a total of 86 and counting.

The Human Growth Hormone and anabolic steroids seemed to the be the popular choice for these players. In the reports gathered by the government out 62 players who purchased steroids 23 are active. Most everyone in baseball wanted to ride on the gravy train to success. Going back to the early to mid-90's and finding out now guys like Mark Carreon, Todd Hundley, Lenny Dykstra, David Segui, and Chuck Knobloch got away with secretly using steroids is surprising. None of them hit for power consistently in their careers. The biggest shocker to me is the scrub Montreal Expos players....Tim Laker and F.P. Santangelo....who the hell are these guys anyway??

Noted I'm sure as the most disappointing player named on the list is Roger Clemens. Baseball fans had so much respect and high regard for the veteran star pitcher. It's a sad day in sports with such a prized, presitigious player gets busted. This isn't the way Clemens wants to end his career. I think it would have been a good idea for him to retirement a year ago. At least then there would be less negative spotlight on him with the attention be diverted more on active players.

There are groups of people to blame for this mess: players, trainers, owners and possibly masocots. The authority on delivering swift action is the Commissioner Bud Selig. He knew what was going on with Barry Bonds and failed to dish out any punishment. Sitting back in a mezzaine suite or press box, ignoring the scandal and raking in millions from baseball was the option he chose. Selig does his share of talking and lying to the media and public, but never makes good on plans for fair-grounded affirmative action. The old timer might as well call it quits and step down as Commissioner, allowing another qualified, no-tolerance BS candidate to take over the position.

Lebron's return helps spark Cavs win

The Cleveland Cavaliers are glad to have Lebron James back. His injury kept him on the sidelines for a few weeks in which span of time his team struggled to muster enough offense. For the first time Lebron came off the bench as a reserve in Tuesday night's game. The end result, a 118-105 win over the Pacers. In limited minutes King James scored 17 points while his teammates chipped in to carry the rest of the scoring load. The Cavs shot 50% from the beyond the arch and 54% from the field.

Much of the credit for the victory is due to Larry Hughes who had a breakout performance, scoring 36 points (13-17 FG) adding 3 assists and 4 boards. He actually entered the game off the bench, playing 25 minutes. Cleveland fans were treated to a good game and didn't seem to give Anderson Varejao too much of a hard time as his made his season debut last night. With their superstar back this team is ready to make a change of pace and bump up their record. After Tuesday night's outcome the Cavs are 10-12.

Cleveland has to start getting serious now if they want to capture a top seed in the East again. Being 5.5 games back in the Central is okay at this point, sooner or later though they'll have to be concerned with the Pistons. The main priority is getting everyone healthy and on the same page. Lebron will put up his share of impressive totals throughout the season, but it's his teammates who will have to write the ship and show consistency.

Boston College skims past Maryland at College Park

The comeback Maryland came seconds away from pulling off against Boston College would've been extraordinary. They sure gave the fans at College Park their moneys worth Sunday evening. Coming down to the wire Maryland fought back and forth, hitting threes on two possessions with around 10 seconds left to put them within a 1 point deficit. Guard Eric Hayes and forward James Gist nailed the big shots when needed. However, it wasn't quite enough to sustain the Golden Eagles' offensive attack, who won 81-78.

The leading scorer for the game was BC's Tyrese Rice with 19 points who dished out 7 assists. Boston College's defense held up well in a scrappy defensive battle of loose balls and block shots in the paint. Maryland had a couple of chances to go ahead late in the second half, though caught tough breaks down the floor a few times. Some calls didn't go their way and shifted the momentum a bit. Scoring inside became a real challenge for the Terps as BC freshman Tyrelle Blair swatted 10 shots away at the basket.

ACC action is only beginning to heat up as the real good match-ups will surface next month. With the final result last night Maryland falls to 6-4 as Boston College leaps to a 7-1 record overall. Before heading back into conference play the Terps will face Ohio, American University, and Delaware. I know Coach Gary Williams will instill words of wisdom to his squad and help them bounce back from Sunday's disappointing loss. They've got a talented, young group which will play a string of tight ends with their conference foes later in the season.

Jason Kidd's migraine sends media into frenzy

Of all the NBA players to shine negative light on with exaggerated, perpetrated lies Jason Kidd one of the most innocent guys on a list. Oddly enough the media is hellbent on believing Kidd missed a game on purpose to make a statement of trying to be traded. How ignorant are the reporters who came up with this crap? The New Jersey Nets owner even shared that he knew Kidd was sick and unable to play. Instead of accepting that the star guard had a migraine headache and was banged up the media wants to insinuate there is trouble in paradise (if you consider NJ paradise, not me).

Kidd seems content to be in New Jersey and has no beef with the owner or coach. Of course the team isn't up to par in the standings and has shown inconsistency as admitted by the veteran team captain. They've also be dealing with injuries to their starting center, Nenad Kristic and been without Vince Carter for 5 games. I would say that's a big part of the problem. The team can only produce but so much offense without their key players. They suffered a major setback a few years back when Richard Jefferson went down with a season-long injury.

As far as Kidd is concerned he's being paid close to $20 million for this year and has a year left on his contract and continue to produce more triple-doubles each season. Lebron James and him lead that category in the NBA. Motivation is sure not an issue with him. He has a likable personality, it's clear his teammates trust him on the court and have grown accustomed to his style of play. Plus I bet fans don't want to see the point guard get traded. They have much respect for his commitment to winning and great all-around performances. Those who don't believe that can buzz off and shut their freaking mouth.

Anyone who blames or accuses Jason Kidd of the Nets' lack of success this year is a complete idiot! Without Mr. Triple Double on the court the franchise would be in shambles and have to undergo a rebuilding process. I don't think a team can replace such a versatile leader as Kidd, he is such a valuable asset that puts it all on the line every game, whether he's 100% or not. Before people go around spouting off-handed remarks and serve up these stories with no credibility they need to remember what he's done for New Jersey. Forget about the team making 4 or 5 consecutive playoff appearances if he wasn't around. Give credit where it's due. Jason is an awesome player and is still a marvel to watch as a older veteran.

UNC steam rolls Penn, prolongs undefeated streak

Life on the road has fared real well for the no. 1 ranked Tarheels. They have yet to lose a game so far in the early part of the season. Last night at Pennyslvania they jumped out to a quick lead and stayed on top for the rest of the game. Most of the offense came from big man, Tyler Hansbrough who pounded the ball inside for 29 points while snatching 10 rebounds. Guard Danny Green followed up with a supportive performance, 19 points (9-12 FG) 5 boards, and 4 steals. Again UNC ran up the score, winning 106-71.

With Ty Lawson back in the lineup the offense is running smoother since the start of the season. His speed and exceptional passing ability are another threat of this Tarheels team. He fed Hansbrough on a few fast-break chances which lead to thunderous dunks. North Carolina had the hot hand again, shooting 57% to Penn's 48%. UNC went into halftime up 50-37. The closest the game ever got was within 3 points then the Heels ran away with the game.

It was a bittersweet homecoming for UNC sophomore Wayne Ellington as his usual rapid fire from long range wasn't there yet his team got the victory. The packed arena stayed to the end, watching North Carolina flourish to a 8-0 record. Coach Roy Williams believes in his players and sees the heart and soul they display out on the court every game. He has the Heels way on their way to another outstanding season. Up next on the schedule for UNC are the Rutgers on 12/19 and then Nicholls St. on 12/22. Right now both Duke and UNC are tied atop the ACC standings.

VCU upsets Maryland in BB&T Classic

The ACC looked to be on a roll this past weekend as they dominated the Big Ten. No one knows when an upset can occur though. The Maryland Terrapins fell victim to such an outcome against VCU, losing 85-76 on Sunday. I'm surprised that this game got away from Maryland, who went cold from the field in the final couple of minutes. They shot just 37% and committed 19 turnovers. Usually such a breakdown dooms a team. Only 3 Maryland players scored in double-digits.

Jamal Shuler carried the Rams, scoring 30 points on 10-for-19 shooting (6 three-pointers) with a hot hand throughout the game. VCU got rebounded 51-38 and didn't shoot as well at the free-throw line as Maryland, but managed to go out in front late in the second half and maintain their lead. Guard Eric Maynor also helped in the winning effort by finishing with 25 points and 5 assists. VCU climbs to a 4-3 on the season coming off a loss against Hampton. Maryland suffers their third loss as look to bounce back this week against Morgan State (4-3) and Boston College (5-1). The Terps can't take these two match-ups lightly either.

Warriors notch another win over Rockets

Sometimes the smallest, most unpredictable teams have the most fight in them. The Golden State don't know the meaning of 'quit'. Thursday night they sealed a win against Houston 113-94. The Golden State defense was able to keep Yao Ming in check, only allowing him to hit 4-of-12 from the field. Much of that was credited to Al Harrington, who stuck to the 7' 6 Center like glue throughout the game. Golden State went on a late spurt which wore the Rockets out.

Once again Baron Davis took control and capped off the victory with a 27-point, 8-assist performance. He's a big piece to the up-tempo and fast break style of play, keeping the offense running smooth. The Warriors bump their mark up to 8-7 with three consecutive wins. They started the season off 0-5, but have received a pick-me-up from Stephen Jackson after he served a 6-game suspension. I think Golden State will be one of the best upset underdogs teams in the West again this year. Count on Baron Davis to keep this team afloat and shocking the basketball critics.

UVA stomps Northwestern 94-52 in NCAA action

It was a good night for the ACC Tuesday as Duke, Clemson, Florida, and UVA all pulled off victories. There was only one exception. Georgia Tech suffered a close loss to Indiana. A few of the games were absolute blowouts, one being the Virginia vs. Northwestern game. Sean Singletary didn't even have a great scoring performance, putting up 14 points while dishing out 10 assists. The leading scorer for the Cavs was Mamadi Diane, who finished with 22 points on 6-of-11 from the field.

UVA shot 52% to Northwestern's 36%, which pretty much resulted in such a lopsided outcome. The John Paul Jones was fully behind the home team, helping spark their offense. Once UVA gained an early lead they never looked back. With the win last night UVA elevates to 6-1 on the season with their toughest opponents awaiting them late on the schedule. Their sole loss was to Seton Hall (74-60), which they faced a tough encounter. I believe the Cavaliers one of the top 3 teams in the conference. They've got a quality lineup with a couple of good jump shooters.

With the work cut out for them in the coming weeks they'll face the likes of Syracuse, Xavier, and Hartford before heading into ACC play against their rivals. I can only this these young, highly motivated team getting better and making another bid for a NCAA tournament appearance. It's sure looks to be in the works for the Cavs, who are lead by senior Sean Singletary. He averages 20.4 ppg and 6.9 assists. His presence on the court and leadership will play a huge part in UVA's success this season. Keep up the strong play Cavs!!

Lebron James rattles home another triple-double in Cavs win

The Indiana Pacers became yet another victim of a Lebron James' triple-double showcase. I don't think there is any small forward or shooting guard in the league that can stop Lebron James. He's so explosive when going to the rim or has developed into a much better jump shooter since his rookie year. The Cavs pulled out a 111-106 victory over the Pacers Sunday in route to a 8-6 record. It was a fairly close game until Lebron took over in the 4th quarter. He delivered in the clutch when Cleveland really needed the offense.

Having another veteran back in Eric Snow is well welcomed. His time on court was limited to 11 minutes, but he's a key defensive player and is a good guy to seek and give advice from throughout the course of big games. Lebron finished yesterday's contest with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. This makes his 4th triple-double of the season and 14th of his career. Wow! No other player is the league besides Jason Kidd seems to so consistent with such overall outputs.

Cleveland has said goodbye to Anderson Varejo and his contract demands. It would've been nice to see the young scrappy Brazilian stay, but the Cavaliers can manage without him. Somehow they'll going to have to make at least one good trade this season, sooner better than later. Big Z has proven to be more productive in the early going, but Lebron simply won't score 40 or more points every game so they an extra reliable, clutch shooter on the team. The superstar needs back-up support once and a while. Finding talent in exchange for Larry Hughes is a good starting point.

Shaq and Wade in control as Heat weather drought

The Miami Heat are starting to steady themselves and make a turnaround. Getting off to a slow start due to the injuries nothing other than bad luck on fell upon this team. With Wade back the outlook for the rest of the season is looking up. Friday night the Heat up ended the Rockets 98-91. The star duo of Shaq and Wade lead the way. Dwayne Wade scored 14 of his 31 points in the 4th quarter. Without him Miami wouldn't be able to survive. I'm sure they're glad to have him back.

Despite the offensive performance from Yao Ming (20 points) the Heat managed to outlast the Rockets, shooting 54% to their 44% from the field. The Diesel capped off the win with a strong scoring showcase of 26 points and 14 rebounds. Miami improves to 3-9 with many critics believing the Heat season is already over. I agree they have a long, uphill battle yet they still have a chance in the East.

The Celtics will be their toughest competitor. They'll be a top seed in the East. Next week they'll face the Bobcats and Celtics at home and today they take on Orlando. The head-t0-head strategies of Coach Van Gundy and Riley will probably make the game close coming down to the final few minutes. I still look for Wade to deliver in the clutch as he's done in the past.

Warriors blow by Knicks, Davis drops 31 points

With Stephon Marbury's return to the lineup the Knicks still had no luck last night against the Warriors. This group has more to worry about than quarrels and conflicts on and off the sidelines. The defense just isn't there. I have to admit few teams cans shut down Baron Davis, who scored 31 points, hitting 4-of-6 from three-point land and dishing out 7 assists. Veteran guard Stephen Jackson also added 23 points in the 108-82 win. The up-tempo play of Golden State got the Knicks out of breath. They couldn't match that type of pace.

The Warriors move to 3-6, off to a slow start yet showing viable signs of progress unlike the Knicks. I feel bad for Zach Randolph because it would've been better for him to stay in Portland as the young guys there giving the team life and helping the franchise grow. He can see his new team is going absolutely no where. Maybe New York can see if sports journal writer/ex-NBA player Paul Shirley is available and sign him on for a small contract. Pull him out of the European league. At least the franchise will still be saving money and it's not like New York can suck any worse than they do now. So why not give it a shot? (Isiah will give him at least 5 minutes playing time every week or so)

Stephon Marbury isn't helping the cause and probably wants to be traded. A few new faces on the squad would be good. The Knicks don't want it to be get so bad to points where the fans are encouraged to take the court in Madison Square Garden or those who brought their tennis shoes can come off the bench. Talk about things getting ugly in a hurry: brawls in the Garden would become so raucous and out of control games would be suspended. I hate to see what ticket sales are like this year. Fans must be leaving after the 1st or 2nd quarter and saying, "The hell with it."

NCAA action: Tarheels overpower Iona in home opener

The no. 1 ranked Tarheels are well on their way to another magnificent season. Last night the capped their home opener off with bang, ripping Iona 107-72. UNC got a lead early and maintained it throughout the game. Chapel Hill stayed in an uproar with mass sea of Carolina faithful on hand. Tyler Hansbrough completed a 27-point 9-rebound performance. He was so focused on offense he slammed down a dunk and not even realized an Iona defender was under the goal until power forward/center landed on him.

Sunday was an easy contest for the Heels. They shot at a 51% clip on field goals compared to their opponent's 46%. Carolina's Wayne Ellington and Danny Green combined for 29 points, helping fuel the offense. The points off transition and fast-break layups were too overwhelming for Iona. I look forward to see the ACC action this year. The Tarheels will encounter several good matchups. No one team is likely to take the conference by storm. Several teams are just too evenly matched.

Once again Ty Lawson, who finished yesterday's game with 9 assists will be a major asset for the Tarheels. His quickness and ability to score near the basket will be a contributing factor to their overall success. The lineup is pretty much the same with the exception of Brandan Wright after he left for the NBA. This week on the schedule UNC will meet South Carolina St. and Old Dominion at Chapel Hill. Those will be the lighter games, the most favorable competiton they'll face during the season.

Don't expect Marbury to land a deal in Cleveland

I wonder if there will ever come a day when basketball players and coaches won't be at each other's throats. This whole turmoil on the Knicks due to the feud between Stephon Marbury and Isiah Thomas is idiotic. The star point guard is clearly unhappy. By missing practice and a game this week on the road without a legitimate reason is inexcusable. He's being fined over $180,000 for his actions. Isiah is trying to play it cool like this heated tension isn't a big issue. It sure is effecting the team's performance and appears to be tearing them apart.

Earlier this week Knick teammates have supported Marbury, but were stunned by his absence. Other NBA players don't feel the same. Lebron James doesn't want Marbury to come to Cleveland because he knows the controversial point guard is a problem player now. At first before I knew what was going on in New York I thought it would be a good idea for the Cavs to trade for him, but not now. Such a an attitude-player becomes too much of a liability and is a major distraction for a team. I like to watch Stephon on the court (one of my favorite point guards), he was a team leader, but is in desperate need of an attitude adjustment.

I'm not sure if the Knicks will be able to get rid of him before the season ends. The franchise is set to pay him over $40 million for the rest of the year and next year. New York got a raw deal there. Why would any team invest so much money in 1 player for just a year? Cleveland will be smart to stay away from negotiations for Marbury, besides Lebron won't allow it anyway. They need to concentrate on finding a reliable scorer and replacement for Larry Hughes. He just seems like dead weight to the Cavs.

Well, it looks to be another long season of suffrage for the New York Knicks. The back-and-forth jawing to the media sure doesn't help the situation either. If Isiah doesn't find a way to make a great turnaround for the franchise then he's sure to be out the door after the season. Being benched ought to be the least of Marbury's problems. It always is an issue of lack of respect with certain players, they refuse to accept their role or direction from a coach. The two sports professionals need to work out their differences or it will continue to drain the team's motivation.

Celtics ride hot start, breeze by Pacers 101-86

Boston fans these days seem to be getting the best of all sports. In the off-season the Celtics made wise moves in acquiring Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Since the pair have arrived the franchise has made a promising turnaround. Boston is off to a 6-0 start and look to take the East by storm. Last night they captured a 101-86 victory over the Pacers. Paul Pierce was the player of the game, showcasing a 31-point performance with 11 rebounds and 6 assists.

I think this new Celtics team can beat anybody in the league this year. Their bench is okay with Scalabrine, Posey, and Allen which will probably serve as their main secondary contributors. In Tuesday night's game Boston outscored Indiana in each quarter. When you can manage and build upon a lead like that then a win is basically imminent. If the big starting 3 can average at least 18 points per game a piece the Celtics will continue to dominate Eastern conference competitors.

KG must be glad to finally be on a winning team after all of those disappointing years with Minnesota. He may not be the top scorer on the team, but will instill the greatest motivation and leadership. People who dared laugh at this franchise in previous years will be sorry the did this season. The real test for the Celtics for be consistent good defense. That will be them to the limits against opponents like the Pistons, Cavs, and Magic. I'd like to see them prolong the hot streak, reappearing on the highlight reels at night.

Heat finally grab first win in low-scoring affair

If the Heat can count on at least one fairly easy opponent this year it's the Knicks. Sure New York is improved with the addition of Zach Randolph still they don't have that special element(s) to be a winning team yet. It's going to be an uphill battle for them as it will be for the Miami Heat. The 75-72 outcome didn't showcase any player scoring more than 19 points. Guard Jason Williams scored the winning basket with around 18 seconds to go.

Shaq will try to labor for his team, but without Wade as many people feel the Heat don't stand a chance. While he's out Ricky Davis is taking over at the 2 guard while Penny Hardaway got the start at small forward for last night's game. Having a prominent, consistent scorer is Miami's biggest weakness right now. They're also dealing with injuries to other key players like Antoine Walker. I'm sure they're glad to have run into the Knicks. Their 1-5 start doesn't appear to forecast good things in the near future.

This week Miami will face the Bobcats on the road before heading back home to play the Supersonics. I like their chances in those two games, but then they play the Celtics on Friday with another tough matchup with the Nets the next day. Pat Riley may let the young guys who are on the active roster and ready to go play some extra minutes. Zo can give them a lift off the bench with his defense. This injury-plagued Heat team is willing to take any victories, short or wide they can scrounge up.

Davis explodes for 37 points, but Mavericks prevail 120-115

Another gutsy, outstanding performance was delivered by the Warriors' Baron Davis who almost tied the game last night at Golden State against the Mavs. Coming off a screen with around 3 or 4 seconds left Davis got an open look at a three, but missed. Davis still finished the game with 37 points (14-26 FG) 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. Dirk and company breathed a sigh of relief. It was bad enough they got knocked out of the playoffs in the first round by these same Golden State Warriors. They didn't want to deal with another humiliating loss.

It was a close game coming down to the wire with both teams swapping leads. The difference for the Mavericks was probably Jason Terry who hit some big shots late in the 4th quarter. Jason Richardson's replacement at the 2 guard had a heck of a game too. Second year player, Kelenna Azubuike scored 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. He will give this team another reliable scorer with a touch of speed and energy. Golden State thrives off transition and fast breaks. The Mavericks can't match them in that department.

Last night the Warriors were without guard Stephen Jackson who was serving a suspension and forward Mickael Pietrus. Going with a small lineup at times put Golden State at a disadvantage. They fall to 0-5 still in search of their first win while Dallas bumps up to 4-1. Up next on the schedule for the Warriors are the Pistons and Clippers. With a short bench due to injuries they'll have to accelerate their game with their up-tempo high energy style of play.

Paul Byrd gets contract renewal despite HGH use

The Cleveland Indians had plenty to be proud of in reaching the ALCS against the Red Sox. Yet the shame in baseball resurfaced when Indians pitcher Paul Byrd admitted to using Human Growth Hormones. MLB found out he purchased close to $25,000 worth of the drug from a Florida medical facility on aging (Maybe players will stay in the league until they're in their 50's to 60's with this HGH). For his trouble, Byrd actually was granted a $7.5 million contract renewal. Where the hell is the justice in that?

The veteran right-hander turns 37 in a month, and owns two wins in the 2007 playoffs and 15 for the regular season. Of all the players on the Indians he would the least suspected of doing any type of performance-enhancing drug (though chewing tobacco and the occasional cold beer, yes). Commissioner Bud Selig has shown time and again he doesn't give a crap about illegal drug use and cheating. All he's concerned about is sitting back like a lazy old bastard and collecting revenue. I also see the steroid investigation has come to just about a screeching halt again.

With the list continuing to grow of busted steroid, HGH, and other illegal performance enhancing drug users the future integrity of MLB looks bleak. To show players how they really feel fans shouldn't buy season tickets or attend home games to support their favorite teams. Attendance should be as low for any MLB stadium as it is every year in Florida, if not worse. With such a vast drop in ticket sales for just a few months it will cause owners to panic (except George Steinbreiner).

I can't get over how baseball players are so damn lucky. They break the rules, deny everything, and always receive weak punishment. Paul Byrd has got off easy as well as this past season's offenders: outfielder Mike Cameron, relievers Guillermo Mota and Juan Salas. First of all, why are relievers becoming dependent on supplements and steroids? It's not like they pitch more than an inning or two. I think all these guys found guilty need to be sent to the Penal League or some second-rate Single A team where they'll stay until they stop using the juice. There they can choose to wise up or throw away their careers, get mad and pick fights with mascots. The ones who want to succeed will eventually come to their senses.

Bobcats squeeze past Heat in route to 90-88 victory

Those Bobcats will take any win they can get, no matter the opponent. They sure were lucky Sunday night, nearly giving up a 16-point lead heading into the 4th quarter. The main difference in the outcome was Dwayne Wade. It's clear the Heat are struggling without the superstar guard. Whenever he returns after having arm and shoulder surgeries Miami may be in a real unfavorable position in the East. With last night's victory the Bobcats are 2-0. Jason Richardson lead all scores with 29 points while Raymond Felton finished the game with 19.

If it weren't for a few last minute defensive stops and forced turnovers by Richardson I'm sure the game would have resulted differently. Charlotte still has a young, inexperienced team. Their new coach is experimenting with the lineup now. Primo Brezec got the start last night, but many feel Emeka Okafor is right guy to be the regular starter at Center. I have to agree because Okafor is a better defensive player and rebounder than his teammate. Mixing up players in the power forward position as Gerald Wallace is able to play at the 3 or 4 spot.

With the new star acquisitions in the East it's still not going to be an easy road for the Bobcats again this season. They must build upon their young talent and utilize their up-tempo, run-and-gun style offense. This week they face the Suns at home before going on the road to meet the 76ers and Pacers. I don't like their chances in the first game because Phoenix still has quite the potent offense. The early season streak may be short-lived, but the Bobcats have plenty of talent to showcase and tight games to play this year.

Hornets sink Trail Blazers, off to 2-0 start

For a team that just missed cashing in for on a playoff birth last year the New Orleans Hornets want to kick the 07-08 season off right. Last night they blew out the Trail Blazers 113-93 at home. The Hornets drained 11 3-pointers in the game as Chris Paul finished with 19 points and 6 assists. The leading scorer though for the game was Brandon Roy with 23 points. It looks as if the Hornets have finally found a permanent home in Louisiana after dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Tyson Chandler returns to the team as a key starter in the lineup. He pulled down 11 rebounds in last night's win. Desmond Mason has left, which really hurts when it comes to having another reliable scorer. They have added Morris Peterson from Toronto and forward Ryan Bowen. Still New Orleans needs another good shooter off the bench as well a sound strategy to tighten up their defense. Everyone knows it's going to difficult to stay within reason in the West, have I think they have legitimate shot at the playoffs.

With Chris Paul leading the way as Sunday the Hornets face the Denver Nuggets on the road. It will a tough game for them and will test their depth. If they want to win they will have to find a way to interfere with Iverson and Carmelo's offensive attack. David West can pick up the scoring for New Orleans and can be used to clog up the middle on defense. The game will put the Hornets to the test. The sky is the limit for them this early in the season.

NBA opener for Cavs a daunting challenge

Last night the NBA season officially kicked off with the Warriors vs. the Jazz, Spurs vs. Trail Blazers, and Lakers vs. Rockets. Negative light overshadowed one game despite how close it turned out. The real action starts tonight as the Cleveland Cavailers look to show off their strengths against the powerhouse Western conference Dallas Mavericks. The home opener for the Cavs ought to put some extra spring in their step. Since their last game was there in the NBA Finals against San Antonio resulting in a loss they'll want to do their best to make it up to the fans.

Lebron gears up for first game of the season with high hopes for the still young Cleveland squad. Rather than see the superstar put on a scoring clinic it would be great to see the rest of the lineup and bench make big contributions. Lebron averaged 27.5 points last year and isn't worried about scoring. Their main concern is finding a way to shut down the middle and cut off the inside offense from the Mavs. I know Dirk, Terry, and Howard have proved they can hit from the outside, but Cleveland can take their chances with such high volume shooting attempts from beyond the arch.

Cleveland is coming off a remarkable season, pulling out the stops to eliminate the Pistons in the Eastern Conference championship series and go on to face the Spurs in the Finals. Their youth and inexperience caught up with them in route to being defeated. That's okay, but now they can take that experience and build upon it. Coach Mike Brown has done a terrific job in his first 2 seasons with the team. His expertise and knowledge of the game could get them back to the promised land in 07-08. The Cavs have Gooden, Illgauskas, Gibson, Hughes, and Snow returning so the lineup is still the same. I think a bit of restructuring to the bench and few trades will provide a boost. Overall, the Cavaliers remain a top contender in the East.

2007 MLB playoffs so lopsided...World Series a real bore

What a snoring conclusion to the baseball playoffs. The World Series wasn't even close. What has happened to the tense competition in MLB? Boston owned the Series before it even started against the Rockies. It's sad to say, but true. For a team with the hottest streak in baseball Colorado looked out of their element in the 4-game sweep to lose their first ever World Series. I have to admit it took guts, will, and fortitude for them to get that far. I just can't fathom have they go on a 7-0 run in the playoffs, part of a 21-1 record (including the last few weeks of the regular season) then can't win 1 game in the World Series. I guess it wasn't their time.

This year the playoffs didn't leave baseball fans on the edge of their seats. The Phillies, Cubs, and Angels all got sweep in the first round. Then the Diamondbacks were the next victims. To me it's like these teams collapsed after a reaching a pinnacle late in the season or just gave up. Colorado did battle in the WS by to no avail. Instead of seeing a new champion crowned the Red Sox went on to capture their 2nd title in 3 years. I would have rather the underdogs win and the Yankees actually got sweep in the first round by Cleveland (praying for the Cubs to pull off a stunner did absolutely no good).

What the playoffs needed was a good brawl on the field or in the stands with controversy brewing after a corked bat incident. At least then we'd have something to cheer for in order to take our minds off the monotony of another predetermined outcome. I think it's funny how ESPN analyst Jason Starks predicted the Cubs to win it all as they entered the postseason with the worst record (85-78). The Cubs are my favorite team and I knew they were not going to win it. I'm just waiting for the Devil Rays and Pirates to shock the hell out the baseball nation next season after they come back from 20-25 games out of first in their collective divisions and meet in the World Series...yeah fat chance of that ever happening either!!

Big Pappi looks to display power in Coors Field

I know Red Sox fans are jubliated to see the team up 2-0 in the World Series. They whipped the Rockies by a land slide in Game 1 and took control in Game 2 behind a superb pitching performance from Curt Schilling. Youkilis has served an important role in the Sox lineup as the primary first baseman. Tonight, however playing on the road on the Rockies turf David Ortiz will get the nod at first base while his teammate rides the bench. Boston wants to utilize all the power and hitting they have at Coors.

With Manny and Big Pappi in the middle of the order the balls may be flying out of the yard in a hurry! The young guys like Pedoria have set the tone in the early innings, but let it to the big boppers to drive them home. Ortiz completed another stellar regular season with more than 30 dingers and over 120 RBIs. He was an essential part of their run for the World title in 2004, freting the rival Yankees with a few dramatic homeruns late to seal victories for Boston. The big slugger may not see many good pitches in Game 3 against Josh Fogg (10-9). Dice K gets the start for the Sox and many expect his outing to be satisfactory.

Even though I wish both teams well I'd like to see the Rockies win 2 games at least to make the series interesting and send it back to Fenway. Colorado has experienced their greatest winning streak in franchise history and may not get any more opportunties at a World Series for a long time. At the same time if Ortiz cranked 4 homeruns in a game that would be awesome since I don't think any player has accomplished such a feat in the World Series. Dice K will push to give the Red Sox a 3-0 lead as Ramirez and Ortiz bring out the lumber tonight at Coors.

Kevin Durant's sprained ankle won't cut into game opener

The NBA second pick in the draft may not get the as much practice as desired. This week the Sonic's Kevin Durant is out of action with a sprained ankle. The inconvenience will not prevent him from playing in the first game of the season. Unlike the no. 1 pick in the draft, Greg Oden, who will be out for the season after having surgery Durant eyes a full season filled with endless possibilities. He has a bright future ahead of him in the NBA. He has the best shot at receiving rookie of the year honors.

The Supersonics are starting off slow in the preseason with a (1-5) as they lost to the Warriors 126-122 in overtime Tuesday night. Despite the injury Durant finished the game with 21 points. After dealing away Rashad Lewis and Ray Allen Seattle is hurting for some veteran leaders. This team find themselves in a tough Western conference with mediocre competition few and far between. It's still possible management can swing a few good trades during the season and give the Sonics a boost in the second half of the season. Durante will give them scoring, versatility, quickness, and defense.

Red Sox come from behind to win pennant

Once again the Boston Red Sox did the unthinkable: come from behind and advance to the World Series. Down 3-1 in the ALCS against the Indians this team showed just how much heart and will they have to succeed. Last night after the 11-2 win at Fenway Park the celebration erupted. For the 2nd time in 3 years the Red Sox head to the World Series. With 15 hits for the lineup Boston produced most of their runs from the top to middle of the batting order.

Second baseman Dustin Pedroia went 3-for-5 with 5 RBIs in the lead-off spot. Kevin Youkilis followed suit with a 3-hit 2-RBI performance. Dice K pitched 5 strong innings to qualify for the win and allowed 2 runs on 6 hits. Late in the game Mike Lowell added a run from a sacrifice fly. The momentum was solely on Boston's side as they felt the encouragement from the die-heart raucous Fenway crowd.

It's going to be the Red Sox and Rockies for the World title. What a matchup it's going to be with baseball two hottest teams finishing out the regular season in September. Fans will see if Colorado can keep their streak intact (21-1) at least for one more game. The Sox have the more power-driven lineup and stellar rotation and bullpen, but with the Rockies sizzling in the playoffs anything can happen. I do believe the extra time off the field will effect Colorado. Who knows...they be refreshed and better than ever. Congratulations to the Red Sox for clinching the pennant and reach the World Series again!

Red Sox hang on, Beckett helps wrap up 7-1 win

The Boston Red Sox breathe new life going into Friday night's game trailing 3-1 in the series. It was all Josh Beckett last night he had commanding stuff on the mound. He pitched 8 innings of 5-hit 1-run baseball while striking out 11. The middle of Boston order provided the offense as Kevin Youkilis smacked a 3-run homer in the lst innings off C. C. Sabathia. David Ortiz hit two sacrifice flies in the winning effort. The Red Sox out hit the Indians 12-6 in Game 5. Boston still has to win the next two games in route to the World Series.

Winning on the road isn't a problem for the Red Sox, but the way Cleveland has played at home it's going to be a tough grind for the opposition. The young teams have flourished in the playoffs this October. There doesn't appear to be any pressure on them and they just take games in strides. Much of it has to do with great team chemistry and the ability to execute during crunch time. Carmona is expected to face Curt Schilling on Saturday for Game 6. Both of the AL competitors are loaded with talent yet I'm pulling for Schilling to help the Sox notch another win and stay alive.

If the Sox are going to turn it around and come from behind to take the series David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez must be active in the lineup and avoid being non-factors (which they rarely are especially in the ALCS). If there is an edge for Boston it's their experience with veteran talent. Although, so far such an asset has already proved to be irrelevant. Whichever team goes to play the Rockies in the World Series it's sure to be memorable and historic. I wouldn't mind on the other hand seeing a few dramatic homeruns from Big Pappi to make the final games interesting.

As if buying the Cubs isn't enough Cuban now wants Kobe too.

I'm not sure exactly what goes through an owner's mind. They explore possibilities and offers extended their way, but sometimes the money truly goes to their head. Reports show that Mavs' owner, Mark Cuban is interested in a possible trade to acquire Kobe Byrant. The passionate sports nut keeps dreaming up their outlandish proposals. He's planned already to put a bid on the Cubs franchise (odds are dead set against him). Why does he believe he can pull a deal for Byrant when there is no clear indication the superstar will be leaving the Lakers?

The Mavericks have experience great seasons in the past 5 years yet it has to suck getting knocked off by the Golden State Warriors in the first round in the 2006-07 NBA playoffs. Former Dallas coach, Don Nelson really stuck it to Cuban in that series! Anyway, I don't see Mark Cuban as a man of power in the NBA. He doesn't have any pull in the league. All anyone sees him doing is running around the sidelines, squawking at the refs and serving as a distraction. Sure he's a passionate and energetic fan, but what does that amount to when it comes time to get down to brass tax and wheel and deal?

Kobe may not even wish to play for the Mavs. I don't see Dirk, Howard, or him co-existing when it comes to scoring chances and getting enough touches. That would definitely cause friction. If the elite superstar just moved over to San Fran and joined the Warriors he might get to play for a championship contender. I know that would piss Cuban off. Then when the playoffs rolled around again history would repeat itself with the Mavericks owner left with a sour taste in his mouth.

Rockies a win away from heading to the World Series

What a remarkable season it's been for the wildcard-clinching Colorado Rockies. No one expected them to be in NL West race or clinch the playoffs. Now they're only a win away from the World Series. Up 3-0 they're putting all the pressure on the Diamondbacks, who now who what it feels like to be a hole. No NL team in history has came back down 3-0 in the League Championship series. Last night the hero for Colorado, playing the cold rain was Yorvit Torrealba. His 3-run homer in the 6th broke the 1-1 tie and was the difference in the game. Matt Holiday is a big part of the Rockies run in the playoffs and the regular season.

I'm amazed at the Rockies hot streak. They're 20-1 counting the last few weeks of the regular season and the playoffs. I don't remember the last time any MLB team pulled off such a feat. Not to be denied the Rockies are on a mission for to capture their first World Series title. They remind of the 2004 Red Sox team except they don't have the veteran talent that team possessed. If they end up playing Boston in the World Series it's going to be record-breaking, but it will most definitely be an uphill battle.

Tonight Game 4 gets underway as Arizona starts Micah Owings against the Rock's Franklin Morales, two virtually unknowns duking it out in a huge deciding contest. I'm pushing for the Rockies because they deserve a shot in the World Series. If Todd Helton and Matt Holiday along with the rest of the lineup can get the Rockies on the scoreboard early they have a great chance at getting the sweep. From there the underdogs can rest and wait to see who their opponent will be in the World Series. Give 'em hell Rockies!!

Knicks make investment in Zach Randolph, still pray for miracle in 2008

Certainly basketball fans aren't much concerned about what the New York Knicks are doing this off-season (unless you actively root for the team). All the controversy and attention surrounding Isiah Thomas hasn't lowered the negative spotlight on the franchise, he's only intensified it. With hope in their corner the Knicks acquired forward Zach Randolph from the Portland Trailblazers. This must be a relief for the star forward who's gone from one struggling team out west to another with too much turmoil existence before the 07-08 seasons has even started.

I can't fault Knicks management for wanted to improve and continue to rebuild the franchise, but another scorer is just one piece to the puzzle. Basketball spectators in Madison Square Garden witnessed first hand why this team slided and collapsed throughout last season: defense. Trying outscore each opponent without good defense is impossible. Gone are the days where Charles Oakley, Anthony Mason, and Patrick Ewing roamed the court as revered fierce defenders. The youth movement has to take affect and learn how to create turnovers and be active on the glass.

Stephon Marbury if he's still on the team will be the team leader. He has a quick handle on the ball and has become a better defender. Steve Francis and him make a nice one-two guard punch. They can utilize their speed, agility, and experience to help the Knicks win. I still don't see them making the playoffs unless they pull several more quality off-season acquisitions. Jamal Crawford has shown a lot of promise and ought to be a pick me up for the team. Finding another reputable coach with a successful track record will be a big plus too.

Mark Cuban believes he bleeds Cubbie blue

This whole baseball season and playoff experience had proved to be a real sham for me. That's right I'm a Cubs fan. The horrors on the baseball field I've witnessed are etched into my brain. All I've heard about off and on this year is that the Chicago Tribune announced during the season they were going to sell the Cubs franchise and chose to depart ways...the easy way out. Obviously, the nationally acclaimed company didn't want to commit anymore. All of a sudden now everyone is pulling for Mark Cuban to buy out the team. That's fine, but for the time being as fans let's allow some other names to surface who also may be interested in ownership.

Before I go into the Cuban story I have to share my take on the Chicago franchise's history and what I've seen in my 15 years as a Cubs fan. First of all, getting swept by the no-name yet talented D-backs in the playoffs sucked big time and never should've happened. The players better be hard on themselves for letting this golden opportunity slip away and once again disappointing the faithful bleacher bums through their dismal performances. They did try and that does count for something I guess, however it looked like none of the players were on the same page for most of the year. The highs and lows were there too with the adversity rising with each game. The power hitters just didn't produce when needed.

What is so stupefying is the past years I've followed this year and the numerous chances they've squandered to win a championship. 2003 was one of the worst to watch. Everything was working in the Cubs favor until that dreaded Game 5 of the NLCS. Being 5 outs from going to the World Series was mind blowing when they let the Marlins storm back to win 3 straight and close out that series. The notorious Bartman didn't cost them the series they simply shutdown and failed to execute. Everything became too much of a mental game for the Cubs. In 1999 against the Braves in the division series it wasn't quite as bad, but it ended with the same outcome. Back in 1989 the Giants got the best of the Cubs and took control of the NLCS. Will Clark's long ball sealed it. Ryno and Mark Grace deserved to win a World Series title with Chicago, but never did because of failed chances by the entire team.

I'm glad another sports owner is interested in buying the franchise. I realize Mark Cuban is passionate and an energetic guy, standing behind his Mavericks no matter what. For some reason I don't see him as the best match to represent this baseball club. Sure he's experienced and a die-heart fan, but will he look out for this struggling franchise's best interests? He comes off as arrogant and superior sometimes to me and I think that rubs people the wrong way...of course that may be just how I see him. If he does become the new owner at least he'll be active (making deals, running around the stadium, cheering, etc.).

The problem I see the Cubs encountering with Cuban is him trying to make up for loss times by signing popular players to outrageous contracts, thinking this will be the solution to long standing offensive droughts. For him make the Cubs a success he will have to find a way to get a group of talented players to be in sync and have great chemistry together on the field. Otherwise fans will have to bear more of the same horrific, desolate seasons. There is a reason why teams like the RedSox have elevated their game to new highs. It's because they know how to perform in the clutch as a group and conquer success!

The Cubs are the longest standing club without a World Series title, now moving toward a century mark!! This ought to bother both fans and player as well as the owner and GM instead of shrugging it off as if it's no big deal. Mark Cuban will be expected to make great strides and do something to motivate this franchise to win a championship. How he plans on pulling this feat off I don't know if he becomes an owner. One thing is for sure, the legendary organization can't ignore history.

Ortiz, Ramirez guide Red Sox to ALCS

It's been a fun week for the Boston RedSox. Their energy and powerful lineup had them open the AL division with a bang. They put the pressure on the Angels and gave them no breathing room. David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez delivered with big homeruns in Game 3 to put them ahead and powered Boston to a sweep. Curt Schilling was a big part of the deciding win yesterday as well. He pitched 7 quality innings and finished with 4 strikeouts in the 9-1 victory. There was no offensive shortages for the Red Sox as they swung hard and scored early in the series they seemed to have wrapped around their fingers.

With a 3-game sweep of the worn down Angels the Red Sox have a few days to rest before meeting their upcoming opponents. It looks like the Indians will meet them in the league championship series. The Yankees prolonged the series with a win yesterday, but trail 2-1. Anything is possible, but I don't see the Evil Empire winning three straight games. Travis Hafner, Grady Sizemore, and Victor Martinez lead the way for Cleveland and look to continue to do further offensive damage. Congrads to the Red Sox of reaching the ALCS! An Indians vs. Red Sox clash to reach the World Series will be an enthralling matchup.

Rockies on natural high heading into first round playoff series

So it turns out the Colorado Rockies were the hottest team in baseball in the final two weeks of the season, posting a 14-1 mark in the final 15 games. Who would thought the Rockies would have took the NL by storm and finished with a 90-73 record overall. This gutsy young team beat out the Mets, Padres, and Braves for the wildcard. This is a historic year for the franchise, marking their first ever postseason appearance. Also, this is the first time the Rockies, Phillies, and Cubs all clinched the playoffs together.

I know one guy who's happy and finally relieved. That's Todd Helton, the corner stone of the franchise. He's been with the club since 1995. Long has the veteran gold glove-winning first baseman waited for this day. He's followed by a talented group of teammates which include the slugging Matt Holiday (up for MVP honors), lead-off hitter Kaz Matsui, starting pitcher Jeff Francis, and rising star Garrett Atkins. What's surprising about this team is there ranked 2nd in runs scored in the NL, and won several 1-run games.

Philadelphia would be welcoming ground for these Rockies. They'll have to depend more on their starters and bullpen to survive the series. Cole Hamels (15-5) makes the start in Game 1 vs. the Rockies Jeff Francis (17-5). Jimmy Rollins and homerun hitting Ryan Howard are the main keys to the Phillies' offense. Second baseman Chase Utley has known to be a run producing igniter as well. For Colorado, Todd Helton needs to step up and deliver in the clutch with his teammates helping to build early leads for their starter pitchers. The division series is shaped up to be a classic confrontation. Good luck to both teams!

MLB Playoff Matchups

The baseball playoffs are only a day away with great matchups in store for the fans. In the AL Boston takes on Anaheim. This series showcases a good cast of power hitters and plenty of dynamic, young pitching. David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez carry the torch for the Red Sox, leading the hit parade while the Angels represent the West featuring Vladmir Guerrero, Garret Anderson, and former Red Sox player Orlando Cabrera. There will also be good pitcher matchups in the series, John Lackey vs. Josh Beckett, Jered Weaver vs. Dice K, probably Curt Schilling vs. Kelvin Escobar.

In the other AL series the Yankees will face the Indians. This 2007 Cleveland team took the league by storm and ran up a comfortable lead in the division. They're got a talented group of young players such as C. C. Sabathia, Travis Hafner, and Casey Blake. The energetic club must contend with a yet again powerhouse Yankees club which rode a high wave towards the end of the season. A-Rod is sure to drill a couple shots into the bleachers and be the top run producer. Mariano Riveria is a reliable closer, but is shown to be shaky at times this year. Look for the Tribe to wear out the Yankees' bullpen. They'll have to string together every bit of offense they can muster in key situations.

Over in the NL it's set that the Cubs will meet the Diamondbacks starting Wednesday in Arizona. This series could get away from either team if momentum stirs solely in one direction and guys get hot. Alfonso Soriano is on a tear, smashing 14 homeruns in September. Zambrano and Lilly are the key guys in the rotation and are expected to give the Cubs leverage to gain a series lead. Brandon Webb will pitch in Game 1 vs. Zambrano as will rely on his young, versatile lineup to find way to manufacture runs. It's going to be an exciting series.

The Phillies clinched the NL East title and await their opponent as the Rockies and Padres duel it out today in a wildcard tie-breaker (I hope Colorado wins...they have waited a long time for this chance). Baseball fans check out news and notes at Phillies Insider.com. Ryan Howard will leave his mark on the series in some fashion with a veteran rotation laying in the balance. The 2007 playoffs feature new teams yet familiar faces, ready to fulfill their dreams of capturing a World Series title.