AJ Smith and LT Lovefest

San Diego GM AJ Smith has always played hardball and is never afraid to say what's on his mind. Whether it was letting QB Drew Brees walk for no compensation or running popular coach Marty Schottenheimer out of town following a 14-2 season, Smith does whatever he wants when he wants to do it. Up to this point owner Dean Spanos has often taken Smith's side pointing to his acquisitions of Pro Bowlers QB Phillip Rivers, CB Antonio Cromartie, TE Antonio Gates, and LB Shawne Merriman in recent drafts.

Recently All Pro RB LaDainian Tomlinson posted this on his website:

"I have been getting a lot of messages on my site regarding me leaving San Diego. I feel that I need to make it very clear that I have NO intentions of leaving San Diego. San Diego is where my career started and where I'd like it to end. I have nothing but love and the upmost respect for this team, the players, and the Spanos Family. Me being traded is completely out of my hands. I have ABSOLUTELY no control in that decision making. All I can do is wait and see how it all plays out. As for now, I am a Charger and will be until I am told otherwise."

In a stroke of pure genius, Smith responded to this mocking the future Hall of Famer and beloved franchise star by saying:

“My first reaction was we both have similar feelings. I have no intentions of leaving San Diego. San Diego is where my GM career started and where I’d like it to end. I also have nothing but love and the utmost respect for this team, the players and the Spanos family. I have absolutely no control over how long I will be with the Chargers. As for now, I am the Chargers’ GM, and I have major decisions to ponder for the organization now and in the future. My recommendation to Dean Spanos will be what’s in the best interest of the team – both short and long term. That’s my job. That’s what Dean hired me to do.”

Running a coach who went 14-2 the previous season out of town and overseeing the ensuing team go from 14-2 to 10-6 to 8-8 this season is one thing, but dissing and completely disrespecting a player beloved by the fans for his Hall of Fame numbers on the field and his impeccable image off the field? Not such a great idea. Yes, LT is approaching 30, typically the age where premier RBs start to fall off. His $8 million cap number for next season is also a bit unsettling considering the already decreasing production and increasing injury toll of the All Pro RB. But LT is the heart and soul of these Chargers, and the 2006 Walter Payton Award Winner is a leader in the community as well as one of the greatest RBs of our time. So running an over the hill Schottenheimer out of town may have not been such a horrible idea, but dissing the greatest player to ever don a Chargers jersey? Ummm...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYU9eRl3AyU
LT Highlight Reel

Looking Ahead

For a many teams, this NBA season is essentially over. While a losing season and watching the playoffs from home is never any fun, the NBA draft lottery provides teams with a chance to drastically improve by landing a potential franchise player.

One needs to look no further than this past year's lottery in which the Chicago Bulls, with a 1.7% chance of landing the top pick, had the bouncing balls go their way and managed to land PG Derrick Rose who became the first Bulls rookie since Michael Jordan('84-'85) to score 10 points in his first 10 games.

2009 POTENTIAL LOTTERY PICKS
1) Blake Griffin F Oklahoma
He's athletic, strong, and is an imposing presence at 6'10, 250 lbs. A sure fire star in the draft if there is such a thing, and the consensus number one pick at this point. Think Carlos Boozer with way more hops.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3mM336_tY8
2) Ricky Rubio G Spain
Scouts marvel at the poise and skill set this young point guard has showcased in these past Olympics and in Europe. An international sensation following his play in the '08 Beijing Games, Rubio became the youngest player ever to play in an Olympic Basketball Gold Medal game. While Rubio lacks elite speed and athleticism, his poise and creativity with the ball along with his team first mentality have many drawing comparisons to a young Pistol Pete Maravich.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47VLce11WDM&feature=related
3) Greg Monroe F Georgetown
The top ranked freshman has wowed scouts with his skills, and has silenced critics by displaying a great motor and passion. At 6'11 and 250 lbs and sky high potential, the young freshman big out of Georgetown has an excellent chance of being the first freshman off the board on draft night. Think of a late career Chris Webber.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylS_54qSoBw
4) Hasheem Thabeet C Connecticut
As the old adage goes, you can't teach height. At 7'3 Thabeet will enter the NBA as the second tallest player in the NBA behind only 7'5 Yao Ming. Only a few years ago Thabeet appeared to be another clumsy, slow 7 footer unable to play up to his height. Now, as a junior Thabeet has become a shot blocking force as well as a terrific rebounder and an improving offensive player. If he continues to improve, the Dikembe Mutumbo comparisons may not be too far fetched.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dudxh2qZE8M&feature=related
5) James Harden G Arizona State
Harden is not the most explosive or the most athletic player in the draft, and lacks the "ideal" size for a shooting guard. That being said, Harden can score from virtually anywhere on the floor, and is the leader of a very good Arizona State squad. In other words, he may not be flashy but is extremely effective. Think of a bigger Manu Ginoboli.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H64rKHfSwww&feature=related
6) Jrue Holiday G UCLA
Holiday may be the most complete freshman in the nation, playing the point for a very talented UCLA team. Not only can Holiday handle the rock, but he can play both point guard and shooting guard and is a very good defender. If he chooses to make the jump to the NBA after this year, Holiday will most likely be a top 10 pick. Think of a more mature, more versatile Russell Westbrook.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXVuaMLcaTA&feature=PlayList&p=43D9C01A4554D43C&playnext=1&index=4
7) Jeff Teague G Wake Forest
Teague wasn't on anyone's preseason top 10 draft board, but has captured the attention of the NBA with his team, Wake Forest, ranked #1 and his stellar play at point guard. Teague is quick, athletic, and can shoot the ball making him an offensive force. Reminiscent of former Pheonix Suns star Kevin Johnson.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWbZj4F8tds
8) DeMar DeRozan G USC
Standing at 6'6, 200 lbs, DeRozan has the size and height to be an elite shooting guard in the NBA. He already has an NBA body, and is an amazing athlete. However, DeRozan lacks the great basketball IQ and killer instinct necessary to thrive at the 2 in the NBA. If he can live up to his potential think of a young Vince Carter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3pvDEH0BQs&feature=related
9) Stephen Curry G Davidson
Able to play the point and shooting guard equally well, Curry is perhaps the most gifted scorer in the draft. Not only does Curry possess the floor vision and basketball IQ to run point in the NBA, he also has that killer jump shot that has shot Davidson onto the stage. Scouts have him pegged as a better version of his dad, former Hornets star Dell Curry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzAoxWEj8kY
10) Brandon Jennings G Italy
The former Arizona recruit and top high school player in the country, Jennings chose to bypass college and go to Europe for a year. He is eligible for the 2009 draft, and has proven his mettle by excelling in one of the top European leagues straight out of high school. A gifted athlete at the point, Jennings is right out of the Gilbert Arenas mold of point guards. One play he'll drain a long 3, and the next he'll blow past the defender on route to an easy dunk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW_MKMvckmY&feature=related

No way this is really happening...Right?

The Cardinals can't be in the Super Bowl, right? Since 1978, when the schedule was expanded to 16 games, only 1 other team has advanced to the Super Bowl with less than 10 regular season wins: 1979 Los Angeles Rams (9-7). These Cardinals limped into the playoffs losers of 4 of their last 6 games, including a 47-7 blowout loss at New England, and only ONE win against a playoff team all season. They only scored 1, ONE!, more point that their opponents all year, and gave up the third most points in the NFC, better than only the 2-14 St. Louis Rams and the 0-16 Detroit Lions. The starting QB? A washed up 37 year old who went undrafted out of Northern Iowa in 1994, making stops in Green Bay, New York, and St. Louis, as well as playing in the Arena Football League and NFL Europe. A head coach only one year removed from his rookie year as a head coach. An offense which gave a new definition to one dimensional, finishing 2nd in passing and last(32nd) in rushing amongst all NFL teams, and a defense which finished 19th overall, behind cellar dwellars such as the 4-11-1 Cincinnati Bengals and the 5-11 Jacksonville Jaguars. This is a team which went 3-5 on the road, with losses at Houston, Chicago, and Cincinnati. A team like this can't possibly be contending for a Super Bowl, right?

Yet here they are, winners of 3 straight playoff games, and headed to their first Super Bowl ever. With a win the Cardinals will end the second longest title drought in North American sports at 61 years, and behind only the Chicago Cubs(100 years removed from last title). That washed up 37 year old QB has recaptured the magic which orchestrated The Greatest Show on Turf nearly a decade ago. The almost rookie head coach has shown his mettle in these playoffs, outcoaching both John Fox and Andy Reid as well as rookie head coach Mike Smith of Atlanta. The 3-5 road team in the regular season destroyed a Carolina team which entered the playoffs with a perfect record at home. The almost non existent rushing attack has turned around to average 111 yards a game during the playoffs, a nearly 30 yard per game improvement from the regular season.

The underdog in every playoff game thusfar, including being underdogs at HOME against both Atlanta and Philly, the Super Bowl has proved no different with the Steelers perched as 6.5 point favorites. Disrespected by "experts" at every turn, the Cardinals continue their unlikely march toward becoming possibly the most unlikely team entering the playoffs to win the Super Bowl.

Across the country, in places like Chicago, New York, Baltimore, Atlanta, Philly, along with countless other cities and towns everywhere there will be men, women, and children huddled around TV sets in living rooms, basements, and community centers rooting for the unlikeliest of contenders. Led by a former grocery store worker turned Pro Bowl QB, on Super Bowl Sunday we will root and cheer for a team which has not only captured the NFC championship, but the hearts of football fans everywhere. Hollywood pumps out cheesy, inspirational movies year after year, but to witness a true inspirational story is a feeling reserved for very few moments in sports history. Win or lose the Cardinals have stamped their place in sports lore, winning the minds and hearts of a nation embroiled in a devastating recession. A true story of David and Goliath, the Cardinals, 6 decades removed from a title, face the Pittsburgh Steelers, led by a Steel Curtainesque defense and with 5 Super Bowl trophies in the trophy case. The Cardinals have galvanized a nation, uniting fans of all teams across all regions of the country. Because on Feb. 1, we will all be Arizona Cardinals fans.

Blockbuster in the Making?

Reports in the last week have been pointing to a potential blockbuster deal between the Toronto Raptors and the Miami Heat. This deal would send C Jermaine O' Neal to Miami and F Shawn Marion and an extra player or two back to Toronto. Marion has $17.1 million remaining on his contract, which comes off the books after this season, and Jermaine O' Neal has two years left on his deal, $21.3 million this season with a player option, most likely to be exercised, for $23 million next season.

Miami Heat: President and GM Pat Riley has always expressed interest in acquiring an elite level big man since trading aging C Shaquille O' Neal to the Suns for Shawn Marion. If the 30 year old former All Star O' Neal can rediscover the magic which made him a six time All Star with the Indiana Pacers, the Heat will obtain a skilled center with the ability to score, as evidenced by his 36 point outburst against the Kings earlier this season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc-2dIPY1ZA
Jermaine O' Neal with the monster jam and the foul

Toronto Raptors: With a crowded frontcourt of former overall first pick C Andre Bargnani (13 ppg, 5 rpg, 1.2 bpg, 1.5 3pg) and All Star Chris Bosh (24 ppg, 10 rpg) solidifying themselves at the 4 and 5 positions, the increasingly injury prone Jermaine O' Neal has become expendable in Toronto. With Shawn Marion's expiring $17.1 million contract coming off the books after this season, the Raptors will give themselves tons of cap room as they unload O' Neal's contract as well. Not only does this move give them cap flexibility, but it gives the Raptors an athletic forward who can play the 3 or the 4. The Matrix is a 4 time All Star who can crash the boards, play D, and shoot 3s, providing the Raptors with a potential starting lineup of C Andre Bargnani, PF Chris Bosh, SF Shawn Marion, SG Anthony Parker, and PG Jose Calderon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdLQd-NAe80
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xtCvoxlR5Y
The Matrix showing off his SKILLS

THE NBA UNIVERSE

LBJ with Sideshow Bob

LA LAKERS: Best team with the best player. Enough said.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBJZXyfLrpU&feature=related
Yeah, he's THAT good.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: Lebron and Co. at the top of the Eastern Conference. Crab dribble? Who gives a ****? There the real deal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIvAJOhKPbY&feature=related
From the FREE THROW LINE.

ORLANDO MAGIC: Does anyone else realize they have a better record (30-8) than the Celtics?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqNQa1eFVY0&feature=related
Welcome to Dwight Howard's BLOCK PARTY

BOSTON CELTICS: Is it time for panic mode? Probably not, but this Celtics squad is no lock for the Finals anymore.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uSay2aWTc0&feature=related
KG makes Big Baby cry

SAN ANTONIO: Their too old, too boring, and too dependent on their guards, Parker and Ginoboli. By the way their on track to win 58 games so there's that then.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97EzOdPOUNw&feature=related
Just in case you forgot they sport the 2nd best record in the West

DENVER NUGGETS: Forget Chauncey Billups, Carmelo Anthony, or J.R. Smith. The real story in the Mile High City this season? Kenyon Martin, yes that Kenyon Martin, is shooting 10-18(55.6%) from behind the arc so far this season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVsUZU9Sns4&feature=related
Carmelo over not one, not two, but THREE Celtics

NEW ORLEANS HORNETS: How good is Chris Paul? The best player just paid him the ultimate compliment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nRrr-C8ecQ&feature=related
CP3 doing his thing

Thunder and Lightning

Rickey thinks Rickey's the best!

All time steals leader Rickey Henderson and former Red Sox slugger Jim Rice were inducted into Cooperstown, with the "best leadoff hitter ever" Rickey Henderson earning 94.8% of the vote to earn induction on his first try. Jim Rice, often labeled as the most feared slugger of the 1970s, received 76.4% of the voters approval to gain entry into the Hall of Fame on his 15th and last year of eligibility on the ballot. Although the all time steals and runs leader was a virtual lock on his first year on the ballot, Rickey Henderson's 94.8% of the vote means that 27 writers left Henderson off their ballots. This also means 27 writers left arguably the greatest leadoff hitter of all time off the ballot. Jim Rice's long awaited entry into the most exclusive club in sports is a great story, and a befitting honor for a man who is the only player in MLB history to have 3 straight seasons of 35+ home runs and 200+ hits.



RICKEY HENDERSON
1406 steals(All time leader)
2295 runs(All time leader)
10 All Star selections
1990 AL MVP
MLB single season record for steals(130 in 1982)
MLB all time record for HRs leading off games(81)
Played for 9 teams

JIM RICE
382 HRs
2452 hits
1451 RBIs
8 All Star selections
1978 AL MVP
Spent all 16 seasons with Red Sox

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm30dRuOeDU&feature=related
Jim Rice's 200th HR at Fenway(June 13th, 1988)

Clip of the Week

Not that I personally consider poker a sport, but this clip I came across is the perfect example of how humor is often missing in world of "real" sports.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUC_7BpfT_8&feature=related
Paul Ivey shuts up Daniel Negreanu

THE NEXT GOAT?

The AP NFL All Pro team was released last Friday, and a whopping 15 players have been honored for the first time as All Pros, including WRs Andre Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIAfKI0RZRc
Larry Fitzgerald with the AMAZING catch in double coverage.

However, the focus this year is and should be on Baltimore Ravens S Ed Reed. The only unanimous selection to the 2009 AP All Pro team, Ed Reed has established himself as the best defensive player on the best defense in the NFL. In 2004, Reed became only the third safety EVER to win the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year, with 9 INTs that season, which not so coincidentally happens to be the same number of picks Reed ended this current season with. With 5 Pro Bowl selections and 4 All Pro selections, as well as a DPOY award in 2004, Ed Reed has cemented his status as the best safety in the NFL. But is he the best safety of all time? Certainly better than his best contemporaries, who include Mike Brown, Troy Polamalu, Bob Sanders, Rodney Harrison, and John Lynch. Through his first 7 NFL seasons Reed's stats and awards simply jump off the page.
Ed Reed
5x Pro Bowl selection
4x All Pro selection
NFL INT leader in '04 and '08
43 INTs
NFL Defensive Player of the Year(2004)
2 NFL records: interception yards(season), longest interception return(108 yds)

To put Ed Reed's numbers in perspective, his 43 INTs are tied for 3rd most among active players, tied with Champ Bailey, the 8 time Pro Bowler and himself a 2006 unanimous All Pro selection. Reed's DPOY award in 2004 also puts him in elite company, with only 3 other safeties (Dick Anderson, Kenny Easely, and Bob Sanders being the others) winning the award since 1971.

But these credentials alone do not merit the label of GOAT. To be the best at your respective position, you must demostrate an excellence surpassing mere numbers and statistics. The player must establish a new standard for the position by which all players from that point on will be measured by. Also, the player must make his case for the title of greatest of all time. Like in 2005 when Tim Duncan made his case as the best power forward to ever step on a basketball court. Or Dustin Pedroia's unreal 2008 campaign, where he became only the 4th 2nd baseman since 1931 to win the AL MVP award.

At a mere 30 years old, Ed Reed, with a little luck and health, has at least a few more years of premier performance left in his 5'11, 200 lb. frame. A few more All Pro selections as well as 25-30 more INTs are not out of the question before #20 decides to hang up his cleats. And where does this put Ed Reed in the GOAT discussion? Certainly a shoo in first ballot Hall of Famer at this pace, but greater than Dick "Night Train" Lane and Ronnie Lott?

As sports fans in the 21st century, every player is debated and anaylzed to the point where there are no mythical living legends. Each player has their faults, and through the miracle of technology, namely zoom and slow motion, these faults are exploited and pointed out on national TV. Is Ed Reed the best safety in the NFL? Yes, and with a unanimous All Pro selection, the media seems to agree. However, is Ed Reed the best EVER? Maybe. Maybe not. But its damn well worth watching to find out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDIzORlw54g&feature=related
BEST OF ED REED

Tragedy of the BCS

38-24. That was the final score of the Rose Bowl, with #5 ranked USC cruising by #6 Penn State, with the game not being as close as the score suggests. Only a 2nd half rally by Penn State made the score seem somewhat respectable, with Joe Pa seen shaking his head from the press box as USC jumped out to a 31-7 first half lead. USC QB Mark Sanchez passed for 413 yards and 4 touchdowns, and left USC fans and RB Clark Gable claiming that, "We know we would crush Florida and Oklahoma." With fans and coaches calling for a college football playoff, debacles such as USC steamrolling an overmatched Penn State team time and time again reinforce the argument for a playoff. 

USC S Taylor Mays with the monster hit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd7m3QtQJus

However, USC pummeling an overmatched Big 10 team is hardly a headline confined to the 2009 Rose Bowl. An overachieving Illinois team snuck into the Rose Bowl last year, and USC proceeded to systematically destroy Juice Williams and Co. 49-17 in a game that was not as close as the score suggests. 

The year before? USC pummels Michigan 32-18. In fact, often over matched Big-10 teams have wandered into the Rose Bowl as mere cannon fodder, with the last Big 10 victory coming in 2000 with Ron Dayne leading Wisconsin to a 17-9 Rose Bowl win over Stanford.