Lakers Seek Pau Gasol Trade
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- Category: Sports
- Published on Tuesday, 21 February 2012 18:03
- Written by Ryan Horban
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Trade Rumors Derailing Season
The Los Angeles Lakers have continued to play at a high-level at Staples Center, but their road woes have continued to suggest they are not an elite team in the western conference anymore. However, one of the primary reasons for their struggles could be attributed to the non-stop trade rumors surrounding one of the team's core players, Pau Gasol.
Gasol has had his name appear involved in a number of different trade scenarios, and almost all sports analysts believe that the chatter is impacting the Spanish forward's play on the court. And why wouldn't it? Gasol has a home and family in Southern California, and not knowing if you could be in Minnesota, Orlando or some other place the next day would cause stress upon any player, any person. The mental toll on Gasol is something that should not be understated because of the important role he serves on the team as a veteran leader. His team chemistry with Kobe Bryant and the bench players is vital to the team's success this season.
Clearly aware that the rumors were hurting the performance of the team, Bryant went on the offense against management, saying that they should resolve the matter as soon as possible. Bryant stated that if the team intends on trading him they should not prolong the process and work out a trade soon, or inform Gasol that he is no longer on the trading block so he can focus on finishing the remainder of the season in a purple and gold uniform. Bryant also made it clear that he would prefer the team keep Gasol, who was a key figure in helping the Lakers win two world championships only a few short years ago.
Are Knicks Better Without Carmelo
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- Category: Sports
- Published on Sunday, 12 February 2012 19:13
- Written by Ryan Horban
- Hits: 124
Knicks Win Again With Anthony On Bench
Who said injuries are the single biggest problem an NBA team could face in a season? Lose your best player, and lose your season right? Well don't tell that to the New York Knicks who have won a fifth consecutive game all while their marquee, all-star, face of the franchise sits on the bench nursing an injury. With Carmelo Anthony out, the Knicks have been doing something they are not normally accustomed to doing: winning. And the reason for this is because of the unexpected and dominating play from a player who spent his nights sleeping on his brother's couch!
Jeremy Lin is a player who up until only a few days ago was playing on a contract that wasn't even guaranteed! The Knicks were basically paying him in popcorn and bubble gum before they finally inked him to a league minimum deal. What this player of Taiwanese decent (yes Taiwan!) has done is turned the Knicks from a "watch one guy shoot then run back on defense" team into a "get everybody involved and play together" team. He has been remarkable, and his team has been winning.
After Lin out-worked Kobe Bryant in the infamous Madison Square Garden, Bryant's long-time playpen, many sports analysts began wondering if the Knicks could actually be better without their high-paid superstar players. If the Knicks were better, with dare I say it, Carmelo Anthony in sweats!
New Jersey Dwight Howard Trade
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- Category: Sports
- Published on Thursday, 09 February 2012 02:48
- Written by Ryan Horban
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Nets Living On A Prayer
The New Jersey Nets move to Brooklyn can't happen soon enough. The only problem is that once they move they could continue to be one of the worst teams in the NBA unless the prayers of the team and fans is answered: Dwight Howard comes to the Nets.
Howard has stated he wanted to play for a contender, but already resides on a team that will certainly make it into the playoffs. The Orlando Magic are also only a few years removed from getting within two games of the championship. However, let's not kid ourselves for one second. Most NBA players today would rather star in commercials, and make maximum dollars rather than win championships. Howard even including New Jersey on his so-called wish list of teams clearly shows that the all-star center is interested in building his brand, not championship trophy case. Nonetheless, if Howard does get traded to the garden state or signs there after the season, he will undoubtedly be rescuing a franchise on the verge of total collapse.
After all-star guard Deron Williams basically got hall of fame coach Jerry Sloan to quit, nobody expected his time with the Jazz would end only a short time later. However, with the Nets basically selling their stockpile of draft picks to Utah for Deron Williams, the Jazz made the wise to decision to move their diva point guard.
Chauncey Billups Achilles Injury
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- Category: Sports
- Published on Wednesday, 08 February 2012 18:14
- Written by Ryan Horban
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Clippers Get Bad Break, More Like Tear
When Chauncey Billups was waived by the New York Knicks as part of the amnesty clause that came out of the collective bargaining he stated that nobody should pick him up because he would be disgruntled. Hoping to change his mind, the new look Los Angeles Clippers picked up the veteran guard in hopes he could team up with newly acquired all-star Chris Paul to create one of the most dynamic guard duos in the league. What Los Angeles got from Billups was a true professional, veteran leader who took a young talented team under his wing, leading them to a 15-7 record in the first 22 games for the second best record in the western conference. Sadly, the story of where the Clippers will end this season will now have a completely different conclusion that does not include Billups, after he tore his achilles tendon in a game, leaving him unable to finish the season on the court.
Detroit, Denver, New York and Los Angeles all had one thing in common: when Billups played for them they were winners. Detroit has never recovered from the departure of the NBA Finals MVP, and the Knicks are on pace to miss the playoffs entirely this year with no veteran guard leading the team. The reason for this is because Chauncey Billups is the most under-rated player probably in the entire league. He is a sure-handed player who makes the smart pass, and can knock down a three-pointer. He is an intelligent player who understands the look of a variety of defenses, and knows how to exploit them. Now, he will only be able to lead from the bench as the Clippers will likely move Mo Williams into the starting guard position, which is unfortunate because Williams was a top contender for sixth man of the year award for his production coming off the bench.
Wes Welker Super Bowl Blunder
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- Category: Sports
- Published on Tuesday, 07 February 2012 18:07
- Written by Ryan Horban
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Patriots One Catch Away From Win
On the very first offensive play of the game it was clear that the New England Patriots were out of sync. In what appeared to be confusion running a route, Tom Brady overthrew everybody by about 15 yards, resulting in a intentional grounding penalty. Since the throw occurred in the Patriot's end zone, the ruling was a safety. One play, two points for the New York Giant's defense. Adding insult to injury was the touchdown the Giants scored on the very next possession to put the Giants up 9-0. Thankfully for the team from New England it was still very early in the game.
By the time the game entered the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, the Patriots were in a position that they could only have dreamed of. They held a 17-15 lead, and had the ball on the Giant's side of the field with approximately four minutes to go until Super Bowl glory. They were roughly 10 yards away from a distance that would give them a chance for a field goal, and only probably two first downs away from bleeding the clock out. With second down and deep being the situation, somehow Wes Welker ran through a miscommunication on the defense, causing a broken coverage. Brady tossed the ball 30 yards in the air in Welker's direction, hitting both hands of the receiver. Unfortunately, the sure-handed receiver could not make the most important catch of his career when a big play was needed most.
"Let's be honest, Tom Brady did not throw the best football on that play, but the receiver was still able to get into a position to make a play on the ball", explained a sports editor for Southern California vehicle management company GPS Tracker Shop. "There was zero pressure on Welker from the defense, making him essentially wide open, but he was unable to make the play that was needed, the play that should have been made by a Pro-Bowl receiver."
