24 Jan 11 South Carolina Gamecocks' Defense: Schemes and Alignments

Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesA number of opposition fans, and even USC fans, often seem pretty confused about what kind of base defense Ellis Johnson runs at South Carolina. I was talking to one 'Cocks fan at the UGA game who kept referring to our three linebackers, Reebok Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald Realtree camo Jersey
when we normally only play two linebackers at a time. Another UGA fan kept referring to Eric Norwood as a defensive end. However, this confusion is understandable, because Ellis Johnson's defense is built around versatile players who can align themselves in a number of different ways to create confusion. The goal here is to give a basic overview of how the defense is supposed to work and the roles various players play in it. Finally, I will evaluate what has gone right and wrong for the defense thus far and what will be needed for it to function as an elite unit this year. The Base The base formation can mostly simply be called a 4-2-5 defense. That is, four down linemen, 2 linebackers, and 5 defensive backs. Normally this would be called a nickel formation, but for reasons we will see, this isn't really a nickel defense. The primary difference is that the fifth defensive back is more of a linebacker/strong safety hybrid than a typical nickel back. In a typical nickel scheme, the extra defensive back either plays a deep zone or covers the slot receiver one-on-one. In Ellis Johnson's scheme, the "spur" plays much more of a run-support/blitzing/underneath-coverage role than a nickel back. So, in many ways you could call this defense a 4-2-1-4 defense: four down linemen, two linebackers, one spur, and four true defensive backs. The most common defensive play-call in this formation has the four down linemen attacking the line of scrimmage and the two linebackers playing primarily run-support roles and covering backs out of the backfield. The "spur" covers the short/intermediate middle of the field in a zone defense, the two corners play zone schemes on the outside, and the two safeties play a two-deep zone. The Subtle Tweaks As mentioned earlier, the true hallmark of this defense is having several players that can play multiple roles. As mentioned earlier, the spur should have the ability to play everything from essentially a weakside linebacker's role to a free safety role. In addition, the weakside linebacker oftentimes will play more of a pass-rush/defensive end type role. Last year this was Eric Norwood's specialty, which often led to some actually considering him a defensive end. Depending on the down and distance, the weakside linebacker will often sub for one of the defensive ends with a quicker linebacker taking the weakside linebacker's position. However, this has happened much less this year, with the true defensive ends, Devin Taylor and Cliff Matthews, playing almost every down. What is the key to this being a dominant unit?What is the key to this being a dominant unit?Antonio Allen and/or Damario Jeffrey stepping their play up23.7%Shaq Wilson getting back18.6%The secondary playing to their potential39.0%Better defensive playcalling18.6%Total votes: 59In another tweak on the alignment, one of the defensive ends is often called to drop into short zone coverage after initially lining up at the line of scrimmage. This can give the defense the look of a 3-3-5 or 3-4 defense. Adding all of this up, with the same personnel the defense can play: A base 4-2-1-4 defense, as outlined above A more traditional 4-3 defense, with the spur essentially becoming a third linebacker A 5-2-4 defense, with the weakside linebacker essentially lining up as a fifth defensive lineman and the spur essentially playing a linebacker position A traditional 4-2-5 nickel defense, with the spur essentially playing the role of a traditional nickel back A 5-1-5 defense, with the weakside linebacker playing a pass-rush role and the spur playing a traditional nickel back role. A 3-3-5 defense, with one of the defensive ends dropping into short zone coverage (or being subbed outright) and the spur playing the role of a traditional nickel back A traditional 3-4 defense, with one of Reebok Baltimore Ravens #5 Joe Flacco Realtree camo Jersey
the defensive ends playing a short zone (or being subbed outright) and the spur coming up to play a linebacker role This is why, when running properly, this defense can create headaches for opposing offensive coordinators and quarterbacks. South Carolina's defense can run a variety of schemes without tipping their hand by subbing personnel. The key positions of the defense Two positions in the defense stand out as the biggest keys: weakside linebacker and spur. Scott Halleran/Getty ImagesThe spur is important because his reads and calls either put South Carolina at a numbers advantage or disadvantage. If he reads a handoff and the QB keeps it, then South Carolina will have a hard time stopping a mobile quarterback (see Cam Newton's performance). If he reads run and it's play action, the pass defense is a little undermanned in their zones. A smart, athletic spur can make this a dominant unit. With a subpar spur, the defense will find itself out of position and unable to defend against even average attacks. Weakside linebacker is important for many of the same reasons, though the weakside linebacker doesn't typically have to make many reads. The weakside linebacker is sort of the "moving piece" of this defense that, with the right player, can wreak havoc on an offensive coordinator's plans and cause the QB to have nightmares. With a subpar weakside linebacker, this defense can get very vanilla and easy to predict. How this year's defense works What I've described above is Ellis Johnson's overall defensive philosophy. However, one thing he has shown over the years is that he varies and/or limits what he calls based on the current personnel he has. South Carolina really misses this guyFor instance, last year Eric Norwood was clearly the most talented player he had, so he tended to call defenses designed to move Norwood around, so that the opposition couldn't "scheme him out of the play" very often. Norwood was not only a physically gifted player, but he was also a very mentally sound player and could play a lot of positions on defense, allowing Ellis Johnson to do this. This year, there doesn't seem to be an Eric Norwood-type player amongst the linebackers or ends, which has led to what may appear to be more conservative play-calling. Very rarely this year have you seen anything other than the four down linemen rushing the passer and the two linebackers trying to stop the run. This may be for two reasons: First, Johnson seems to have two great pure defensive ends in Cliff Matthews and Devin Taylor. As Reebok Baltimore Ravens #27 Ray Rice Realtree camo Jersey
great as Norwood was, the reason he rushed the passer so often and had so many sacks was that sometimes South Carolina had a hard time getting to the quarterback with their pure defensive ends last year. Secondly, thus far they've mostly been missing Shaq Wilson, who is the only linebacker that's really versatile enough to play the Norwood role. Johnson seems reluctant to play his backups in anything other than base schemes when Shaq Wilson is not in there. And even when Shaq Wilson is in there, he's not Eric Norwood. If South Carolina wants a shot to play here this year, the defense has to step upKevin C. Cox/Getty Images The good things thus far The four down linemen have played exceptionally well. South Carolina has gotten decent pressure, despite blitzing less than I can ever remember this team blitzing. They've mostly stuffed traditional up-the-gut running attacks. The linebackers have played decently in run support. The bad things thus far Devonte Holloman at strong safety and Antonio Allen and Damario Jeffery at spur have made a lot of bad reads, especially against Cam Newton. The spur is essentially the quarterback of this defense on the field, and against a deception-based attack, such as Auburn's, his reads are critical. I could count on one hand the number of times that the spur made the right read on a quarterback spread-option run against Auburn. If Cam Newton kept the ball, the spur was following the running back; if the spur stayed on Cam Newton, he had actually handed it off. Despite NFL talent at both corners, they haven't really made plays. Culliver's transition to CB hasn't been as smooth as hoped. While he's played solidly, Stephon Gillmore's play hasn't really been at the All-SEC level South Carolina had expected. Akeem Auguste hasn't played poorly, but he hasn't been a factor either. Will the defense put it together and become a top shelf SEC defense?Will the defense put it together and become a top shelf SEC defense?Yes83.3%No16.7%Total votes: 6The linebackers make the plays they should, but that's about it. Again, this is somewhat understandable and will hopefully improve now that Shaq Wilson is back. What to look for going forward Shaq Wilson being reintegrated into the schemes. Shaq has been away, and his position is critical in making this defense hard for an offense to read. With him out, it's mostly been a talented but predictable unit that can be exploited by talented players. If Shaq Wilson can come in and allow Ellis Johnson to again use the kind of Reebok Baltimore Ravens #52 Ray Lewis Realtree camo Jersey
diversity of calls that this defense is capable of, then this could be one of the top, if not the top, defenses in the SEC. If it's more of the same, this is a slightly above-average defense in the SEC, which isn't bad, but won't get you to Atlanta. The bye week could not come at a better time for this defense. Hopefully they are angry about their performance, or lack thereof, against Auburn, and the bye week allows Ellis Johnson to really get Shaq back into the game plan. Shaq Wilson needs to become that player that the opposition has to worry about and game-plan against. This allows all the other pieces to more easily click into place. The ends will become even more dominant, taking some pressure off the spur to make the big plays and forcing the offense to react to the defense, and not the reverse. The safeties can just sit back and pick off pressured deep balls. In Sum This may very well be the most talented defense Spurrier has had; however, it has thus far lacked major playmakers at the two play-making positions, weakside linebacker and spur. If South Carolina can adequately address these two issues during the bye week, they could have a shot against Alabama and could definitely find themselves as the favorites to win the East. If these issues linger for the rest of the season, South Carolina may find themselves repeating the same sort of disappointing finish they've had the last few years.

22 Jan 11 Power Ranking The SEC Teams Week 3: Conference Still Seems Shaky

Though the top players stayed the same, the SEC power is still unclearLarry Burton (Syndicated Writer) Week three was not kind to many SEC teams struggling to stay near the top of the league and demonstrated why many feel this is a down year overall for the SEC.Every league has it proverbial cellar dweller, but when that team starts beating up on other teams in the league, does it make the league as whole look stronger or weaker? That is what happened this week when Houston Nutt's Ole Miss Rebels were shocked by Vanderbilt.As a whole, the Detroit Lions
SEC is very strong at the top with Alabama, very solid in the middle but the upper tier is very cloudy and no one is really coming into view there so far and with 25 per cent of the season over, now is the time to start showing what you can do.SEC Eastern DivisionSouth Carolina -Yes, their numbers are better than Florida's, but have they convinced that they have what it takes to finish the season strong? With Florida showing improvement and with the talent on board, the conventional wisdom is that Florida will soon retake top billing in this division.South Carolina has shown they can pound the rock between the tackles and Garcia is really showing his form in passing this year. Combine that with the always tough Ellis Johnson defense and you have a pretty solid team.Next weeks game on the road at Auburn should tell whether or not the season so far this season has been all smoke and mirrors so far.2010 OVERALL FBS RANKINGSPASSING YARDS 194.08 4th Overall RUSHING YARDS 198.3 33rd OverallPOINTS FOR 32.0 42nd Overall POINTS AGAINST 12.7 9th OverallFlorida -They seem to be winning the division more by default than by actions on the field. You have a team here struggling to find an identity and a moment that can turn the season from ho hum to humming like they usually do.Until Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks show that they can string more than a few wins together, you have to put Florida ahead of South Carolina.Florida has so much potential, one has to believe that at some point this season, they can finally tune the engine and stop sputtering past opponents in the second half on just depth and talent.Florida's put up or shut up time is quickly approaching with the next games against Kentucky, Alabama and LSU.2010 OVERALL FBS RANKINGSPASSING YARDS 150.7 103rd Overall RUSHING YARDS 166.7 52nd OverallPOINTS FOR 34.3 32nd Overall POINTS AGAINST 14.3 16th OverallKentucky -Don't let the football strength rankings fool you. Kentucky has some good numbers, but against very average to bad opponents. This week's contest with Florida at the the swamp will tell us once and for all just how good the Cats are this year.If the offense can keep up the pace they have so far this year, they could actually give the Gators a fight, especially if Florida keeps stumbling around looking for an identity.Derrick Locke ran for a whopping 165 yards and Mike Hartline passed for another 250 which will certainly give Florida something to think about in planning for this week's game.2010 OVERALL FBS RANKINGSPASSING YARDS 255.3 32nd Overall RUSHING YARDS 242.0 15th OverallPOINTS FOR 44.3 11th Overall POINTS AGAINST 18.03 4th OverallTennessee - Tennessee fights well for a half, but depth problems become apparent in the second as Tennessee fades pretty quickly. They once again looked good in the fist half of the game with Florida before the second half melt down did them in.Still, there's reason to be optimistic. Sims is quicklyGreen Bay Packers jersey
gaining confidence and piling up yardage and if the defense can just get things together, they may win a few SEC games this year.2010 OVERALL FBS RANKINGSPASSING YARDS 205.0 73rd Overall RUSHING YARDS 181.0 42nd OverallPOINTS FOR 26.7 70th Overall POINTS AGAINST 26.3 80th OverallVanderbilt -Yes folks there's a new cellar dweller in the SEC Eastern Division. Georgia has rocketed to the bottom while Vanderbilt rises now rises above two SEC teams, Georgia and Ole Miss.With the season Houston Nutt is having, I hate to call the Vanderbilt win an upset, but that's just what it was. Not so much much that they won, but that they won by so much.Vandy fans can take comfort in knowing they won't be shut out now in the SEC this season.2010 OVERALL FBS RANKINGSPASSING YARDS 127.7 110th Overall RUSHING YARDS 161.3 54th OverallPOINTS FOR 17.3 107th Overall POINTS AGAINST 21.3 58th OverallRicht encouraging Murray Saturday got the dogs close, but no cigarMike Zarrilli/Getty ImagesGeorgia -Following up an 8-5 season by rocketing your team to last place in your division with a 0-2 conference record is not a great way to stop the hot seat talk surrounding Mark Richt.Though Georgia played a valiant game against a team considered one of the better ones in the SEC, Arkansas, a loss is still a loss. And a loss at home is even worse.And with other big games from better SEC teams still down the road, that 8-5 season last year that got so many so hot might seem like a good thing before the season is over.2010 OVERALL FBS RANKINGSPASSING YARDS 212.7 63rd Overall RUSHING YARDS 128.0 85th OverallPOINTS FOR 28.3 64th Overall POINTS AGAINST 18.3 39th OverallSEC WestAlabama -For anyone looking for chinks in the armor of the defending national champions, it was hard to find any Saturday as they just completely pummeled Duke 62-13 before calling off the dogs. They could have scored 90 points based on the first half performance, but that's not Nick Saban's style.Ingram answered the questions, is he OK and who's number one now?Brian A. Westerholt/Getty ImagesNext week will answer a lot of questions about the Tide defense. Facing Ryan Mallet, the world will find out in the Tide is rebuilding or simply re-loading on defense.Any questions about Ingram were settled with a big exclamation mark. His 151 yards on just nine carries may finally shut everyone up on who's number one on this team. By contract, Richardson struggled with just 61 yards on seven carries and Eddie Lacy's seven carries netted 52.Newcomer Jalston Fowler got 48 yards on just six carries. Look at the yards per carry average on these four runners and you'll see what some teams may just throw their hands up in Houston Texans jersey
he air when trying to find a way to stop them.Ingram - 16.8 yds per carry, Richardson 8.7, Lacy 7.4 and Fowler 8.0.2010 OVERALL FBS RANKINGSPASSING YARDS 291.3 17th Overall RUSHING YARDS 250.7 13th OverallPOINTS FOR 44.7 9th Overall POINTS AGAINST 6.3 2nd OverallArkansas -A game winning drive in the closing minutes of a big SEC game will give the Hogs a lot of confidence in the upcoming game with Alabama this weekend. Ryan Mallet proved that coming back for his senior year was the right move, and that final drive against Georgia has planted itself on the minds of many NFL scouts.Ryan Mallet had a quarterback's dream leading the team to a last minute winAl Messerschmidt/Getty ImagesWith the running game still sputtering, the Hogs seemed unable to run the clock and seal the deal after building up a big lead. That could cost them later in the year, but for now, the Razorbacks seem to be the second best team in the West.After playing Alabama and Texas AM, the Hogs play Auburn to decide second place once and for all.2010 OVERALL FBS RANKINGSPASSING YARDS 367.7 3rd Overall RUSHING YARDS 116.0 98th OverallPOINTS FOR 35.3 26th Overall POINTS AGAINST 11.3 5th OverallAuburn -Call it lucky, but call it a win. A call from an official took three points off the board and a second attempt to tie the game by a spirited Clemson team went wide left and Auburn escaped a tough out of conference game.Next week we will see if Auburn is for real as they face a really good SEC team, South Carolina.Cam Newton hasn't been passing like many had hoped but his running is more than making up for it so far. South Carolina may force him to beat them throwing as they look able to shut down the running lanes.2010 OVERALL FBS RANKINGSPASSING YARDS 200.7 78th Overall RUSHING YARDS 259.3 12th OverallPOINTS FOR 32.0 42nd Overall POINTS AGAINST 21.3 58th OverallLSU, causing even the most faithful to be a little nervous so farKevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesLSU -They may not be winning pretty but they are winning. Even if the wins have been against struggling teams and depleted teams, they are wins.As the Tigers head to the meat of their schedule, they are still a mystery. Jordan Jefferson doesn't look any more settled than last year. LSU is one of the worst teams in the country in passing.But the defense looks to be tougher than previous years. John Chavis is a first class coordinator and it's obvious his influence is becoming ingrained on this unit.With two more easy games before meeting Florida, look for the Tigers to stay in hunt, but only on paper for a few more weeks.2010 OVERALL FBS RANKINGSPASSING YARDS 120.0 115th Overall RUSHING YARDS 203.0 32nd OverallPOINTS FOR 28.7 61st Overall POINTS AGAINST 11.35th OverallMississippi State -The Dogs looked flat against LSU as John Chavis, LSU's defensive coordinator seemed to have all the answers to Dan Mullen's offense in Indianapolis Colts jersey
that 29-7 loss.Dan Mullen is still looking for the right players to plug into his schemesRick Dole/Getty ImagesYou get the feeling that if Mullen can get the recruiting going down in Starkville that he can put a team out there than fight with any of the big boys in the SEC.Next week's game with Georgia will be an interesting one. It will show if Georgia really belongs in the bottom of the SEC or whether they can hope to be just another mid tier SEC team. For State, it will show if they can rebound from a rough loss.2010 OVERALL FBS RANKINGSPASSING YARDS 205.7 72nd Overall RUSHING YARDS 155.3 63rd OverallPOINTS FOR 23.3 86th Overall POINTS AGAINST 17.7 33rd OverallOle Miss -Stick a fork in Ole Miss for this season, they're done. Yes, many expected it it to be a down year, but not a dig a hole and jump in kind of year.The sad thing for for a team that should be now known as "Ole Mess" is that they look this pitiful after playing the easy games on their schedule. Can you imagine how they'll stink up the hard ones?If they stink so bad with Masoli, can you image how bad they'd smell without him?2010 OVERALL FBS RANKINGSPASSING YARDS 238.0 40th Overall RUSHING YARDS 174.7 47th OverallPOINTS FOR 29.7 56th Overall POINTS AGAINST 30.0 91st Overall

18 Jan 11 College Football Predictions Week 4: Picks For Every Big Game

Brian A. Westerholt/Getty ImagesCollege football's week 4 gets underway Thursday night, and from start to finish, this weekend promises to be full of excellent games. From the SEC to the Pac-10 to the midwestern schools of the Big 10 and 12, we've got all the predictions for the big games that you could possibly want. Some teams are riding high from big wins last week (like Arizona); others are trying to recoup from a crushing defeat (That would be you, Notre Dame). Whose early season form will hold true? Who will break through that sluggish start with a big win? Washington Redskins jersey
Let's get to the games. 01:08 PM ETCollege Football Week 4 Picks: UCLA v. Texas PreviewA feisty matchup here, as the Longhorns hope to pay back the Bruins for the 66-7 beatdown laid on them in Austin in 1997. UCLA has been a disappointment thus far, opening 1-2. The running game behind John Franklin has been strong, as the spo...Read more 01:07 PM ETCollege Football Week 4 Picks: North Carolina v. RutgersTwo teams heading in decidedly different directions square off in this one. North Carolina’s season has come off the rails with suspensions and poor play. The Tar Heels have struggled to find rhythm across the board, and have paid for ...Read more 01:04 PM ETCollege Football Week 4 Picks: TCU v. SMU PrevewThis one could be more interesting than people think. SMU has hope for the first time since the Death Sentence was levied by the NCAA, while TCU is a top 5 team. The Mustangs are led by head coach June Jones’ ultra-spread offense, which give...Read more 12:16 PM ETCollege Football Week 4 Picks: Fresno State v. Ole Miss PredictionAn intriguing matchup, to say the least. Fresno's looking for respect, while Ole Miss is looking to keep their season on the rails.The Bulldogs of Fresno State looked pretty solid waxing Cincinnati and Utah State, but Ole Miss is a decidedly...Read more 11:57 AM ETCollege Football Picks Week 4: Georgia v. Mississippi State PredictionA clash between a pair of 1-2 teams who have looked better than their records would suggest.Georgia's offense has looked excellent with freshman quarterback Aaron Murray at the helm, and sophomore running back Washaun Ealey making plays. So ...Read more 03:24 PM ETCollege Football Picks Week 4: Virginia Tech vs. Boston College PredictionThe Hokies managed to get their season back on track against East Carolina last week, while BC sits undefeated after their bye week.Virginia Tech can run the ball down your throat all game long. Junior quarterback Tyrod Taylor and runn...Read more 03:19 PM ETCollege Football Picks Week 4: North Carolina State vs. Georgia Tech PredictionBoth the Wolf Pack and the Yellow Jackets are looking to break into the top 25, although they're doing it in two very different ways.Paul Johnson's Georgia Tech team is all about the triple option. Who needs to throw the ball, when you...Read more 03:12 PM ETCollege Football Picks Week 4: Wake Forest vs. Florida State PredictionAn intriguing matchup between a pair of unranked teams.The Seminoles saw their preseason hype de-railed by a dismantling at the hands of Oklahoma. Senior quarterback Christian Ponder is always an excellent dual-threat, with fast legs and a s...Read more 03:03 PM ETCollege Football Picks Week 4: Oklahoma vs. Cincinnati PredictionOne team looking for respect, the other trying to getReebok Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald Realtree camo Jersey
their season on track.The Oklahoma Sooners are a tough team to figure out. Against Florida State, they looked like world beaters, knocking the Seminoles around like ragdolls. But ag...Read more 02:53 PM ETCollege Football Picks Week 4: Temple vs. Penn State PredictionA sneaky good game. Temple is 3-0, which is shocking because this is football we're talking about, not basketball. Penn State has looked solid with freshman quarterback Robert Bolden, but not unbeatable.The Nittany Lions' uniforms may ...Read more 02:48 PM ETCollege Football Picks Week 4: Miami vs. Pittsburgh PredictionThis matchup pits a pair of teams whose seasons haven't gotten off on the right foot.The Hurricanes looked unstoppable in Week 1, but against Ohio State the following week, Miami crapped the proverbial bed. Four interceptions from junior qua...Read more 02:39 PM ETCollege Football Picks Week 4: Kentucky vs. Florida PredictionThis one is a perplexing game to pick. Florida hasn't looked bad, but they haven't looked like top-10 material this season. Kentucky has been efficient, but haven't beaten Florida since 1986.The Gators' new quarterback, junior John Brantley,...Read more 02:31 PM ETCollege Football Picks Week 4: Oregon vs. Arizona State PredictionAnother test game for the Ducks. The Sun Devils failed their first test, losing on the road at Wisconsin.Oregon has looked unstoppable thus far this season. Running backs LaMichael James and Remene Alston Jr. have been tearing up opposing de...Read more 02:22 PM ETCollege Football Picks Week 4: Cal vs. Arizona PredictionA sneaky good game, because Cal is better than people think, while Arizona is still riding high after last week's huge win over Iowa.Jeff Tedford's Golden Bears are currently off the radar completely after their blowout loss to Nevada ...Read more 02:14 PM ETCollege Football Picks Week 4: Stanford vs. Notre Dame PredictionThis one has the makings of a classic. The Cardinal are 3-0, and ranked 16th in the nation, but are looking for some respect. Notre Dame are 1-2 after a pair of heartbreaking losses, and are looking to prove they can beat a good opponent.Jim...Read more 02:00 PM ETCollege Football Picks Week 4: Oregon State vs. Boise State PredictionSo Boise State's early season win over the Virginia Tech Hokies has been cheapened by Tech's swoon. The Broncos get another chance to show what they can do against a BCS foe when the Beavers come to the Smurf Turf.Junior quarterback Kellen M...Read more 01:51 PM ETCollege Football Picks Week 4: West Virginia vs. LSU PredictionBoth of these teams could use a win to help in the respect department, although the Mountaineers need it a bit more than the Bayou Bengals.West Virginia appears to have found a quarterback in sophomore GenoReebok Baltimore Ravens #5 Joe Flacco Realtree camo Jersey
Smith, who chucks the ball w...Read more 01:43 PM ETCollege Football Picks Week 4: South Carolina vs. Auburn PredictionGames between teams ranked in the teens are almost always guaranteed to be exciting, and this one is no exception.The Tigers of Auburn feature one of the most dynamic playmakers in the country in junior quarterback Cameron Newton. Newt...Read more 01:33 PM ETCollege Football Picks Week 4: Alabama vs. Arkansas PredictionThis is the big one this week. The Crimson Tide passed their first test of the season, beating Penn State handily in Tuscaloosa, but the Razorbacks are a much stronger team.Senior quarterback Ryan Mallett has one of the biggest arms in...Read more

15 Jan 11 St. Louis Rams Clock Management Scott Linehan Marc Bulger

Well, it didn't take long for Scott Linehan to get his first important coaching lesson.In last Sunday's game against the 49ers, the Rams trailed 20-13 with a little over five minutes left, and got the ball back after a Joe Nedney field goal. Time to go into the hurry-up, right?After dropping the ball, literally, on the last possession, Marc Bulger and the Rams offense did it again on what proved to be their final possession. No, it wasn't the fact that they didn't move the ball in that final possession. It was the fact that, in doing so, they took far, far too much time off of tReebok Green Bay Packers #52 Clay Matthews Realtree camo Jersey
he clock, as shown directly below.5:14 - Bulger completes a pass to Steven Jackson for two yards.4:36 - Bulger goes down at the line of scrimmage. 3:53 - Bulger throws incomplete. 3:45 - Matt Turk punts. True enough, there were still over three minutes left, and the Rams had two timeouts left. The defense had played a decent game, minus a four-minute period at the beginning of the third quarter that was about as telling as that final drive. But it was a little risky to put the game in the hands of a defense that is still very much a work in progress. And, as it turned out, with the 'bullish' running of Frank Gore, the 49ers were able to run the clock out. That approach had worked in the first half, when the Rams controlled the ball for over 12 minutes in the second quarter and built a 10-3 halftime lead. And they stuck with that approach in the second half, even after falling behind 17-10. After the 49ers had scored two touchdowns within a span of four minutes, the Rams went on a six-minute drive down the field. That was a good example of when to work the clock. When you've been ambushed like that, slowing the game down can give your defense a breather and allow it to regain their composure, and it'll give the offense a chance to take over the game and at least stifle some of the momentum gained by the opposition. It'd have worked perfectly had Jeff Wilkins not missed a 46-yard field goal after the drive had stalled. Sticking to that gameplan with five minutes left, down seven? Not a good idea. There are just some points where you should try to maximize your possessions, not just maximize what you do with them. If you're tied, at that point, then it's OK to use that approach, if you want to leave the game in the hands of your defense, in case the offense doesn't move the ball. But, if you're behind, you should want to ensure that your offense gets at least two cracks at getting the ball down the field. If you're a believer in the 'quality, not quantity' philosophy, then you might be on the Rams' side. But if you're not moving the ball with consistency and regularity, then that philosophy gets blown out of the water. The Rams had two drives that totaled nearly 14 minutes, where they came out with only three points. In comparison, San Francisco's four scoring Reebok Indianapolis Colts 18 Peyton Manning Realtree camo Jersey
drives took only a little over eight minutes. Time of possession can be a particularly deceiving statistic when you average only four yards per play, while the other team averaged 6.5 (in 13 less plays). Looks like the 'quality, not quantity' philosophy worked for the wrong coach, eh?However, it's only a couple of weeks into the season, and Linehan's new offensive system is still just as much a work in progress as the defense. Getting it done in camp, the preseason or in practice is one thing, and getting it done when it counts is an entirely different matter. Seeing only one touchdown in the first two weeks, considering the pedigree of both Linehan and the talent he's working with, is, to say the least, a strange sight to behold, but with the offensive struggles of the Chiefs, there must just be a statewide drought in Missouri. But, with what we've come to expect from the Rams in recent years, you'd think that it's only a matter of time before they show what they're capable of. The Rams have a chance to do just that, but also face a stiff test when they visit Kurt Warner and high-powered Arizona. The veteran QB will be making his third appearance in a Cardinals uniform against the team with which he rose from unknown to superstar and won a Super Bowl and two MVP awards.With the Cardinals' ability to put a lot of points on the board in short order, the offense will need to at least produce more than it has in the first couple of weeks, in case the game is a shootout. Also, it would take some pressure off the defense, which showed it still has some weaknesses that could definitely be exposed by Warner's strong arm. St. Louis may not need to score often, but, for the sake of not getting into a hole, the team will need to produce early. Why? Because if the Cardinals get their offense going, then Reebok Minnesota Vikings 28 Adrian Peterson Realtree camo Jersey
Bulger will be forced to go to the hurry-up far earlier than he might like. But as it happens, that ball-control philosophy could actually work to St. Louis' favor, because it'd limit the amount of opportunities the Cardinals have to do some damage. Either way, however, the Rams offense is going to have to pick up the pace.Get more St. Louis Rams coverage (1)

14 Jan 11 Seattle Seahawks "Seahawks need to avoid that rundown feeling"

The Seattle Seahawks got run over last year. Gored. Gashed. Gutted.Everyone from Frank Gore to Chester Taylor to Larry Johnson to Tatum Bell to LaDainian Tomlinson to Julius Jones left the Seahawks with that rundown feeling.After ranking fifth in the league in run defense (94 yards per game) when they made their run to the Super Bowl in 2005, the Seahawks fell to 22nd at 127 yards per game in 2006. The big difference? The absence of 320-pound run stuffer Marcus Tubbs. A knee injury ended Tubbs' season in October, and the Seahawks suddenly Reebok Minnesota Vikings #4 Brett Favre Realtree camo Jersey
couldn't stop any running backs. In the five games Tubbs played, Seattle surrendered just 82 rushing yards per game. But in the 13 games he missed, including playoffs, opponents averaged almost 138 yards. Tubbs' absence was basically worth 56 rushing yards per game to enemy teams.The Seahawks will need Tubbs to rebound well from microfracture surgery on his knee if they are going to do a better job against the run in 2007. If Tubbs can't get back to his 2005 form, the Hawks will need a standout performance from third-round pick Brandon Mebane, a smaller (6-foot-1, 305) but very effective run stopper.The Seahawks face only three rushing teams in 2007 that ranked in the top 10 in 2006: Atlanta (first), San Francisco (sixth) and Pittsburgh (10th). But they also will see a lot of other accomplished running backs.Last year, Gore was the guy who gashed and gutted the Seahawks more than anyone. In two games, he rushed for 356 yards -- 212 on 24 carries in November and 144 on 29 attempts in December -- as the 49ers swept the NFC West champs. The Seahawks certainly will focus on stopping the league's best breakout player from 2006.They'll also have to be concerned about guys like Pittsburgh's Willie Parker, Cincinnati's Rudi Johnson, Philadelphia's Brian Westbrook, New Orleans' duo of Deuce McAllister and ReggieReebok Minnesota Vikings #69 Jared Allen Realtree camo Jersey
Bush as well as division runners Edgerrin James (Arizona) and Steven Jackson (St. Louis).The Seahawks saw Parker in Super Bowl XL, where he busted off a record 75-yard touchdown run in the Steelers' 21-10 victory. On that huge play, Parker and the Steelers took advantage of the Seahawks' inexperienced No. 4 safety. Seattle has much better safeties heading into this season than it had then, but "Fast Willie" is still dangerous.Johnson surpassed 1,300 yards for the third straight year last season, but he averaged only 3.8 yards per carry. The Bengals lost star guard Eric Steinbach to Cleveland and center Rich Braham to retirement in the offseason, so the running game might fall off a bit more this season.Westbrook finally surpassed 1,000 yards last season, gaining 1,217 on 240 carries while also catching 77 passes for 699 yards. The soon-to-be 28-year-old is one of the best all-around backs in the NFL, and the Seahawks will have their hands full against him.The Saints ranked just 19th in rushing last season (110 yards per game), but McAllister and Bush are one of the best two-headed attacks in league, and Bush became a better runner as the '06 campaign progressed. The Cardinals were one of the worst rushing teams in the league last season, ranking 30th at about 84 yards per game. But they improved late in the season, while new coach Ken Whisenhunt and line guru Russ Grimm are committed to running the ball. James tallied just 64 yards on 18 carries in the first game against Seattle in 2006, but he gained 115 yards on 26 attempts in December. After a horrible start, James finished with three 100-yard games in the final five. And that's reason to believe the Cardinals will be a challenge to stop this year.Jackson didn't burn the Seahawks like others did last year, but he rushed for 1,528 yards and will Reebok New England Patriots #12 Tom Brady Realtree camo Jersey
be a threat, especially with franchise left tackle Orlando Pace coming back from a triceps injury suffered in the second Seattle game last season.The Seahawks will face other big-name runners in 2007 as well -- Cadillac Williams, Jamal Lewis, Cedric Benson, Willis McGahee, Warrick Dunn and the Carolina DeBacks (DeAngelo Williams and DeShaun Foster). If Tubbs, Mebane and the rest of the defense aren't up to the task, the Seahawks will get run over again. Gored. Gashed. Gutted.Get more on the Seattle Seahawks

13 Jan 11 Houston: Kobe Has a Problem

Harry How/Getty ImagesI thought all this time Kobe was being Kobe... But this time, he's done it with a broken right index finger. Since his reported injury on December 12, 2009, he's been nothing but stellar.With that injury, all I could conclude about his statistics was that it was doing nothing but helping him. San Diego Chargers jersey
He's been averaging 29 points per game. "So, what's so different about Kobe's game?" He's hurt, that's what.An avulsion fracture - a fragment of bone torn away by a tendon or ligament - in his index finger, the most important digit for controlling his shot. He wears protective padding around his finger that has almost enhanced his amazing shooting abilities, but now mortality is getting to him."Injuries don't affect me," Kobe said. "I'm not going to sit here and say I've got a (bad) knee, I've got a (bad) finger. I'm fine. I'm more than fine. I always keep playing."Well, now that we're in the middle of January 2010, he's showing pain not physically necessarily, but statistically. And on top of that, his little splint that's been curing his injured masterpieces has gone cold... BRRR!It has been announced throughout sports websites, blogs, etc. that the shooting legend will go back to wearing a metal splint, something that may control his shooting, instead of him controlling his shot.I remember back a few years ago when I broke my right ring finger. I thought it was the end of the world. The ability to hold, control, and shoot the ball is changed completely. It should be understood that Kobe is mortal and can't play as well as always due to an injury that would put a wide receiver in the NFL out for the season. San Francisco 49ers jersey
The verdict of this topic: Kobe Bryant is hurt. Kobe Bryant is mortal.He can hide the pain all he wants, but we know it's there; he knows. We shall let him be, for he shall be back to the Kobe Show within a couple weeks. This is his game, so let him direct it.

12 Jan 11 Dwight Howard Should Be a Key Factor in an Important Week for Orlando Magic

Sam Greenwood/Getty ImagesThe Orlando Magic enter a two game home stand this weekend that could provide a huge momentum shift for the team and the Eastern Conference.A national TV battle with Boston on Thursday and a Saturday night, Southeast Division showdown with Atlanta will offer a Reebok Green Bay Packers 21 Charles Woodson Realtree camo Jersey
chance for the Magic to move closer to the top of the standings in the Eastern Conference.Right now, the Magic find themselves in unfamiliar territory when it comes to the past couple years. They sit in second place in the Southeast Division, looking up at the first-place Atlanta Hawks.A horrid road trip dropped the Magic down the standings, but the last week or so has offered a slight bit of promise.A key ingredient to the team's moderately improved play in the past week has been the eruption of Dwight Howard as a scoring force, while continuing to dominate on the boards and on defense. Dwight has been averaging nearly 24 points and 16 rebounds a game for the past five games.As the team approaches two of its most important games in recent memory, certainly Howard will need to assert himself and stay out of foul trouble.Of course, Howard's ability to assert himself is always dependent on the other starters to feed him the ball, which they've had problems with in the past.In Dwight's two games against Boston this season, he has put up just nine and five points, respectively. His rebounding against the Celtics has been impressive, however, averaging nearly 18 off the glass in his two games against Boston.The key against the Celts' could be getting the ball inside to Howard early and trying to get Reebok Minnesota Vikings #84 Randy Moss Realtree camo Jersey
Kendrick Perkins into early foul trouble.Perkins showed himself to be an admirable defender against Howard throughout the two teams' playoff series last year. While Perkins is a good defender of Howard, Dwight is certainly due for a solid game against the Celtics.While getting the ball inside and forcing their hand against Boston's big men could be key, the Magic may just decide to live and die by the three-point shot again, which is the very mindset that put the terrible stretch a few weeks back into motion.Against the Hawks, bench play coupled with a strong game from Howard could be an easy route to success. Al Horford is an undersized center who could be taken advantage of inside by Dwight.Whether Dwight erupts this week will remain to be seen. However, it's certain that the Magic are in search of some standout wins this year. They have already dropped one game each against LA, Cleveland, and Boston.One good sign for the Magic is that their nationally televised game against Boston is on TNT and not on ESPN. The team has struggled Reebok Pittsburg Steelers #83 Heath Miller Realtree camo Jersey
for the most part on ESPN/ABC every game this season, getting blown out by Denver and Portland, plus dropping a Christmas Day game with the Celtics.Perhaps with the help of a solid playing Dwight Howard and an improved offensive mindset, Orlando can grab two key victories this weekend.

10 Jan 11 The Kobe/LeBron/MJ Debate: I Pick Kobe and Here Is Why

Jim Rogash/Getty ImagesKobe Bryant passed Jerry West as the Lakers all-time leading scorer and the debate began about where to rank Kobe among the greats. Magic Johnson could play all five positions if he wanted to and could play them all at a high level. He has five rings. He had great rivals in the West, but his rivalry with Larry Bird still resonates to this day. Michael Jordan was the best player the NBA has ever seen. Six rings. Jordan also kept Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, and John Stockton from winningany rings. Jordan also changed the game New York Jets jersey
from a tall man's game to a slasher's game, and the league still has not changed back. JT the Brick was projecting Kobe's career stats on his interactive radio show and wondered what would it take forKobe Bryantto be known as the best Laker and player ever. With a ring this year, he would have five like Magic, plus he has more points than Magic. Kobe also has a chance to score over 40,000 points. He might not pass MJ in rings but he will have more points if he keeps his pace up. Kobe and MJ are similar players, so there is a discussion here. Projecting stats is risky because of what might happen in regard to injuries, lawsuits, free agent moves, and early retirements. Kobe is the best player of his era and it is not even close. LeBron James is distracted by off the court things and has not even won a title. Kobe chose to not opt out of his contract and stay a Laker because he is all about winning.LeBron is not all about winning, he is all about LeBron. He does the "look at me" dance. He is in a great situation in Cleveland, but wants to keep his options open. Kobe is going to do it all for one team, whereas LeBronmight chase global iconism and playoff frustration in New York next year. As a Cleveland fan, I hope LeBron stays, but hope and Cleveland have never been very good together. We hoped Jose Mesa could save Game Seven in 1997 and hoped that Ernest Byner could hold onto the ball in 1987, and hoped the Dawgs could make a stop in 1986 and then hoped for Brian Sipe to not throw a pick in 1980.Projecting stats, as I said earlier,is a risky proposition. We could project Kevin Durant to be the best player in the NBA as of right now but it really doesn't mean anything. I always think about how dynamic Grant Hill was when he came out of Duke and how injuries robbed him of what could have Oakland Raiders jersey
been an epic career. Kobe is strong in body and mind.It is what makes him the best. He would not quit the game to go after a baseball career. He would not opt out of his contract to become a global icon.This might be the best era of basketball we have ever seen when you think about the caliber of athletethat now plays the game, and Kobe Bryant is the best player of this era. He has as many rings as Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan.He will end up with more points than both of them and has a better all-around game than both of them. LeBron James might end up with betterstats than Kobe Bryant, so this is a fluid debate. Kobe will have done it with one team, though, and we still don't know what LeBron will do with his immense talent and bright future.Projecting stats is risky, but if LeBron does stay in Cleveland, that franchise has shown a willingness to do what it takes to build a great team around him.As of this moment, with his body of work, Kobe Bryant is the best player I have ever seen play the game. Michael Jordan might have won eight-straight rings, but he quit Philadelphia Eagles jersey
in his prime. LeBron James might be on the verge of a dynasty but, he is leaving his options open.Kobe would not quit in is prime and he has not left the great situation he has in LA.So there is my argument for Kobe Bryant. I take into account what he has already done and I also project where he is headed. What he has already done is better than LeBron James and where he is headed might take him past Michael Jordan.

9 Jan 11 Minnesota Timberwolves' Edge In Offseason Signings

After the trade deadline is done, people are beginning to put a whole lot of focus on the Free Agent class of 2010. Maybe you've heard of it? It has LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Joe Johnson, Amare Stoudemire, Rudy Gay, Ray Allen, Carlos Boozer, Josh Howard, and a few other big names.Well, it's got a lot of Reebok Oakland Raiders #21 Nnamdi Asomugha Realtree camo Jersey
hype. A lot of it is centered around a few select teams too. Teams with a lot of money to spend.New York KnicksNew Jersey NetsWashington WizardsMiami HeatChicago BullsBut Minnesota is consistently thrown into that list for good measure. Why?It's simple. If you are a free agent that signs with Minnesota, you get what the other teams don't have. A team.Next year, under contract, Minnesota has Al Jefferson, Kevin Love, Jonny Flynn, Corey Brewer, Ryan Gomes, Ryan Hollins, Wayne Ellington, and Ramon Sessions. That's an all right bunch of guys to have a team built on, but it's not perfect.But there are nine players that will but under contract next season. Compare that to some other places.New York: 4New Jersey: 6Washington: 5Miami: 3Chicago: 6LA Clippers: 5Even though some teams do come close to having the Wolves' high numbered core, here's who some of those players consist of:Bobby BrownKeyon DoolingToney DouglasBill WalkerJames JohnsonGilbert Arenas (not exactly a negotiation bonus...)Then look at who the Timberwolves are dumping.Nathan Jawai, Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers #86 Hines Ward Realtree camo Jersey
Mark Blount, Darko Millicic, Sasha Pavlovic, Oleksiy Pecherov, Alando Tucker, and Damien Wilkins. The Wolves aren't exactly releasing the players that are playing this season. Some teams are getting rid of some pretty core players though, such as:Al HarringtonDavid LeeJosh HowardRandy FoyeMike MillerBrad MillerUdonis HaslemDwayne Wade?!Jermaine O'NealRafer AlstonDrew GoodenNot all of whom are the biggest names in basketball, but the point gets made. Players that really help these teams get their wins will be dropped, and the contributions that they make to the team go right with them.There is one kind of exception to what I've been saying.The New Jersey Nets do have a lot of cap room, they do loose all but 6 players, they don't loose a whole lot of key players, and they do keep Harris, Lopez, Jianlian, Williams, Dooling, and Lee. However, the Nets also have just completed their 6th win of the year. Minnesota at least hit double digits months ago...So when Minnesota seems like it's the bottom place to go in what is looking to be one of the most historic periods in NBA history, don't count out that Minnesota has a strong base for players to come into.Plus, look at the draft pick we're going to get!Side Note: Here's my little prediction for the whole off season. Amare Stoudemire is going to make the first move because he's the one that wants out of his current team the most. Then Bosh/James/Wade/Johnson are going to follow him to that team. Whichever two or three are left are either going to team up, or go back to their old team. This may happen in the Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
same order with Stoudemire and Bosh switching places, because Bosh seems like he'd want to get out of Toronto as well. Wade, James, and Joe Johnson all have reasons to want to stay in their current cities, and are much more likely to hold back and see exactly what's available for them.

8 Jan 11 Boston Celtics: If Only Larry Bird Was Walking Through That Door

After another defeat to an elite team followed by a blow-out victory at home over the Pistons, I have decided to take a break from this back and forth struggle of trying to figure out the 2009-10 Boston Celtics. Rather, I want to take a look back.You see, this week is 8 Jan 11 Boston Celtics: If Only Larry Bird Was Walking Through That Door
my birthday. Usually, I am not one to make a big deal out of my birthday, but this year is different. I am turning 33. And besides my 21st for obvious reasons, I have looked forward to turning 33 more so than any other birthday, for no other reason than it gives me an excuse to write about Larry Bird.I Reebok San Francisco 49ers #21 Frank GORE Realtree camo Jersey
figure if a man can request a longer prison sentence of 33 years due to his love for Larry (read here), then I can use my 33rd birthday to think back on my favorite Larry Bird moments.Just in case anyone is doing some quick math at home, you will also realize that I was not very old during Bird prime years. It didn matter. Between watching games live, repeatedly watching games that my older brother had taped on our VCR, or watching over and over the Larry Bird: A Basketball Legend video, I feel as if I didn miss a thing.I will admit that this first memory is one that I did not see when it actually happened. But, like many others, I have watched the replay so many times, I might as well have been there. It is a perfect example of the blend of confidence and swagger that Bird had.There was a timeout with 13 seconds left in a tie game against the Seattle Supersonics (remember them?). Bird told head coach KC Jones to just give him the ball and tell everyone else to get out of the way.Bird then walked onto the court and told Xavier McDaniel, who was guarding him, Im going to get [the ball] right here and I am going to shoot it in your face. As McDaniel remembers it, he responded by saying, I know, Ill be waiting.Then in about that exact same spot, Bird gets the ball and buries a shot right in McDaniel face, turns to Xavier and says, I didn mean to leave two seconds on the clock. McDaniel said of that play, He wanted to shoot it with zero seconds on the clock. I just walked back to the sidelines, like damn.I also remember a game against Dallas when the Celtics trailed by two in the closing seconds. Bird dribbled up court and pulled up a few feet behind the three-point line, knocking down the go-ahead three. This prompted the Dallas announcer to say admiringly of Bird, Imagine the arrogance, the wonderful arrogance of a man who needs two to tie or three to win. Has the time to do either one, and says, let roll the dice.Every Celtic fan who remembers Bird has a special place in their memory for the duel he had against Dominique Wilkins in Game Seven of the 1988 Playoffs. Tommy Heinsohn, who was doing color commentary for the national broadcast, exclaimed after Wilkins answered another Bird basket, It a duel! Put down your saber!(On a side note, how was Tommy Heinsohn, maybe the biggest Celtics-homer in history, ever allowed to do color commentary on national broadcasts where he had to at least appear to be a neutral observer?).Wilkins would shoot an amazing 19-23 from the floor and finish with 47 points. Bird went for 34 points, 20 of which came in the fourth quarter, as Boston got the win and advanced. My favorite moments from the game were a pair of lefty shots Bird made in the lane, and then later, a crucial three pointer with about a minute to go with Wilkins all over him.After the game, I celebrated in my living room and then raced out to the hoop in my driveway, trying to reproduce all of those shots that Bird made.The Hawks actually led the series three games to two, with a chance to end the series in Game Six on their home court. But Boston came away with the victory that set up the showdown in Game Seven.After Game Six, Bird guaranteed a Game Seven victory, saying, They had their chance, they had a big chance to beat us. I think now we are going to Reebok Washington Redskins #98 ORAKPO Realtree camo Jersey
come out and play like we did tonight, but we are going to be at home and our shots are going to be dropping a little bit better, and we are going to be running a little faster. So Id say [Game Seven] is going to be a big win for the Celtics.How can you not love that?Another time Bird guaranteed victory and delivered was before Game Six of the 1986 NBA Finals, a game Bird has called the best game he ever played.The 1986 season, when I was nine, was really the first year I can remember clearly watching the games, and Game Six produced perhaps my favorite Larry Bird moment.The fourth quarter began with the Celtics in command. In fact, Bird already had a triple-double. All that was left was for Boston to deliver the absolute knock-out punch. Leave it to Larry.After trading a few baskets early in the quarter with Houston, Boston led 84-61 and had the ball. Bird ran across the lane and took a pass underneath the hoop. Instead of putting up a shot from in close, he ran to the corner, dribbling around Bill Walton.As the shot clock ticked down to two seconds, Bird made it to the corner, turned around, and buried a three pointer. The Garden crowd exploded. Game over, series over, and the Celtics had won title number 16.Remember when Larry went for a Celtics record 60 points against the Hawks in 1985? As Quinn Buckner said, Larry was so good that night, the Hawks were giving each other high fives. And they were.The story goes that Bird was on such a hot streak, he was calling his shots. And not just from spots on the floor, but on one play, he called, three-pointer, trainer lap. And he did it, hitting a three, while falling out of bounds, and landing in the Hawks trainer lap.In addition to the Hawks falling off their bench at Larry exploits, what stands out to me is that only a few days earlier, Kevin McHale had set the Boston scoring record with 56 points. Afterwards, Bird told McHale he should have gone for 60. Nine days later, Bird did just that, which at least to me, raises the questioncould Bird have scored like that any night he wanted when he was in his prime?Possibly.We know Bird liked to use little motivational tools to push him along during the regular season. Most notably was a game in 1986 where he told his teammates he was going to shoot left handed against Portland. Bird did not score all his points with his left hand, only 22 of his 47 were made shooting lefty. Lefty. Would that ever happen today?That to me is what made Bird great. He may have been limited by slow feet and lack of jumping ability, but it didn matter. He believed he could do anything he wanted on the basketball court, and when he was healthy, he basically did.Bird likely did not need any extra motivation before the deciding Game Five against the Indiana Pacers in the opening round of the 1991 playoffs. We always hear about Willis Reed, and while it did not occur in the Finals, Bird return in the second half after smacking his face on the court was just as heroic.The second half of that game began without Larry on the court. Then, as Bird emerged from the tunnel at half court, Marv Albert announced, And here comes Larry Bird. I can still see Bird running over to the bench, and Dee Brown, who was a rookie at the time, not being sure if he should stand up and give up his seat to Larry.Bird led the Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers 43 Troy Polamalu Realtree camo Jersey
Celtics to victory that afternoon, with 32 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Afterward, Indiana LaSalle Thompson said of Bird, The way [Bird] played today is the stuff you tell your kids about.I imagine I have rambled on long enough about Larry even though I feel like I have not even scraped the tip of the iceberg with all my favorite memories. What about his 49-point triple-double effort against Portland in his final season? I could clearly go on and on.Ill end with one last Larry story.A few weeks ago I went to a friend house who had just bought a new sports game for the Nintendo Wii. One of the games was a three-point shooting contest that I had to play. Not because I was any good, but because it gave me another opportunity to think back on my childhood, where I spent hundreds of hours in my driveway, pretending to be Larry Bird, taking (although usually not making) all sorts of shots I had watched Larry make over the years.And of course the three-point contest was Larry game. He famously said to the other participants before the 1986 contest, I want all of you to know I am winning this thing. Who playing for second? The image of Larry that may be most ingrained in my head is him, with his warm-up jacket still on, in the three-point contest.In the final round of the 88 contest, Bird made eight of his last 10 shots. With two shots to go, he trailed by one point. Hits the first, then, throws up the money ball. With the red, white, and blue ball still spinning through the air, Bird sticks his crooked right index finger straight into the air and walks off the court. He knew it was in before it even got there.Larry career has long since ended, but thanks to my memories, and my DVD player, he can walk through that door anytime I want. On my 33rd, thank you to number 33.**********(This article was originally posted on 4SportBoston.com)You can read more articles like this one athttp://4SportBoston.comFollow Stew Winkel on Twitter:http://twitter.com/stew_winkel**********The Larry Bird: A Basketball Legend DVD is a must have for any Celtics fan. It is filled not only with great highlights, but some memorable quotes. Here are just a fewLarry would make a bounce pass behind the back on the break and you would say to yourself, 'Where is that ball going.' M.L. CarrHed do things out there that would just leave you shaking your head and smiling. Chris FordHe's so intelligent, he's got eyes all around his head. Johnny MostBird, strips it, tips it, yeah. Mike GormanLarry always said I want it, besides everyone in the building knew who it was going to anyway. Robert ParishWell, there is a two-point difference and they are down, and Bird will come up with a three pointer. And you are waiting for it with bated breath. - Johnny MostSomewhere, someone went into a cave in French Lick, Indiana. And there was a block of ice. And they chipped away and out popped this prehistoric basketball player Larry Bird. - Tommy HeinsohnAnd I have been very blessed, having coached some of the greatest that have ever played the game. But if I had to start a team today, the greatest player and the one guy I would take would be Larry Bird. Red AuerbachThey forgot, they forgot about Larry Bird that all. - Danny Ainge, on Bird steals the ball against the Detroit Pistons in Game Five of the 1987 Eastern Conference FinalsAfter the loss to the Lakers by 33 points in Game Three of the 1984 NBA FinalsWe just played like a bunch of women tonight. Until we get our hearts where they belong, Reebok Green Bay Packers 21 Charles Woodson Realtree camo Jersey
we are in trouble. Larry BirdLarry was frustrated. He was disappointed, as we all were at getting blown out on national TV. But when he said guys played with no heart, I knew what would happen in the next game. Guys would do anything. M.L. Carr(The Celtics would win Game Four in overtime, and the series in seven games. Game Four is remembered for Kevin McHale clothesline of Kurt Rambis).On the 1986 Celtics...We just went out there with a job in mind. And we all knew what our jobs were. And when we went to work, it was like punching the clock. If Im on the assembly line, and my job is to put the knob on the radio, Im putting the knob on the radio. And the other guy is putting on the buttons and putting on the antenna, and Larry was the antenna man and we were the button men. Kevin McHaleI think what made that team so special was its ability to play any kind of style . . . . And if nothing was working, just give it to Larry and he'd step back and shoot a three. Bill Walton

30 Dec 10 Say What? Terrence Willams Will Be a Top 5 NBA Player.

Jim McIsaac/Getty ImagesWhen you think of all around players you think of Larry Bird, Magic Johnson,Scottie Pippen, Lebron James. Those Guys could play Point Guard, Shooting Guard,Small Forward, Power Forward at an All Star level. They were great at passing,scoring, Chicago Bears jersey
rebounding. Is there another out there that could be like the players I just mentioned? I think Nets G/F (Guard/Forward) Terrence Williams will be a top 5 player in the league in a couple of years and after his career is over he will be one of the best all around players in league history.Williams has athleticism beyond belief, he is a great scorer when he gets near the basket, and passing ability that you would usually see out of a top ten point guard. Now he does need to work on some things like free throw shooting 3 point shooting. All things that he can improve on, because if you do remember Lebron James had problems with his free shooting (as a matter of fact, he still does) and 3 point shooting, which Lebron has worked on, and has become better at it.Terrence Williams is a good perimeter defender. As a matter of one eastern conference scout said He going to be a good player,. He might be a [point guard] and he can guard anybody."Kiki Vandeweghe has confidence in the rookie, he said His ceiling is probably unlimited, but it up to how hard he going to work and how much he going to work at his game.Last night Terrance Williams showed off his passing ability with 14 assists to go with his 14 points. Williams was showed to grow more mature duringCincinnati Bengals jersey
the season, after showing some immaturity at the beginning of season he made a comment on twitter pretty much stating that he wished that the Nets didn't draft him (he didn't say that specifically but it was pretty clear what he meant).I think Williams will be a superstar in two or three years. Whether he's playing point guard, shooting guard, or small forward, there is a bright future Terrance Williams

29 Dec 10 Miami Heat Vs. Boston Celtics Playoff Preview

Elsa/Getty ImagesWritten by Andrew Ryan of Bangthebook.com original post here , your home for free nba playoff picks !Miami HeatHow They Got Here: In the most accurate sense possible, the Heat got here firmly on the back of G Dwyane Wade. He averaged well over a quarter of Reebok Chicago Bears #6 Jay Cutler Realtree camo Jersey
the team points per game, putting up 26.6 of them on the normal night. Miami also made it to this point by playing strong defense, as 94.2 points per game allowed and a 43.9 percent opposing shooting percentage were both good enough for #2 in the NBA.Player To Watch: Wade. Period. At times, he feels like a one-man wrecking crew for the Heat and really has been that way since the team won the NBA Championship several seasons ago. If for whatever reason, Flash is off of his game, Miami is finished.X-Factor: It not normal that you call your second leading scorer an X-Factor, but F Michael Beasley has some real superstar capabilities. He may be asked to be the man in Miami next year if Wade leaves town, and what better way to proclaim himself to the world than by taking over in the playoffs? We don know if itll happen or not, but Beasley can be the difference maker for the Heat.Key To Victory: Someone aside from Wade is going to have to do some damage at some point. We fully expect to see D-Wade scoring 30-35 points on a nightly basis, but somehow, another 60-65 points need to get on the board. If someone else can do that, Miami will succeed. If not, it will fail.Boston CelticsHow They Got Here: Saying that Boston got here by default just doesn Reebok Dallas Cowboys #82 Jason Witten Realtree camo Jersey
sound right, but at times, the Atlantic Division champs really looked like an average team in a miserable division. Age may be catching up to this team, especially in the starting five, where only G Rajon Rondo wouldn qualify for basketball version of AARP. Still, this is a team that plays great defense and has a ton of veteran leadership which can carry it through the toughest of situations.Player To Watch: No matter how old he is, the lifelong Celtic, F Paul Pierce is the man to keep an eye on. Scoring 18.3 points per game this year was rather par for the course, but what makes Pierce special is his ability to take over a game. He shoots 41.4 percent from beyond the arc and hardly ever misses a free throw, two things that really makes him lethal down the stretch in close games.X-Factor: Many already accept G Rajon Rondo as one of the best point guards in the NBA, and he going to have to prove it once again against the Heat over these next couple of weeks. The Kentucky product dished out 9.8 assists per game against just over three turnovers per game, and if that ratio stays above 3-1, the C are going to be hard to beat.Key To Victory: HC Doc Rivers just has to manage this team properly to get out of the first round of the playoffs. The veterans shouldn allow a game that Wade takes over to ruin their spirits, because inevitably, it going to happen. This series won be a sweep. The question is whether or not the Celtics can rebound from that. Rivers is the key to winning.The Final Word : We just don believe in Reebok Dallas Cowboys #9 Tony Romo Realtree camo Jersey
the Heat right now. One man can win an NBA Championship, as F LeBron James proved in Cleveland over the last few seasons. Unless there a Herculean effort coming from somewhere aside from Wade for Miami, the Celtics should survive in a relatively tight series, setting up the much anticipated showdown with the Cavs.Celtics in 6

28 Dec 10 Shaq and Howard: The Only Great Centers Left

Doug Benc/Getty ImagesA good center is tough to come by, especially come playoff time. Centers currently vying for an NBA titles are the likes of Andrew Bynum, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and um... Kendrick Perkins. Shaq is still in there after 18 seasons and Dwight Howard is too. These are the only two centers in today playoffs that even make my top 15 centers of all time.League-wide, only two other active players even make my all-time top 29 centers list.This list was made by me, using a formula I created where I took each of Reebok Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald Realtree camo Jersey
these players' best season ever; added rebounds + assists (times 2) + steals (guessed on the ones before 1972 player defense stats*) + blocks (*) -(minus) turnovers - (minus) personal fouls + total points/(divided by)minutes played. This gave me the top 180 stat producing per-minute performers ever. THEN - I made a list of title wins and Finalsappearancesand listed the 180 by that.Then I added the numbers on each chart and divided by two and these were the results. This gives props to players best individual seasons plus their career success. Yes, it took a while, but if this gets kids interested in awesome players of the past, then I'm glad. I'm 34 and remember some of the old school players and yet I am the same age asDuncan, Jamison andPierce and younger than Shaq, Fisher and Nash. This is an unbiased comparison. Stats and wins speak for themselves. If you are not happy with it, you do the math. I did!29- Chris Kaman Had a breakout year for the crappy Clippers, but is on his way up, and already in the 20, 10 club.28- Rik Smits This 74 man could shoot, his problem was not taking it to the hole, with authority.27- David Lee Seems like he is N.Y. only good center since Patrick. He is a 20, 10 guy too, and then some.26- Dikembe Mutombo This defensive minded, 72 player retired last year as one of the greatest centers ever, at least defensively. Offensively he was off and on.25- Vlade Divac Was an integral aspect to title contender L.A. Lakers in 1991 and later for the Kings. The big guy could pass, shoot and play defense; ok maybe his defense was kind of suspect.24- Roy Tarpley Was really, really productive for the Mavs in the 80 but kept on doing drugs. If he hadn (or hadn got caught) he would be higher on the list because he would have played for longer.23- Bill Laimbeer Would the Bad Boys of Detroit have been so bad without big Bill? I don think so. He was a championship caliber player, twice around, who could shoot the graceful three or Reebok Baltimore Ravens #5 Joe Flacco Realtree camo Jersey
clobber anyone coming into the lane. At 611 and 260 he was perfect for the job.22- Dan Issel He was only 69 but played with ferocity and tenacity, something bigger men should do. His mental skills made up for his physical shortcomings.21 - Brad Daugherty The 70 was kind of soft, but productive, leading a Cavs team where he shared the production with great power forward Larry Nance.20- Jack Sikma This guy could do it all, but he played on sub-par teams. He tried hard in every game, something which many modern centers fail to do.19- Willis Reed A consistent player in all aspects for the Knicks. He led them in 1970 and 1973 in the finals to the tune of a finals MVP in 73.18- Ralph Sampson If he hadn gotten so injured he would have been one of the greatest ever. He saw some success before he was injured, as he teamed with second year player Olajuwon to make the 1986 finals. Remember who tipped in the last send shot against the Lakers to get to the finals? Sampson! They eventually lost to Parish and the Celtics.17- George Mikan- He accomplished more than any other center (aside from Russell and Jabbar) when it came to winning titles, but it was in the early 1950. After properly analyzing him in context of all-time centers, according to my formula, the 610 center land here.16- Artis Gilmore This 73 giant was an awesome offensive and defensive threat throughout his career. Too bad he never won anything with it.15- Nate Thurmond He was the only guy who could compete in the Russell, Wilt years. They both gave him proper respect for his defensive abilities and scoring touch, too bad current NBA fans don.14- Alonzo Mourning Through sickness and in health, Alonzo played hard. He was often unbelievable at blocking shots despite being undersized (69 and a half). He could score in many ways too, and he helped Shaq and Wade win one for Miami in 2006.13- Dwight Howard Has the potential to be one of the greatest ever, but will he? Is he assertive enough like Superman one? We shall see soon enough.12- Bob Lanier One of the great big men of all time who played for bad teams throughout his career. Everything a center should be, except a champion.11- Alvan Adams This guy wasReebok Baltimore Ravens #27 Ray Rice Realtree camo Jersey
only 69 and completely overlooked by NBA fans. Why? Maybe it because he played for Phoenix in the 1970. If they would have beaten the Celtics in the 1976 NBA finals he would be better known. He was a true hustler.10- Robert Parish He played more NBA games than anyone ever, winning four NBA titles along the way. Was never the first option, but that is what happens when you play with Bird, McHale and Jordan on your title teams 1981,1984,1986 and 1997 (he was really old by then and backed up Luc Longley and Bill Wennington).09- Bill Walton One of the greatest passing big men ever who had the drive in college and the NBA to win titles. He led the Blazers to a title in 1977 and then kept getting injured. As a backup he won a couple titles with the Celtics too.08- Patrick Ewing The best center to never win a title. Patrick could do it all. He was a beast on defense and offense, he was a strong leader, but for some reason he never won a title. I blame Jordan.07- Moses Malone He was the needed component to win a title in 1983 for the 76rs. With just Dr. J they couldn get over the hump. With Moses Malone, they beat the Lakers 4-0. This guy was a rebounding machine and a scoring champion who was intimidating because of his sullen attitude.06- David Robinson When he came into the league he put up astounding numbers. He could run the floor, fast, at 71 and 255 pounds of pure muscle. Robinson scored over 70 in a game once and blocked shots like a madman throughout his career. He won two NBA titles, with Duncan at PF, in 1999 and 2003.05- Bill Russell At 69 and 225 pounds he dominated defense in the 1960. He was better than Wilt on defense and won more titles than anyone ever. He was truly an amazing player. If compared to an all-time pool of players, especially ones from the 80 on, he ranks on my list here. If he played today he would be too small to play C, but hed be a good SF.04- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar It blows my mid how today NBA fans so often forget to mention Kareem as one of the greatest ever. Wow! He was 72 265 pounds and could stop anyone shot and his sky hook was totally and completely unstoppable. Even when he was old he won NBA titles. He finished with six rings; five with L.A. and one with Milwaukee, where he teamed with Oscar Robertson.03- Hakeem Olajuwon One of the most amazing players of all time. This guy had, finesse, power, speed, shooting ability and he was a defensive mastermind. He was only 610 but if he was over 70 hed be better than Shaq or Wilt. Played during the Jordan era and won a title the two years Jordan was out, that says something about MJ. Olajuwon is so under appreciated by today fans, but I guarantee he would be the best if he played today.02- Shaquille ONeal Knowing the Lakers would have never won it in 2000, 2001 and 2002, and the Heat would have never won it in 2006 and the Cavs in 2010, without Shaq, he Reebok Baltimore Ravens #52 Ray Lewis Realtree camo Jersey
is obviously ranked here for a reason. At 71 320 pounds, Shaq is one of the few big men who ever actually used their physical skills to the utmost degree. Lost in the Finals in 1995 and 2004 but could help Cleveland win it all this year, as a role player, but hey, he's in his 18th season, give him a break. 01- Wilt Chamberlain He averaged 50.4 points per game once and scored 100 in one game. Averaged 25.0 rebounds a game for his career. This is way too amazing. With these numbers (1960) he could be the greatest center ever, even if he played in today NBA.

27 Dec 10 Yo, Philadelphia 76ers, Draft Evan Turner

Philadelphia 76ers GM Ed Stefanski has made some questionable decisions since taking over for Billy King two years ago. He gave Elton Brand $82 million, Andre Iguodala $80 million and hired Eddie Jordan, who has almost 100 more losses than wins in his coaching career (257-343).On Tuesday night, the basketball gods popped ping-pong balls into place for Stefanski, securing the second overall pick in next month's NBA Draft. Had the Sixers rode the magic carpet all the way to spot #1 in the lottery, they'd Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
be compelled to select freshman phenom John Wall, regardless of current PG Jrue Holliday's undoubtedly bright future. Wall is simply too good pass on, this year's can't-miss talent who will help Washington's box office as much as their roster next season. With trigger-happy Gilbert Arenas' career in muddy waters, the Wizards will be overjoyed to welcome in a new team leader.That leaves Stefanski and the Sixers with a few options. They can draft Georgia Tech PF Derrick Favors, Kentucky C DeMarcus Cousins, trade the pick, or select Ohio St. SG Evan Turner.Favors (6'10'', 246) and Cousins (6'11'', 270) are 18 and 19 years old, respectively, and flat-out beasts. Both would help the Sixers front court immensely, where Brand, Samuel Dalembert and Mareese Speights are frankly not cutting it with the big boys of the Eastern Conference (Orlando, Boston). While a strong case could be made for drafting either big man, my money is on 2010 National Player of the Year Evan Turner.With outstanding averages of 20 points, San Diego Chargers jersey
9 rebounds and 6 assists per game, Turner was the best player in the nation last season and flashed his superstar potential on a nightly basis, leading the Buckeyes to a 29-8 record and Sweet 16 berth in a tough Big Ten Conference. Listing all of the awards he took home after his junior year would extend this article by a few pages. Unlike Favors and Cousins, he has three years of college basketball experience and is ready to contribute immediately.Turner has been compared to silky-smooth shooting guards like Brandon Roy and Joe Johnson. At 6'7'', he's an ideal height for an NBA two-guard and with a little work in the weight room, he'll be able to stand strong defensively with the elite talent the league has to offer.When you look at the current make-up of the Sixers roster, Turner fits in swimmingly. Based on the opportunities given him last year, Holliday appears to be the point guard for many years to come. Despite being overpaid, Iguodala is a talented scorer who is better suited for the SF position than the SG. San Francisco 49ers jersey
Thaddeus Young, though undersized to play the four, can combine with Mareese Speights, Jason Smith and Brand to complete the front court. Several NBA teams have been successful without a true center; outside of Dwight Howard, there aren't a whole lot of dominant ones.Simply put, Evan Turner is going to be a sensational player. His addition, along with the hopeful signing of Doug Collins as new head coach, will have the Sixers moving in the right direction.If the GM passes on Turner and he goes on to have a terrific rookie season for New Jersey or Minnesota, Stefanski's job will be gone faster than a DeSean Jackson fly route.

26 Dec 10 Big 4 or No Big 4, Boston's Potential 18th Ring Belongs to Rajon Rondo

Elsa/Getty ImagesRemember that infamous scene in The Godfather following Don Corleone's death, that instantly propelled Michael to become the Godfather of the Mafia?Well if you don't, your missing out on a special movie. Fortunately for you, though, that exact scene has been reinvented, but this time in the form of Rajon Rondo and the Boston Celtics.Two years ago, if you were to tell me that Rajon Rondo would become one of the most recognized point guards in the game today, I would have laughed in your face with such intensity that anyone would have thought Denver Broncos jersey
I had gone completely mad."There's no way Rajon Rondo will outdo Derrick Rose," stated most people, and unfortunately for Boston fans I tended to agree.Now though, the tides have changed, and quite frankly they've changed for the better. For those out there that predicted Rajon Rondo's rise to fame, I suggest you become a fortune teller, because you've done a damn good job of going against the grain and predicting something that most people felt was simply impossible.Aside from reliving the past, though, the present and of course the future is the matter at hand when considering the 2010 Boston Celtics.It was a playoff run that was unexpected. Seemingly out of gas, out of muscle and more importantly out of confidence, the Boston Celtics were written off like a used stereo and deemed by many to possibly fail against the Miami Heat in the opening round of the 2010 Playoffs.But boy, how things changed. Normally when we consider the Boston Celtics, we focus on the big picture. Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, and realistically Rajon Rondo is simply a side dish to these three great players that tend to hog the spotlight.So how did things change so drastically in a short space of time to make people truly believe that Boston had a Big 4 at hand, instead of an impressive trio?Well, a lot of factors combined, but perhaps the most telling was the fact that Rajon Rondo kept it simple and applied a little elbow grease on his way to bigger and better things this postseason.When the going got tough, Rajon Rondo got going and although other players such as Paul Pierce, Rasheed Wallace, Ray Allen and Nate Robinson contributed, Rajon Rondo kept the arsenal together.Stats aside and effort, when thinking of Rajon Rondo, he has always Detroit Lions
been a hated player in the eyes of many fans. Often arrogant, a little blunt and cocky, Rajon Rondo became one of the many players to let his mouth do the talking while his impressive play took a backseat.After analyzing the Orlando Magic series, it seemed that Rajon Rondo became the true team leader. Paul Pierce summed it up best in saying "Instead of Rajon relying on us, we now rely on Rajon and we have to give him the ball."Perhaps Paul Pierce's statement is best summed up by watching Rajon's off the floor steal against Orlando in Game 3, as every ounce of that play showed grit and determination to post another two points on the board.It's not a statement that has convinced everybody just yet, and it certainly hasn't convinced Rondo haters, but it has proven to motivate Rajon immensely.I guess he's a typical Boston Celtics player. He recognizes he has potential, he utilizes it, and gets the job done. Sure he is no Larry Bird or Bill Russell just yet, but the way he is going his story makes for a promising future.Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kendrick Perkins all contributed to wins, but Rajon Rondo stepped up. His jump shot has improved, his skills have improved and more importantly his leadership has improved.Forget the old Rajon Rondo, this is the new No. 9 and this year's possible ring against the Los Angeles Lakers is for the most part due to his hard work.He's no Mafia leader, hell he isn't even Italian, but he makes a damn good teammate for a few old timers.Love him or hate him, Rajon Green Bay Packers jersey
Rondo simply does what's right by the family. Maybe, just maybe, his mob will take home some silverware. And this time, the Celtics didn't carry Rajon, Rajon carried the Celtics.Ryan Cook is a Featured Columnist for the Bleacher Report . He is also an NFL writer for Real Sports Net , and Green Bay Packer writer for Fan Huddle and PackerChatters .

25 Dec 10 Pacers Search for Point Guard Cure: Jose Calderon Could Be the Vaccine

Doug Benc/Getty ImagesThe Indiana Pacers are an organization that has been in disarray since the "Malice at the Palace." They fell out of contention in the Central Division and NBA's Eastern Conference not too long after.From the days of Reggie Miller, Mark Jackson, Dale Davis, and Rik Smits and being championship contenders, the Pacers have dramatically fallen off the radar of the NBA to a being a team that barely can finish .500.In 2006-07, the beginning of their demise, the Pacers had to suffer through one of their worst seasons in franchise history, Reebok Washington Redskins #98 ORAKPO Realtree camo Jersey
finishing with a 35-47 record. This record was the worst record they've collected since the 1988-89 season when they finished with a 28-54 record.Gone from the good old days are franchise icons like executive Donnie Walsh, coaches Rick Carlisle and Isiah Thomas, players Mark Jackson, Reggie Miller, Rik Smits, Dale Davis, Jermaine O'Neal, Ron Artest, and Al Harrington. In their place are Troy Murphy, Danny Granger, and a team of average NBA players.The Pacers last season finished with the worst record they've had since the 1988-89 season, an abysmal 32-50. Far from the record most Pacer fans remember and expect from their team.Team President Larry Bird on August 4th stated the organization was looking for point guard help and that the front office is not resting until that position is filled. Point guard has always been one of the most important positions to fill in the NBA.The point guard acts as a quarterback on the offensive end and is the first line of defense on the other end. Usually the championship teams always have a good veteran point guard leading their teams. Boston has Rajon Rondo, the Lakers have Derek Fisher, the Jazz have Deron Williams, the Mavericks have Jason Kidd and so on."You like to see if we can get something done, especially at the point position," Bird said. "We're talking to a lot of teams; there are some teams interested in what we have. We told people we weren't going to be in any hurry to do something."Currently, more than 20 free agent point guards have found a new home this offseason, and with the cream of the crop already signed, it appears the Pacers will need to trade for the point guard help they seek.Young point guards Darren Collision and George Hill are unavailable and the rumored All-Stars Chris Paul, and Tony Parker are probably not a realistic option for the Pacers unless they trade their best player, Danny Granger, in the process.Right now, probably the best available point guard for trade would be Jose Calderon out of Toronto.Calderon's contract still has two years left on it, paying him an average of around $9 million a year. However, Calderon's outside shooting and ability to control the offensive end lends itself perfectly to Jim O'Brien's system. He is a pass first point guard who can shoot the three.So I'm going to propose a deal for both sides:To Toronto: TJ Ford and Mike Dunleavy.To Indiana: Jose Calderon, Traded Player Exception (worth roughly $10 million), and Marco Belinelli.Why Does This Work for Indiana? Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers 43 Troy Polamalu Realtree camo Jersey
They get that point guard they've been coveting. They also get money to work with and a first round pick. Losing Dunleavy hurts initially, but with the likes of Rush, Jones, and Lance Stephenson to fill the void at shooting guard and Granger and George filling the void at small forward, the move can be done. This is also not saying the Pacers could use the Trade Player Exception.2010-11 LineupCalderon/PriceRush/D. Jones/Belinelli/StephensonGranger/GeorgeMurphy/Hansbrough/McRobertsHibbert/Foster/S. Jones+ 10 Million Trade Player Exception from TorontoWhy Does This Work for Toronto?They get salary relief as a result and end up getting roughly $20 million in expiring contracts. Couple that with the roughly $12 million in expiring contracts with Evans, Banks, and Belinelli, the Raptors could be big players in the Free Agent market next year.That all depends though on how Toronto is received in the NBA's inner circle amongst its players. If the players feel this organization is going nowhere, they will not cross the border to play here full time. Toronto's 2010-11 LineupJack/Ford/BanksDeRozan/Barbosa/WeemsDunleavy/KleizaJohnson/Davis/EvansBargnani/Dorsey/Alabi/AndersenHowever, what I stated above Reebok Green Bay Packers 21 Charles Woodson Realtree camo Jersey
is just a fantasy prediction, the reality of the situation is that unless a trade is made, TJ Ford remains Indiana's only true veteran option at point guard.His relationship with Jim O'Brien is strained and in the end, it may take some time to mend fences and make up so the Pacers can start their return to glory sooner, rather than later, if at all.

24 Dec 10 Path to Redemption? Ron Artest Raffling Off Lakers Championship Ring

Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesRon Artest is actually going through with what many thought was an idle promise to raffle off his championship ring and donate the proceeds to charity.Artest is doing something that actually impresses me. To put that in context, let's get something out of the Reebok San Francisco 49ers #21 Frank GORE Realtree camo Jersey
way immediately.I don't like Ron Artest. Nothing that follows is even remotely connected to is abilities on the court. I have almost no respect for him as a human being.I have not liked Ron Artest since his freshman year at St. John's. I don't like the man who admitted getting drunk before games as a Chicago Bull.I don't like the man who smashed a $100,000 TV camera at Madison Square Garden.I don't like the man who publicly asked his coach for a month off from the Pacers early in the 2004-05 season to promote a music album he had produced.I really don't like the man who acted like a complete punk in an altercation with Ben Wallace, and ended up charging into the stands like a deranged lunatic at the Palace of Auburn Hills.The man who, after returning from a year-long suspension, publicly requested a trade from the Pacers since he didn't think playing for coach Rick Carlisle could maximize his potential to be a star, is someone deserving of contempt.How one player's actions can so completely destroy aReebok Washington Redskins #98 ORAKPO Realtree camo Jersey
franchise is sickening. Artest is that player. His role in the destruction of the Indiana Pacers should not be forgotten by anyone who wants to embrace the lovable Ron-Ron after this past season.I won't even mention his arrest for domestic violence in 2007, or that the Kings, so desperate to be rid of this madman, gave him to the Rockets for essentially nothing (sorry, Bobby Jackson, but it's true).He is a loose cannon, and a thug. He is also likely crazy.Anyone who saw that touching, but sad, rambling rant of a press conference Artest conducted after the Lakers won the 2009-10 championship knows that Artest is suffering from some kind of mental illness.Anytime someone takes a podium and thanks their psychiatrist for helping them win a basketball championship, you know something is wrong.Ron Artest has recently been seeking help in dealing with his inner lunatic. That is commendable.Artest is working to reduce the stigma attached to mental illness, particularly in the world of sports.That is also commendable.Now Artest is preparing to raise what will likely be a sizable amount of money and donate that money to charities that increase mental-health awareness.These three things almost bother me.Why?Because now I'm going to have to respect Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers 43 Troy Polamalu Realtree camo Jersey
the man a bit more than I did. I still don't like him. He's got such a long history of being an awful man, that it will take a lot more than this to compensate for his past.No, I don't like him, but I'm starting to respect the man.The beneficiaries of the auction will be announced on October 27, the day after the Lakers receive their rings. The raffle drawing itself will be on Christmas Day

23 Dec 10Chicago Bulls Week in Review: 2-1 in Texas for First Time Since 1998

Coach Thibodeau's watchful eyeJonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesThe Chicago Bulls began their annual "circus trip" this past Tuesday, finishing the Texas part of the trek on Friday.For the first time since Michael Jordan's 1998 team, the Chicago Bulls finished 2-1 in Texas, with victories Reebok Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald Realtree camo Jersey
over the Houston Rockets, the Dallas Mavericks and a loss to the San Antonio Spurs.A curious pattern emerged during those games in Texas. In each of the contests, the Bulls were leading at halftime, only to lose their lead in each game during the third quarter.In total, the Bulls were outscored a combined 91-43 during the third period. That averages out to a little over 30 points for the opposing team, versus a little over 12 for the Bulls.In two of the games (Houston and Dallas), the Bulls were able to overcome their third-quarter woes to pull out victories. Not so with San Antonio. Although the Bulls fought hard, the deficit was too much for them, playing the second of back-to-back games on Tuesday and Wednesday against a well-rested, red-hot San Antonio team.HighlightsDerrick Rose continues his MVP worthy season, thus far, by being aggressive and carrying much of the load while Boozer is out. Rose was 36-for-64 (56 percent) from the field during those three games, including 7-for-12 (58 percent) from downtown.Kyle Korver also continues his strong performance, with 11-of-22 (50 percent) shooting from the field, including 6-for-11 (55 percent) from 3-point land.Ronnie Brewer shot over 66 percent from the field and has seen his minutes increase. He continues to get more comfortable out on the floor.C.J. Watson was instrumental in the Dallas win and seems to be settling down in his role, which is good considering his struggles early on. Before this week, C.J. appeared to be forcing a lot of Reebok Baltimore Ravens #5 Joe Flacco Realtree camo Jersey
shots instead of playing his game.Taj Gibson started off slowly but finished with a bang on Friday against the Mavericks, scoring 17 points and grabbing 18 rebounds, a personal best.FocusFree throws...free throws...free throws. The Bulls shot an abysmal 40-for-65 (62 percent) from the free-throw line. Come on, guys. This is an area that must be addressed. The importance of making free throws cannot be stressed enough, particularly in close games.The Bulls cannot allow themselves to continue having third-quarter meltdowns. Too much energy wasted while playing on the road.Luol Deng and Keith Bogans struggled somewhat this week. Deng shot 16-for-48 (33 percent) and Bogans shot 2-for-10 (20 percent) from the field. They'll need to pick up their play this coming week, but considering their solid play thus far this season, I don't expect that to be an issue.ConsensusAlthough the Bulls are 2-1 to start the "circus trip," they could easily have been 3-0. With four games left on the trip, beginning with the Lakers on Tuesday night, the Bulls will need to continue their aggressiveness on the boards and with drives to the basket.If the Bulls can improve their free-throw percentage, they should be more than competitive. The Bulls face the Lakers, Suns, Nuggets and Kings this week to wrap up their road trip. All of these games are very winnable for this Bulls team, provided they stick to their game plan.The refs also need to start giving Rose more respect. Period. Of the top 13 scorers in the Reebok Baltimore Ravens #27 Ray Rice Realtree camo Jersey
NBA (Rose is currently fourth), Rose has the least amount of free-throw attempts per game. It's an atrocity when guys like Russell Westbrook and Kevin Martin are averaging 9.3 and 9.2 free throws per contest while Rose averages only 5.5 per contest.Let's hope that the Bulls can continue their solid play, obtain a winning record from the trip and put this annual "circus trip from hell" to rest.