A few links to keep you entertained now that Lent is keeping you away from booze or Brazilian floats.
Buckeyes v. Boilermakers - Two teams tied for First Place in the Big 10 play tonight as Purdue's all conference Robbie Hummel takes on the Buckeyes' all universe Evan Turner. While the Big 10 doesn't have any truly elite teams that have four (Wisconsin and MSU being the others) that seem on pace to grab a 2 or 3 seed in the tournament.
USC to Face Committee - After years and years of investigating Reggie Bush, USC will finally go before the NCAA Infraction Committee this weekend. While the committee won't announce what the punish will be they will announce if USC will be punished. Most likely punishment a spanking.
NBA Trade Soap Opera - With a little more than 24 hours left before the trade deadline there appear to be 4 story lines that bear following
1) Amar'e - Will almost certainly be traded to either Cleveland or Miami. Miami is currently scrambling to top the Cavs offer
2) Cavs - If the Cavs strike out with Amar'e they will probably pivot and trade for Jamison, Troy Murphy, or Maggette
3) Chicago and New York - appear to be fighting over the corpse of Tracy McGrady to clear cap space and for the right to practice weird medical experiments
4) The Spurs and Celtics - the former champs appear to have admitted that they are too old to compete and are looking for ways to make themselves relevant again.
Contrary to Conventional Wisdom - The Four Greatest Words in the English Language are - " It Finally Stopped Snowing" followed closely by "Free Chicken Finger Day"
8 comments:
Here's to hoping that the NCAA panel has a fond appreciation for the Spanish Inquisition and burns Lane Kiffin at the stake. There's nothing I want more than USC to be given the collegiate death penalty for a few years. It won't happen but a guy can dream...
Why would the Cavs trade for Troy Murphy? I'll be the first to admit that I don't follow the NBA as closely as I did 10 years ago but the last time I checked, Troy Murphy was an average player that can pop a few jumpers and pull down a few boards. Don't the Cavs need a co-pilot for Air Lebron? I was under the impression that the Cavs had enough of the average types...
I really hope the Knicks pull off this McGrady trade. I don't really care one way or the other but it would be nice to beat Chicago in something when they beat us by 33 last night.
Troy Murphy has a good outside shot so the thought is that Murphy is a poor man's Jamison (i.e. stretch power forward). That said yes he's ever so average everywhere else so I doubt the Cavs would actually give up anything for him....
Oddly enough Milwaukee is rumored to be pursuing him.
Someone help me out with this: is the idea for the Bulls and Knicks that they trade long-term financial obligations for the short-term obligation to McGrady - which thereby "frees up" what was McGrady's spot for the big Free Agent Class of '10?
What's funny about USC is that while I believe programs should face punishment for infractions, I didn't have any particular feelings about the Trojans under Carroll. But with the grade-A d'bag Kiffin at the helm, now I want to see the book thrown at ol' Southern Cal.
1) how in the world it's taken this long to investigate reggie bush is one of the shadiest things the NCAA has ever done.
2) the big ten is rather interesting this year. MSU's guard needs to get healthy for them to return to contender status.
3) troy murphy should be a last resort. he's a rebounding machine that shoots 3s and can't guard anyone. i don't really see him tipping the scales in the playoffs.
4) Hitman - you have it exactly right. everyone wants to give up longer-term contracts to get mcgrady and suddenly have $20 million drop-off the books, enabling even more cap space for this summer. in theory, if the knicks gave up jeffries and harrington for mcgrady, they would be able to afford just about TWO max contracts.
5) I thought the 4 greatest words in the english language are "Scarlett Johannson wants you."
But why are the Rockets dealing him? They're 27-25 - maybe playoff-bound but hardly a legitimate title contender. Wouldn't it serve Houston better to let McGrady expire off their books?
And since most of these deals end up being a roughly-equivalent swap of salaries in the short-term, why does it matter for the Knicks? Shedding $20 million ought to be the same, no matter how the $20 million is computed (i.e. one or multiple players).
What am I missing?
The way the trade is being described as of now for the trade is Larry Hughes (expiring this year), Jared Jefferies (who is owed 7 million next year), young PF (Hill), and draft picks for McGrady.
So the Knicks would gain salary space for 2010 (Jefferies' contract) which would allow the Knicks to sign 2 max contracts next year. The idea is that the Knicks are more likely to sign a super player if they can sign two (i.e., Lebron is more likely to sign if the Knicks can also sign Bosh or Wade)
Houston in exchange for a player they are getting rid of would get a young talent and draft picks. I agree that's its odd to think that its worth taking on money for next year but that's their current logic - basically getting young talent/draft picks instead of being a big player in free agency next year.
As to the possible Chicago trade similiar dynamics although Houston also goes under the luxury tax this year (money saver).
Mighty is 100% correct. The key info you want to look for is WHEN each player expires. Because the Knicks still have players expiring after this year (i.e. jeffries), they want to unload him at all costs (to the point that they are including draft picks as sweetners).
Mighty is 100% correct. The key info you want to look for is WHEN each player expires. Because the Knicks still have players expiring after this year (i.e. jeffries), they want to unload him at all costs (to the point that they are including draft picks as sweetners).
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