Heat a Title Contender? Go After Mike Bibby.

Once the rumors began about Mike Bibby getting the Washington Wizards to buyout his contract I got excited. Being a Miami Heat fan I know the kind of roller coaster Miami has been on in the past year. But, the Heat are a stable point guard away from being serious contenders. They need a guy who can run the offense. They need someone to be able to calm down the team in big situations and Bibby has been in those situations. He has been to the playoffs and went toe-to-toe with Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers when he played for the Sacramento Kings. Mike Bibby has experience and if he gets on the market Miami needs to get him immediately. Chances are if he does get bought out he will sign for the veterans minimum. Miami will be taking a small risk on a guy that could be a poor man’s Chauncey Billups. Dwayne Wade and Lebron are the leaders of the Heat, but just Bibby’s veteran presence could elevate the Heat in late game situations that they have struggled in for most of the season. In the end, Miami can still win a title this year with or without Mike Bibby. But, if they want to increase their chances of winning a title then they need to sign Mr. Bibby. We will see if Miami truly thinks it can win this year based on what they do when Bibby and other players get bought out and are available for free agency.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzh_MLBaL6Q-  The player Mike Bibby used to be and although he isn't the same player, he can add experience to a team loaded with talent in Miami.

Mike Bibby Seeking Buyout to Play for a Contender?

The Washington Post reports that Mike Bibby and his agent plan on meeting the Wizards and discussing a potential buyout. The thought process here is that the veteran point guard does not want to play on a lottery team. The guard has reportedly received interest from Boston and Miami who are the two top teams in the Eastern Conference. However, he will have to take a significant pay cut because both teams will probably offer Bibby the veteran minimum. Bibby currently makes $5.56 million would take a hit in his wallet, but would have one last shot at a Championship. Is it about winning or money? We will get the answer soon enough.

NBA TRADE DEADLINE!

The NBA trade deadline has come and gone and it didn't go away quietly. There were plenty of trades, in fact, this was the most active teams have been at the trade deadline in years. Two All Stars from the West went East, along with a former NBA Finals MVP. Two contenders swapped starters that they think make them even more likely to get over the hump and win an NBA Title this year. Lets review some of the trades that could shake up the league for years to come.



Knicks Land a Star

Carmelo wanted to be a Knick and he finally got his wish. Denver traded him, Chauncey Billups and a few other pieces to the Knicks and received Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, a 2014 First round Draft pick and a few other complementary pieces. The winner of this trade is obviously the Knicks, as they get the superstar to go along with Stoudemire. A very overlooked player they get in the trade is Chauncey Billups. He’s a battle-tested veteran who can put up big numbers on any given night. He will be able to lead them and gives them a shot to do some damage this year in the playoffs. Denver did what it had to do and got some nice pieces in return for Anthony. Minnesota was also involved in the trade as they decide to take Eddy Curry’s expiring contract from the Knicks.Complete Trade:

 New York Knicks get: F Carmelo Anthony, G Chauncey Billups, F Renaldo Blackman, G Anthony Carter, C Shelden Williams
 Denver Nuggets get: F Wilson Chandler, G Raymond Felton, F Danilo Gallinari, C Kosta Koufous, C Timofey Mozgov, $3 million in cash, 2014 first-round pick (from Knicks), 2012 & 13 second-round picks (from Knicks via Golden State Warriors) Minnesota Timberwolves get: C Eddy Curry, F Anthony Randolph, 2015 second-round pick (from Nuggets), $3 million in cash

  
Trade Winner: New York Knicks

 

Nets Answer Their New York Counterpart With a Big Deal of Their Own
Deron Williams "surprised" by trade

Carmelo becomes a Knick, coming from Denver along with Mr. Big Shot Chauncey Billups. They join Amare Stoudemire to form their own big three and will be very dangerous down the stretch and in the playoffs.

The New Jersey Nets were in the market for Carmelo Anthony, but could not convince him that New Jersey was a place he could win. A day after Anthony is traded to the Knicks; the New Jersey Nets answer by getting a superstar of their own. Deron Williams is not as big of a name as Carmelo Anthony, but he is a big guard who can flat out play. He is the sixth player since the NBA merger to average 20plus points and 9 assists in his first six years in the league. I think in many instances, teams would like to have Deron Williams over Carmelo Anthony. This trade did surprise Deron, but if New Jersey can keep bringing in pieces to surround Williams with, then the odds of him signing an extension to become the heart of the Brooklyn Nets (they are moving to Brooklyn in 2012) just got a lot greater. Williams is a star who wants to win and if the Nets give him the pieces they could become contenders in upcoming years.

The Utah Jazz are realists and even though they gave up their superstar in Deron Williams, they got a lot in return for him. The Jazz knew the odds of Williams staying in Utah would not be likely when he becomes a free agent after next season were not great and for that reason they decided to deal him when they could get a lot for him. They received a solid point guard in Devin Harris, a lottery pick with loads of potential with Derrick Favors and two first round picks. This trade is good for both sides and the winner of it will remain to be seen. I have to give a slight edge to the Nets because they get an All Star who is motivated to win now and we all know one star will draw another.
Complete Trade:
New Jersey Nets get: Deron Williams
Utah Jazz get: Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, 2011 first-round pick (from Nets), 2012 first-round pick (from Nets via Warriors)

 

Trade Winner: New Jersey Nets

The Celtics Make a Trade Splash
Perkins Sent to Oklahoma City

In a last minute trade two contenders swapped starters in order to strengthen their Title hopes. The Boston Celtics are the Eastern Conference favorites. They traded their starting center in Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson for Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic of the Oklahoma City Thunder. What does this trade mean? It is no secret for the Thunder why they made this trade. They lacked size and a real physical presence on their team and not they have it. They give up their third leading scorer, but get a center that will help them improve defensively and give them a real shot to beat the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the problem is I am not sure if they can win this year. The Lakers aren’t the scary team in the West even though they are the defending champs. San Antonio is the favorite and in my opinion they can beat the Thunder with or without this trade.

The Boston Celtics are the winners of this trade and here is why. The Celtics are in the Eastern Conference. The Eastern Conference is loaded with talent, but they are all wing players. Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose to name a few of the players the Celtics could face in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. None of the teams that are a real threat in the Eastern Conference have a big, physical center. Dwight Howard is an elite center, but his team is not good enough to win a Championship. The Celtics still have Shaquille and Jermaine O’Neal who can get healthy for a playoff run. Now, they have a young forward named Jeff Green who can guard Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant if needed. This helps the Celtics this year, but also helps them in the future because Jeff Green is someone they can pair up with Rondo, as their team gets older. Overall, the Thunder are trying to win now, but it is not that likely. Most people think the Celtics made a mistake but they are still the favorites in the Eastern Conference and improved their team with this trade.

Complete Trade:

Boston Celtics get: Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic
Oklahoma City Thunder get: Kendrick Perkins, Nate Robinson

Trade Winner: Boston Celtics








Carmelo becomes a Knick, coming from Denver along with Mr. Big Shot Chauncey Billups. They join Amare Stoudemire to form their own "Big 3" and will be very dangerous down the stretch.
Photo Courtesy of Yahoo Sports



Commandos Mocking Bengals?

Can the Cincinnati Commandoes mock their hometown NFL team? I think they just did and it shows how bad off the Bengals are. Carson to the local arena league? Not going to happen, but the video is entertaining to say the least.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oS9hKJkdpo&feature=player_embedded

How Should the Bengals React to Carson Palmer's Trade Demands?

Once upon a time, a man named Carson Palmer was drafted first overall by a struggling NFL franchise. Two years later, Palmer led the team to its first playoff appearance in the past fifteen years. Palmer got hurt on the opening drive and has not appeared to be the same since. That was six years ago and now it seems Palmer is frustrated with the Cincinnati Bengals and the way Mike Brown manages operations. Mike Brown is the owner of the Bengals, but also the general manager. Recently, Carson Palmer and his agent David Dunn came to a conclusion that both sides would be better off cutting ties, as Palmer demanded a trade. If Carson does not get traded he will consider retirement. With that said if I’m Mike Brown and my franchise passer is demanding a trade and he truly wants to leave, I would trade him. If my wife comes up to me and says I don’t want to be with you anymore and I do everything I can to keep her, but she still does not want to be with me I would not hold onto her. The same logic would work here. Mike Brown has sat down with Carson, fired his offensive coordinator and Carson has not budged on his trade demands. With that said, after the new Collective Bargaining Agreement is signed Mike Brown SHOULD trade Carson Palmer and here is why: If the staple of your franchise wants out, then how much respect do you think Carson will have on a team that will probably struggle some this year? The blue-collar guys will feel betrayed and have probably lost some respect for him even though they would deny it. Lets say respect is not an issue and it will not affect any of Palmer’s teammates. What has Carson Palmer done lately? He is not a pro bowler; he is more of an average mid-level NFL quarterback. There are plenty of teams that need quarterbacks this year and one of these teams is bound to give up a first rounder for Palmer. I think Seattle is the team most likely to trade a first rounder for Palmer. Many of you heard or read the report by CBS Analyst Solomon Wilcots on what he thought was in the best interest of the Bengals. It would probably benefit the Bengals if they got rid of Palmer and our 4th overall pick and received two late first round picks and Kevin Kolb. But, I do not completely agree with the deal. If I were Mike Brown I would trade Carson Palmer to any team that is giving me a first rounder. I would in turn, take that first rounder and send it to Philadelphia for Kevin Kolb as long as they were willing to make the trade. If not, I would also trade Chad Ochocinco for a second or third round pick. I would hold onto that pick and add a fourth rounder for Kolb, but that would be the highest offer I would make. Then, I would use the fourth pick overall on a man who some are calling the next Calvin Johnson. A.J. Green, the wide receiver out of Georgia is who I would take to give Kolb a target for many years to come. Brown could address the offensive and defensive line needs, along with safety needs with the Bengals second and third round selections. To me this is an obvious solution where Mike Brown can rebuild the Bengals overnight and contend for a division title or wild card berth right away. The problem is that Mike Brown is probably not on the same page. Only time will tell, but hopefully Mike Brown wakes up and makes these changes for the good of the franchise and for the city of Cincinnati.

Carmelo Anthony to New Jersey?

The Denver Nuggets and New Jersey Nets have agreed to a trade that would end the all of the "Melodrama" we have had to suffer through for months. The deal would send Anthony,Chauncey Billups, Sheldon Williams, Marvin Ely and Reynaldo Balkman to the Nets. In turn, the Nuggets will receive Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, Troy Murphy, Ben Uzoh and four first-round picks to Denver. However, to get this deal finalized Carmelo Anthony would need to agree to an extension that has been on the table for months. The deal is a 3 year $65 million deal. Anthony has displayed interest in signing it before the end of the season. He has displayed the most interest in going to the New York Knicks, but they have not agreed to terms and it looks like Anthony has grown frustrated with the Knicks and might consider moving on. He is supposed to meet with the Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov, general manager Billy King, CEO Brett Yormark, and hip-hop star and part-owner Jay-Z this weekend in Los Angeles. They are going to try an convince Anthony that he can win with the Nets. A key aspect to this is that the franchise plans to move from New Jersey to Brooklyn in the next few years. This appeals to Anthony because it is his hometown. After months of speculation it looks like the Melodrama is coming to a close. The trade deadline is looming and it looks like Anthony will have the cards in his hands. Lets hope he plays them the right way, not only for his sake, but for the future of the NBA.

Should Cam Newton Really Be Ranked in the Top 5 on Mel Kipers Big Board?

Cam Newton is an example of the new breed of quarterback. A quarterback that gives teams the run-pass option is something people love. Newton, is coming off of a fantastic heisman winning season at Auburn University and he ended up getting all of the hardware since he led his team to a national championship. Now, the quarterback faces the same questions other quarterbacks before him have to face. Can Newton thrive in a pro system, after being in the college style offense at Auburn. Some say yes, and rightfully so. Newton has a big arm, he is mobile and his accuracy is better than a Tim Tebow or a Vince Young. Sounds like the perfect package, right? Well, I am going on a limb and saying that those assumptions are wrong. I think Cam Newton had a great year and he may be a solid starter in the N.F.L. But, do I think he should be in Mel Kipers projected top 5 in this years draft? (currently projected at number 3 overall to the Bills). I think that is high for a guy like Newton. Picking a quarterback with the number 3 overall pick is dangerous in itself. Not to mention that the most "pro" ready quarterback is Missouri's Blaine Gabbert.
If I'm the Bills I look at a Defensive Tackle. This quarterback class is weak but the Bills could get a quarterback in the second or third round and have him sit behind a more than capable Ryan Fitzpatrick. Cam Newton may prove me wrong, but I think he is more of a Vince Young than a Warren Moon. Vince Young is a good player, but wasn't worth a top ten selection and neither is Cam Newton.