2nd worst day of my life…..

Austin Kearns has been traded to the Yankees.  The only thing in my life that has sucked more is when the Reds traded him for Bill Bray, Royce Clayton, and Gary Majewski.  I am sure the Indians got the Yankees’ top 4 prospects in return but that doesn’t soften the blow.

My idol, my hero, and my favorite player now dons pinstripes.  I don’t know what to do…..

Knicks make offer to Shannon Brown

The New York Knicks might have come up short in the LeBron James sweepstakes, but they are slowly rebuilding into a solid team.  So far this offseason, they have acquired Amar’e Stoudemire, Raymond Felton, Anthony Randolph, Kelenna Azubuike, Ronny Turiaf, and Timofey Mozgov.  If they can add Shannon Brown, this could be a team that might be able to land a spot in the playoffs THIS year.

The Knicks starting 5 should be: Felton, Azubuike/Brown, Gallinari, Stoudemire, Turiaf.  That leaves Anthony Randolph, one of Brown or Azubuike, Toney Douglas, and Wilson Chandler to come off of the bench.  I can think of a lot worse rotations in the league.

Listen, the Knicks aren’t going to be a top defensive team in the league as long as D’Antoni is running things, but they will be athletic enough to make some stops and outrebound their opponents.  As for their offense, their front court is uber-athletic, they have one of the best shooters in the league in Gallinari, they have natural a natural scorer in Azubuike, and they have a very solid pick and roll duo with Amar’e and Felton.

I am predicting a 44-38 season, which will probably land them a 7 seed and a matchup against the Magic in the first round.  Write it down!

Michele Hunter and icSports

I found a cool little sports segment on Mevio, it’s called icSports.  The show is hosted by Kentuckian Michele Hunter, and it actually looks pretty good.  I recommend everyone check it out.

My Hero

I love Wally Backman.  Enjoy.

http://www.bustedcoverage.com/?p=31567

Strasburg hurt…..already

Stephen Strasburg has already inched his way closer to becoming Mark Prior part II, as he was scratched from tonight’s game.  The Nats manager says it was precautionary, and the MRI revealed no structural damage but some inflammation.  If the Nationals are smart, they shut him down for a little while with a DL stint, and then hire Dusty Baker to be their manager next season.

Bengals sign T.O.

I believe VH1 just nutted all over themselves…..oh nope, that was me.  The Bengals signed T.O. today for 1 year and $2 million dollars, and have officially become the front-runners for “most fun team to play with on Madden 2011.”

Palmer under center, Benson running the ball up the gut, Ocho out wide left, T.O. wide right, and Antonio Bryant catching short passes across the middle and racking up mad YAC. And oh wait, a decent TE for a change in Gresham?

I CAN’T WAIT FOR AUGUST 10th!!!!!

SEC getting stronger?

Masoli is looking to transfer to Ole Miss after getting kicked off of Oregon’s squad for marijuana possession and a misdemeanor burglary charge.  He would be able to play without sitting out if he enrolled in a master’s program that Oregon did not offer.  He might be a thug, but make no mistake about it, he is a beast.  Poor man’s Tebow if you will.

Who’d you rather?

There is something about the chic on the right — I think it’s the glasses.

Marcus Thornton > Jodie Meeks

When the SEC was handing out awards last season, and Marcus Thornton won Player of the Year, I’ll never forget how many Kentucky fans were pissed that Jodie didn’t win it.  Everyone was saying that Jodie was screwed because of the lack of success the Cats achieved last year.  Marcus Thornton proved once again last night why he is, was, and always will be better than Jodie Meeks.

Thornton scored 37 last night off the bench for the Charlotte New Orleans Hornets, including 23 in the 2nd quarter alone, against arguably the best team in the NBA, the James LeBrons.  Thornton is 6th amongst rookies in scoring this season with 11.3 a game.  Jodie has already been traded, and is scoring only 4 points a game.

The only reason I am hating on Jodie, is because it was completely stupid of him to go pro when he did.  He had the opportunity to come play on the best team in college basketball with the best PG, best C, and one of the top 3 PFs.  He would have been shooting wide open 3s night in and night out.  He could have come back, scored 15 points per game, won a national championship, possibly gotten his number retired at UK, and been a top 20 pick in this year’s draft.  The SG crop in this year’s draft is so weak.  The best option is Xavier Henry, and then it drops down to Willie Warren.  Jodie Meeks would eat Willie Warren for lunch, kinda like Marcus Thornton would to Jodie.

is John Wall the best PG in college basketball?

Everyone seems to think this is a definite yes.  Yeah yeah, we all know he is going to be the top pick in next year’s draft, but we also know the NBA is based on potential and athleticism, not the numbers you put up while in college.  If it was based on numbers, Luke Harangody would be a top pick next year, but instead, he’ll be playing in the NBDL.  My guess is with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

I am going to list 4 players, along with their major stats.  Based on their numbers alone, we’ll see if John Wall turns out to be the best of the bunch.

P1- 15.1ppg, 2rpg, 4.4apg, 2.1topg, 1.2spg, 42%fg, 85%ft, 37%3fg

P2- 18.8ppg, 4.8rpg, 6.2apg, 3.3topg, 1.4spg, 44%fg, 83%ft, 39%3fg

P3- 16.8ppg, 4.1rpg, 6.3apg, 4topg, 1.9spg, 46%fg, 78%ft, 35%3fg

P4- 18.9ppg, 3.4rpg, 5.4apg, 1.8topg, 1.6spg, 42%fg, 89%ft, 40%3fg

Looking solely at these numbers, my vote for the best point guard goes to player 4.  Player 4 is the best scorer, and protects the ball better than the other three.  As much as it pains me to say this, that player is Dookie, Jon Scheyer.

Am I saying I would rather have Jon Scheyer on my team than John Wall?  Absolutely not!  But when it comes time for end of the year awards, John Wall isn’t the shoo-in that everyone is making him out to be.  For what it’s worth, the players that I listed above are Sherron Collins, Greivis Vasquez, John Wall, and Jon Scheyer.