What We Learned From an NBA Christmas

(who says the big fundamental doesn't show emotion)

• You don't need to watch full NBA games.  Now, folks like Jordan will automatically reply that the only part of a basketball game, particularly a pro game, that you need to watch is the last three or four minutes.  I do agree with that, however, I think, in some cases, only the first few minutes are necessary.
• Dwight Howard isn't a great player yet.  Watch the man play, you'll see what I mean.  He can rack up all the great numbers he wants (and, in some areas, like rebounding on both halves, he is great), but he needs to develop a move down low.  Something, anything he can go to on a consistent basis.  With Tyson Chandler in trouble, there's no reason he should go 4-15 from the floor.
• The Hornets second most important player on their team is Tyson Chandler.  David West is a very good player, he's got that mid-range jumper down pat.  But, he doesn't affect things as much as Chandler does.  On D, he's the only rebounder and down low defender the Hornets have.  On offense, he might not be scoring a ton, but he can set a screen, roll, and catch a lob.  Without him in there, defenders can collapse on Chris Paul when he gets into the lane.  
• The Suns still can't close out games.  Up nearly the whole contest, they even made a late charge (and took the lead on a beautifully designed play).  Still, turnovers and bad defense doomed the Suns once again.  The Spurs, on the other hand, aren't the title contenders they were a few years ago, but, would scare me in a series.
• The Celtics aren't robots.
• The Lakers, if they continue to play hard on both sides of the ball, can (and will) give the Celtics a good run if they get there again in the Finals.  Playing in L.A. instead of Boston doesn't hurt either.  Celtics go to the line eight times, the Lakers 15.  Celtics commit 25 fouls, the Lakers only 18.  You've gotta love home cookin' on Christmas Day.
• There's a clear reason why Washington is 4-23.  Up 6 with about three minutes and change left, they Wizarded themselves.  Turnovers (ahem, Caron Butler), poor shots (ahem, Mike James) and an inability to control tempers (ahem, Antawn Jamison).  Oh, and one of the worst play calls to end a game that you'll see.  Why teams think that, even down a few points, it's a good idea to sit on the ball, wasting time, and then run a play that involves more waiting and one-on-one basketball, I'll never get.  Then again, those teams often don't win.  So, I guess it makes sense. 
• The NBA can be enjoyable.  It almost makes you feel like its 1998 all over again...
  

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The Fastest Thing Since Sliced White...

His name is Cody Paul. He's a running back. He's white. He's the best running back you've never seen.

Oh, one thing. He's not in middle school yet.

Just a detail, considering rumors have circulated that the young Paul has already made a silent commitment to USC. With the recent transferring of RB Emmaneul Moody, it's all starting to fall into place for the young phenom.

First of all, check him out, immediately. I'll be here when you get back.

Impressed? It's almost hard to not be either amazed at the kid's ability, or the editor's ability to alter reality (or, the space time continuum, as it may be).

Beyond his age, what also aids his phenom status is his skin color. I'm sorry to bring race into it, but let's be fair. When was the last time there was a great white running back? Or, skill position player outside of the tackle box? Ed McCaffrey? Ricky Proehl?

The only RB I can think of is Robert Smith, though his skin color (and, planet of origin for that matter) is still up for debate.

If this kid can make it to any sort of prominence, the white-speed athlete may be on its way back. That is, if it ever was there to begin with.

Notes:

• Sad as it may be, it's official: The Silly Mo Era in Boston has officially ended, for only a player to be named later to the sturdy, talent laden Washington Nats. Funny, it comes at around the same time that the Eric Gagne Era ends as well.


• You've got to love NFL training camps, and the NFL pre-season. Guys like Brad Smith of the Jets getting snaps at QB, LaDanian Tomlinson not playing one second of any game. Holdouts lasting all summer for guys like JaMarcus Russel and Larry Johnson. Really, just family fun all the way around. Pardon me for being glued to the NFL Network for continuing coverage.


• In other, ultra-important sports news, the Spurs have reached a preliminary agreement with former Trailblazer SF Ime Udoka. Good thing, the Spurs needed another unknown, foreign talent.


• Penny Hardway recently signed a contract with the Miami Heat, to return to the NBA. That's it.

End of an ERA

In both, tragic, senses of the phrase.

Two men that comprise the file and rank of major league pitchers have recently fell into the myseterious Bermuda Triangle of lost ability. A trip includes a ballooning earned run average, multiple souveniers for fans, and a possible (and looming) trip to the disabled list. For these two, it should be re-termed the FL, or finished list.

Jose Contreras and Bartolo Colon. Two men who, in the not-so-distant past, have seen both their right arms and, ultimately, careers completely fall apart.

Our star from the Country of Many Rafts, Mr. Contreras, was the best pitcher in baseball as recently as the first half of last season. Bartolo has had more issues of late, but had won 21 games as recently as 2005.

Both men could throw in the mid-90s and had another pitch to rely on. In Joey's case, it was the split fingered fastball. In Bart's case, a variety of fastballs and a changeup. However, the difference between the two comes in how they have lost whatever it was that made them successful. Contreras, for really no apparent reason, has no life on his fastball. At all. He's lost about 5 to 8 mph, rendering anything else he throws useless. The confusing thing on the other side of the ledger is that Colon hasn't lost much velocity, if any at all. He still throws in the mid-90s, but as straight as an arrow.

The end result? Pro longed batting practice for opponents for about an inning or 2 before they are yanked.

It's a sad state of affairs, but, as we've seen so many times, it happens to be the best of them. Or, to the worst of them.



Notes:

• Finally, Casey Jacobsen and his smoking hot wife are back in the ol' US of A. He makes his return to the association with the Memphis Grizzlies. Jacobsen was drafted in 2002 by the Suns. A few fun facts: over his career, Jacobsen has made more than 3 million bucks; in his second season, he made 75 threes (can anyone remember him even shooting that many?) which was exactly half of the shots he made all year.


• Former SU safety Anthony Smith made semi-national NFL news when he absolutely laid out WR Willie Reid in a non-contact, half speed practice drill. Said Smith when questioned by team leader Hines Ward, "It's football!".


• With the MLB trading deadline passed, some of the most interesting deals were those that didn't happen. A few examples? Kyle Farnsworth to absolutely anyone. Bad player, bad attitude, bad contract. Yummie. Kei Igawa to the Mariners. Come on. Have you seen this guy pitch? Adam Dunn to the Nationals. Not that the Nats have anything to give up thats worth holding on to, but is there a more "dead end" type of player to acquire? Jermaine Dye to the Red Sox. Yeah, it would've been a good deal if contracts could be erased, but, lest we forget, JD Drew is still on the books for at least 65 million.


• One deal that did happen still makes no sense. Matt Morris to the Pirates for a no name or two. First of all, Morris makes more than the league minimum (by several million), so right there he doesn't fit into the Pirates vision of an ideal ball player. Second, he's an aging right hander that has gotten generally worse over the past 4 to 5 seasons and the past month or so of this season. Third, aren't the Pirates out of the running for any sort of playoff spot this year (and every year, for that matter)?


• The Kevin Garnett deal to Boston was quite the deal for the C's. I'll admit, I liked it a lot, at least in the short term (as in the next 2 years). They should be able to go the Eastern Conf. Finals, at the very least. That is, of course, if they can fill a roster. Right now, we all know 3 of the starters (Garnett, Pierce, Allen). One assumes that Perkins fills in at 5 and Rondo at the point. But, outside of the Big Baby and a possible return for Tony Allen, who else comes off the bench? Not that a deep bench is absolutely necessary, but a bench of some kind is required. Have fun filling out that 12 man roster.

What's Next?

You've heard of Who's Next?, ESPN's most recent attempt to cover the simple, yet elusive concept that they have nothing new to report.

Well, in light of all of the recent garbage that has come out of every element of the sporting world, the new segment should be called What's Next?

Michael Vick's dogfighting, NBA referee gambling scandals, steroids in baseball, doping in cycling, etc.

Honestly, it does beg the question, what could possibly come next? One might have thought that simply attacking the lives of others either via drunken driving (Leonard Little, Bengals) or automatic weapons (Ray Lewis, potentially Tank Johnson) was simply enough for NFL players. While no one will accuse the dogfighting issue of being anything other than a Michael Vick issue, its fitting that it happens to be a player in the National Football League.

The NBA betting/referee scandal truly comes out of left field. That's not to say people never suspected this sort of thing of going on. Rather, it's to suggest that of all the problems that sports have, most don't truly compromise the integrity of the entire game. Donaghy's situation could clearly ruin a game that already has seen its support diminish.

The steroid cloud in the majors is nothing new, but then again, neither are the doping discoveries from the Tour de France. But, then again, why on Earth does anyone care what goes on in the Tour. If there isn't an American heavily involved and Lance Armstrong isn't cycling, who cares? Not to mention, ever year, every stage, guys are being DQ'd for the same charges. Could you imagine if every other week, a new player in the majors was being suspended for steroids?

There really is no defending the actions of Michael Vick, or at least what he is alleged to have done. The fighting, wetting and electrocuting. In truth, if anyone should be hosed down and electroshocked it should be the upper management of the Falcons for drafting wide recieving clowns like Roddy White and Michael Jenkins. Or, Vick himself when he constantly over throws said recievers or flips off fans.

Like I've said, there's no question these recent stories have shocked the sports world, but, where does it go next? It truly seems like something ESPN could really sink themselves into. Same format as Who's Next?, just with a criminalisitic twist.

Our pal Stu Scott leads a discussion panel of assorted ESPN "analysts" to review which athletes will commit which atrocities next....

"Alright y'all, it's time for your predictions."

"I'm gonna go with Daniel Cabrera. He's betting on baseball, but not on MLB games, on Long Island Ducks games. But y'all, that ain't all. Dude's pushing weight to immigrants."

"Thanks, Keyshawn."

And The ESPY Goes To...

Does anyone give a shit?

Better question, is there a bigger collective jerk off than the ESPYs?

The answer to both of these questions is, unequivicably, n-o.

Sure, we're a few days (fine, a week) late.
So, in honor of the world renowned award show, we at Putting it in Reverse bring to you our very own ESPYs:

Hosting this year's show with overweight comedian Jimmy Kimmel is the much maligned Benny Zobrist. With that trademark "I'm a natural lefty but lost a bet so I'm swinging" righty stance and his famed trip over third base while trying to score a go ahead run earlier in the season, we couldn't think of anyone better to represent our award show.

The show would take place in Atlanta, on the field of a Braves game. During a Braves game. Even still, we doubt people will stay to see the conclusion of the game.

Some categories include:
Best Hernandez In Sport: Anderson Hernandez (also eligible for Best Anderson in Sport cat.), Orlando Hernandez, and Yoel Hernandez
Funniest Name: Contestants include Jo-Jo Reyes, Yovani Gallardo, Shelly Duncan, and Joba Chamberlain.
Only Sport Not Listed On Yahoo! Sports Top Bar: Contestant and Winner? WNBA
Worst Idea For A New Business Venture Started by Athletes: Mike Vick's Dog Pound and Kennel, Bryant Roadside Motels, Pac Man Jones Anything, The LaRussa/Hancock Driving School.

Other categories include Athlete You Wouldn't Mind Seeing Barbaro'ed and Team That Most Deserves Contraction.

We've combed through the possible choices, not only for categories but for our hosts, and we feel as if the lineup shown above is one to pack a punch that surely the most C-List of athletic celebrity will be hard-pressed to miss out on. Don't be surprised to see Chucky Atkins handing out awards or Carlos Ruiz serving refreshments in the lobby. Nate Clements has already volunteered to check coats at the door, and Takashi Saito has committed to working security.

Should be an exciting night.

I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Or, I just might.

Yi Better Check Yi'rself, Before Yi Wreck Yi'rself

Who does Yi Jianlian think he is?

It's been two weeks now, and still, the divide between the newest Chinese wunderkid and Milwaukee's Finest (not the brew, unfortunately) grows larger by the day. Apparently, the Sacramento Kings are interested in aquiring the 19 year old brat's service. And not brat as in the kind of sausage that Randall Simon pummelled only a few years ago.

I wonder where he gets off thinking he can say no to the Milwaukee Bucks after they made him their 6th pick overall. What happened to the good ol' days when a Chinese athlete was simply happy to be able to leave his country without taking 6 lashes to the back?

Gone are the days when our athletes from the Orient simply came, and played.

In are the days when Maryland schooled-punks can say no to Vancouver. Or silver spooned quarterbacks can deny a lifetime in San Diego.

What was the reason he gave for not wanting to play in Beer-town? Not a high enough Asian population. Boo-hoo.

Just once I'd like to see the the league grow a sack and put the squash on something like this. Tell Yi to either stay and play, or get the hell out.

Notes:

• You've gotta love NFL contracts: Dwight Freeney-6 yrs, 72 million. Odds that he ever sees more than half of that?
• You've gotta hate NBA contracts: Rashard Lewis-6 years, 110 million. At just over 18 mil per year, Lewis now not only makes max money, but gets to play with the recently extended Dwight Howard for the forseable future. Though, Lewis, for all the great things he does (3 point shooting, offensive game from a guy with a 6'10'' frame), there are some things he does poorly. How about rebound? Not really. How about man to man D? Not really. Then again, does a max contract guarantee a max player in the NBA anymore? Not really.
• File this under the "Could've Seen That Coming" Category: Ben Sheets, after throwing a pitch to Todd Helton, was taken out of yesterday's 10 inning contest that saw the Brewers come out on top. Sheets says he'll be "alright", but we all know what that means. Inner ear problems, anyone?
• If you can think of one reason the Nets signed Jamaal Magloire for any amount of money, you're not only smarter than I am, but a better person.
• Draft Recap: Once again, the Knicks have most likely made fools of us, picking a guy that no one (besides me) thought was even worthy of a top 50 selection and the Sixers have bombed in another draft. Yes, they did draft Iguadola, but other than he and Iverson, who else? To say they've done poorly since drafting Iverson is a ridiculous understatement.
• Finally, the Vassilis Spanoulis experiment has come to a conclusion in Houston. Don't worry though, after complaining of homesickness, the Vassy the Greek is still owed 1.9 million dollars for this upcoming season. How on earth could anyone have ever given him more than, let's say, 78 dollars to play for the season?
• Scott Spiezo has just been put on the DL. This is terrible news for two reasons. First, those of us who just love that red little shit streak on his chin will have to wait the obligatory 15 days. Second, the Cardinals, at least for the time being, have lost their best reliever.