The NBA All-Star Game will be played this Sunday, but it will be far
from the only NBA-related event of the weekend. The Slam Dunk Contest,
the Three-Point Shootout, the Skills Competition and the
Rookie-Sophomore game will all lead up to the main event. All things
considered, the weekend should be fun to follow, even for the casual
fan. However, that does not mean that I haven't been thinking of ways to
make All-Star weekend even more entertaining, only some of which
involve Jeremy Lin. If I become NBA commissioner for some reason, expect
to see the following events:
Croquet Competition: One of the main criticisms of the NBA All-Star
Weekend is that there is not enough time for players to rest, which is
particularly true in this condensed season. At the same time, we know
athletes always want to stay competitive. Not only is croquet physically
relaxing, it gives the potential for a commentator to legitimately say:
"Kenyon Martin knocks Metta World Peace's ball through the third wicket!"
Capture the Flag: Everyone loved playing capture the flag as a child,
only to somehow find themselves in college doing something called
"homework." Imagine watching some of the very best athletes, who
probably have not even thought about the game in 10 years, strategize
how they can get to the other side without being thrown in jail. As a
bonus, the "flags" will be J.J. Barea and Earl Boykins, who are small enough that they can be held in Dwight Howard's palm.
Trivial Pursuit: Did you ever wonder which NBA players knew the capital
of Syria? If yes, then you are either: A. Me, or B. The perfect
audience for the greatest intellectual competition of all-time
(excluding every other intellectual competition). Jeremy Lin will be the
judge in order to prevent the inevitable argument over which team the
Harvard University graduate should play for.
Twenty Questions: Will LeBron James think of an animal, a vegetable or a
mineral? Will Kobe Bryant deliberately answer "no" to a question where
the answer clearly is "yes"? The suspense is already killing me!
Jeremy Lin Pun Contest: Players will be divided into three teams. The
team that comes up with the most puns based on Jeremy Lin's last name
gets to be immune from ever hearing any more "Lin" puns again.
Mario Kart: NBA players are known to play lots of video games in their
free time, particularly other basketball-related games. However, I think
it would be far more interesting to watch Lamar Odom try to navigate
Yoshi through Bowser's Castle without falling in the water. Also, there
will be a five-second penalty for each player that curses, so watch
Kevin Garnett as he pleas that he actually said, "lass goal."
Telephone: I always wondered what locker-room conversations must be
like between teammates that speak different languages, but now I will
know the answer. Each team will be required to have at least three
different foreign players, all of whom speak different languages. To
boot, each phrase will be a tongue twister, in order to ensure the
utmost wackiness.
Miss America: Male athletes have a reputation for trying to be as
masculine as possible, but everyone has different sides to them. What
lip-gloss will Chris Paul choose to match his dress? Does Dirk Nowitzki
even need a wig? These are questions that must be answered at once.
Bingo: At some point, every player will be in retirement. The best way,
nay the ONLY way, to prepare for this inevitability is to master the
art of bingo. Each bingo board will also be made of candy, in order to
tempt Eddy Curry and Baron Davis into eating them.
Being Jeremy Lin: Only Jeremy Lin and Tim Tebow are allowed to enter, and everyone around the world must watch by law.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Pros deserve a relaxing offseason
After last week's devastating Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants,
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and tackle Matt Light were
photographed dancing at a club and having a good time. Three days
later, former Patriots safety (and now NFL analyst) Rodney Harrison
remarked, "I guarantee you this, if [former Patriots] Willie McGinest,
Tedy Bruschi, Larry Izzo, Richard Seymour or myself had been at that
party, [Gronkowski] probably would have got his head rung. There's no
reason for that to happen." Gronkowski in particular received criticism
from Harrison, both because of his historic season and that his sprained
ankle limited him in the Super Bowl.
But none of this should matter at all. Just because Gronkowski and Light decided to go out and have fun instead of sulking in a corner after the game does not mean that they should be ostracized. People react to losses differently. And that's the key that Harrison overlooks: Athletes are people. They are not machines, despite what we fans often project them to be. Every time that a tragedy happens in the sporting world, we all pontificate that "everything is kept in perspective," and that "in the scheme of things, sports don't really matter." However, we forget this time and time again, and expect athletes to start working out for five straight months as soon as their season is over.
Does anyone legitimately think that Gronkowski faked or exaggerated his injury, that he did not try his absolute hardest in the biggest game of his life, just so he could save his energy so that he could dance in a club? Gronkowski and Light, along with the other 51 members of the Patriots roster worked their behinds off throughout the entire season. No one went clubbing the night before the Super Bowl: By late Sunday night, the season was over. Acting as if these two players betrayed their teammates is absurd.
On Friday, Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick was spotted at the Pebble Beach Pro Am, a golf tournament in California. Nobody has more of a reputation as a hard worker than Belichick, and he managed to find himself playing golf at a beautiful resort. Why? Because it's the offseason, and even the most dedicated to their jobs deserve some time off. The five-day window makes no difference; there is no "too soon" in starting one's vacation from his vocation. Just as much as anyone, Belichick earned some time away from his job, and he has every right to enjoy himself.
Do you know what is wrong, though? Using Human Growth Hormone (HGH) to play football, despite it being a banned substance in the NFL. Gronkowski and Light never have tested positive for HGH, but Harrison did, in 2007. Harrison was subsequently suspended for four games, or a quarter of the regular season. Isn't breaking NFL rules and missing a large chunk of your season much more of a betrayal to your teammates than simply going out during the offseason?
It is so easy to judge others from a distance. The logic is as follows: If I am upset about my favorite team losing and am not really in the mood to go out, then why should those players be able to do so? However, Gronkowski, Light and every professional athlete who has ever lived happen to be humans that play a sport for a living. It's true, I swear. They are incredible physical specimens, but they are still just like anyone else. This may sound obvious, but it is actually rather inexplicable how often we forget.
If Harrison says that he would never go out after a loss, I have no reason not to believe him. And, of course, that is perfectly acceptable. However, he needs to get down from his proverbial soapbox and accept that these are young men who may want to simply celebrate how far they came this year and how hard they worked to get there.
But none of this should matter at all. Just because Gronkowski and Light decided to go out and have fun instead of sulking in a corner after the game does not mean that they should be ostracized. People react to losses differently. And that's the key that Harrison overlooks: Athletes are people. They are not machines, despite what we fans often project them to be. Every time that a tragedy happens in the sporting world, we all pontificate that "everything is kept in perspective," and that "in the scheme of things, sports don't really matter." However, we forget this time and time again, and expect athletes to start working out for five straight months as soon as their season is over.
Does anyone legitimately think that Gronkowski faked or exaggerated his injury, that he did not try his absolute hardest in the biggest game of his life, just so he could save his energy so that he could dance in a club? Gronkowski and Light, along with the other 51 members of the Patriots roster worked their behinds off throughout the entire season. No one went clubbing the night before the Super Bowl: By late Sunday night, the season was over. Acting as if these two players betrayed their teammates is absurd.
On Friday, Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick was spotted at the Pebble Beach Pro Am, a golf tournament in California. Nobody has more of a reputation as a hard worker than Belichick, and he managed to find himself playing golf at a beautiful resort. Why? Because it's the offseason, and even the most dedicated to their jobs deserve some time off. The five-day window makes no difference; there is no "too soon" in starting one's vacation from his vocation. Just as much as anyone, Belichick earned some time away from his job, and he has every right to enjoy himself.
Do you know what is wrong, though? Using Human Growth Hormone (HGH) to play football, despite it being a banned substance in the NFL. Gronkowski and Light never have tested positive for HGH, but Harrison did, in 2007. Harrison was subsequently suspended for four games, or a quarter of the regular season. Isn't breaking NFL rules and missing a large chunk of your season much more of a betrayal to your teammates than simply going out during the offseason?
It is so easy to judge others from a distance. The logic is as follows: If I am upset about my favorite team losing and am not really in the mood to go out, then why should those players be able to do so? However, Gronkowski, Light and every professional athlete who has ever lived happen to be humans that play a sport for a living. It's true, I swear. They are incredible physical specimens, but they are still just like anyone else. This may sound obvious, but it is actually rather inexplicable how often we forget.
If Harrison says that he would never go out after a loss, I have no reason not to believe him. And, of course, that is perfectly acceptable. However, he needs to get down from his proverbial soapbox and accept that these are young men who may want to simply celebrate how far they came this year and how hard they worked to get there.
Guide to Super Bowl prop bets
This Sunday, millions of people around the country will be watching Super Bowl XLVI.
Some want to see the rematch of the Super Bowl four years prior, when
the New York Giants shocked the previously undefeated New England
Patriots. Others are interested in the new commercials that are set to
debut during the game. I, however, will be focusing much of my attention
on prop bets, or bets that don't directly involve the final outcome of
the game. I don't actually wager anything, mind you, but I do love
coming up with bets befitting the spectacle that is the Super Bowl.
Without further ado, in caps are my predictions on some interesting prop
bets with odds in parentheses. Some of these bets are real, and others I
came up with on my own.
Over/under 94 seconds for Kelly Clarkson to perform the National Anthem: OVER (-120). When a female singer known for her range performs the "Star Spangled Banner," the rendition can last forever. This is not a Billy Joel situation, where he sped through the Anthem in a largely traditional fashion. Clarkson will belt, hold her notes and potentially cry if she catches a glimpse at Eli Manning standing awkwardly on the sidelines.
What color will Madonna's hair be during the Super Bowl Halftime Show? ANY COLOR BESIDES BLONDE (+250). There's a good reason that Madonna and Dennis Rodman once were in a relationship with one another: They each constantly change their look. I expect Madonna, who has been a blonde for a relatively long time, to dye her hair at least seven times during her 10-15 minute set, and then shave her head as she duets with Sinead O'Connor. Nothing would compare to that.
Over/under one time that David Tyree's 2008 Super Bowl catch will be shown be shown on TV during the game (halftime does not count): OVER (-150). This is easy money. Tyree's famous helmet grab helped lead the Giants to their win over the Patriots four years earlier. Eli Manning is still the Giants' QB, and broadcasting booths love showing the same footage repeatedly if it helps establish a narrative. The bet should have been over/under three million Patriots fans cursing every time they watch the catch (OVER).
What color will Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick wear during the game? GRAY (OFF). All right, I made this one up. Still, there's no way he wears anything other than the blandest color possible, right? Belichick's goal is to remain unseen by the hundreds of millions of people who will be paying attention, in part, precisely to him. Bonus points if, in a public acknowledgement that he is actually the spawn of Satan, Belichick wears all red.
Who will score the first touchdown of the Super Bowl? BENJARVIS GREEN-ELLIS (+900). Both of these teams are very pass-happy, but Green-Ellis is locked in as the goal line running back for New England, and with zero fumbles in his NFL career, he's someone that Belichick can trust. A passing touchdown could go to any number of players, and the Giants split Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw in goal-line situations at running back. Of course, if you don't think any touchdowns will be scored during the entire game, you can bet on that too (+50000(!)).
Over/Under 3.5 times that Patriots owner Robert Kraft is shown on TV during the game (live pictures only): OVER (-140). The only way Kraft is not shown is if the Patriots get blown out. I don't see that happening since New England's offense is far too explosive. Every time New England scores a touchdown or gets an interception, NBC will show Kraft celebrating in the press box. This also gives the network an excuse to show you what the owner's box in the Super Bowl looks like so you can feel even more ashamed that you're watching the game on a 15-inch, black-and-white television.
Who will be named Super Bowl MVP? TIM TEBOW (No odds because he does not approve of your gambling). In fact, Tebow very well might perform in the halftime show and sing the National Anthem. But then, there are some things that even prop bets cannot cover.
Over/under 94 seconds for Kelly Clarkson to perform the National Anthem: OVER (-120). When a female singer known for her range performs the "Star Spangled Banner," the rendition can last forever. This is not a Billy Joel situation, where he sped through the Anthem in a largely traditional fashion. Clarkson will belt, hold her notes and potentially cry if she catches a glimpse at Eli Manning standing awkwardly on the sidelines.
What color will Madonna's hair be during the Super Bowl Halftime Show? ANY COLOR BESIDES BLONDE (+250). There's a good reason that Madonna and Dennis Rodman once were in a relationship with one another: They each constantly change their look. I expect Madonna, who has been a blonde for a relatively long time, to dye her hair at least seven times during her 10-15 minute set, and then shave her head as she duets with Sinead O'Connor. Nothing would compare to that.
Over/under one time that David Tyree's 2008 Super Bowl catch will be shown be shown on TV during the game (halftime does not count): OVER (-150). This is easy money. Tyree's famous helmet grab helped lead the Giants to their win over the Patriots four years earlier. Eli Manning is still the Giants' QB, and broadcasting booths love showing the same footage repeatedly if it helps establish a narrative. The bet should have been over/under three million Patriots fans cursing every time they watch the catch (OVER).
What color will Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick wear during the game? GRAY (OFF). All right, I made this one up. Still, there's no way he wears anything other than the blandest color possible, right? Belichick's goal is to remain unseen by the hundreds of millions of people who will be paying attention, in part, precisely to him. Bonus points if, in a public acknowledgement that he is actually the spawn of Satan, Belichick wears all red.
Who will score the first touchdown of the Super Bowl? BENJARVIS GREEN-ELLIS (+900). Both of these teams are very pass-happy, but Green-Ellis is locked in as the goal line running back for New England, and with zero fumbles in his NFL career, he's someone that Belichick can trust. A passing touchdown could go to any number of players, and the Giants split Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw in goal-line situations at running back. Of course, if you don't think any touchdowns will be scored during the entire game, you can bet on that too (+50000(!)).
Over/Under 3.5 times that Patriots owner Robert Kraft is shown on TV during the game (live pictures only): OVER (-140). The only way Kraft is not shown is if the Patriots get blown out. I don't see that happening since New England's offense is far too explosive. Every time New England scores a touchdown or gets an interception, NBC will show Kraft celebrating in the press box. This also gives the network an excuse to show you what the owner's box in the Super Bowl looks like so you can feel even more ashamed that you're watching the game on a 15-inch, black-and-white television.
Who will be named Super Bowl MVP? TIM TEBOW (No odds because he does not approve of your gambling). In fact, Tebow very well might perform in the halftime show and sing the National Anthem. But then, there are some things that even prop bets cannot cover.
Peyton still the better Manning
Now that the New York Giants are a game away from winning their second
Super Bowl in five years, sportswriters such as Bill Simmons and Rick
Reilly have brought up the possibility that perhaps Giants quarterback
Eli Manning will end up having a better career than his older brother,
Peyton. The argument in favor of Eli goes along these lines: The 35-year
old Peyton Manning, who missed the entire 2011 season due to his third
neck surgery in two years, has not ruled out retirement. Meanwhile, Eli
Manning, who just turned 31, is completely healthy, was elected to the
Pro Bowl this season and is one victory away from having won more Super
Bowls than Peyton. However, any examination that lasts for more than 15
seconds makes it abundantly clear that while Eli Manning is a very good
quarterback, Peyton Manning is one of the greatest of all time.
The idea that Eli could eclipse Peyton represents a classic case of "What have you done for me lately?" Since Peyton did not play all season and his Indianapolis Colts were the worst team in the NFL, it is easy to minimize the 13 seasons before, when he never missed a game and put up positively legendary numbers each season. Since Peyton began his career six years before Eli, it makes more sense to compare their statistics versus their peers rather than merely against one another.
In each of Eli's first four seasons, he posted a below-average passer rating, yards per attempt and completion percentage. Only in his past four seasons can he be viewed as an above-average starting quarterback. Upon examination of the elder Manning, however, we get a different picture entirely. For 12 consecutive full seasons of work, Peyton amassed an above-average number of adjusted yards per attempt, completion percentage, touchdown percentage and passer rating, while throwing interceptions and getting sacked less than an average quarterback. That is dominance of which we see only among the elite quarterbacks, such as Tom Brady and Joe Montana.
However, the regular season is only part of the comparison, and Eli's supporters will happily point out Peyton's perceived struggles in the playoffs in contrast to the two times Eli has willed his inferior team to the Super Bowl thus far in his career. How true are either of these claims, however? In 10 career playoff games, Eli Manning has thrown for 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions with a 59.8 percent completion rating and 222 yards per game. Conversely, in Peyton Manning's 18 career playoff games, he has thrown for 28 touchdowns and 19 interceptions, completing 62.9 percent of his passes and averaging 287 passing yards per game. Those playoff numbers are comparable.
The idea that Eli Manning should be the only person recognized for taking two perceived underdog teams to the Super Bowl is far overblown. Yes, Eli certainly had a positive impact on the Giants in both postseasons, but he is not the reason that they won. For both of the New York Giants teams that have made the Super Bowl under Eli Manning, they had an elite pass rush on defense that helped them rattle opposing quarterbacks. The idea that, if the Giants defeat the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, Eli Manning will have "won" more Super Bowls than his older brother may technically be true but is also highly misleading. It takes away from the efforts of the other 52 players on the roster.
Any athlete in a team sport's success should be viewed from the prism of how much he or she helped the team try to win. Another Super Bowl victory for Eli Manning does not make up for eight seasons of far superior play by his older brother when viewing the two against one another. The idea that we can project greatness from an active player in his peak makes us forget those who have actually achieved that greatness for an extended period of time.
The idea that Eli could eclipse Peyton represents a classic case of "What have you done for me lately?" Since Peyton did not play all season and his Indianapolis Colts were the worst team in the NFL, it is easy to minimize the 13 seasons before, when he never missed a game and put up positively legendary numbers each season. Since Peyton began his career six years before Eli, it makes more sense to compare their statistics versus their peers rather than merely against one another.
In each of Eli's first four seasons, he posted a below-average passer rating, yards per attempt and completion percentage. Only in his past four seasons can he be viewed as an above-average starting quarterback. Upon examination of the elder Manning, however, we get a different picture entirely. For 12 consecutive full seasons of work, Peyton amassed an above-average number of adjusted yards per attempt, completion percentage, touchdown percentage and passer rating, while throwing interceptions and getting sacked less than an average quarterback. That is dominance of which we see only among the elite quarterbacks, such as Tom Brady and Joe Montana.
However, the regular season is only part of the comparison, and Eli's supporters will happily point out Peyton's perceived struggles in the playoffs in contrast to the two times Eli has willed his inferior team to the Super Bowl thus far in his career. How true are either of these claims, however? In 10 career playoff games, Eli Manning has thrown for 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions with a 59.8 percent completion rating and 222 yards per game. Conversely, in Peyton Manning's 18 career playoff games, he has thrown for 28 touchdowns and 19 interceptions, completing 62.9 percent of his passes and averaging 287 passing yards per game. Those playoff numbers are comparable.
The idea that Eli Manning should be the only person recognized for taking two perceived underdog teams to the Super Bowl is far overblown. Yes, Eli certainly had a positive impact on the Giants in both postseasons, but he is not the reason that they won. For both of the New York Giants teams that have made the Super Bowl under Eli Manning, they had an elite pass rush on defense that helped them rattle opposing quarterbacks. The idea that, if the Giants defeat the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, Eli Manning will have "won" more Super Bowls than his older brother may technically be true but is also highly misleading. It takes away from the efforts of the other 52 players on the roster.
Any athlete in a team sport's success should be viewed from the prism of how much he or she helped the team try to win. Another Super Bowl victory for Eli Manning does not make up for eight seasons of far superior play by his older brother when viewing the two against one another. The idea that we can project greatness from an active player in his peak makes us forget those who have actually achieved that greatness for an extended period of time.
Miami Marlins flushed with cash, ardor
These are not the Florida Marlins you know. First of all, the MLB team
which was previously known as the Florida Marlins is moving to a
state-of-the-art stadium in Miami next season, and as a result recently
changed its official name to the alliterative "Miami Marlins."
More importantly, however, the 2012 Marlins appear to be willing to spend significantly more on its team than ever before. The Marlins, coming on the heels of a 70-92 season last year, have already signed free agent closer Heath Bell to a three-year, $27-million deal and gave All-Star free agent shortstop Jose Reyes a six-year, $106-million contract during this offseason. Last season, the Marlins had the seventh lowest payroll in MLB, spending less than $57 million on contracts for the 25-man roster, which was actually a modest increase from the team's payroll in 2010.
Now, seemingly out of nowhere, the Marlins appear to not only have money but are also willing to spend in order to build a long-term contender. While it is true that the Marlins had one of the largest payrolls in 1997, the year they won their first World Series title, their strategy involved spending more only on a short-term basis. That way, the team could truly contend for a year and then have a fire sale the next season (which is exactly what it did: the Marlins went from seventh in payroll in 1997 to 28th the next season and rebuilt essentially from scratch.) This offseason appears to be different, though. The Marlins are not only offering large sums of money to elite free agents, they are also offering multiple years in each instance, including a whopping 10-year offer to superstar free-agent first baseman Albert Pujols. (At press time, the Marlins had an outstanding offer to Pujols of 10 years in excess of $200 million.)
So, what has led to this drastic philosophical change? As any real estate agent worth his or her weight in salt will tell you, it comes down to three key variables: location, location and location. Not only do the Marlins have a new stadium to show off to their fans, it is located in downtown Miami, 20 minutes south of the old Sun Life Stadium. Whereas the Marlins constantly had attendance problems in their previous stadium, a cutting-edge ballpark in the middle of a heavily populated city should alleviate at least some of those problems. With higher attendance, the Marlins' revenue will increase, leading to more money to spend on Reyes, Bell, potentially Pujols and free-agent starting pitcher Mark Buehrle.
Jeffrey Loria, the Marlins' owner since 2002, has always been infamous for his (relative) frugality. Before purchasing the Marlins from previous owner John Henry, Loria owned the small-market Montreal Expos from 1999-2001. In both situations, Loria pressed for a new, taxpayer-funded stadium—only in Montreal, he was unsuccessful. By 2005, the Expos, who had virtually no fans, had moved to Washington D.C. to become the Nationals. Were it not for the New Marlins Ballpark in Miami, for which the team had to contribute 155 million dollars, the Marlins very well could have reached a similar fate.
Filling up the stadium and fully rejuvenating interest in the team, however, requires more than just a change in name and location. The Marlins cannot and need not remain a small-market franchise; Loria has claimed that he wants to be the next George Steinbrenner, but to do so he must spend effectively every year. At first in the offseason, no one took the previously spendthrift Marlins seriously when their front office remarked that it had serious interest in this free-agent class. Now that Bell and Reyes have become the two of the highest paid players on the Marlins in a matter of days, the Marlins must be taken seriously. With the Philadelphia Phillies aging and the New York Mets having unprecedented money troubles, combined with the extra wild card spot added in both leagues, the Marlins have a real chance to build around a talented nucleus of Reyes, Mike Stanton, Hanley Ramirez and Josh Johnson. The Miami Heat dominated the NBA's free agency last year, and now it appears time for the newest Miami franchise to make its big splash.
More importantly, however, the 2012 Marlins appear to be willing to spend significantly more on its team than ever before. The Marlins, coming on the heels of a 70-92 season last year, have already signed free agent closer Heath Bell to a three-year, $27-million deal and gave All-Star free agent shortstop Jose Reyes a six-year, $106-million contract during this offseason. Last season, the Marlins had the seventh lowest payroll in MLB, spending less than $57 million on contracts for the 25-man roster, which was actually a modest increase from the team's payroll in 2010.
Now, seemingly out of nowhere, the Marlins appear to not only have money but are also willing to spend in order to build a long-term contender. While it is true that the Marlins had one of the largest payrolls in 1997, the year they won their first World Series title, their strategy involved spending more only on a short-term basis. That way, the team could truly contend for a year and then have a fire sale the next season (which is exactly what it did: the Marlins went from seventh in payroll in 1997 to 28th the next season and rebuilt essentially from scratch.) This offseason appears to be different, though. The Marlins are not only offering large sums of money to elite free agents, they are also offering multiple years in each instance, including a whopping 10-year offer to superstar free-agent first baseman Albert Pujols. (At press time, the Marlins had an outstanding offer to Pujols of 10 years in excess of $200 million.)
So, what has led to this drastic philosophical change? As any real estate agent worth his or her weight in salt will tell you, it comes down to three key variables: location, location and location. Not only do the Marlins have a new stadium to show off to their fans, it is located in downtown Miami, 20 minutes south of the old Sun Life Stadium. Whereas the Marlins constantly had attendance problems in their previous stadium, a cutting-edge ballpark in the middle of a heavily populated city should alleviate at least some of those problems. With higher attendance, the Marlins' revenue will increase, leading to more money to spend on Reyes, Bell, potentially Pujols and free-agent starting pitcher Mark Buehrle.
Jeffrey Loria, the Marlins' owner since 2002, has always been infamous for his (relative) frugality. Before purchasing the Marlins from previous owner John Henry, Loria owned the small-market Montreal Expos from 1999-2001. In both situations, Loria pressed for a new, taxpayer-funded stadium—only in Montreal, he was unsuccessful. By 2005, the Expos, who had virtually no fans, had moved to Washington D.C. to become the Nationals. Were it not for the New Marlins Ballpark in Miami, for which the team had to contribute 155 million dollars, the Marlins very well could have reached a similar fate.
Filling up the stadium and fully rejuvenating interest in the team, however, requires more than just a change in name and location. The Marlins cannot and need not remain a small-market franchise; Loria has claimed that he wants to be the next George Steinbrenner, but to do so he must spend effectively every year. At first in the offseason, no one took the previously spendthrift Marlins seriously when their front office remarked that it had serious interest in this free-agent class. Now that Bell and Reyes have become the two of the highest paid players on the Marlins in a matter of days, the Marlins must be taken seriously. With the Philadelphia Phillies aging and the New York Mets having unprecedented money troubles, combined with the extra wild card spot added in both leagues, the Marlins have a real chance to build around a talented nucleus of Reyes, Mike Stanton, Hanley Ramirez and Josh Johnson. The Miami Heat dominated the NBA's free agency last year, and now it appears time for the newest Miami franchise to make its big splash.
Questions about NBA’s return answered
After several secret meetings between players and owners, both sides
finally reached an agreement to end the NBA lockout that dragged on for
over four months. Since so much time has already been missed, the NBA is
speeding up the process of exhibition games and free agency so that a
shortened 66-game season can begin on Christmas Day. With so much going
on in such a short time, here are the answers to some frequently asked
questions about teams, players and personnel.
Can the Dallas Mavericks repeat as NBA Champions this season? As long as Dirk Nowitzki stays healthy, the Mavericks are always at the very least a solid playoff team. The major thing to look out for over the next four weeks is the landing spot of Tyson Chandler, who after starting at center for Dallas last year is now a free agent. Chandler and Jason Terry were Nowitzki's most important sidekicks last year, and it should be imperative that Dallas does everything it can to lock up Chandler going forward. Otherwise, we are likely looking at yet another Dallas playoff exit of which we had become so familiar.
Who will be released under the new Amnesty Provision? One major result of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is an "Amnesty Provision," which allows each team to release one player over the next two years and not have it count against its salary cap. While there are numerous ill-advised contracts that teams would love to get rid of, don't expect each NBA team to cut someone, especially not right away. Some teams want to wait to use the Amnesty Provision to see if one contract becomes particularly onerous or to shed salary cap space during the 2012 free agency class, which is significantly more impressive than this year's group. One player who will almost certainly be released at once, however, is Washington Wizards forward Rashard Lewis, who is set to earn almost $44 million over the next two years even though, at this point in his career, he is merely a role player. Also keep in mind that even though the salaries of the released players do not count against the salary cap, the teams still need to buy out the contracts, so don't expect Gilbert Arenas and his horrible contract to be bought out just yet, since the Orlando Magic would be spending so much money for dead weight (yes, you and I know that Arenas is dead weight even when he plays, but they didn't trade for him for just this past season).
Will LeBron James continue to be the most polarizing player in the NBA this season? Unless James sings a heartfelt apology song to Cleveland while curing cancer and kissing 10,000 orphans, yes. Even then, he would be no lower than the third most polarizing player.
Where will free-agents-to-be Dwight Howard and Chris Paul play this year and next? While Howard and Paul are under contract to play with the Orlando Magic and New Orleans Hornets, respectively, for the next season, it is clear that both players want to change scenery sooner rather than later. This is particularly true for Paul, whose Hornets are currently owned and operated by the NBA because of the team's financial problems. Paul's best teammate, David West, is a free agent and unlikely to re-sign with New Orleans this year, leaving Paul with a rather depleted team with little money in a smaller market. Due to the Hornets' unique ownership situation, it is not as likely that Paul will be able to "pull a Carmelo Anthony" and force a trade to a larger market in the middle of this season. However, if the New York Knicks can create enough salary cap flexibility, they would almost certainly be Paul's first choice as a free agent next season.
As for Howard, his situation is more similar to James' when he still played for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Magic has been willing to spend money in an attempt to convince Howard to stay, but has not done so efficiently, and now have the worst salary cap situation in the NBA. Howard, who is one of the biggest personalities in professional sports, will almost certainly look at either of the Los Angeles franchises and the Brooklyn Nets as soon as he is a free agent, to expand his popularity and his marketability.
How will Kobe Bryant handle more back-to-back games? While Bryant continues to be a top player in the NBA, it is no secret that he has a ton of mileage on his body, as he has essentially played 100-game seasons for the past decade without much rest. Even though there are fewer games this season than usual, there will be more games played on back-to-back nights, where Bryant will not have the recovery time that his knees are used to. Since the Lakers are so talented, new Head Coach Mike Brown should be able to limit Bryant's minutes in the regular season and still make the playoffs rather easily. However, Commissioner David Stern has announced that, unlike in previous seasons, there will be back-to-back games once for each series in the first two rounds of the playoffs. The Lakers clearly need Bryant healthy and ready to go come playoff time, but can his legs continue to hold on?
Will the rookies make any impact this season? There are two primary reasons to argue that this rookie class will not be particularly successful this season: The class has been considered weak since leading up to the draft, and a shortened training camp could mean that coaches are more willing to put their trust in more veteran players. However, coaches may also have little choice but to play many of these rookies, since some players signed in Europe or Asia this season and do not necessarily have a buyout planned.
Am I ready for some basketball? I couldn't be more ready.
Can the Dallas Mavericks repeat as NBA Champions this season? As long as Dirk Nowitzki stays healthy, the Mavericks are always at the very least a solid playoff team. The major thing to look out for over the next four weeks is the landing spot of Tyson Chandler, who after starting at center for Dallas last year is now a free agent. Chandler and Jason Terry were Nowitzki's most important sidekicks last year, and it should be imperative that Dallas does everything it can to lock up Chandler going forward. Otherwise, we are likely looking at yet another Dallas playoff exit of which we had become so familiar.
Who will be released under the new Amnesty Provision? One major result of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is an "Amnesty Provision," which allows each team to release one player over the next two years and not have it count against its salary cap. While there are numerous ill-advised contracts that teams would love to get rid of, don't expect each NBA team to cut someone, especially not right away. Some teams want to wait to use the Amnesty Provision to see if one contract becomes particularly onerous or to shed salary cap space during the 2012 free agency class, which is significantly more impressive than this year's group. One player who will almost certainly be released at once, however, is Washington Wizards forward Rashard Lewis, who is set to earn almost $44 million over the next two years even though, at this point in his career, he is merely a role player. Also keep in mind that even though the salaries of the released players do not count against the salary cap, the teams still need to buy out the contracts, so don't expect Gilbert Arenas and his horrible contract to be bought out just yet, since the Orlando Magic would be spending so much money for dead weight (yes, you and I know that Arenas is dead weight even when he plays, but they didn't trade for him for just this past season).
Will LeBron James continue to be the most polarizing player in the NBA this season? Unless James sings a heartfelt apology song to Cleveland while curing cancer and kissing 10,000 orphans, yes. Even then, he would be no lower than the third most polarizing player.
Where will free-agents-to-be Dwight Howard and Chris Paul play this year and next? While Howard and Paul are under contract to play with the Orlando Magic and New Orleans Hornets, respectively, for the next season, it is clear that both players want to change scenery sooner rather than later. This is particularly true for Paul, whose Hornets are currently owned and operated by the NBA because of the team's financial problems. Paul's best teammate, David West, is a free agent and unlikely to re-sign with New Orleans this year, leaving Paul with a rather depleted team with little money in a smaller market. Due to the Hornets' unique ownership situation, it is not as likely that Paul will be able to "pull a Carmelo Anthony" and force a trade to a larger market in the middle of this season. However, if the New York Knicks can create enough salary cap flexibility, they would almost certainly be Paul's first choice as a free agent next season.
As for Howard, his situation is more similar to James' when he still played for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Magic has been willing to spend money in an attempt to convince Howard to stay, but has not done so efficiently, and now have the worst salary cap situation in the NBA. Howard, who is one of the biggest personalities in professional sports, will almost certainly look at either of the Los Angeles franchises and the Brooklyn Nets as soon as he is a free agent, to expand his popularity and his marketability.
How will Kobe Bryant handle more back-to-back games? While Bryant continues to be a top player in the NBA, it is no secret that he has a ton of mileage on his body, as he has essentially played 100-game seasons for the past decade without much rest. Even though there are fewer games this season than usual, there will be more games played on back-to-back nights, where Bryant will not have the recovery time that his knees are used to. Since the Lakers are so talented, new Head Coach Mike Brown should be able to limit Bryant's minutes in the regular season and still make the playoffs rather easily. However, Commissioner David Stern has announced that, unlike in previous seasons, there will be back-to-back games once for each series in the first two rounds of the playoffs. The Lakers clearly need Bryant healthy and ready to go come playoff time, but can his legs continue to hold on?
Will the rookies make any impact this season? There are two primary reasons to argue that this rookie class will not be particularly successful this season: The class has been considered weak since leading up to the draft, and a shortened training camp could mean that coaches are more willing to put their trust in more veteran players. However, coaches may also have little choice but to play many of these rookies, since some players signed in Europe or Asia this season and do not necessarily have a buyout planned.
Am I ready for some basketball? I couldn't be more ready.
A mid-season review of the 2011 NFL competitive lineup
Now that we are just past the midway point of the NFL regular season, it is time to hand out midseason awards to teams and players. Not all awards are positive, because, let's be honest, not everybody is a winner.
Best Team: Green Bay Packers, and it's not even close.
MVP: Aaron Rodgers, quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. Not since Tom Brady in 2007 has there been such an obvious choice for the most valuable player. In a year of unprecedented pass offense, Rodgers has still managed to stand out with incredible numbers: 2869 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, only three interceptions. His passer rating of 130.7, if it stands, would demolish the previous best passer rating (Peyton Manning had a 121.1 in 2004).
Best team no one took seriously going into the year: San Francisco 49ers. With the usually moribund Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills playing above .500, this award has a great deal of competition. In the end, though, the 49ers have the second best record in the NFL at 8-1, and are on a seven game winning streak. Last year, the 49ers were unable to even win the historically awful NFC West, finishing 6-10, and firing their then-Head Coach Mike Singletary at the end of the season. However, new Head Coach Jim Harbaugh has inherited a supreme defense that, unlike last year, has been able to stay healthy. With quarterback Alex Smith making very few mistakes and running back Frank Gore continuing to run well, this is a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Most disappointing team: Philadelphia Eagles. Remember when media pundits referred to the Eagles as the "Dream Team"? Well, they're 3-6 after quarterback Michael Vick has badly regressed and their linebackers might be the worst in all of football. Suddenly, longtime Head Coach Andy Reid's job is no longer safe. There is still some time to sneak into the playoffs, but it will take a virtually perfect second half to do so. Keep in mind, this team just lost to the lowly Arizona Cardinals at home.
Defensive player of the year: Jared Allen, defensive end of the Minnesota Vikings. Yes, the Vikings, at 2-7, are going nowhere near the playoffs this season. Don't blame Allen, however, as he has contributed about as much as any one defensive player can to his team. Through nine games, with Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield missing five of them, Allen has registered 41 tackles (32 solo), 13.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception. If the Vikings had not been starting Donovan McNabb at quarterback for so long, maybe Minnesota could have actually won some games and been able to reward Allen's excellence this year.
Tanking award: Indianapolis Colts. The Colts lost star quarterback Peyton Manning for the season due to his third neck surgery in two years, certainly a devastating blow to the team. However, the Colts should not be THIS bad. Not only is the team 0-10 so far, they have given up a staggering 169 more points than they have scored this year. After competing at least a bit towards the beginning of the season, the Colts have clearly not given their all in recent weeks, including a truly embarrassing 55-point loss to the New Orleans Saints in prime time. Clearly, the Colts are only thinking about selecting star college quarterback Andrew Luck in next year's draft, as this season is long gone for them.
Most underwhelming individual performance: Chris Johnson, running back for the Tennessee Titans. Two years ago, Johnson set an NFL record with 2509 yards from scrimmage in a season, including running for 2006 yards in 2009. This year has been a completely different story, though. Even after his best game of the season against the Carolina Panthers this past Sunday, Johnson is averaging only 3.4 yards per carry, and has under 500 rushing yards in nine games played. For someone with his incredible speed, Johnson has had great difficulty breaking through the first line of defenders, with a season-long rush of only 25 yards.
Breakout player of the year: Jimmy Graham, tight end for the New Orleans Saints. Graham, who took over for the departed Jeremy Shockey, is having one of the best seasons by a tight end ever, yet very few even knew his name before the season began. Graham has 62 catches for 873 yards and 6 touchdowns in just 10 games. For a wide receiver, those numbers are phenomenal. For a tight end, they are simply historic.
Best Team: Green Bay Packers, and it's not even close.
MVP: Aaron Rodgers, quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. Not since Tom Brady in 2007 has there been such an obvious choice for the most valuable player. In a year of unprecedented pass offense, Rodgers has still managed to stand out with incredible numbers: 2869 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, only three interceptions. His passer rating of 130.7, if it stands, would demolish the previous best passer rating (Peyton Manning had a 121.1 in 2004).
Best team no one took seriously going into the year: San Francisco 49ers. With the usually moribund Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills playing above .500, this award has a great deal of competition. In the end, though, the 49ers have the second best record in the NFL at 8-1, and are on a seven game winning streak. Last year, the 49ers were unable to even win the historically awful NFC West, finishing 6-10, and firing their then-Head Coach Mike Singletary at the end of the season. However, new Head Coach Jim Harbaugh has inherited a supreme defense that, unlike last year, has been able to stay healthy. With quarterback Alex Smith making very few mistakes and running back Frank Gore continuing to run well, this is a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Most disappointing team: Philadelphia Eagles. Remember when media pundits referred to the Eagles as the "Dream Team"? Well, they're 3-6 after quarterback Michael Vick has badly regressed and their linebackers might be the worst in all of football. Suddenly, longtime Head Coach Andy Reid's job is no longer safe. There is still some time to sneak into the playoffs, but it will take a virtually perfect second half to do so. Keep in mind, this team just lost to the lowly Arizona Cardinals at home.
Defensive player of the year: Jared Allen, defensive end of the Minnesota Vikings. Yes, the Vikings, at 2-7, are going nowhere near the playoffs this season. Don't blame Allen, however, as he has contributed about as much as any one defensive player can to his team. Through nine games, with Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield missing five of them, Allen has registered 41 tackles (32 solo), 13.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception. If the Vikings had not been starting Donovan McNabb at quarterback for so long, maybe Minnesota could have actually won some games and been able to reward Allen's excellence this year.
Tanking award: Indianapolis Colts. The Colts lost star quarterback Peyton Manning for the season due to his third neck surgery in two years, certainly a devastating blow to the team. However, the Colts should not be THIS bad. Not only is the team 0-10 so far, they have given up a staggering 169 more points than they have scored this year. After competing at least a bit towards the beginning of the season, the Colts have clearly not given their all in recent weeks, including a truly embarrassing 55-point loss to the New Orleans Saints in prime time. Clearly, the Colts are only thinking about selecting star college quarterback Andrew Luck in next year's draft, as this season is long gone for them.
Most underwhelming individual performance: Chris Johnson, running back for the Tennessee Titans. Two years ago, Johnson set an NFL record with 2509 yards from scrimmage in a season, including running for 2006 yards in 2009. This year has been a completely different story, though. Even after his best game of the season against the Carolina Panthers this past Sunday, Johnson is averaging only 3.4 yards per carry, and has under 500 rushing yards in nine games played. For someone with his incredible speed, Johnson has had great difficulty breaking through the first line of defenders, with a season-long rush of only 25 yards.
Breakout player of the year: Jimmy Graham, tight end for the New Orleans Saints. Graham, who took over for the departed Jeremy Shockey, is having one of the best seasons by a tight end ever, yet very few even knew his name before the season began. Graham has 62 catches for 873 yards and 6 touchdowns in just 10 games. For a wide receiver, those numbers are phenomenal. For a tight end, they are simply historic.
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