For several years now, Gilbert Arenas(notes) has been looking to recapture the swagger that made him such an electrifying and unique star with the Wizards. With his trade to the Magic, he now has a chance for a fresh start. But in order to win some fans in his new city, he has to create memories that will endear him to the fanbase.
[Photo: Gilbert Arenas' impressive beard]
Monday night, he got a decent start with this incredible 75-footer at the halftime buzzer. Unfortunately, it bounced off the front rim and hit the shot clock, which is technically out of bounds. So, bummer of all bummers, it didn't count, and we've all been robbed of an all-time great highlight.
[Rewind video: College freshman hits half-court shot from his knees]
The good news is that it didn't factor into the final score, an easy 104-88 win for Orlando over New Jersey. There's now basically nothing to complain about with regards to this play, because we have a tremendous shot and a correct call by the officials. Fans of amazing, stylish plays win; fans of by-the-book officiating win; even casual fans who have no idea what I'm talking about win. Everyone celebrate!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Pres Obama commends Eagles for Vick’s second chance
HONOLULU (AP)—The White House says President Barack Obama has commended the owner of the Philadelphia Eagles for giving quarterback Michael Vick(notes) a second chance after his release from prison.
Obama spokesman Bill Burton says the president told owner Jeffrey Lurie that while he condemns the crimes Vick was convicted of, he believes people who have paid for their crimes should have the opportunity to contribute to society again.
The Eagles signed Vick last year after he served an 18-month prison sentence on charges related to a dogfighting ring. Vick has led the Eagles to the playoffs this year after assuming the starting job.
The White House says Obama also applauded the Eagles’ plan to install wind turbines and solar panels at their stadium to reduce energy consumption.
Saints celebrate their win by standing on the Falcon's face
After the Saints scratched out a victory against the Falcons in the Georgia Dome Monday night, a few of them returned to the field to put a little exclamation point on it.
Jonathan Vilma(notes) and a few other defensive players went out to celebrate on the big Falcon painted at midfield, Terrell Owens-on-the-star style. From nola.com:
When it was over, several Saints defensive players came back onto the field to pose for group pictures, gleefully celebrated on the Falcons' home field, while a small group of Saints fans cheered from the stands.
"We didn't want to wait until next week to clinch the playoffs," Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma said. "We wanted a remembrance of this. That's why we went out and had our picture taken on the Falcon."
[Rewind: Player fined for flashing TD message on shirt]
A classy move? Probably not. Will the Falcons like it? I doubt it (and we know that Roddy White has a tendency to take things personally). And it does feel a little beneath the defending world champions. Less than a year ago, you were dancing with the Lombardi Trophy, and now, you need to celebrate on someone else's logo?
You're the champs. You should expect to beat the Falcons.
[Rewind: Michael Vick calls out team for unsportsmanlike behavior]
But in the end, it's just a picture. They stood on painted turf and smiled. It's just one of those things that might add a little extra hot sauce to an already-heated rivalry. No more, no less.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
DeSean Jackson's punt return TD could have been called back
DeSean Jackson's(notes) goal-line grandstanding could have caused his miraculous game-winning punt return to be wiped out, a review of FOX replays show.
As the Philadelphia Eagles return man was running parallel to the end zone, delaying his touchdown for maximum showboating effectiveness, a number of his teammates ran onto the field from the sideline, a clear violation of the NFL's "too many men on the field" rules.
The new wrinkle on Jackson's return was first noticed at BallHyped.net. Because he took a turn at the 6-yard line instead of running into the end zone, a number of his teammates and some coaches spilled out onto the field in anticipation of his touchdown, which didn't come until a few seconds later. A flag could have been thrown, bringing back the touchdown and sending the game to overtime.
Now, I don't think any flag should have been thrown on the play. The players weren't on the field before the snap nor during the runback. Their on-field exuberance had no effect on Jackson's touchdown. Sometimes officials need to look the other way, like a foul at the end of a basketball game. However, as BallHyped points out, this play came during the same week that the NFL made a huge deal about sideline behavior during punt returns, thanks to the dirty play of Jets strength coach Sal Alosi
In a memo to each of the league's 32 teams after Alosi's trip of Miami Dolphins player Nolan Carroll(notes), it was stated that only coaches and substitution players are allowed within six feet of the back sideline stripe. As the picture above clearly shows, the Eagles have far more than that on the field, let alone behind the markings.
One week ago, you could have excused this because pushing out onto the field was a rule with loose enforcement, like jaywalking, illegal downloading or traveling in the NBA. Plus, Tom Coughlin was evidently on the field too, yelling at his punter. But the NFL can't enforce rules when it's convenient. This isn't like jaywalking because the NFL turned it into a much larger offense. True, the Eagles coming out wasn't a big deal in this game, but it may be in the future.
As for Jackson, you get the sense that Andy Reid allows his antics because he's such a great talent. But Jackson has shown in the past that his tendancy to hot dog isn't harmless. It can be a big deal. He almost got caught from behind on this play and could have had a penalty called on his team because he delayed scoring.
The theatricality of Jackson's celebrations are good for the NFL. The league needs more brash stars who have fun on the field and get opposing fans riled up with touchdown celebrations. Andy Reid doesn't. He needs to win. That's why he should tell his young star to tone it down ... at least until he gets into the end zone.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Orlando's last-chance blockbuster deals
The Orlando Magic entered this season as championship contenders. Two months into 2010-11, however, they've been revealed as an inconsistent team with an above-average offense that often deserts them, and a defense that has stumbled in the two seasons since it helped lead them to the 2009 NBA Finals. On pace for a disappointing 53 wins, the Magic have decided to make some major, major changes.
According to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, the Magic have agreed to two deals with the Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards. Orlando will send Rashard Lewis(notes) to the Wizards for Gilbert Arenas(notes), while the Suns would receive Vince Carter(notes), Mickael Pietrus(notes), Marcin Gortat(notes), Orlando's 2011 first round pick and $3 million for Hedo Turkoglu(notes), Jason Richardson(notes) and Earl Clark(notes).
This is a massive restructuring, especially for a team with championship hopes, but it's typical for Orlando GM Otis Smith. Smith has been in win-now mode since he signed Rashard Lewis in the 2007 offseason, and each of his deals has been structured around winning a championship sooner rather than later. Even if it meant bringing in significant players who were seven or eight years older than the Magic's all-world center, Dwight Howard(notes).
Richardson is a very good scorer and rebounder, Hedo Turkoglu had success two years ago as a jack-of-all-trades type with this Magic team before leaving as a free agent, and Gilbert Arenas can still put up 20 points a game occasionally. But this is a desperate move. A last-second shot at something great, handing over every tradeable asset in the organization along the way.
Carter was a major disappointment in his one-plus year with the Magic. He fell off significantly from what was an All-Star level in his last season with the New Jersey Nets in 2008-09, and while his ball-handling and passing were actually on par with what Turkoglu (who left as a free agent a few weeks before the Magic traded for Carter) gave Orlando that year, all those passing instincts seemed to leave him in Orlando.
By trading for Turkoglu, the Magic are hoping to bring back the point forward who helped them so much with Jameer Nelson(notes) injured during Orlando's Finals run in 2009. The problem with that is Turkoglu was likely overrated in his time with the Magic because he had the ball in his hands so much, and even with that sober analysis of his contributions, he has fallen off significantly since leaving 1 1/2 years ago, looking much older than his 31 years.
He's averaged just 2.3 assists a game in Phoenix, but it should be pointed out that his assist ratio (the amount of possessions he takes up that result in assists) is right around the level established by several other able passing wing players, like Joe Johnson(notes), Manu Ginobili(notes), Andrei Kirilenko(notes) and Stephen Jackson(notes).
It's Richardson, leading the Suns in scoring with 19.3 points per game, that will be the significant upgrade. He's not the penetrator Carter was, but Carter often refused to take advantage of his ball-handling gifts. And Richardson has consistently improved his 3-point stroke through the years, making 41.9 percent mark in 2010-11. The two-time dunk contest champion can also throw down with the best of them, and his contract expires at the end of this season, which could be good or bad for the Magic (if he disappoints, he can go away, but if he thrives, he could still go away for more money elsewhere).
Arenas isn't a wild card. He's an inefficient scorer and terrible defender who could follow two months of make-good play in Orlando by completely scuttling things, and he owns the league's worst contract, one that has four years and $60 million left on it including this season (a year that has seen him shoot under 40 percent). But even with Arenas' off-the-court issues, and the fact that his contract goes two years longer than that of Lewis, just about anything (at any position) would be an upgrade over Lewis.
Amongst rotation players, only converted small forwards Danilo Gallinari(notes) and Jawad Williams(notes) had worse rebounding rates (the percentage of available rebounds you pull in) than Lewis this year, and that's not a stat that can be blamed on Howard's ability to clean the glass. Lewis doesn't get to the line, doesn't post up any more, and his contributions were limited to hitting above-average (36.7 percent) amounts of 3-pointers. But after hitting just 1.8 per game this season with Orlando, something tells us they'll be able to live without him.
As stated above, this is yet another win-now move for Orlando, desperate to bring in a ring and keep Howard in Florida. Howard has an option to become a free agent in 2012, but with the way the new collective bargaining agreement could be structured, he might choose a guaranteed $19.5 million in 2012-13 (all salaries courtesy ShamSports.com) on a team he's unhappy with, rather than playing for less money somewhere else. Still, it's Orlando's hope that he extends for far longer than that.
Will it work? Well, Richardson is a clear upgrade over Carter, and Turkoglu (even in his diminished state) is probably an upgrade over Lewis. The move clears up more minutes for Brandon Bass(notes), who can rebound and score without needing any plays called for him (assuming he knows them, anyway), and hopefully marks the return of the sweet-shooting Ryan Anderson(notes) to the Magic rotation.
The Magic will miss Gortat's sound play in limited minutes, tough. And though Mickael Pietrus isn't the defender he once was, and his shot selection tended to enervate the Magic coaching staff, they at least could pick themselves off the floor the next time he nailed a corner three or shut down a wing player. As it stands, heading into a playoff bracket with Paul Pierce(notes), Ray Allen(notes), Dwyane Wade(notes) and LeBron James(notes), the Magic have very little by way of wing stoppers.
On paper, the move isn't bad, especially because we don't have to write the checks. But as a realization that the Magic have now traded away all of the assets they had to improve the team with? The bounty of merely Richardson, Turkoglu and Arenas is a little scary.
For Phoenix, this is a good deal for the organization and owner Robert Sarver, but another shot to the gut for a fan base that has seen deal after detrimental deal since the glorious summer of 2004, when the team ponied up for the right to pay Steve Nash(notes).
As with Richardson, Carter's contract expires this summer, and he's an on-court downgrade. Gortat fills a needed role on the interior, but this move was all about cash. Gortat makes far less than Turkoglu and for fewer years, while the $3 million sent from the Magic is much needed in a town that isn't buying Hakim Warrick(notes) jerseys to replace their Amar'e Stoudemire(notes) ones. And it's possible the team will trade Orlando's lower-rung draft pick for the going rate of $3 million this June, as they have many times through the years.
Does it knock Phoenix out of the playoff bracket for good? It's no lock, not with the team's improving schedule, but it doesn't help. Trading efficient team-leading scorers midstream rarely adds to those postseason odds. And in reality, the savings from this deal aren't too blinding. All the $3 million from Orlando will do is pay a little more than the difference between Richardson's and Carter's contracts. Carter's $18 million non-guaranteed deal for 2011-12 is a nice trading chip, but the league has quite a few of those expiring deals floating around to trade, and the Suns (even if they do decide to try and move Carter for more help for Steve Nash) don't exactly have the best track record when it comes to adding more salary, as we saw last summer when they dealt for Turkoglu.
What Phoenix decides to do with Steve Nash will be the story of the winter, possibly the spring, maybe the summer, or even early fall (if the NBA lockout goes on for that long). Trading Phoenix's beloved Sun could cause riots in the high street down in Arizona, but the Suns probably do have to own up to their long series of bum moves (with a lot of bad luck thrown in) as they tried to surround Nash with a championship core through the decade. For now, they probably don't even know what they want to do.
For Washington, the motivation is simple. They don't have to pay Gilbert Arenas $20.8 in 2013 and don't have to pay Gilbert Arenas $22.3 million in 2014. Rashard Lewis makes about as much as Gilbert from here until 2012, but his cash in 2012-13 isn't fully guaranteed (if the Wizards cut him outright before the season starts, he'll make just $10 million out of a possible $22 million; though if they keep him around incentives could pump that guarantee up a few more million), and the floundering Wizards had no use for someone like Gil who shot a lot to score a lot.
This is Orlando's move, though, meant to give coach Stan Van Gundy more rotation options, payroll be damned. Despite the fact that the team plays in a smaller market, owner Rich DeVos has given Otis Smith blank check status for years, and he's gone to town with it. The problem is that the team's two cornerstones (Howard and point guard Jameer Nelson) were still drafted by former GM John Weisbrod (who, it should be pointed out, was terrible in every other regard). And Van Gundy has this team overachieving through the years only after the Magic were lucky enough to see the Smith-hired Billy Donovan chicken out after agreeing to coach the team in 2007.
Howard is mindful about all of this, and while the "can-these-deals-bring-Orlando-a-championship" question should be the first thing on everyone's lips initially, the real story here is the group's last chance at making Howard happy. Because this team is capped-out and bereft of trading chips after this deal, unless it decides to give up on Richardson this February at the trade deadline. With Gortat gone and Carter's expiring deal somewhere else, the Magic have cashed in on what they had to deal, and this is the payoff.
Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu and Gilbert Arenas. There's a lot of offense in that sentence, and the Magic need offense.
But it hardly guarantees them championship contender status again. And it certainly shouldn't have Dwight Howard counting the days until he can sign his next contract extension.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Magic, Wizards closing in on Lewis-for-Arenas deal
The Washington Wizards and Orlando Magic are close to a trade that will send guard Gilbert Arenas to Orlando in exchange for forward Rashard Lewis, a league source tells TNT's David Aldridge.
The proposed trade was expected to be completed Saturday, perhaps before the Wizards played the Miami Heat Saturday evening in Washington and the Magic host the 76ers in Orlando.
The deal would rid the Wizards of one of their biggest public relations headaches in years. While Arenas helped Washington make the playoffs for the first time in a decade and became an All-Star playing alongside Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison, his infamous suspension for bringing guns into the Verizon Center locker room last December as part of a prank and/or confrontation with then-teammate Javaris Crittenton cast a shadow over the franchise. Arenas was suspended by Commissioner David Stern for the final 50 games of last season and served time in a halfway house in the D.C. suburbs after pleading guilty to one felony count of carrying a pistol without a license.
Arenas returned to the Wizards this season and has played reasonably well, averaging 17.3 points and 5.6 assists for Washington. He would give Orlando someone who can create for himself and others off the dribble, something the Magic have sorely lacked this season as they has struggled at times against the league's better teams. And Arenas' close relationship with Orlando GM Otis Smith, who mentored Arenas while the two were in Golden State, has been well-documented.
Lewis is averaging his lowest point total in a decade for Orlando this season, scoring just 12.2 points a night on 41 percent shooting from the floor. He has struggled at times making the adjustment to playing more small forward this season than he has for the Magic; he thrived as a "stretch four" power forward playing next to center Dwight Howard in previous seasons, but the Magic has opted to give emerging forward Brandon Bass more minutes at that position this season.
The deal could save Washington at least $24 million; Arenas has four years and $80 million remaining on his $111 million deal signed two years ago, while Lewis has three years and $63 million left on the $124 million deal he signed as a free agent in 2007. But only $10 million of the $22.6 million he is owed in the final year of the contract, in 2012-13, is fully guaranteed. Lewis can increase the guarantee if he meets certain performance criteria between now and then
Magic to land Arenas, Richardson, Turkoglu
The Orlando Magic are set to complete a pair of blockbuster trades that will send them Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas(notes) and Hedo Turkoglu(notes) and Jason Richardson(notes) from the Phoenix Suns, league sources told Yahoo! Sports
As a prelude to the trade for Arenas, the Magic have agreed in principle to send guards Vince Carter(notes) and Michael Pietrus, backup center Marcin Gortat(notes), a first-round pick and $3 million to the Phoenix Suns for Turkoglu and Richardson, sources said.
The Magic also are nearing completion on a deal to send forward Rashard Lewis(notes) to the Wizards for Arenas, sources said. No other players or picks will be in that trade.
The Wizards’ pursuit of Arenas escalated in recent days, and Yahoo! Sports reported Friday the teams were nearing a deal.
Arenas had privately told people for days that he believed a deal will soon send him to Orlando, where he’ll be reunited with Magic general manager Otis Smith, a friend and mentor from Arenas’ days with the Golden State Warriors. After losing five of their past six games, the Magic have shown more urgency to find a perimeter scorer who can help them stay a viable contender in the Eastern Conference.
Arenas has four years and $60 million left on his Wizards deal. Following his 50-game suspension for bringing guns into the Wizards locker room last season, Arenas became further expendable after Washington drafted No. 1 overall pick John Wall(notes)(notes).
Lewis has three years and $66.5 million left on his contract, including this season
Friday, December 17, 2010
Mayweather freed from Vegas jail in battery case
LAS VEGAS (AP)—Police say boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been freed from a Las Vegas jail following his arrest on a misdemeanor warrant alleging he poked a security guard in the face last month outside his home.
Police Officer Jacinto Rivera said Friday that Mayweather’s release without bail from the Clark County jail came less than 12 hours after his arrest late Thursday at a Las Vegas-area casino.
Mayweather lawyer Richard Wright says the 33-year-old Mayweather has a Tuesday court date.
The warrant stems from a battery charge alleging Mayweather poked a 21-year-old security guard in the face during a Nov. 15 argument over parking tickets.
Mayweather had been free on bail on unrelated felony charges stemming from a September dispute with his children and their mother
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Michael Vick leads NFL in Pro Bowl voting
PHILADELPHIA - Michael Vick(notes) leads Pro Bowl voting 1½ years after he was released from prison.
The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback had 729,838 fan votes, nearly 39,000 more than second-place Peyton Manning(notes), the NFL said Wednesday. Manning topped the balloting two weeks ago.
"I think it's just a credit to everything I've tried to accomplish on and off the field, just working as hard as I can to change things around, be a part of the solution and not the problem," Vick said. "I changed my life and it just goes to show anybody can do it. It's an unfortunate situation, the things that happened, I wish I could go back and change it all. I wish I could take it all back. The only thing I can do is move forward."
It's the latest evidence many fans seem willing to forgive Vick for the vicious dogfighting operation that sent him to prison for 18 months — and embrace his stunning return to NFL stardom. A backup to start the season, Vick has led the Eagles to first place in the NFC East, accounting for 21 touchdowns and throwing just two interceptions.
"I appreciate my fans, man," Vick said. "Couldn't do it without them. Been very supportive over the last three years. What more can you ask for?"
Manning had 691,146 votes, which led the AFC, followed by New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady(notes) (623,074), Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (591,598) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers(notes) (547,340).
Online Pro Bowl voting ends Dec. 20. The teams are picked by a vote combination from fans, players and coaches.
Vick, a three-time Pro Bowler with the Atlanta Falcons, pleaded guilty to federal dogfighting charges in August 2007. He was released from federal custody and conditionally reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in July 2009. But it wasn't clear how much interest teams would have in the quarterback who once wowed fans with his unique skills, yet frustrated them with his inconsistency when he last played in the league in 2006.
The Eagles signed him before last season, when he was the third-string quarterback and had limited playing time as a change of pace. Even after Philadelphia traded away Donovan McNabb(notes), Vick was expected to back up Kevin Kolb(notes). But when Kolb was hurt in the opener, Vick took over and showed a newfound maturity as a passer. Added to his running skills, he's made the Eagles a contender at 8-4.
The Eagles, averaging 28.7 points per game, are the second-highest scoring team in the league, next to only the New England Patriots at 31.6.
"It's a great honour, a great position to be in right now, because I haven't made the Pro Bowl yet, but it's a credit to my coaches, a credit to my teammates, (backups) Mike Kafka(notes), Kevin Kolb, guys who just helped me get through this season," Vick said. "I can't do it without my team, I can't do it without my teammates, I can't do it without the offensive line, (wide receivers) DeSean (Jackson) and Jeremy (Maclin), can't do it without them. I'm just thankful to have these guys in my life, these coaches in my life."
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)