The Rams had all but given the game away in Arizona on Sunday, and then a funny thing happened. The Cardinals gave it right back. Claiming victory in the contest between the Rams and Cardinals was akin to eating one of the seven holiday fruitcakes that have been circling the globe for centuries: they'd rather Reebok Oakland Raiders #21 Nnamdi Asomugha Realtree camo Jersey
give it away than take a bite.With 2:03 remaining, the Rams, nursing a two-point lead, needed only to run the clock out to claim victory. Rams quarterback Marc Bulger then proceeded to inexplicably fumble the ball on his own 34-yard line, effectively snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Then, in a bizarre game of one-upmanship, Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner needed to only run out what little time remained and let kicker Neil Rackers hit an easy field goal for a miracle victory.Then he fumbled.The Rams fell on the ball, counted their blessings and left the field with a record of 2-1 and some decent grades:OffenseQuarterback: Other than the aforementioned attempt to give the game away at the end, Bulger played extremely well. Bulger threw for 309 yards and a touchdown at a scintillating 68 percent completion rate, easily his best stats of the season. Bulger needs to protect the ball better (he fumbled twice) and is still failing to find the end zone as often as he should; still, a sound effort. Grade: B +Running backs: Steven Jackson came crashing back down to earth this week, rushing for 62 yards at an ugly 2.6 yards per carry. Jackson continued his weekly dance recital in the backfield, hurting the Rams by putting them in long second- and third-down situations. Hopefully, Jackson will eventually discern that one, two or even no yardage is better than getting hit for a loss and will simply slam into the line when no holes are evident. If this lesson can ever be learned, Jackson's combination of strength and speed will be devastating. A contribution of Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers #86 Hines Ward Realtree camo Jersey
59 yards receiving helps an otherwise subpar performance. Grade: C +Receivers: Somewhere, Arizona cornerback Matt Ware may still be trying to find Torry Holt. Holt scorched the Cardinals for 120 yards on eight catches and a touchdown. Holt was robbed of a second touchdown when he made a grab in the end zone but was shoved out of bounds by Ware straight into an official (who was too busy fleeing to see the infraction). Issac Bruce turned in another strong performance, contributing 79 yards. The Cardinals failed to capitalize on an ill-timed Shaun McDonald fumble. Grade: A -Offensive line: The Rams showed signs that they can weather the potential storm left by Andy McCollum's season ending injury. The line gave up only a single sack on Sunday. Veteran Todd Steussie looks as if he can do a respectable job filling in the guard position vacated by Richie Incognito's move to center. Unfortunately, the Cardinals' defense was able to stymie Steven Jackson, and the Rams' linemen have to take some of the blame. If the line can keep Bulger upright, look for continued improvement from the Rams' passing attack. Grade: B -DefenseDefensive line: The line certainly didn't set the world on fire. Edgerrin James rushed for 94 yards and got stronger in the fourth quarter as the Rams' defenders wilted. St. Louis managed only one sack against the Cardinals' mammoth offensive line and pressured Warner sparingly, leading to 256 passing yards. Grade: CLinebackers: Will Witherspoon fell on the game-deciding fumble and continues to impress in leading the Rams' defense. Warner forgot he was a former Ram and threw a strike to quality backup Dexter Coakley in the end zone for a game-altering interception. Grade: B -Secondary: Although O.J. Atogwe and Fakhir Brown each managed to pick off Warner, the Rams' defenders were absolutely incinerated by Cards receiver Anquan Boldin to the tune of 129 yards. Warner moved the ball seemingly at will. If not for the timely interceptions, the Rams lose this game. Grade: B -Special teams: Stop me if you've heard this one: Jeff Wilkins' reliable leg bailed out the stalling offense. Wilkins nailed a trio of field goals to provide the Rams their second win of the season. Punter Matt Turk regressed a bit and didn't look like his leg had the power the team's fans have become accustomed to. The Rams' coverage unit was impressive, disallowing any kick returns beyond the Cardinals' 28-yard line. Grade: B +Although once more limited to a single touchdown, the offense looks as if it is on the fast track to returning to form. The Rams' defense, meanwhile, while not spectacular, has shown signs of major improvement in limiting the opposition to an average of two touchdowns per game. With continued solid special teams play and a renewed dedication Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
to excising the dumb penalties and poor execution that have plagued them during this young season, the Rams could be in for many more victories. Perhaps we'll finally see a few less fruitcakes in circulation.Original St. Louis Rams coverage, courtesy of RealFootball365.com (3)
2011年1月15日星期六
2011年1月13日星期四
14 Jan 11 Seattle Seahawks "From one D.J. to another, it's D.J. Hackett's turn to star"
D-Jack might be gone, but the Seattle Seahawks still have another D.J. His last name is Hackett, and he's about to show he can definitely hack it as the replacement for Darrell Jackson.With Jackson traded to San Francisco, Deion Branch will take over the former's old starting spot at flanker, but Hackett will be the starting split end. And, from that spot, Hackett should become one of the breakout players of the year in the NFL -- a bona fide 1,000-yard receiver.It's a natural jump for the guy who was the Seahawks' leading receiver last December while Jackson was Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
out with a sprained toe. In fact, over the final six games of the season, Hackett caught 25 passes for 371 yards and three touchdowns. Those numbers represented more than half of Hackett's season totals of 45 receptions for 610 yards and four scores. They also represented the ascendancy of the next star receiver in Seattle's West Coast offense.Hackett didn't play in a single game as a rookie. But in 2005, when injuries felled Jackson and Bobby Engram, Hackett was forced to grow up quickly. He ended up starting three games and catching 28 passes for 400 yards and two touchdowns. He showed flashes -- particularly on deep routes -- but lacked consistency in getting open.Last year, Hackett put it all together and showed it in December as he became quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's main target and served notice that he could be poised to become the permanent No. 1.Jackson had held the title for most of the past six seasons, but he wore out his welcome in Seattle with injuries and a bad attitude that stemmed from his dissatisfaction with his contract. Thus the door opens in 2007 for Hackett to step up. Granted, Branch will be playing the key spot in the West Coast offense and is the one most are looking at to pick up the slack from Jackson's departure. But Hackett has the skills to dominate from the split end position. The team's fifth-round pick in 2004, Hackett has turned into the complete package -- excellent size (6-foot-2), deep speed and dependable hands, and good routes. The team values Hackett so much that it tendered him at the second-round level with a $1.3 million salary for 2007. Now the Seahawks had better value him enough to give him a long-term deal before his price blows up with a huge season.Team president Tim Ruskell seems to understand what he has as he recently spoke glowingly of Reebok San Francisco 49ers #21 Frank GORE Realtree camo Jersey
Hackett, who was drafted a year before Ruskell arrived in Seattle."I was very happy with Hackett's progress last year," Ruskell told reporters. "I thought he came in there and just really developed his game to another level. The coaches are excited about him, and he is ready to take on a bigger role. Every year since I've been here, he has just gotten better and better. Who knows where the limit is there?"
out with a sprained toe. In fact, over the final six games of the season, Hackett caught 25 passes for 371 yards and three touchdowns. Those numbers represented more than half of Hackett's season totals of 45 receptions for 610 yards and four scores. They also represented the ascendancy of the next star receiver in Seattle's West Coast offense.Hackett didn't play in a single game as a rookie. But in 2005, when injuries felled Jackson and Bobby Engram, Hackett was forced to grow up quickly. He ended up starting three games and catching 28 passes for 400 yards and two touchdowns. He showed flashes -- particularly on deep routes -- but lacked consistency in getting open.Last year, Hackett put it all together and showed it in December as he became quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's main target and served notice that he could be poised to become the permanent No. 1.Jackson had held the title for most of the past six seasons, but he wore out his welcome in Seattle with injuries and a bad attitude that stemmed from his dissatisfaction with his contract. Thus the door opens in 2007 for Hackett to step up. Granted, Branch will be playing the key spot in the West Coast offense and is the one most are looking at to pick up the slack from Jackson's departure. But Hackett has the skills to dominate from the split end position. The team's fifth-round pick in 2004, Hackett has turned into the complete package -- excellent size (6-foot-2), deep speed and dependable hands, and good routes. The team values Hackett so much that it tendered him at the second-round level with a $1.3 million salary for 2007. Now the Seahawks had better value him enough to give him a long-term deal before his price blows up with a huge season.Team president Tim Ruskell seems to understand what he has as he recently spoke glowingly of Reebok San Francisco 49ers #21 Frank GORE Realtree camo Jersey
Hackett, who was drafted a year before Ruskell arrived in Seattle."I was very happy with Hackett's progress last year," Ruskell told reporters. "I thought he came in there and just really developed his game to another level. The coaches are excited about him, and he is ready to take on a bigger role. Every year since I've been here, he has just gotten better and better. Who knows where the limit is there?"
2011年1月12日星期三
13 Jan 11 Can We Compare Kobe and Jordan Yet?
Before Kobe's fans whining and complaining about it, first off I want to give ya'll fact. Ya'll always say "We cant compare Kobe to MJ yet because Kobe is still playing, wait until he retires" lol really? MJ played 14 half years in his career while this season is Kobe's 14th season? Is that not fair? lol Also MJ played 2 years in the Wizards which actually lowered his numbers, that just as fair as Kobe's fans excuse that said Kobe's numbers aren't that good because he used to be bench player for his first 2 years in his career. Anyway back to my question, even if Kobe eventually scoresWashington Redskins jersey
more points, make more all NBA teams, all defensive teams and even all stars team, that doesn't mean he is better than Jordan, that just because he plays longer than Jordan. Jordan scored more than 32.000 points, won 6 rings, 5 MVP's and accomplished way better than Kobe just in 14 years. What Kobe accomplished in his 14 years are good, but not as good as Jordan. Don't believe me? just check his wikipedia then. Anyway my conclusion is still like this MJKobeThis is what Basketball hall of famers think whenever people say that Jordan played in a weak defense era and today's defense (Zone defense) is better...During a 2007 L.A. Lakers pre-season broadcast, Phil Jackson was asked how he thought Michael Jordan would perform today, Phil said: "Michael would average 45 with these rules.""You can't even touch a guy now," says Charlotte coach Larry Brown. "The college game is much more physical than our game. I always tease Michael [Jordan], if he played today, he'd average 50." Question for Clyde Drexler:In the current league where there is no hand checking and no ruff play how much better would your numbers be?Clyde Drexler: Oh, tremendously better, from shooting percentage to points per game everything would be up, and our old teams would score a lot more points, and that is saying something because we could score a lot back then. I do think there should be an asterisk next to some of these scoring leaders, because it is much different trying to score with a forearm in your face. It is harder to score with that resistance. You had to turn your back on guys defending you back in the day with all the hand checking that was going on. For guys who penetrate these days, it's hunting season. Yes, now you can play (floating)zone(legally), but teams rarely do."The defensive rules, the hand checking, the ability to make contact on a guy in certain areas .... [have] all been taken away from the game. If Kobe could get 81, I think Michael could get 100 in today's game." - Scottie Pippen January 2006Craig Hodges is the Lakers shooting coach, get a look at what he said:Q: If you could take one player in their prime, would you take Michael Jordan or Kobe?A: M.J., all day. There's no comparison. M.J. could score 100 points in this era. You can't hand-check now. Imagine that trying to guard M.J. It would be crazy. Hall of Famer Rick Barry, a keen observer of the game, said he would love to see players of the past getting to attack the basket under the new officiating. “They’d score a lot more,” he said.Tex Winter said. Reebok Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald Realtree camo Jersey
"Players today can get to the basket individually much easier."Asked if he could defend Jordan under today’s interpretation of the rules, Dumars first laughed, “It would have been virtually impossible to defend Michael Jordan based on the way the game’s being called right now.”Full linkhttp://bruceblitz.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=nbabasketballmessageboardaction=displaythread=59
more points, make more all NBA teams, all defensive teams and even all stars team, that doesn't mean he is better than Jordan, that just because he plays longer than Jordan. Jordan scored more than 32.000 points, won 6 rings, 5 MVP's and accomplished way better than Kobe just in 14 years. What Kobe accomplished in his 14 years are good, but not as good as Jordan. Don't believe me? just check his wikipedia then. Anyway my conclusion is still like this MJKobeThis is what Basketball hall of famers think whenever people say that Jordan played in a weak defense era and today's defense (Zone defense) is better...During a 2007 L.A. Lakers pre-season broadcast, Phil Jackson was asked how he thought Michael Jordan would perform today, Phil said: "Michael would average 45 with these rules.""You can't even touch a guy now," says Charlotte coach Larry Brown. "The college game is much more physical than our game. I always tease Michael [Jordan], if he played today, he'd average 50." Question for Clyde Drexler:In the current league where there is no hand checking and no ruff play how much better would your numbers be?Clyde Drexler: Oh, tremendously better, from shooting percentage to points per game everything would be up, and our old teams would score a lot more points, and that is saying something because we could score a lot back then. I do think there should be an asterisk next to some of these scoring leaders, because it is much different trying to score with a forearm in your face. It is harder to score with that resistance. You had to turn your back on guys defending you back in the day with all the hand checking that was going on. For guys who penetrate these days, it's hunting season. Yes, now you can play (floating)zone(legally), but teams rarely do."The defensive rules, the hand checking, the ability to make contact on a guy in certain areas .... [have] all been taken away from the game. If Kobe could get 81, I think Michael could get 100 in today's game." - Scottie Pippen January 2006Craig Hodges is the Lakers shooting coach, get a look at what he said:Q: If you could take one player in their prime, would you take Michael Jordan or Kobe?A: M.J., all day. There's no comparison. M.J. could score 100 points in this era. You can't hand-check now. Imagine that trying to guard M.J. It would be crazy. Hall of Famer Rick Barry, a keen observer of the game, said he would love to see players of the past getting to attack the basket under the new officiating. “They’d score a lot more,” he said.Tex Winter said. Reebok Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald Realtree camo Jersey
"Players today can get to the basket individually much easier."Asked if he could defend Jordan under today’s interpretation of the rules, Dumars first laughed, “It would have been virtually impossible to defend Michael Jordan based on the way the game’s being called right now.”Full linkhttp://bruceblitz.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=nbabasketballmessageboardaction=displaythread=59
12 Jan 11 The Wizards' Hardest Rebound Yet
Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesThey always say the higher up on the perch you are the harder the fall is...A little more than three weeks ago, Gilbert J. Arenas was suspended indefinitely by David Stern following the Wizards-Sixers game. The suspension was brought on because of the original reports of Cincinnati Bengals jersey
a wild west showdown , a most unfortunate post game presser where he called David Stern a mean person and the ultimate daggerthe Finga Gunz picture.Now reports are that Gilbert meeting with David Stern today and the outcome was a season long suspension, one that has an amazing twist to itGilbert asked for it. I'm really quite dumbfounded by this.It's one thing to admit guilt and ask for forgiveness. It's another thing to ask the commissioner of your league to extend your punishment for the rest of the season because you are pissed off with the organization.Now in all fairness, if Gilbert's choice, as it is being reported now, was to accept the rest of this season or a full 82 games, I understand the choice. If he went in saying he never wanted to play for Ernie Grunfeld again, I'd have a harder time accepting his thought process from a fans standpoint.That being said, I have done my fair share of supporting Gilbert throughout his tenure here in Washington. Some things were easy to defend, others not so much. Most of us will never know the inner thoughts of Gilbert Arenas, but in a few years, most won't care.If you'd like to follow the history of Gilbert's crazy antics you should go to Gilbertology . Those who wish to call Gilbert a bad person are simply misinformed.We are talking about a man whose charitable foundation has done the following:-Created Gilbert Annual Christmas Dream for Kids, which is currently entering its seventh year. One year, Gilbert Annual Christmas Dream treated 300 kids to a holiday event, dinner, a Wizards game, and holiday presents.-Donated goods totaling $18,000 for victims of Hurricane Katrina.-Raised over $ 215,000 for public schools in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area with its inaugural Gilbert Scores for School. Gilbert donated $100 per point to the designated school during every Wizards home game.-During the summer of 2007, partnered with Beyonce Survivor Foundation to do a pre-concert canned food drive to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank.-Gilsarena.com hosted an online auction raising over $75,000 for the Zero Two Hero Foundation.-Donated to the Arial Home Initiative.Does this mean that he should not be punished for what he did? Absolutely not. What it does mean is that Arenas had a series of bad judgment calls and he should be punished by both his employer and the District of Columbia.Being the leader of a team or an organization means standing up and taking the good with the bad. When you are given that type of responsibility it is your job to lead by example both on and off the court. That leadership was completely lacking and frankly every bit of ammo, no pun intended, fired his direction is completely warranted.There will Cleveland Browns jersey
be many fans who say the organization gave up on Gilbert. My argument is simply that signing a man to an $111 million contract and then pretty much bringing in a coach to help you reach your potential is not giving up on you. Gilbert violated the law. He pleaded guilty to a felony. Gil created this chaos for himself.We are told that we cannot relate real life to professional sports, yet if any regular Joe were to do what Gilbert did, that person would be sitting in a jail cell right now.So why are our favorite athletes held to different standards?A lot of gripes were made about the removal of Gilbert's banner and the removal of all things Gilbert Arenas from the Verizon Center.[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geOMVnHKkw8[/youtube]What would you have recommended they do? The Wizards, whose organizational motto going into the season was Character, Commitment, and Connection, cannot have a banner hanging outside their building with a player on ittheir leaderwho is potentially facing felony gun possession charges. If you can't understand why that is true, I can only ask youhow would you explain that to your kids? It's okay to carry an unlicensed gun and wield it around, joking or not?Do you really believe that Abe Pollin would have handled this any differently if he had actually lived to witness these sorry events? I honestly believe that Abe would have done everything in his power to void Gilbert's contract the first day he heard the report. We are talking about a man who changed his team name after 30+ years due to gun violence.A Wizards fan who reached out to Wizards Extreme earlier in the day, @SaleemTheDream , reminded me that a lot of Wizards fans had already given up on Gil and they used this latest incident for justification of ousting him from the franchise. I cannot disagree with this notion at all. It was known for quite some time by people in the DMV that Gilbert had been losing favor quickly, much of it due to his lack of playing time and injuries.Fair or unfair, Gilbert is hardly the first athlete to go through this type of unfair judgment by fans. I believe that the remaining portion of Gil supporters and Wizards fans in general were hurt by the fact that this same Wizards team spoke of change from old habits. It preached of a new coach and with that a new direction. The players talked about championships and not settling for playoffs. Not only that, but Gilbert talked about being the leader on this club. This season was supposed to be set up perfectly for him.Coming in, Flip Saunders was a man who had done wonders for the careers of Sam Cassell, Terrell Brandon, and Chauncey Billups. Hell, even Stephon Marbury co-existed with Flip; Gilbert should have been a piece of cake. Ernie Grunfeld believed Flip could have done wonders with a unique talent like Gil. But it's all for not now.The saddest part about this is that we are not even talking about basketball. Arenas' undoing was due to things completely unrelated to the X's and O's of playing basketball.Now the Wizards are left to find out if they have a long term solution in Randy Foye, or if a rebuild includes finding another PG in addition to dumping 80 percent of the roster.Regardless, I don't see Dallas Cowboys jersey
how this is not the end of the Agent Zero era in DC. Arenas will undoubtedly end his Wizards career with the same type of craziness with which it began. According to Gilbert folklore, his Wizards career started with a series of coin flips and now, seven years later, it will seemingly end with him asking for it to be over.Gilbert J. Arenas, the man who before this season would have been remembered most for... will now be remembered for... The Wizards survived one famous exit...Now let's see if they can rebound from another one.
a wild west showdown , a most unfortunate post game presser where he called David Stern a mean person and the ultimate daggerthe Finga Gunz picture.Now reports are that Gilbert meeting with David Stern today and the outcome was a season long suspension, one that has an amazing twist to itGilbert asked for it. I'm really quite dumbfounded by this.It's one thing to admit guilt and ask for forgiveness. It's another thing to ask the commissioner of your league to extend your punishment for the rest of the season because you are pissed off with the organization.Now in all fairness, if Gilbert's choice, as it is being reported now, was to accept the rest of this season or a full 82 games, I understand the choice. If he went in saying he never wanted to play for Ernie Grunfeld again, I'd have a harder time accepting his thought process from a fans standpoint.That being said, I have done my fair share of supporting Gilbert throughout his tenure here in Washington. Some things were easy to defend, others not so much. Most of us will never know the inner thoughts of Gilbert Arenas, but in a few years, most won't care.If you'd like to follow the history of Gilbert's crazy antics you should go to Gilbertology . Those who wish to call Gilbert a bad person are simply misinformed.We are talking about a man whose charitable foundation has done the following:-Created Gilbert Annual Christmas Dream for Kids, which is currently entering its seventh year. One year, Gilbert Annual Christmas Dream treated 300 kids to a holiday event, dinner, a Wizards game, and holiday presents.-Donated goods totaling $18,000 for victims of Hurricane Katrina.-Raised over $ 215,000 for public schools in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area with its inaugural Gilbert Scores for School. Gilbert donated $100 per point to the designated school during every Wizards home game.-During the summer of 2007, partnered with Beyonce Survivor Foundation to do a pre-concert canned food drive to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank.-Gilsarena.com hosted an online auction raising over $75,000 for the Zero Two Hero Foundation.-Donated to the Arial Home Initiative.Does this mean that he should not be punished for what he did? Absolutely not. What it does mean is that Arenas had a series of bad judgment calls and he should be punished by both his employer and the District of Columbia.Being the leader of a team or an organization means standing up and taking the good with the bad. When you are given that type of responsibility it is your job to lead by example both on and off the court. That leadership was completely lacking and frankly every bit of ammo, no pun intended, fired his direction is completely warranted.There will Cleveland Browns jersey
be many fans who say the organization gave up on Gilbert. My argument is simply that signing a man to an $111 million contract and then pretty much bringing in a coach to help you reach your potential is not giving up on you. Gilbert violated the law. He pleaded guilty to a felony. Gil created this chaos for himself.We are told that we cannot relate real life to professional sports, yet if any regular Joe were to do what Gilbert did, that person would be sitting in a jail cell right now.So why are our favorite athletes held to different standards?A lot of gripes were made about the removal of Gilbert's banner and the removal of all things Gilbert Arenas from the Verizon Center.[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geOMVnHKkw8[/youtube]What would you have recommended they do? The Wizards, whose organizational motto going into the season was Character, Commitment, and Connection, cannot have a banner hanging outside their building with a player on ittheir leaderwho is potentially facing felony gun possession charges. If you can't understand why that is true, I can only ask youhow would you explain that to your kids? It's okay to carry an unlicensed gun and wield it around, joking or not?Do you really believe that Abe Pollin would have handled this any differently if he had actually lived to witness these sorry events? I honestly believe that Abe would have done everything in his power to void Gilbert's contract the first day he heard the report. We are talking about a man who changed his team name after 30+ years due to gun violence.A Wizards fan who reached out to Wizards Extreme earlier in the day, @SaleemTheDream , reminded me that a lot of Wizards fans had already given up on Gil and they used this latest incident for justification of ousting him from the franchise. I cannot disagree with this notion at all. It was known for quite some time by people in the DMV that Gilbert had been losing favor quickly, much of it due to his lack of playing time and injuries.Fair or unfair, Gilbert is hardly the first athlete to go through this type of unfair judgment by fans. I believe that the remaining portion of Gil supporters and Wizards fans in general were hurt by the fact that this same Wizards team spoke of change from old habits. It preached of a new coach and with that a new direction. The players talked about championships and not settling for playoffs. Not only that, but Gilbert talked about being the leader on this club. This season was supposed to be set up perfectly for him.Coming in, Flip Saunders was a man who had done wonders for the careers of Sam Cassell, Terrell Brandon, and Chauncey Billups. Hell, even Stephon Marbury co-existed with Flip; Gilbert should have been a piece of cake. Ernie Grunfeld believed Flip could have done wonders with a unique talent like Gil. But it's all for not now.The saddest part about this is that we are not even talking about basketball. Arenas' undoing was due to things completely unrelated to the X's and O's of playing basketball.Now the Wizards are left to find out if they have a long term solution in Randy Foye, or if a rebuild includes finding another PG in addition to dumping 80 percent of the roster.Regardless, I don't see Dallas Cowboys jersey
how this is not the end of the Agent Zero era in DC. Arenas will undoubtedly end his Wizards career with the same type of craziness with which it began. According to Gilbert folklore, his Wizards career started with a series of coin flips and now, seven years later, it will seemingly end with him asking for it to be over.Gilbert J. Arenas, the man who before this season would have been remembered most for... will now be remembered for... The Wizards survived one famous exit...Now let's see if they can rebound from another one.
2011年1月10日星期一
10 Jan 11 A Maverick Deal: Mark Cuban Gets What He Wanted
Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesMark Cuban stood at center courthis Metroplex-sized grin reaching the rafters of Cowboys Stadiumand read the record-breaking number that completed his All-Star fantasy.There, at Jerry Jones' $1.15 billion hippodrome, 108,713 had congregated to watch the world's best athletes on mega high-definition TV screens that dwarfed the court and the exhibition played on it. The largest crowd ever to watch a basketball game witnessed a spectaclethe kind of fireworks only Jones and Cuban could create together.Shakira delivered the Seattle Seahawks jersey
first half of the sultry, lavish halftime show, dancing in a steel cage and alongside a drum line. Alicia Keys crooned, "No one can get in the way of how I'm feeling"and she might as well have dedicated the chorus to the Dallas Mavericks owner.The slam dunk contest was a dull dud, but the rest of the weekend lived up to the hype.Cuban doesn't do subtlety.He did something else during the break that caused a stir.He exchanged underperforming, hobbled forward Josh Howarda rotation fixture for much of his tenure as ownerand three others for 29-year-old Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood.By Saturday night, analysts weren't just talking about Cuban's February grandstand. They wondered if the transaction could help the slumping Mavs challenge the L.A. Lakers.Talking to Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley on the TNT set before the main event on Sunday, Cuban said he even hoped to see DeShawn Stevenson and his petulance crack the rotation.The Washington Wizards dealt away Haywood and Butler in the first part of a fire sale necessitated by Gilbert Arenas' gunplay puerility.Losers of seven of 11 games at one point this year, the Mavericks needed a spark.Wednesday night on national television, Butler and Haywood looked impressive in their Dallas debuts. The Mavs beat the Phoenix Suns 107-97, erasing the sting of a Tuesday defeat in Oklahoma City.Haywood scored 10 points, hauled down nine rebounds, and blocked five shots. Butler, although he shot six-of-16 from the field, scored 15 points.Jason Kidd, however, stole the show.His 18 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, and seven steals helped Dallas fend off Amare Stoudemire. He was the only Sun who showed up for the duration of the game.Kidd produced a stat line worthy of framing, a near quadruple-double that ranks among the best St. Louis Rams jersey
regular season performances of his career.He drilled a pair of three-pointers in the third quarter to help the Mavs gain separation from the Suns.Yes, he found the "J." In the first season and half of his second stint in a Dallas uniform, he was the Mavs most accurate long-distance shooter. Better than Jason Terry, Dirk Nowitzki, and Howard.Kidd could have participated in Saturday's three-point shootout, and he would not have been out of place.This is what Cuban wanted in 2008. He reached into his pocket for an additional $17 million to get this Kidd.When the Springfield-bound point guard plays with such know-how and poise, the Mavericks challenging for conference supremacy seems like less of a joke.In running the show Wednesday, he showed the command of his position Devin Harris could not.Harris showed a strong defensive faculty and blew by most of his competitors. His immature decision-making could not take the aging Mavs where they wanted to go.He has not realized his potential in New Jersey, where the five-win Nets are chasing the wrong side of history.Most have long since closed the book on this argument. Cuban was crucified for swapping a speedster seen as the future of the franchise for a geezer in his twilight.Cuban traded half of his roster, critics said then.Kidd proved well worth his acquisition priceand the three-year, $25 million extension the team tendered him this summer, when the Mavs needed someone to lead the victory charge against the Suns.Nowitzki's 28 points and seven rebounds also helped.On nights like this, Kidd's best qualities shine. He gets more high-percentage looks for Nowitzki and Terry than Harris ever did. He maximizes the offensive potential of his teammates. He now hits big shots.In the Mavs last game before the All-Star break, Kidd registered only five assists with four turnovers in a horrifying and dispiriting 127-91 loss to the Denver Nuggets.Then, Dallas looked and played like the league's oldest team.Cuban had said of his team in the previous week, "We suck right now."The team's Tennessee Titans jersey
struggles prompted another ballyhooed trade on the part of the NBA's loudest owner.Wednesday, the other trade mattered. The deal he fought for amidst a deluge of criticism looked like a stroke of genius.The Kidd of 2002 and 2003 resurfacedand so did thoughts of another important month.June.
first half of the sultry, lavish halftime show, dancing in a steel cage and alongside a drum line. Alicia Keys crooned, "No one can get in the way of how I'm feeling"and she might as well have dedicated the chorus to the Dallas Mavericks owner.The slam dunk contest was a dull dud, but the rest of the weekend lived up to the hype.Cuban doesn't do subtlety.He did something else during the break that caused a stir.He exchanged underperforming, hobbled forward Josh Howarda rotation fixture for much of his tenure as ownerand three others for 29-year-old Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood.By Saturday night, analysts weren't just talking about Cuban's February grandstand. They wondered if the transaction could help the slumping Mavs challenge the L.A. Lakers.Talking to Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley on the TNT set before the main event on Sunday, Cuban said he even hoped to see DeShawn Stevenson and his petulance crack the rotation.The Washington Wizards dealt away Haywood and Butler in the first part of a fire sale necessitated by Gilbert Arenas' gunplay puerility.Losers of seven of 11 games at one point this year, the Mavericks needed a spark.Wednesday night on national television, Butler and Haywood looked impressive in their Dallas debuts. The Mavs beat the Phoenix Suns 107-97, erasing the sting of a Tuesday defeat in Oklahoma City.Haywood scored 10 points, hauled down nine rebounds, and blocked five shots. Butler, although he shot six-of-16 from the field, scored 15 points.Jason Kidd, however, stole the show.His 18 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, and seven steals helped Dallas fend off Amare Stoudemire. He was the only Sun who showed up for the duration of the game.Kidd produced a stat line worthy of framing, a near quadruple-double that ranks among the best St. Louis Rams jersey
regular season performances of his career.He drilled a pair of three-pointers in the third quarter to help the Mavs gain separation from the Suns.Yes, he found the "J." In the first season and half of his second stint in a Dallas uniform, he was the Mavs most accurate long-distance shooter. Better than Jason Terry, Dirk Nowitzki, and Howard.Kidd could have participated in Saturday's three-point shootout, and he would not have been out of place.This is what Cuban wanted in 2008. He reached into his pocket for an additional $17 million to get this Kidd.When the Springfield-bound point guard plays with such know-how and poise, the Mavericks challenging for conference supremacy seems like less of a joke.In running the show Wednesday, he showed the command of his position Devin Harris could not.Harris showed a strong defensive faculty and blew by most of his competitors. His immature decision-making could not take the aging Mavs where they wanted to go.He has not realized his potential in New Jersey, where the five-win Nets are chasing the wrong side of history.Most have long since closed the book on this argument. Cuban was crucified for swapping a speedster seen as the future of the franchise for a geezer in his twilight.Cuban traded half of his roster, critics said then.Kidd proved well worth his acquisition priceand the three-year, $25 million extension the team tendered him this summer, when the Mavs needed someone to lead the victory charge against the Suns.Nowitzki's 28 points and seven rebounds also helped.On nights like this, Kidd's best qualities shine. He gets more high-percentage looks for Nowitzki and Terry than Harris ever did. He maximizes the offensive potential of his teammates. He now hits big shots.In the Mavs last game before the All-Star break, Kidd registered only five assists with four turnovers in a horrifying and dispiriting 127-91 loss to the Denver Nuggets.Then, Dallas looked and played like the league's oldest team.Cuban had said of his team in the previous week, "We suck right now."The team's Tennessee Titans jersey
struggles prompted another ballyhooed trade on the part of the NBA's loudest owner.Wednesday, the other trade mattered. The deal he fought for amidst a deluge of criticism looked like a stroke of genius.The Kidd of 2002 and 2003 resurfacedand so did thoughts of another important month.June.
2011年1月9日星期日
9 Jan 11 How to Be an Effective Free Throw Shooter…
Andy Lyons/Getty ImagesIt was Game 1 and the Orlando Magic made it first ever trip to the NBA finals the year was 1995 and the Magic are hosting the Houston Rockets. It was a dream matchup between rookie Shaquille Oneal and veteran Hakeem Olajuwon it was such a close game that it Arizona Cardinals jersey
had to be concluded in the final minute of the game. On the line was Nick Anderson with Magic leading by 3 points and needed just a point from the free throw line to ice the game. Anderson was a reliable shooter but when the game was on the line he missed four crucial free throws which converted a three point shot by Kenny Smith which sends the game to overtime. The Magic eventually loosed the game and never got back with Houston sweeping the Magic in four games. Nick Anderson never got back to his shooting days and ended his career as a journey man. Free throws as Wiki explains are unopposed foul shot attempted to score points in the restricted area known as the free throw line. The root word of this sentence is undoubtedly unopposed which means unguarded. Shooters who struggled in their offense tried to get back their shooting touch by driving to the basket and go to the free throw line and tall players such as Shaq and Ben Wallace dreads the free throw every time they go to the charity stripe. But nonetheless the game with its physicality the only solace and the silver lining is the free throw shot. So it either an added advantage or a handicapped to teams who struggled in offense. Their are unorthodox free throw shooters like Rick Barry, Jason Kidd and the murmuring Karl Malone which are called the free throw rituals even if you do a back flip or some jiggy dance before the free throw the most important thing would be it outcome. So how do you shoot a free throw line effectively? I tried doing the Jason Kidd with blowing kisses in the air and also tried the wrap around dribble before shooting but still I struggled with my shots. Notice how Shaq held the ball in the air and release it with one hand no follow through and with lots of force to it. That why Hack-a-Shaq was invented. There are tons of tutorials around the net but they say different strokes for different folks but as I go along with some research in order to be a good free throw shooter all you have to do is stay focus in the ring and keep your arms relax it easy to Atlanta Falcons jersey
say if you have ice in your veins but here Ill give some good free throw tips 1. Dribble the ball thrice 2. Focus in the ring 3. Bend your knees 4. Arms clipped 5. Release the ball 6. Follow through I dare you to try it and as far as my free throw percentage is doing I think Ive done a good improvement.
had to be concluded in the final minute of the game. On the line was Nick Anderson with Magic leading by 3 points and needed just a point from the free throw line to ice the game. Anderson was a reliable shooter but when the game was on the line he missed four crucial free throws which converted a three point shot by Kenny Smith which sends the game to overtime. The Magic eventually loosed the game and never got back with Houston sweeping the Magic in four games. Nick Anderson never got back to his shooting days and ended his career as a journey man. Free throws as Wiki explains are unopposed foul shot attempted to score points in the restricted area known as the free throw line. The root word of this sentence is undoubtedly unopposed which means unguarded. Shooters who struggled in their offense tried to get back their shooting touch by driving to the basket and go to the free throw line and tall players such as Shaq and Ben Wallace dreads the free throw every time they go to the charity stripe. But nonetheless the game with its physicality the only solace and the silver lining is the free throw shot. So it either an added advantage or a handicapped to teams who struggled in offense. Their are unorthodox free throw shooters like Rick Barry, Jason Kidd and the murmuring Karl Malone which are called the free throw rituals even if you do a back flip or some jiggy dance before the free throw the most important thing would be it outcome. So how do you shoot a free throw line effectively? I tried doing the Jason Kidd with blowing kisses in the air and also tried the wrap around dribble before shooting but still I struggled with my shots. Notice how Shaq held the ball in the air and release it with one hand no follow through and with lots of force to it. That why Hack-a-Shaq was invented. There are tons of tutorials around the net but they say different strokes for different folks but as I go along with some research in order to be a good free throw shooter all you have to do is stay focus in the ring and keep your arms relax it easy to Atlanta Falcons jersey
say if you have ice in your veins but here Ill give some good free throw tips 1. Dribble the ball thrice 2. Focus in the ring 3. Bend your knees 4. Arms clipped 5. Release the ball 6. Follow through I dare you to try it and as far as my free throw percentage is doing I think Ive done a good improvement.
2011年1月8日星期六
8 Jan 11 Atlanta Hawks: My Apologies To Josh Smith
Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesDear Mr. Smith,You probably are not going to here this from a lot of fans, sports talk radio guys, bloggers, etc. but I have to say that I was wrong. I am not sure what happened, but you have totally reshaped your game and attitude over the course of the 2009-10 season.Okay here it goes. J-smoove, I am sorry......that I thought that the beststartingline-up for theHawks going into the 2009-10season was to have you coming off the bench and Zaza Pachuliastarting at center....that I refused to believe that you Carolina Panthers jersey
would stop shooting 3 point shots this season. I still keep waiting for you to jack up a couple of long range bombs. I want you to shoot a couple for old times' sake. Now, you are refusing to shoot a 3 point shot, because people kind of want you to shoot one. I like the stubbornness....that I lobbied for Coach Mike Woodson to take you out of games in crunch time and play a smaller line-up with Marvin Williams at the 4 spot, or to take you out and play Joe Smith beside Al Horford....that I figured the All-Star snub this year by the Eastern Conference coaches would send your game into a tailspin. Instead of being churlish and resentful of Al Horford, you have been a one man wrecking crew in the last 6 weeks. Your effort and consistency have never been better....that I wanted to trade you last year for Carmelo Anthony and this year for Amare Stoudemire or Chris Bosh. Okay, I probably would still take Carmelo, but not the Carmelo that refused to go into a game last year....that I did not give you enough credit for your passing skills. You have always Chicago Bears jersey
been unselfish and you find open 3 point shooters, but this year the Coach Woodson is actually running the offense through you. Whether you are posting on the right block or operating at the top of the key, you are making plays for your teammates.Others might gasp when they read this, but you are very close to commanding a double team in the post. That bodes well for Hawks and their playoff aspirations....that I often question your ability to contain the ball when you are guarding someone man to man on the perimeter. I do not see the blow bys by perimeter players that have happened in the past. On a nightly basis, you are playing passing lanes and you still block shots from all over the place. Are you finally listening to Coach Woodson?...that Iwrote last year on this page that Icould name 50 NBA players that Iwould take ahead of you in adraft of all the players in the Association. You are playing at an All-Star level. I even take back the notion that I would want Blake Griffin in your place. You have two very athletic knees.Okay, I do have one complaint still. Why do you let the officials upset you so much? Forget those guys (and one girl). If you keep dominating on both ends of the floor, the officials will start giving you calls.You and the Hawks might need a call or two late in the 4th Cincinnati Bengals jersey
quarter in the playoffs against the Orlando Magic. The great thing is that this year if you get that foul call and make some winning free throws, you will have earned it.I know you do not care what others think, but you should congratulate yourself on your professionalism and level of play. Good luck in the playoffs!
would stop shooting 3 point shots this season. I still keep waiting for you to jack up a couple of long range bombs. I want you to shoot a couple for old times' sake. Now, you are refusing to shoot a 3 point shot, because people kind of want you to shoot one. I like the stubbornness....that I lobbied for Coach Mike Woodson to take you out of games in crunch time and play a smaller line-up with Marvin Williams at the 4 spot, or to take you out and play Joe Smith beside Al Horford....that I figured the All-Star snub this year by the Eastern Conference coaches would send your game into a tailspin. Instead of being churlish and resentful of Al Horford, you have been a one man wrecking crew in the last 6 weeks. Your effort and consistency have never been better....that I wanted to trade you last year for Carmelo Anthony and this year for Amare Stoudemire or Chris Bosh. Okay, I probably would still take Carmelo, but not the Carmelo that refused to go into a game last year....that I did not give you enough credit for your passing skills. You have always Chicago Bears jersey
been unselfish and you find open 3 point shooters, but this year the Coach Woodson is actually running the offense through you. Whether you are posting on the right block or operating at the top of the key, you are making plays for your teammates.Others might gasp when they read this, but you are very close to commanding a double team in the post. That bodes well for Hawks and their playoff aspirations....that I often question your ability to contain the ball when you are guarding someone man to man on the perimeter. I do not see the blow bys by perimeter players that have happened in the past. On a nightly basis, you are playing passing lanes and you still block shots from all over the place. Are you finally listening to Coach Woodson?...that Iwrote last year on this page that Icould name 50 NBA players that Iwould take ahead of you in adraft of all the players in the Association. You are playing at an All-Star level. I even take back the notion that I would want Blake Griffin in your place. You have two very athletic knees.Okay, I do have one complaint still. Why do you let the officials upset you so much? Forget those guys (and one girl). If you keep dominating on both ends of the floor, the officials will start giving you calls.You and the Hawks might need a call or two late in the 4th Cincinnati Bengals jersey
quarter in the playoffs against the Orlando Magic. The great thing is that this year if you get that foul call and make some winning free throws, you will have earned it.I know you do not care what others think, but you should congratulate yourself on your professionalism and level of play. Good luck in the playoffs!
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