Kobe, LeBron, Dwight have NBA's hottest-selling jerseys
By J.E. Skeets
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has retained the No. 1 spot on the NBA's most popular jerseys list, a ranking he has held since the start of the '08-09 season. The rankings are based on sales at the NBA Store in New York City and NBAStore.com since the start of the '09-10 season.
Kobe is on top (don't say it!), LeBron James' Cavs' thread is second, Magic man Dwight Howard is third, and checking in at number four, ahead of superstar Dwyane Wade, is Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose.
The biggest surprise, of course, is Rose, who climbed seven spots from his No. 11 ranking last year.
Matt Watson of NBA FanHouse wonders if Rose's jump can be credited to his virgin playoff performance; "the Bulls aren't even as good as they were last year, but fans likely remember how Rose helped force the Celtics to an epic seven-game, seven-overtime series."
I'm sure there's some truth to that, but I have a much simpler explanation: the Bulls' jerseys just look good. In fact, I'd argue that if Hornets guard Chris Paul played in Chicago's stylin' red-and-black — instead of this nightmare — he'd probably be top five material, too. The actual design of the jersey must play some small part. This is fashion, after all.
Here's a look at the Top 15:
1. Kobe Bryant, Lakers
2. LeBron James, Cavaliers
3. Dwight Howard, Magic
4. Derrick Rose, Bulls
5. Dwyane Wade, Heat
6. Kevin Garnett, Celtics
7. Chris Paul, Hornets
8. Paul Pierce, Celtics
9. Shaquille O'Neal, Cavaliers
10. Pau Gasol, Lakers
11. Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets
12. Steve Nash, Suns
13. David Lee, Knicks
14. Allen Iverson, 76ers
15. Kevin Durant, Thunder
In related NBA cash news, the Lakers once again top the list of most popular NBA team merchandise. The Celtics hold on to the No. 2 spot for the second year in a row and the Cavaliers move up from No. 4 last season to No. 3.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Jealous of AP, Berrian cited for going 104 mph
OAKDALE, Minn. (AP)—Minnesota authorities say Vikings wide receiver Bernard Berrian(notes) has been cited for driving 104 mph in a 60-mph zone, days after police clocked teammate Adrian Peterson going 109 mph in a 55-mph area.
Minnesota State Patrol Capt. Matt Langer said Saturday that Berrian was cited for speeding on I-694 in Oakdale about 9:40 p.m. Monday.
A man who answered the cell phone of Berrian’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told The Associated Press on Saturday that Rosenhaus wasn’t immediately available to comment.
Berrian’s traffic stop came a night after the Vikings beat the Chicago Bears 36-10. Berrian caught six passes in that game for 74 yards.
Peterson could lose his license after he was caught speeding Nov. 28.
Minnesota State Patrol Capt. Matt Langer said Saturday that Berrian was cited for speeding on I-694 in Oakdale about 9:40 p.m. Monday.
A man who answered the cell phone of Berrian’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told The Associated Press on Saturday that Rosenhaus wasn’t immediately available to comment.
Berrian’s traffic stop came a night after the Vikings beat the Chicago Bears 36-10. Berrian caught six passes in that game for 74 yards.
Peterson could lose his license after he was caught speeding Nov. 28.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Do you have a GOOGLE account?
Of course you do. So I’m asking you to help a brotha out. Since I’ve had a few different blogs over the years, this new URL suffers in search results. So, if you would be so kind,
1. Log in to your google account
2. Go to google.com
3. Search for ‘chespn’
4. Scroll down till you see a link or description to chespn.com
5. Click the little arrow that "promotes" that result to the top of your page
6. Optional: leave a public comment about how great my blog is
Thanks!!!
1. Log in to your google account
2. Go to google.com
3. Search for ‘chespn’
4. Scroll down till you see a link or description to chespn.com
5. Click the little arrow that "promotes" that result to the top of your page
6. Optional: leave a public comment about how great my blog is
Thanks!!!
Vikings RB Peterson gets 109 mph speeding ticket
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson could lose his driver’s license after police clocked him driving at 109 mph—nearly twice the posted speed limit—on a suburban Minneapolis highway last weekend.
Peterson told The Associated Press on Thursday that he “got a little speeding ticket. I need to be more aware of the speed I was going and not let it happen again.”
Peterson was pulled over just before 8:30 p.m. Saturday while driving his BMW in a 55-mph zone on state Highway 62—a normally busy stretch of road known as the Crosstown that connects Minneapolis with southern and western suburbs, Edina police spokeswoman Molly Anderson said. She said Peterson was given a citation and allowed to drive away after what appeared to be a “very routine” traffic stop.
Anderson said police clocked the 24-year-old Peterson going 109 mph, but Peterson told the AP he wasn’t driving that fast.
“But I know it was a speeding ticket, and that’s what I got issued for,” Peterson said.
The stop happened the night before Peterson ran for 85 yards and a touchdown in a 36-10 victory over Chicago. The All-Pro also fumbled twice, with one of them a turnover for the Vikings.
Peterson said he was headed to the downtown hotel where the team stays the night before home games. He said he was not late at that point.
“After I got pulled over, then I was late,” Peterson said.
In 2005, Minnesota lawmakers approved tougher sanctions for drivers caught at excessive speeds, and one provision requires revocation for at least six months for driving faster than 100 mph.
Peterson has 21 days from the date of the citation to challenge it in court.
Sen. Steve Murphy, a Democrat, sponsored the law to send a message about irresponsible driving.
“Mr. Peterson is going to be walking for a little while. That’s an automatic suspension for anything over 100 mph,” Murphy said. “Just because he can go 100 mph on the football field doesn’t mean he needs to go 100 mph on our roads.”
He added, “Maybe Adrian’s miscue will save the life of someone else and that’s the good that can come out of this.”
Minnesota State Patrol Capt. Matt Langer, who wasn’t involved in the Peterson stop, said whether to cite a driver for speeding or for misdemeanor reckless driving is a judgment call. Langer said it comes down to how great a risk the speeder posed to themselves or others on the road.
“Any time you speed at all it’s dangerous,” Langer said. “But to that extreme it’s just absolutely ridiculous.”
Coach Brad Childress downplayed any concern about Peterson’s alleged high speed.
“I don’t know. I’d stay out of the police industry, if that in fact is true,” Childress said, adding: “You got to take care of yourself. You can’t put yourself in harm’s way.”
Childress acknowledged Peterson was late to the hotel, but declined to discuss the possibility of any punishment.
“He was there shortly thereafter, and as we do with everything that’s in-house stuff,” the coach said.
Peterson, a first-round draft pick out of Oklahoma from Palestine, Texas, led the NFC with 1,341 rushing yards in his rookie season with Minnesota in 2007, then led the league last season with 1,760 yards rushing. He’s third in the NFL this year with 1,084 yards.
Peterson has become one of the sport’s most popular players, with a high national profile that includes an endorsement with Nike. He has no known prior off-the-field troubles, and he’s active in the community with charity work. Peterson annually hosts a Special Olympics event at the team’s practice facility, one of his favorite causes.
Minnesota (10-1) plays at Arizona (7-4) this Sunday night in a matchup of division leaders.
AP Sports Writer Dave Campbell in Eden Prairie, Minn., and Brian Bakst in St. Paul, Minn., contributed to this report.
Peterson told The Associated Press on Thursday that he “got a little speeding ticket. I need to be more aware of the speed I was going and not let it happen again.”
Peterson was pulled over just before 8:30 p.m. Saturday while driving his BMW in a 55-mph zone on state Highway 62—a normally busy stretch of road known as the Crosstown that connects Minneapolis with southern and western suburbs, Edina police spokeswoman Molly Anderson said. She said Peterson was given a citation and allowed to drive away after what appeared to be a “very routine” traffic stop.
Anderson said police clocked the 24-year-old Peterson going 109 mph, but Peterson told the AP he wasn’t driving that fast.
“But I know it was a speeding ticket, and that’s what I got issued for,” Peterson said.
The stop happened the night before Peterson ran for 85 yards and a touchdown in a 36-10 victory over Chicago. The All-Pro also fumbled twice, with one of them a turnover for the Vikings.
Peterson said he was headed to the downtown hotel where the team stays the night before home games. He said he was not late at that point.
“After I got pulled over, then I was late,” Peterson said.
In 2005, Minnesota lawmakers approved tougher sanctions for drivers caught at excessive speeds, and one provision requires revocation for at least six months for driving faster than 100 mph.
Peterson has 21 days from the date of the citation to challenge it in court.
Sen. Steve Murphy, a Democrat, sponsored the law to send a message about irresponsible driving.
“Mr. Peterson is going to be walking for a little while. That’s an automatic suspension for anything over 100 mph,” Murphy said. “Just because he can go 100 mph on the football field doesn’t mean he needs to go 100 mph on our roads.”
He added, “Maybe Adrian’s miscue will save the life of someone else and that’s the good that can come out of this.”
Minnesota State Patrol Capt. Matt Langer, who wasn’t involved in the Peterson stop, said whether to cite a driver for speeding or for misdemeanor reckless driving is a judgment call. Langer said it comes down to how great a risk the speeder posed to themselves or others on the road.
“Any time you speed at all it’s dangerous,” Langer said. “But to that extreme it’s just absolutely ridiculous.”
Coach Brad Childress downplayed any concern about Peterson’s alleged high speed.
“I don’t know. I’d stay out of the police industry, if that in fact is true,” Childress said, adding: “You got to take care of yourself. You can’t put yourself in harm’s way.”
Childress acknowledged Peterson was late to the hotel, but declined to discuss the possibility of any punishment.
“He was there shortly thereafter, and as we do with everything that’s in-house stuff,” the coach said.
Peterson, a first-round draft pick out of Oklahoma from Palestine, Texas, led the NFC with 1,341 rushing yards in his rookie season with Minnesota in 2007, then led the league last season with 1,760 yards rushing. He’s third in the NFL this year with 1,084 yards.
Peterson has become one of the sport’s most popular players, with a high national profile that includes an endorsement with Nike. He has no known prior off-the-field troubles, and he’s active in the community with charity work. Peterson annually hosts a Special Olympics event at the team’s practice facility, one of his favorite causes.
Minnesota (10-1) plays at Arizona (7-4) this Sunday night in a matchup of division leaders.
AP Sports Writer Dave Campbell in Eden Prairie, Minn., and Brian Bakst in St. Paul, Minn., contributed to this report.
Monday, November 30, 2009
5 Storylines to watch on MNF (NO vs NE)
By Mike Reiss
hen the Patriots face the Saints on Monday night, the scoreboard operator could get a workout. The Saints lead the NFL in points per game with 36.9, while the Patriots are third (29.0).
Here is one view of the top five keys and storylines leading up to kickoff:
1. Saints' injury situation at cornerback versus spread formations. The Saints' top three cornerbacks -- Jabari Greer (groin), Tracy Porter (knee) and Randall Gay (hamstring) -- are ailing, and as one NFL scout said last week, "If you're going to play the Patriots, you better have enough corners." Even if Greer, Porter and Gay play, there is a question of how effective they will be. The Patriots like to spread the field, test an opponent's depth at corner and get the ball to top receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker, who were targeted on 28 of 41 pass attempts last Sunday. This is the game within Monday's game with Tom Brady at the controls.
2. Patriots' offensive line versus Saints' blitz. The Saints have blitzed on 49 percent of opponents' pass plays this season, the second-highest total in the NFL behind the Jets. With a noisy atmosphere expected and the Patriots likely to operate consistently out of the shotgun with the silent snap count, the discipline and mental toughness of the offensive line (11 false starts on the season) will be tested. Furthermore, the Patriots have injury issues at offensive tackle, as rookie left tackle Sebastian Vollmer has not practiced all week because of a head injury (presumably a concussion) and right tackle Nick Kaczur is hobbled with an ankle sprain. That could lead to a new combination on the edges, with veteran Matt Light returning to his starting spot at left tackle after missing five games with a knee injury and Mark LeVoir sliding in at right tackle. Saints ends Will Smith (8½ sacks) and Charles Grant (4½ sacks) will test the tackles.
3. Which Patriots team will show up in the second half? In their three road losses, the Patriots have looked like a different team in the second half, held scoreless against the Jets and Broncos while putting up just 10 points against the Colts. Brady also has looked like a different quarterback. In the first half of those losses, Brady was 40-of-65 for 539 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. In the second half, he was 31-of-57 for 261 yards with just one touchdown and one interception. On the flip side, Saints quarterback Drew Brees is the NFL's top-rated fourth-quarter passer.
4. Two of the best teams in turnover margin collide. Through 10 games, the Patriots ranked second in the NFL in turnover margin (plus-12), while the Saints were third (plus-10). No team has more takeaways than the Saints (29), who are led by ball-hawking safety Darren Sharper, his seven interceptions ranking second in the NFL through 10 games. Meanwhile, only one team had fewer giveaways than the Patriots (10). Something has to give.
5. Patriots' Achilles heel could come back to haunt them. Red zone offense has been an ongoing concern for the Patriots, who rank 24th in touchdown percentage. They have reached the end zone just 21 times in 44 red zone trips, and settling for field goals won't get it done against the prolific Saints offense. The Saints are a tough defense to crack inside the 20-yard line, as they rank fifth in the NFL in limiting foes to 14 touchdowns in 33 red zone trips.
Mike Reiss covers the Patriots for ESPN Boston. You can follow him on Twitter or leave a question for his weekly mailbag.
hen the Patriots face the Saints on Monday night, the scoreboard operator could get a workout. The Saints lead the NFL in points per game with 36.9, while the Patriots are third (29.0).
Here is one view of the top five keys and storylines leading up to kickoff:
1. Saints' injury situation at cornerback versus spread formations. The Saints' top three cornerbacks -- Jabari Greer (groin), Tracy Porter (knee) and Randall Gay (hamstring) -- are ailing, and as one NFL scout said last week, "If you're going to play the Patriots, you better have enough corners." Even if Greer, Porter and Gay play, there is a question of how effective they will be. The Patriots like to spread the field, test an opponent's depth at corner and get the ball to top receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker, who were targeted on 28 of 41 pass attempts last Sunday. This is the game within Monday's game with Tom Brady at the controls.
2. Patriots' offensive line versus Saints' blitz. The Saints have blitzed on 49 percent of opponents' pass plays this season, the second-highest total in the NFL behind the Jets. With a noisy atmosphere expected and the Patriots likely to operate consistently out of the shotgun with the silent snap count, the discipline and mental toughness of the offensive line (11 false starts on the season) will be tested. Furthermore, the Patriots have injury issues at offensive tackle, as rookie left tackle Sebastian Vollmer has not practiced all week because of a head injury (presumably a concussion) and right tackle Nick Kaczur is hobbled with an ankle sprain. That could lead to a new combination on the edges, with veteran Matt Light returning to his starting spot at left tackle after missing five games with a knee injury and Mark LeVoir sliding in at right tackle. Saints ends Will Smith (8½ sacks) and Charles Grant (4½ sacks) will test the tackles.
3. Which Patriots team will show up in the second half? In their three road losses, the Patriots have looked like a different team in the second half, held scoreless against the Jets and Broncos while putting up just 10 points against the Colts. Brady also has looked like a different quarterback. In the first half of those losses, Brady was 40-of-65 for 539 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. In the second half, he was 31-of-57 for 261 yards with just one touchdown and one interception. On the flip side, Saints quarterback Drew Brees is the NFL's top-rated fourth-quarter passer.
4. Two of the best teams in turnover margin collide. Through 10 games, the Patriots ranked second in the NFL in turnover margin (plus-12), while the Saints were third (plus-10). No team has more takeaways than the Saints (29), who are led by ball-hawking safety Darren Sharper, his seven interceptions ranking second in the NFL through 10 games. Meanwhile, only one team had fewer giveaways than the Patriots (10). Something has to give.
5. Patriots' Achilles heel could come back to haunt them. Red zone offense has been an ongoing concern for the Patriots, who rank 24th in touchdown percentage. They have reached the end zone just 21 times in 44 red zone trips, and settling for field goals won't get it done against the prolific Saints offense. The Saints are a tough defense to crack inside the 20-yard line, as they rank fifth in the NFL in limiting foes to 14 touchdowns in 33 red zone trips.
Mike Reiss covers the Patriots for ESPN Boston. You can follow him on Twitter or leave a question for his weekly mailbag.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
The 10 best NCAA basketball games of the decade : I was in the building for No. 1
Tue Nov 24, 2009 6:35 pm EST
The 10 best NCAA basketball games of the decade
By Chris Chase
As the decade winds down, The Dagger will celebrate the past 10 years of college basketball with various top 10 lists. Today, we at look at the 10 best games of the 2000s:
10. Villanova 78, Pittsburgh 76 -- Regional Final, 2009 NCAA tournament
The Big East battle featured six lead changes in the final six minutes, game-tying free throws with 5.3 seconds on the clock and the memorable Scottie Reynolds near-buzzer beater that catapulted Villanova to its first Final Four since 1985.
9. Duke 98, Maryland 96 (OT) -- Regular season, 2001
With 54 seconds left, the Terps helped a 10-point lead over the No. 2 Blue Devils. Fourteen seconds later, the lead was two, thanks to eight points from Jason (don't call him Jay) Williams. Duke eventually tied it up and the game went to overtime where, amazingly, Maryland didn't fold and had a chance to win at the end. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the catalyst for the comeback: a bogus fifth foul on Steve Blake, who had blanketed Williams on defense all night.
8. Connecticut 79, Duke 78 -- National semifinal, 2004 NCAA tournament
Duke led by eight with four minutes to go, but UConn scored 12 straight to close out the game (save for a garbage-time three by Chris Duhon). Emeka Okafor scored 18 points in the second half after sitting for nearly the entire first session because of two quick fouls.
7. Oklahoma State 64, St. Joseph's 62 -- Regional final, 2004 NCAA tournament
Never before had a No. 1 seed been as disrespected as St. Joe's, but the 30-1 squad came within a jumpshot of the Final Four.
6. Gonzaga 109, Michigan State 106 (3OT) -- Regular season, 2005
Even though it took place the day before Thanksgiving in a small gym in Maui, this game had all the intensity of a Final Four contest and was played even better. Jim O'Connell wrote for the Associated Press after the game: "If the game was played in March instead of late November, it would have gone down as one of the sport's all-time classics. It still should."
5. George Mason 86, Connecticut 84 (OT) -- Regional final, 2006 NCAA tournament
They had already bested Michigan State and North Carolina. Nobody really thought George Mason could continue their magical run against Connecticut, another college basketball powerhouse, one that had entered March as the No. 1 team in the land. Surely UConn would realize it couldn't take Mason lightly and overrun the Patriots with their superior talent, right? Right??
4. UCLA 73, Gonzaga 71 -- Regional semifinal, 2006 NCAA tournament
A transcript of Gus Johnson's call of the final 15 seconds of the game:
And a steal! Farmar! Inside! The freshman ... up and ... (unintelligible) they go in front! Ravio! Last chance to dance. OH WHAT A GAME!!! WHAT. A. GAME! UCLA! UNBELIEVABLE! AFTER BEING DOWN BY 17, HEARTBREAK CITY!
And then Adam Morrison cried.
3. Syracuse 127, Connecticut 117 (6 OT) -- Quarterfinal, 2009 Big East tournament
The headline here on The Dagger read: "This is why we love college hoops." Couldn't have said it better myself.
2. Kansas 75, Memphis 68 (OT) -- National championship, 2008 NCAA tournament
All season long people wondered whether the free-throw shooting ability (or lack thereof) would be the undoing of a one-loss Memphis team. They were right. Derrick Rose and Chris Douglas-Roberts missed four of five attempts from the line in the game's final 90 seconds, which allowed Mario Chalmers to hit the game-tying three with 2.1 seconds on the clock. After that, the Jayhawks rocked and chalked with ease in the extra session.
1. Illinois 90, Arizona 89 (OT) -- Regional Final, 2005 NCAA tournament
It was the wildest comeback the NCAA tournament has ever seen. Down 15 with four minutes to go, No. 1 seed Illinois stormed back to send its elite eight match-up with Arizona to overtime. The game had been tight through the first 30 minutes before the Wildcats pulled away, seemingly on their way to the Final Four. But some Deron Williams heroics saved the Illini, who would go on to lose in the finals to North Carolina, possibly becoming the best team of the decade to not win the title.
The 10 best NCAA basketball games of the decade
By Chris Chase
As the decade winds down, The Dagger will celebrate the past 10 years of college basketball with various top 10 lists. Today, we at look at the 10 best games of the 2000s:
10. Villanova 78, Pittsburgh 76 -- Regional Final, 2009 NCAA tournament
The Big East battle featured six lead changes in the final six minutes, game-tying free throws with 5.3 seconds on the clock and the memorable Scottie Reynolds near-buzzer beater that catapulted Villanova to its first Final Four since 1985.
9. Duke 98, Maryland 96 (OT) -- Regular season, 2001
With 54 seconds left, the Terps helped a 10-point lead over the No. 2 Blue Devils. Fourteen seconds later, the lead was two, thanks to eight points from Jason (don't call him Jay) Williams. Duke eventually tied it up and the game went to overtime where, amazingly, Maryland didn't fold and had a chance to win at the end. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the catalyst for the comeback: a bogus fifth foul on Steve Blake, who had blanketed Williams on defense all night.
8. Connecticut 79, Duke 78 -- National semifinal, 2004 NCAA tournament
Duke led by eight with four minutes to go, but UConn scored 12 straight to close out the game (save for a garbage-time three by Chris Duhon). Emeka Okafor scored 18 points in the second half after sitting for nearly the entire first session because of two quick fouls.
7. Oklahoma State 64, St. Joseph's 62 -- Regional final, 2004 NCAA tournament
Never before had a No. 1 seed been as disrespected as St. Joe's, but the 30-1 squad came within a jumpshot of the Final Four.
6. Gonzaga 109, Michigan State 106 (3OT) -- Regular season, 2005
Even though it took place the day before Thanksgiving in a small gym in Maui, this game had all the intensity of a Final Four contest and was played even better. Jim O'Connell wrote for the Associated Press after the game: "If the game was played in March instead of late November, it would have gone down as one of the sport's all-time classics. It still should."
5. George Mason 86, Connecticut 84 (OT) -- Regional final, 2006 NCAA tournament
They had already bested Michigan State and North Carolina. Nobody really thought George Mason could continue their magical run against Connecticut, another college basketball powerhouse, one that had entered March as the No. 1 team in the land. Surely UConn would realize it couldn't take Mason lightly and overrun the Patriots with their superior talent, right? Right??
4. UCLA 73, Gonzaga 71 -- Regional semifinal, 2006 NCAA tournament
A transcript of Gus Johnson's call of the final 15 seconds of the game:
And a steal! Farmar! Inside! The freshman ... up and ... (unintelligible) they go in front! Ravio! Last chance to dance. OH WHAT A GAME!!! WHAT. A. GAME! UCLA! UNBELIEVABLE! AFTER BEING DOWN BY 17, HEARTBREAK CITY!
And then Adam Morrison cried.
3. Syracuse 127, Connecticut 117 (6 OT) -- Quarterfinal, 2009 Big East tournament
The headline here on The Dagger read: "This is why we love college hoops." Couldn't have said it better myself.
2. Kansas 75, Memphis 68 (OT) -- National championship, 2008 NCAA tournament
All season long people wondered whether the free-throw shooting ability (or lack thereof) would be the undoing of a one-loss Memphis team. They were right. Derrick Rose and Chris Douglas-Roberts missed four of five attempts from the line in the game's final 90 seconds, which allowed Mario Chalmers to hit the game-tying three with 2.1 seconds on the clock. After that, the Jayhawks rocked and chalked with ease in the extra session.
1. Illinois 90, Arizona 89 (OT) -- Regional Final, 2005 NCAA tournament
It was the wildest comeback the NCAA tournament has ever seen. Down 15 with four minutes to go, No. 1 seed Illinois stormed back to send its elite eight match-up with Arizona to overtime. The game had been tight through the first 30 minutes before the Wildcats pulled away, seemingly on their way to the Final Four. But some Deron Williams heroics saved the Illini, who would go on to lose in the finals to North Carolina, possibly becoming the best team of the decade to not win the title.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
NBA bans Kings scout for gambling on team
The NBA has banned former Sacramento Kings assistant director of scouting Jack Mai for betting money on league games, including those involving the Kings, Yahoo! Sports has learned.
The league informed teams in a memo on Wednesday afternoon that an investigation revealed Mai bet on NBA games “limited to small amounts of money among acquaintances and there is no evidence that he ever attempted to use his position with the Kings to influence the outcome of any NBA game.”
Mai bet on the Kings’ games for years, “some for, and some against,” a league source told Yahoo! Sports.
When reached by phone on Wednesday afternoon, Mai said only, “I resigned,” and declined further comment.
The NBA told teams they can never employ, nor use Mai in a consultant’s capacity. League rules forbid employees from betting on any NBA games, especially those involving their own teams.
“We take this matter very seriously, and we fully cooperated with the NBA’s investigation,” the Kings said in a statement.
Business partners of Mai tipped the NBA to his betting, a league source told Yahoo! Sports. After eight years with the organization, the Kings fired Mai early in 2009. Besides the gambling investigation, one league source said Mai had “questionable business dealings with Korean and Chinese basketball teams and leagues.”
“He was using his position with the Kings to make business deals for players, equipment, etc., and appearances by NBA players in Asia for money,” the source said.
Donaghy tried to peddle a tell-all book that would’ve alleged further impropriety among officials and the league, but the publisher said the threat of potential liability ultimately killed the book’s release.
The league informed teams in a memo on Wednesday afternoon that an investigation revealed Mai bet on NBA games “limited to small amounts of money among acquaintances and there is no evidence that he ever attempted to use his position with the Kings to influence the outcome of any NBA game.”
Mai bet on the Kings’ games for years, “some for, and some against,” a league source told Yahoo! Sports.
When reached by phone on Wednesday afternoon, Mai said only, “I resigned,” and declined further comment.
The NBA told teams they can never employ, nor use Mai in a consultant’s capacity. League rules forbid employees from betting on any NBA games, especially those involving their own teams.
“We take this matter very seriously, and we fully cooperated with the NBA’s investigation,” the Kings said in a statement.
Business partners of Mai tipped the NBA to his betting, a league source told Yahoo! Sports. After eight years with the organization, the Kings fired Mai early in 2009. Besides the gambling investigation, one league source said Mai had “questionable business dealings with Korean and Chinese basketball teams and leagues.”
“He was using his position with the Kings to make business deals for players, equipment, etc., and appearances by NBA players in Asia for money,” the source said.
Donaghy tried to peddle a tell-all book that would’ve alleged further impropriety among officials and the league, but the publisher said the threat of potential liability ultimately killed the book’s release.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Iraqi detainees taunt Wisconsin soldiers about Brett Favre
Fri Nov 20, 2009 3:01 pm EST
By MJD
If you happen to be a Packers fan who is sick and tired of hearing about Brett Favre, and you're thinking of joining the National Guard and going overseas to get away from it all, stop. It's not going to work. The detainees in Baghdad are going to be just as vicious as the Vikings fans you know.
A Wisconsin National Guard unit charged with keeping watch over detainees in Baghdad decided to put up Packers colors and logos all around the camp. The prisoners noticed, started asking questions and suddenly, Favre became an unwitting ally.
From 620WTMJ's Jay Sorgi (subbing in for the injured Waylon Manning):
"They know Favre by name," said First Lieutenant Tim Boehnen, who is from New Richmond, Wis.
"One of the big words they know now is shenanigan. They'll constantly talk about 'Favre shenanigans,' 'He's so good for the Vikings,' and 'The Packers have got to really feel bad about that one.' "
[...] "They obviously then started up the conversations, and started talking about Brett Favre. They soon learned about Favre going to the Vikings, and things just started going downhill from there."
In retaliation, I think our troops should make the detainees watch ESPN's Week 4 Monday Night Football contest between the Vikings and Packers, including pre- and post-game shows. They'll never want to mention Favre again.
By MJD
If you happen to be a Packers fan who is sick and tired of hearing about Brett Favre, and you're thinking of joining the National Guard and going overseas to get away from it all, stop. It's not going to work. The detainees in Baghdad are going to be just as vicious as the Vikings fans you know.
A Wisconsin National Guard unit charged with keeping watch over detainees in Baghdad decided to put up Packers colors and logos all around the camp. The prisoners noticed, started asking questions and suddenly, Favre became an unwitting ally.
From 620WTMJ's Jay Sorgi (subbing in for the injured Waylon Manning):
"They know Favre by name," said First Lieutenant Tim Boehnen, who is from New Richmond, Wis.
"One of the big words they know now is shenanigan. They'll constantly talk about 'Favre shenanigans,' 'He's so good for the Vikings,' and 'The Packers have got to really feel bad about that one.' "
[...] "They obviously then started up the conversations, and started talking about Brett Favre. They soon learned about Favre going to the Vikings, and things just started going downhill from there."
In retaliation, I think our troops should make the detainees watch ESPN's Week 4 Monday Night Football contest between the Vikings and Packers, including pre- and post-game shows. They'll never want to mention Favre again.
Friday, November 20, 2009
I mean, they gave away his number...
McGrady unsure whether Rockets want him
By Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo Sports
After months of growing discord and mistrust between the Houston Rockets and their once-franchise player, Tracy McGrady and coach Rick Adelman engaged in an emotional and sometimes loud closed-door confrontation about the star’s uncertain status on Wednesday night, sources told Yahoo! Sports.
Tracy McGrady hasn't played for the Rockets since Feb. 9 because of microfracture left knee surgery.
The argument was precipitated when McGrady arrived at the Target Center in Minneapolis so determined to have a substantive discussion with his coach that he dressed in his game uniform and undertook his pregame routine as though he had been activated after missing 41 straight games with microfracture surgery on his left knee.
As McGrady walked back to the locker room after shooting with his teammates on the court, he passed Adelman in a corridor and his appearance in uniform appeared to surprise his coach. The fact McGrady had asked the equipment manager to bring out his uniform – especially on the Nov. 18 date that he had recently told Yahoo! Sports was his target for a return – clearly had his coach’s attention.
McGrady understood he wouldn’t be activated on Wednesday night, but sources say T-Mac was willing to go to great lengths to push his coach closer to blessing McGrady’s return to the team.
Eventually, Adelman returned to the locker room and retreated with McGrady into an adjacent coach’s office. McGrady slammed the door behind him, a witness said, and that marked the start of a tense, sometimes loud exchange that could be heard in the locker room, sources said.
In the discussion, McGrady challenged Adelman to tell him the coach’s plans and timetable for the seven-time All-Star’s eventual return to the roster, sources say. McGrady felt like Adelman had been uncommunicative with him for weeks, and no longer wanted to hear from Rockets general manager Daryl Morey or trainer Keith Jones about the team’s desire to make him wait until next week to take another MRI.
“Tracy was just determined to make Rick talk to him,” a source close to McGrady said. “That’s why he put on the uniform and went through all that. … He wanted to get his attention. He’d like to know if he’s wanted back or not.”
It’s believed Adelman simply repeated the Rockets’ organizational stance that they will evaluate him after an MRI that’s been long scheduled for Monday, and only then will the team start to consider the possibility of his return. It could come next week, it could come later. The Rockets have insisted McGrady hasn’t had enough practice time and is still unfit to pay, a claim that McGrady disputes.
The confrontation had been building for weeks, sources say, and underscores a lingering uneasiness between the organization and McGrady. Adelman and McGrady had a dispute last February over the way McGrady informed the team that he had chosen to undergo season-ending knee surgery. Instead of telling them directly, McGrady released the information to the public. At the time, sources say, McGrady felt betrayed in the belief that members of the organization were publicly and privately doubting the validity of his injury.
“The trust has broken down between them,” a source close to McGrady and Adelman said. “There’s some work to be done there.”
McGrady, 30, is in the final year of his contract and is being paid a league-high $23.2 million this season. He’s had a history of injuries with Houston and questions about his toughness and leadership have always been debated inside and outside the organization. In his six seasons with the Rockets, McGrady has missed 125 games because of back and knee problems. Once the Rockets advanced to Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals without McGrady last season, there came evidence that the Rockets employ a more balanced lineup capable of wining without him.
Sources say McGrady has started to wonder whether the Rockets want him back with this team, or whether they’ve been motivated to let him sit and collect on insurance money. Assuming that McGrady is covered under the NBA’s Temporary Total Disability (TTD) insurance policy, Houston can start to collect up to 80 percent of his prorated per-game salary after he’s missed 41 consecutive games. McGrady sat out his 42nd straight game Wednesday in Minnesota, and the league insurance plan would reimburse the Rockets for any additional missed games.
For the rest of the season, the insurance policy could cover 80 percent of his per-game salary of $282,946. Even if McGrady returns to the lineup for one or more games this season, the insurance would still pay the Rockets for each additional missed game. The insurance company can identify 12 exclusions to the policy among particularly high-risk NBA players, but can only do so at the time a new contract is signed. McGrady signed his three-year, $63 million extension in November 2004.
Beyond the possible financial repercussions, sources within and close to the team say the Rockets – especially Adelman – are unenthusiastic about McGrady returning. The Rockets have started the season with a surprising 7-5 record, despite missing McGrady and center Yao Ming. For now, anyway, sources say the organization likes the team’s chemistry and cohesion without McGrady.
Wednesday’s incident wasn’t the first testy exchange recently between Adelman and McGrady. They also argued in a practice session last week. In the preseason, sources say McGrady asked management to let him play approximately 12 to 15 minutes total in two exhibition games to gauge where he stood in his comeback. The organization, sources say, told him he would need to pass a standardized conditioning test. McGrady did but still stayed on the sideline.
Before McGrady began his rehabilitation in Chicago this summer, he had to be cleared by a top athletic surgeon for full-contact basketball. Ultimately, McGrady was deemed OK to play daily against All-Star talents like Dwyane Wade and Devin Harris.
Yahoo! Sports NBA reporter Marc Spears contributed to this story.
By Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo Sports
After months of growing discord and mistrust between the Houston Rockets and their once-franchise player, Tracy McGrady and coach Rick Adelman engaged in an emotional and sometimes loud closed-door confrontation about the star’s uncertain status on Wednesday night, sources told Yahoo! Sports.
Tracy McGrady hasn't played for the Rockets since Feb. 9 because of microfracture left knee surgery.
The argument was precipitated when McGrady arrived at the Target Center in Minneapolis so determined to have a substantive discussion with his coach that he dressed in his game uniform and undertook his pregame routine as though he had been activated after missing 41 straight games with microfracture surgery on his left knee.
As McGrady walked back to the locker room after shooting with his teammates on the court, he passed Adelman in a corridor and his appearance in uniform appeared to surprise his coach. The fact McGrady had asked the equipment manager to bring out his uniform – especially on the Nov. 18 date that he had recently told Yahoo! Sports was his target for a return – clearly had his coach’s attention.
McGrady understood he wouldn’t be activated on Wednesday night, but sources say T-Mac was willing to go to great lengths to push his coach closer to blessing McGrady’s return to the team.
Eventually, Adelman returned to the locker room and retreated with McGrady into an adjacent coach’s office. McGrady slammed the door behind him, a witness said, and that marked the start of a tense, sometimes loud exchange that could be heard in the locker room, sources said.
In the discussion, McGrady challenged Adelman to tell him the coach’s plans and timetable for the seven-time All-Star’s eventual return to the roster, sources say. McGrady felt like Adelman had been uncommunicative with him for weeks, and no longer wanted to hear from Rockets general manager Daryl Morey or trainer Keith Jones about the team’s desire to make him wait until next week to take another MRI.
“Tracy was just determined to make Rick talk to him,” a source close to McGrady said. “That’s why he put on the uniform and went through all that. … He wanted to get his attention. He’d like to know if he’s wanted back or not.”
It’s believed Adelman simply repeated the Rockets’ organizational stance that they will evaluate him after an MRI that’s been long scheduled for Monday, and only then will the team start to consider the possibility of his return. It could come next week, it could come later. The Rockets have insisted McGrady hasn’t had enough practice time and is still unfit to pay, a claim that McGrady disputes.
The confrontation had been building for weeks, sources say, and underscores a lingering uneasiness between the organization and McGrady. Adelman and McGrady had a dispute last February over the way McGrady informed the team that he had chosen to undergo season-ending knee surgery. Instead of telling them directly, McGrady released the information to the public. At the time, sources say, McGrady felt betrayed in the belief that members of the organization were publicly and privately doubting the validity of his injury.
“The trust has broken down between them,” a source close to McGrady and Adelman said. “There’s some work to be done there.”
McGrady, 30, is in the final year of his contract and is being paid a league-high $23.2 million this season. He’s had a history of injuries with Houston and questions about his toughness and leadership have always been debated inside and outside the organization. In his six seasons with the Rockets, McGrady has missed 125 games because of back and knee problems. Once the Rockets advanced to Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals without McGrady last season, there came evidence that the Rockets employ a more balanced lineup capable of wining without him.
Sources say McGrady has started to wonder whether the Rockets want him back with this team, or whether they’ve been motivated to let him sit and collect on insurance money. Assuming that McGrady is covered under the NBA’s Temporary Total Disability (TTD) insurance policy, Houston can start to collect up to 80 percent of his prorated per-game salary after he’s missed 41 consecutive games. McGrady sat out his 42nd straight game Wednesday in Minnesota, and the league insurance plan would reimburse the Rockets for any additional missed games.
For the rest of the season, the insurance policy could cover 80 percent of his per-game salary of $282,946. Even if McGrady returns to the lineup for one or more games this season, the insurance would still pay the Rockets for each additional missed game. The insurance company can identify 12 exclusions to the policy among particularly high-risk NBA players, but can only do so at the time a new contract is signed. McGrady signed his three-year, $63 million extension in November 2004.
Beyond the possible financial repercussions, sources within and close to the team say the Rockets – especially Adelman – are unenthusiastic about McGrady returning. The Rockets have started the season with a surprising 7-5 record, despite missing McGrady and center Yao Ming. For now, anyway, sources say the organization likes the team’s chemistry and cohesion without McGrady.
Wednesday’s incident wasn’t the first testy exchange recently between Adelman and McGrady. They also argued in a practice session last week. In the preseason, sources say McGrady asked management to let him play approximately 12 to 15 minutes total in two exhibition games to gauge where he stood in his comeback. The organization, sources say, told him he would need to pass a standardized conditioning test. McGrady did but still stayed on the sideline.
Before McGrady began his rehabilitation in Chicago this summer, he had to be cleared by a top athletic surgeon for full-contact basketball. Ultimately, McGrady was deemed OK to play daily against All-Star talents like Dwyane Wade and Devin Harris.
Yahoo! Sports NBA reporter Marc Spears contributed to this story.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Fantasy Dos And Don'ts (Espn.com)
By AJ Mass
This past week, we saw that in the world of real football, there are some clear "Dos and Don'ts" when it comes to strategy. For instance, we learned that it is a big DO to take a knee just short of the goal line so your team can run out the clock before kicking the game-winning field goal, rather than scoring the touchdown and kicking the ball back to your opponents, giving them a chance to drive down the field and win the game. We also learned that it is a huge DON'T to go for it on fourth down from your own 28-yard line no matter how many Super Bowl rings you have on your fingers or how good your quarterback might be.
Of course, fantasy owners might not subscribe to these real-world designations, especially those, like myself, who ended up losing this week because Maurice Jones-Drew failed to score an uncontested touchdown while their opponent, who had started both Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne, got a cheap double-dip touchdown. But that's because the rules and strategies for fantasy football are different.
While teams in the NFL still have 44 percent of their regular seasons left to play, in fantasy leagues that play only 13 weeks before starting the playoffs, we're down to the final three contests of the season. With that in mind, it's time to remind all owners of the "Fantasy Dos and Don'ts" as the fantasy regular season comes to an end. At this point of the season, unless you're playing some form of rotisserie football, all fantasy teams fall into one of the following three categories: clinched a playoff slot, fighting for a final spot or already eliminated. Refer to the category that applies to your team and follow our advice accordingly:
Clinched the Playoffs
DO feel free to tailor your roster for the postseason by looking ahead to the matchups your players will face. At this point of the season, we pretty much know we want our running backs to face the Buffalo Bills or the Oakland Raiders, rather than the Pittsburgh Steelers or Minnesota Vikings. It's also a pretty good bet that your quarterback and wide receivers will fare better against the likes of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as opposed to the New York Jets or Carolina Panthers. Making trades, even seemingly lopsided ones, or pickups that set you up for the playoffs is a wise move.
DON'T tank games in order to "choose your opponent" for the playoffs. Too many times we've seen owners try to manipulate the playoff seeds by starting their benchwarmers in order to let what they perceive to be weaker opponents make the playoffs. However, since your players don't actually square up head to head, such a move often backfires as you end up facing that lucky owner and inexplicably losing in the playoffs. Start your best lineup, week in and week out, and let the chips fall where they may.
Fighting for the Final Spots
DO go out and get as many handcuffs to your stud backs as possible. The bye weeks are over and done with, so you probably will never have a need to start that No. 6 wide receiver or backup tight end sitting there at the bottom of your team's pecking order. It's far more to your benefit to make sure you have guys like Jason Snelling and Ladell Betts ready to step into your lineup in case your starting backs, for example Michael Turner and Clinton Portis, go down with injuries at a crucial time.
DON'T overthink your lineup decisions. So what if you "need" to win every game just to make the playoffs. That doesn't mean you suddenly bench Aaron Rodgers for Kyle Orton because his matchup is "better" or you swap out Anquan Boldin for Ted Ginn Jr. because of the "bigger upside" should he return a few kicks for scores. Similarly, don't concern yourself with whom your opponent is starting. You're not actually lining up toe to toe, so don't worry if he has Tom Brady and you have Wes Welker. You start Welker. Period. You don't sit him and "root for the Patriots to get shut out." Don't manage your lineup any differently in Week 11 than you would have in Week 1.
Already Eliminated
DO continue to work the waiver wire and make trades to try to improve your team. If you're in a keeper league, this is a great time to package some of your veteran talents like LaDainian Tomlinson and Laveranues Coles to take a chance on a potential "star of the future" such as LeSean McCoy or Mark Sanchez, guys who might not see the light of day on their current fantasy teams but could help you next season and for many more to come. Even in a one-and-done league, there's no reason a player such as Jamaal Charles should end up being claimed by a playoff contender when there are four or five teams with a better waiver priority who simply didn't bother to put in a waiver bid. You signed up to play the whole season, so finish it out with integrity.
DON'T fail to start a lineup just because it no longer matters to you whether you win or lose. That's bush league, and it all but guarantees you won't be asked back to the league next season. Perhaps that doesn't matter to you, but come on! Finish what you started and relish playing the role of the spoiler. If you don't, be fully prepared for the proverbial "Bud Adams treatment" that is sure to come your way from the rest of the league
This past week, we saw that in the world of real football, there are some clear "Dos and Don'ts" when it comes to strategy. For instance, we learned that it is a big DO to take a knee just short of the goal line so your team can run out the clock before kicking the game-winning field goal, rather than scoring the touchdown and kicking the ball back to your opponents, giving them a chance to drive down the field and win the game. We also learned that it is a huge DON'T to go for it on fourth down from your own 28-yard line no matter how many Super Bowl rings you have on your fingers or how good your quarterback might be.
Of course, fantasy owners might not subscribe to these real-world designations, especially those, like myself, who ended up losing this week because Maurice Jones-Drew failed to score an uncontested touchdown while their opponent, who had started both Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne, got a cheap double-dip touchdown. But that's because the rules and strategies for fantasy football are different.
While teams in the NFL still have 44 percent of their regular seasons left to play, in fantasy leagues that play only 13 weeks before starting the playoffs, we're down to the final three contests of the season. With that in mind, it's time to remind all owners of the "Fantasy Dos and Don'ts" as the fantasy regular season comes to an end. At this point of the season, unless you're playing some form of rotisserie football, all fantasy teams fall into one of the following three categories: clinched a playoff slot, fighting for a final spot or already eliminated. Refer to the category that applies to your team and follow our advice accordingly:
Clinched the Playoffs
DO feel free to tailor your roster for the postseason by looking ahead to the matchups your players will face. At this point of the season, we pretty much know we want our running backs to face the Buffalo Bills or the Oakland Raiders, rather than the Pittsburgh Steelers or Minnesota Vikings. It's also a pretty good bet that your quarterback and wide receivers will fare better against the likes of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as opposed to the New York Jets or Carolina Panthers. Making trades, even seemingly lopsided ones, or pickups that set you up for the playoffs is a wise move.
DON'T tank games in order to "choose your opponent" for the playoffs. Too many times we've seen owners try to manipulate the playoff seeds by starting their benchwarmers in order to let what they perceive to be weaker opponents make the playoffs. However, since your players don't actually square up head to head, such a move often backfires as you end up facing that lucky owner and inexplicably losing in the playoffs. Start your best lineup, week in and week out, and let the chips fall where they may.
Fighting for the Final Spots
DO go out and get as many handcuffs to your stud backs as possible. The bye weeks are over and done with, so you probably will never have a need to start that No. 6 wide receiver or backup tight end sitting there at the bottom of your team's pecking order. It's far more to your benefit to make sure you have guys like Jason Snelling and Ladell Betts ready to step into your lineup in case your starting backs, for example Michael Turner and Clinton Portis, go down with injuries at a crucial time.
DON'T overthink your lineup decisions. So what if you "need" to win every game just to make the playoffs. That doesn't mean you suddenly bench Aaron Rodgers for Kyle Orton because his matchup is "better" or you swap out Anquan Boldin for Ted Ginn Jr. because of the "bigger upside" should he return a few kicks for scores. Similarly, don't concern yourself with whom your opponent is starting. You're not actually lining up toe to toe, so don't worry if he has Tom Brady and you have Wes Welker. You start Welker. Period. You don't sit him and "root for the Patriots to get shut out." Don't manage your lineup any differently in Week 11 than you would have in Week 1.
Already Eliminated
DO continue to work the waiver wire and make trades to try to improve your team. If you're in a keeper league, this is a great time to package some of your veteran talents like LaDainian Tomlinson and Laveranues Coles to take a chance on a potential "star of the future" such as LeSean McCoy or Mark Sanchez, guys who might not see the light of day on their current fantasy teams but could help you next season and for many more to come. Even in a one-and-done league, there's no reason a player such as Jamaal Charles should end up being claimed by a playoff contender when there are four or five teams with a better waiver priority who simply didn't bother to put in a waiver bid. You signed up to play the whole season, so finish it out with integrity.
DON'T fail to start a lineup just because it no longer matters to you whether you win or lose. That's bush league, and it all but guarantees you won't be asked back to the league next season. Perhaps that doesn't matter to you, but come on! Finish what you started and relish playing the role of the spoiler. If you don't, be fully prepared for the proverbial "Bud Adams treatment" that is sure to come your way from the rest of the league
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