T-Mac About to be a Knick

Early reports Wednesday has T-Mac on his way to the Big Apple. This move will allow the Knicks to have enough cap room to offer to max contracts this off season. The deal would send Jordan Hill, Jared Jeffries, and Larry Hughes to Houston. Also the deal will have the Knicks giving the Rockets the right to swap first-round picks in 2011 and sending the Rockets their 2012 first-round pick. Details are still being worked out on the protection of the picks. The trade creates approximately $9.5 million additional salary cap room this summer and likely gives the Knicks the ability to offer two maximum contracts.

Breakin Down the Trades Part 1

Mavs and Wizards make 7 Player Deal

To Dallas- Brendan Haywood, Caron Butler, DeShawn Stevenson
To Washington- Josh Howard, Drew Gooden, James Singelton, Quinton Ross

This is a good trade for both sides. Dallas gets another 7 footer to protect the basket and they get some athletic wings to fill the break by Kidd. Washington starts the much anticipated fire sale. Dallas can now go very big with Dampier, Haywood, Nowitzki, Marion, and Kidd ( what a 2-3 zone that would be). Semi big with Haywood, Dirk, Marion, Butler,and Kidd. Or small with Dirk, Marion, Butler, Terry, and Kidd. Now the Mavs have some some athletic players to join the high scoring Dirk and Terry. If Stevenson and big some of his high energy dunks off the bench then they will have a core that can match any team. Dallas was not forced to trade Rodrigue Beaubois, so they managed to not sacrifice any young talent. Also rumor is that the Wizards are going to buy out Gooden which would allow him to come back to Dallas in 30 days.

Final Grade: A- (will change to an A if they get Gooden back)

For the Wizards they hope that a change in scenary will allow Josh Howard to play like his old self. They gain some cap relief this off season with Howard's, Ross's and Singelton's contract coming off the books. However they will buy out Gooden and lose high inside play. If they can resign Howard and he returns to All-Star form the trade will be ok for them. However they weren't able to get any draft picks for young talent such as JJ Barea or the a fore mentioned Rodrigue Beaubois.

Final Grade C-


Camby heads to Portland in Three Player Deal

The Portland Trailblazer have added a defensive presence to lineup as they acquired Marcus Camby from the Clippers. They Blazers sent Steve Blake, Travis Outlaw, and cash considerations to the Clippers.

This trade is an upgrade for the Blazers who have been getting outplayed at the center position while Jwuan Howard has been trying to fill in for Greg Oden, and Joel Pryzbilla. This trade now opens up for minutes for Bayless and for Batum and Rudy. With the signing of Miller this summer Blake was always going to be the odd man out even with his 289 career starts. The Blazers had hoped for Haywood but Camby is the next best thing, even though he is older, he can still score, rebound, and block shots.

Final Grade- A

The Clippers again wasted another valuable trade asset. They did get back a player in his prime in Outlaw but he will probably leave this summer as FA. This does open up minutes for youngster DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin next season. Luckily the Clips still have All-Star Chris Kaman. Next year does look better for the Clips if they can retain Outlaw. As their lineup would be Davis, Gordon, Outlaw/Thorton, Griffin, and Kaman.

Final Grade- C+ (will go to a B+ if they retain Outlaw and Griffin has a good rookie campaign next to Kaman)

Patriots Dream Draft

22nd Pick- Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan/ Jerry Hughes
44th Pick- Jared Odrick, DE/DT, Penn State/ Brandon Spikes
47th Pick- Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State/ Patrick Robinson
53rd Pick- Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas/ Eric Decker
Round 4: Eric Norwood, OLB, South Carolina/ Jimmy Graham
Round 6: Danario Alexander, WR, Missouri
Round 7: Josh Hull, ILB, Penn State/ Pat Angerer
Round 7: O'Brien Schofield, OLB/DE, Wisconsin/ Stafon Johnson

In a defensive rebuilding year for the Pats this draft reflects the needs for Bill's new younger defensive unit. I would like to see them select Jerry Hughes the RB transformed to a DE from TCU.

NBA Trade Scenarios

To Miami- Amar'e and Grant Hill
To Phx- Q. Richardson, U. Haslem, D. Wright

To Chicago-R. Allen
To Boston-J. Salmons, J.James, B.Miller

To Wash-Z.Illgauskas, J.J. Hickson
To Cle- A.Jamison

To Chicago-M. Ginobili, Josh Howard
To S.A.- K. Hinrich, J. Pargo
To Dallas-T. Thomas, J. James, 1st rd pick

To Houston- C. Butler, B. Haywood, M. James
To Wash. A. Harrington, E. Curry
TO NYC- T. McGrady

To Wash.- M.Webster, S.Blake, J. Howard
To Por. B. Haywood, D.Stevenson

To Houston- S. Dalembert, A. Iguodala
To Phi.- T. McGrady, B.Cook

To Phx- A. Iguodala, S.Dalembert
To Phi. A. Stoudemire, J. Richardson

NBA Trade Deadline

Who are this big names that are going to move this year. Amar'e, Jamison, Caron Butler, Bosh? No one will know until that circled and highlighted by every NBA executive 18th of February. Some teams will simply be looking to dump salary to enter the LBJ D-Wade Sweepstakes this summer. Some teams will be looking to bolster there roster for a run to the finals, and some teams will make a crazy move just to make every stop and stare in disbelief. Such as the Warriors waiving Speedy Claxton and his 5.2 million dollar expiring contract to create room for a D-Leaguer. Many of the teams in the drivers seat for playoff positioning will simply wait for vets to get bought out and sign them for the remainder of the season. Some teams will use their cap space (OKC, Portland, Sacramento) to squeeze draft picks out of teams over the cap. As for predictions on who's going where Houston and Phoenix both seem to want A.I. #2 (Iguodala). The Rockets can offer McGrady's 22 million dollar expiring contract but that would involve them back back salary such as Brand, Dalembert, or Jason Kapono who's deal will expire also. Amar'e has changed his stance and said he might not opt out which would sour some teams on trading for him since they want his 16.7 million to come off their books. Ray Allen could be on the move for a younger cheaper guard such as a swap with Chicago for Salmons and Brad Miller's expiring contract. Hinrich has been a hot name that could be on the move to especially among title contenders such as Boston and LA. His ability to play both guard spots and be a defender could be key for the stretch run. Tyrus Thomas will be gone from Chicago by the 18th. He could go to NYC for Harrington, Houston as part of a deal for McGrady. Whoever gets Thomas will get a skilled athlete but with some growing up to do. Jamison is a sure bet to go to Cleveland but JJ Hickson will have to be part of it along with Z's expiring deal. Amar'e could end up in south beach with grant hill for Q-Rich, Haslem, and Dorell Wright. Don't be surprised if the Pistons and Mavs both offer up players such as Prince, Josh Howard, and Richard Hamilton. This year will be busier than past years as everyone wants to clear as much as possible for the King.

NLCS and ALCS Predictions

In the National League the Dodgers and the Phillies will square off in a rematch from last years series which the Phillies took 4 games to 1. Gone is Derek Lowe and Pat Burrell but welcome Cliff Lee and Pedro Martinez. This two teams remain mainly intact from the clubs that met last year. Because of the similarites I give the Phillies the nod again in 6 games. The Phillies upgraded as they added Ibanez, Lee, and Martinez. The Dodgers made some minor adjustments also as they added Padillia, George Sherrill, and Orlando Hudson. I think the pitching for the Phillies will again outlast the Dodgers staff as they can throw out a lineup of Lee, Hamels, Blanton, Happ, and Martinez. These starters will be able to keep the LA big hitters in check and help take the pressure of the weaker bullpen which would have been a stronger group if not for Lidge's struggles this year. Joe Torre's descion making will keep the Dodgers in the series but the lineup for the Phillies with the weak link being the the 9th spot will be too much for the Dodgers pitchers. The one, two, three punch of Rollins, Utley, and Howard is backed up by a solid 4-6 hitters with Ibanez, Werth, and Victorino.
The Yankees and Angels square off in a close matchup of AL teams with impressive rosters. The Angels finally removed the enormous monkey from their backs with a sweep of the Boston Red Sox. The Yankees had a easier time as they played the exhausted and over matched Twins. The Angels will win this series if Lackey and Weaver have an encore performance of their Game 1 and 2 wins. They will be evenly matched by the possible 3 man rotation of Sabathia, Burnett, and Pettite. The Angels have all the momentum since they swept the Sox and are focused on delivering a World Series for their late pitcher Nick Adenhart. The Angels speed will win out over the Yank's power as the Halo's pitchers will negate A-Rods success against the Twins. The bullpens are evenly matched with Rivera's experience but Fuentes success this season. This will be a very close series as the Angels prevail in 7 games.

AFC East

I will admit to it now but I am a Patriots fan I have always been a Patriots and I will always be a Patriots fan. This year scares me. The new younger defense looks exactly like what they are young and inexperienced. The offensive got a upgrade and then took a downgrade with Light, Taylor and Welker all missing time with injuries. The Pats will make the playoffs but this will not be the dominant team of the early decade. They will look like the 2001 team for a while longer before they regain the confidence they are used to having. The Dolphins have showed us how great they can be when they run the ball. Their defense is the area that is the reason for the most concern, especially looking at how they played against the Colts on Monday night. Henne is the future of this team and showed great poise in the comeback win against the Jets. If the defense improves they will be challenging for that AFC East title again. Mark Sanchez is a great QB when its 70 and sunny out. Wait till the Sunshine Kid comes to Foxboro in Novemeber or plays in New York in December. He played 9 games in California,1 in Virgina and Arizona, and played in Washington in October and Oregon in September during his Junior year at USC. The defense was supposed to get a pick me up when Calvin Pace returned from his suspension however they looked lost and confused against the Wildcat. This defense will need to return to its early season form when the wind and snow comes in Novemeber and December. Finally my home town Bills, yes a Pats fan in Western New York. Poor Dick Jauron cant buy a break with this team. They hold Derek Anderson to 2 yes 2 completions but fail to score more than 3 points. This team needs to clear cap space and play for the qb rich draft in April, Edwards may have gone to Stanford but the NFL game is to quick for him. Heres a solution trade Owens to the WR starved Bears for a 2nd or 3rd round pick. Save some money and get another pick they can waste, my bad. But still trading UP to get Losman is still fresh in the minds of Bills fans. As a Pats homer I this division will be won by the Pats slightly and it kills me to say this but the jets will win 10 games and finish with a wild card spot.