Looking ahead to NBA free agency (if and when it happens)

Photo courtesy of watchesbydesign.com. Yao Ming (pictured above) could be a potential bargain pick up for a contender when the CBA situation is eventually figured out according to our very own Nick Craddock.

By Nick Craddock

With a Thursday midnight deadline looming, NBA owners and the NBA players union appear nowhere near close to hammering out a new collective bargaining agreement that would allow for free agents to start negotiations, as regularly scheduled, on July 1.

However, whenever the 2011 free agency period does commence, there will be some talented ballers available for general managers to sign. How a new CBA affects player contracts is yet to be seen, but here is a list of this summer’s free agents who are overvalued and in line to start taking baths of Benjamins. On the other hand, potential bargain players could reap huge rewards for teams:

5 overvalued players

1. Jose Juan Barea (Dallas Mavericks): The diminutive Puerto Rican point guard won many admirers for his performances during the Mavericks’ 2011 championship run, but whether or not this former undrafted player and star from Northeastern is ready for primetime is yet to be seen. Sure, Barea sliced-and-diced the Lakers during the playoffs, but could this career bench player sustain such success for 82 games a year in a more demanding role? Regardless of my skepticism, his playoff heroics will be the most recent memory general managers have of Barea and, consequently, he will undoubtedly cash in with a hefty pay raise. Once Barea receives a bump in pay, one can only hope he will follow the path of fellow Puerto Rican Jennifer Lopez; although he used to have a little, but then a lot, he’ll remember where he came from because he’s J.J. from the block.     

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Times have changed

Photo courtesy of TopNews.in.

By Josh Kramer

All day I have been absolutely perplexed by what occurred at the All England Club.  In all honesty I have been beside myself.  The great Roger Federer was ahead two sets to zero on a solid, but not great, Jo-Wilfried Songa.  This was the quarterfinals at Wimbledon.  Plus Roger was not going up against his arch nemesis Rafael Nadal.  Put this match in the books right?

Would you roll the dice on TO?

Photo courtesy of ickscorner.com.

By Josh Kramer

Eventually this CBA bonanza will be resolved.  Or so we hope.  For now, we will proceed with “cautious optimism,” whatever that means.  A prime topic of discussion on this day has revolved around none other than the “TO Show.”  You can’t keep this guy out of the tabloids for long no matter the time of year.

“To TO, or not to TO.”  That is the question.

Food for Thought 6-27-2011

Photo courtesy of wareagleextra.com. Former NC State standout, Russell Wilson (pictured above) is taking his talents to Camp Randall.

By Josh Kramer

The past 48 hours have been an absolute world wind in the sporting stratosphere.  Things like the Gold Cup Finals, the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Wimbledon, and the Dodgers fiasco have been at the forefront of the discussion.  Here is what has caught my attention.

Badger time in the Big Ten?

There has been zero dull moments in the Big Ten this off-season.  A split into two separate divisions.  The addition of Nebraska.  Mayhem in Columbus.  And now the addition of Russell Wilson to the Wisconsin Badgers.  I feel like all the puzzle pieces are falling into place for Badger Nation.  This was going to be a very good Wisconsin team to begin with.  A great offensive line.  Solid defensive unit.  But the one thing they appeared to be lacking was a quarterback that could perform on the big stage.  Well it appears they have found their man.

“Weekly Nickel 6-26-2011”

Photo courtesy of live-like-a-german.com. The FIFA Women's World Cup has begun. Can the US win the title for the first time in 12 years or will the Germans three-peat?

By Josh Kramer

It is another Monday in the wide world of sports.  And I must say that I am excited for what should be another great week.  Plenty of items to be on the look out for.

Here is the top five.

5.  The NFL lockout has passed the century mark.  And though there is optimism in the air, it is only “cautious optimism.”  Many have pointed towards around July 4th for the dispute to be solved.  Lets just get back to football.  I am tired of the speculation.  All parties involved want football.  The owners, the players, the coaches, and most importantly, the fans.  What would Monday nights be without the “C’mon Man” segment?

Winnipeg Jets are back in business. Finally.

Photo courtesy of truthfullylying.wordpress.com. The Atlanta Thrashers are moving to Winnipeg and becoming the new version of the Winnipeg Jets.

By Nick Craddock

The Jets are back.

In the past month, the Atlanta Thrashers relocated to Winnipeg, an NHL franchise-less city since 1996, a new general manager was named, a new coach was appointed, and before the relocated franchise began its first draft on Friday, it was announced that the team would once again be referred to as the “Winnipeg Jets” (jerseys and logos will follow at a later date).

Bringing back the old “Jets” moniker is not only nostalgic, but this link to the past symbolizes the professional hockey hiatus in Winnipeg that never should’ve happened.

Sports would be like watching a DVD

Photo courtesy of topnews.in. Andy Roddick (pictured above) was not a happy camper following his surprising 3rd round exit from Wimbledon yesterday.

By Josh Kramer

Yesterday was not a great day for American tennis by any means.  First Ryan Harrison, the “Great American Hope,” was dismantled by 7th seeded David Ferrer, in a second round match that was resumed on Friday.  Then Alex Bogomolov Jr. was wiped off the court by the very talented Tomas Berdych.  Berdych could easily shock one of the “Fantastic Four,” and find his way into the semi-finals, though he would most likely have to defeat Rafa to do this.  And to cap off an All American day at the All England Club, Andy Roddick, who typically thrives on the grass courts of Wimbledon, was dismantled by Feliciano Lopez, a guy he had previously never lost to.

At least Mardy Fish saved face and now is the lone American left in the Men’s draw.  But it was not a good day for American tennis.  Things have gone from good, to bad, to ugly.  We are at the fourth round at Wimbledon, and there is one American left in the draw.  Where is Pete Sampras when you need him (Sampras won 7 Wimbledon titles)?

Patrick Ewing as a head coach?

Photo courtesy of nicekicks.com. Patrick Ewing (right) wants to do what Rick Pitino (left) does and step into the head coaching ranks.

By Josh Kramer

The NBA Draft was a wild one this year.  Who cares if the talent level was at a seemingly all-time low and that the lottery was dominated by little-known international players.  Television ratings were the highest they have ever been.  And everyone is praying that a new CBA gets formed sooner rather than later.

But in the meantime, an intriguing story just broke.  The Detroit Pistons are considering Patrick Ewing, the former Knicks great, as a possible candidate for their head coach vacancy?  Ewing, who really defined New York basketball for a 15 year period has been an assistant coach basically since his retirement.  Many have pigeon-holed the first ballot Hall of Famer as a “Big Man” assistant.