Not this time

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Brian Shaw (pictured above) should be the next head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats. The question is will Rod Higgins and Michael Jordan extend him an offer?

By Josh Kramer

Around this time last year the Los Angeles Lakers were looking for a head basketball coach to succeed the great Phil Jackson.  As you are all well-aware, Mike Brown ended up being the man for the job.  Though Brown did a solid job (according to some), I along with many (including Kobe Bryant) felt another candidate was the man for the job.  Well once again, Brian Shaw is in the running to obtain his first NBA head coaching job.

It is no secret that the Charlotte Bobcats are in need of a lot of things.  After going 7-59 last season and posting the lowest winning percentage in NBA history, there are holes galore.  This is to be expected with a team that posted a winning percentage of .106.  Also, the Bobcats unfortunately will not get to pick the lone guy who appears to be a sure-fire franchise player, Anthony Davis (the New Orleans Hornets will).  And Michael Jordan isn’t coming out of retirement any time soon.

According to most sources, the two finalists to fill the position are Quin Snyder and Brian Shaw.

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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.     

“Sorry Brian”

Brian Shaw (Center) appeared to be the man who would get the opportunity to succeed Phil Jackson as the 22nd Head Coach in Laker's history. Sadly for Shaw, he was overlooked for the job.

Have you ever been stood up by a date?  Canceled on at the last-minute? Led on by a girl that you liked? Mistreated by your family or significant other?  If so, which I am assuming most of you have, you know that none of these instances lead to a good feeling.  Well ask Los Angeles Lakers Assistant Coach Brian Shaw about getting led on.  The man just got ditched by the biggest game in town.  One of the NBA’s proudest and most storied franchises, the Los Angeles Lakers.

“Is This the End of the Laker Dynasty?”

The Kobe and Phil Laker Era appears to be coming to a close. Will it be a happy ending?

The door is almost shut, but it is not entirely closed yet. Anybody who says they saw this coming is full of it.  I realize that Charles Barkley makes his outrageous and obnoxious picks, and makes sure you know it.  But outside of Sir Charles, who I struggle to give credit for predicting this, I do not know anybody who saw this coming.  Things were not supposed to end like this.  This was supposed to be the epic finale to Phil Jackson’s illustrious coaching career.  It was supposed to be Kobe’s time to tie the greatest player of all time with his 6th Championship ring and to start the arguments of whose the greatest.  Everyone knew the LA Dynasty was heading down the home stretch.  But nobody foresaw it ending before June.

“Food for Thought 3-22-11”

Cincinnati Bengal's wide receiver has talked trash to Raven's Safety Tom Zbikowski (pictured above, left) via Twitter about a possible boxing match between the two NFL players. Does Chad Ochocino really want to get in the ring with that guy?

It is another Tuesday.  Which means it is time for some “Food for Thought.”  These are the topics in sports that have really caught my attention in the past 24 hours.  Items that must be discussed.  So let’s jump right into it.