Thunder youth movement

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. With yesterday’s Serge Ibaka contract extension, the Oklahoma City Thunder youth movement continues.

By Josh Kramer

Most of the attention regarding the Western Conference this off-season has been focused on the newly revamped Los Angeles Lakers.  Rightfully so.  In adding two-time MVP Steve Nash and the best center in the NBA, it appears Kobe has the pieces in place to nab #6.  But who won the Western Conference championship last year though?  Who went to the Western Conference finals the year before? Oh yeah, that team out of Oklahoma City.  With yesterday’s four-year contract extension of 22-year-old swat team captain Serge Ibaka, the youth movement continues on in OKC.

In this day and age defined by free agency, blockbuster deals, and unhappy players, core groups rarely stay together for an extended period of time.  Oklahoma City is looking to defy the odds and build a dynasty out of a group of guys that they drafted, molded, and groomed.

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Number One

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Steve Nash (pictured above) is joining forces with Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles. Will he capture his first ring?

By Josh Kramer

9,916 assists.  Eight All-Star Games.  Two MVP’s.  And it all comes down to this.  The man who made the 50-40-90 term (50% from the field, 40% from three-point range, 90% from the free throw line) relevant is going for the only number that matters.  One.  As in “one” championship.  Just ask the “King” what that feels like.

In a shocking twist of events, Steve Nash was shipped off in a sign and trade to the Lakers yesterday to join forces with Kobe Bryant.  Go figure.  Heading into this offseason, it seemed unless the Lakers won the “Dwight Howard Sweepstakes (Soap Opera),” Kobe Bryant’s pursuit of number six would be all for not.  Now winning the “Dwight Howard Sweepstakes” might just be a cherry on top.  Kobe is coming for Jordan’s six.

Weekly Nickel 7-2-2012

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Tiger Woods (pictured above) leapfrogged Jack Nicklaus with PGA Tour win number 74 yesterday.

By Josh Kramer

Spain took their place among the elite teams in soccer history this weekend after taking home a third consecutive major title.  Wimbledon has had a March Madness type of feel with Venus Williams exiting in Round 1 and Rafael Nadal going down in Round 2.  Brad Keselowski was the king of the Kentucky Speedway.  And the “Dwight Howard Soap Opera” has opened up Season 2.  Last week was a great one, but this week will be jam-packed in its own right.  Here are the events to keep an eye on.

5.  Kentucky Speedway got it right this year.  Brad Keselowski was a happy man on Saturday night as he moved into 10th in the Sprint Cup Standings.  Now the NASCAAR crew heads to Daytona to see who can take home the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Daytona.  David Ragan came out victorious last year at this event, while the current leader of the Spring Cup Standings, Matt Kenseth, finished second.

4.  Tiger Woods is back in the building.  Or at least in the win column.  Woods has leapfrogged Jack Nicklaus in terms of PGA Tour wins and now ranks second all time at 74.  I am not going to get carried away though.  He is still out in the “Woods” in my eyes and the Tiger we once knew will never return.  Next stop, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia for the Greenbrier Classic.

Weekly Nickel 4-23-2012

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Not too many people knew who Philip Humber (pictured above) was heading into Saturday. After tossing the 21st perfect game in MLB history, Humber has become a household name.

By Josh Kramer

Saying last week was a great one in sports would be an understatement.  Philip Humber became a household name when he tossed a perfect game on Saturday.  Rafael Nadal finally conquered his Djokovic fears in taking home his eighth consecutive Monte Carlo title on Sunday.  And the NHL playoffs have not been too shabby in their own right.  Want to know the best part?  This week should be even better than last.  Here are the events to keep an eye on.

5.  Rafael Nadal seems to have regained his “swagger.”  Or at least he temporarily slayed his Djokovic fears in Monte Carlo.  Next stop, Barcelona.  It is no secret that Rafael Nadal, a six-time French Open Champion, is God-like on the clay.  This is his time of year.  A little over a month from now Roland Garros will be the place to be.  Make sure to enjoy the Barcelona stop of the clay-court season this week.

4.  How many of you knew who Philip Humber was last week at this time?  Be honest.  I bet almost all of you know who he is now.  Humber deserves it.  He appears to be a real class act both on and off the field.

Food for Thought 2-21-2012

Photo courtesy of ESPN.com. Iona point guard Scott Machado (pictured above) has been simply sensational all year long and will make some noise in March.

By Josh Kramer

Want to hear a cool name?  Try “Machado.”  Now many of you are probably confused as to why I would share a cool name with you.  Granted, the vast majority of you are already aware of plenty of cooler names.  For example, God’s Gift Achiuwa.  And though God’s Gift is having a stellar freshman campaign for a very young St. John’s team, a man by the name of “Machado” is absolutely stealing the show in the MAAC (Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference).  Currently, the Gaels sit atop the “Mighty MAAC (it is not really mighty but I like the sound of the expression)” and are a likely tournament team.

Now many of you are probably still scratching your heads as to where I am going with this.  Well a few weeks ago, I had the distinct pleasure of introducing you all to Creighton star, Doug McDermott.  A star that is making it rain from long-range in Omaha like Kyle Korver did back in 2002/2003. Well today, I am going to introduce you to another big-time player that could make some real noise at the “March Dance” and beyond.  Meet Scott Machado.

NBA draft 2011: 5 must-miss prospects and 5 possible steals

Photo courtesy of USAToday.com. Kenneth Faried (pictured above) led the country in rebounds this past season. Our very own Nick Craddock thinks that Faried can one of the major steals of this year's lackluster draft class.

By Nick Craddock

As you’ve probably heard, the 2011 NBA draft is shaping up to be one of the weakest in years.

Rumor has it that one of the possible taglines the NBA league office considered to promote the event was: NBA draft 2011…where underwhelming talent happens.

In fact, if we likened all the hopeful hoopers waiting to hear their name called at the Prudential Center in friendly Newark, N.J. — Madison Square Garden is unavailable to serve as the venue this year because of scheduled renovations — to popsicles, then all the NBA teams have a disappointing box full of grape-flavored popsicles to select from (maybe there’s an orange or raspberry hidden somewhere in the box).

Just as any sane person should consciously avoid grape popsicles (I don’t care how hot it gets, I won’t settle for grape), if I’m an NBA GM, I’m avoiding taking these prospects:

“The Real Terrific Trifecta”

Could these two bitter rivals on the court and good friends off the court land in New York City next season?

Just when we thought the aftershock of “The Decision” was over. Today started murmurs about the possible departures of Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony from their current teams, to the Big Apple. New York would truly be the city that never slept if this happened. The Knicks have been craving a winner for the better part of a decade. A once proud franchise has really been at a standstill or a steady tread downward for 10 plus years now. Well that could all end in the very near future if the General Manager for the New York Knickerbockers (Donnie Walsh) puts on a David Blaine act. And a guy can dream right? I mean how far-fetched did most think it would be to see Lebron James and Chris Bosh join Wade in Miami?

In the words of the famous Disney Movie, “Angel’s In the Outfield,” “It could happen.”  So without even looking at the actual logistics and possibility of this momentous move, today, lets just dream big and look into if this actually happened. First of all the effect it would have would be amazing. Because these 3 players actually would have the pieces to gel. They are not just 3 random superstars. You take the best point guard in the game in CP3. Put him with the best small forward in the game outside of “King” James, Carmelo Anthony, and add in the highlight reel that is power forward Amare Stoudemire? You better believe that you have a great mix of guys that could really play together.

Amare was acquired by New York to bring other big names with him.  Stoudemire failed in a big way in July at helping acquire big name talent with him.  Well July is over and it is August now. Carmelo is an East Coast guy who thrived at Syracuse. And CP3 wants to play on a winner and even hinted at this trifecta heading to NYC at Melo’s wedding. The consequences for the East would be mind-blowing. The old Knicks vs Heat rivalry would be renewed. And probably more exciting than ever.

This would probably even lead to the power shifting in the NBA from the West to the East. In the East, you would now have the Celtics, the Magic, the Knicks, and the Heat as 4 very strong teams.  Not to mention a 5th very solid team in Chicago. The West would be left with the Lakers, the Mavericks, and the very young Oklahoma City Thunder. The Nuggets would never be the same without Melo. The Hornets were not a contender anyways. The Jazz loss of Boozer hurts.  The Trailblazers are always a major question mark due to injuries. The Spurs are becoming old and decrepit. This move would honestly lead to many believing in the East as the superior conference for the first time since the days of his “Airness.”

And I will say this. On paper, Lebron, Wade, and Bosh are the more skilled trio according to most.  Not to mention that Pat Riley is surrounding them with a decent supporting cast considering his lack of funds. But I will state that the New York trio would have a far better chemistry and would have a better shot at bringing home the title in my eyes.

The NBA game has had a reawakening at the point guard position.  Look at the contending teams from last year.  The  Celtics, the Magic, the Lakers, the Nuggets, the Mavericks, and the Suns and I could go on.  Want to know what they all had in common?  A big time point guard with playoff experience.  I mean think about it.  These teams had Rajon Rondo, Jameer Nelson, Derek Fisher, Chauncey Billups, Jason Kidd, and Steve Nash.  Do the Miami Heat have a real legitimate point guard next year?  I guess Wade could do it.  But I would rather have Chris Paul running my offense.

So could this second terrific trio be formed, and would it be the “Real Terrific Trifecta?”

Stay tuned for the next edition of TheSportsKraze.

-TheSportsKraze

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“Amare the Great?”

Amare Stoudemire will do his best to try to bring "showtime" back to Madison Square Garden and turn the Knicks back into one of the League's elite.

Amare the great?  Or at least let’s hope so (for the sake of NYC).  In one of the first big moves in this free agency frenzy, Amare Stoudemire has reportedly agreed to a 5 year 100 million dollar deal with none other than the New York Knicks.  Even with Stoudemire’s rocky past with current Knick’s Coach, Mike D’Antoni, I saw this one coming and predicted Amare to land in New York on a post I made just before the free agency period began on the first.

Amare is a good fit for New York.  He is flashy.  He is fun.  And the bright lights should be something that he really does well with.  There are two big questions though that need to be asked at this time.  First of all is Amare worth a 100 million dollar contract?  Secondly, is he that big of an upgrade from current Knick star David Lee?

So for the first question.  Is anybody actually worth 100 million dollars?  I mean that is a boatload of money.  Since joining the League in 2002, Amare has averaged over 20 points per game in all but 2 seasons (his rookie year and the 05/06 season where he only played in 3 games due to injury).  The man can flat-out score.  In addition, he has averaged 8 or more rebounds in each of the past 4 seasons.  So the man will grab some boards.  Lastly, in each of the past 4 years (since his major injury), he has shot at over 50 percent from the floor and converted over 77% of his attempts from the charity stripe. 

However the man does have many weaknesses for a 100 million dollar man.  He struggles playing offensively with his back to the basket.  So if he is unable to face up, his offensive prowess is neutralized.  In addition, he has never been known as a great defender.  At that power forward spot, there are many great players that you generally have to check throughout a game.  Can Amare handle guarding any of these stars somewhat effectively (guys like KG, though there are more PF stars in the West).  Lastly, many think that a lot of his accolades are due in large part to his former point guard, Steve Nash.  And this may be true.  We will have to wait and see.

As for question number two.  David Lee has steadily improved in each of his 5 years with the Knicks.  To the point now where he is a 20/10 guy who is very efficient on the offensive end of the floor.  He has similar shooting percentage numbers to Amare from both the field and the free throw line.  Lee struggles defensively in a similar fashion to Stoudemire.  The only difference is Amare is 2 inches taller and appears to have a much longer wingspan.

So Amare is not a huge upgrade from Lee.  The guys are both very similar players.  There is perhaps a few items that Amare brings with him that Lee does not.  First of all he has flash.  And who does not want to see some Showtime like plays in Madison Square Garden.  Secondly, he has a bigger name than Lee in that he has been playing at a high level for a good few more years than Lee.  Next, Amare has great wingspan and length.  And as I have stated many times, length is a defining factor in this League right now.  Length wins games.  Lastly, the Knicks should have a much easier time signing another elite player with Stoudemire advertising versus a Lee.  Perception is reality and Amare is perceived as more of a star than Lee (whether you agree or not).

Best of luck to David Lee though.  I highly doubt to see him in New York next year.  Whichever team signs this guy will be very happy with their decision.  Lee is an up and comer who will continue to be a double/double guy for years to come.

So I will state the verdict remains to be seen on whether Amare is a good pickup for the Knicks.  As of now, he really is not worth the 100 million, unless he brings another elite player to the Garden.  Will LBJ, Melo, or another big time player suit up for the Knicks next season?

What will be the domino effect of this signing by the Knicks?

Stay tuned for the next edition of Sportskraze.

-Kraze