10 Mar 11 A Basic Guide to Finding the Best Limo Service in Deltona

A Basic Guide to Finding the Best Limo Service in DeltonaBy: Bob Romsey .... Click author's name to view profile and articles!!!Retargeting by ChangoTweet Finding the 1 Deltona Limousine is in many cases a frantic thing to do. With scores of startup limousine panies in Deltona, it can be easy to make a blunder. This article will offer you a lot of basic tips and relevant information on what to hunt for when choosing a Deltona Limo Service.First you should find an online directory related to Deltona Limo Service. There are at least ten limousine directories available online intended to provide you with local Deltona information. You may also search the web by typing the words and phrases "Deltona limo panies" or "Deltona limousine service". This is going to send back 5-7 in Deltona which you can call. Take care on the pany you use. A lot of Deltona Limousine may be tailored to a specific niche. For example, some limo panies are for private people like celebrities and diplomats. Other Deltona Limo are going to be more public friendly for things like weddings, proms and party buses. A person really should be able to find on their website what areas their specialty is. Now that you have your listing of Deltona Limo , you will need to be certain you ask the right questions.Dependent on what it is you are needing, the two facts you should keep in view are rates and level of quality. Total price is easy to deduce as you can quickly review prices. For a prom you might go with the best deal, but do not go too low priced, do not forget, you get what you pay for. Also, if a proposal sounds to good to be true, it usually is. You should never be afraid to walk away. Excellent on the other hand, is harder to judge. If you are organizing a wedding, you may possibly want to obtain some current testimonials from other wedding parties. Obviously you want your wedding and reception day to be wonderful so it's a smart move to go the extra mile and possibly a little extra bucks to make sure you have the right Deltona Limousine Service for what may very well be the biggest day in your life.To conclude, once you have selected the perfect Deltona Limousine Service, be certain you make reservations several days in advance to make sure that your limousine is reserved and the pany are not booked already. The last thing you need to happen is for the limo service to make an error with your reservation. Hopefully this piece provided you a break down of what you should expect and the key things to look for when picking a Deltona Limo Service. And keep in mind, making use of a limo is meant to be a entertaining and sensational adventure. Most Deltona Limousine fully understand this and will do their very best to deliver you with the greatest memories of that bachelor party or that night out with the girls.Article Source: abcarticledirectoryDeltona Limo Website Development by SEO Web DesignsNote: The content of this article solely conveys the opinion of its author, Bob RomseyRetargeting by ChangoDid You Like This Article? Share It With YourFriends!Please Rate this Article 5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 Not yet Rated Click the XML Icon to Receive Free Articles About Auditing via RSS!Additional Articles From - Home Accounting AuditingWhat you need to know about Auditing from the experts.- By : john newportCulture and business proposition- By : foxhatsNavigating Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions- By : Sawyer AdamsAbout The National Association Of Enrolled Agents (NAEA)- By : Sawyer AdamsThe History Of Enrolled Agents- By : Sawyer AdamsThe Canon Sd780is Black Silver Gold Red - Very Nice Christmas Gift- By : ArticleSubmit AutoIRS Increasing Enforcement Activity- By : Sawyer AdamsDestination Military Surplus Products- By : Ali Khan5 Tips For Getting The Right Health Insurance For Your Needs- By : danica12 Quick Tips For Eye Shadow- By : Ali Khan Still Searching? Last Chance to find what you're looking for. Try using Bing Search!

5 Mar 11 Strategies for Successful Affiliate Marketing

Strategies for Successful Affiliate MarketingBy: Kevin Sinclair .... Click author's name to view profile and articles!!!Retargeting by ChangoTweet Many people make a serious income from marketing other people's products. Unfortunately, many more spend time and effort in this area and see little or no reward. The good news is that not much usually separates the successful affiliate marketer from the novice. In this article we will look at some strategies to improve your results selling affiliate products.1. Pick the right productGenerally you want to pick a product that has a higher affiliate commission and a higher price. However, it is Return on Investment (ROI) that is more important. In other words, if you spend $5 to make $10 you have a 100% return. If this scales up well you may just need to increase your Calgary Flames jersey
advertising spending to get a large amount of money. On the other hand, if you market an expensive product that gives a large return, but it costs you more to advertise than it does in commissions then you are going to lose money.As well as price and commission you need to examine the potential conversion rate. A product with a great sales letter and other benefits may be much easier to sell.Timing is also important. If you can find a hot product before the majority of the market you are going to do well. If the product has already been flogged by your competition you may struggle to make any sales.2. The money is in the listYou have probably heard this over and over again but the question is - Have you taken any action in this area? It is much easier to sell to existing customers than create a new one. Rather than sell one off products you should look at getting sign ups to your OWN list. From here you can continue to sell over and over again. However, you also need to provide good content or add value in other ways otherwise the unsubscribe rate will be high.3. Spend money to make moneySometimes you can get free advertising that works, but more often than not you have to spend money to make money. For example, you could run an AdWords campaign to send people to a sign-up page for a free 5-day course you set up using an autoresponder. Every subscriber is going to cost you something but over the long term as long as the ROI is positive you are going to make money.4. Test, test, testYou need to continually test your ad copy, your traffic statistics, Flames jersey
your sign-up rates etc. In particular, you should try a small-cost advertising campaign to see if it is going to be successful before putting a large amount of money into it. Find out what other successful marketers are doing. Read articles, participate in forums and if you can, get a mentor.Who knows, using these strategies you may turn from a novice affiliate marketer to the next 'super' affiliate.Article Source: http://www.shop-on-sale.com Kevin Sinclair is the publisher and editor of besuccessfulnews.com, a site that provides information and articles on how to succeed in your own home or small business.Note: The content of this article solely conveys the opinion of its author, Kevin SinclairRetargeting by ChangoDid You Like This Article? Share It With YourFriends!Please Rate this Article 5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 Not yet Rated Click the XML Icon to Receive Free Articles About Affiliate Programs What Cloth Diaper Provides The Top Match For Newborns?- By : mirtagaylWhat is Affiliate Marketing and Why You Should Do It?- By : James A AndersonEarning Money Quickly With Email Marketing - True or False?- By : chad buistMoney Creating Tips For Individuals Involved In An Online Affiliate Marketing Home Business- By : Johnny BarrellGlobal Success Club And NHL Shop
How To Make Money Online- By : Don SeanMake Cash Over The Internet With Affiliate Marketing- By : Leroy WheelerWhich Affiliate Networks To Look Out For When Promoting ?- By : Elsa Braxton Still Searching? Last Chance to find what you're looking for. Try using Bing Search!

24 Jan 11 Ole Miss-Kentucky Football: Does Fresno St. Win Mean Turnaround Time for Rebels?

Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesOle Miss had a huge win last week against Fresno State, 55-38, and some say this is the point where the Rebels will turn it around.Losing their first two home games, this game looked scary at first with Fresno scoring on its first drive. Between nearly 1,000 yards of total offense and more than 90 points in the game, though, it was Ole Miss running backBrandon Bolden's numbers that made the difference.Bolden ran for a career-best 228 yards on 19 carries with two touchdowns. He added a pair of catches for 15 yards and a Reebok Minnesota Vikings #69 Jared Allen Realtree camo Jersey
score before finishing with a recovery of an onside kick that lifted Ole Miss to a win over the previously unbeaten Bulldogs."I knew we could run, but I didn't think about Brandon running for 228-something yards," Ole Miss coachHouston Nuttsaid.Kentucky fell to Florida last week. Mike Hartline went 21-of-39 passing for two touchdowns, and Derrick Locke totaled 108 rushing yards. Not a bad performance by them, but they will have to step it up coming into Oxford.At 1-2 for Rebels home games, the Wildcats have a chance to take Ole Miss to a no-bowl season. Don't forget to wear red, Rebel fans!My score prediction: 27-17, Jeremiah Masoli with a-400 yard game, Bolden with a 150-yard game.

22 Jan 11 Michigan State Football: Mark Dantonio in Good Condition Following Heart Attack

Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesFootball is just like life; sometimes the highest highs instantly turn into the lowest lows. Such was the case with the Michigan State football program this past weekend. After one of the gutsiest play calls you will ever seea fake field goal call in overtime to win the game against the rival Notre Dame Fighting Irisheveryone in green and white paused when they heard the news about that same coach who made the game-winning play call. Mark Dantonio suffered a minor heart attack early Sunday morning, but thankfully is expected to make Tennessee Titans jersey
a full recovery. He is out indefinitely as head coach, and offensive coordinator Don Treadwell will take the reigns of the football program in Dantonioabsence. Here is a statement from Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis: "This is a time for Spartan Nation to rally around Coach D and the football program," Hollis said. "We all look forward to his return to the sidelines. The thoughts of the entire Spartan family are with Coach D, his wife Becky and his daughters Kristen and Lauren." Dantonio also received warm wishes from Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly, and Penn State coach Joe Paterno. It was a shocking revelation for not only Spartan fans, but also fans of sports around the country. Some people treat sports as if they are the end-all, be-all, but the fact of the matter is that any health concern is far and above everything else in life.Now, it is up to Treadwell to lead the team and be the motivator, although it shouldnbe too difficult for him. Treadwell has been in East Lansing since 2000, when Bobby Williams was the head coach. He has been with numerous coaches and has coached different positions and units, so he should fit right in as the new man in charge. There is no reason to rush Dantonio back as the Spartans play Northern Colorado this upcoming Saturday. The week after Washington Redskins jersey
will be the Spartans biggest test thus far, opening the Big Ten season against a good Wisconsin team. You have to think Dantonio is itching to return by that game. For now, everyone just needs to be thankful and look at the big picture in relation to sports and everyday life. Dantonio was getting all the praise after Saturday nightoutcome on the gridiron, but beating a heart attack was his biggest victory.

18 Jan 11 Notre Dame Football: Stanford Preview

Carlo Calabrese waits.Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesStanford Run Offense vs. Notre Dame Run DefenseThe main concern facing Stanford's offense this season was replacing Toby Gerhart. So far, the running game hasn't missed a step, averaging 242 yards per game.The Cardinal are led by the two-headed running back combination of No. 33 Stepfan Taylor and No. 25 Tyler Gaffney.Taylor is averaging 10 carries and 52 yards per game, while Gaffney is averaging eight for 46. Gaffney also leads the team with three rushing touchdowns.Quarterback No. 12 Andrew Luck has also been productive with his legs. Discounting sacksof which the Stanford offense has only given up one this yearLuck is rushing four times per game for 47 yards. Those numbers are aided by a 52-yard run, the longest on the team this Reebok New York Jets #6 Mark Sanchez Realtree camo Jersey
year.Fullback No. 48 Owen Marecic, who doubles as a starting inside linebacker, will also get into the act on offense. Marecic is averaging two carries for six yards per game.Rounding out the Stanford rushing attack are running backs No. 15 Usua Amanam and No. 32 Anthony Wilkerson, both averaging five carries per game. The small, shifty Amanam is averaging 30 yards per game; big back Wilkerson, 18. Yes, when your team averages 42 rushing attempts per game, there are a lot of carries to go around.The story of Notre Dame's run defense, and the team as the whole, is that they're making fewer mistakesbut the mistakes are bigger.Despite seemingly better tackling, the Irish are giving up 199 yards per game on the ground. Manti Te'o leads the team in tackles with 33 (11 per game) and tackles for a loss with 3.5. He and fellow inside linebacker Carlo Calabrese (23 tackles) will face a tough test against Stanford's run game. As will nose tackle Ian Williams, who Brian Kelly recently described as "dominant."Conversely, the outside linebacker play has been disappointing at best. Darius Fleming, Brian Smith, Kerry Neal, and Steve Filer all have the ability to be starters at this level, yet have combined for just 37 tackles on the yearfour more than Te'o has by himself.Notre Dame Run Offense vs. Stanford Run DefenseDespite a pass-happy attack in the Michigan State game, Notre Dame is still averaging 31 carries and 133 yards per game. Armando Allen, as expected, has established himself as the feature back, averaging 15 carries and 84 yards per game.Cierre Wood saw limited action against the Spartans, but still has his coaches' confidence. Wood is averaging five carries and 24 yards per game. Jonas Gray has only four carries on the year, and most of that was due to Allen's hand injury last week. Allen, by the way, should be at full strength for this week's game.Quarterback Dayne Crist is averaging five carries and 20 yards per game. Slot receiver Theo Riddick has two carries on the year, both in the Michigan game.Stanford's run defense is giving up a less-than-stellar 138 yards per game on the ground, but are still maintaining a respectable 3.8 yards per carry against. Apparently Stanford opponents have been trying to mimic Stanford's offense by running 38 times per game.Stanford's leading tackler is free safety No. 3 Michael Thomas. Irish fans are well aware of the red flag that is having a safety as your leading tackler. Yet, Thomas does have a team-leading three tackles for a loss, so that total could be an indication of how much he is moved around and used in run support.Inside linebacker No. 57 Max Bergen and outside linebacker No. 44 Chase Thomas are next on the team in tackles with 14 and 12, respectively. The Cardinal team is averaging over six tackles for a loss per game, so they do like to get into the backfield.Stanford Pass Offense vs. Notre Dame Pass DefenseQuarterback Andrew Luck is being hailed as a future Heisman candidate.So far, he hasn't disappointed.Luck is averaging 23 pass attempts per game, which may not seem like much compared to the 42 running plays per game for the team. But Luck does make the most of those chances, completing 64 percent (15 completions per game) for 224 yards. He also has 10 touchdowns to zero interceptions, and an efficiency rating of Reebok Oakland Raiders #21 Nnamdi Asomugha Realtree camo Jersey
192.3.The Cardinal are expected to be without receiver No. 8 Ryan Whalen, who was the team's leading receiver in each of the past two year, and tied for the team lead in catches this year. Whalen has a dislocated elbow. In his absence, No. 89 Doug "This is war!" Baldwin becomes Luck's primary target. Baldwin is averaging three catches, 65 yards, and one touchdown per game.In Whalen's absence, No. 81 Chris Owusu steps back into the starting lineup. In his lone appearance this season, Owusu had three catches, two for touchdowns.Stanford has done a good job of spreading the wealth in the passing game. Thirteen Cardinal have receptions, but no one other than Whalen, Baldwin, and Owusu are averaging more than one catch per game.On the season, 10 balls have gone to tight ends, led by old friend (and starter) No. 88 Konrad Reuland with five catches. Six passes have gone to running backs, led by Stepfan Taylor with four. The fullbacks have yet to make a reception.Notre Dame is giving up 246 yards per game in the air. More concerning is that Irish opponents have completed 68 percent of their passes. Despite this, the Notre Dame corners have gotten better at breaking up passes, recording 15 official passes defended and 13 official breakups. In addition, Darrin Walls, Zeke Motta, and Ian Williams have interceptions.Motta has been praised for his effort, but Coach Kelly said that the safety needs to work on being in the right place at the right time. The good news for Motta and fellow safety Harrison Smith is that Jamoris Slaughter should be back for this game, returning this thin unit to full strength.The Irish are averaging just under three sacks per game. Darius Fleming and Ethan Johnson lead the team with two apiece.An all-to-common photo of Michael FloydJonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesNotre Dame Pass Offense vs. Stanford Pass DefenseDayne Crist's numbers won't win him the Heisman, but he's been effective for a first-year starter. Crist is averaging 21 completions on 35 attempts per game, a 60 percent rate. Dayne is averaging 284 yards per game, and has seven touchdowns on the year to two interceptions.Kyle Rudolph has been Crist's main target, averaging seven catches and 96 yards per game. Michael Floyd and Theo Riddick aren't close behind, averaging five catches per game (with Riddick's numbers helped largely by his performance against Michigan State). Floyd is averaging 76 yards per game, but has two key fumbles against his name. Riddick is averaging 60 yards per contest.TJ Jones and Armando Allen are averaging three catches Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers #86 Hines Ward Realtree camo Jersey
per game. Jones, Rudolph, and Floyd are leading the team with two touchdowns apiece. Despite three new offensive linemen (including both tackles) and a new starting quarterback, the Irish have given up only five sacks through three games.The Cardinal have switched to a hybrid 3-4 look, and it's been quite productive so far. The team has recorded 11 sacks in three games, led by outside linebacker Chase Thomas with 3.5. Thomas is one of seven linebackers or lineman who has recorded a sack for Stanford this year.Cornerback No. 9 Richard Sherman is fourth on the team in tackles (nine), first in passes broken up (four) and defended (five), and has one of the team's three interceptions. It sounds like he's in charge of covering opponents' top receivers, and at 6'3", he's more than capable of giving Michael Floyd all he can handle.Stanford is holding opponents to a measly 90 passing yards per game. Of course, that number is skewed by the fact that Cardinal opposition has attempted only 68 passes (and completed only 34) on the season.Cierre WoodJonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesSpecial TeamsAnother old friend, No. 39 Nate Whitaker, is Stanford's placekicker. He's a perfect three-for-three on the year, although all of his attempts have come from 23 yards or less. Notre Dame's David Ruffer is also perfect, connecting on all five of his attempts with a long of 46.No. 36 Daniel Zychlinski punts for the Cardinal. Two of his six punts have gone over 50 yards, with a long of 64. He's averaging 48 yards per kick. Stanford is giving up 28 yards per punt return, a number marred by a 70-yard touchdown. Notre Dame's Ben Turk is averaging just 37 yards per punt, but Turk is all about hang time rather than length. None of Turk's 16 punts have been returned.Usua Amanam and Doug Baldwin return kicks for Stanford. Amanam is averaging 35 yards per return with a long of 60; Baldwin 21 with a long of 24. David Ruffer also kicks off for the Irish. He's averaging 66 yards per kick with three touchbacks in 17 tries. Notre Dame is giving up 20 yards per return, giving opponents an average start on the 26.Cierre Wood is Notre Dame's primary kick returner, although he's "on notice" to step up his performance. Wood is averaging 20 yards per return with a long of 38.Nate Whitaker has been booming kickoffs for the Cardinal. His 26 kicks have averaged 68 yards, with eight going for touchbacks. Stanford is giving up 25 yards per return, giving opponents an average start on the 35. Notre Dame should definitely win the hidden yardage battle in that regard.Darius FlemingJonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesDoug Baldwin also returns punts for Stanford. He's averaging only eight yards per return with a long of 22. Armando Allen should be back to returning punts for Notre Dame. He's averaging an impressive Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
24 yards per return with a long of 38.Notre Dame Players to WatchMichael Floyd, Carlo Calabrese, Darius Fleming, Jamoris Slaughter, Cierre Wood, Armando AllenPredictionNotre Dame 31, Stanford 28This article originally appeared on Kanka's Sports Page

15 Jan 11 New Orleans Saints work available

The New Orleans Saints are offering a full-time position as a Ticket Sales Account Executive within their Sales and Marketing department.The Saints seek an individual who will be responsible for selling season and group tickets via telephone. He/She will be required to work all regular season games each year performing various duties in game operations, develop new ideas to increase ticket sales, perform basic office functions as needed and be expected to attain the ticket goals of the department each season. The ideal candidate should be aggressive, competitive, professional, Tennessee Titans jersey
mature, self-starting and committed to the sports industry. Must have a Bachelor's degree and prior sports team ticket sales experience with proven track record. Cold calling skills are necessary. The ability to speak and understand Spanish fluently is a plus. Position pays salary plus commission. A bilingual person is preferred. Even though it wasn't what they were expecting, the New Orleans Saints get to return to their home state to play four games this season. Their plans for the 2005 season were thrown into disarray, as were the lives of many in the Gulf Coast, after Hurricane Katrina.The team announced yesterday they will return to their home state of Louisiana and play four of their home games in Baton Rouge at Tiger Stadium. But the Saints first two homes games will be in San Antonio, across the street from their current headquarters, at the Alamo Dome. The first game there will be on either October 2nd or 3rd against the Buffalo Bills. The second game will be two weeks later against the Atlanta Falcons. The date of that game is also in question, being played either October 16th or 17th.The New Orleans Saints upcoming game against the New York Giants was originally scheduled as a home game, but was moved to Giants Stadium this Monday night due to the damage left by Katrina. This past Sunday, Washington Redskins jersey
the team was able to choke back the emotions of the tragic hurricane that left many in New Orleans dead or homeless and defeat the Carolina Panthers 23-20. After the two games in San Antonio, the team will play the next four home games in Baton Rouge, home of Louisiana State University. For their home finale, they will return to San Antonio to face the Detroit Lions

14 Jan 11 Carolina Panthers Defensive Preview

In 2005, the Carolina Panthers' defense was among their main reasons for finishing the regular season 11-5 and venturing all the way to the NFC Championship Game. During the offseason the unit faced some transitions, including a loss of a key linebacker. However, thanks to the re-addition of one tremendous tackle, the Carolina defense is ready to try and match or better its past successes.Carolina's two defensive ends make up one of the better tandems in the National Football League. Two-time Pro Bowler Julius Peppers starts on the right side, while steady Oakland Raiders jersey
veteran Mike Rucker holds down the left.The 6-foot-7, 283-pound Peppers finished last season with 10 ? sacks in spite of dealing with constant double- and triple-teams from opposing offensive linemen. The former No. 2 overall pick is an absolutely dominant performer, and if healthy, there's no reason that won't continue into this year.Rucker, on the other hand, bounced back from a poor 2004 campaign, notching a decent 7 ? sacks last year. However, if the 31-year-old can return to his 12-sack form of 2003, the Panthers' ends will be flat-out scary.All-Pro tackle Kris Jenkins is set to make his return on the line, assuming he can avoid injuries for the first time in two years. He missed all but five games in the past pair of seasons because of two devastating injuries - one to his knee and one to his shoulder. The 335-pound Jenkins, who might be the league's best DT, is both a dominant run-stuffer and legitimate pass rusher. More importantly, the sixth-year man eats up two to three blockers, enabling other members of Carolina's front seven to pressure opposing quarterbacks. In with the new, out with the old was the Panthers' philosophy at the other DT position, as they said goodbye to 34-year-old Brentson Buckner and ushered in 350-pound space-eater Maake Kemoeatu during the free-agency period. Buckner was an outstanding locker room influence, but the 27-year-old Kemoeatu, a former Baltimore Raven, is an on-field improvement. Last season the four-year veteran posted a career-high tackle amount, with 40.Carolina's linebacking corps is a slight concern entering this season. While veteran leader and top-notch performer Dan Morgan holds down the middle, two new players - Thomas Davis and Na'il Diggs - step in on the sides. Davis, a first-rounder in the '05 draft, spent much of last season bouncing between the safety position and the bench because of poor play. However, coordinator Mike Trgovac gave him a shot at strongside LB late in the year, and he played well. Davis was given the No. 58 in the offseason, the same one Panthers legend Mark Fields wore during his illustrious three-year Carolina career. Fields is hoping to lace up his cleats again in the future, but he's currently fighting Hodgkins disease. Davis, a former Georgia standout, not only has a tough number to follow, but a tough act, too. He replaces the departed Will Witherspoon, one of the most underrated linebackers in football. Diggs, who spent his first six seasons as a member of the Green Bay Packers' defense, came to the Panthers in the Philadelphia Eagles jersey
offseason looking to redeem himself. Ever since a playmaking 2002 season, Diggs has struggled mightily at linebacker, which is why the Packers parted with him. Now that the 240-pounder is a member of a much better front seven, he could thrive. The starting secondary is certainly among the Panthers' greatest defensive strengths. Their No. 1 cornerbacks are two of the absolute best in the game, Ken Lucas (six picks last year) and Chris Gamble (seven). Carolina's free safety, Mike Minter, has been there, done that on the pro level in his nine seasons, and should continue playing at a high level. At strong safety, the Panthers seem questionable. Eight-year veteran Shaun Williams is currently penciled in as the top man on the depth chart, but he's played in just 10 games over the last two seasons. However, the former New York Giant could be poised to regain his solid form of old, since he's reunited with his former d-coordinator and now head coach, John Fox. Under Fox in the Meadowlands, the 29-year-old Williams was a well-thought of playmaker.Aside from a strong starting defensive unit, the Panthers' depth could be second to none in the NFL. Ends Al Wallace and Stanley McClover come to the forefront on the line, as does former first-rounder Damione Lewis, a DT signed away from the St. Louis Rams in March. Another above-average tackle reserve is Jordan Carstens, who actually started throughout last year.The name to watch in terms of Carolina reserves is Richard Marshall, a formerly projected first-round pick who fell to the Panthers in the second round of April's draft. At 22 years old, the ex-Fresno State star already has terrific fundamentals, thanks to the tutelage of Bulldogs head coach Pat Hill. The 5-11, 188-pounder should do well playing the role of nickel and dime corner for the Panthers, replacing departed man Ricky Manning Jr., who was among the best at his position in the league.Final prediction: In 2006, the Carolina Panthers' defense should undoubtedly knock on the door of No. 1 in the NFL. If the unit doesn't Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
finish there in total yardage allowed, sacks or points surrendered, it probably will in the interception department. The bottom line is, Trgovac's group could go down as one of the best in recent memory. Should that happen, look for him to get some head coaching offers next offseason.--.Stay tuned for Byrne's Carolina Panthers 2006 offensive preview.

14 Jan 11 Carolina Panthers Defensive Preview

In 2005, the Carolina Panthers' defense was among their main reasons for finishing the regular season 11-5 and venturing all the way to the NFC Championship Game. During the offseason the unit faced some transitions, including a loss of a key linebacker. However, thanks to the re-addition of one tremendous tackle, the Carolina defense is ready to try and match or better its past successes.Carolina's two defensive ends make up one of the better tandems in the National Football League. Two-time Pro Bowler Julius Peppers starts on the right side, while steady Oakland Raiders jersey
veteran Mike Rucker holds down the left.The 6-foot-7, 283-pound Peppers finished last season with 10 ? sacks in spite of dealing with constant double- and triple-teams from opposing offensive linemen. The former No. 2 overall pick is an absolutely dominant performer, and if healthy, there's no reason that won't continue into this year.Rucker, on the other hand, bounced back from a poor 2004 campaign, notching a decent 7 ? sacks last year. However, if the 31-year-old can return to his 12-sack form of 2003, the Panthers' ends will be flat-out scary.All-Pro tackle Kris Jenkins is set to make his return on the line, assuming he can avoid injuries for the first time in two years. He missed all but five games in the past pair of seasons because of two devastating injuries - one to his knee and one to his shoulder. The 335-pound Jenkins, who might be the league's best DT, is both a dominant run-stuffer and legitimate pass rusher. More importantly, the sixth-year man eats up two to three blockers, enabling other members of Carolina's front seven to pressure opposing quarterbacks. In with the new, out with the old was the Panthers' philosophy at the other DT position, as they said goodbye to 34-year-old Brentson Buckner and ushered in 350-pound space-eater Maake Kemoeatu during the free-agency period. Buckner was an outstanding locker room influence, but the 27-year-old Kemoeatu, a former Baltimore Raven, is an on-field improvement. Last season the four-year veteran posted a career-high tackle amount, with 40.Carolina's linebacking corps is a slight concern entering this season. While veteran leader and top-notch performer Dan Morgan holds down the middle, two new players - Thomas Davis and Na'il Diggs - step in on the sides. Davis, a first-rounder in the '05 draft, spent much of last season bouncing between the safety position and the bench because of poor play. However, coordinator Mike Trgovac gave him a shot at strongside LB late in the year, and he played well. Davis was given the No. 58 in the offseason, the same one Panthers legend Mark Fields wore during his illustrious three-year Carolina career. Fields is hoping to lace up his cleats again in the future, but he's currently fighting Hodgkins disease. Davis, a former Georgia standout, not only has a tough number to follow, but a tough act, too. He replaces the departed Will Witherspoon, one of the most underrated linebackers in football. Diggs, who spent his first six seasons as a member of the Green Bay Packers' defense, came to the Panthers in the Philadelphia Eagles jersey
offseason looking to redeem himself. Ever since a playmaking 2002 season, Diggs has struggled mightily at linebacker, which is why the Packers parted with him. Now that the 240-pounder is a member of a much better front seven, he could thrive. The starting secondary is certainly among the Panthers' greatest defensive strengths. Their No. 1 cornerbacks are two of the absolute best in the game, Ken Lucas (six picks last year) and Chris Gamble (seven). Carolina's free safety, Mike Minter, has been there, done that on the pro level in his nine seasons, and should continue playing at a high level. At strong safety, the Panthers seem questionable. Eight-year veteran Shaun Williams is currently penciled in as the top man on the depth chart, but he's played in just 10 games over the last two seasons. However, the former New York Giant could be poised to regain his solid form of old, since he's reunited with his former d-coordinator and now head coach, John Fox. Under Fox in the Meadowlands, the 29-year-old Williams was a well-thought of playmaker.Aside from a strong starting defensive unit, the Panthers' depth could be second to none in the NFL. Ends Al Wallace and Stanley McClover come to the forefront on the line, as does former first-rounder Damione Lewis, a DT signed away from the St. Louis Rams in March. Another above-average tackle reserve is Jordan Carstens, who actually started throughout last year.The name to watch in terms of Carolina reserves is Richard Marshall, a formerly projected first-round pick who fell to the Panthers in the second round of April's draft. At 22 years old, the ex-Fresno State star already has terrific fundamentals, thanks to the tutelage of Bulldogs head coach Pat Hill. The 5-11, 188-pounder should do well playing the role of nickel and dime corner for the Panthers, replacing departed man Ricky Manning Jr., who was among the best at his position in the league.Final prediction: In 2006, the Carolina Panthers' defense should undoubtedly knock on the door of No. 1 in the NFL. If the unit doesn't Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
finish there in total yardage allowed, sacks or points surrendered, it probably will in the interception department. The bottom line is, Trgovac's group could go down as one of the best in recent memory. Should that happen, look for him to get some head coaching offers next offseason.--.Stay tuned for Byrne's Carolina Panthers 2006 offensive preview.

13 Jan 11 Dirk Nowitzki: 20,000 Points, 11 Seasons, One Fan for Life

Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesJason Terry dribbles the ball around a pick set by Dirk Nowitzki. Two Lakers hesitate on the switch leaving just a few feet of space between Nowitzki and Lamar Odom. And that's all it takes.Terry sends a bounce pass to Nowitzki near the baseline, and in a move perfected through years and years of shooting drills, Nowitzki's legs slightly spread apart as he jumps, Odom gets there just a split second too late, and the ball completes its journey, splashing through the net.For Dirk Nowitzki, those were points 20,000 and 20,001, Reebok New York Giants #27 Brandon Jacobs Realtree camo Jersey
giving him a milestone that only 34 players in the NBA have, and one that is considered the benchmark for any scorer worth his salt.As a German, he showed that big, tall Europeans who can shoot can indeed become superstars in the NBA. As a player, he turned Dallas into more than just a football town. As a power forward, he revolutionized the position and forced countless coaches to adapt to a whole new kind of game plan.On Feb. 5, 1999, the Dallas Mavericks were playing the Seattle Supersonics, and a lanky, 19-year-old German stepped to the free throw line. He had missed all five of his field goals, his first shots in the NBA.He nailed those two free throws, though, the only ones he attempted. Points number one and two.On Jan. 13, 2010, nearly 11 years after those first two free throws, Nowitzki scored his 20,000th point on a baseline jumper over Lamar Odom.Oh sure, some things have changed. Steve Nash has turned into Jason Terry, Michael Finley into Josh Howard, and that mailbox outside the AAC into Erick Dampier.The wins have changed, too. From 19 that first short season, to 40 the next. Ever since then, the Mavs haven't dipped below 50 wins, with Nowitzki as the one remaining constant.For Nowitzki and his fans, Feb. 5, 1999, seems like a lifetime ago. In between, there was an MVP campaign, a trip to the Finals, multiple All-Star appearances, buzzer-beating game-winners, and much more.But one thing hasn't changed: There is no championship ring on his finger, and no Larry O'Brien trophy at the American Airlines Center.Sure, he got close, and one could argue until the cows come home about the 2006 championship that was lost, or taken away, depending on who you ask.Nowitzki has always drawn his fair share of hate, though. I don't know why, whether people are just stupid, or...well, they're just stupid.If you know a single thing about the game of basketball, you cannot deny that Nowitzki is, and has been, a top-five player in the league for the better part of his career.It's because of him that people like Darko Milicic and Andrea Bargnani became such highly coveted prospects. Even today, GMs around the league are always on the search for the "next Dirk Nowitzki."What's really remarkable about his game is how refined his offense has become.His signature shot is the "one-legged Euro fadeaway," and it is the most un-defendable shot since Kareem's skyhook.Nowitzki begins by facing his defender straight up, which by itself is a departure from the usual game of forwards. Forwards are used to banging bodies defensively, and though Nowitzki always gets crap for not backing people down, he's just too damn good to do that.He faces them up, takes a few steps off his pivot foot to see how much space he gets, and more often than not, propels himself backward at a 45 degree angle and drains the high, arcing shot.He's so reliable at it that he's able to exploit the defenders who just settle into thinking he's going to take that shot. When he takes that brief moment of hesitation, the defender will lean in, anticipating that fade-away, then Nowitzki takes a quick step in to the basket as the defender is already off balance and a step behind, allowing a straight shot to the basketor someone else has to help the defender, leaving another Maverick open. Reebok New York Jets #6 Mark Sanchez Realtree camo Jersey
He's also a very underrated rebounder, though I wouldn't call him dominant on the boards by any stretch. He gets most of his on the defensive glass, since he's rarely under the basket on offense.Of course, Nowitzki's got the range to hit the three-pointer, but as the Mavs have gotten better perimeter players, his three-point attempts have gone down. So now, it's less a major part of his game and more an added bonus should he find himself trailing the fast break just right, or if, stupidly, he is left alone on the perimeter.Dirk Nowitzki got me into basketball. I always watched the playoffs, but I never really followed a team until the blond 7-foot German with the Hans Gruber smirk who could shoot the lights out came along.So what are my favorite memories of Dirk? Well, I've got a ton, but here are just a few of my personal favorites:Dirk Hits the Game-winner against the Utah Jazz, April 10, 2008After a lackluster start to the Jason Kidd: Redux era, the Mavericks found themselves not only losing to a good team but fighting for a playoff spot.When Deron Williams banked in a three to tie a nail-biter of a game in Dallas with 5.8 seconds left, the Mavericks looked like they would be lucky to get an eight seed.But Nowitzki had other plans. The Mavs didn't take a timeout, and they rushed up the floor before Utah could get set with Nowitzki on the wing all alone. I watched this one live at my house, and I threw a few punches in the air and may or may not have howled like a wolfDirk drops four three-pointers in 1:41 during a 24-point comeback against Toronto, Nov. 20, 2007The Mavs were still getting over the hangover of the upset to the Warriors in the 2007 playoffs when they fell behind big to the Toronto Raptors at home. If there's one thing we know, it is that with a three-point shooter like Nowitzki, no lead is safe.He proceeded to key the rally by hitting four straight three-pointers in the final 1:41 of the third quarter where Dallas outscored the Raptors 38-17. Wowzers.Dirk drops 50 on the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Finals Game 4, June 1, 2006This was the infamous "Tim Thomas blows Dirk a kiss game," and it's something that I'll never forget watching. It's also really the last time the NBA was innocent to me, as the events of the 2006 Finals turned me bitter beyond belief, and I still haven't fully recovered.It was a simpler time for us all, when it seemed that Nowitzki's Mavs and Nash's Suns were destined to meet during the playoffs every year, and every series looked like it was going to be great. The Lakers were terrible, Dwyane Wade was single-handedly winning playoff games before the refs helped him out, and LeBron was still stuck with players like Eric Snow. That's called playoff clutch kids, and it can't be taughtDirk's Three-point Play Helps Beat theReebok Oakland Raiders #21 Nnamdi Asomugha Realtree camo Jersey
Spurs at Home in Game 7, May 22, 2006The happiest I've ever been as a basketball fan, and I didn't even see it live. I saw the Mavs blow the 3-1 lead to the Spurs from London by following every newspaper and sports update I could get.I remember getting home the morning after the game and driving back from the airport. I was a few miles away, and all of a sudden it occurred to me that Game Seven was the previous night. I pulled up the scores on my phone, and it was an amazing feeling as the page loaded and I saw the Mavs had prevailed in OT.They blew a 20-point lead and gave up what should have been a dagger three-pointer to Manu Ginobili in the closing minute of the game, but Nowitzki, in his own words, wouldn't let the season slip away.Instead of a fadeaway, he initiated contact, the ball rimmed in, and the Mavericks never looked back. It's all bittersweet, of course, because of what would happen a few short weeks later, but for a few short weeks, Nowitzki was THE best player in the NBA, without question.So that's about it for my Dirk Nowitzki tribute.On a personal note, he is my favorite basketball player of all time. Sometimes it really bums me out beyond belief that Nowitzki might retire without getting a ring, a feeling not unfamiliar to Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, John Stockton, and Reggie Miller fans.I can even empathize with Kevin Garnett fans, because should Nowitzki ever go chase a ring, I couldn't possibly hate it. Who knows, maybe I'm more of a Nowitzki fan than a Mavs fan. I hope I never have to find out.But I've got these memories, and many more that I can't begin to describe. And more than that, Nowitzki hooked me on the sport of basketball. I played it, watched it, and even liked it, but I wasn't the fan I am today, and I wouldn't be without Dirk Werner Nowitzki.I think every fan has a player like that, and it's always good to celebrate that player, particularly one not named LeBron, Kobe, Shaq, or MJ, because those players are too easy for me.It's easy to fall in love with rings and perfection, but it's quite another thing to get into a star before he hits it real big and follow them hopefully all the way to the top. I know there were Jordan, Kobe, and Shaq fans before they won, but you get what I'm saying.So here's to you Dirk. You're a class act on Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers #86 Hines Ward Realtree camo Jersey
the court, a cold-blooded killer on the court, and one of the best players to ever stroll out on the hardwood.You've given a face to a faceless franchise, and you have blazed the trail for Europeans and sharp-shooting big man.It was an amazing 20,000 points, some at the biggest moments on the biggest stage, and some in garbage time on either end of a blowout.And even if I didn't see all 20,000, they were damn fun to watch, each and every one of them.

12 Jan 11 Losing Trevor Ariza, Getting Ron Artest: Did the Lakers Make the Right Moves?

Ron Artest came into the season saying, "It's my fault if we don't win the championship."Well, really, it shouldn't be his fault because he hardly contributes. Artest averages 11 points and shoots 41 percent from the field.The Lakers signedArtest because of his defense and toughness, which he has lacked tremendously this year. He also needs to finish his layups instead of barging into people and looking for the foul call.Artest couldn't even come close to containing LeBron James.He didn't bring any intensityon Christmas Day or the second time they met. I think Kobe Bryant should have guarded LeBron both times they met. The very few plays Phil Jackson allowed Kobe to guard LeBron, Kobe did so with intensity and didn't allowLeBron any space to breathe. Where as on the other side of Seattle Seahawks jersey
the deal, Trevor Ariza is playing very well for Houston, averaging 15 points and 1.7 steals. Kobe could really use somebody to kick it out to. Artest hasn't been reliable this year from beyond the arc.Ariza's defense really came up big last year in the Western Conference Finals and NBA Finals with two game-sealing steals in the last moments in two extremely important games. He also gave the Lakers a lot of momentum with his dunks and steals.I hope sometime this season, Artest can start playing like he did on the Rockets, Pacers, and Kings. I also hope Artest can step up his defense and play with more intensity.But so far, getting him wasn't the right choice.

12 Jan 11 Luol Deng and The Bulls: On The Road

Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesThe Bulls have been hot. Their last five games, on the road, they've won. Last night winning on the road vs CP3 and the Hornets. All thanks to Luol Deng with 26 points, Derrek Rose with 18, and a very good game by Joakim Noah with 13 points and 18 rebounds!For the Bulls here, it's not all about being "hot" in their case, because they've also been lucky. Last night, the Hornets look like they won the game late with seven seconds left in the game, but thought turning over the ball was a better idea, then later losing. That gave the bulls the chancDetroit Lions
e to tie the game, and win it by two in OT.The Bulls now are 23-22 on the season with their five straight wins over five Western Conference winning teams and 13 wins in their last 18 games. Because for a team where a month ago it seemed everything was going wrong, now they are getting the breaks. Or is it when you play loose and confident you make your breaks? And though the Hornets made the blunder of the night, it was the Bulls who contributed to it by never giving up even in seemingly a lost cause.About the Overtime WIN vs Hornets:The Hornets set up in an angled Green Bay Packers jersey
picket fence with Darren Collison supposed to run Rose into two screens and get the inbounds. Why, Im not sure. He is an 87 percent free throw shooter, but he is a rookie. Noah did a terrific job backing off inbounding West in front of the Hornets bench in the backcourt and playing free safety. The Hornets couldn advance the ball because West had recovered the loose ball rebound and moved before calling timeout.Da Bulls! ARE HOT!

10 Jan 11 NBA Trade Deadline: Eddie House Out, Nate Robinson In for the Boston Celtics

Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesJust before Thursday's NBA trade deadline the Boston Celtics sent Eddie House, J.R Giddens, and Bill Walker to the New York Knicks for guard Nate Robinson and undrafted rookie forward Marcus Landry.A lot of Celtics fans are disappointed with this deal, as House was a fan Reebok Dallas Cowboys #9 Tony Romo Realtree camo Jersey
favorite and a great three-point shooter, but his play had slowly declined since helping Boston win a the title in 2007-08."It is tough to see Eddie go," Celtics GM Danny Ainge told the Worcester Telegram Gazette. "He was one of my favorite players to watch and he was a key element in winning the 2008 championship and a tremendous presence in the locker room."Even though House will be missed, the deal is still something to wonder about. Robinson could and should provide some more much-needed scoring from the Celtics bench, but will he gel with the team? Will he be able to pass the ball instead of being what some back in New York called a ball hog?Robinson developed a bad reputation from his time with the Knicks, especially once new coach Mike DAntoni came to town two years ago and took over for faltering head coach Isiah Thomas. Robinson was benched almost immediately and stayed buried there until he came off the bench on Jan. 1 against the Atlanta Hawks (who have swept the Celtics thus far this season), scoring 41 points in 38 minutes.Another thing: How do the actual players of the Celtics feel about it?All-Star guard Rajon Rondo had this to say of Robinson coming to town, according to NBA.com: "I don't know, I don't know. I hope it's for the best. We don't make the decisions, we Reebok Denver Broncos #15 Tim Tebow Realtree camo Jersey
just play the game."Well, there's just about one way to know if this could help the C, and that time and practice. Overall, even with a solid 15 points a night from Robinson off the bench, it comes down to the Big ThreePaul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett.If they can get it going and keep it going, the Celtics' chance of getting to the NBA Finals looks like a rocky road.

9 Jan 11 NBA Draft Since 2000: Busting My Way Through, Part One of Three

Jim McIsaac/Getty ImagesI am writing my way through my list of the top three busts each year of the NBA Draft since 2000. I will also list a few honorable mention candidates along the way. I will be making this a three-day, three-part series, so let's revisit some history, shall we... 2000This draft had to be the weakest by far as talent goes as many teams banked on potential rather than pure?skill.?1. Stromile Swift The send pick out of LSU was nothing more than a dunk machine coming into the draft with a high ceiling for untapped potential as a lost post scorer and rebounding threat after leading LSU to the Sweet 16 his sophomore year. He was taken by the Vancouver Grizzlies and played limited minutes in his rookie campaign (16 minutes) and showed raw post skills (scoring five points per game).It wasn't until his Cleveland Browns jersey
second season in the NBA that he showed what he was capable of when he had career highs in points (12), rebounds (six), and blocks (1.7). It didn't last long, though, as his low basketball IQ and limited work ethic cost him a solid career in the league, as he was traded four times before falling out of the league for good in the '08-'09 season.?2. Jerome MoisoThe 11th-overall pick by the Celtics was touted as a defensive stopper coming out of UCLA, but the Celtics quickly realized that they had made a mistake as he had no offensive game to speak of, and they traded him after his first season in the league.He played sparingly for Charlotte and Toronto before going overseas. He holds career averages of 2.7 points per game and 2.7 rebounds per game.?3. DerMarr JohnsonThe sixth pick by Atlanta was supposed to be an energizer who could score in bunches, as he was an electric showman as a freshman at the University of Cincinnati.? The Hawks quickly realized they had a role player rather than a sure starter, as he posted limited numbers his first two seasons there (averaged a career high 8.4 points in '01-'02).Tragedy struck in his third season, as he was involved in a horrific car crash in which he broke his neck, causing him to miss all of the '02-'03 season. He made a miraculous comeback the following season but was not the same player, although he managed to play a limited role for the Denver Nuggets for three seasons and one unproductive one in '07-'08 for San Antonio before heading overseas into obscurity.?Runners-UpCourtney AlexanderPicked 13th overall out of Fresno State University after leading the nation in scoring, he failed to live up to expectations and quickly found his way out of the league due to knee injuries.Alexander never could stay healthy enough to become productive on a regular basis, and lasted only three seasons, but was able to show a glimpse of talented scoring during his time with the Washington Wizards (17 points per game) and ended his NBA stint averaging nine points per game.??Darius MilesMiles was left off, as he was fifth on my list of busts for this draft. As the third-overall pick, he managed a decent career, though he was constantly plagued by injury. He made a brief comeback with Memphis two seasons ago but again failed to shy away from injury.?Erick BarkleyThe St. John's University product failed to meet his over-hyped expectations, as he was drafted late in the first round by the Portland Trail Blazers, and they quickly realized the potential didn't match the hype for the undersized and marginal skilled guard, thus giving up on him after only two seasons. He has since returned to Europe.?20011. Kwame BrownKwame was a highly-touted player out of Glynn Academy High School and was the first overall selection and first draft pick selected by then-GM Michael Jordan. Brown was touted for his ability to score and rebound well, despite having small hands and a questionable work ethic coming in.Brown showed limited flashes his first season on the court (averaging 4.5 points and three boards a game) and was quickly exposed as a weak defender with a low basketball IQ—one who possessed marginal post skills and who would rather shoot mid-range jumpers than bang inside.Brown endured a lot of media criticism throughout his time in Washington Dallas Cowboys jersey
but was able to put together a promising line in his third season (11 points and seven rebounds) but again faded into the darkness and soon was shipped off to the Lakers where he was marginal at best again. Still in the league, Brown is now on his fourth team (Detroit) and is a regular staple who is glued to the bench during games.?2. Rodney WhiteWhite was selected ninth overall by the Detroit Pistons, as he was touted as an athletic scorer who played only one season at UNC-Charlotte before declaring. However, he quickly was exposed for his bad defense, questionable attitude, and lackluster work ethic, soon falling out of favor with then-head coach Rick Carlisle.He often sat on the bench (only scoring 3.5 points per game in 16 games) and did nothing to work himself in the rotation which then led to a trade to Denver in which he posted solid scoring numbers (nine points per game) but again displayed attitude problems and a lack of commitment on defense. He was subsequently traded after four seasons to Golden State, in which he failed to catch on again, leading to his release and a career overseas.?3. Omar CookThe prime example of a player who listened to the hype and declared way too early. Coming out of St. John's University, Cook was hyped as a quick point guard who was the best passer in college basketball (led nation in assists and broke the St. John's record for assists in a game with 17) but one who needed to work on his inconsistent jumper.Cook waited until the second round before hearing his name called.? He was devastated as he was picked by the Orlando Magic, but quickly traded to the Denver Nuggets, in which he was quickly cut due to his inability to hit a jump shot and turnover ratio.Cook found spot time with the Portland Trail Blazers (appearing in 17 games) and Toronto Raptors (five games) before again falling out of the league, in which he paved his way to a successful career over in Europe where he is one of the premier guards in the Spanish ACB League.??Runners-UpKedrick BrownBrown was a JUCO player who displayed a keen ability to score well and displayed freakish athleticism which garnered the attention of the Boston Celtics who selected him 11th overall.Brown showed little in his time with the Celtics, as he was prone to defensive mistakes and showed little work ethic. He soon took his game to the NBDL where he enjoyed success, but more recently returned to Turkey to complete his quest to one day return to the league.?Eddie GriffinEddie displayed much promise coming out of Seton Hall University as he was drafted seventh overall by the Nets and quickly traded to the Rockets.Eddie put up good numbers in his first two seasons (nine points per games, six rebounds per game, and over a block per game) but could not limit his drinking problem. This continued to cause trouble for his career and eventually took his life in August 2007, as he drove in to a moving train, thus ending his much-hyped and heralded career, leaving the question: If not for his addiction, where would his potential have taken him??Kirk Haston"The Machine" out of Indiana University was drafted 16th overall by the Hornets, in which he was touted as a quality scorer due to his patent "sky hook" and solid mid-range game.Haston quickly realized the speed of the game was far too Denver Broncos jersey
fast, and he was no longer an effective shooter (28 percent field goal percentage) and quickly found his career over due to knee injuries. He has since retired after only three NBA seasons.?20021. Nikoloz TskitishviliThe European sharpshooter drafted fifth overall by the Denver Nuggets was nowhere near the player they thought they were drafting. Nikoloz was quickly punished for his lack of defense and average jump shot (30 percent from the field and 23 percent from three-point-territory for his career).Nikoloz was able to latch on with former Euro coach Mike D'Antoni in Phoenix for his final stop in the NBA, but did nothing to prove his Bust Label, and has since returned to Europe, where he again is outmatched overall.?2. Dajuan WagnerThe highly touted phenom out of the University of Memphis was drafted sixth overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers to score buckets at a quick rate.? He excelled despite his low shooting percentages (he averaged 13 points on 37 percent shooting during his rookie year).Wagner showed flashes of untapped potential and was envisioned to make quite the backcourt tandem with LeBron James during his second season, but those plans quickly faded as he was hampered by injury and health issues, which caused him to miss many games.The following season, he was hospitalized with ulcerative colitis and found out eventually that he would need his colon completely removed in order to remain problem free. Wagner took on an extensive rehab program, which in turn led him to a heroic comeback during the '06-'07 season, in which he played for the Golden State Warriors.Wagner's NBA comeback was short lived, as two months into his new contract with the Warriors, they decided to buy him out. He took his game overseas, and will look to one day return to the NBA as a prominent and gifted scorer.?3. Marcus HaislipThe 6'10" forward was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks out of the University of Tennessee with the 13th and final lottery pick. Haislip was looked at as a change of pace forward who could slide inside for buckets as well as shoot it from mid-range. However, he did neither of those in his two marginal seasons with Milwaukee, as he failed to gain a rotation spot, which led to limited minutes (11 per game) and production (four points per game) and led to him being traded to Indiana for a season before heading overseas to work on his game.In 2009, he resurrected his NBA career and signed with San Antonio but quickly fell victim to the same inconsistency as during his rookie campaign. He ultimately decided to buy out his contract and return to Europe, thus ending his ride to NBA stardom.?Runners-UpJay WilliamsThe Duke guard came in with high expectations and delivered solid results in his rookie after being chosen second overall by the Chicago Bulls, as he averaged 9.5 points per game along with 4.7 assists and was on his way to becoming a focal point of the franchise for years to come.On June 19, 2003 he severely injured himself in a motorcycle accident in which he tore his ACL along with two other ligaments in his leg, coupled with severing a main vain in his leg and fracturing his pelvis.Williams went through extensive therapy, in which he briefly tried a comeback with the New Jersey Nets in 2006, but was unable to fully return to form, thus ending his promising career. This led to Williams entering the broadcasting world for college basketball.??Qyntel Woods The JUCO sensation, who often was compared to Tracy McGrady coming in to the league, was selected 21st overall by the Portland Trail Blazers.Woods never lived up to comparison (career average of six points per game) and only lasted two seasons in Portland, where he was known more for his ability to stay in trouble than on court performances (dogfighting Detroit Lions
and drug charges). He was then traded to Miami but didn't play much, leading to a final stint in New York, where he played better, but again allowed off court trouble to derail his career.Woods has since returned to Europe, and he is playing in Poland.?Ryan HumphryDrafted 19th overall out of University of Notre Dame, Humphry was quickly traded by the Utah Jazz on draft night to the Orlando Magic. Orlando, in turn, gave up on him halfway through his rookie season, and was then shipped to the Memphis Grizzlies where he played for the next two seasons before departing for a career in Europe.?Look for Part Two tomorrow afternoon as I continue the journey through the biggest busts of each NBA Draft this decade. Please feel free to leave comments and suggestions, as they are always welcome.

8 Jan 11 NBA Friday Key Games Preview

Elsa/Getty ImagesThis Friday with all of the March Madness Brackets finding their way to the trash bins around the country, the NBA has a full slate of action. With playoff spots and favorable seedings at stake, the drama will be high not only in college basketball this weekend, but in the pro as well.Friday Key GamesUtah Jazz (44-24, 4th in Western Conference) @ Phoenix Suns (42-26, 6th in Western Conference)Sportsbook: NBA Odds (*lines are approximations as they have not been posted at the time of writing.)Spread: Phoenix -Denver Broncos jersey
2Over/Under: 225Money Line: Phoenix -130, Utah +110The Jazz and Suns meet with a possibility that this game will foreshadow a first round playoff matchup. PG Deron Williams and PF Carlos Boozer have outplayed PG Steve Nash and PF Amare Stoudamire significantly in their two wins over the Suns earlier this season. Both teams are coming into the game 7-3 in their last ten games and are playing their best ball at the right time of the season.The Suns are renowned for not playing defense and trying to outscore teams. The Jazz can score with anybody and the Suns particular style of play eats right into the hands of the Jazz. Nash has 11 turnovers in the two losses to Utah this year and Boozer has outrebounded Stoudamire 35- 12. Those numbers spell disaster and will again in Phoenix on Friday.Final: Utah 124 - Phoenix 117Boston Celtics (43-24, t-3rd in Eastern Conference) @ Houston Rockets (35-31, 9th in Western Conference)Bookmaker Review (*lines approximated)Spread: Boston -4.5Over/Under: 209Money Line: Boston -175, Detroit Lions
Houston +150The Houston Rockets sit 4.5 games behind Portland for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. They can afford to lose too many games with only 14 left in the season. Boston and the aging Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce stand in their way. Sitting in a tie for third in the East with the young Atlanta Hawks, the Celtics have had trouble losing to playoff teams (lost to Milwaukee, Memphis and Cleveland in the past two weeks) while handling the non-playoff teams (Washington, Indiana, New York and Detroit). The interesting question is how they will handle a fringe playoff team like Houston. The Rockets have not been playing like a team that wants to watch the playoffs from the comforts of a sofa and are 7-3 in their last 10 with wins over Denver and Memphis earlier in the week. Luis Scola has come alive for Houston and is averaging 26 points and 11 rebounds in his last five games. Aaron Brooks has been better than his season averages and has 23.8 points and 5.8 assists per that same time span. Green Bay Packers jersey
Boston looks disinterested at times on the boards and the athleticism of Garnett with his knee is a shell of what he once was. Scola will have to hear plenty of trash-talking, but right now he is a better player and will lead the Rockets to a big victory over a likely one and done in the playoffs.Final: Houston 108 Boston 101. Take Houston +150Two-Team Parlay: Rockets, Jazz on the money line. (*also check out our March Madness Odds)

30 Dec 10 The 2010 NBA Draft and the New Jersey Nets' Free Agent Plans

Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesBreak out the champagne: the Nets are not the worst team ever!!!With their 10th win, the Nets have avoided infamy as the worst team in NBA history. Instead they will merely be known as one of the worst teams.The good news is that the Nets have a lot of young players. The bad news is that only Brook Lopez was healthy and consistent this year.Despite the horrible season, the Nets are actually in great shape for the future. They have a new owner in Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, who is a true lover of basketball and has a history of success as an owner of a professional basketball franchise.Just ask any Knicks fan how much good or bad ownership matters. Virtually every Knicks fan that I know wishes that Prokhorov had bought the Knicks and not Reebok San Francisco 49ers #21 Frank GORE Realtree camo Jersey
the Nets.The Nets are moving to Newark. This is a very underrated move.The Izod Center is a nice place to watch a game or a concert, but it is in the middle of nowhere as far as people go. As such, it was very hard to build a hardcore fan base that would give the Nets a home court advantage. Even when they were winning, they did not regularly sell out.Newark, on the other hand, is a rising city. It just had its first month without a murder since 1966 . It is now a city of commerce with a lot of public transportation options. The Nets should be able to draw more fans, and the Prudential Center is a great place to watch a game. For the first time ever, the Nets might have a real home court advantage.As a New Jersey native, it will be sad when the Nets move to Brooklyn, but that will only help the team itself. Brooklyn will love having its own team. The new arena will not only be built above a subway station, but also above a Long Island Railroad station, so the Nets will be able to tap into not only the Brooklyn market, but the Long Island one as well.Financially, the Nets may finally be ready to compete, but what about the most important part: the players. The Nets will have about $23 million in cap space to spend this year. The real question is, how are they going to use it?The Nets have a center who can score, rebound and block shots. No team has won a NBA title without an all-star caliber big man. Even the Jordan teams had Horace Grant and then Dennis Rodman. Having a quality player like Brook Lopez is a great place to start building a team.It is the rest of the team that needs work. That is why the draft will control free agency. The Nets are guaranteed to have one of the top four picks in the draft. That means either John Wall, Evan Turner, Derrick Favors or DeMarcus Cousins will be in the Nets starting lineup next year.So, based on the pick, here are possible free agent targets. I am going to assume that LeBron James is not going to sign with the Nets because the Nets would not be able to compete for a title next year.John Wall strikes me as the next Jason Kidd. He can get anywhere on the court, has great vision, prefers to pass, plays defense, can score in the clutch and is creative.However, he turns the ball over too much and he is not Reebok Washington Redskins #98 ORAKPO Realtree camo Jersey
a good long range shooter, but both of these can be improved through game experience and practice. He is going to be a great player as long as he stays healthy.So, if the Nets get Wall, then what happens?The Nets should then target two players. First, they should try and sign Amare Stoudemire. Amare is healthy and can score in a variety of ways. He can play center but is best at the power forward position. He already plays well with Robin Lopez so there is no reason to think that he wouldn't fit nicely with Brook. A front line of Lopez and Stoudemire immediately becomes the best center and power forward combo in the Eastern Conference.A quality fall back option would be Carlos Boozer. Boozer is not as good a scoreralthough he is very goodbut he is the superior rebounder. With Boozer, the Nets would win the battle of the boards on most nights. Plus, he is very good at running the pick and roll, a staple of NBA offenses.However, with Wall the Nets would no longer need Devin Harris. Harris is a very good player but his style of play and body build has left him vulnerable to injury. The Nets could also try to sign Rudy Gay to a max contract and use Harris in a sign and trade.Memphis has two quality post players and a perimeter scorer in OJ Mayo. What they lack is a top notch point guard. Acquiring Harris for Rudy Gay is a reasonable swap. Plus, Memphis' owner is looking to sell the team and is not likely looking to pay Rudy Gay a max contract.Gay is a phenomenal scorer at the small forward position and has NBA size as well. Put Gay next to Stoudemire and Lopez and it would easily be the best front line in the East.This would leave the Nets with a rotation of Lopez, Stoudemire, Gay, Courtney Lee, Wall, Terrence Williams, Keyon Dooling and Yi Jianlian. Terrence Williams and Courtney Lee would fight it out to start at the shooting guard position. Instead of scorers, they'd be asked to act as secondary players focused on defense and passing, which better suit their abilitiesReebok Pittsburgh Steelers 43 Troy Polamalu Realtree camo Jersey
.Dooling remains the quality backup point guard and Yi gets his minutes as the primary big man off the bench. That team would be a top 4 or 5 team in the East next year.That is the best case scenario and one that is possible.The next scenario involves Evan Turner. Turner is a natural small forward in the Scottie Pippen mold. He can rebound, pass and score in the lane. His jump shot isn't smooth, but it will improve with practice. However, he does have great court vision that can't be taught. He is a bigger and better version of Terrence Williams.With Turner on the roster, the Nets would keep Devin Harris as Turner starts at small forward. The Nets would still target Stoudemire or Boozer to turn a weak front court into a strength.The Nets would still need a pure shooter, though.The max contract for the new power forward will cost the Nets about $15 million. That leaves about $8 million for a shooter.Their best option is Al Harrington of the Knicks. Harrington can score in bunches and is a New Jersey native. He could be a sixth-man scorer when the offense bogs down. While he is primarily a small forward, he can also play the power forward spot when necessary.When Harrington plays, Turner would either sit or move to the shooting guard position. The Nets need more scoring and Harrington would be a great fit.The final option is if the Nets draft a big man like Favors or Cousins. This would eliminate the need to sign Stoudemire or Boozer. Instead, the Nets would need to go for a perimeter scorer.Rudy Gay is the best fit. The Nets can trade Memphis future draft picks, as the Nets would need to keep Harris in this scenario. If Memphis refused to trade Gay, or let him go as a free agent, the Nets will need a new target at small forward.In that case, the best options are the aforementioned Harrington or Travis Outlaw. Outlaw might be willing, but he would probably require a contract that is more than he's worth. He is not a team-changing player.But neither is Harrington.Harrington is Reebok Green Bay Packers 21 Charles Woodson Realtree camo Jersey
probably the better fit, as he would be less expensive and is a better scorer. Harrington would not make the Nets a contender, but he would help prevent a repeat of the disastrous 2009-10 season.So, Nets fans, the best hope for the Nets is to get one of the first two picks in the draft because that would enable the team to become a contender as soon as next year.

29 Dec 10 NBA's Best Nicknames: Who's Is The Best?

I've been thinking, We seem to have run out of good nicknames. Think about it! So, I've done some thinking about my favorite nicknames today and, of all time! But the question is, who is the owner of your favorite nickname?Air Jordan - Michael JordanAgent Zero - Gilbert ArenasAK-47 - Andrei KirilenkoBirdman - Chris AndersonThe Big Ticket - Kevin GarnettThe Black Mamba - Kobe BryantClyde The Glide - Clyde DrexlerCP3 - Chris PaulThe Diesel - Shaquille O'NealDr.J - Julius ErvingDurantula - Kevin New York Giants jersey
DurantHakeem The Dream - Hakeem OlajuwonFlash - Dwyane WadeKing James - LeBron JamesThe Logo - Jerry WestKrypto-Nate - Nate RobinsonMagic - Earvin JohnsonMelo - Carmelo AnthonyMr. Big Shot - Chauncey BillupsRip - Richard HamiltonSkip To My Lou - Rafer AlstonStarbury - Stephon MarburyZo - Alonzo MourningMy personal favorites would have to be AK-47, Durantula, Krypto-Nate, and Skip to my Lou.Did I leave anybody out? Who was your fav. and why?

28 Dec 10 The Bucks Are Done in 2010 NBA Playoffs. Are the Brewers Done Too?

Mike Zarrilli/Getty ImagesAnyone who is a fan of the 1994 Kevin Smith film Clerks has probably seenin any number of its dozens of video releasesthe film original ending.Cut before the film was released theatrically, but included on subsequent Laserdisc, DVD, and Blu-ray releases, the original ending New England Patriots jersey
features the shocking twist of store clerk Dante being shot and killed.It a terribly abrupt and disturbing ending, in large part because of the unexpected high degree of fun that had come before.Sunday Eastern Conference quarterfinal game seven beat down of the Milwaukee Bucks at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks was like thatan ugly, shocking, disturbing, completely unsettling end to what had until then largely been a joyous 2009-2010 season.Yes, it is easy for those who either don believe in or don care about the Bucks to quickly dismiss a team that did not make it out of the opening round of the NBA playoffs. (After all, doesn every NBA team make the postseason?)But remember that the Bucks were a team most picked to be among the dregs of the NBA this season. Yet look at what they accomplished:Finishing the season 10 games over .500.Making the playoffs for the first time in four years. (No, not every NBA team makes the postseason.)Pushing a heavily favored Atlanta team to a seven game series in the postseason, even though most thought the series would be finished in five.They were able to accomplish so much after another mid-season injury (January 10) to guard Michael Redd, and a late-season injury to center Andrew Bogut (April 4), who had been having a breakout year.Much of the credit for the Bucks successes this season has to go to GM John Hammond, who deservedly won the NBA Executive of the Year awardlast month, as well as coach Scott Skiles.Hammond decision to draft Brandon Jennings in last year draft and his move to acquire guard/forward John Salmonsfrom the Bulls in February paid huge dividends this season, and Skiles has been unanimously praised for developing a wonderful chemistry with his team, despite making undesirable lineup changes due to injuries.If Milwaukee can resign Salmons (who averaged nearly 20 points a game for the Bucks), if the Bucks can remain relatively injury-free next season, and if Brandon Jennings can improve on New Orleans Saints jersey
his impressive rookie season, the Bucks might have the biggest upside of any team in the NBA, pending what happens in what could be a blockbuster offseason in free agency.Yes, those are big ifs, but should situations fall the right way for the Bucks, their window for success could be opening wide.On the contrary, the window for the Milwaukee Brewers seems to be slamming shut faster than the chances for a Furry Vengeance sequel. (Further proof that you can write anything on Wikipedia: Note the mention of Brooke Shields as Furry Vengeance 's hot wife.)After Sunday humiliating 8-0 loss at San Diego that wrapped up a series in which the big bats of Milwaukee scored a grand total of two runs (and this was a four-game series), it almost hard to believe the Brewers are only five games under .500.If the Brewers hadn had the luxury of playing Pittsburgh six times already, who theyve outscored 61-17 despite only going 4-2 in those games, things might be even worse.Despite a slow start for Prince Fielderwho has only seven more hits than Gregg Zaun, and the Brewers catcher started 0-for-21and despite the awfully offensive offensivedisplay in San Diego, the Brewers bats aren where most are putting the blame. Casey McGehee, Rickie Weeks, and especially Ryan Braun are performing up to expectations (and, in McGehee case, beyond, although he has cooled off a bit).No, despite offseason efforts to overhaul what was the worst pitching staff in the majors in 2009, the Brewers still find themselves unable to get outs.While newly richYovaniGallardohas rebounded from an awful start, and newly acquiredRandy Wolf has been okay, the rest of the lineup has ranged from disappointing to disastrous.Dave Bush has been erratic and Doug Davis has been awful. And the only reason Chris Narvesonis in the rotation is because his chief competition was Jeff Suppan, whose demotion to the bullpen wasthe easiest decision Ken Macha had to makesincecoming to Milwaukee.Worse still has been that bullpen. And not just because Suppannow resides there. Trevor Hoffman, who was so steady last season, has already blown foursaves this season and has held teams scoreless in only six of his first nine outings. New set-up man LaTroy Hawkins has done nothing but remind people why no team who signs him ends up wanting him around very long (the Brewers are his seventh team since joining the Cubs in 2004). And Claudio Vargas comeback to Milwaukee has been about as successful as Vanilla Ice latest comeback .While Milwaukee still resides in the upper half of clubs in terms of offensive production, outhittingteams such as the Yankees, Phillies, and Rays, it clear that their 20- and 17-run games againstNew York Giants jersey
Pittsburgh have exaggerated those numbers.It also becoming clear that they are not going to be able to regularly score as many runs as their pitchers allow.Sound familiar?TheBrewers recent struggles (losing eight of ten as of this writing) haven gone unnoticed by the number crunchers at AccuScore . In the week from April 26 to May 3, theyve dropped the Brewers chances of making the postseason in 2010 from 20.4 percent to just 6.5 percent, the biggest drop of any National League team.And now we don even have Bob Uecker to listen to.Yes, we have not even hit Big Brother 's summer season yet and the Brewers have loads of time to turn things around. I know.But given what were seeing now, ifI had to guess which teamthe Bucks or the Brewers would next make a serious postseason run, my money would be squarely on the Bucks.Get well, Bob. This article is also featured onFan Interference

27 Dec 10 From Wall to Washington, Kentucky Guard a Likely Selection for No. 1

So John Wall it is! After winning the NBA draft lottery on Tuesday night, Washington should waste no time running to the podium on June 24 and slapping a Wizards cap over Wall head. But what about Gilbert Arenas you ask? Well, what about him? No matter if Arenas stays or goes, Wall is the pick. The type ofDetroit Lions
athletic point guard reminiscent of Rajon Rondo that can run team and control a game isn necessarily a bad thing to have. Ohio State Evan Turner might be the more polished player and perhaps even a better fit with his size and playmaking ability but he simply not the headliner that Wall is. Wall catlike quickness, speed and leadership skills were on full display during his lone year in Kentucky run and fun scheme last season. Anticpated by the feats of John Calipari disciples Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans, Wall freshman year at Kentucky was laced with expectations but closed under the name of Blue Jesus, a nicknamed dubbed for Wall at local barbershops, an indicator of the success of his one year Kentucky trial. The 6-foot-4 point guard often made fools out of would-be defenders while outshining nearly every player in the country on his way to Freshman of the Year honors and finishing just behind Turner for the Player of the Year award.Far from a finished product, Wall could use some work on his shooting and improve his decision making. A Green Bay Packers jersey
five-turnover, 7-of-18 shooting performance in Kentucky Elite Eight loss to West Virginia magnified that. But improving his game shouldn be a problem for Wall, whose work ethic scouts have raved upon. And for a player that knows he has a ways to go, results should be expected sooner rather than later.Im doing everything I need to right now, Wall told ESPN inside the home of his agent, Dan Fegan, on Tuesday night about improving his jumpshot. You just got to get a lot of reps in, that all it going to take. I think my techniques and my mechanics to do is get a lot of Houston Texans jersey
reps up and just keep working on it everyday.An improved jumper might push Wall into future All-Star considerations but his speed, passing ability and athleticism will be put to use right away in the District. Wizard fans haven had a player to fawn over since Arenas injured his knee three years ago and with the return of a healthy Arenas coupled with the arrival of Wall, things could be on the up and up in Washington.

26 Dec 10 Can the Bulls Build a New Dynasty? Anything Is Possible

Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesFor Bulls fans, next season starts on July 1st when big names hit free agency. Players like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Dirk Nowitzki will all be available for the Chicago Bulls, who will be a major player in this year historic free agency.Chicago, a city of Carolina Panthers jersey
rich basketball tradition, continues to look for the next Bulls dynasty. Everyone in Chicago is craving for a Bulls team that can continue the glory that Michael Jordan once established. Michael Jordan Bulls had delivered six titles in two three-peats. With six NBA championships, the Bulls rank third all-time behind the Celtics and the Lakers for most titles won in NBA history.With the availability of the aforementioned free agents this upcoming summer, the Bulls are certainly in position to build another dynasty. However, not all scenarios will guarantee a championship-caliber team for the Bulls at the end of the summer. We will examine the main possible scenario that might happen in this year free agency which could impact the entire future of the Chicago Bulls.The main goal and the ultimate prize of this year free agency is LeBron James. He is regarded by many as the most physically-gifted player the league had ever seen. LeBron can make any team an instant contender for the NBA championship because of his electrifying scoring and passing abilities. Any team in the league would love to add this guy because he can bring you 10 to 30 more wins easily. He is a dominant player without a doubt. If the Bulls can add LeBron James to their brilliant core of Noah, Rose and Deng, they would be definitely become a contender in the Eastern conference. Derrick Rose had stated that he would welcome the opportunity of playing alongside LeBron in many different occasions. James admires Derrick Rose style of Chicago Bears jersey
play and he surely would love to have a very skilled point guard who can take some of the pressure off him. There were many reports that confirmed phone calls between James and Rose in the past few weeks. So there is a sure interest from LeBron to join the Bulls.With LeBron James, the Bulls will be a top team in the East, but in order to get to the dynasty level we are discussing here, there has to be another major move by the Bulls management. This might happen in the form of a sign-and-trade with Toronto to get Chris Bosh, or with Miami for Wade, which seems unlikely. The Bulls, in my opinion has a good chance at a sign-and-trade with the Hawks for Joe Johnson, given he decides to leave Atlanta. The price tag for that move might be Luol Deng and/or Kirk Hinrich, but the Bulls must do that trade if it is possible.Joe Johnson is a very good scorer. He is a player who can create his own shot at any moment, and that would make things a lot easier for LeBron James and Derrick Rose. A starting lineup of Derrick Rose, Joe Johnson, LeBron James, Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah can only spell trouble for teams around the league for years to come. That lineup, in my opinion would be the keystone of another Bulls dynasty.In the NBA, everything is within the realm of Cincinnati Bengals jersey
possibility. Remember when the Celtics obtained both Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen and went on to win the NBA championship in 2008? I bet you no one had even imagined a starting lineup for Boston featuring Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett prior to that championship year.The Bulls have an excellent chance of building another dynasty. Just ask Kevin Garnett when he won his first ring in Boston. He would tell you that, anything is possible.

25 Dec 10 Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets Are As Good as Gone

Green and Gold will be the Hornets new colors come next seasonThe NBA now owns the team that will be formerly known as the New Orleans Hornets and there isn much the city can really do about it.Gary Chouest was to be their white knight in shining armor; instead of riding in on his stead with another 50 Reebok New England Patriots #12 Tom Brady Realtree camo Jersey
clichs in tow, he tucked his tail and walked away from the situation.I don blame him;he has much more to worry about: His business has been severely affected by the recent ban on off-shore drilling. He needs to worry about keeping his pockets lined, not keeping a basketball team in New Orleans.Currently, I am feeling for the true basketball fans in New Orleans. We in Seattle have gone through the same thing you are about to go through and sadly, our two cities are going to end up hating each other in some form or another.Find solace in the fact that the Saints are going to be able to beat the crap out of the Seahawks for the next 15 years and you probably win another Super Bowl or two with Drew Brees.Did Seattle have anything to look forward to when the Sonics left?The Seahawks are going to be rebuilding for the next few years and were only competitive because of a really easy schedule and the Mariners, wellthey are the Mariners.From our experience in Seattle, it doesn matter what you do, it not going to make a difference.You can hold Reebok New Orleans Saints #9 Drew Brees Realtree camo Jersey
rallies, fight the new owner in court and so on down the line, but it doesn matter.What City Will Get The Hornets?What City Will Get The Hornets?Seattle51.2%Louisville10.5%Kansas City12.9%Anaheim4.8%Chicago2.4%Las Vegas7.2%St. Louis11.0%Total votes: 209The Hornets are gone.Don believe anything Stern says. He not looking for a local bidder, unless that person writes the biggest check. He sell the team and move to Zimbabwe if it helps get the Hornets out of debt.Kansas City has lukewarm interest, Vegas is a thought and so is Anaheim, but an addition to a team in Anaheim would severely oversaturate the L.A. market.Seattle also has interest and Steve Ballmer and Matt Griffin seem to be under a gag order. They had an opportunity to say that they were not going to buy the team today, but instead chose to have no comment.Ballmer and Griffin have more money in their bank accounts than all New Orleans residents combined.New Orleans could save the team if each resident wrote the NBA a check for $722.13, but we know that Reebok New York Giants #27 Brandon Jacobs Realtree camo Jersey
won happen.I sorry New Orleans, but the Hornets are good and we promise to take very good care of your team here and we be sure to give Charlotte the Hornets name and colors back.Maybe one day, the Jazz will be rightfully returned to you.