-
Damian Lillard, a Rookie Much Better Than You Think
It’s hard to believe anyone but Damian Lillard, the 6th pick in the latest NBA draft, will win the rookie of the year award. The Portland Trail Blazers may be falling apart, maybe even tanking on the final days of the season, but it’s because of the shallow talent depth this team has, not the fantastic ability their point guard is showcasing night in and night out, putting up numbers that set him on the same level with the likes of Allen Iverson and Oscar Robertson.
-
NBA Rumors – Monta Ellis Leaving the Milwaukee Bucks
Despite an option to stay with the Milwaukee Bucks for another season and make $11 million, it seems that Monta Ellis will use his early termination option and hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent once the season is over, thinking he’ll be able to make more money elsewhere on another long-term deal.
-
Los Angeles Lakers – Dwight Howard is Better Off Without Kobe Bryant
The sample size of the games without Kobe Bryant this season is too small up until now (only three), but the early conclusion is that the Los Angeles Lakers aren’t doomed without their alleged best player, especially when his absence makes life a little bit easier for everyone on the floor, and especially Dwight Howard, who like it or not is made to be a star on a team, and not just a bystander waiting for a chance.
-
Houston Rockets – Jeremy Lin Perfectly Complements James Harden
Sometimes, when a talented player like James Harden goes off on an unstoppable shooting spree, it really doesn’t matter that the backcourt relationship and balances is often all wrong for the Houston Rockets, putting too few of the possession time in the hands of Jeremy Lin. However, it takes a smart player to know where the flow of the game is going, and Lin doesn’t get enough credit for being a very intelligent basketball player.
-
Denver Nuggets – Andre Iguodala Can Still Play Like a Superstar
During his evolution as an NBA player, Andre Iguodala turned from an athletic, electrifying scorer into a defensive stopped and someone who can do pretty much anything on the court. But with Kenneth Faried twisting his ankle while Wilson Chandler and Corey Brewer weren’t really in the kind of shooting zone they’ve been recently, it was up to Iggy to revert to his old form and lead the Denver Nuggets to another franchise record.
-
New York Knicks – Chris Copeland Makes Up for Ordinary Carmelo Anthony
After seven consecutive games of scoring over 31 points, Carmelo Anthony had to take a little breather from out-of-this-world shooting, without having to worry about the New York Knicks needing him too badly. Thanks to the surprising contribution of Chris Copeland while the more expected scoring of J.R. Smith also came in handy, there really wasn’t any need for ‘Melo to be special.
-
Miami Heat – LeBron James Isn’t MVP’ish All the Time
Some nights, LeBron James is just normal, which means he plays better than most NBA players and not every single one of them. Luckily for him, he’s got a good enough band of teammates at the Miami Heat to make up for these weaker games, and notch up another win that was more about revenge and feeling good than anything else.
-
NFL Rumors – Tampa Bay Buccaneers Won’t Give Darrelle Revis the Contract he Wants
On the outside, it seems like all that’s separating Darrelle Revis from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is an agreement with the New York Jets on the number and quality of draft picks to be swapped in the trade package for the rehabilitating cornerback, but the contract the Bucs are willing to offer might also become a problem for Revis, who is looking for long term assurances and money he might not get.
-
NFL Rumors – New York Jets Want to Trade for Chris Ivory
While the New York Jets are interested in Chris Ivory, the fact that he’s a restricted free agent means he’ll cost them more than just the contract they’ll give him; they’ll have to give up a second round draft pick in favor of the New Orleans Saints, and most people on the Jets and beyond would agree Ivory just isn’t worth that high of a selection.
-
NFL Rumors – Chicago Bears Moving Game Carimi to Guard
The biggest problem last season for the Chicago Bears? The offensive line, one of the main reasons they missed the postseason thanks to some big offensive struggles. In order to fix the situations, a couple of signings have been made, not to mention going after someone in the draft, but internal modifications are also being made, with Gabe Carimi moving to right guard being the biggest of them.