OKC Loses Friend and Teammate

The Thunder lost a key teammate last weekend.

By Kristina Callahan

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will be without their best friend and teammate when they kick off the 2012-2013 NBA season on Thursday night. James Harden was traded in a shocking deal to the Houston Rockets. A contract extension couldn’t be reached, so Oklahoma City opted to trade the Sixth Man of the Year.

AP Photo/ Alex Brandon

Miami Heat guard, Dwayne Wade was surprised but thinks both teams got a fair deal.

“It was shocking but they made the move they felt was right for them. It shakes up the West a little bit. I think both teams got fair value. I'm not a GM or anything but both teams came out pretty good,” said Wade.

Even Heat teammate and MVP Lebron James thinks it will affect the Thunder and the entire league.

"I think we all know that James Harden was a big part of their team," James said. "He was a big part of why they made it to the Finals. They got a couple pieces back that are really good as well. But we don't know how it changes their team until they actually get out there."

In exchange for Harden, the Thunder acquired guards Kevin Martin and Jeremy Lamb, two first-round picks and a second-round pick in the deal. The small-market Thunder has already signed Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka and Russell Westbrook to long-term deals. Harden wanted a long-term deal and big salary like his other teammates, but that’s something OKC couldn’t offer.

2012 NFL Draft Preview: Buffalo Bills

Riley Reiff at the NFL Combine/AP Images

Evaluating the Bills’ options with the tenth overall pick in this year’s draft.

By Joe Diglio


After an impressive 5-2 start, the Buffalo Bills let the wheels fall off its 2011 season, losing eight of its final nine games to finish an unimpressive 6-10. Tied with the Miami Dolphins and Carolina Panthers for the eighth-worst record in the league, the Bills lost out against the two due to a better strength of schedule, leaving them with the tenth overall pick in the first round.


What will they do? All signs point to Riley Reiff, a left tackle out of Iowa. This is a sensible pick; the Bills need a solid tackle to protect the backside of Ryan Fitzpatrick, whom the team agreed to play long term during the season. However many scouts question whether Reiff can make it at the next level. He should offer decent pass protection, but his run blocking is definitely his strong suit. That doesn’t bode well for Fitzpatrick, who probably doesn’t want his Harvard brain shaking violently in his skull.

Last week, though, the team threw a wrench into the equation when they hosted two first round prospects: USC tackle Matt Kalil and Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick. Kalil has the potential to be a franchise left tackle, but he’s expected to be taken by the time the Bills draft. Drafting Kirkpatrick would fill a need at cornerback as well; however picking him at the ten spot would be a reach.

What these moves could mean is that the Bills are interested in looking at trade offers. The Cleveland Browns, who have the fourth overall pick, have already expressed interest in moving down. Buffalo could make a deal with them to get Kalil, but he might even be gone by then, since many predict the Minnesota Vikings will take him with the third overall pick.

On the other hand, trading down seems more plausible. There will surely be a few teams willing to trade up for a top ten pick, and the Bills could use such a move to get additional picks to fill other needs, such as corner and wide receiver.

The New Guy in Town

Tim Tebow is EXCITED about being a NY Jet/AP Images

A savior of a quarterback tries to revitalize a tumultuous franchise.


By Joe Diglio

There’s been a huge shift in the AFC East landscape recently. A former starting quarterback has been brought in by one squad, possibly disrupting team chemistry and taking the starting role from the incumbent quarterback. That’s right, David Garrard has come to Miami to challenge Matt Moore.

Ok, fine, that’s not the big news. But unless you’ve been living under a rock bigger than Rex Ryan, you’ve heard that Tim Tebow is now a New York Jet. After Peyton Manning decided to sign with Denver, the Broncos shipped Tebow to the Jets along with a seventh round pick in this year’s draft for the Jets’ fourth and sixth round picks, as well as cash. The money posed a problem initially, as the Jets refused to pay the Broncos $5 million of Tebow’s salary as his contract outlines. The teams agreed to split the money, though, and he was off to New York.

Tebow comes to New York with a lot of baggage, although none of it is particularly bad. Last year the quarterback/running back/messiah became a polarizing figure as he led the Broncos on an improbable ride to a division title. He took over a 1-4 team and won seven of his first eight starts, including six in a row. Tebow had a knack for late game heroics and winning tight games; he led five fourth quarter comebacks and won three overtime games. Denver ended the regular season on a three game losing streak, but won the AFC West nonetheless. Tebow went on to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in his first playoff game, in overtime of course, before bowing out in the divisional round to the New England Patriots.

Telling this side of the Tebow story would make one think he should play over current Jets starter, Mark Sanchez. A look at Tebow’s stats, though, suggest otherwise. He threw for just 1,729 yards and 12 touchdowns against 6 interceptions. And for all the credit Tebow gets as a runner, he had as many rushing touchdowns, six, as Sanchez.

Earlier this offseason, the team expressed its confidence in its former first round selection by extending Sanchez’s contract three years with $20.5 million guaranteed. So for now, he will remain the starter, no matter how “excited” Tebow is to be a Jet (he used the word 45 times during a press conference this week). But don’t be surprised to see Tebow in for gadget plays and the wildcat formation under new offensive coordinator, Tony Sparano. And don’t be surprised if Rex Ryan, who is now facing some heat after missing the playoffs, feels pressured into playing Tebow if things go south. If the Jets didn't have enough drama, between its loudmouth coach and locker room issues, they certainly do now.

Trade Mania

Clips vs Lakers/AP Images

It’s that time of year when every player seems to be getting shopped. So what are some of the moves the teams in the Pacific Division should make?


By Braedan Ritter


Los Angeles Clippers: The Clippers are good. They made their deal already. They got Chris Paul to pair with Blake Griffin. Although they probably should have picked up J.R. Smith when he was available as a free agent, because they need a shooting guard. It’s going to be tough for the Clips to make it to the Finals, but it’s not out of the question. Losing to the Suns recently isn’t going to help their case though.

Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers should be doing everything they can to get Dwight Howard. They had their Chris Paul deal, but David Stern decided to kill it. So now they have to play without a point guard. But really anyone can pass the ball to Kobe and then stand around while he decides where he wants to shoot from. Now, the Lakers’ best chance to make this team better, is to get the best big man in the league. They would probably have to give up Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, or maybe Bynum and one or two first-rounders, but they need to pull the trigger.

Phoenix Suns: The Suns need to put Steve Nash on a contender. I’ve said this before, but it is a travesty he is playing one of his final years on this team…a travesty. Nash will never ask out, but he has every reason to. His teammates are a combination of average guys and old dudes. I don’t even care if the Suns get ripped off in the deal. Nash needs to be put on a good team, and it doesn’t matter what it does to Phoenix.

Golden State Warriors: The Warriors should shop Monta Ellis around. They don’t really need Monta and Stephen Curry, and Curry is the younger and better player. If the Warriors could swap Ellis for a big man that would be huge going forward for them. They could even try for Dwight Howard. They would have to throw in other pieces, including a couple first round picks, but Howard is the most dominant big man in the game, and any team should be trying for him. The bottom line is Curry and Ellis will both benefit when they’re apart, and Ellis has to be the one to go, even with Curry’s glass ankles.

Sacramento Kings: What the Kings really need is more time. Being the third youngest team in the league, and having two foundations to build around (DeMarcus Cousins and Tyreke Evans) isn’t such a bad situation to be in. Right now, they should stand pat, unless a really good deal comes their way.

Celtics Trying to Move Rondo?

Rajon Rondon (left)/AP Images

Rumor has it that the Celtics may be trading Rondo.


By Matt Rose

Today, the “Big Three” clearly refers to Miami Heat starts LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh. Long before the Heat, the Boston Celtics had their own nucleus of stars: Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett. When the Celtics acquired Allen and Garnett to supplement Pierce, they were immediate favorites in the East. The next three seasons included two appearances in the NBA Finals and one Championship. However, it was an unlikely star who proved to be the key to the success of the other three: Rajon Rondo. Now, the Celtics are aging, Allen and Garnett’s contracts are expiring, and Rajon Rondo’s value and volatile attitude forced him into the spotlight amidst trade rumors.

This is not the first time there has been speculation Rondo could be traded; he was mentioned in trade scenarios for Chris Paul in the off-season. This time, it seems more likely the Celtics will go through with the trade, as one player can only be placed on the market so many times before it adversely affects his play and relationship with the organization. SI.com first reported that the Celtics are “aggressively” trying to move Rondo. Later that day, Doc Rivers was quoted as follows: “I can say with almost 100 percent certainty he will be here with us when the season ends. I'm tired of this stuff. It's not fair,” (ESPN.com).

In reality, the Celtics need to make a move if they want to salvage both this season and the future. Rondo—a three-time All Star—is in the prime of his career, but he is not the type of player that can carry a team without a strong supporting cast. Rondo is arguably the best passer in the league; without Garnett and Allen on the perimeter he will be forced to take more shots and his shooting woes will be further exposed.

So who are some potential suitors for Rondo, should the Celtics choose to move him? Golden State has been mentioned several times, but they do not appear willing to move Stephen Curry. Denver does not need to make a move at this point with Ty Lawson, but they have the assets after the Carmelo Anthony trade. Rondo would thrive in a system where he is surrounded with shooters like Arron Afflalo, Danilo Gallinari, Al Harrington, and Rudy Fernandez. The Nuggets could add a premier point guard and the Celtics could stock up for the future.

Two other scenarios: The Bucks work out a deal to flip Brandon Jennings, who wants to play in a big market. If the Celtics can acquire the Bucks’ pick they win big in this trade. They have a young and talented point guard whose scoring ability can carry a team, and an early first round pick to bolster their bench. Finally, a deal that sends Steve Nash to Boston and Rondo back to the Suns, who originally drafted him. It seems highly unlikely, as the Suns do not have the players to make that move, but it would be fun to watch Nash work with Pierce, Allen, and Garnett. Nash would have a chance to win his first ring and leave it all on the court to do so, and Pierce, Allen, and Garnett would relish the opportunity—knowing this is likely their last opportunity, too.

Whether he stays or goes, Boston needs to start planning for the future, which does not appear to involve Rajon Rondo.

The New Pittsburgh Pirate

A.J. Burnett/AP Images

After three years in the Bronx, A.J. Burnett moves to the Pirates, where he will likely thrive on national league hitters and a struggling team’s playoff hopes.


By Andrew Muckell


New York Yankee fans, now is the time to loosen your shoulders and take a deep breath. P A.J. Burnett, the notoriously under-performing right-hander, was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday February 19th for two young prospects. Yankee fans in the Big Apple are celebrating the move indignantly, but Pittsburgh cannot complain.

Last year, the Pittsburgh rotation consisted of Jeff Karstens, Paul Maholm, Charlie Morton, James McDonald, and Kevin Correia. Combined, these starters won 46 games and lost 53, with a combined ERA of 3.94. ERA-wise, the starting pitchers on the Pirates performed pretty well, and the horrible win-loss ratio is more the fault of the team’s poor hitting. For example, Karstens, who led the rotation with a 3.38 ERA, had a record of 9-9, while Correia, sporting a 4.79 ERA, was 12-11. The statistics show that although Karstens played better consistently, Correia received plenty of offensive help from the Pirate position players.

So what does this all mean for Burnett?

Burnett is one of the better talents in the game. His mid-nineties fastball coupled with a wicked curveball and arguably the best changeup in the game, make him one of the most envied strikeout starters today. His performance in game two of the 2009 World Series dazzled the Philadelphia Phillies and showed the rest of the league his capabilities on the Big Stage.

These are the very reasons why he ticks off Yankee fans. None of these promising descriptions seem to fit mid-season A.J. He is a performer in April and occasionally in October, but from May to late September he becomes an enigma. His 34-35 record and 4.79 ERA in his three years in Pinstripes disappoint, despite playing in the competitive American League East.

The Pirates hope to fix A.J. Maybe taking the tattooed 35-year old out of the New York spotlight will do him well. With the Pirates, A.J. will essentially be facing less menacing eight-player National League lineups, and any contribution he makes will be praised, not expected. Due to the trade of Maholm to the Chicago Cubs, Burnett slides perfectly into an already solid rotation, probably as the Opening Day starter.

The secret to A.J.’s success depends on his comfort level in Pittsburgh. If Burnett feels comfortable and relaxed, the Bucs can expect a mid-three ERA from him. If Burnett holds up his end, all the team has to do then is score.