Friday, September 23, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Sucker Punch Or Not Mayweather Wins
Mayweather was making his much-anticipated return to the ring after yet another long layoff this time 16 months following his wipeout of Shane Mosley. Ortiz, 10 years younger than the 34-year-old Mayweather, won the lottery when he outpointed Andre Berto in April to win a welterweight title and landed the $2 million shot against Mayweather.
But few gave Ortiz, of Ventura, Calif., a serious chance to win unless the layoff and age had caught up to Mayweather, who was fighting in his adopted hometown, as usual.
Mayweather's age and the layoff did not show up at all. He was, as usual, brilliant. Put all the flamboyance, bragging, the flashing of money and jewels and tiresome rhetoric aside and Mayweather remains the best fighter in the world not named Manny Pacquiao, the one fighter Mayweather needs to face to secure his ultimate legacy. But on this night he was facing Ortiz, whom Mayweather had sat ringside to watch get knocked down twice by Berto but win. Mayweather then picked him to fight and, after a drama-filled promotion (at least on Mayweather's side, just watch HBO's "24/7") they met before 14,687 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Mayweather's regular venue. It was an Ortiz house, however, with most of the fans turning out to support the Mexican-American on the weekend of Mexican Independence Day.
It was clear from the outset that Ortiz was not on Mayweather's level. Mayweather used his speed, skills and a very accurate right hand to tag Ortiz repeatedly. Mayweather seemed in total control through three rounds and it looked as if he was on his way to yet another easy victory. Then things turned wild in the fourth round. Ortiz began to have his best success, landing a few shots and stinging Mayweather before bulling him into the corner. Then the fight devolved.
Ortiz rammed Mayweather in the face with an intentional head-butt, busting open a cut on the inside and outside of Mayweather's mouth. Referee Joe Cortez immediately called timeout and docked Ortiz a point for the blatant foul. Frankly, he would have been right to take two points. Ortiz seemed apologetic and even hugged and kissed Mayweather, who did not seem at all interested in forgiving him in the heat of the moment. Would you be if you had just had your face rammed by somebody's head in blatant rules violation?
Cortez motioned the fighters back together to resume the fight. Although he was looking away from the fighters, the fight was back on. Yet Ortiz was still trying to touch gloves with Mayweather, who instead unloaded a left and right to knock Ortiz out. Ortiz broke the cardinal rule of boxing protect yourself at all times. Mayweather, who took heat for a supposed sucker punch, did nothing wrong. Absolutely nothing wrong. Time was in, fight is on. This ain't checkers or golf. Ortiz made a rookie mistake and paid for it. It was his fault, not Mayweather's, and too bad for him. It would have never happened if Ortiz had not intentionally butted Mayweather, the action that led directly to the fight having to be stopped then restarted. Would it have been nice to see Mayweather perhaps show a little more sportsmanship? Sure, but boxing is a combat sport and he broke no rules. He won it fair and square and picked up his seventh world title covering five weight classes. Mayweather is often not that likeable (his rant against HBO's Larry Merchant after the fight was disgraceful and uncalled for), but he won the fight with legal punches. Period. He's back and, hopefully, won't go into another long layoff. And, hopefully, he will finally fight Pacquiao next if Pacquiao beats Juan Manuel Marquez on Nov. 12. Whomever Mayweather fights next best be warned to keep their freakin' hands up.
But few gave Ortiz, of Ventura, Calif., a serious chance to win unless the layoff and age had caught up to Mayweather, who was fighting in his adopted hometown, as usual.
Mayweather's age and the layoff did not show up at all. He was, as usual, brilliant. Put all the flamboyance, bragging, the flashing of money and jewels and tiresome rhetoric aside and Mayweather remains the best fighter in the world not named Manny Pacquiao, the one fighter Mayweather needs to face to secure his ultimate legacy. But on this night he was facing Ortiz, whom Mayweather had sat ringside to watch get knocked down twice by Berto but win. Mayweather then picked him to fight and, after a drama-filled promotion (at least on Mayweather's side, just watch HBO's "24/7") they met before 14,687 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Mayweather's regular venue. It was an Ortiz house, however, with most of the fans turning out to support the Mexican-American on the weekend of Mexican Independence Day.
It was clear from the outset that Ortiz was not on Mayweather's level. Mayweather used his speed, skills and a very accurate right hand to tag Ortiz repeatedly. Mayweather seemed in total control through three rounds and it looked as if he was on his way to yet another easy victory. Then things turned wild in the fourth round. Ortiz began to have his best success, landing a few shots and stinging Mayweather before bulling him into the corner. Then the fight devolved.
Ortiz rammed Mayweather in the face with an intentional head-butt, busting open a cut on the inside and outside of Mayweather's mouth. Referee Joe Cortez immediately called timeout and docked Ortiz a point for the blatant foul. Frankly, he would have been right to take two points. Ortiz seemed apologetic and even hugged and kissed Mayweather, who did not seem at all interested in forgiving him in the heat of the moment. Would you be if you had just had your face rammed by somebody's head in blatant rules violation?
Cortez motioned the fighters back together to resume the fight. Although he was looking away from the fighters, the fight was back on. Yet Ortiz was still trying to touch gloves with Mayweather, who instead unloaded a left and right to knock Ortiz out. Ortiz broke the cardinal rule of boxing protect yourself at all times. Mayweather, who took heat for a supposed sucker punch, did nothing wrong. Absolutely nothing wrong. Time was in, fight is on. This ain't checkers or golf. Ortiz made a rookie mistake and paid for it. It was his fault, not Mayweather's, and too bad for him. It would have never happened if Ortiz had not intentionally butted Mayweather, the action that led directly to the fight having to be stopped then restarted. Would it have been nice to see Mayweather perhaps show a little more sportsmanship? Sure, but boxing is a combat sport and he broke no rules. He won it fair and square and picked up his seventh world title covering five weight classes. Mayweather is often not that likeable (his rant against HBO's Larry Merchant after the fight was disgraceful and uncalled for), but he won the fight with legal punches. Period. He's back and, hopefully, won't go into another long layoff. And, hopefully, he will finally fight Pacquiao next if Pacquiao beats Juan Manuel Marquez on Nov. 12. Whomever Mayweather fights next best be warned to keep their freakin' hands up.
Oklahoma gives Bob Stoops extension
Two days after winning one of the college football season's early marquee games, Bob Stoops was rewarded Monday with a new contract extension that could keep him as the coach of top-ranked Oklahoma through 2018 and pay him $34.5 million over the next seven years.
Oklahoma's board of regents voted to give Stoops a $75,000 bump in his annual salary and a handful of bonuses that will reward him for staying in Norman each June after the coaching carousel has usually run its course.
"I don't think I need to add anything to the proof that he gave to the national viewing audience that there's no better football coach in the country than he is," university president David Boren said before recommending approval of Stoops' new contract.
The deal calls for Stoops' paydays to grow over the years, topping out at $5.15 million in salary and bonuses over the final three years. He was already one of the highest-paid coaches in the country, making $30 million over the course of a previous seven-year deal approved in 2009.
The extension made no changes to his salary for this year, when he is set to make $4.875 million, including an $800,000 bonus he received on Jan. 1.
"In my opinion, he does not have a peer in college coaching either in terms of his strategic abilities as a coach, but also in terms of his example as a role model," Boren told The Associated Press. "The quality of the players on our team as people is just extraordinary. They are caring people, they set very high standards for themselves, they are very modest and generous to others and that doesn't happen unless you have a coach who sets a very powerful example for them."
Stoops' Sooners won 23-13 at fifth-ranked Florida State on Saturday night, moving his record 100 games over .500 at 131-31.
Regents also gave athletic director Joe Castiglione a three-year contract extension through June 2017, including an annual raise of $165,000 and an annual bonus of $110,000 each Oct. 1 starting in 2013. His total salary this year will be $915,000 without bonuses.
"We have excellent leadership in Joe Castiglione. He has brought to the university I think across the board the strongest group of coaches that we've ever had," Boren told the AP.
"I feel really blessed," he added. "I just would put our total athletics program up against any in the United States, and I don't think anybody exceeds our standards."
Oklahoma's board of regents voted to give Stoops a $75,000 bump in his annual salary and a handful of bonuses that will reward him for staying in Norman each June after the coaching carousel has usually run its course.
"I don't think I need to add anything to the proof that he gave to the national viewing audience that there's no better football coach in the country than he is," university president David Boren said before recommending approval of Stoops' new contract.
The deal calls for Stoops' paydays to grow over the years, topping out at $5.15 million in salary and bonuses over the final three years. He was already one of the highest-paid coaches in the country, making $30 million over the course of a previous seven-year deal approved in 2009.
The extension made no changes to his salary for this year, when he is set to make $4.875 million, including an $800,000 bonus he received on Jan. 1.
"In my opinion, he does not have a peer in college coaching either in terms of his strategic abilities as a coach, but also in terms of his example as a role model," Boren told The Associated Press. "The quality of the players on our team as people is just extraordinary. They are caring people, they set very high standards for themselves, they are very modest and generous to others and that doesn't happen unless you have a coach who sets a very powerful example for them."
Stoops' Sooners won 23-13 at fifth-ranked Florida State on Saturday night, moving his record 100 games over .500 at 131-31.
Regents also gave athletic director Joe Castiglione a three-year contract extension through June 2017, including an annual raise of $165,000 and an annual bonus of $110,000 each Oct. 1 starting in 2013. His total salary this year will be $915,000 without bonuses.
"We have excellent leadership in Joe Castiglione. He has brought to the university I think across the board the strongest group of coaches that we've ever had," Boren told the AP.
"I feel really blessed," he added. "I just would put our total athletics program up against any in the United States, and I don't think anybody exceeds our standards."
Friday, September 9, 2011
If you remember that the NFL threatened to fine Peyton Manning for wearing high-top cleats to honor the late Johnny Unitas after Unitas passed away on Sept. 11, 2002, you know that the league takes its uniform rules very, very seriously. Manning was threatened with a $25,000 fine if he wore the cleats in a game because he had formally been denied permission to do so by the NFL. In the end, Manning took a pass, though Baltimore Ravens quarterback Chris Redman flew in the face of authority and got popped with a $5,000 fine for his trouble.
Related: 9/11 remembered 10 years later
It was a callous move by the NFL, but if what we're hearing about what players want to wear to honor the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks is true, you haven't seen anything yet. According to the tweets of Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs, the penalties for players wearing specific 9/11 tribute gear could be fairly steep.
Reebok great job on these gloves and shoes..looks like I'm getting fined this week. Lol! By far the best fine I will ever have to pay. Thanks…Fines for gloves could be as much as 5k..the shoes 8-10k I think. not 100% on the shoe fine.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles added his own thoughts:
I Have some commemorative 9/11 gloves & cleats for the weekend game.. That #reebok made me. I never forget.
But wait there's more! Christy Cooley, the wife of Washington Redskins tight end Chris Cooley, tweeted up the gear her husband got, which you can see just to the left.
The picture of the shoes at the top of this piece came from the Twitter account of Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck(notes). It's also worth noting that this is the last year of Reebok's 10-year contract with the NFL as the league's official outfitter; Nike will have that honor starting in 2012.
To add to the intrigue, we hear from Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune that several Chargers players received the gear, and at least one player is ready to write a check for wearing it. The unnamed player said that he expected to be fined $5,000
Players expressed confusion over why the NFL would deny them the chance to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11 by wearing different cleats when the league provides pink apparel (including shoes) to be worn by teams to promote breast cancer awareness each October.
According to Acee, the current plan is for sideline personnel to wear commemorative pins, and for players to wear a red, white, and blue patch below their jersey collars in a shape of a ribbon. League spokesman Greg Aiello told Acee that there are no plans to allow players to make unauthorized changes to their uniforms in tribute this Sunday, but if the Manning story we told you a bit earlier is any indication, we wouldn't bet on the NFL bending at all on this point.
The NFL is planning to honor the fallen with several different gameday events, and the NFL and NFLPA will donate $1 million to related charities and memorials. That's all very wonderful, but if the league is actually going to fine its own players for choosing to remember in their own way … isn't this the most glaring case for an exception to the uniform rule? None of the players choosing to wear this gear and take the automatic fine are looking to draw attention to themselves — this isn't a Hall of Fame jacket on the sideline or a Sharpie in the end zone.
These are players choosing to remember, and in the cases of Briggs, Hasselbeck, and many other NFL veterans, remember their own time in the NFL during and right after the attacks happened.
We haven't heard from the NFL either way on this, but the league would be very wise to step away from this issue, let the players wear the specific gear (the league can always pop those players looking to add to the authorized apparel with their own pieces of flair), and move on to something that won't be a PR nightmare.
It's a simple and honorable gesture. Not a fineable offense.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Fake hoops school drew teens from abroad, stranded them
Despite rising unemployment and skyrocketing credit card debt for many Americans, the "American dream" is still alive and well. While the faith in possible upward mobility among those in this country may occasionally waver, the prospect of being richly rewarded for hard work continues to strike a powerful chord with hopeful emigrants, particularly those who harbor dreams of a future in professional sports.
Unfortunately, a handful of foreign prospects and some from closer to home were served a sordid slice of American pie by a South Charleston, W.Va., academy which purported to be a landing pad of top basketball talent. Many officials are now claiming that the West Virginia Prep Academy, which was scheduled to open on Tuesday after permits had been filed by former college basketball player Daniel Hicks, who is pictured at right, was nothing more than a fraudulent enterprise aimed at generating quick cash for Hicks himself.
Read more about the disturbing conditions in which the teenagers were forced to live in a Prep Rally interview with one of the players here.
As first investigated by the Charleston Gazette, the purported school, West Virginia Prep Academy, received $500 enrollment fees from just seven students, but 20 were found to be living together in a tiny, three-bedroom apartment in South Charleston when officials discovered them. At the time, South Charleston Mayor Frank Mullens said that the students were living in cramped conditions without mattresses and hadn't been fed in at least two days.
"When I got there we had to stay in a three-room apartment, but we were promised to get beds, get fed three times a day, have our clothes washed," Baltimore teenager Corey Saunders, the first player at the school to speak publicly, told Prep Rally. "None of that happened. We were left at the gym three hours a day, had to get food for ourselves.
"A lot of players there didn't have a lot of money. We had to spend our own money for food. It was just bad. Once we got there we were finding out more things about his background. He had gone to jail for fraud, drugs. He had brought in coaches that he thought could land big players, but was telling them things on fraud."
After the teenagers were found in the apartment, the teens were put up at the nearby Ramada hotel you see below after city officials reached out to the hotel's owner and explained the predicament the basketball players were in.
"We're out now trying to take care of these kids who are here, even from overseas France and Africa that are under the impression they're going to a prep academy to get an education and play basketball," Mullens told the Gazette.
While all 20 teens who were affiliated with the program have now left South Charleston, the investigation into the West Virginia Prep Academy is just beginning. The Gazette and the Associated Press reported that local police forces and the FBI were in the process of opening up investigations into Hicks.
"This is very complex and we're just breaking the iceberg on a lot of it," South Charleston Police Chief Brad Rinehart told the Gazette. "We've spoken with the on-duty prosecutor. This could be a federal issue, or a state issue, and that's something we're trying to determine.
"They're good kids. I put about seven of them on the bus last night and a couple of them hugged me goodbye. They felt cheated, like they got scammed and let down -- they put their trust in [Hicks]."
For his part, Hicks continues to insist that his goal was always to bring a new, positive academic and basketball setting to South Charleston. Rather, the new school's leader claimed most of the students in the apartment had not paid his academy's enrollment fee and were simply brought by a coach from Oklahoma who had planned to coach one of the school's forthcoming basketball teams.
"Some of those kids are 20 years old, with no birth certificates," said Hicks, who played college basketball at New Mexico State and Concord. "How could I put them in my school?"
Regardless of where the students in the apartment came from, it's clear that Hicks had yet to follow through on the kind of planning that is needed for any new high school basketball team, let alone an entire school. Matthew Moyer, who coordinates events for Lexington, Ky.-based Bleid Sports, told a Prep Rally source that Hicks had reached out to him with interest of placing four teams from his school in Bleid-run tournaments during the 2010-11 school year.
"He called me and asked me to put his four teams [three mens, one womens] in as many games as possible," Moyer told the Prep Rally source via Facebook. "We worked out a deal for 20 games in our showcases. He told me he had a church that supported his team and he would have a cashiers check sent to me. Never heard from him again. I imagine he used our schedule to promote false games for recruiting.
"He called me through our website and dropped a few former U.K. players' names to me. He asked me to stop through a team practice on my way back from Durham, N.C. I stopped into the gym at the time he requested and there was Zumba going on. The gym administrator laughed when I asked where the practice was going on. That was the last time I even tried to touch base with him."
It's clear that federal officials will want to talk with Hicks at length now, as will the parents of the 20 teens he duped into traveling to West Virginia to be part of a basketball academy that never was, and never would be.
"They didn't have just your average basketball players," South Charleston City Manager Carlton Lee told the Gazette. "I watched them play and the kids from France and Africa are NBA material.
"[The mother of the player from France is] torn up, because she had to make a decision whether to send her son on with the coach from Oklahoma or fly them back to France."
Unfortunately, a handful of foreign prospects and some from closer to home were served a sordid slice of American pie by a South Charleston, W.Va., academy which purported to be a landing pad of top basketball talent. Many officials are now claiming that the West Virginia Prep Academy, which was scheduled to open on Tuesday after permits had been filed by former college basketball player Daniel Hicks, who is pictured at right, was nothing more than a fraudulent enterprise aimed at generating quick cash for Hicks himself.
Read more about the disturbing conditions in which the teenagers were forced to live in a Prep Rally interview with one of the players here.
As first investigated by the Charleston Gazette, the purported school, West Virginia Prep Academy, received $500 enrollment fees from just seven students, but 20 were found to be living together in a tiny, three-bedroom apartment in South Charleston when officials discovered them. At the time, South Charleston Mayor Frank Mullens said that the students were living in cramped conditions without mattresses and hadn't been fed in at least two days.
"When I got there we had to stay in a three-room apartment, but we were promised to get beds, get fed three times a day, have our clothes washed," Baltimore teenager Corey Saunders, the first player at the school to speak publicly, told Prep Rally. "None of that happened. We were left at the gym three hours a day, had to get food for ourselves.
"A lot of players there didn't have a lot of money. We had to spend our own money for food. It was just bad. Once we got there we were finding out more things about his background. He had gone to jail for fraud, drugs. He had brought in coaches that he thought could land big players, but was telling them things on fraud."
After the teenagers were found in the apartment, the teens were put up at the nearby Ramada hotel you see below after city officials reached out to the hotel's owner and explained the predicament the basketball players were in.
"We're out now trying to take care of these kids who are here, even from overseas France and Africa that are under the impression they're going to a prep academy to get an education and play basketball," Mullens told the Gazette.
While all 20 teens who were affiliated with the program have now left South Charleston, the investigation into the West Virginia Prep Academy is just beginning. The Gazette and the Associated Press reported that local police forces and the FBI were in the process of opening up investigations into Hicks.
"This is very complex and we're just breaking the iceberg on a lot of it," South Charleston Police Chief Brad Rinehart told the Gazette. "We've spoken with the on-duty prosecutor. This could be a federal issue, or a state issue, and that's something we're trying to determine.
"They're good kids. I put about seven of them on the bus last night and a couple of them hugged me goodbye. They felt cheated, like they got scammed and let down -- they put their trust in [Hicks]."
For his part, Hicks continues to insist that his goal was always to bring a new, positive academic and basketball setting to South Charleston. Rather, the new school's leader claimed most of the students in the apartment had not paid his academy's enrollment fee and were simply brought by a coach from Oklahoma who had planned to coach one of the school's forthcoming basketball teams.
"Some of those kids are 20 years old, with no birth certificates," said Hicks, who played college basketball at New Mexico State and Concord. "How could I put them in my school?"
Regardless of where the students in the apartment came from, it's clear that Hicks had yet to follow through on the kind of planning that is needed for any new high school basketball team, let alone an entire school. Matthew Moyer, who coordinates events for Lexington, Ky.-based Bleid Sports, told a Prep Rally source that Hicks had reached out to him with interest of placing four teams from his school in Bleid-run tournaments during the 2010-11 school year.
"He called me and asked me to put his four teams [three mens, one womens] in as many games as possible," Moyer told the Prep Rally source via Facebook. "We worked out a deal for 20 games in our showcases. He told me he had a church that supported his team and he would have a cashiers check sent to me. Never heard from him again. I imagine he used our schedule to promote false games for recruiting.
"He called me through our website and dropped a few former U.K. players' names to me. He asked me to stop through a team practice on my way back from Durham, N.C. I stopped into the gym at the time he requested and there was Zumba going on. The gym administrator laughed when I asked where the practice was going on. That was the last time I even tried to touch base with him."
It's clear that federal officials will want to talk with Hicks at length now, as will the parents of the 20 teens he duped into traveling to West Virginia to be part of a basketball academy that never was, and never would be.
"They didn't have just your average basketball players," South Charleston City Manager Carlton Lee told the Gazette. "I watched them play and the kids from France and Africa are NBA material.
"[The mother of the player from France is] torn up, because she had to make a decision whether to send her son on with the coach from Oklahoma or fly them back to France."
RUCKER ON WOOD! 2014 & 2015 RECAP!
RUCKER ON WOOD (CLASS OF 2014 SESSION)
Many of the following players are familiar names and faces. Additionally one of the things that separates this class into "promising territory" is the fact that over 20 of the Top 40 crabs were on varsity this past season. Woo-wee, that means experience is plentiful in 2014. Let's take a look at the players who caught the eyes of the members of the ranking panel as well as myself on Sunday. This list is not to be confused or interpreted as a rankings list (because it's not). This is merely guys who stood out consensusly on this particular afternoon.
2014 GUARDS!
BRANDON Etienne 5'10 North Shore HS - guided Team 5 to the championship. He proved that he can indeed excel and rise to the top without the help of referees. Mid range game may be one of the tops in the city in comparison to his classmates.
DAMIEN Day 6'1 Marshall HS - This kid must've had this day circled on his calendar for quite some time. He was putting in work from start to finish. It didn't hurt that he played alongside Etienne on the championship Team 5.
JALIN Hart 5'9 North Shore HS - Had a great day at the office while leading Team 7 to three consecutive wins in pool play. However, they were upset in first round. Jalin was working guys from the right perimeter.
JAMAL Williams 6'2 Episcopal HS - The ex Kempner varsity star had his motor on high most of the afternoon. He mixed it up well and hit the boards hard. Should make an immediate impact at Episcopal HS this season alongside Ken Williams.
JUSTIN Jackson 6'6 HCYA - Many All Americans would have found 100 excuses to bypass the chance to allow his peers an opportunity to make a name for themselves at his expense. Although Justin was in cruise control, he still had enough good moments and made enough plays to validate himself as one of the Top 8 guards of the day.
WILLIAM West 6'1 Clear Lake HS - Probably the most surprising sophomore of the day. This kid was balling and attacking the rim from all angles. A huge reason why Team 3 advanced to the finals.
SHANE Moran 6'0 The Woodlands HS - It's always refreshing to see suburban white kids come down and flat out take care of business in these types of physcial settings. Whether he was knocking down jumpers or complimenting Jalin Hart, this young man always appeared to be at the right place at the right time.
THOMAS Josey 6'1 Angleton HS - A blue collar styled hooper who hustled on both sides of the ball. He has a strong build which certainly was an asset on this day. Managed to get to the rim and finish a couple times.
2014 FORWARDS!
BRANDON Jones 6'4 Westbury Christian - Nicknamed "BJ". Was extremely aggressive all day long. Almost to the point where he nearly hurt himself more than helped. Difference is the fact that many of his shots went in and for every one he missed - he'd haul in a rebound moments later to make up for it.
JC Washington 6'6 Yates HS - No big guy in this class works the baselines better than this strong young man. Very solid when he's facing up in mid range territory. Rebounding was a piece of cake for him as well.
JUSTIN Hollins 6'9 Cy Woods HS - He's long and pretty much regulated on the glass. One sure fire way to tell if you're performing above average is justified by the amount of summer coaches who flirts with you throughout the afternoon. Trust me when I tell you they were creating "bumps" with this kid every where he went between games.
KHADEEM Lattin 6'9 (Homeschooled) - Nobody had more fun on the court than Khadeem. He used this setting to remind his peers that he can and will reverse or alter anything that comes his way on defense. Ability to catch and finish in transition (without traveling) is highly impressive.
KELLY OUBRE 6'6 Bush HS - Although his legs were a bit wobbly from participating in a camp earlier in the day, Kelly was as smooth as it gets with the left hand while attacking the rim. From time to time, he camped out near the top of the key and even made about one per game. But surely he's twice as good when finding seams and creating the high percentage look.
MELVIN Swift 6'7 Yates HS - Safe to say, Melvin had more dunks than anyone on the afternoon. But more impressive was how much his all around game is improving before our very eyes. His conditioning is pretty good, but that is expected from any of the players in Yates' system.
TJ Avery 6'4 Galveston Ball HS - In additon to sporting the long dreads (a la Terran Petteway), TJ has a game that somewhat resembles the ex G-Ball star as well. Plus, his motor is much higher as a sophomore. Could easily be a candidate for Newcomer of the Year in district 24-4A.
ZACH Haney 6'8 Atascocita HS - Turn on your "Sleeper Meters". This guy is long
2015 GUARDS!
CHARLES Simmons 6'2 Westbury Christian - nicknamed "CJ" but it also could be "Beep Beep" as in long lasting road-runner. Has that wiry frame and played with a high motor all day long. Was a very huge reason Team 3 won the championship.
JORDAN Hunter 5'7 Beaumont Ozen HS - He was without question the closest thing to having the complete package of all point / floor generals in attendance. Got plenty lift and can go up above the rim if he needs to (did you notice how tall he is?). Jordan did not talk a whole lot, but didn't have to because his game spoke volumes. Lost in the championship vs Team 3 (dbl OT).
JOSEPH Anderson 6'1 Yates HS - Nicknamed "JoJo". Played alongside Hunter on Team 8. Considering this was a structured street ball setting, JoJo displayed a high hoop IQ. He also showcased some solid pg tendencies, and that made him appealing once you factored in his size advantage over most other ball handlers out there.
NICHOLAS Garth 5'11 Cy Lakes HS - Also played on that cohesive Team 8 group. For anyone who saw this team knows it would have been a crime to have forgot about Slick Nick. He's more of a combo with a scorers mentality, and when you're playing short games, his style of play is critical.
MICHAEL Gonzalez 5'8 Humble HS - This Hispanic floor general was easily the most communicative person in the building. That gets you noticed. Then he proceeded to get others involved, and just flat out make plays on both ends of the court. Michael played with a lot of intensity that proved how much he wanted to win.
TYLER Howard 5'6 Summer Creek HS - He fits in that mold of the Ray Penn / TMG style of point guard who can get buckets in bunches. Guided Team 3 to the championship. One thing that always wins my favor is point guards who know how to get "Ws".
2015 FORWARDS!
DORIAN Chatman 6'6 Port Arthur Memorial HS - Hands down the most effective defensive performer in this class. He blocked shots, rebounded, and just flat out went after it. With so much energy directed on the defensive end of the court, heck by the time he reached half court it was time to turn back around and repeat the process.
ETORRIAN Wilridge 6'4 Beaumont Central HS - His Team 8 was so talented with guard play, that he appeared to be cruising right along. This kid is talented and played with a swagger. I'd be surprised if he's not making an impact on varsity this season.
LAURYNCE Andrus 6'2 Sharpstown HS - A solid banger who rebounded and proved to be one of the best athletes in the building. Has that Ron Artest type swagger to his game - and that ain't a bad thing because Ron-Ron has a pretty good resume, including a ring.
PAUL Thomas 6'7 Summer Creek HS - This young man was impressive from beginning to end when he helped guide Team 3 to the championship. Even took his game out to the perimeter and created a few scoring opportunities off the dribble.
SAMIR Sehic 6'8 Cy Woods HS - Nicknamed "Big Bos". The uptempo open gym setting often was a bit out of his comfort zone, but whenever he got hands on the rock there was no debating his skill set - which is a premium package compared to his peers. The key word was premium, as in super unleaded.
TRE Johnson 6'5 Spring HS - If there was one front court guy who had his mind made up that he was giving 100% and wanted to be noticed, then Tre is dat dude. No big man played harder, and it proved to be worth something because the reward of winning is exposure. Helped guide Team 8 to the finals.
Many of the following players are familiar names and faces. Additionally one of the things that separates this class into "promising territory" is the fact that over 20 of the Top 40 crabs were on varsity this past season. Woo-wee, that means experience is plentiful in 2014. Let's take a look at the players who caught the eyes of the members of the ranking panel as well as myself on Sunday. This list is not to be confused or interpreted as a rankings list (because it's not). This is merely guys who stood out consensusly on this particular afternoon.
2014 GUARDS!
BRANDON Etienne 5'10 North Shore HS - guided Team 5 to the championship. He proved that he can indeed excel and rise to the top without the help of referees. Mid range game may be one of the tops in the city in comparison to his classmates.
DAMIEN Day 6'1 Marshall HS - This kid must've had this day circled on his calendar for quite some time. He was putting in work from start to finish. It didn't hurt that he played alongside Etienne on the championship Team 5.
JALIN Hart 5'9 North Shore HS - Had a great day at the office while leading Team 7 to three consecutive wins in pool play. However, they were upset in first round. Jalin was working guys from the right perimeter.
JAMAL Williams 6'2 Episcopal HS - The ex Kempner varsity star had his motor on high most of the afternoon. He mixed it up well and hit the boards hard. Should make an immediate impact at Episcopal HS this season alongside Ken Williams.
JUSTIN Jackson 6'6 HCYA - Many All Americans would have found 100 excuses to bypass the chance to allow his peers an opportunity to make a name for themselves at his expense. Although Justin was in cruise control, he still had enough good moments and made enough plays to validate himself as one of the Top 8 guards of the day.
WILLIAM West 6'1 Clear Lake HS - Probably the most surprising sophomore of the day. This kid was balling and attacking the rim from all angles. A huge reason why Team 3 advanced to the finals.
SHANE Moran 6'0 The Woodlands HS - It's always refreshing to see suburban white kids come down and flat out take care of business in these types of physcial settings. Whether he was knocking down jumpers or complimenting Jalin Hart, this young man always appeared to be at the right place at the right time.
THOMAS Josey 6'1 Angleton HS - A blue collar styled hooper who hustled on both sides of the ball. He has a strong build which certainly was an asset on this day. Managed to get to the rim and finish a couple times.
2014 FORWARDS!
BRANDON Jones 6'4 Westbury Christian - Nicknamed "BJ". Was extremely aggressive all day long. Almost to the point where he nearly hurt himself more than helped. Difference is the fact that many of his shots went in and for every one he missed - he'd haul in a rebound moments later to make up for it.
JC Washington 6'6 Yates HS - No big guy in this class works the baselines better than this strong young man. Very solid when he's facing up in mid range territory. Rebounding was a piece of cake for him as well.
JUSTIN Hollins 6'9 Cy Woods HS - He's long and pretty much regulated on the glass. One sure fire way to tell if you're performing above average is justified by the amount of summer coaches who flirts with you throughout the afternoon. Trust me when I tell you they were creating "bumps" with this kid every where he went between games.
KHADEEM Lattin 6'9 (Homeschooled) - Nobody had more fun on the court than Khadeem. He used this setting to remind his peers that he can and will reverse or alter anything that comes his way on defense. Ability to catch and finish in transition (without traveling) is highly impressive.
KELLY OUBRE 6'6 Bush HS - Although his legs were a bit wobbly from participating in a camp earlier in the day, Kelly was as smooth as it gets with the left hand while attacking the rim. From time to time, he camped out near the top of the key and even made about one per game. But surely he's twice as good when finding seams and creating the high percentage look.
MELVIN Swift 6'7 Yates HS - Safe to say, Melvin had more dunks than anyone on the afternoon. But more impressive was how much his all around game is improving before our very eyes. His conditioning is pretty good, but that is expected from any of the players in Yates' system.
TJ Avery 6'4 Galveston Ball HS - In additon to sporting the long dreads (a la Terran Petteway), TJ has a game that somewhat resembles the ex G-Ball star as well. Plus, his motor is much higher as a sophomore. Could easily be a candidate for Newcomer of the Year in district 24-4A.
ZACH Haney 6'8 Atascocita HS - Turn on your "Sleeper Meters". This guy is long
2015 GUARDS!
CHARLES Simmons 6'2 Westbury Christian - nicknamed "CJ" but it also could be "Beep Beep" as in long lasting road-runner. Has that wiry frame and played with a high motor all day long. Was a very huge reason Team 3 won the championship.
JORDAN Hunter 5'7 Beaumont Ozen HS - He was without question the closest thing to having the complete package of all point / floor generals in attendance. Got plenty lift and can go up above the rim if he needs to (did you notice how tall he is?). Jordan did not talk a whole lot, but didn't have to because his game spoke volumes. Lost in the championship vs Team 3 (dbl OT).
JOSEPH Anderson 6'1 Yates HS - Nicknamed "JoJo". Played alongside Hunter on Team 8. Considering this was a structured street ball setting, JoJo displayed a high hoop IQ. He also showcased some solid pg tendencies, and that made him appealing once you factored in his size advantage over most other ball handlers out there.
NICHOLAS Garth 5'11 Cy Lakes HS - Also played on that cohesive Team 8 group. For anyone who saw this team knows it would have been a crime to have forgot about Slick Nick. He's more of a combo with a scorers mentality, and when you're playing short games, his style of play is critical.
MICHAEL Gonzalez 5'8 Humble HS - This Hispanic floor general was easily the most communicative person in the building. That gets you noticed. Then he proceeded to get others involved, and just flat out make plays on both ends of the court. Michael played with a lot of intensity that proved how much he wanted to win.
TYLER Howard 5'6 Summer Creek HS - He fits in that mold of the Ray Penn / TMG style of point guard who can get buckets in bunches. Guided Team 3 to the championship. One thing that always wins my favor is point guards who know how to get "Ws".
2015 FORWARDS!
DORIAN Chatman 6'6 Port Arthur Memorial HS - Hands down the most effective defensive performer in this class. He blocked shots, rebounded, and just flat out went after it. With so much energy directed on the defensive end of the court, heck by the time he reached half court it was time to turn back around and repeat the process.
ETORRIAN Wilridge 6'4 Beaumont Central HS - His Team 8 was so talented with guard play, that he appeared to be cruising right along. This kid is talented and played with a swagger. I'd be surprised if he's not making an impact on varsity this season.
LAURYNCE Andrus 6'2 Sharpstown HS - A solid banger who rebounded and proved to be one of the best athletes in the building. Has that Ron Artest type swagger to his game - and that ain't a bad thing because Ron-Ron has a pretty good resume, including a ring.
PAUL Thomas 6'7 Summer Creek HS - This young man was impressive from beginning to end when he helped guide Team 3 to the championship. Even took his game out to the perimeter and created a few scoring opportunities off the dribble.
SAMIR Sehic 6'8 Cy Woods HS - Nicknamed "Big Bos". The uptempo open gym setting often was a bit out of his comfort zone, but whenever he got hands on the rock there was no debating his skill set - which is a premium package compared to his peers. The key word was premium, as in super unleaded.
TRE Johnson 6'5 Spring HS - If there was one front court guy who had his mind made up that he was giving 100% and wanted to be noticed, then Tre is dat dude. No big man played harder, and it proved to be worth something because the reward of winning is exposure. Helped guide Team 8 to the finals.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Flacco, Kitna the best QBs for the buck
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Jon Kitna began his pro football career in Europe after a college career at middling Central Washington University left him undrafted by the NFL in 1995. He caught on in the NFL two years later when the Seattle Seahawks signed him as a free agent, the onset of a long career that saw him hold starting jobs on and off in Seattle, Cincinnati and Detroit.
Last season, the Cowboys dealt for the 38-year-old Kitna to back up starter Tony Romo. He gave them a lot more than expected, when Romo went down with a broken collarbone, Kitna stepped in and started nine games. All he did was complete 66 percent of his passes for over 2,300 yards and 16 touchdowns, good enough for a passer rating of 88.9, slightly better than the NFL average. The disappointing Cowboys, 6-10 last year, were a more respectable 4-5 when Kitna started.
Given Kitna’s relatively paltry $2 million salary, part of a five-year, $12 contract he signed with Detroit in 2009, no QB in the league gave his club more or the money last year. Coming closest: Baltimore’s third-year man, Joe Flacco, who turned in a slightly better QB rating (93.6) for 35 percent more money ($2.7 million). Flacco, a mid-first round pick out of the University of Delaware in 2008, has steadily improved over his three seasons while leading the Ravens to a 32-16 record and three straight playoff berths. Flacco’s five-year deal was commensurate with his draft status no top-10 money here but he’s clearly on a pace to strike it rich by 2013. For now, the Ravens are enjoying the bargain.
Quarterback rating, the yardstick by which the position is primarily measured, is figured by a statistical formula that works in completion percentage, touchdown passes and interceptions per attempt, along with yardage per attempt.
The top-rated passer in the league last year, New England’s Tom Brady(111.0 rating), earned a relatively modest $6.5 million as he played out the final year of a long term contract. That’s good enough to make him the seventh best quarterback for the buck for 2010. Brady has since cashed in with a four-year, $72 million extension, a deal that briefly made him the league’s highest-paid player until the Colts’ Peyton Manning topped it with an extension of his own a few months later (Manning’s $15 million salary and 91.9 passer rating left him off the 2010 best for the buck list).
Like Brady, the Eagles’ Michael Vick took a turn on the Best of the Buck list before cashing in big time this season. After taking over the starting job early in early 2010, Vick turned in a 100.2 QB rating for just $5.5 million (and rushed for 676 yards to boot). He was rewarded initially with a $15.7 million tender for this season, and then with an all-in $100 million extension.
Others delivering above their pay grade: Oakland’s Jason Campbell($3.25 million; 84.5 rating), who led the Raiders to their best season in eight years after coming over from Washington, and Tampa Bay’s Josh Freeman($5 million; 95.9), a second-year man who threw for 25 TDs last year as the Bucs improved to 10-6 from 3-13 in 2009.
And finally sometimes big trades do work out for both teams. In 2009, the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos decided to swap quarterbacks, with Jay Cutler going to Chicago and Kyle Orton(notes) to Denver. By 2010, both of them, making relatively modest salaries, rated among the 10 best QBs for the buck.
Last season, the Cowboys dealt for the 38-year-old Kitna to back up starter Tony Romo. He gave them a lot more than expected, when Romo went down with a broken collarbone, Kitna stepped in and started nine games. All he did was complete 66 percent of his passes for over 2,300 yards and 16 touchdowns, good enough for a passer rating of 88.9, slightly better than the NFL average. The disappointing Cowboys, 6-10 last year, were a more respectable 4-5 when Kitna started.
Given Kitna’s relatively paltry $2 million salary, part of a five-year, $12 contract he signed with Detroit in 2009, no QB in the league gave his club more or the money last year. Coming closest: Baltimore’s third-year man, Joe Flacco, who turned in a slightly better QB rating (93.6) for 35 percent more money ($2.7 million). Flacco, a mid-first round pick out of the University of Delaware in 2008, has steadily improved over his three seasons while leading the Ravens to a 32-16 record and three straight playoff berths. Flacco’s five-year deal was commensurate with his draft status no top-10 money here but he’s clearly on a pace to strike it rich by 2013. For now, the Ravens are enjoying the bargain.
Quarterback rating, the yardstick by which the position is primarily measured, is figured by a statistical formula that works in completion percentage, touchdown passes and interceptions per attempt, along with yardage per attempt.
The top-rated passer in the league last year, New England’s Tom Brady(111.0 rating), earned a relatively modest $6.5 million as he played out the final year of a long term contract. That’s good enough to make him the seventh best quarterback for the buck for 2010. Brady has since cashed in with a four-year, $72 million extension, a deal that briefly made him the league’s highest-paid player until the Colts’ Peyton Manning topped it with an extension of his own a few months later (Manning’s $15 million salary and 91.9 passer rating left him off the 2010 best for the buck list).
Like Brady, the Eagles’ Michael Vick took a turn on the Best of the Buck list before cashing in big time this season. After taking over the starting job early in early 2010, Vick turned in a 100.2 QB rating for just $5.5 million (and rushed for 676 yards to boot). He was rewarded initially with a $15.7 million tender for this season, and then with an all-in $100 million extension.
Others delivering above their pay grade: Oakland’s Jason Campbell($3.25 million; 84.5 rating), who led the Raiders to their best season in eight years after coming over from Washington, and Tampa Bay’s Josh Freeman($5 million; 95.9), a second-year man who threw for 25 TDs last year as the Bucs improved to 10-6 from 3-13 in 2009.
And finally sometimes big trades do work out for both teams. In 2009, the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos decided to swap quarterbacks, with Jay Cutler going to Chicago and Kyle Orton(notes) to Denver. By 2010, both of them, making relatively modest salaries, rated among the 10 best QBs for the buck.
Titans’ Johnson agrees to four-year, $53.5M extension with $30M guaranteed
All is well in Tennessee, Chris Johnson's holdout is officially over. As first reported by Jim Wyatt of the Nashville Tennessean, the star running back has agreed to a four-year, $53.5 million contract extension with $30 million guaranteed.
The deal puts Johnson in the elite category he preferred, and Wyatt was the first with the terms: $13.375 million per year in the new four years of the contract, and $9.21 million per year over the life of the deal (including the two remaining years left on Johnson's rookie contract).
Negations between Johnson and the Titans had intensified over the last week after a seeming impasse in which Johnson wouldn't visit the facility until he received an offer that was in his ballpark.
The Titans responded by saying that if Johnson and his representatives came in to negotiate, they would make him the NFL's highest-paid running back. Johnson preferred to be paid like one of the league's best players, regardless of position.
Tennessee's first-round pick in 2008, Johnson ran for 2,006 yards and gained 2,509 yards from scrimmage in 2009 and followed up that campaign with a great 2010 1,364 rushing yards and 1,609 yards from scrimmage. He has never gained less than 1,228 rushing yards in a season, and he did that in his rookie year.
With the team's quarterback situation very much under construction reps will most likely be split between veteran Matt Hasselbeck(notes) and rookie Jake Locker through the 2011 season Johnson will be relied upon more than ever, as new head coach Mike Munchak tries to get a rebuild going.
Johnson had been set to earn an $800,000 base salary in 2011, with a bump to $2.21 million in 2012 in the last year of a rookie deal that was slightly expanded after his explosive second year. The extension has him contracted with the Titans through the 2016 season.
On Wednesday, Johnson had a little Twitter flap with some of his "fake fans," but we're assuming that everyone's a lot happier now.
The deal puts Johnson in the elite category he preferred, and Wyatt was the first with the terms: $13.375 million per year in the new four years of the contract, and $9.21 million per year over the life of the deal (including the two remaining years left on Johnson's rookie contract).
Negations between Johnson and the Titans had intensified over the last week after a seeming impasse in which Johnson wouldn't visit the facility until he received an offer that was in his ballpark.
The Titans responded by saying that if Johnson and his representatives came in to negotiate, they would make him the NFL's highest-paid running back. Johnson preferred to be paid like one of the league's best players, regardless of position.
Tennessee's first-round pick in 2008, Johnson ran for 2,006 yards and gained 2,509 yards from scrimmage in 2009 and followed up that campaign with a great 2010 1,364 rushing yards and 1,609 yards from scrimmage. He has never gained less than 1,228 rushing yards in a season, and he did that in his rookie year.
With the team's quarterback situation very much under construction reps will most likely be split between veteran Matt Hasselbeck(notes) and rookie Jake Locker through the 2011 season Johnson will be relied upon more than ever, as new head coach Mike Munchak tries to get a rebuild going.
Johnson had been set to earn an $800,000 base salary in 2011, with a bump to $2.21 million in 2012 in the last year of a rookie deal that was slightly expanded after his explosive second year. The extension has him contracted with the Titans through the 2016 season.
On Wednesday, Johnson had a little Twitter flap with some of his "fake fans," but we're assuming that everyone's a lot happier now.
As Venus Williams Bows Out of U.S. Open, Little-Known Disease Takes Center Court
Venus Williams' surprising withdrawal from the U.S. Open on Wednesday has shifted the spotlight from the tennis star's daunting serve to her diagnosis with a little-known disease known as Sjogren's syndrome.
Williams, 31, said the disease has diminished her energy level and caused joint pain, curtailing her ability to continue in the tournament.
More than 4 million Americans have the chronic autoimmune disease, which also causes dry mouth and dry eyes. Ninety percent of those with the disease are women.
Sjogren's syndrome "targets and destroys over time the exocrine glands responsible for tear production and saliva and is characterized by dryness of the mouth and eyes," said Dr. Michael Belmont, an associate professor of medicine in the division of rheumatology at NYU Langone Medical Center and medical director for Hospital for Joint Diseases. Less commonly, it can cause severe arthritis involving joint deformity and impaired function, he noted.
The publicity surrounding Williams' announcement is expected to increase awareness of the systemic disease, potentially leading to better diagnostic and treatment options.
"Sjogren's syndrome can occur as a primary disorder or secondary to other autoimmune diseases, principally rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus [lupus]," Belmont said. Multiple organs, including the kidneys, lungs, gastrointestinal system, blood vessels and the central nervous system, can also be involved.
When Sjogren's progresses to a multi-organ disease, treatment becomes complex, said Dr. Victoria Shanmugam, a rheumatologist at Georgetown University Medical Center.
"Treatment for Sjogren's ranges from therapies to alleviate symptoms, such as topical therapies for dry eyes and dry mouth, to drugs that suppress the immune system, including hydroxychloroque, methotrexate and steroids," said Shanmugam, who is not involved in Williams' care. "We also use medications that help fight fatigue and fibromyalgia symptoms."
Fibromyalgia is another chronic autoimmune disease.
Sjogren's, first identified in 1933, affects virtually every racial and ethnic group, according to the Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation. It is difficult to diagnose because symptoms mimic other diseases. It takes nearly seven years, on average, for a diagnosis.
How the disease will play out for Williams is unclear. Symptoms can remain mild, worsen or, occasionally, go into remission, Belmont said.
While the exact cause of Sjogren's syndrome is not known, Belmont said genetic factors appear to be involved. "An as-yet unidentified environmental factor likely plays a role, as observation finds that identical twins with the same DNA do not always share the illness," he said.
However, it is found more commonly in families that have members with other autoimmune illnesses, he said, noting this supports the genetic theory.
"Early diagnosis and proper treatment are important they may prevent serious complications and greatly improve a patient's quality of life," he said.
Williams, 31, said the disease has diminished her energy level and caused joint pain, curtailing her ability to continue in the tournament.
More than 4 million Americans have the chronic autoimmune disease, which also causes dry mouth and dry eyes. Ninety percent of those with the disease are women.
Sjogren's syndrome "targets and destroys over time the exocrine glands responsible for tear production and saliva and is characterized by dryness of the mouth and eyes," said Dr. Michael Belmont, an associate professor of medicine in the division of rheumatology at NYU Langone Medical Center and medical director for Hospital for Joint Diseases. Less commonly, it can cause severe arthritis involving joint deformity and impaired function, he noted.
The publicity surrounding Williams' announcement is expected to increase awareness of the systemic disease, potentially leading to better diagnostic and treatment options.
"Sjogren's syndrome can occur as a primary disorder or secondary to other autoimmune diseases, principally rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus [lupus]," Belmont said. Multiple organs, including the kidneys, lungs, gastrointestinal system, blood vessels and the central nervous system, can also be involved.
When Sjogren's progresses to a multi-organ disease, treatment becomes complex, said Dr. Victoria Shanmugam, a rheumatologist at Georgetown University Medical Center.
"Treatment for Sjogren's ranges from therapies to alleviate symptoms, such as topical therapies for dry eyes and dry mouth, to drugs that suppress the immune system, including hydroxychloroque, methotrexate and steroids," said Shanmugam, who is not involved in Williams' care. "We also use medications that help fight fatigue and fibromyalgia symptoms."
Fibromyalgia is another chronic autoimmune disease.
Sjogren's, first identified in 1933, affects virtually every racial and ethnic group, according to the Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation. It is difficult to diagnose because symptoms mimic other diseases. It takes nearly seven years, on average, for a diagnosis.
How the disease will play out for Williams is unclear. Symptoms can remain mild, worsen or, occasionally, go into remission, Belmont said.
While the exact cause of Sjogren's syndrome is not known, Belmont said genetic factors appear to be involved. "An as-yet unidentified environmental factor likely plays a role, as observation finds that identical twins with the same DNA do not always share the illness," he said.
However, it is found more commonly in families that have members with other autoimmune illnesses, he said, noting this supports the genetic theory.
"Early diagnosis and proper treatment are important they may prevent serious complications and greatly improve a patient's quality of life," he said.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Coach: Joe Bauserman likely to start
Ohio Dressed in a white oxford shirt with an Ohio State logo on the chest no tie, no sweater vest Luke Fickell made the first big call of his head coaching career.
Fickell, an assistant elevated to replace Jim Tressel who was forced out in the midst of an NCAA investigation, said that fifth-year senior Joe Bauserman would most likely be the starting quarterback when the 18th-ranked Buckeyes open their season on Saturday at home against Akron.
"Joe would probably take the first snap," Fickell said at his first weekly news conference. "Just talking with those guys, talking with the offensive staff, we know we're going to need them both. The whole idea is we want to make sure that we can put them out there in front of 106,000 and see how guys respond."
He said Bauserman got the edge because he's seen more game action although he has seldom played with a game on the line because he was behind departed three-year starter Terrelle Pryor.
"It's leadership," he said when asked what separated Bauserman, a former minor league pitcher for three years in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system. "It's also what this team, where we were at the time. He's done a really good job through camp. I've been impressed with the things we've asked him to do and what he's done."
Fickell, formerly the linebackers coach, stressed that the job wasn't permanently Bauserman's.
"It doesn't mean I haven't been impressed with Braxton as well," he said. "That's why we've been impressed with him enough to list him in the 'or' category. But, again, the whole idea is we want to continue to create competition and to make sure that those guys understand that by saying 'or' that we need both."
Offensive tackle J.B. Shugarts said the 25-year-old Bauserman was more knowledgeable about the playbook.
"Joe's an older guy, he's been around. He knows the system a little bit," he said. "Joe's a little more of a pocket passer, but he's a lot more athletic than people give him credit for when he gets out of the pocket. We all know Braxton can make some plays on his feet if he has to scramble or step up."
Center Mike Brewster will be counted on to make things as easy as possible for whomever is taking the snaps.
"I can't do too much for them, but the thing I can do is make sure that they're protected, make sure that I have the line all on the same page, make sure that I am picking up the blitzes with different calls and putting them in a position to be successful," he said. "By doing that, I think it'll make them feel more comfortable in the pocket, give them more time and let the receivers do what they need to do."
Pryor took almost every snap the past two seasons. He led the Buckeyes to a Rose Bowl win two years ago and to a 12-1 mark last year, including a victory over Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl.
But he left Ohio State this summer, giving up his senior season, while caught up in the middle of the NCAA investigation into improper benefits to players. Tressel was forced out on May 30 after 10 years as the Buckeyes head coach, admitting he knew some of his players broke NCAA rules but didn't tell anyone for more than nine months.
Fickell said the quarterbacks, like everyone else, would be graded on their performance against the Zips.
"Everything's a test, we tell them," he said.
Fickell also said that third-year sophomore Jaamal Berry has a hamstring injury and will probably not play in the opener. In his stead, the tailback rotation will be Jordan Hall, Carlos Hyde and Rod Smith.
Linebacker Etienne Sabino, who broke a bone in his hand 10 days ago, had surgery last week and is expected to play with a cast on his hand.
The two-deep roster that was unveiled featured seven new starters on offense and seven on defense, taking into account that the Buckeyes will be without three frontline players (wide receiver DeVier Posey, top tailback Dan Herron and offensive lineman Mike Adams) who are suspended for the first five games for taking cash and free tattoos.
Maybe because those top players will not be with the team for the start of the season (in addition, backup defensive lineman Solomon Thomas is also sitting out the first five games, and backup linebacker Jordan Whiting will miss just the Akron game), Ohio State will go with game captains instead of season-long captains. Nominated for the Akron contest are Shugarts, Brewster and defensive lineman John Simon.
The 38-year-old Fickell said he was anxious to be a head coach after spending the last nine seasons on the Ohio State staff.
Tressel was known for his conservative game plan repeatedly saying that the punt was the most important play in football as well as his prep-school white shirt, tie and sweater vest.
Fickell was asked what he would be wearing on the sidelines in the opener.
"Whatever my wife lays out," he said with a laugh
Fickell, an assistant elevated to replace Jim Tressel who was forced out in the midst of an NCAA investigation, said that fifth-year senior Joe Bauserman would most likely be the starting quarterback when the 18th-ranked Buckeyes open their season on Saturday at home against Akron.
"Joe would probably take the first snap," Fickell said at his first weekly news conference. "Just talking with those guys, talking with the offensive staff, we know we're going to need them both. The whole idea is we want to make sure that we can put them out there in front of 106,000 and see how guys respond."
He said Bauserman got the edge because he's seen more game action although he has seldom played with a game on the line because he was behind departed three-year starter Terrelle Pryor.
"It's leadership," he said when asked what separated Bauserman, a former minor league pitcher for three years in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system. "It's also what this team, where we were at the time. He's done a really good job through camp. I've been impressed with the things we've asked him to do and what he's done."
Fickell, formerly the linebackers coach, stressed that the job wasn't permanently Bauserman's.
"It doesn't mean I haven't been impressed with Braxton as well," he said. "That's why we've been impressed with him enough to list him in the 'or' category. But, again, the whole idea is we want to continue to create competition and to make sure that those guys understand that by saying 'or' that we need both."
Offensive tackle J.B. Shugarts said the 25-year-old Bauserman was more knowledgeable about the playbook.
"Joe's an older guy, he's been around. He knows the system a little bit," he said. "Joe's a little more of a pocket passer, but he's a lot more athletic than people give him credit for when he gets out of the pocket. We all know Braxton can make some plays on his feet if he has to scramble or step up."
Center Mike Brewster will be counted on to make things as easy as possible for whomever is taking the snaps.
"I can't do too much for them, but the thing I can do is make sure that they're protected, make sure that I have the line all on the same page, make sure that I am picking up the blitzes with different calls and putting them in a position to be successful," he said. "By doing that, I think it'll make them feel more comfortable in the pocket, give them more time and let the receivers do what they need to do."
Pryor took almost every snap the past two seasons. He led the Buckeyes to a Rose Bowl win two years ago and to a 12-1 mark last year, including a victory over Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl.
But he left Ohio State this summer, giving up his senior season, while caught up in the middle of the NCAA investigation into improper benefits to players. Tressel was forced out on May 30 after 10 years as the Buckeyes head coach, admitting he knew some of his players broke NCAA rules but didn't tell anyone for more than nine months.
Fickell said the quarterbacks, like everyone else, would be graded on their performance against the Zips.
"Everything's a test, we tell them," he said.
Fickell also said that third-year sophomore Jaamal Berry has a hamstring injury and will probably not play in the opener. In his stead, the tailback rotation will be Jordan Hall, Carlos Hyde and Rod Smith.
Linebacker Etienne Sabino, who broke a bone in his hand 10 days ago, had surgery last week and is expected to play with a cast on his hand.
The two-deep roster that was unveiled featured seven new starters on offense and seven on defense, taking into account that the Buckeyes will be without three frontline players (wide receiver DeVier Posey, top tailback Dan Herron and offensive lineman Mike Adams) who are suspended for the first five games for taking cash and free tattoos.
Maybe because those top players will not be with the team for the start of the season (in addition, backup defensive lineman Solomon Thomas is also sitting out the first five games, and backup linebacker Jordan Whiting will miss just the Akron game), Ohio State will go with game captains instead of season-long captains. Nominated for the Akron contest are Shugarts, Brewster and defensive lineman John Simon.
The 38-year-old Fickell said he was anxious to be a head coach after spending the last nine seasons on the Ohio State staff.
Tressel was known for his conservative game plan repeatedly saying that the punt was the most important play in football as well as his prep-school white shirt, tie and sweater vest.
Fickell was asked what he would be wearing on the sidelines in the opener.
"Whatever my wife lays out," he said with a laugh
Monday, August 29, 2011
Alexander Povetkin wins WBA title
Alexander Povetkin of Russia defeated Ruslan Chagaev by unanimous decision Saturday to claim the vacant WBA heavyweight title.
The title was Wladimir Klitschko's following the Ukrainian's victory over David Haye by unanimous decision in Hamburg last month, but was declared vacant when the WBA elevated Klitschko to "super champion" status.
Povetkin, the 2004 Olympic heavyweight champion, remains undefeated after 22 fights (15 KOs), and becomes the mandatory challenger for Klitschko.
"I don't want to think about Klitschko," said Teddy Atlas, Povetkin's American trainer. "I want to think about Povetkin and this title ... we'll think about Klitschko some other time."
Povetkin won on the judges' cards 116-112, 117-113, 117-113.
Chagaev, of Uzbekistan, held the WBA title from 2007-09. His record fell to 27-2 (17 KOs), with one draw.
"I'm sorry, today was not my day. But that's boxing, that's sport," Chagaev said. "He's a good boxer, a real world champion now."
Chagaev, 32, recovered from a poor start to rattle Povetkin in the sixth round, catching him cleanly with left and right hooks to leave the 31-year-old unsteady on his feet.
Atlas called on Povetkin to fight for the honor of his father, who died last year, and the Russian regained the upper hand in the ninth as Chagaev appeared to tire.
"My father always hoped and wanted for me to be a world champion," Povetkin said.
"It was a very hard fight. It was very hard to fight him. I have a lot of respect for him. He's a very difficult and patient boxer."
The title was Wladimir Klitschko's following the Ukrainian's victory over David Haye by unanimous decision in Hamburg last month, but was declared vacant when the WBA elevated Klitschko to "super champion" status.
Povetkin, the 2004 Olympic heavyweight champion, remains undefeated after 22 fights (15 KOs), and becomes the mandatory challenger for Klitschko.
"I don't want to think about Klitschko," said Teddy Atlas, Povetkin's American trainer. "I want to think about Povetkin and this title ... we'll think about Klitschko some other time."
Povetkin won on the judges' cards 116-112, 117-113, 117-113.
Chagaev, of Uzbekistan, held the WBA title from 2007-09. His record fell to 27-2 (17 KOs), with one draw.
"I'm sorry, today was not my day. But that's boxing, that's sport," Chagaev said. "He's a good boxer, a real world champion now."
Chagaev, 32, recovered from a poor start to rattle Povetkin in the sixth round, catching him cleanly with left and right hooks to leave the 31-year-old unsteady on his feet.
Atlas called on Povetkin to fight for the honor of his father, who died last year, and the Russian regained the upper hand in the ninth as Chagaev appeared to tire.
"My father always hoped and wanted for me to be a world champion," Povetkin said.
"It was a very hard fight. It was very hard to fight him. I have a lot of respect for him. He's a very difficult and patient boxer."
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Kendrick Perkins Arrested!!!
Authorities have charged Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kendrick Perkins with misdemeanor disorderly conduct and public intoxication after an altercation early Saturday morning in South Texas.
A statement from police in Beaumont, Texas, said officers saw a large crowd outside The Ticket night club just after 2 a.m., and received complaints of fights and pepper spray inside.
An officer saw about 50 people inside around Perkins, who police said was attempting to fight the club's manager. The statement said the crowd pushed Perkins out the back door of the club, where he continued to yell obscenities and start other fights.
Perkins was arrested and taken to Jefferson County jail. According to KFDM-TV, which first reported the incident, he was released after posting $150 bond. The misdemeanor charges are punishable by fines.
Perkins' agent Thad Foucher declined to comment about his client's arrest.
Perkins was in the city about 90 minutes east of Houston hosting a camp that raises money for his foundation, which aims to help children learn life skills and drug awareness.
A statement from police in Beaumont, Texas, said officers saw a large crowd outside The Ticket night club just after 2 a.m., and received complaints of fights and pepper spray inside.
An officer saw about 50 people inside around Perkins, who police said was attempting to fight the club's manager. The statement said the crowd pushed Perkins out the back door of the club, where he continued to yell obscenities and start other fights.
Perkins was arrested and taken to Jefferson County jail. According to KFDM-TV, which first reported the incident, he was released after posting $150 bond. The misdemeanor charges are punishable by fines.
Perkins' agent Thad Foucher declined to comment about his client's arrest.
Perkins was in the city about 90 minutes east of Houston hosting a camp that raises money for his foundation, which aims to help children learn life skills and drug awareness.
Dominican Republic beats UK Pros team
John Calipari knew the Dominican Republic national team he's coaching needed some competition before heading to the FIBA Americas Tournament later this month, so he turned to his network of former Kentucky stars now in the NBA.
The result was an exhibition against a team dubbed "the Pros," led by John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Jodie Meeks and other former players that was as much preparation for the Dominican Republic's quest for an Olympic bid as it was a treat for the Wildcats fans who packed Kentucky's Rupp Arena on Monday night to see it.
Francisco Garcia led the Dominican Republic with 30 points in the 106-88 win over the Pros. Edgar Sosa scored 29 in the game.
Cousins led the Pros with 28 points and had 14 rebounds.
The result was an exhibition against a team dubbed "the Pros," led by John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Jodie Meeks and other former players that was as much preparation for the Dominican Republic's quest for an Olympic bid as it was a treat for the Wildcats fans who packed Kentucky's Rupp Arena on Monday night to see it.
Francisco Garcia led the Dominican Republic with 30 points in the 106-88 win over the Pros. Edgar Sosa scored 29 in the game.
Cousins led the Pros with 28 points and had 14 rebounds.
Ty Lawson taking his game to Lithuania
Ty Lawson will join Zalgiris Kaunas of Lithuania, signing a deal that will allow the Denver Nuggets point guard to return to the NBA if the lockout ends.
Paulius Motiejunas, the general director of Zalgiris Kaunas, confirmed the deal Monday night. A message was left for Lawson's agent.
Lawson will team up with Sonny Weems, a former Nuggets guard who signed with the international squad last month. Unlike Lawson's deal, Weems agreed to a contract without an NBA opt-out clause. Weems played last season for Toronto.
The speedy Lawson averaged 11.7 points and 4.7 assists last season for the Nuggets.
The Denver Post first reported the story. Lawson told the paper, "It's the best situation for me to go out there."
Paulius Motiejunas, the general director of Zalgiris Kaunas, confirmed the deal Monday night. A message was left for Lawson's agent.
Lawson will team up with Sonny Weems, a former Nuggets guard who signed with the international squad last month. Unlike Lawson's deal, Weems agreed to a contract without an NBA opt-out clause. Weems played last season for Toronto.
The speedy Lawson averaged 11.7 points and 4.7 assists last season for the Nuggets.
The Denver Post first reported the story. Lawson told the paper, "It's the best situation for me to go out there."
Josh Gordon leaves Baylor program
Baylor junior receiver Josh Gordon has left the Bears program after being suspended indefinitely before preseason camp began, coach Art Briles confirmed Tuesday.
"Circumstances have unfolded for Josh that require him to pursue his collegiate degree and athletic career at a different university," Briles said. "I'm appreciative of the efforts he has made the past two seasons for this football program."
Gordon, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound target, was the Bears' second-leading receiver in 2010, catching 42 passes for 714 yards and seven touchdowns, including a 94-yard score in the conference opener against Kansas that stands as the longest play in school history.
Gordon was arrested last October after being found in a car that had marijuana inside at a Taco Bell near the Baylor campus.
Gordon, who led the Big 12 with 17 yards per reception, is reportedly considering a transfer to Utah.
"I have no idea right now," Briles said at a Big 12 media days appearance last month, when asked if he'd be getting Gordon back in the 2011 season. "You all are a lot smarter than I am. Somebody can give you the definition of 'indefinitely.' I think it might mean this afternoon. It might mean 10 years from now. I don't know. I know we're going to move forward, we're going to play, and we're going to be good."
"Circumstances have unfolded for Josh that require him to pursue his collegiate degree and athletic career at a different university," Briles said. "I'm appreciative of the efforts he has made the past two seasons for this football program."
Gordon, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound target, was the Bears' second-leading receiver in 2010, catching 42 passes for 714 yards and seven touchdowns, including a 94-yard score in the conference opener against Kansas that stands as the longest play in school history.
Gordon was arrested last October after being found in a car that had marijuana inside at a Taco Bell near the Baylor campus.
Gordon, who led the Big 12 with 17 yards per reception, is reportedly considering a transfer to Utah.
"I have no idea right now," Briles said at a Big 12 media days appearance last month, when asked if he'd be getting Gordon back in the 2011 season. "You all are a lot smarter than I am. Somebody can give you the definition of 'indefinitely.' I think it might mean this afternoon. It might mean 10 years from now. I don't know. I know we're going to move forward, we're going to play, and we're going to be good."
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
10 Things Sure to happen the NFL this year
I know it's early but here are some things sure to happen in the NFL this year
1.Jets will not go to the Super Bowl!!!
2.Cowboys will be 9-7 at the least Regan Nichols
3.Brady and 85(Ochocinco) will be jus ok. It's not Brady and Moss
4.Saints will suck
5.Texans will have #1 offense
6.Reggie Bush will have one good game that's it
7.VY will start at least one game
8.Vick is going to murder the Falcons
9.Peyton Manning will falter
10.Moss will come back to the Patriots......book it.
Written By: K Bowers
1.Jets will not go to the Super Bowl!!!
2.Cowboys will be 9-7 at the least Regan Nichols
3.Brady and 85(Ochocinco) will be jus ok. It's not Brady and Moss
4.Saints will suck
5.Texans will have #1 offense
6.Reggie Bush will have one good game that's it
7.VY will start at least one game
8.Vick is going to murder the Falcons
9.Peyton Manning will falter
10.Moss will come back to the Patriots......book it.
Written By: K Bowers
Rau'shee Warren makes boxing team
Jose Ramirez's story is quite impressive.
The resident of Avenal, Calif. and the son of farm workers, is on the U.S. Olympic boxing team, thanks to a 21-16 win over 2008 Olympian Raynell Williams in a lightweight bout at the team trials on Friday night.
That alone was big, but the win was the icing on the cake for a young man who has won 10 national championships and five consecutive USA boxing national titles. That's more than Oscar DeLa Hoya, Fernando Vargas, Shane Mosley, and Floyd Mayweather.
In addition, he appeared on ESPN six times in one night and hosted Friday Night Fights. He is also being courted by the top professional boxing promoters, including Top Rank and Golden Boy.
That's pretty impressive stuff for an 18-year-old who was the valedictorian of his local high school and currently a student at Fresno State University and a part-time employee at a local Starbucks.
"I'm very blessed to get the experience," said Ramierez. "I thank my family for giving me a good foundation."
Promoter Rick Mirigian added: "His win against a past Olympian shows there is a new era in Olympic boxing, and I believe he'll open doors in USA boxing."
Against Williams, Ramirez had to pick and choose his openings and succeeded.
"I had to come out strong, and with him being the older fighter, I knew he was going to push himself," Ramirez said. "I tried to adopt as fast as I could and look for openings."
All of the fighters who fought out of the champions corner, won their bouts, and they will have to qualify for the Olympics at the World Champions in Azerbaijan on Sept. 22. The boxers in the light flyweight through light heavyweight classes must place in the top 10 while the heavyweight and super heavyweight divisions must place in the top six.
Earlier, Cincinnati's Rau'shee Warren made history when he made his third Olympic team in the flyweight finals. Warren used a brilliant third-round to take a 31-18 win over Shawn Simpson.
"I used the body shots to break him down," said Warren. "In the first round, he was hungry because I saw it in his face. I told myself it wasn't going down like that."
Simpson started off strong in the first round, and appeared to have Warren off balance. But Warren picked up the pace in the second, moving more and throwing jabs. In the third round, Warren picked up the pace even more, pinning Simpson on the ropes on a couple of occasions and scoring with body shots.
"I went in there a little sleepy," Warren said. "I took a nap just before the bout, and after the first round, my coaches told me to pick it up. It was close every round, and I picked it up a lot in the third."
In the heavyweight division, Michael Hunter shook off the disappointment of failing to qualify for the Beijing Olympics, scoring a 28-17 win over Joseph Williams. Hunter said later that he was impressed with his opponent.
"I knew I would have to adjust to his speed," he said. He (Williams) was definitely different from the other guys, and it was difficult for me to hit him."
The resident of Avenal, Calif. and the son of farm workers, is on the U.S. Olympic boxing team, thanks to a 21-16 win over 2008 Olympian Raynell Williams in a lightweight bout at the team trials on Friday night.
That alone was big, but the win was the icing on the cake for a young man who has won 10 national championships and five consecutive USA boxing national titles. That's more than Oscar DeLa Hoya, Fernando Vargas, Shane Mosley, and Floyd Mayweather.
In addition, he appeared on ESPN six times in one night and hosted Friday Night Fights. He is also being courted by the top professional boxing promoters, including Top Rank and Golden Boy.
That's pretty impressive stuff for an 18-year-old who was the valedictorian of his local high school and currently a student at Fresno State University and a part-time employee at a local Starbucks.
"I'm very blessed to get the experience," said Ramierez. "I thank my family for giving me a good foundation."
Promoter Rick Mirigian added: "His win against a past Olympian shows there is a new era in Olympic boxing, and I believe he'll open doors in USA boxing."
Against Williams, Ramirez had to pick and choose his openings and succeeded.
"I had to come out strong, and with him being the older fighter, I knew he was going to push himself," Ramirez said. "I tried to adopt as fast as I could and look for openings."
All of the fighters who fought out of the champions corner, won their bouts, and they will have to qualify for the Olympics at the World Champions in Azerbaijan on Sept. 22. The boxers in the light flyweight through light heavyweight classes must place in the top 10 while the heavyweight and super heavyweight divisions must place in the top six.
Earlier, Cincinnati's Rau'shee Warren made history when he made his third Olympic team in the flyweight finals. Warren used a brilliant third-round to take a 31-18 win over Shawn Simpson.
"I used the body shots to break him down," said Warren. "In the first round, he was hungry because I saw it in his face. I told myself it wasn't going down like that."
Simpson started off strong in the first round, and appeared to have Warren off balance. But Warren picked up the pace in the second, moving more and throwing jabs. In the third round, Warren picked up the pace even more, pinning Simpson on the ropes on a couple of occasions and scoring with body shots.
"I went in there a little sleepy," Warren said. "I took a nap just before the bout, and after the first round, my coaches told me to pick it up. It was close every round, and I picked it up a lot in the third."
In the heavyweight division, Michael Hunter shook off the disappointment of failing to qualify for the Beijing Olympics, scoring a 28-17 win over Joseph Williams. Hunter said later that he was impressed with his opponent.
"I knew I would have to adjust to his speed," he said. He (Williams) was definitely different from the other guys, and it was difficult for me to hit him."
Thursday, August 4, 2011
SWAC Media Day
Kevin Ramsey Head Coach Texas Southern
Heishma Northern-Head Coach Prairie View A&M
Melvin Spears Head Coach Alcorn State
Rick Comegy Head Coach Jackson State
Reggie Barlow Head Coach Alabama State
Monte Coleman Head Coach Arkansas Pine Bluff
Anthony Jones Head Coach Alabama A&M
Doug Williams Head Coach Grambling State
Stump Mitchell Head Coach Southern
Heishma Northern-Head Coach Prairie View A&M
Melvin Spears Head Coach Alcorn State
Rick Comegy Head Coach Jackson State
Reggie Barlow Head Coach Alabama State
Monte Coleman Head Coach Arkansas Pine Bluff
Anthony Jones Head Coach Alabama A&M
Doug Williams Head Coach Grambling State
Stump Mitchell Head Coach Southern
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
“Five and out” with Gerardo “TinTin” Ibarra
1. When is your next fight and who are you fighting? My next scheduled fight is on august 13th 2011 and my opponent will be Josh burns
2. Why did you get into boxing?
I got into boxing because when younger I was such a hyper active kid, they gave my mom idea to put me in the “pills” to calm down but instead she decided to put me in multiple sports.
3. Do you have any accomplishments or awards? I have multiple awards. I’ve won the Houston golden gloves 7 times.
•2008 I got the best boxer award in Houston but lost in the finals in the state,
•I went on to the finals in the national silver gloves in 06, won the junior Olympics in 06 n got in the U.S team to represent it at the Aiba Cadet world championships held in Istanbul, Turkey where I placed bronze medal,
•I won the national pals in 06 where I beat in the finals the guy who represented the U.S in the 08 Olympics Javier Molina, also I went to Mexico for the Olympiada nacional but lost
4. If you could fight any 5 fighters now, who would they be and why?
I would definitely Chooe Pacman cause he is the man to beat, Mayweather because he is hasn't been beat by anyone and would love to be the 1st. Amir khan because I've seen him since the amateurs and would be nice to be in the ring with him, Raul Martinez would be on my list simply because I like his hits n moves and would like to fight a guy as strong and fast as him, and last but not least Erislandy Lara because he was an Olympic champion.
5. What are some of your hobbies?
Some of my hobbies are to play soccer and also swim I love that sport n would be my 2nd choice of sport I would've done if I wasn't boxing at this moment.
Find more of Tintin on twitter@ teamtintin or contact his publicist at brandoncountee@majesticraven.com or follow me @BigBody247
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
NBA files federal lawsuit against players
With locked-out NBA players threatening to file an antitrust lawsuit, the league beat them to court.
The league filed two legal claims Tuesday against the NBA Players Association an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board and a lawsuit in federal district court in New York.
The NBA accused the players of being uncooperative in negotiations toward a new collective bargaining agreement by making "more than two dozen" threats to dissolve their union and sue the league under antitrust laws in order to secure more favorable terms in a new CBA.
NFL players decertified their union after the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement earlier this year, though they ultimately resolved a 4½-month labor dispute with the league's owners.
Players' attorney Jeffrey Kessler, who also represented the NFL players, was named in the NBA's lawsuit for his use of what the league called an "impermissible pressure tactic" that has had a "direct, immediate and harmful" effect on CBA talks.
"For the parties to reach agreement on a new CBA, the union must commit to the collective bargaining process fully and in good faith," NBA deputy commissioner and chief operating officer Adam Silver said in a statement released by the league.
Billy Hunter, executive director of the players' union, said "the litigation tactics of the NBA today are just another example of their bad faith bargaining and we will seek the complete dismissal of the actions as they are totally without merit."
After a labor meeting Monday in New York the first session since the lockout began July 1 that included commissioner David Stern as well as leaders from both the owners and the players a downcast Stern said the sides were "at the same place" as they were a month ago in the hours before the old deal ran out.
Owners are seeking significant changes to the league's salary structure, claiming $300 million in losses last season and hundreds of millions more in each year of the previous CBA, which was ratified in 2005.
Players have acknowledged the losses but disputed the size of them, and they've balked at the league's push for a hard salary cap and reduction in salaries and maximum contract lengths.
The NBA's lawsuit is essentially preventative legal medicine.
It seeks a declaration from the court that the lockout does not violate antitrust laws, in case the union breaks up to file an antitrust lawsuit. It also cites legal backing for the lockout itself, invoking Depression-era legislation known as the Norris-LaGuardia Act designed to prevent court intervention in a labor dispute.
Finally, the league's lawsuit also makes an attempt to secure support for virtually apocalyptic salary reform should the union dissolve. The NBA asked the court to declare that such a decertification would in turn void all existing player contracts, because they're guided by the union's involvement in the old CBA.
Without a union and a collective bargaining relationship, the league argued, the terms and conditions of those previously negotiated contracts would not apply.
"The NBA Players Association has not made any decision to disclaim its role as the collective bargaining representative of the players and has been engaged in good faith bargaining with the NBA for over two years," Hunter said in Tuesday's statement. "We urge the NBA to engage with us at the bargaining table and to use more productively the short time we have left before the 2011-12 season is seriously jeopardized."
The league filed two legal claims Tuesday against the NBA Players Association an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board and a lawsuit in federal district court in New York.
The NBA accused the players of being uncooperative in negotiations toward a new collective bargaining agreement by making "more than two dozen" threats to dissolve their union and sue the league under antitrust laws in order to secure more favorable terms in a new CBA.
NFL players decertified their union after the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement earlier this year, though they ultimately resolved a 4½-month labor dispute with the league's owners.
Players' attorney Jeffrey Kessler, who also represented the NFL players, was named in the NBA's lawsuit for his use of what the league called an "impermissible pressure tactic" that has had a "direct, immediate and harmful" effect on CBA talks.
"For the parties to reach agreement on a new CBA, the union must commit to the collective bargaining process fully and in good faith," NBA deputy commissioner and chief operating officer Adam Silver said in a statement released by the league.
Billy Hunter, executive director of the players' union, said "the litigation tactics of the NBA today are just another example of their bad faith bargaining and we will seek the complete dismissal of the actions as they are totally without merit."
After a labor meeting Monday in New York the first session since the lockout began July 1 that included commissioner David Stern as well as leaders from both the owners and the players a downcast Stern said the sides were "at the same place" as they were a month ago in the hours before the old deal ran out.
Owners are seeking significant changes to the league's salary structure, claiming $300 million in losses last season and hundreds of millions more in each year of the previous CBA, which was ratified in 2005.
Players have acknowledged the losses but disputed the size of them, and they've balked at the league's push for a hard salary cap and reduction in salaries and maximum contract lengths.
The NBA's lawsuit is essentially preventative legal medicine.
It seeks a declaration from the court that the lockout does not violate antitrust laws, in case the union breaks up to file an antitrust lawsuit. It also cites legal backing for the lockout itself, invoking Depression-era legislation known as the Norris-LaGuardia Act designed to prevent court intervention in a labor dispute.
Finally, the league's lawsuit also makes an attempt to secure support for virtually apocalyptic salary reform should the union dissolve. The NBA asked the court to declare that such a decertification would in turn void all existing player contracts, because they're guided by the union's involvement in the old CBA.
Without a union and a collective bargaining relationship, the league argued, the terms and conditions of those previously negotiated contracts would not apply.
"The NBA Players Association has not made any decision to disclaim its role as the collective bargaining representative of the players and has been engaged in good faith bargaining with the NBA for over two years," Hunter said in Tuesday's statement. "We urge the NBA to engage with us at the bargaining table and to use more productively the short time we have left before the 2011-12 season is seriously jeopardized."
Legends like Bruce Pearl
The Texas Legends are making a hard push to hire former Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl to replace Nancy Lieberman as coach of the D-League franchise, according to NBA coaching sources.
Sources told ESPN.com that Pearl will be in Dallas on Wednesday for a formal sitdown with Legends officials after ongoing negotiations between the parties.
Said one source: "The job is [Pearl's] if he wants it."
Coaching in the D-League is a logical step for Pearl in his quest to break into the NBA, most likely as an assistant coach. But Pearl is in high demand as a college basketball analyst after he was fired by Tennessee in the spring, so it remains to be seen whether Pearl wants to make an immediate return to coaching or if he'll opt for a more lucrative position in TV.
Earlier this month, with the option of continuing as coach, Lieberman decided to move to the Legends' front office as assistant general manager. The women's basketball pioneer last season became the first woman to coach a men's team under the NBA's umbrella when she guided the expansion Legends to a spot in the playoffs.
Pearl was fired by Tennessee after six highly successful seasons when the school, after Pearl had been charged in September by the NCAA with unethical conduct, learned of additional violations committed on Sept. 14, 2010 and in March 2011. The NCAA has yet to rule on how long Pearl will be barred from college coaching.
Pearl went before the committee on infractions on June 11 in Indianapolis. During that hearing Pearl said that he and the university have already been penalized by the school and the SEC.
Depending on the penalty Pearl receives, he may face restrictions in a new college job.
The Legends, sources said, are hoping that the opportunity to coach what arguably ranks as the D-League's most high-profile franchise in the same market as the reigning NBA champion Dallas Mavericks will ultimately sway Pearl to take the job. He led the Volunteers to the NCAA tournament in each of his six seasons, making one trip to the Elite Eight and two to the Sweet 16.
Yahoo! Sports reported in May that the D-League's Maine Red Claws made a run at Pearl to replace Austin Ainge, son of Boston Celtics president of basketball Danny Ainge, before the Red Claws ultimately hired former University of Virginia coach Dave Leitao.
Coaches in the D-League generally work on one-year contracts, but Lieberman had been promised when she took the job that she'd have the option of choosing whether to stay on as Legends coach or move into management after the 2010-11 season.
Lieberman told ESPNDallas.com earlier this month that she debated the switch for weeks after the Legends' season ended in April, ultimately deciding that her long-held goal of "making it normal" for a woman to coach men at the game's highest level would have to be temporarily placed on hold for family reasons.
"I have one son and he has one senior year," Lieberman said, referring to son T.J. Cline. "It's not to say I'll never coach again, because T.J. goes to college in a year, but I felt like this was the right thing to do right now. I don't want to have any regrets as a mom. I want him to look up [when he plays high school basketball] and see me in the stands."
In her new role, Lieberman will work alongside Legends president of basketball operations Spud Webb and general manager Del Harris. Mavericks president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson heads the management team as Legends co-owner.
The search for a successor began immediately because the D-League will continue to operate starting in October even if the NBA lockout has not been lifted.
Nelson hired Lieberman to coach the Legends in November 2009 after a chance meeting at a Starbucks. Looking for someone with local ties and some name recognition in addition to the requisite basketball qualifications, Nelson has often said that he left the coffee-house chat with Lieberman convinced "that the best man for a job was a woman."
The presence of Lieberman and several players on the roster with an NBA pedigree Antonio Daniels, Joe Alexander, Sean Williams and, briefly, Rashad McCants established the Legends as the closest thing to a glamour franchise in the D-League last season. The highlight of a 24-26 campaign: Texas erased an eight-point deficit in the final 42 seconds of its regular-season finale against the Austin Toros on the road and eventually got the win in double overtime it needed to clinch a playoff berth.
Sources told ESPN.com that Pearl will be in Dallas on Wednesday for a formal sitdown with Legends officials after ongoing negotiations between the parties.
Said one source: "The job is [Pearl's] if he wants it."
Coaching in the D-League is a logical step for Pearl in his quest to break into the NBA, most likely as an assistant coach. But Pearl is in high demand as a college basketball analyst after he was fired by Tennessee in the spring, so it remains to be seen whether Pearl wants to make an immediate return to coaching or if he'll opt for a more lucrative position in TV.
Earlier this month, with the option of continuing as coach, Lieberman decided to move to the Legends' front office as assistant general manager. The women's basketball pioneer last season became the first woman to coach a men's team under the NBA's umbrella when she guided the expansion Legends to a spot in the playoffs.
Pearl was fired by Tennessee after six highly successful seasons when the school, after Pearl had been charged in September by the NCAA with unethical conduct, learned of additional violations committed on Sept. 14, 2010 and in March 2011. The NCAA has yet to rule on how long Pearl will be barred from college coaching.
Pearl went before the committee on infractions on June 11 in Indianapolis. During that hearing Pearl said that he and the university have already been penalized by the school and the SEC.
Depending on the penalty Pearl receives, he may face restrictions in a new college job.
The Legends, sources said, are hoping that the opportunity to coach what arguably ranks as the D-League's most high-profile franchise in the same market as the reigning NBA champion Dallas Mavericks will ultimately sway Pearl to take the job. He led the Volunteers to the NCAA tournament in each of his six seasons, making one trip to the Elite Eight and two to the Sweet 16.
Yahoo! Sports reported in May that the D-League's Maine Red Claws made a run at Pearl to replace Austin Ainge, son of Boston Celtics president of basketball Danny Ainge, before the Red Claws ultimately hired former University of Virginia coach Dave Leitao.
Coaches in the D-League generally work on one-year contracts, but Lieberman had been promised when she took the job that she'd have the option of choosing whether to stay on as Legends coach or move into management after the 2010-11 season.
Lieberman told ESPNDallas.com earlier this month that she debated the switch for weeks after the Legends' season ended in April, ultimately deciding that her long-held goal of "making it normal" for a woman to coach men at the game's highest level would have to be temporarily placed on hold for family reasons.
"I have one son and he has one senior year," Lieberman said, referring to son T.J. Cline. "It's not to say I'll never coach again, because T.J. goes to college in a year, but I felt like this was the right thing to do right now. I don't want to have any regrets as a mom. I want him to look up [when he plays high school basketball] and see me in the stands."
In her new role, Lieberman will work alongside Legends president of basketball operations Spud Webb and general manager Del Harris. Mavericks president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson heads the management team as Legends co-owner.
The search for a successor began immediately because the D-League will continue to operate starting in October even if the NBA lockout has not been lifted.
Nelson hired Lieberman to coach the Legends in November 2009 after a chance meeting at a Starbucks. Looking for someone with local ties and some name recognition in addition to the requisite basketball qualifications, Nelson has often said that he left the coffee-house chat with Lieberman convinced "that the best man for a job was a woman."
The presence of Lieberman and several players on the roster with an NBA pedigree Antonio Daniels, Joe Alexander, Sean Williams and, briefly, Rashad McCants established the Legends as the closest thing to a glamour franchise in the D-League last season. The highlight of a 24-26 campaign: Texas erased an eight-point deficit in the final 42 seconds of its regular-season finale against the Austin Toros on the road and eventually got the win in double overtime it needed to clinch a playoff berth.
Lawsuit targets money manager
A money manager for college basketball coaches was part of a scheme that defrauded more than 100 investors of $39 million through the sale of bogus corporate bonds, the Securities and Exchange Commission alleged in a lawsuit Monday.
The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Houston, targets the estate of David Salinas and asks that it and other defendants give up funds and benefits they allegedly obtained illegally through the bond scheme and another involving two private funds. The SEC also is seeking an undetermined amount in penalties.
A brief filed with the lawsuit asks the court to freeze the estate's assets and those of other companies. It also seeks the appointment of a receiver to distribute assets to defrauded investors.
In a related action Monday, the Texas State Securities Board filed documents seeking to revoke the brokerage license of a Salinas associate, Brian Bjork, for his involvement in the alleged schemes.
Salinas, 60, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his home in the Houston suburb of Friendswood on July 17.
The death has shined a light on how dozens of high-profile college basketball coaches invested millions through Salinas, who also operated an AAU basketball program for highly-recruited high school players. According to SI.com, more than a dozen coaches are believed to have lost more than $7.8 million.
The SEC suit alleges that Bjork and Salinas engaged in a seven-year scheme in which they sold corporate bonds to investors that "in reality" were bogus. Investors were promised yields of up to 9 percent and were provided account statements for the nonexistent bonds, the suit states.
Salinas and Bjork "lulled" investors into thinking their money was safe through oral and written representations, according to the SEC.
"Their misrepresentations were material to investors, who would not have invested their money had the true facts been known namely that the investments were a sham and the defendants were misappropriating their money," the SEC's brief states.
The SEC also contends that Bjork raised an additional $13 million from at least 52 investors for two private funds that made improper loans totaling $3.4 million to affiliated parties, including some controlled by Salinas. Investors were told the funds would be used to build a commercial loan portfolio and were never informed of the related-party transactions, according to the suit.
The Texas securities board seeks the revocation of Bjork's license on several grounds, including the alleged bond scheme.
Bjork "knew or was reckless in not knowing" that the bonds were never purchased, and his misrepresentations constitute a "fraudulent business practice," the board's filing states. The document also cites Bjork's involvement in the creation of the two private investment funds that allegedly made improper loans to affiliated parties.
In addition to his business ties to Salinas, Bjork serves as a director of the nonprofit organization that operates Salinas' AAU basketball program, Houston Select.
Bjork's attorney, Matt Hennessey of Houston, did not respond to a phone message from The Associated Press.
The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Houston, targets the estate of David Salinas and asks that it and other defendants give up funds and benefits they allegedly obtained illegally through the bond scheme and another involving two private funds. The SEC also is seeking an undetermined amount in penalties.
A brief filed with the lawsuit asks the court to freeze the estate's assets and those of other companies. It also seeks the appointment of a receiver to distribute assets to defrauded investors.
In a related action Monday, the Texas State Securities Board filed documents seeking to revoke the brokerage license of a Salinas associate, Brian Bjork, for his involvement in the alleged schemes.
Salinas, 60, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his home in the Houston suburb of Friendswood on July 17.
The death has shined a light on how dozens of high-profile college basketball coaches invested millions through Salinas, who also operated an AAU basketball program for highly-recruited high school players. According to SI.com, more than a dozen coaches are believed to have lost more than $7.8 million.
The SEC suit alleges that Bjork and Salinas engaged in a seven-year scheme in which they sold corporate bonds to investors that "in reality" were bogus. Investors were promised yields of up to 9 percent and were provided account statements for the nonexistent bonds, the suit states.
Salinas and Bjork "lulled" investors into thinking their money was safe through oral and written representations, according to the SEC.
"Their misrepresentations were material to investors, who would not have invested their money had the true facts been known namely that the investments were a sham and the defendants were misappropriating their money," the SEC's brief states.
The SEC also contends that Bjork raised an additional $13 million from at least 52 investors for two private funds that made improper loans totaling $3.4 million to affiliated parties, including some controlled by Salinas. Investors were told the funds would be used to build a commercial loan portfolio and were never informed of the related-party transactions, according to the suit.
The Texas securities board seeks the revocation of Bjork's license on several grounds, including the alleged bond scheme.
Bjork "knew or was reckless in not knowing" that the bonds were never purchased, and his misrepresentations constitute a "fraudulent business practice," the board's filing states. The document also cites Bjork's involvement in the creation of the two private investment funds that allegedly made improper loans to affiliated parties.
In addition to his business ties to Salinas, Bjork serves as a director of the nonprofit organization that operates Salinas' AAU basketball program, Houston Select.
Bjork's attorney, Matt Hennessey of Houston, did not respond to a phone message from The Associated Press.
U.S. roster cut to 14 finalists
USA Basketball announced 14 finalists for the 2011 USA men's World University Games team Sunday after cutting six players.
Still in the hunt for one of 12 roster spots are Notre Dame forward Tim Abromaitis, Missouri guard Marcus Denmon, Pitt guard Ashton Gibbs, Michigan State forward Draymond Green, Alabama forward JaMychal Green, Syracuse guard Scoop Jardine, Vanderbilt guard John Jenkins, UC Santa Barbara guard Orlando Johnson, Yale forward Greg Mangano, Minnesota forward Trevor Mbakwe, Detroit guard Ray McCallum, Kentucky guard Darius Miller, West Virginia center Aaric Murray, and UConn guard Shabazz Napier.
Training camp continues at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., July 31 to Aug. 7, and the final roster will be announced before Aug. 8, when the team departs for China.
"I think it's a great group," said USA and Purdue coach Matt Painter "We have a lot of balance. I think on the interior we have some shot-blockers, we have some athletes, guys that can really go and get the basketball and some real good shooters. We have some good, interchangeable parts, and a lot of talent, both returning talent and young. I'm really excited about the mix we have."
Missouri guard Kim English, Cincinnati forward Yancy Gates, Lehigh guard C.J. McCollum, Texas A&M forward Khris Middleton, Alabama forward Tony Mitchell, and Northwestern forward John Shurna did not make the team.
The U.S. will play an exhibition against New Century, a Chinese pro team on Aug. 11 in Huizho, China, before the 24-country tournament begins Aug. 13. The U.S. has a 131-8 record in the tournament since 1965.
Still in the hunt for one of 12 roster spots are Notre Dame forward Tim Abromaitis, Missouri guard Marcus Denmon, Pitt guard Ashton Gibbs, Michigan State forward Draymond Green, Alabama forward JaMychal Green, Syracuse guard Scoop Jardine, Vanderbilt guard John Jenkins, UC Santa Barbara guard Orlando Johnson, Yale forward Greg Mangano, Minnesota forward Trevor Mbakwe, Detroit guard Ray McCallum, Kentucky guard Darius Miller, West Virginia center Aaric Murray, and UConn guard Shabazz Napier.
Training camp continues at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., July 31 to Aug. 7, and the final roster will be announced before Aug. 8, when the team departs for China.
"I think it's a great group," said USA and Purdue coach Matt Painter "We have a lot of balance. I think on the interior we have some shot-blockers, we have some athletes, guys that can really go and get the basketball and some real good shooters. We have some good, interchangeable parts, and a lot of talent, both returning talent and young. I'm really excited about the mix we have."
Missouri guard Kim English, Cincinnati forward Yancy Gates, Lehigh guard C.J. McCollum, Texas A&M forward Khris Middleton, Alabama forward Tony Mitchell, and Northwestern forward John Shurna did not make the team.
The U.S. will play an exhibition against New Century, a Chinese pro team on Aug. 11 in Huizho, China, before the 24-country tournament begins Aug. 13. The U.S. has a 131-8 record in the tournament since 1965.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Defenders tactically dismantle BABC
Aaron Harrison knew all too well the daunting task he and the Houston Defenders (Texas) faced headed into the AAU 17U Super Showcase, a part of the ESPN RISE Games, title game against BABC (Mass.).
Harrison, a rising junior combo guard, knew BABC had only lost one game all season, and in that loss star center Nerlens Noel, a rising junior ranked No. 3 in the ESPNU Super 60, went down early with a sprained ankle. Harrison knew BABC won the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Peach Jam title in convincing fashion just 12 days ago. He knew BABC made a public guarantee they would win the Super Showcase, too.
“Guess they got that one wrong,” said Harrison, ranked No. 16 in the ESPNU Super 60. “We knew we’d have to bring our best effort because they are a great team, but if we did that I knew we’d win pretty easy.”
Harrison scored 18 points and grabbed five rebounds to help the Defenders roll past BABC, 55-45, Wednesday night at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Harrison’s twin brother Andrew added six points and 10 assists and Derrick Griffin, a rising junior forward, chipped in with 16 points in the win. Georges Niang, a rising senior forward, led BABC with 18 points.
“It was just a game that we knew we could win,” said Andrew Harrison, ranked No. 8 in the ESPNU Super 60. “We’ve won a ton of tournaments and we’ve won 50 games in all, so we’re a pretty confident team. It was close there for a while, but we knew we’d need to open up the lead.”
After leading by just two at the half, the Defenders opened up the second half on an 11-3 run, capped off by a posterizing dunk and the foul from Shaq Cleare, a rising senior, over Noel late in the third quarter.
“[Noel] had been talking junk to me because he blocked my shot earlier in the game,” said Cleare, who added 10 points and 10 rebounds in the win. “I just got up and dunked it over the top of him. It was a big play for us.”
Added Aaron Harrison: “They were done after that.”
Noel, who’d been exceptionally dominant on both ends of the floor all summer, fouled out with 2:21 left in the game. He finished with just 10 points and three blocks.
“We knew how to take him out of the game,” Andrew Harrison said. “All you’ve got to do is take it to his chest. He’s a great player, but this was just our time. This is the best tournament on the circuit and to win it all at the end on ESPN was the best scenario that anyone could come up with.”
Harrison, a rising junior combo guard, knew BABC had only lost one game all season, and in that loss star center Nerlens Noel, a rising junior ranked No. 3 in the ESPNU Super 60, went down early with a sprained ankle. Harrison knew BABC won the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Peach Jam title in convincing fashion just 12 days ago. He knew BABC made a public guarantee they would win the Super Showcase, too.
“Guess they got that one wrong,” said Harrison, ranked No. 16 in the ESPNU Super 60. “We knew we’d have to bring our best effort because they are a great team, but if we did that I knew we’d win pretty easy.”
Harrison scored 18 points and grabbed five rebounds to help the Defenders roll past BABC, 55-45, Wednesday night at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Harrison’s twin brother Andrew added six points and 10 assists and Derrick Griffin, a rising junior forward, chipped in with 16 points in the win. Georges Niang, a rising senior forward, led BABC with 18 points.
“It was just a game that we knew we could win,” said Andrew Harrison, ranked No. 8 in the ESPNU Super 60. “We’ve won a ton of tournaments and we’ve won 50 games in all, so we’re a pretty confident team. It was close there for a while, but we knew we’d need to open up the lead.”
After leading by just two at the half, the Defenders opened up the second half on an 11-3 run, capped off by a posterizing dunk and the foul from Shaq Cleare, a rising senior, over Noel late in the third quarter.
“[Noel] had been talking junk to me because he blocked my shot earlier in the game,” said Cleare, who added 10 points and 10 rebounds in the win. “I just got up and dunked it over the top of him. It was a big play for us.”
Added Aaron Harrison: “They were done after that.”
Noel, who’d been exceptionally dominant on both ends of the floor all summer, fouled out with 2:21 left in the game. He finished with just 10 points and three blocks.
“We knew how to take him out of the game,” Andrew Harrison said. “All you’ve got to do is take it to his chest. He’s a great player, but this was just our time. This is the best tournament on the circuit and to win it all at the end on ESPN was the best scenario that anyone could come up with.”
Guerdwich Montimere gets 3 years
A former star athlete who posed as a teenager to play high school basketball in West Texas was sentenced Wednesday to three years in prison after reaching a plea deal, a prosecutor said.
Guerdwich Montimere, 23, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and three counts of tampering with government records, said Ector County District Attorney Bobby Bland.
Officials say the naturalized U.S. citizen from Haiti had graduated from high school in Florida, where he also played basketball, years before he moved to Odessa and presented himself as a ninth-grader named Jerry Joseph. Montimere was 21 and 22 when he played one season at Odessa Permian High, the same rabidly competitive school that inspired the book and movie "Friday Night Lights" about high school football. Montimere helped lead the Panthers to the 2010 state playoffs, but the team had to forfeit after his story unraveled.
Montimere was indicted last year on six felony charges, including sexual assault and tampering with government records. His trial was to begin next week in Odessa, and he had faced up to 20 years in prison if convicted on the original counts. The indictment accused him of identity theft. The sexual assault counts accused him of having sex with a 15-year-old girl.
"Sometimes your best defense is to take the road with the least amount of risk. He could have gotten 20 years," Montimere's attorney, Dusty Gallivan, said.
A message was also left with Montimere's mother, Manikisse Montimere.
Suspicions were raised about Joseph after coaches from Florida at a post-season amateur basketball tournament in Arkansas said they recognized him as Montimere, a 2007 graduate of a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., high school.
Because he was living with Odessa basketball coach Danny Wright and not a parent or guardian, Montimere had to apply to the University Interscholastic League in Austin to play high school basketball. A waiver was granted and he was the star of the team.
Wright, who still calls Montimere by the name Jerry, said he was livid once he learned Joseph wasn't who he said he was.
"I was blindsided," Wright said. "I never saw it coming. I just thought he was a big kid."
Montimere was named the District 2-5A Newcomer of the Year, an honor that was stripped when his deception was exposed. The Panthers also forfeited their 16 wins, although Wright said the "team would have been good with or without Jerry."
Bland noted Montimere will have to register as a sex offender. Gallivan said that was "one of the biggest obstacles to overcome" when it came to reaching a deal, but that Bland wouldn't budge on the issue.
"To me, this is justice considering what he did here," Bland said. "This will protect other towns from him doing what he did here."
Bland also said the victim had wanted a plea deal.
After the Arkansas tournament, Permian officials had begun receiving anonymous phone calls and emails saying Joseph was really Montimere. Odessa school officials looked into the situation, and Joseph was initially cleared by immigraetion authorities and allowed to return to the school.
But the investigation continued, and officials eventually confirmed Montimere's identity. School officials said Montimere confessed after he was confronted with the new evidence.
In spite of everything, Montimere still had the support of some Permian teachers, who had planned to be in the courtroom for his trial.
Liz Faught, a substitute at Permian who had Montimere as a student several times, said he was always well-behaved and polite. Although she said she felt a "bit duped" when the truth surfaced, she never lost her compassion for him.
"I know he was doing all of it for himself to be better off," she said. "And that's fine. We all do that. ... I cannot say one bad thing about this kid."
Guerdwich Montimere, 23, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and three counts of tampering with government records, said Ector County District Attorney Bobby Bland.
Officials say the naturalized U.S. citizen from Haiti had graduated from high school in Florida, where he also played basketball, years before he moved to Odessa and presented himself as a ninth-grader named Jerry Joseph. Montimere was 21 and 22 when he played one season at Odessa Permian High, the same rabidly competitive school that inspired the book and movie "Friday Night Lights" about high school football. Montimere helped lead the Panthers to the 2010 state playoffs, but the team had to forfeit after his story unraveled.
Montimere was indicted last year on six felony charges, including sexual assault and tampering with government records. His trial was to begin next week in Odessa, and he had faced up to 20 years in prison if convicted on the original counts. The indictment accused him of identity theft. The sexual assault counts accused him of having sex with a 15-year-old girl.
"Sometimes your best defense is to take the road with the least amount of risk. He could have gotten 20 years," Montimere's attorney, Dusty Gallivan, said.
A message was also left with Montimere's mother, Manikisse Montimere.
Suspicions were raised about Joseph after coaches from Florida at a post-season amateur basketball tournament in Arkansas said they recognized him as Montimere, a 2007 graduate of a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., high school.
Because he was living with Odessa basketball coach Danny Wright and not a parent or guardian, Montimere had to apply to the University Interscholastic League in Austin to play high school basketball. A waiver was granted and he was the star of the team.
Wright, who still calls Montimere by the name Jerry, said he was livid once he learned Joseph wasn't who he said he was.
"I was blindsided," Wright said. "I never saw it coming. I just thought he was a big kid."
Montimere was named the District 2-5A Newcomer of the Year, an honor that was stripped when his deception was exposed. The Panthers also forfeited their 16 wins, although Wright said the "team would have been good with or without Jerry."
Bland noted Montimere will have to register as a sex offender. Gallivan said that was "one of the biggest obstacles to overcome" when it came to reaching a deal, but that Bland wouldn't budge on the issue.
"To me, this is justice considering what he did here," Bland said. "This will protect other towns from him doing what he did here."
Bland also said the victim had wanted a plea deal.
After the Arkansas tournament, Permian officials had begun receiving anonymous phone calls and emails saying Joseph was really Montimere. Odessa school officials looked into the situation, and Joseph was initially cleared by immigraetion authorities and allowed to return to the school.
But the investigation continued, and officials eventually confirmed Montimere's identity. School officials said Montimere confessed after he was confronted with the new evidence.
In spite of everything, Montimere still had the support of some Permian teachers, who had planned to be in the courtroom for his trial.
Liz Faught, a substitute at Permian who had Montimere as a student several times, said he was always well-behaved and polite. Although she said she felt a "bit duped" when the truth surfaced, she never lost her compassion for him.
"I know he was doing all of it for himself to be better off," she said. "And that's fine. We all do that. ... I cannot say one bad thing about this kid."
The Vital Centers: Which big man is the mightiest in the middle?
Pity the big man. Many assume that sprouting to a 7-foot height alone should guarantee a career as an NBA journeyman at the very least.
Well, being tall isn't the half of it. Coordination, strength, dexterity, judgment, experience, work ethic and quality coaching are pretty important prerequisites to becoming even an average NBA center. And don't forget having the good fortune of having teammates talented enough to prevent opponents from sending three players to cover the standout big.
1. Who's the best center in the NBA today?
David Pino, via Twitter: Dwight Howard. Size, strength, athleticism, defensive ability, dangerous off pick-and-rolls and a rising post game.
Jordan Heimer, ClipperBlog: Dwight Howard. People who criticize him for the Magic's perennially disappointing playoff runs have it backward without Howard, Orlando's roster is among the league's worst. Stop harping on what he lacks in post moves. He'll never move like Hakeem in the paint, but he's a three-time defensive player of the year who manages to foul out entire teams on offense.
Spencer Wellesley Percy, Queen City Hoops: Without a question, Dwight Howard. There is no other big man in the league today who can dominate a game like this guy. Howard will go down as one of the best centers of all time, statistically, and maybe the best of all time in general if he changes his mindset to winning championships.
Jonathan Santiago, Cowbell Kingdom: By default, Dwight Howard. Not to take anything away from the Magic superstar, but there's really no other player at the position close to being his equal right now.
John Converse Townsend, Truth About It: Dwight Howard, and it's not even close. This MVP candidate is simply too much to handle for most teams. Howard is a titan on the court, imposing his will on offense and dominating on defense. The only thing that can stop Dwight Howard is, well, Dwight Howard and the free throw line.
2. Who's the most underrated center in the NBA?
Andrew Feingold, via Twitter: Marcin Gortat. Gortat is not only tough and physical, but he can also score. In 14 total starts for the Suns and Magic last season, he averaged 14 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.
Jordan Heimer, ClipperBlog: Pau Gasol. Yes, my "underrated" pick is a max-contract, four-time All-Star. Despite evidence that Pau was bothered by lingering injuries and off-court "distractions" during his subpar playoff performance, local sports-talk hosts spent most of May declaring the "new assertive" Pau dead, body-snatched by "old passive" Pau. Calm down. In November we'll all act surprised that Pau is still clearly the league's second-best center.
Spencer Wellesley Percy, Queen City Hoops: Nene Hilario. He's got a great touch around the rim, is extremely athletic for a man of his size and protects the rim with the best of them in the league. Nene had career numbers in just about every category last season in Denver. This guy is definitely in the prime of his career.
Jonathan Santiago, Cowbell Kingdom: Though his rebounding is a concern, Brook Lopez has improved his scoring in each of his first three seasons. In 2010-11, he ranked seventh in player efficiency rating among centers. Give him a chance to get better acclimated to Deron Williams and his value can continue to rise, considering how thin in talent the position is right now.
John Converse Townsend, Truth About It: JaVale McGee. He's hardly rated at all, and best known for losing a popularity contest to Blake Griffin. However, McGee isn't just a punchline anymore. He has quickly become Washington's most productive player (suggest most basketball sabermetrics, from win shares to player efficiency rating). The Wizards might be John Wall's team, but JaVale McGee runs D.C.
3. Who's the most overrated center in the NBA?
Simon Chun, via Twitter: Kendrick Perkins. Playing in Boston overrated him, then the trade and the subsequent Celtics "collapse" helped further the legend of a center who has averaged just 6.4 points and 6.1 rebounds a game.
Jordan Heimer, ClipperBlog: Roy Hibbert. First he was good, then bad, then good enough down the stretch that Pacers president Larry Bird recently called him untradeable. But for a guy who stands 7-foot-2, Hibbert doesn't bring much to the table when his shot isn't falling. He's an average defender and a below-average rebounder hardly ideal for a guy being treated like a franchise center.
Spencer Wellesley Percy, Queen City Hoops: For a guy valued as highly as Kendrick Perkins is, and someone brought in to be OKC's big man of the future, I think this one is easy. Perkins has zero offensive ability and is more interested in complaining to the officials, rather than playing hard and being the physical force everyone wants to give him credit for being.
Jonathan Santiago, Cowbell Kingdom: Tyson Chandler. He's the perfect complementary piece on a great team, but he'll probably be overpaid when a new CBA is agreed upon because of this offseason's paltry free-agent crop.
John Converse Townsend, Truth About It: Andrew Bynum. Put down your pitchforks and torches, Lakers fans; there is no need to burn down the Internets. Bynum is one of the better talents in the NBA … when healthy. But frankly, he's bench-ridden far too often to be considered an elite talent Bynum has missed 160 games over his six-year career.
4. Who's the most promising center in the NBA?
Clint Peterson, via Twitter: Marc Gasol. No longer the "Lesser Gasol," Marc dominated big bro Pau last season. He's the whole package and is poised to succeed from here on out.
Jordan Heimer, ClipperBlog: DeMarcus Cousins. Contrary to popular belief, it's better to have a headcase with extraordinary talent than a blue-collar hustler without it. Cousins looked like a legitimate star for much of the second half, piling up 18 double-doubles from February onward, second only to Blake Griffin among rookies. Just wait until he learns how to stay on the court.
Spencer Wellesley Percy, Queen City Hoops: When talking about "most promising," I look to the age category. Brook Lopez. He's only 23 years old, and is the building block of New Jersey's future. This guy has boosted his average point total per game every season, and is just a few free-agent signings away in N.J. from being a serious threat in the league.
Jonathan Santiago, Cowbell Kingdom: DeMarcus Cousins. He can score with his back to the basket when he chooses to, and he also has great passing ability and vision. Factor in his size (6-11, 270 pounds) and he has all the attributes you want in a big man. He needs to improve his decision-making and attitude. But if Zach Randolph can mature, there's hope for Cousins, right?
John Converse Townsend, Truth About It: Marc Gasol. Gasol's giant paw prints were all over the Grizzlies' 2011 playoff run, where he averaged 15 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. He is a physical presence entering the prime of his career and will continue to be a big contributor in Memphis.
5. Who's the best center of all time?
Austin Almaguer, via Twitter: Wilt Chamberlain: 31,419 points, 23,924 rebounds, scored 100 in a game, four MVPS, two rings … and he was a Globetrotter.
Jordan Heimer, ClipperBlog: Shaq. I know Wilt was great, but I never saw him play. Shaq I saw; in his prime, there was nothing like him. During the Lakers' three-peat run, Shaq averaged 30 points and 14.5 rebounds per playoff game. Averaged! Only Portland could kinda sorta slow him down, and it took three elite defenders -- Scottie Pippen, Rasheed Wallace and fellow giant Arvydas Sabonis.
Spencer Wellesley Percy, Queen City Hoops: Wilt has the better numbers, but when Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain went against each other head-to-head, it was Russell's court. Russell nearly always walked away with the rings, winning 11 in his career. A champion is always more superior in my book.
Jonathan Santiago, Cowbell Kingdom: With 11 championships to his name, Bill Russell. To quote Jason Segel from "Bad Teacher": "It's the only argument I need!"
John Converse Townsend, Truth About It: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, one of basketball's most accomplished and decorated superstars. The NBA's all-time leading scorer has six championships and a record six MVP awards under his belt, and is the only modern-era player to have led the league in points, rebounds, blocks, minutes, field goal percentage and PER. And if that doesn't sell you, I have one word: skyhook.
Well, being tall isn't the half of it. Coordination, strength, dexterity, judgment, experience, work ethic and quality coaching are pretty important prerequisites to becoming even an average NBA center. And don't forget having the good fortune of having teammates talented enough to prevent opponents from sending three players to cover the standout big.
1. Who's the best center in the NBA today?
David Pino, via Twitter: Dwight Howard. Size, strength, athleticism, defensive ability, dangerous off pick-and-rolls and a rising post game.
Jordan Heimer, ClipperBlog: Dwight Howard. People who criticize him for the Magic's perennially disappointing playoff runs have it backward without Howard, Orlando's roster is among the league's worst. Stop harping on what he lacks in post moves. He'll never move like Hakeem in the paint, but he's a three-time defensive player of the year who manages to foul out entire teams on offense.
Spencer Wellesley Percy, Queen City Hoops: Without a question, Dwight Howard. There is no other big man in the league today who can dominate a game like this guy. Howard will go down as one of the best centers of all time, statistically, and maybe the best of all time in general if he changes his mindset to winning championships.
Jonathan Santiago, Cowbell Kingdom: By default, Dwight Howard. Not to take anything away from the Magic superstar, but there's really no other player at the position close to being his equal right now.
John Converse Townsend, Truth About It: Dwight Howard, and it's not even close. This MVP candidate is simply too much to handle for most teams. Howard is a titan on the court, imposing his will on offense and dominating on defense. The only thing that can stop Dwight Howard is, well, Dwight Howard and the free throw line.
2. Who's the most underrated center in the NBA?
Andrew Feingold, via Twitter: Marcin Gortat. Gortat is not only tough and physical, but he can also score. In 14 total starts for the Suns and Magic last season, he averaged 14 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.
Jordan Heimer, ClipperBlog: Pau Gasol. Yes, my "underrated" pick is a max-contract, four-time All-Star. Despite evidence that Pau was bothered by lingering injuries and off-court "distractions" during his subpar playoff performance, local sports-talk hosts spent most of May declaring the "new assertive" Pau dead, body-snatched by "old passive" Pau. Calm down. In November we'll all act surprised that Pau is still clearly the league's second-best center.
Spencer Wellesley Percy, Queen City Hoops: Nene Hilario. He's got a great touch around the rim, is extremely athletic for a man of his size and protects the rim with the best of them in the league. Nene had career numbers in just about every category last season in Denver. This guy is definitely in the prime of his career.
Jonathan Santiago, Cowbell Kingdom: Though his rebounding is a concern, Brook Lopez has improved his scoring in each of his first three seasons. In 2010-11, he ranked seventh in player efficiency rating among centers. Give him a chance to get better acclimated to Deron Williams and his value can continue to rise, considering how thin in talent the position is right now.
John Converse Townsend, Truth About It: JaVale McGee. He's hardly rated at all, and best known for losing a popularity contest to Blake Griffin. However, McGee isn't just a punchline anymore. He has quickly become Washington's most productive player (suggest most basketball sabermetrics, from win shares to player efficiency rating). The Wizards might be John Wall's team, but JaVale McGee runs D.C.
3. Who's the most overrated center in the NBA?
Simon Chun, via Twitter: Kendrick Perkins. Playing in Boston overrated him, then the trade and the subsequent Celtics "collapse" helped further the legend of a center who has averaged just 6.4 points and 6.1 rebounds a game.
Jordan Heimer, ClipperBlog: Roy Hibbert. First he was good, then bad, then good enough down the stretch that Pacers president Larry Bird recently called him untradeable. But for a guy who stands 7-foot-2, Hibbert doesn't bring much to the table when his shot isn't falling. He's an average defender and a below-average rebounder hardly ideal for a guy being treated like a franchise center.
Spencer Wellesley Percy, Queen City Hoops: For a guy valued as highly as Kendrick Perkins is, and someone brought in to be OKC's big man of the future, I think this one is easy. Perkins has zero offensive ability and is more interested in complaining to the officials, rather than playing hard and being the physical force everyone wants to give him credit for being.
Jonathan Santiago, Cowbell Kingdom: Tyson Chandler. He's the perfect complementary piece on a great team, but he'll probably be overpaid when a new CBA is agreed upon because of this offseason's paltry free-agent crop.
John Converse Townsend, Truth About It: Andrew Bynum. Put down your pitchforks and torches, Lakers fans; there is no need to burn down the Internets. Bynum is one of the better talents in the NBA … when healthy. But frankly, he's bench-ridden far too often to be considered an elite talent Bynum has missed 160 games over his six-year career.
4. Who's the most promising center in the NBA?
Clint Peterson, via Twitter: Marc Gasol. No longer the "Lesser Gasol," Marc dominated big bro Pau last season. He's the whole package and is poised to succeed from here on out.
Jordan Heimer, ClipperBlog: DeMarcus Cousins. Contrary to popular belief, it's better to have a headcase with extraordinary talent than a blue-collar hustler without it. Cousins looked like a legitimate star for much of the second half, piling up 18 double-doubles from February onward, second only to Blake Griffin among rookies. Just wait until he learns how to stay on the court.
Spencer Wellesley Percy, Queen City Hoops: When talking about "most promising," I look to the age category. Brook Lopez. He's only 23 years old, and is the building block of New Jersey's future. This guy has boosted his average point total per game every season, and is just a few free-agent signings away in N.J. from being a serious threat in the league.
Jonathan Santiago, Cowbell Kingdom: DeMarcus Cousins. He can score with his back to the basket when he chooses to, and he also has great passing ability and vision. Factor in his size (6-11, 270 pounds) and he has all the attributes you want in a big man. He needs to improve his decision-making and attitude. But if Zach Randolph can mature, there's hope for Cousins, right?
John Converse Townsend, Truth About It: Marc Gasol. Gasol's giant paw prints were all over the Grizzlies' 2011 playoff run, where he averaged 15 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. He is a physical presence entering the prime of his career and will continue to be a big contributor in Memphis.
5. Who's the best center of all time?
Austin Almaguer, via Twitter: Wilt Chamberlain: 31,419 points, 23,924 rebounds, scored 100 in a game, four MVPS, two rings … and he was a Globetrotter.
Jordan Heimer, ClipperBlog: Shaq. I know Wilt was great, but I never saw him play. Shaq I saw; in his prime, there was nothing like him. During the Lakers' three-peat run, Shaq averaged 30 points and 14.5 rebounds per playoff game. Averaged! Only Portland could kinda sorta slow him down, and it took three elite defenders -- Scottie Pippen, Rasheed Wallace and fellow giant Arvydas Sabonis.
Spencer Wellesley Percy, Queen City Hoops: Wilt has the better numbers, but when Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain went against each other head-to-head, it was Russell's court. Russell nearly always walked away with the rings, winning 11 in his career. A champion is always more superior in my book.
Jonathan Santiago, Cowbell Kingdom: With 11 championships to his name, Bill Russell. To quote Jason Segel from "Bad Teacher": "It's the only argument I need!"
John Converse Townsend, Truth About It: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, one of basketball's most accomplished and decorated superstars. The NBA's all-time leading scorer has six championships and a record six MVP awards under his belt, and is the only modern-era player to have led the league in points, rebounds, blocks, minutes, field goal percentage and PER. And if that doesn't sell you, I have one word: skyhook.
Chris Johnson will hold out
Tennessee running back Chris Johnson will not be reporting for training camp with the Titans until he gets a new contract, according to a person familiar with the situation.
The person told The Associated Press Friday that Johnson will not report to the Titans. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision had not been publicly announced.
Johnson said in 2010 he wanted a new deal with $30 million guaranteed. The Titans revised his contract by pushing some money from the final year into 2010 to convince the running back to report. Johnson said on Twitter on Friday that "Imma just leave it in god hands."
General manager Mike Reinfeldt said the Titans will talk about a new deal with Johnson when he comes to camp. The Titans are scheduled to report Friday with the first practice Saturday.
Johnson can be fined $30,000 for each day of camp missed, but the three-time Pro Bowl running back wants to be rewarded for his production over his first three seasons. He became only the sixth man in NFL history to run for at least 2,000 yards when he ran for 2,006 yards in 2009 and the first to rack up 2,500 yards with 500 yards receiving.
He followed that up by running for 1,364 yards in 2009 despite finishing the season with a bruised thigh and has started 46 of the 47 games he has played in since being drafted 24th overall in 2008 out of East Carolina. Johnson has 4,598 career yards averaging 5 yards per carry and also has 1,008 yards receiving. Johnson is scheduled to make $800,000 in salary this season.
DeAngelo Williams got a new deal from Carolina earlier this week worth $21 million in guaranteed money. He played only six games in 2010 and ran for 361 yards while dealing with injuries.
The person told The Associated Press Friday that Johnson will not report to the Titans. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision had not been publicly announced.
Johnson said in 2010 he wanted a new deal with $30 million guaranteed. The Titans revised his contract by pushing some money from the final year into 2010 to convince the running back to report. Johnson said on Twitter on Friday that "Imma just leave it in god hands."
General manager Mike Reinfeldt said the Titans will talk about a new deal with Johnson when he comes to camp. The Titans are scheduled to report Friday with the first practice Saturday.
Johnson can be fined $30,000 for each day of camp missed, but the three-time Pro Bowl running back wants to be rewarded for his production over his first three seasons. He became only the sixth man in NFL history to run for at least 2,000 yards when he ran for 2,006 yards in 2009 and the first to rack up 2,500 yards with 500 yards receiving.
He followed that up by running for 1,364 yards in 2009 despite finishing the season with a bruised thigh and has started 46 of the 47 games he has played in since being drafted 24th overall in 2008 out of East Carolina. Johnson has 4,598 career yards averaging 5 yards per carry and also has 1,008 yards receiving. Johnson is scheduled to make $800,000 in salary this season.
DeAngelo Williams got a new deal from Carolina earlier this week worth $21 million in guaranteed money. He played only six games in 2010 and ran for 361 yards while dealing with injuries.
FIBA: NBA Stars can play overseas
If NBA stars are serious about playing overseas, basketball's governing body says they will be welcomed.
Just as long as they promise to leave once the lockout ends.
FIBA announced Friday it would clear NBA players under contract to play in its leagues during the work stoppage, provided the deals they sign come with opt-out clauses.
In a ruling that paves the way for players to earn a paycheck, FIBA agreed with NBA and players' association officials that players are free to sign anywhere but do so at their own risk of injury.
"As the world governing body for basketball, we strongly hope that the labor dispute will be resolved as soon as possible, and that the NBA season is able to begin as scheduled," secretary general Patrick Baumann said in a statement.
"In view of our role to promote basketball worldwide, we support any player wishing to play the game, wherever and whenever. We do so while obviously taking the interests, rights and obligations of all parties into account."
Playing overseas has emerged as an option for NBA players during a work stoppage that threatens to last months and could even wipe out the entire season. Nets All-Star Deron Williams has a deal with Turkish club Besiktas which is also courting Kobe Bryant and most top players said they would consider playing overseas.
Union executive director Billy Hunter has endorsed the idea, with players believing it will pressure owners at the bargaining table if they see their players have options elsewhere, and FIBA may have been faced with a legal challenge had it denied the players.
"Our players are gratified by today's announcement by FIBA, although it comes as no surprise," Hunter said in a statement. "We have consistently advised our members that in the event of a lockout they would have the right to be compensated for playing basketball irrespective of whether they were under contract to an NBA team or not. We have encouraged all of our players to pursue such opportunities and will continue to do so."
If a player under NBA contract agrees to a deal in a FIBA-affiliated league, he first must be cleared to go by the NBA. The league will allow partial clearance, meaning it must be guaranteed the player returns to his NBA team once a new collective bargaining agreement is reached. FIBA will then give its approval once the player has signed a declaration stating he will do so.
The Lakers' Derek Fisher, president of the players' association, said Friday that he doesn't think the players going abroad will hurt the union.
"We don't view it as really weakening the union. We view it as a gentleman is being told that he can't come to work at a particular place and he's temporarily unemployed and he's seeking employment elsewhere," Fisher said. "That's kind of the way we view it. Our elected members myself, the executive committee, Billy Hunter, our staff, our legal counsel that's what we get elected to do is kind of carry that brunt and attend the meetings and be physically present.
"We fully expect and anticipate that our guys are going to want to find opportunities to do what they love to do, and that's play the game. We definitely don't view it as weakening our stance or our position, we just view it as guys going out and doing what they want to do."
There is still plenty of doubt that top players will head to Europe or Asia. All-Star-caliber players may not find enough money to make it worthwhile, and numerous players who have signed overseas have stories of missed or late payments from their teams there. Also, their NBA teams could void their contracts if they are significantly injured playing in another league.
Still, scoring champion Kevin Durant of Oklahoma City said Thursday he was "about 50-50" on the idea, while Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul both said they would consider China during a promotional tour in Hong Kong this week.
FIBA also expressed its pleasure that so many players are willing to play this summer despite the risks. Argentina Basketball Federation president German Vaccaro told FIBA.com that it had secured insurance Thursday, allowing Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola and its other top players to take part in the FIBA Americas tournament it is hosting.
France and Russia also have lined up arrangements to have their NBA players take part in Europe's qualifying tournament for the 2012 Olympics.
"We are delighted to see that, in spite of widespread doubts related to the lockout, national teams competing in this summer's Olympic qualifiers will be able to count on the participation of most of their NBA stars," Baumann said.
Hunter, NBA commissioner David Stern and their top lieutenants have agreed to resume collective bargaining discussions Monday, sources told ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan. NBA owners imposed a lockout July 1, shutting down the league for the first time since summer 1998.
Just as long as they promise to leave once the lockout ends.
FIBA announced Friday it would clear NBA players under contract to play in its leagues during the work stoppage, provided the deals they sign come with opt-out clauses.
In a ruling that paves the way for players to earn a paycheck, FIBA agreed with NBA and players' association officials that players are free to sign anywhere but do so at their own risk of injury.
"As the world governing body for basketball, we strongly hope that the labor dispute will be resolved as soon as possible, and that the NBA season is able to begin as scheduled," secretary general Patrick Baumann said in a statement.
"In view of our role to promote basketball worldwide, we support any player wishing to play the game, wherever and whenever. We do so while obviously taking the interests, rights and obligations of all parties into account."
Playing overseas has emerged as an option for NBA players during a work stoppage that threatens to last months and could even wipe out the entire season. Nets All-Star Deron Williams has a deal with Turkish club Besiktas which is also courting Kobe Bryant and most top players said they would consider playing overseas.
Union executive director Billy Hunter has endorsed the idea, with players believing it will pressure owners at the bargaining table if they see their players have options elsewhere, and FIBA may have been faced with a legal challenge had it denied the players.
"Our players are gratified by today's announcement by FIBA, although it comes as no surprise," Hunter said in a statement. "We have consistently advised our members that in the event of a lockout they would have the right to be compensated for playing basketball irrespective of whether they were under contract to an NBA team or not. We have encouraged all of our players to pursue such opportunities and will continue to do so."
If a player under NBA contract agrees to a deal in a FIBA-affiliated league, he first must be cleared to go by the NBA. The league will allow partial clearance, meaning it must be guaranteed the player returns to his NBA team once a new collective bargaining agreement is reached. FIBA will then give its approval once the player has signed a declaration stating he will do so.
The Lakers' Derek Fisher, president of the players' association, said Friday that he doesn't think the players going abroad will hurt the union.
"We don't view it as really weakening the union. We view it as a gentleman is being told that he can't come to work at a particular place and he's temporarily unemployed and he's seeking employment elsewhere," Fisher said. "That's kind of the way we view it. Our elected members myself, the executive committee, Billy Hunter, our staff, our legal counsel that's what we get elected to do is kind of carry that brunt and attend the meetings and be physically present.
"We fully expect and anticipate that our guys are going to want to find opportunities to do what they love to do, and that's play the game. We definitely don't view it as weakening our stance or our position, we just view it as guys going out and doing what they want to do."
There is still plenty of doubt that top players will head to Europe or Asia. All-Star-caliber players may not find enough money to make it worthwhile, and numerous players who have signed overseas have stories of missed or late payments from their teams there. Also, their NBA teams could void their contracts if they are significantly injured playing in another league.
Still, scoring champion Kevin Durant of Oklahoma City said Thursday he was "about 50-50" on the idea, while Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul both said they would consider China during a promotional tour in Hong Kong this week.
FIBA also expressed its pleasure that so many players are willing to play this summer despite the risks. Argentina Basketball Federation president German Vaccaro told FIBA.com that it had secured insurance Thursday, allowing Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola and its other top players to take part in the FIBA Americas tournament it is hosting.
France and Russia also have lined up arrangements to have their NBA players take part in Europe's qualifying tournament for the 2012 Olympics.
"We are delighted to see that, in spite of widespread doubts related to the lockout, national teams competing in this summer's Olympic qualifiers will be able to count on the participation of most of their NBA stars," Baumann said.
Hunter, NBA commissioner David Stern and their top lieutenants have agreed to resume collective bargaining discussions Monday, sources told ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan. NBA owners imposed a lockout July 1, shutting down the league for the first time since summer 1998.
Eagles Steal Top Corner Nnamdi Asomugha
One day after acquiring Pro Bowl cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie from the Cardinals, the Eagles signed another Pro Bowl cornerback, Nnamdi Asomugha, to a five-year contract, the team announced Friday.
Asomugha's deal will pay him $60 million, with $25 million guaranteed.
Asomugha, considered the top free agent on the market, spent his first eight seasons with the Raiders. He had a career-high eight interceptions in 2006, went to the Pro Bowl after the 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons and was named a first-team all-pro in 2008and 2010.
Even though he has three interceptions in the last three years, Asomugha is considered one of the top cover cornerbacks in the NFL and was courted by several high-profile teams, including the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys.
The Eagles have three Pro Bowl cornerbacks on their roster: Asomugha, Rodgers-Cromartie and Asante Samuel, who has 42 interceptions in eight years and has made the Pro Bowl four straight years.
The Eagles also confirmed the signings of defensive end Jason Babin, tight end Donald Lee and wide receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins on Twitter Friday.
Asomugha's deal will pay him $60 million, with $25 million guaranteed.
Asomugha, considered the top free agent on the market, spent his first eight seasons with the Raiders. He had a career-high eight interceptions in 2006, went to the Pro Bowl after the 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons and was named a first-team all-pro in 2008and 2010.
Even though he has three interceptions in the last three years, Asomugha is considered one of the top cover cornerbacks in the NFL and was courted by several high-profile teams, including the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys.
The Eagles have three Pro Bowl cornerbacks on their roster: Asomugha, Rodgers-Cromartie and Asante Samuel, who has 42 interceptions in eight years and has made the Pro Bowl four straight years.
The Eagles also confirmed the signings of defensive end Jason Babin, tight end Donald Lee and wide receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins on Twitter Friday.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Top football recruit chooses hoops path
At 6-foot-7 and 200 pounds, Humble High School's Kyndahl Hill is one of the premier dual-sport athletes in the Class of 2012. As good a forward he is in basketball, Hill was expected to be a standout defensive end and a high-major football recruit.
After sitting and recently conversing with his parents, Hill decided to let one of the sports go and it wasn't the sport that many thought he'd eventually choose.
Hill decided to shelve his football cleats permanently in exchange for his basketball sneakers full time. Hill spoke with Humble football coach Walt Beasley on Monday, informing him that he would not playing defensive end in the fall and not be participating in upcoming workouts.
Instead, Hill is currently preparing to play in front of hundreds of college basketball scouts in Las Vegas. He will suit up for his summer select team, the Houston Hoopstars, at the prestigious adidas Super 64, which tips off this weekend.
"This was something I've been thinking about since right after football season," Hill said. "[Football] just wasn't as fun to me anymore. I wasn't having as much fun as I had when I first started playing."
Hill had 29 tackles, six sacks and three interceptions as a junior. His play on the gridiron earned him scholarship offers to Kansas State, UNLV and North Texas. His play also garnered interest from Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, LSU, Alabama and Illinois.
"I had some friends that played on the football team try to talk me out of it, as well as a couple other people," Hill said of his decision. "You could tell that [Beasley] wasn't happy about it, but when we had the conversation, he kind of understood."
Hill's play in basketball has earned Division I scholarship offers, as well. He averaged roughly 13 points and eight rebounds for Humble and coach David Martinez, and as August slowly approaches, he is sitting on offers from Holy Cross, Weber State, Sam Houston, North Texas and UT-Arlington.
Hill is hoping for more offers after the Hoopstars' trip to Vegas. He's played well throughout the summer for the Hoopstars, forming a respectable inside tandem with 6-foot-10 Texas signee Cameron Ridley and 6-foot-9 rising big man Aaron Durley.
After a productive football career, Hill feels he can bring a particular element to the basketball court that can serve beneficial.
"I can bring toughness," Hill said. "I think being able to deal with tough situation and the physicality [of football] will help me out. I've thought about this a lot, and I knew it'd be tough, but I think I made the right decision."
After sitting and recently conversing with his parents, Hill decided to let one of the sports go and it wasn't the sport that many thought he'd eventually choose.
Hill decided to shelve his football cleats permanently in exchange for his basketball sneakers full time. Hill spoke with Humble football coach Walt Beasley on Monday, informing him that he would not playing defensive end in the fall and not be participating in upcoming workouts.
Instead, Hill is currently preparing to play in front of hundreds of college basketball scouts in Las Vegas. He will suit up for his summer select team, the Houston Hoopstars, at the prestigious adidas Super 64, which tips off this weekend.
"This was something I've been thinking about since right after football season," Hill said. "[Football] just wasn't as fun to me anymore. I wasn't having as much fun as I had when I first started playing."
Hill had 29 tackles, six sacks and three interceptions as a junior. His play on the gridiron earned him scholarship offers to Kansas State, UNLV and North Texas. His play also garnered interest from Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, LSU, Alabama and Illinois.
"I had some friends that played on the football team try to talk me out of it, as well as a couple other people," Hill said of his decision. "You could tell that [Beasley] wasn't happy about it, but when we had the conversation, he kind of understood."
Hill's play in basketball has earned Division I scholarship offers, as well. He averaged roughly 13 points and eight rebounds for Humble and coach David Martinez, and as August slowly approaches, he is sitting on offers from Holy Cross, Weber State, Sam Houston, North Texas and UT-Arlington.
Hill is hoping for more offers after the Hoopstars' trip to Vegas. He's played well throughout the summer for the Hoopstars, forming a respectable inside tandem with 6-foot-10 Texas signee Cameron Ridley and 6-foot-9 rising big man Aaron Durley.
After a productive football career, Hill feels he can bring a particular element to the basketball court that can serve beneficial.
"I can bring toughness," Hill said. "I think being able to deal with tough situation and the physicality [of football] will help me out. I've thought about this a lot, and I knew it'd be tough, but I think I made the right decision."
Guard Leslie McDonald tears ACL
North Carolina reserve guard Leslie McDonald has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and could miss the coming season.
The school said Friday that McDonald was injured during a summer league game in Durham on Thursday night.
McDonald averaged seven points per game off the bench and was second on the team with 51 3-pointers.
Surgery has yet to be scheduled and the rising junior is out indefinitely.
McDonald's injury could be a blow to North Carolina's depth, though the Tar Heels return all five starters from a team that reached the NCAA tournament's Elite Eight.
The school said Friday that McDonald was injured during a summer league game in Durham on Thursday night.
McDonald averaged seven points per game off the bench and was second on the team with 51 3-pointers.
Surgery has yet to be scheduled and the rising junior is out indefinitely.
McDonald's injury could be a blow to North Carolina's depth, though the Tar Heels return all five starters from a team that reached the NCAA tournament's Elite Eight.
Barker coaxes Martinez via Twitter
Only in a world where social media has become such a dominant form of communication can a relatively unknown fighter land a title bout with ESPN.com's No. 2-rated pound-for-pound boxer.
The nerve of Darren Barker going on Twitter and challenging WBC "diamond" middleweight champion Sergio Martinez to a fight. Who does this Barker guy think he is? And why in the world should anyone take him seriously on Oct. 1 [HBO, 10 p.m. ET] in Atlantic City, N.J.?
"He's as legit a threat as anybody right now," Martinez's promoter Lou DiBella told ESPN.com on Wednesday during a news conference to promote the fight. "Martinez is a dominant middleweight, there is no question about that, but [Barker] is a kid who has never lost.
"He can box, he's very skilled. He's got a lot of heart, he throws punches and he is not afraid to fight. He hasn't had the quality of opposition that Sergio has, and that could be a big factor."
On paper, Barker has no business being in the same ring with Martinez. Barker owns a 23-0-0 record with 14 knockouts, and currently holds the European middleweight title belt. But his wins have comes against guys with names like Affif Belghecham, Danny Butler, Darren McDermott and Jason McKay good fighters by European standards, but nothing compared to the level of talent Martinez (47-2-2, 26 KOs) has tangled with in his career.
When it comes to professional experience and quality of opponents, Martinez will have a huge advantage inside Boardwalk Hall on fight night.
None of that will matter to Barker. He possesses what he perceives to be great equalizers: confidence, motivation and inspiration.
Barker will enter the ring certain of victory. Although most observers would rate a Barker victory as an upset, the London native disagrees.
"My confidence is based on my life, my experiences," Barker said. "Sadly, my brother [Gary Barker] passed away in 2006. He died in a car accident. He was younger than me.
"He was a boxer. I'm doing this for him as well as myself. Through my success, my brother lives on.
"Just my hunger, my enthusiasm, my determination that I'm going to win this fight -- and, obviously, my skills."
Barker's 17 years of fighting, both as an amateur and professional, have prepared him physically for this moment. Add to that his life experience, and he believes the time to face Martinez couldn't be better.
"Everyone knows their own body," Barker told ESPN.com. "It's the way I feel. I feel in fantastic condition.
"It's well-documented that I had a hip operation, but I'm over that. My body is the best it's ever been. I feel, if anything, brand new new and improved.
"I have a daughter, and she's given me a hunger to give her everything to give her a great life. It's all those things rolled into one that brings out the best in me." But for Twitter, Martinez would not have gotten to know Barker. He knows him quite well now.
And though their online conversations have been respectful, Martinez does not intend to take it easy on the confident Brit. He plans to give Barker the Paul Williams treatment: an early trip home.
"I've seen a lot of his fights," said Martinez, a native Argentine who resides in Oxnard, Calif. "He definitely seems like he has a lot of power and he's slick.
"I'm going to stick to my game plan and try to knock him out in the seventh."
The nerve of Darren Barker going on Twitter and challenging WBC "diamond" middleweight champion Sergio Martinez to a fight. Who does this Barker guy think he is? And why in the world should anyone take him seriously on Oct. 1 [HBO, 10 p.m. ET] in Atlantic City, N.J.?
"He's as legit a threat as anybody right now," Martinez's promoter Lou DiBella told ESPN.com on Wednesday during a news conference to promote the fight. "Martinez is a dominant middleweight, there is no question about that, but [Barker] is a kid who has never lost.
"He can box, he's very skilled. He's got a lot of heart, he throws punches and he is not afraid to fight. He hasn't had the quality of opposition that Sergio has, and that could be a big factor."
On paper, Barker has no business being in the same ring with Martinez. Barker owns a 23-0-0 record with 14 knockouts, and currently holds the European middleweight title belt. But his wins have comes against guys with names like Affif Belghecham, Danny Butler, Darren McDermott and Jason McKay good fighters by European standards, but nothing compared to the level of talent Martinez (47-2-2, 26 KOs) has tangled with in his career.
When it comes to professional experience and quality of opponents, Martinez will have a huge advantage inside Boardwalk Hall on fight night.
None of that will matter to Barker. He possesses what he perceives to be great equalizers: confidence, motivation and inspiration.
Barker will enter the ring certain of victory. Although most observers would rate a Barker victory as an upset, the London native disagrees.
"My confidence is based on my life, my experiences," Barker said. "Sadly, my brother [Gary Barker] passed away in 2006. He died in a car accident. He was younger than me.
"He was a boxer. I'm doing this for him as well as myself. Through my success, my brother lives on.
"Just my hunger, my enthusiasm, my determination that I'm going to win this fight -- and, obviously, my skills."
Barker's 17 years of fighting, both as an amateur and professional, have prepared him physically for this moment. Add to that his life experience, and he believes the time to face Martinez couldn't be better.
"Everyone knows their own body," Barker told ESPN.com. "It's the way I feel. I feel in fantastic condition.
"It's well-documented that I had a hip operation, but I'm over that. My body is the best it's ever been. I feel, if anything, brand new new and improved.
"I have a daughter, and she's given me a hunger to give her everything to give her a great life. It's all those things rolled into one that brings out the best in me." But for Twitter, Martinez would not have gotten to know Barker. He knows him quite well now.
And though their online conversations have been respectful, Martinez does not intend to take it easy on the confident Brit. He plans to give Barker the Paul Williams treatment: an early trip home.
"I've seen a lot of his fights," said Martinez, a native Argentine who resides in Oxnard, Calif. "He definitely seems like he has a lot of power and he's slick.
"I'm going to stick to my game plan and try to knock him out in the seventh."
Now This is a Upset I Guess!!!
Antonio Tarver stopped defending champion Danny Green in the ninth round Wednesday to claim the IBO cruiserweight world boxing title.
The 42-year-old American was in control from the start at the Sydney Entertainment Centre and twice hurt the Australian Green in the first round. He knocked him down in the second. The referee stopped the fight following the ninth after a punishing round for Green, who was defending the IBO title for the fifth time.
The victorious Tarver said he would be open to a rematch.
"It's up to them, but I'm the champ now and it's going to have to be on my terms and we can do it in America," Tarver told the Australian Associated Press.
"Danny Green is worthy of a rematch, he's been a champion for a long time and if he's ready for that and can go back to the drawing board, we can do it again."
Tarver, who was fighting at cruiserweight for the first time, got into the ring for only the second time since a clear decision loss to Chad Dawson in their May 2009 light heavyweight title rematch.
Tarver, a four-time light heavyweight world champion, improved to 29-6 with 20 knockouts. Green fell to 31-4 (27 KOs) after his first defeat since 2006.
The 38-year-old Green had won 10 consecutive fights since a decision loss to countryman Anthony Mundine in a 2006 super middleweight title eliminator.
Green called Tarver a "great fighter" after his defeat but also apologized to his home-country crowd, holding back tears.
''I had a terrible night. I'm so gutted, I couldn't do it for you guys, I'm so sorry. Right now I just want to chill out, take stock and relax and get healthy," he said, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
The 42-year-old American was in control from the start at the Sydney Entertainment Centre and twice hurt the Australian Green in the first round. He knocked him down in the second. The referee stopped the fight following the ninth after a punishing round for Green, who was defending the IBO title for the fifth time.
The victorious Tarver said he would be open to a rematch.
"It's up to them, but I'm the champ now and it's going to have to be on my terms and we can do it in America," Tarver told the Australian Associated Press.
"Danny Green is worthy of a rematch, he's been a champion for a long time and if he's ready for that and can go back to the drawing board, we can do it again."
Tarver, who was fighting at cruiserweight for the first time, got into the ring for only the second time since a clear decision loss to Chad Dawson in their May 2009 light heavyweight title rematch.
Tarver, a four-time light heavyweight world champion, improved to 29-6 with 20 knockouts. Green fell to 31-4 (27 KOs) after his first defeat since 2006.
The 38-year-old Green had won 10 consecutive fights since a decision loss to countryman Anthony Mundine in a 2006 super middleweight title eliminator.
Green called Tarver a "great fighter" after his defeat but also apologized to his home-country crowd, holding back tears.
''I had a terrible night. I'm so gutted, I couldn't do it for you guys, I'm so sorry. Right now I just want to chill out, take stock and relax and get healthy," he said, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
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