Headline Tuesday

Tweet Happy Christmas Eve everyone! I'm going to roll out a gimmick I've been thinking about doing for a while, I call it "headline tuesday." Basically, every Tuesday I will log on to ESPNs main page and write some abstract thoughts about some of their main headlines. Lets do this.

Fake Headline: NBA cancels Christmas Day slate, cites pathetic match-ups. Commissoner Stern considers flexing games from March.

Man I wish they could flex some future games for those first three abominations. How about Getting Indiana-Miami, Portland-OKC, Suns-Mavs, we can leave Houston-San Antonio and Golden State-LAC as they are, come on David, you can do it! Alas, on to the actual headlines.

Headline # 1: Romo Gets Epidural

Essentially Tony Romo is getting an injection to see if he can play this week and potentially help the Cowboys make the playoffs. This story just irritates me on so many levels. This Cowboys team (despite what Jerry Jones may tell you) is not very good, I think we can all agree on that. Whether they get bounced in week 17 in a do-or-die game against the Eagles or the first wild-card game of the playoffs is the only pertinent question left here. So why then risk the long-term health of the quarterback you just signed to a seven year extension? Shut him down for the season, let him get healthy and come back stronger next year. If Kyle Orton manages to pull off some playoff magic along the way so be it, but I don't think this Cowboys team can win the Superbowl this year, simply not worth the risk in my opinion.

Headline # 2: Nets' Pierce Fined 15K for Flagrant on Hill
Alternate: Garnett Says Nets Still Lack Identity

Two for the price of one! Man, what a sad season for the Brooklyn Nets. This team was supposed to challenge Miami? At the rate they are going they wont even make the playoffs and to make matters worse, they will have no draft picks in one of the best lotteries of all time. The way this organization is being run is an absolute joke. At this point the classy thing to do would be to trade KG and Pierce to teams that actually have a chance of making the playoffs, don't let their career end like this, please Billy King, if anyone can make this team worse its you.

Half-baked trade idea: KG + Pierce + Deron Williams to the Suns for at least 2 of their picks, one of Dragic/Bledsoe and Emeka Okafor's expiring contract. Of course, there is no way in hell the Suns do this but I thought I'd throw it out there.

Headline # 3: Garret Not Coaching For His Job, Jones Says

Ugh, nobody likes you Jerry Jones!

Headline # 4: D'antoni: "Find Another Team If Discouraged"

Man has it finally sunk in to Laker fans that they probably will not make the playoffs this year? The fact that their winning percentage without Kobe Bryant is higher than the percentage of winning with him speaks volumes about how wacky this Lakers season has been. Lakers fans: Settle down, you have had an incredible amount of success and have been spoiled by having some of the best players ever play for you. The Lakers' management baffles me as well. The smartest course of action would be to shut Kobe and Nash down for the year, trade Gasol for picks + assets and luck into a franchise player (the most Lakers thing ever). After all that is done sign Westbrook and Love and boom! Instant-contenders (Don't think that this can't happen). Luckily for us, the Lakers are satisfied being a 10 seed and stupid enough to believe that they can make serious noise in the playoffs. Let's enjoy this while it lasts, it does not happen often to this franchise.

Headline # 5: Bettman Upholds Ban for Bruin's Thorton

Good job Gary! Well done! I would have suspended him for longer.

Headline # 6: 49ers foil Falcons, grab playoff berth

This game made sure that some crazy scenarios (including the Seahawks dropping to a 5-seed, the Saints not making the playoffs, and Arizona winning 11 games and not making it to the playoffs) are all in play for week 17, most of them are really unlucky and the big losers here are Cardinals fans who really may have the scariest team. A real shame that they peaked in a season where the NFC has so much quality teams.

This is a video that pinpoints exactly the moment Cardinal fans had their hearts ripped in half.

See you next Tuesday for more headlines.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

NBA 2012 All-Star Reserves

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Last week the 2012 NBA all-star starters were announced for the game in Orlando on February 26^th. Without much surprise the East consisted of LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony at the forward spots, Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose as the guards, and Dwight Howard at center. The West starters selected were Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, and Andrew Bynum (first appearance). Now that the fan voting is done the all-star reserves get to be selected with the official announcement tomorrow. I’m going to give a list of the players who I think should be selected and why they deserve to play in the 2012 all-star game.

Eastern Conference Reserves

PG – Rajon Rondo: He’s the third best point guard in the east, but the second best on a winning team and is the leader of the Celtics (it shouldn’t be the big 3, it should be Rondo, Pierce and friends) so he certainly deserves a spot in the all-star game.

SG/SF – Andre Iguodala: The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the best teams in the league and give teams problems with their lock-down defense. Since someone from this team deserves an all-star selection, why not choose the 76ers leader on both ends of the floor. His scoring numbers may not look flashy, but Iguodala has been one of the best wing defenders in the league for a few years and contributes to his team’s offense with smart ball movement. He’s definitely playing like an all-star in my eyes this year.

SG/SF – Joe Johnson: The Hawks have surprised me this season since I thought they would plummet in the standings (especially after the Horford injury) but they have kept it together with the leadership of Joe Johnson. His numbers are about the same as last year but he has taken that leader role and has done a great job so far, as indicated by the Hawks record.

SF – Luol Deng: If the NBA rewards winning with all-star appearances then the Bulls should have 2 all-stars. Deng has been the second best player on the Bulls for the last few years (since Rose stepped in as the franchise player) and finally deserves some recognition for his hard work.

SF – Paul Pierce: Pierce is playing like his usual all-star self, meaning he’s destined to go to Orlando in a few weeks. The Celtics have struggled (especially due to injuries) but Pierce has stepped it up recently, especially when he led the whole team while Rondo was out by averaging 7 assists per game.

PF – Chris Bosh: Bosh was on a tear while Wade was out and gave us glimpses of his days as a Raptor. His scoring numbers have increased from last year and it also helps that his team stands 2^nd in the East.

C – Roy Hibbert: Indiana deserves a player in the all-star game, the only problem is who to pick. It’s really tough picking a player on such a well balanced team, so let’s go through the starters. Granger (the “franchise” player) has been shooting the ball poorly this year and is not looking like the leader on this team. George and Collison have both been solid, but not all-star worthy and West is nowhere near his old all-star form. I have to go with Hibbert since he’s been a dominant force on offense and defense. He’s averaging career highs in points, rebounds, blocks, and field goal percentage and is the second best center in the East. I think he should be a lock as an all-star and hopefully the GMs think the same way.

Western Conference Reserves

PG – Russell Westbrook: He is a top 6 point guard who is on the 2^nd best team in the league so I don’t think much needs to be said here. Side note: He can finally play shooting guard (his natural position).

PG – Tony Parker: Parker has really impressed me this year with his overall play. He has increased his scoring from last year and is averaging a career high in assists (career high after 10 years in the league!?). I believe he’s the best player on the Spurs right now who sit comfortably in 2^nd in the West. Duncan’s best days are over (averaging career lows in almost everything) so Parker should be representing the Spurs at the all-star game this year.

PG – Ty Lawson: The Denver Nuggets offense has been fun and exciting to watch, which is run by a 5’11 (he’s probably 5’9) point guard by the name of Ty Lawson. Lawson has been excellent this year and has raised his numbers across the board. He should get a free trip to Orlando to showcase his talent with the success he and his team are having. I would have considered putting Gallinari here but he’s likely out for 3-4 weeks.

PF – Paul Millsap: The Jazz have been surprisingly good this year (they were 2^nd in the West at one point) mostly due to their front court due of Millsap and Al Jefferson. Both of these guys are worthy of a spot but I would have to go with Millsap. Statistically they are about equal but Millsap brings up the energy level of the entire team with his hustle (3.3 o.reb/game) and hard work.

PF – Kevin Love: 25 and 14…enough said.

PF/C – LaMarcus Aldridge: Aldridge elevated his game to an all-star level last year, but was unfortunate to be the last cut in the West. This year he’s averaging 2 more points and is leading the Blazers to the playoffs. If 24 and 9 with a good team record isn’t enough for a trip to Orlando then I don’t know what is.

C – Marc Gasol: Gasol makes his 4^th all star game…wait Marc Gasol…what?? Yes, Marc Gasol has been the best center in the West this year (and has outplayed his brother) averaging career highs in points (15), rebounds (10), assists (2.7), and blocks (2.2). He has picked up the slack when Randolph went down with a knee injury and has emerged as the Grizzlies MVP. He has earned his spot in the all-star game. Side note: Hey Pau, at least one Gasol will be participating in the game!