Bleacher Report - Articles by Nate Deleon

Andy Pettitte Close To Returning to the New York Yankees

Nate Deleon — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:37:07 -0500

Free agent left-handed pitcher Andy Pettitte is close to returning to the New York Yankees after turning down a reported one-year, $10 million dollar deal earlier in the offseason.

The deal is reportedly worth $6 million, with incentives that can push the deal up to $12 million.

Negotiations between the two sides moved forward during the weekend. Pettitte, who started his career with the Yankees in 1996, made $16 million last season.

Pettitte spent the first nine years of his career with the Yankees, helping them reach the World Series six times and winning four titles.

He left the Yankees after the 2003 season to pitch for the Houston Astros for the next three seasons. Pettitte helped the Astros reach the World Series in 2005.

If the deal is completed, the new-look Yankees rotation will feature Pettitte, C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Chien-Ming Wang, and Joba Chamberlain.

On paper, the rotation has the potential to be one of the best in baseball. It is just a matter of staying healthy and meeting expectations, especially for Sabathia and Burnett, two of the Yankees' expensive free agent acquisitions (along with first baseman Mark Teixeira).

Bringing back Pettitte was important for the Yankees to provide a veteran left-handed presence in the rotation. It also allows youngsters such as Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy more time to develop in the minors or, possibly, pitch out of the bullpen.

Hopefully, this deal is completed soon. A deep pitching staff is necessary to complete a 162-game season.

Mourning's Sunset: Thanks for the Memories, Alonzo

Nate Deleon — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:27:46 -0500

Alonzo Mourning retired from the NBA today after 15 seasons.

He is arguably one of the top 10-15 centers of all time, and why wouldn't he be, with his impressive resume?

-An All-American during his junior year at Georgetown.

-Second overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft and runner up to the Rookie of Year award (both behind his future Heat teammate, Shaquille O'Neal). Also a member of the All-Rookie First team

-Seven-time All-Star

-Two-time Defensive Player of the Year

-Two-time All-Defensive First Team

-Won the Gold Medal in the 2000 Olympics with Team USA

-Helped the Miami Heat win the NBA Championship in 2006

-Career averages of 17.1 PPG, 8.5 RPG and 2.8 BPG, with his best years coming in the late '90s with the Heat

He overcame a life-threatening kidney disease with a life-saving transplant received from his cousin, Jason Cooper.

He was a tough player who played with unmatched intensity and passion. He left everything on the court, every single time I've ever seen him play.

And the funny part is, I say all of that as a lifelong Knicks fan who absolutely hated 'Zo, Riley and company during that great Knicks vs. Heat rivalry in the '90s.

After nearly a decade of horrible trades, ridiculous long-term contracts, sexual harassment accusations, chants of "Fire (Insert Name)!" at the Garden and mostly uninspired, selfish basketball, I would gladly welcome back the days where the Heat and the Knicks would literally brawl on the court.

While the Knicks are much improved now under the Walsh/D'Antoni regime, I'm nostalgic for the old days.

Call me crazy, but I remember Game 5 of the second round series in the 1997 playoffs where P.J. Brown tossed Charlie Ward into the ground, igniting a huge brawl which led to the suspension of all the Knicks' top players, including Ewing, L.J., Starks, and Houston.

The Knicks were therefore eliminated and I will always believe that Riley secretly ordered that brawl to lure in the Knicks players. Maybe Riley knew that he couldn't win that series against a Knicks team at full strength.

Either way, I miss it and, other than Riley, Mourning received the most venom from Knicks fans. We weren't shy about our hatred for 'Zo. In fact, we made it known with every opportunity we got.

I will never forget the playoff series that these two heated rivals played in the next season when Mourning got into a confrontation with Larry Johnson. The two didn't actually land any punches, but the image of Coach Jeff Van Gundy wrapped on 'Zo's leg while hanging on for dear life is something that never fails to bring a smile to my face.

The Knicks and the Heat went on to battle in some of the most physical and intense basketball games over the next couple of years. And, as I've repeated, 'Zo was a huge part of it all.

The matchups between 'Zo and his fellow Georgetown alum, Patrick Ewing, were memorable. These two were bitter rivals on the court but they somehow managed to remain best friends off the court. They brought out the best in each other and their matchups only added to that great rivalry.

I firmly believe that the most intense hatred for a particular player from an opposing fan base stems from a deep (and perhaps secret) respect that this particular player commands. I look at it this way—if this guy played for your team, you would love him unequivocally.

Sometimes players look at it from this perspective: "Hate playing against but would love to play with." 'Zo is definitely one of those guys. He was truly a warrior that just happened to play for the other team.

I was rooting hard for him when he was dealing with that kidney disease and I was extremely happy when he finally received the needed kidney.

I admired the courage and strength that he displayed while he was battling this disease. It was the same courage and strength that he showed on the basketball court. Except this time, I didn't dare root against him.

Mourning's many charitable works deserve a ton of praise. They are a testament to the type of man he is off the court.

When Mourning finally won a championship during his second stint with the Heat as Shaq's backup center, I was secretly happy for him. He wasn't just on the team, either; he played an important role with his defense and energy off the bench.

So today, we are saying goodbye to a great competitor and a champion in so many ways. He is going out on his own terms and, most importantly, with his health intact.

Thank you for all the memories, Alonzo, even though I would've never imagined uttering these words back in the glory days.

Coach Ryan, You Had Me at "Hello"

Nate Deleon — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:14:01 -0500

If I wasn't fully convinced before that former Ravens defensive coordinator, Rex Ryan, was the right man for the job, I am completely on board now.

After watching Ryan's 10 a.m. introductory news conference this morning, I am extremely excited about the Jets' offseason and upcoming 2009-10 season.

In fact, "giddy" or "ecstatic" might be more appropriate terms to describe my emotions right now. Coach Ryan, had me at "hello."

Ryan is the complete opposite of former coach, Eric Mangini, and that fact was on full display today. We got more information and insight in one Rex Ryan press conference than we ever did in the three seasons that Coach Mangini was the head coach of the Jets.

He was very confident, both in himself and everyone else he will be working with and he showed the straightforward attitude his players love about him. It is easy to see why he is considered a player's coach.

Ryan sounded excited about the opportunity to be the head coach of the Jets. He talked glowingly about the talent that was already in place and he expressed his eagerness to be able to coach these players, the defense in particular.

He called Pro Bowl cornerback, Darelle Revis, the best corner in football. He compared Kerry Rhodes to his former star safety, Ed Reed.

But perhaps most importantly, Ryan basically laid out a challenge to Vernon Gholston to live up to his talent. He compared him to Terrell Suggs and he was convinced he can turn Gholston into the same type of player.

I cannot wait to see what he does with this defense and the rest of the team.

The one thing Ryan said which really fired me up was "We want to be known as the most physical football team in the NFL. You take a swipe at one of our guys, we'll take a swipe at two of yours."

I jumped out of my couch when I heard that, wishing that the season would start soon. It is that kind of attitude which will quickly endear himself to Jets fans.

Coach Ryan addressed the Brett Favre situation about as politically as he could which didn't surprise me at all. He also expressed an interest in talking to offensive coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer about remaining on the staff.

Ryan also praised special teams coach Mike Westhoff and offensive line coach Bill Callahan which led me to believe they will remain on the staff, if they accept. He also confirmed that Mike Pettine will become the new defensive coordinator.

Suffice to say, I was extremely impressed with Coach Ryan on his first day on the job. I can't wait to see what they do in the offseason.

I know its a little too premature to say, but I love this guy already!

Top 10 NBA Prospects for the 2009 Draft

Nate Deleon — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:34:52 -0500

While the NBA Draft is about five months away, it's not too early to start identifying some of the top prospects in the upcoming draft.

So without further ado, here is my top 10 NBA prospects.

1. Blake Griffin (F/C) Oklahoma- Sophomore

Griffin could have been a top 10 pick in last year's draft but surprisingly, he opted to return to Oklahoma for his sophomore year. The move has worked out brilliantly and now Griffin is a lock for the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft.

Griffin is the best player in college basketball. He is dominant in the low post at around 6'10". He faces constant double teams but he has learned to pass effectively out of them.

He is one of the best rebounders in the country, has great athleticism, runs the floor well and he finishes strong around the basket.

When he develops a good mid range jumper, he will be unstoppable. Reminds me of Amare Stoudemire especially with his explosiveness.

I just can't see any team passing on Griffin unless they already have an elite big man in place and have a desperate need for a point guard, which this draft is full of.

2. Ricky Rubio (G) Spain

Rubio has been hyped since he was 15 years old but the attention seems justified. He played very well in the Olympics for Spain and he impressed the NBA superstars playing for Team USA.

He has a ton of talent and can only get better considering he is just 18 years old. He has all the tools to be the next great point guard: He has great ballhandling skills, can pass, score and he is a really good defender.

There are some concerns about the expensive buyout he would have to pay his current team in Spain but I don't think that will be a major issue because he will most likely be a top-five pick.

3. Greg Monroe (F/C) Georgetown- Freshman

Monroe has been arguably the best freshman in the nation this year. He has the skills and upside to be a top-five pick.

He is very versatile at nearly 7'0" tall. He can score in the post, shoot from the outside and score off the dribble drive. He needs to show more effort on the boards but he plays hard and averages a little over a block a game.

He reminds me of a lot of Chris Bosh, maybe because Monroe is a lefty like Bosh. Like Bosh, he is a certain top-five pick as a freshman.

4. Brandon Jennings (G) Italy

Jennings was a top prep star who originally committed to the University of Arizona. However, after a problem with his SAT scores, he decided to sign a contract to play professionally overseas in Italy.

Thus far, the results have been mixed. He hasn't put up impressive numbers so far but the experience of playing professionally has seemingly benefited him.

NBA scouts still love his talent and some will argue that he is better than Rubio. It's too early to tell where he stands but we should get a good idea of Jennings after the pre-draft workouts.

Personally, I think he will be a lottery pick in the 2009 draft.

5. Hasheem Thabeet (C) UConn- Junior

At 7'3", Thabeet is a defensive game changer. He is a great shotblocker who makes opponents think twice about driving to the rim. He is a good rebounder, but I actually think he could improve upon that.

He is very athletic and runs the floor well considering his size. He finishes well around the basket and he throws down emphatic dunks whenever he can. However, he is very raw offensively especially posting up.

Thabeet also has a tendency to disappear in games, he should be able to dominate on both ends of the court more often than he does.

With legitimate centers at a premium in the league nowadays, it is hard to see Thabeet falling out of the top 10 in the draft.

6. Stephen Curry (G) Davidson- Junior

Curry is the one prospect that elicits the most debate among basketball fans and experts alike. After making the move to point guard this season, Curry has been fantastic for Davidson after his blistering NCAA Tournament where he put himself on the map.

Steph is the leading scorer in the nation while averaging about six assists a game. He is a deadly three-point shooter like his father, Dell Curry. He has proven that he is a really good passer and that he can score in a variety of ways.

Curry's NBA pedigree and his ability to rise up in clutch situations has only further improved his stock.

However, there are a lot of questions about how good he can be at the next level. He has struggled this season against defenders with the prototypical NBA size and ability. Many point to his frame at only 6'3", 185 lbs as a reason why he won't be a star in the league and at best, a backup guard.

Only time will tell with Curry but certainly, don't expect the debate about him to go away any time soon.

7. Jeff Teague (G) Wake Forest- Sophomore

Teague is the best player on the current No. 1 team in the nation, undefeated Wake Forest. He is a fantastic offensive player and from what I've seen, he has no weaknesses in his game. He is also a pretty good defensive player, averaging more than two steals a game.

The question is whether he is truly a point guard or just merely an undersized shooting guard. He plays the point for Wake but he only averages about four dimes a game and he is expected to shoulder most of the scoring.

Despite that, his talent is undeniable. He is fast, athletic, has a great crossover and he is a great shooter.

Teague will gain a lot of attention due to his status as the best player on a very good team that can definitely get to the Final Four.

8. JRue Holiday (G) UCLA- Freshman

Holiday hasn't been that impressive in his freshman season but he will most likely still be a lottery pick, if he decides to leave after this season.

He looks like another Russell Westbrook, another UCLA guard who was drafted No. 4 by Oklahoma City in last years draft. Westbrook wasn't overly impressive at UCLA but teams loved his skill set and potential at point guard.

Westbrook has been great so far for the Thunder and it is not a stretch to say that Holiday can have the same type of impact in the NBA.

If his play picks up throughout the season and in March, he can challenge Rubio and/or Jennings for the top point guard spot.

9. Jordan Hill (F/C) Arizona- Junior

Hill is athletic, long and explosive around the basket. He is averaging a double-double this season for Arizona, showing significant improvement every year.

I think he can be a really good starting power forward in the league with his rebounding, shotblocking and scoring on the inside.

10. DeMar DeRozan (G) USC- Freshman

DeRozan has come up strong as of late for the Trojans and he has all the tools to be a really good starting 2-guard in the league.

I have only seen him once this season but it was his best performance against Arizona St. He scored 19 of his 22 points in the second half along with 8 rebounds and 3 steals.

He is athletic, has great size and he can flat out score. Whats scary is that he isn't even close to reaching his potential as a basketball player.

He has drawn comparisons to Kobe Bryant which is premature but yet, that comparison makes DeRozan very intriguing, at least to me.

He should only continue to improve this season and if he enters, is a sure fire lottery pick.

Other Notable Prospects

1. Jodie Meeks (G) Kentucky- Junior

2. James Harden (G) Arizona State- Sophomore

3. Cole Aldrich (C) Kansas- Sophomore

4. Al-Forouq Aminu (F) Wake Forest- Freshman

5. B.J. Mullins (C) Ohio State- Freshman

Rex Ryan To Be Named Next Head Coach Of The New York Jets

Nate Deleon — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 01:07:34 -0500

With the Baltimore Ravens' season over after their tough 23-14 loss in the AFC Championship game to the Pittsburgh Steelers; defensive coordinator, Rex Ryan, is expected to be named the next head coach of the New York Jets.

The move shouldn't come as much of a surprise as Ryan, 46, emerged as the frontrunner for the job. Former Giants defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo, was considered an early favorite for the job. However, the Jets' interest in him seemed to cool and eventually, Spagnuolo took the head coaching job in St. Louis.

Since the only other serious contender for Ryan was St. Louis, it is pretty much a done deal that he will land in New York.

The biggest reason why the Jets favored Ryan over Spagnuolo was because of Ryan's background with the 3-4 defense. The Jets' defensive personnel have been tailored to the 3-4 defense under former coach Eric Mangini. However, the defenses under Mangini have been mediocre, at best.

Ryan, who is the son of legendary NFL head coach Buddy Ryan and twin brother of current Brown defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, will look to turn this Jets defense into one of the elite units in the league. After starting off strong, the Jets defense struggled mightily which contributed to their late season collapse.

Ryan has been a coach with the Baltimore Ravens for nine years, the last three have been as the team's defensive coordinator and he served as assistant head coach of this current team. Ryan was the defensive line coach of the dominant Ravens defense that won the Super Bowl in 2000.

Under Ryan, the Ravens' worst ranking in total defense was sixth. Players from his defense have also made 11 Pro Bowls.

The Ravens finished second in total defense this season despite missing several key players to injuries.

Aside from his accolades and football pedigree, Ryan is considered a no-nonsense leader who just loves the game. He was born into coaching and was always around the game due to his father. He is very well-respected and loved by his players, especially future hall of famers Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.

The praise he recieves from players of that caliber certainly speaks volumes of Ryan's capabilities as a head coach.

While the Ravens' base defense is a 3-4, Ryan has shown a lot of versatility in mixing different defensive fronts with creative blitzing schemes. He is also familiar with the "46" defense which his father made famous.

While I did endorse the Jets hiring Steve Spagnuolo early on, I have no complaints over the hiring of Rex Ryan. I am eager to see who he will choose to be on his coaching staff.

Personally, I am also hoping that he attracts some his players to the Jets (Terrell Suggs and Bart Scott, come to mind). There is also talk of Carolina Panthers defensive end and free agent, Julius Peppers, having a desire to play in a 3-4 defense. That's a very intriguing possibility, one which seems very feasible with a defensive mastermind like Ryan at the helm.

Ryan seems to have the right attitude and "bravado", as many people have emphasized. He has a certain level of arrogance which isn't a bad thing for a head coach.

Those qualities along with his talent and football background, will bode well for him in New York.

Hopefully, success will follow Rex Ryan to New York. And if nothing else, Rex will give us some very entertaining soundbites.

Updated on January 19, 2009

The deal is for 4 years at $11.6 million dollars, similar to the same deal that Steve Spagnuolo recieved from the St. Louis Rams.

It is reported that Ryan was offered the job about an hour after the Ravens lost to the Steelers in the AFC Championship game.

Fellow Bleacher Report writer, Joe Caporoso, is reporting that Mike Pettine who is the Ravens outside linebacker coach will be named the Jets defensive coordinator. Ryan considers Pettine, who has been with the Ravens since 2002, his "right hand man." That's not surprising when you consider that much of the success of a 3-4 defense hinges on the pressure that the outside linebackers apply.

Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer will most likely stay on with the Jets, as well as special teams coach Mike Westoff.

He will be introduced as the Jets next head coach during a press conference on Wednesday.

Potential NBA Trades in 2009

Nate Deleon — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:44:17 -0500

The NBA trade deadline, on Feb. 19 at 3 PM is nearly a month away. Many teams are positioning themselves, and their salary cap, for the summer of 2010 when superstars such as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh are scheduled to become free agents.

That means a lot of movement should be expected until then.

The New York Knicks have been severely strapped by their high payroll for years. Thanks to the mismanagement of the horrible regimes prior to Donnie Walsh taking over.

They struck first early this season by making quite possibly the most blatant salary dump in this history of the NBA when they traded forward Zach Randolph and guard Jamal Crawford away, thus capitalizing on the team's early season success.

While many teams are banking on the star studded class of 2010, some of the more elite team would be wise to take advantage of these opportunities to improve their current rosters.

These same teams, Cleveland in particular, should also do everything to turn themselves into perennial championship caliber teams to make themselves more attractive to potential free agents, and current superstars.

So, without further ado, here are several trades that I think can, and should happen. (Thanks to ESPN.com's Trade Machine which I experiment on a little too much for my own good)

1.) The Utah Jazz trade forward Andrei Kirilenko, who makes $15.1 million this year, and three years left to the Miami Heat for forward Shawn Marion who makes $17.8 million, and has a expiring contract.

Why Miami would do this deal?

The Matrix has regressed a lot since leaving Mike D'Antoni's fast paced offense for South Beach. While Marion is still averaging nearly a double-double for this season he hasn't made quite the same impact that we have come to expect out of him especially on the offensive end.

Kirilenko has thrived in his role as a sixth man for the Jazz and he has cemented his reputation as one of the best defenders in the league.

AK47 would be an excellent fit with the defensive-minded Heat, who are one of the most underrated defensive teams in the league. It would take pressure off guard Dwayne Wade, because he wouldn't have to guard the opposing team's best perimeter offensive threat.

It keeps Wade fresher, more focused on the offensive end and enables him to be a free roaming defender. Which is much like the way former Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan was playing with forward Scottie Pippen.

Kirilenko is one of the best shotblockers and thieves in the league with 1.46 and 1.57 per a game respectively.

Plus, Marion is set to become a free agent after the season and he is seeking a huge contract, which the Heat would not be willing to give him.

With a core of Kirilenko, forward Micheal Beasley, guard Mario Chalmers, guard Daequan Cook, and forward Udonis Haslem the Heat are setting themselves up to be very attractive to Mr. Wade when 2010 arrives.

Why Utah would do this deal?

Marion is still a good player and he would benefit from playing with a great pure point guard in Derron Williams. A lineup of Williams, guard Ronnie Brewer, Marion, forward Carlos Boozer, and forward Mehmet Okur is still very formidable out west.

Most importantly, his expiring contract would free up some much needed space in order for the Jazz to resign Boozer and/or forward Paul Millsap in the offseason.

It also puts the Jazz in position to make a run at an impact player in 2010, while still managing to remain very competitive.

2.) The Cleveland Cavaliers trade forward Wally Szczerbiak who makes $13.7 million, and has a expiring contract, forward J.J. Hickson who males $1.3 million this year, and has two years left, and 2009 first rounder, or trade exception, to the Milwaukee Bucks for guard Michael Redd who makes $15.7 million this year, and has three years left.

Why Cleveland would do this deal?

Cleveland has been the best team in the eastern conference thus far and they are arguably the best team in the league right now. It is scary that they can only get better, because they own a valuable asset in Wally's huge expiring contract.

Cleveland would be getting one of the best scorers in the league in Redd, who played with LeBron on the U.S. Olympic team that won the gold medal.

This can be the player that puts the Cavs over the hump and he will make LeBron frighteningly better.

It will be like the Olympics all over again ,with Redd just nailing open jumpers, because teams will be keyed on containing James. Obviously, LeBron is unstoppable one on one.

Plus, the injury that guard Delonte West suffered in last night's game against Chicago leaves a gaping hole at the shooting guard position.

Hickson looks like a solid young forward, but he won't get a lot of minutes when the Cavs are at full strength with center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, forward Ben Wallace, and forward Anderson Varejao firmly entrenched in the frontline rotation, along with LeBron playing spot minutes at power forward. They also have a veteran big man in forward Lorenzen Wright.

Can you imagine how good this team would be with a lineup of guard Mo Williams, Redd, LeBron, Wallace, and Ilgauskas with West, guard Daniel Gibson, Varejao, and guard Aleksandar Pavlovic off the bench?

It would be tough to find any weaknesses in that rotation and they aren't sacrificing a consistent rotation player.

Perhaps most importantly, they make themselves a helluva a lot more appealing to LeBron when free agency comes around.

Why Milwaukee would do this deal?

The Bucks are currently 19-22 which is not horrible, but I doubt they would really go far in the playoffs with their current roster.

By ridding themselves of Redd's huge contract they afford themselves salary cap flexibility for the future with Wally's deal coming off the books. Plus, it gives youngsters such as Joe Alexander and Ramon Sessions an opportunity to play more minutes.

They also add a solid young big man in Hickson.

3.) The Cleveland Cavaliers trade Szczerbiak, Hickson, and a 2009 first rounder to the Washington Wizards for forward Antawn Jamison, who makes $9.9 million this year, with four years left, and G DeShawn Stevenson who makes $3.6 million this year with two years left).

Why Cleveland would do this deal?

I realize that this deal sounds a little weird considering LeBron and DeShawn Stevenson's heated feud that made headlines in last season's first round matchup.

However, the Cavs would be getting back two solid players who would instantly improve their team without having to give up anyone of consequence.

Jamison, at 6'9", is a very good scorer making 46 percent of his field goals, who can shoot from the perimeter, or drive to the rim. He is also a solid rebounder averaging nearly nine rebounds a game this season.

The Cavs can pencil him into the power forward spot next to Z and have Wallace coming off the bench. Or perhaps, Jamison can come off the bench and reprise his role as the sixth man of the year, which he won in 2003-'04 with Dallas.

I'm sure Stevenson and LeBron would make peace if this trade were to take place. DeShawn is a solid two guard who can stretch the floor with his outside shooting, and he plays tough defense on the perimeter.

His ability to defend takes some pressure of LeBron at the defensive end. Plus, Cleveland's other guards are very undersized, which might be a problem when they decide to go with a small lineup.

While neither player is at the caliber of a Redd they are good pieces to surround James with, and it should make them a championship favorite.

Why Washington would do this deal?

The Wizards own one of the worst records in the league at 7-31. They are clearly in rebuilding mode and they would be smart to get rid of a long term deal such as Jamison's.

Wally's expiring contract frees up some much valuable cap room, and like the Bucks in my previous scenario, Washington obtains a solid young big man in Hickson, along with a first-round pick.

The Wizards have some good young players in guard Nick Young, center Andray Blatche, forward JaVale McGee, guard Javaris Crittenton to build around for the future, or as potential trade assets.

They are adding to their stable with Hickson, their own high lottery pick, and the Cavs late first rounder.

4.) The San Antonio Spurs trade guard Ime Udoka who makes $1.08 million this year with a expiring contract, guard Jacque Vaughn who makes $1.2 million with a expiring contract as well, forward Fabricio Oberto who makes $3.6 million with two years left, and a first rounder to the Oklahoma City Thunder for forward Nick Collison, who makes $6.3 million with three years left.

Why San Antonio would do this deal?

The Spurs have a need for a solid big man to complement foward Tim Duncan down in the low post. Collison fits that description.

The former Kansas Jayhawk can score in the post and he is a fantastic rebounder. His 56 percent field goal shooting should only increase by playing with guys such as Duncan, guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

Plus, the Spurs are giving up none of their key role players who play significant minutes. Center Matt Bonner and/or foward Kurt Thomas move back to the bench where they can spell spell Timmy, and provide solid contributions.

A starting lineup of Parker, guard Michael Finley, foward Bruce Bowen, Collison and Duncan with a bench consisting of Ginobili (super-six man), Thomas(post defender, dead eye mid-range jump shooter), guard Roger Mason Jr.(clutch three-point sniper), Bonner(perimeter shooting big), and George Hill(good young backup point guard).

That lineup will make the Spurs a force in the western conference as they always are.

Why the Thunder would do this deal?

Current Thunder GM Sam Presti is a former Spurs executive and he has helped the Spurs before last season's Kurt Thomas trade.

By unloading Collison the Thunder would remove the most expensive and longest contract on the team. With the worst record in the league, this young team is rebuilding and salary cap flexibility is essential to any rebuilding process.

It also opens up minutes in a loaded frontcourt that already consists of newly signed center Nenad Krstic, center Robert Swift, center Mouhamed Sene, center Chris Wilcox, forward Joe Smith, if he is not traded, and current starting foward Jeff Green.

If this trade were to happen then I don't see any of the three players acquired suiting up for the Thunder. They would all most likely be bought out because those are three relatively cheap contracts.

Under this trade scenario the Thunder would obtain a first-round pick, which to them would be the most important asset in this deal.

Other notable expiring contracts

1. Raef LaFrentz, $12.7 million, Portland Trailblazers.

2. Andre Miller, $10.3 million, Philadelphia 76ers.

3. Lamar Odom, $14.1 million, Los Angeles Lakers.

Portland should definitely look to package LaFrentz's expiring deal, along with one, or possibly, two of their young players outside of their near untouchable core.

They can use an upgrade at point guard with guys such as Andre Miller or perhaps even Jason Kidd available.

If the 'Sixers (18-20) fall out of contention, or if they determine that they won't go anywhere, they should consider trading Miller who's deal expires after the season.

Philly already has a solid young guard in Lou Williams waiting in the wings. It's not likely the Sixers would have re-signed Miller with a young player ready to take over.

If a team offers a package consisting of at least two out of the three a good young player, expiring contract, and/or first round draft pick it would be hard for the Sixers not to accept.

Lamar Odom has not seemed comfortable in his new role off the bench for the Lakers. While it is unlikely, Odom seems unhappy in Los Angeles.

Perhaps he gets traded for Marion or Kirilenko.

With the trade deadline a little over a month away, I'm looking forward to see what moves are made between now and then.

Who knows? One of these deals might occur.

The New York Knicks: Midseason Evalutation and Awards

Nate Deleon — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:30:31 -0500

Despite the team's 15-22 record, the New York Knicks' season has been a success thus far. It has been refreshing, as a Knicks fan, to have the burden of the egregious Isiah Thomas era lifted off for good. The future looks bright with Donnie Walsh and coach Mike D'Antoni at the helm.

The team has completely bought into D'Antoni's high-octane offensive philosophy, which he made fashionable during his tenure in Phoenix. They play much harder and faster in this "Seven seconds or less" system, which emphasizes ball movement to find the open man and easy buckets.

The Knicks started off the season strong, but have struggled with consistency on both the offensive and defensive ends.

The Knicks also made two huge blockbuster trades which affected their early season chemistry when they dealt their leading scorer and rebounder, Zach Randolph, to the Los Angeles Clippers for Tim Thomas and Cuttino Mobley (who has since retired due to a heart ailment). The other trade the Knicks made was when they shipped fan favorite Jamal Crawford to the Golden State Warriors for Al Harrington.

The trades were vital in order to get under the salary cap before the famed free agent class of 2010, which is undoubtedly headlined by Cleveland Cavaliers star, LeBron James. The Knicks got rid of two good players with long-term deals while their value was at its highest peak.

While their record doesn't necessarily reflect success, the team's effort has been indicative of the new regime's progress with this once proud franchise. The atmosphere surrounding this team (minus Stephon Marbury) is full of optimism. The Knicks have finally become relevant again.

So with all that said, here are my midseason awards:

First-Half MVP: Chris Duhon (PG)

12.3 PPG, 8.2 APG, 3.8 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 42% FG, 42% 3PT, 87.5% FT, 3.0 TO, 39.8 MPG

Chris Duhon has been fantastic this season. He has exceeded my expectations during his first season as a full-time starter at the point.

He is a very good passer (fifth in the league in assists per game), gets everyone involved in the offense, plays solid defense, and makes timely shots, especially from deep.

The player who has benefited most from Duhon's stellar play is F/C David Lee, who gets great inside-scoring opportunities off pick-and-rolls with Duhon. Lee is averaging a double-double for this season (tied for second in the league in double-doubles).

Aside from this, the fifth-year guard out of Duke is a fiery leader who also doubles as a great locker room presence.

Most Improved Player (First Half): Wilson Chandler (SF)

14.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.0 APG, .86 SPG, .84 BPG, 42% FG, 31% 3PT, 82.5% FT, 1.86 TO, 33.6 MPG

The second-year pro out of DePaul has made great strides since his rookie year when he barely played until the end of the season.

He has shown good versatility on the offensive end. He can score off the dribble, runs the floor well, can shoot from deep and has shown a nifty one-dribble pull-up midrange jumper, which has become his go to move. He is the team's best shotblocker due to his great athleticism and he is a solid rebounder.

He has the potential to be a very good one-on-one perimeter defender, but that will develop with experience. I fully expect Chandler to continue to improve for the Knicks as he is undoubtedly an important building block for the future.

Biggest First-Half Disappointment: Danilo Galinari (F)

Sixth overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft

Injuries have killed Galinari's rookie season thus far, only playing in two games early this year.

There was much hype surrounding the 6'10" forward out of Italy. He seems to have the perfect skill set for D'Antoni's system: he can shoot, handles the ball well for a big man, he drives to rim, and he can finish well (admittedly, I was mezmerized by his Youtube videos before the draft).

It is unfair to label him as the biggest disappointment and as a bust. Hopefully he can come back soon and make an impact on the Knicks. Mostly everyone in the organization fully expects him to be a very good player for years to come.

The Get The Hell Out of Town Award: Stephon Marbury (Duh!)

The ultimate distraction and perennial team cancer. He hasn't played a game at all this season and even refused to play when the opportunity presented itself.

With one year left at $20.8 million, he has been adamantly opposed to a buyout and he intends to collect every single penny of that check. Obviously, that's more important than getting to play despite the fact that the Boston Celtics seem to have legitimate interests in his services.

We have all become sick of this self- centered egotistical head case. The self-proclaimed "best point guard in the league" must go.

Expecting Big Things In The Second Half Award: Al Harrington (PF)

19.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.17 SPG, 41.2% FG, 38.5% 3PT, 77.2% FT, 34.5 MPG

Harrington has been the Knicks best scorer since arriving here in a trade from Golden State for Jamal Crawford. He is expected to carry the Knicks on the offensive end every night and he is a much better fit in D'Antoni's offense than Z-Bo.

He has been a bit inconsistent with his tendency to settle for threes rather than driving to the rim, but he has played well for the most part.

The New Jersey-native seems to enjoy playing in New York and I expect more of the same production in the second half of the season.

Biggest Win of The Season: Jan. 4 vs. the Boston Celtics 100-88

Although this past Monday's upset against Chris Paul and the Hornets in New Orleans deserves consideration, this victory against the world champions tops the list.

Boston's elite defense couldn't stop the Knicks fast-paced offense. Chandler scored a career-high 31 points and Al Harrington dropped 30 points. David Lee had another double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds.

Aside from Paul Pierce's 31 points, the rest of the Celtics were held in check. Rajon Rondo was shut down by the taller Jared Jeffries, who checked him from the start. Kevin Garnett only scored six points on 1-of-6 shooting from the field.

The Knicks were simply clicking on all cylinders.

It was also satisfying because the two teams have exchanged some heated words over the past couple of years, especially between Pierce and Quentin Richardson. And personally, anytime a New York team gets a victory over a Boston team, it is sweet as hell. I'm sure most New Yorkers feel the same way.

Worst Loss of The Season: Jan. 6 vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder 99-107

It's ironic how the worst loss of the season occurred just two days after the best win of the season. After a great victory against the defending champs, the Knicks lost to the team with the worst record in the NBA.

Although they made a late comeback, the Knicks fell short to the young Thunder team, led by second year star, Kevin Durant. The Knicks looked flat from the beginning and were playing with absolutely no energy.

Play of The First Half: Wilson Chandler's ridiculous dunk on Emeka Okafor

Wilson Chandler drives to the rim against the Bobcats and dunks on one of the best shotblockers in the league, Emeka Okafor. I jumped out of my seat when I saw this play.

As I've mentioned before, the record doesn't tell the whole story about the strides this organization has taken in restoring itself to prominence.

While all the talk surrounding the Knicks is dominated by the free agent class of 2010, we should not ignore the rebuilding process that is taking place now. The Knicks have become competitive and worthy of watching once again.

Tony Dungy: Thank You

Nate Deleon — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:04:45 -0500

The National Football League is a great sport, but it is also a business. It is a demanding and sometimes, very ruthless business. Great careers have been made and broken because of the brutal nature of this game. Arguably, it is the head coach of a football team that feels the most pressure from all sides.

When everything goes right, the head coach receives all the praise and glory. When everything goes south, it is the head coach that takes a lot of the blame. It is during these tumultuous times, when you see the real character of the leaders of our favorite football teams.

That's why Tony Dungy's retirement from the Indianapolis Colts and the NFL was bittersweet.

Dungy's merits as a coach are impressive on its own. He has been a head coach for 13 seasons—the first six with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the last seven with the Colts. He owns a career record of 148-79. His postseason record is 9-10 with both the Bucs and the Colts, but he led Indianapolis to a Super Bowl victory two years ago over the Chicago Bears.

He became the first black head coach to win the Super Bowl, and he is the only coach to have 10 consecutive playoff appearances. He has coached and developed many great players. Several of his assistant coaches over the years have gone on to become head coaches in the league such as Mike Tomlin, Lovie Smith, and Herm Edwards.

However, Dungy's tremendous accomplishments are only overshadowed by the social and spiritual impact he has made in the game, as well as society.

Tony Dungy is a class act. Soft spoken, calm, cool, and collected. It is said that he has never yelled or uttered a profane word. It is hard to believe that about anyone but after having the privilege of watching the man operate on the sidelines for the past 13 years, I cannot doubt the validity of that claim.

He is unflappable in the face of adversity. Before his Super Bowl victory two seasons ago, he faced tough criticism for his early playoff exits. He helped turn Tampa Bay into a perennial playoff team that was led by an elite defense. A year after he left for Indy, the Bucs won the Super Bowl under Jon Gruden, finishing the job that Dungy left behind.

The Colts became a powerhouse under Dungy, dominant during the regular season but they always seemingly met early exits in the playoffs, always as a top seed.

Tragedy struck Dungy and his family in late 2005 when his son James committed suicide. There is no question that the death of a child is the worst thing any parent could endure. Nobody would've questioned Dungy if he decided to leave the game after that terrible tragedy.

Except that he didn't. He showed a tremendous amount of courage and strength. If he was suffering, he disguised it masterfully. He had faith in a higher spiritual sense, possibly with the faith that his son was in a better place.

Everyone rallied behind Coach Dungy from his players, fellow coaches, media, and fans. The depth of support would not have been nearly as universal and prevalent if it were not for the type of man that Tony Dungy is.

Don't get me wrong, it would be unfathomable to not sympathize the death of anyone's children. Dungy lives in the public eye, continues to adhere to his strong beliefs and is an ideal model of morality which are the reasons why he gained so much support. Who wouldn't rally behind him?

The sign of any great coach is how well his players respond to adversity.

After a game in which the Colts were simply destroyed at Jacksonville during the 2006-'07 season, Dungy calmly stood before his team without a shred of anger in his eyes or voice. He told his struggling team that everything was going to be okay and that they weren't done yet.

Inspired by their head coach's undying faith, the Colts played possessed and thrived in their new found role as underdogs, all the way to the championship.

It is that very faith that makes Dungy far more special than just his mere talents as a football coach. Dungy is a deeply religious, family man. He has made many contributions in the community both in Indianapolis and Tampa Bay, where he is still revered for bringing the Bucs to prominence.

He is very well-respected by opposing coaches, players, league executives, media, and fans. He is beloved by his players. It is reported that several players were still hoping that Dungy would change his mind about retiring before his news conference on Monday.

No matter what he does in his post-football future, there are no doubts that he will succeed and continue to uphold the same high moral standards that have characterized him as a man, football coach, husband, and father.

I am not a religious person, not even remotely, and I do not intend to be any time soon. However, it doesn't take a religious person to see the profound impact that Dungy's faith has had on his career. Mostly all of his players were saddened to see him go but at the same time, they had to be happy knowing that he went out on his own terms.

Dungy epitomizes class, that is not an understatement. Over the years, it somehow never felt right rooting against a Tony Dungy led team despite the fact that the New York Jets are my favorite team. So suffice to say, I was ecstatic when he and Peyton Manning finally silenced their critics by winning the Super Bowl.

Winning that long elusive Super Bowl has firmly cemented his football legacy. It is impressive and inspiring to know that Dungy has stayed true to his beliefs despite the harsh nature of this business.

But Tony Dungy should be remembered most as a great role model who is has inspired countless people, this writer especially.

An Even 500: The New York Yankees Should Get Manny Ramirez

Nate Deleon — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:15:42 -0500

I honestly don't know what the New York Yankees are waiting for.

The Yankees have spent $423.5 million in salaries for arguably the three biggest free agents available: CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Teixeira.

There is absolutely no point in being cheap now. Go get the fourth biggest name who is still out there, Manny Ramirez.

While Manny's antics and potential for disruption are well documented, there is no question about his talent. He is still one of the most feared hitters in the game. He is very patient at the plate and can drive anything out of the ballpark.

This is a future Hall of Famer with a winning track record as evidenced by his huge role in two Boston Red Sox world championships, who is still sitting there.

The Yankees need to pounce. A two-year deal worth $50 million with incentives built in should do the trick. Plus the Yankees offer something even more enticing: 19 games against the Red Sox.

Wouldn't Manny, who is from nearby Washington Heights, relish at the opportunity to stick it to Boston? If nothing else, he'd be hell bent on beating them. And a motivated Manny Ramirez is a devastating thought for opposing pitchers. Just look at how he carried the Dodgers into the playoffs and throughout.

Aside from his anger at the Red Sox, can you imagine the heart of that lineup? A-Rod, Teixeira, and Ramirez would create so many problems, along with everyone else in the lineup. Opposing starting pitchers will be on high pitch counts by the fifth inning, if not earlier.

During the Mark Teixeira news conference, none of the Yankee executives would definitively state that they were done making any major moves. That gave me the impression that they are considering (secretly) signing Manny, in particular.

Yes, bringing Manny Ramirez on board can create the potential for trouble, which is why the Yanks should only sign him to a short-term deal. But in my opinion, the rewards outweigh the risks. He is a hall-of-fame hitter, and he is angry at the Red Sox.

Those reasons are good enough for me. Everyone already hates us, so we might as well embrace our status as the "Evil Empire." There is no point in being cheap now. The Yankees need to get Manny Ramirez.

Steve Spagnuolo Is the Man for the New York Jets' Head Coaching Vacancy

Nate Deleon — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:27:35 -0500

I applaud the fact that the New York Jets are doing their due-diligence in interviewing a variety of potential head coach candidates. However, if Bill Cowher said no, the Giants brilliant defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo, should be at the top of the wish list.

After the success of first year head coaches: John Harbaugh, Mike Smith and Tony Sparano; the trend in the NFL is to hire top young assistant coaches. Spags showed how talented he is during the team's miraculous victory over the then-undefeated, New England Patriots. Spags' defense made life miserable for Tom Brady and the dynamic offense that the Patriots featured last season.

Spagnuolo, a disciple of Eagles legendary defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, was highly sought after last season by the Washington Redskins. He came close to accepting an offer to be the Redskins next head coach but ultimately decided to return to Giants, who made him the highest paid coordinator in the game.

Spagnuolo has a great understanding of the game. His defensive philosophy centers around putting pressure on the passer both from the edges and through creative blitzing schemes. This enables the secondary to be aggressive in single coverage.

The Giants players love playing for him. He is fiery and wears his emotions on his sleeves unlike Coach Mangini's stoic demeanor, which rubbed a lot of fans and media the wrong way. Most of the Jets players didn't hate Mangini but they didn't seem to play their hardest for him, as evidenced by their inexplicable late season collapse.

Spags is the type of coach that players will bust their behinds for and who will fire a struggling team up.

While the Jets have been running a 3-4 defense for the past three seasons, a transition to the 4-3 base defense is not as big a deal as some might think.

Outside linebackers: Calvin Pace, Bryan Thomas and Vernon Gholston are all former 4-3 defensive ends. They are versatile and can rush from the down stance or standing up in a blitz package. A move back to a 4-3 defense might benefit Gholston the most who was a huge bust in his rookie year after being selected No. 6 overall in the 2008 draft out of Ohio State.

The front four can consists of Pace and Thomas at defensive end with Gholston rotating in. Kris Jenkins and Shaun Ellis can play defensive tackle with C.J. Mosley and Sione Pouha as the backups. That's a pretty formidable front four. David Harris, Eric Barton and potential free agent signing/draft pick X are at linebacker. And of course, Kerry Rhodes and Pro Bowler, Darelle Revis are in the secondary.

If they find a good third linebacker, a good No. 2 cornerback and a consistent strong safety; that defense has a chance to be a top 10 unit under Spagnuolo.

Another important quality that Spags possesses is that he knows what the pressure in New York is like. Not alot of people remember but the Giants struggled at the beginning of last season. The defense wasn't playing well thus leaving many to question Spagnuolo's hiring and fans were even calling for his job.

Obviously, that did not phase Spagnuolo and the rest is history. Now he is beloved in New York. Hiring him would bring back some credibility to this cursed franchise. New York won't intimidate him.

There are bigger problems for whoever the next head coach of the Jets is. The most glaring one is the Brett Favre situation and the offense in general. It will be interesting to see how the next coach handles this situation.

I'm hoping that the next head coach is Steve Spagnuolo.