Charlotte Bobcats: Major Shakeups Coming

A-Train Rodriguez — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:57:57 -0400

According to many published reports, the Charlotte Bobcats could be in line for some major shakeups this offseason.

Raymond Felton is being linked to a possible deal involving New York Knicks forward David Lee. Felton is also being rumored to be on the move to Denver.

Gerald Wallace is said to have been close to being shipped to Toronto for point guard T.J. Ford. Only after Toronto requested a draft pick did the Bobcats back out.

Clearly, the Bobcats came out of the draft with as many, if not more, questions than before it began. Matt Smith of Bleacher Report summarized their head scratching draft nicely in an article on June 27.

With D.J. Augustin in the mix, and Felton's name being rumored to leave Charlotte, it is clear Larry Brown is not impressed by the play of Felton.

A move to Denver makes the most sense. Denver was rumored to be high on UNC guard Ty Lawson before he withdrew from the draft (Lawson is almost indistinguishable from Felton in college). Throw in the Carolina connection between just about everyone in the Bobcats organization and Denver coach George Karl, and Denver's need for a point guard, and a deal would not be surprise.

The Carolina crew made a deal before the draft (Denver sending the No. 20 pick to Charlotte for a future first-rounder), and their dealings may not be over. Too bad for the Bobcats Kevin McHale is not a Carolina guy when he was looking to unload Kevin Garnett last summer. I have to imagine a big guy to play alongside Emeka Okafor is what the Bobcats would want back from Denver.

The Gerald Wallace talk does not make much sense to me. He is a team captain and a small forward who fills up the entire stat sheet. He has had some trouble with injuries, mainly due to the fact he treats his body like a crash-test dummy. Most of his injuries have occurred when he has been forced to play power forward rather than his natural small forward position.

From what I have heard, the Bobcats would just about give away Adam Morrison or Sean May.

One thing is certain this offseason for the Bobcats: It will be more exciting than the last couple of regular seasons combined.

Toronto Blue Jays Fire John Gibbons: Is J.P. Ricciardi Still in One Piece?

A-Train Rodriguez — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:26:19 -0400

Noted hothead John Gibbons has been fired as manager of the Toronto Blue Jays today. Cito Gaston has replaced him at the helm. Gaston returns to the Jays, where he won the 1992 and 1993 World Series.

Gibbons has had his share of run-ins with players over the years. In 2005, Gibbons berated Dave Bush in the dugout after a lackluster start by the righty. Bush was demoted then traded to Milwaukee within days.

In 2006, he challenged Shea Hillenbrand to a fistfight during a closed-door meeting. Later that season, Gibbons got into a shoving match with mild-mannered Ted Lilly in the tunnel behind the dugout, shortly after removing Lilly due to poor performance.

Quite frankly, I didn't believe JP Ricciardi had the courage to fire Gibbons, fearing the inevitable "let's settle this outside" moment.

Gaston, who ushered the team from the Exhibition Stadium to its current digs, takes over a team that has underachieved thus far. Gaston is the manager responsible for four of the five AL East championships in team history, as well as its two AL pennants and World Series wins.

Bleacher Report - Articles by A-Train Rodriguez

Charlotte Bobcats: Major Shakeups Coming

Toronto Blue Jays Fire John Gibbons: Is J.P. Ricciardi Still in One Piece?