Bleacher Report - Articles by Nick G

Kelvin Sampson to the Bucks?

Nick G — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:55:59 -0400

Kelvin Sampson's hopes to coach another college team may be coming to an end. League sources say that Kelvin is pursuing the task of being the next Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach.

According to ESPN, the newly aquired head coach Scott Skiles, has been aggressively trying to obtain the Ex-Hoosier coach. Scott Skiles with the help of Sampson could get things done at Milwaukee.

Sampson has had a good career coaching at the college level until of course he was booted for recruiting violations. Before that he had compiled a record of 23-4 in that season and was showing no sign of letting up. Sampson in my eyes ranks amongst the top coaches, but only for the record of his team. What he did was wrong and it made a bad rep for him.

Sampson now has a chance to enter the NBA slate free and become the new asst. coach of the Bucks, along with Scott Skiles who has proven to be a reliable coach for years. He can make good money and make a new rep for himself here in the NBA.

Who knows, if he does come aboard with the Bucks and they do mediocre this upcoming season he could be in the calling for a head coaching job where it is desperately needed.

Shaquille O'Neal to the Phoenix Suns?

Nick G — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:09:03 -0500

It has been a tough season this year for the Miami Heat with nagging injuries and horrific performance on the court.

Is it time to switch things around?

The latest trade rumors have Shaquille O'Neal moving to the Phoenix Suns for Shawn Marion and a player yet to be named.

Putting this trade through would definitely benefit the Miami Heat (generally speaking long-term) and give them more depth.

Phoenix would become "slower" at the spot, but at the same time they would be gaining size and veteran leadership. Would Steve Nash work well with the Diesel?

With Shaq's injuries coming and going, who knows how the rest of his future would be. If he gets injured again it could be career-ending and Phoenix would be thinking twice about the move they had made.

All in all, Shaq is a force to be reckoned with, but is it to late to make the trade?

Winners vs. Losers: Should There Be College vs. Pro Game?

Nick G — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:09:24 -0500

The LSU Tigers had made a major impact on the game of college football with their drive and competitive spirit.

They got themselves a spot in the BCS National Title Bowl and eventually a win versus the always tough Ohio State Buckeyes.

Are the LSU Tigers ready for big time? Could they compete with the NFL speed and size?

This season in the NFL the worst team, the Miami Dolphins, had a collapse of a season putting them at 1-15 for the season. They should be able to at least play and beat a college football team (I hope).

Having a pro vs. college game would be just the answer to this and it would be interesting for many people to watch.

Wouldn't you love to see it the horrible Dolphins offensive line could hold off Glen Dorsey.

How about if the defense, which gave up 27.3 points per game, can hold off against the rushing attack of LSU.

Could an NFL defensive line compete against the LSU offensive line and make it to Matt Flynn enough to rattle him.

LSU had plenty of close games throughout their season, and they were able to pull most of them out at the last second, this game could be that kind of game, and it would answer one of the questions always asked of bad teams, "Can you even beat a college team?"

People might say that it runs the risk of injury, but if the game were played at the end of the season it wouldn’t be much of a problem.

And what if one sport does it and then it takes off, it could become a huge game in every sport, the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL.

... its up for grabs!

Gilbert Arenas's Return Should Revitalize the Washington Wizards

Nick G — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 16:41:40 -0500

Gilbert Arenas is one of the best up-and-coming point guards in the NBA today.

Despite losing one of the Washington Wizards' top scorer to injury—Arenas was averaging over 20 points a game—they still manage to stay in the race for the Southeast Division.

But the road to the top spot in their division will be a difficult one as they will have to go through the Orlando Magic.

Presently 24-21, the Wizards could easily find themselves back in the hunt for a three or four seed in the playoffs when Arenas makes his return.

If the Wizards can keep their winning record until Arenas comes back, they have a very strong chance of becoming an Eastern Conference standout.

I predict a spot in the Eastern Conference championship for the Wizards this year facing the tough Boston Celtics. Washington has no chance against the number one team in the NBA, though.

Give the Wizards one more year and their talent will match that of the greatest in the league.