Bleacher Report - Articles by Shane Yeo

Celtics-Hawks: Boston Proves They Are Still the Team To Beat

Shane Yeo — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:21:09 -0500

Pierce hit a fade-away jumper to seal the deal with 0.5 seconds remaining in Wednesday night's game to push the Celtics an 8-1 record in the rematch of last year's first round of the playoffs.

The Celtics trailed at one point by 16, but fought back to tie the game at the half. It was a nail-biter throughout. Pierce led the way with 34 points, Garnett added 25 points and 12 rebounds, and Ray Allen contributed 17 points.

Marvin Williams hit a go-ahead three with seven seconds remaining, before Pierce's game-ending shot hit the nylon.

Joe Johnson scored 28 points for The Hawks.

Atlanta came into TD Banknorth Garden undefeated—before the defending champion Celtics put them in their place, proving they still are the team to beat in the NBA.

NFL Week 11 Picks

Shane Yeo — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:05:12 -0500

Will the Titans remain undefeated? Who will come out atop the AFC East? Will we have a leader in the AFC or NFC North? Will the Buccaneers keep up with the Panthers? The laughable question...Can the Lions win a game? These are the questions going into Week 11, and here are my picks for the week, please tell me what you agree on, and what you don't.

Thu. Nov. 13

NY Jets @ New England>>>>>Tough one......New England

Sun. Nov. 16

Denver @ Atlanta>>>>>Atlanta

Minnesota @ Tampa Bay>>>>> Tampa Bay

Baltimore @ NY Giants>>>>> Giants

Oakland @ Miami>>>>>Miami

New Orleans @ Kansas City>>>>> New Orleans

Detroit @ Carolina>>>>>Carolina

Philadelphia @ Cincinnati>>>>>Philadelphia

Houston @ Indianapolis>>>>> Indianapolis

Tennessee @ Jacksonville>>>>> I think it will be a close one, Tennessee goes 10-0

Arizona @ Seattle>>>>>Arizona

St. Louis @ San Francisco>>>>>San Francisco

San Diego @ Pittsburgh>>>>>Pittsburgh

Dallas @ Washington>>>>>Washington

Mon. Nov. 17

Cleveland @ Buffalo>>>>>Buffalo

Cardinals Ready to Put NFC West in Rear View

Shane Yeo — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:28:17 -0500

So are the doubts gone? Haters anyone? The Arizona Cardinals are for real.

Kurt Warner has resurrected the 1999 and 2001 MVP we once knew.

Anquan Boldin has caught more touchdown receptions in his first seven games this year than he ever has in a season.

Larry Fitzgerald is still considered to be Warner's No. 1 receiving option and can take you deep at any time.

The surprise surge of Steve Breaston collecting over 600 yards has earned him the label of No. 3 receiving option.

Edgerrin James has been more of a veteran leader with a vocal impact, rather than offensively.

That impact has been made primarily on rookie tailback Tim Hightower (my new favorite Cardinal). Hightower has broken into the endzone seven times, and is almost a guarantee on third and short and goal-line situations. As of the Cardinals' last two games, Hightower has been named the starting running back.

The Cardinals lead the league in points per game (29.2) and are third in offensive yardage (385.4), but the defense is 19th in points allowed (23.1 per game) and 14th in yards allowed (311.3 per game).

Their main focus should be improving their handle on the pass (18th in the NFL at 216.3 yards/game). The Arizona defense goes into Week 11 against the Seahawks ranked 10th (95.0 yards/game) against the run, with running back Julius Jones serving as Seattle's only threat.

The Cardinals will beat the Seahawks on Sunday no problem, while the whimpering 49ers and the doomed Rams battle each other out. The Cardinals have already won this division; the question is, can they can handle Week 18 and beyond?

When In Rome: Brandon Jennings

Shane Yeo — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:44:29 -0500

European basketball is becoming more competitive and illustrious for the players who now live the life of fame and fortune.

Lately, the Euroleague has been offering NBA players the opportunity to travel overseas to play basketball. European teams have gone as far as to promise Villas on the Mediterranean Sea, yachts, and offering to pay the taxes of some players' salary. Such a glamorous offer was proposed to Kobe Bryant and accepted by former Atlanta Hawks forward, Josh Childress.

NBA players aren't the only ones headed over seas though.

In 2006, the NBA set an age deadline which stated that a player must be at least 19 years old before the beginning of the draft to be considered. So as players outplay their college peers and rise above competition with ease waiting for their eligibility, Brandon Jennings made a bold decision.

Brandon Jennings played his first two years of high school at Dominguez High School in Compton, California. He transferred to the basketball famous school, Oak Hill Academy in Virgina, who's alumni consists of Carmelo Anthony, Rajon Rondo, Stephen Jackson, Jerry Stackhouse, Josh Smith, and Kevin Durant among others.

Jennings averaged 35.5 points, 7.5 assists, five rebounds, and four steals per game in his senior year. Such statistics helped him earn the prestigious 2008 Naismith High School Basketball Player award.

Jennings made a verbal commitment to the USC Trojans before changing his mind to play for the Arizona Wildcats. But Jennings eventually bowed out of that decision as well, as the Wildcats saw shooting guard Jerryd Bayless join the NBA, and head coach Lute Olson retire.

Brandon Jennings made the decision to be the first American to skip college in exchange for playing in Europe.

Jennings decided that making a little money and gaining more experience would be good to help him excel and prepare him for the NBA. Jennings joined Pallacanestro Virtus Roma in Rome, Italy and has mentioned that he is learning how to run a team with more flow and ease than he did in high school.

Jennings looks to be the top point guard in the upcoming NBA draft.

He has speed, athleticism, vision, and truly knows the point guard position. Brandon Jennings will create offense for everyone, and is a true competitor that will never back down.

But has he created a trend for future high school graduates? Only time will tell.

Holliday On Board! Furcal, Giambi Next For Oakland Athletics

Shane Yeo — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:38:03 -0500

The deal has been sealed, pending physicals. The Oakland Athletics will acquire Colorado Rockies slugger Matt Holliday for closer Huston Street, southpaw starter Greg Smith, and the young MLB sophomore outfielder Carlos Gonzalez.

Holliday will add some much needed power to the Oakland lineup as he is a career .319 hitter and is nearing 500 RBI in his sixth year in the bigs. Many fans are questioning Billy Beane's decision as usual, stating that the Athletics gave up too much for Holliday who's contract will be up at the end of the year becoming a free agent, and pricier than the A's will be able to afford.

Joey Divine will be most likely to fill the open closer spot in Street's departure. Devine finished with a 0.59 ERA in 42 appearances last year.

Next on the list for the A's is a lead-off man. Word is they are showing serious interest in Rafael Furcal. The A's have money to spend, and Beane knows Holliday alone will not ensure more numbers in the win column.

Furcal would add speed and on-base-percentage (where Oakland sat in dead last in the American League last year) to a lineup that has been sluggish since Ricky Henderson wore the green and gold. If this deal is executed, it could mean young shortstop Bobby Crosby could be dealt.

First baseman/DH Jason Giambi and 3B Casey Blake are also on the radar for a Oakland team that has money to spend this offseason. The Billy Beane roller coaster has begun.