Alright, I know I promised you an in-depth analysis of the Celtics and the Antoine Walker deal. But somehow the Sox managed to work their way back into the collective minds of the entire Boston Sports Nation by placing Manny Ramirez on waivers earlier today. And to tell the truth, I'm pretty pleased with it.
As a loyal fan, I'm tired of watching Manny dog it in the field and on the bases. He's getting paid $20 million TO PLAY A GAME. At least A-Rod makes that kind of money and still has a few gold gloves AND home run titles to show for it. Don't get me wrong, Manny is one hell of a good hitter. But he's a lousy fielder, a lousy base runner, has a lousy arm, and his head is usually not really in the game. So he's a 1-tool player. Plus, he's a divisive clubhouse presence. He's like Albert Belle with a healthy hip and without the anger management issues.
So that's the Sox update of the day. If someone like the Braves or Mets decides to claim him (The Yankees have already said they wouldn't), then more power to them. Both of them certainly have managers that might be able to get through to him. So, the Man-child is probably of
Oh, one last thing. Was anything funnier than hearing the Yankees' PA play "
Now, on to the Big Green Machine.
So, uh, anybody want an All-Star who averages over 20 points per game and who leads the league in 3-point FGs just about every year? Apparently the Celtics didn't. And I'm OK with it.
Now, hear me out here. I'm not agreeing with the move wholeheartedly. I'm just OK with it. I understand why the move was made (cap flexibility, draft status, team chemistry). And if Vin Baker turns out to be the rejuvenated man that every analyst in
So, why am I not totally behind this trade? Couple of reasons. First, timing. Generally, it is not a good idea to trade away one of the only two players on your team who has been a consistent scoring threat for the past few years. And you certainly don't do it a week before the season starts. But again, the whole Baker/Lafrentz duo picking up slack could have resulted in the decision.
Second, the message it sends. It was pretty well known that Danny Ainge was not a huge fan of Antoine Walker's game. Neither was I. I can't even count the number of times I watched 'Toine single-handedly squelch a fast-break opportunity by pulling up for a three-pointer. There's a reason he always leads the league in 3-pointers made, he always leads (by a large margin I might add) in 3's attempted too. Logic says that the more you take, the more you make. But anyway, Ainge publicly commented that he did not really favor
Finally, I don't like the package deal that was made here. Tony Delk as a throw in for the salary cap could come back to haunt the Celtics. During last season, and the subsequent postseason, I can't remember ANYONE coming off the bench and giving the Celtics bigger shots. Walter McCarty may have added more of a spark, but Tony Delk just flat out makes shots. Couldn't Ainge have given up like a 4th round pick, or not taken Chris Mills? Delk is going to step up huge for a Mavericks team that needs defense, not more bench depth.
So I'm not going to endorse the deal completely yet. Let's wait until the Green starts beating someone a little better than a hobbled Heat team, although I do like last night's game as a great confidence builder for Vin Baker (who looked GREAT) and Raef LaFrentz. Maybe, just maybe, Ainge isn't the second coming of Rick Pitino. Sorry, I vowed never to use the P-word when discussing the Celts again, but just once.
Last thing I'm gonna do in this posting is give out football picks and player picks for the week. I'll pick games with the spread, and also pick one player that I think is going to have a breakout game. I play fantasy sports religiously, so I take this stuff pretty seriously. Here goes (Home team is in CAPS).
Giants (-3) vs. JETS - Well, no matter what I answer here, I'm going to get shit from friends down in
Jags vs. RAVENS (-7) - This one is pretty easy. Ravens by a lot. I like Byron Leftwich. I think he's still going to make a servicable NFL QB by the time he's all done. But he's not going to be able to do much against the Ravens' D. Look for Mark Brunell to be in this game at some point, which is for the best. Let Byron learn for awhile. Also, look for Jamal Lewis to go off again. The Jags' D is pretty awful.
Raiders (-3.5) vs. LIONS - This one isn't as easy as it looked when the season first started. As much as I'd love to see the Raiders collapse for the rest of the season, there's still a part of me that... no, wait, I hate the Raiders. And I can't rely on a QB named Tuiasosopo (wow, spelled that right the first time). Lions and the points, but Jerry Rice has a big day.
Chargers vs. BEARS (-2.5) - Yeah, I know. They do actually have to play this game. Tomlinson is going to have a big day. A-Train will have a nice day. Both QB's will put up good numbers. THERE'S NO DEFENSE! And yet, I have no idea who's going to win this one. Take the Bears, if only because the Chargers' players, like most of San Diego, has their minds on bigger things than football right now.
Colts vs. DOLPHINS (-3) - How the hell are the Dolphins 3-point favorites in this game? They're good, don't let anyone tell you different. But the Colts are the complete package right now. Look for Reggie Wayne to have a good day for your team as Marvin Harrison sees a lot of double-teams from the 'Phins secondary. Also look for the Colts to take this one and stake a serious claim to the AFC South (wait, Indy is in the southern part of the US? And Dallas is in the east? Huh? Didn't re-alignment take care of all of these issues?...)
Saints vs. BUCS (-8) - Well, the point spread says just about everything here. It absolutely kills me that I have no other option than to start Deuce MacAllister this week. I've got a bad feeling that he's going to worry about that OT fumble last week and not play his own game. That being said, the Bucs take this game, but don't cover the spread (look for a 4-6 point Bucs win), and Brad Johnson has another nice day against a horrid
Redskins vs. COWBOYS (-5) - Ouch. Tough game to call here. Spurrier's coaching for his job. If he loses to the 'Boys, he's gone next week. If Parcells loses to the Skins, the
Panthers (-7) vs. TEXANS - Damn. I wish I'd been paying attention when this game first came out at a Panthers win and only a 2-point spread.
Bengals (-3.5) vs. CARDINALS - Corey Dillon should be back, and I think he'll play well in what might be his last game as a
Steelers vs. SEAHAWKS (-4.5) - Well well well. People sure shut up about the Seahawks being the "sleeper" team this year. This is what happens when you rely on a Hasslebeck, as I quickly learned in one fantasy league. Shaun Alexander is good, but way too inconsistent. Koren Robinson has vanished from Planet Earth. And the Seahawks defense isn't all it's cracked up to be, at least not in the secondary.
Eagles(-5) vs. FALCONS - Easy money. Eagles win in a laugher. When a team benches it's entire secondary (all $8M plus of it) in favor of four nobodies, that's not a good sign. It's even worse when Donovan McNabb is standing across the line of scrimmage from said secondary. Injured or not, McNabb's legs still work, and his receivers are bound to get open eventually. Donovan has a big game, Duce Staley might get more carries with Westbrook hurt and put up nice numbers, or you could just pick a receiver (my pick this week is James Thrash) and hope for the best.
Rams(-4.5) vs. 49ERS - Um, the Rams throw the ball really really well. The Niners secondary couldn't cover Ike Bruce and Tory Holt with a fishing net. You do the math. Take a receiver or Marc Bulger.
Packers vs. VIKINGS(-5) - Brett Favre never does well in the Metrodome. And this year, he's got a broken thumb. Not good. However, the Vikings are showing signs of weakness (I know, it's only one loss), especially in their young corners. And with all that, look for the Vikings to win and cover, and Ahman Green and Daunte Culpepper will combine to turn the ball over about 347 times.
Patriots vs. BRONCOS(-2) - What were Vito and Tony over at the Bellagio smoking when they came up with this line. Danny Kanell vs. one of the greatest defensive minds to ever coach an NFL team? Yeah, I'm sure gonna to bet on Kanell’s team in that one. Clinton Portis runs wild, but the Pats still win. Live, on MONDAY NIGHT!
So, quick recap. Manny's gone eventually. Antoine's gone now. And I like the following games in Week 9 of the NFL: Giants / RAVENS / LIONS / BEARS / Colts / Saints / Redskins / Panthers / Bengals / Steelers / Eagles / Rams / VIKINGS / Patriots.
posted by Big D @ 12:00 AM
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