The Sooners had another stellar year in recruiting.  They rank between 5 and 7 on most draft boards.  They added some help for next year and smooth transition in the following years.  OU had injury problems and overall did not reach expectations.  Injuries can have a silver lining the following year because players have gained experience.  Let's look at what signing day has to offer the University of Oklahoma.

QB

Landry Jones will only be a sophomore next year and there are that say red shirt freshman Trent Allen could end up being better.  4 star QB Blake Bell may have to wait his turn, but the QB spot is definately talented.  Spring competition will be fun for years to come.

RB

The loss of Chris Brown hurts.  DeMarco Murray has been an unbelievable talent, when healthy.  Jermie Calhoun is ready for the load, but may need help if Murray is 100% all year.  Every year Mossis Madu has been talked about and not seen.  So, incoming freshman Brennan Clay and Roy Finch could see action this year.  Both are reasons OU ranked so high on signing day.  Things will be perfect if Murray stays healthy and Calhoun is the new Chris Brown and the rookies can learn on the job in spots like Jermie did last year.

Continue reading "Sooners recruiting"

The Oklahoma CityThunder outscored the Portland Trailblazers 30 to 16 in the 4qtr last night to win it's 6th game in a row.  The win also moved OKC a half a game ahead of San Antonio for the 6th spot.  The Thunder is also 3 games ahead of the 9th place Houston Rockets.  Things are looking good.

Durant had 33 points and 11 rebounds to lead the way.   Jeff Green lead the team in 43 minutes and had 17 points. James Harden was 2 for 5 from down town and added 13 points.  Another impressive stat was Erik Maynor's 5 assists and 1 turn over.  I'm saving my money for playoff tickets.

Go Thunder

Continue reading "Thunder 30 wins"

Houston has been shopping Tracy McGrady all year and something is a about to happen.  The leading candidate is the New York Knicks.  McGrady could be a 20pt scorer again with the up tempo style of play New York has. I think he would be a perfect fit for them. 

A third team may have to be involved and latest rumor has the Wizards.  Houston might get Caron Butler from Washington and the Knicks would send much traveled Al Harrington to DC.  Sounds like a swapping of big salaries and not much improvement.  There will be other players involved and draft picks for sure.  But, the main thing is McGrady in the biggest market.  If he could stay healthy for any length of time, he could really profit well.  He might be enough of a surge to get them into the playoffs this year. 

Continue reading "McGrady sweetstakes---Knicks?"

It's the All-Star break and time to asses where the season is at.  There are roughly 30 games left and the trading deadline is looming.  Here is a look at the playoffs if they were today.

1 Cleveland vs.  8 Chicago

2 Orlando vs   7 Miami

3 Atlanta vs 6 Charlotte

4 Boston vs 5 Toronto

Chicago looks like they have regressed overall from last year. But lately, they have started getting into the groove. Derrick Rose is unreal and they might win a game but they won't beat Cleveland.

Miami has one of the top 3 players in the game in Dwayne Wade.  This team could look different by playoff time. No matter how the team looks, it would take an incredible performance for even Wade to beat out Orlando.

Charlotte is a great story of over achieving.  They might be able to push Atlanta to a game 6, but that would be the best they could do.

Continue reading "NBA Playoffs Eastern conference"

In the first big move of the tradeseason, Portland acquired Marcus Camby from the Los Angelos Clippers for Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw.  This was a great move for the Trailblazers.  They have had a huge hole vacated by injuries to Joel Pryzbilla and Greg Oden.  Juwon Howard has filled in very well and Camby gives them the second best rebounder in the game inside.  Losing Blake will hurt some, but not as much as they gain from Camby.  Andre Miller has played very well at point guard and youngser Bayliss has shown he can be an effective backup.  They won't miss Outlaw.  He has been out since November with a broken foot and is to return soon.  Portland holds the 8th sot in the playoffs.  Camby is in his last year of his contract and will likely leave after this season since Oden and Pryzbilla will be back.

Continue reading "Portland makes the first move. Clippers--what are you thinking???"

Dallas and Washington traded talent this week. 

First Dallas---they get Caron Butler an all star that is almost averaging 17 points and 7 rebounds.  He will replace Josh Powell which is a huge up grade.  Brendon Haywood also joins the Mavs.  This was a good move because Eric Dampier hasn't been effective since hurting his knee.  Haywood is averaging 10 rebounds a game.  The Mavs also get Deshaun Stevenson.  A decent backup.

Washington is clearing house by unloading contracts and gaining potential.  What kind of potential is the question.  Josh Howard averaged 19 points last year.  Injuries and attitudes have landed him on the bench with decreasing minutes.  He has potential to be the team's leading scorer.  Sorry to say that his behavior could land him sitting next to Gilbert Arenas.  I'm not sure this was  a good move.

Continue reading "Mavs A Wizards--gambling"

The Thunder won their 7th straight win over the newly assembled Dallas Mavericks.  Durant lead the way with 25 points and 14 rebounds.  He was followed by 3 who scored 17 each in Westbrook, Green, and Harden.

 Westbrook had 8 assist to one turnover. Collison added 9 rebounds and 3 blocks.  Harden also had 6 assists.  Rookie Maynor had 4 assists to one turnover.  

They are now in the 5th seed spot.

Go Thunder!!!

Continue reading "Thunder win 7 straight!!!"

Cleveland just got a lot better.   They traded Zydranus Ilgauskas and his 11million dollar expiring contract to Washington for Antwain Jamison who has the same salary.      This adds a power scorer to the lineup while giving up nothing.  Anderson Varejo has been the backup at both power forward and center. This will continue.  Hickson's minutes may decrease, but he is still developing so that is ok.  The first pick won't matter if they win the title.       Also acquired is Sebastian Telfair an up and down career since joining the NBA.  They have point guard injuries so that is an added bonus.

Washington continues to dump salary by trading for Ilgauskas. His 11 mil is the same as Jamison's but expires this year.  They also unloaded Drew Gooden whom they acquired from Dallas last week.  Washington gets Al Thornton who is young and improving. 

Continue reading "Cleveland set for title run"

New York unloaded a lot more money on Thursday in hopes of landing LeBron.

Here is what transpired: 

New York gained:  Tracy McGrady and PG Sergio Rodriguez

New York lossed:  Jordan Hill, Jarred Jeffries and draft consideratoins in 2011 and 2012

Houston gained:  Kevin Martin and C Hilton Armstrong and draft considerations from NY in 2011 and 2012 Jarred Jeffries and Jordan Hill

Houston lossed:  Tracy McGrady Cal Landry and Joey Dorsey

Sacremento gained:  Cal Landry, Joey Dorsey, Larry Hughes

Sacramento lossed:  Kevin Martin and Hilton Armstrong

New York is taking a gamble, but a good one.  What they got isn't working.  They have a lot of contracts that are going to expire and unloaded more salary.  So, they will have enough money to sign 2 free agents the maximum.  LeBron James is the first choice.  The other could be McGrady as he gets to audition for the big money for the next 30 games.  That is smart for all parties involved.  New York gets to see if McGrady is a fit.  McGrady gets to prove how good he is. And, Houston is rid of his contract and got something out of it.

Continue reading "McGrady to NY helping the way for LeBron"

Utah is trying to stay within their financial means and stay competitive at the same time. They traded Ronnie Brewer to Memphis for a future pick.  They have depth at that position and can absorb the loss.  Brewer is a restricted free agent and Utah may not be able to match any offers.  So, they gain a pick for him now.  Not bad I guess.

Memphis is trying to make the playoffs now and giving up a future pick for something now makes sense.  Brewer will improve them and I think he was worth the first round pick.  I don't know that he gets them there, but he will be better than what they could have drafted for.

Continue reading "Utah is making financial moves"

The Boston Celtics made a move that they hope gets them to the title.  They traded for Nate Robinson, a point guard that can score.  Here is how it breaks down:

Celtcis get ;   Nate Robinson, Marcus Landry

Knicks get:  Eddie House, JR Giddens, Bill Walker

They Celtics give up a hot shooter in House.  I hate to see him go.  But, they gain much needed depth at the point guard spot.  They can even use both Robinson and Rondo in the back court and really go more up tempo if needed.  They may be the biggest advantage for acquiring Robinson. They become quicker and more athletic.  It's also good for Robinson because he goes to a title contender.  He also gets a 1 million dollar bonus if they make the playoffs.

 The Knicks get rid of more cap room to sign big names this year.  Also, House played for D'Antoni in Phoenix.  So, he will fit in the system and get to play a lot. Giddens and Walker are young players that still may develope but may not.  So, it wasn't a loss for Boston and a potential for New York.

Continue reading "Cetlics Knicks make moves"

Dallas Mavericks' new players played well last night, beating the top team in the east in Orlando Magic.

Caron Butler and Brenden Haywood combined for 73 minutes 16 rebounds and 31 points.  A really good bigman and another scorer.  Good Job Dallas.

Another top team fell to newcomers.  Denver fell to Washington and their new lineup.  No Arenas, no Jamison, no Butler, no problem.  Josh Howard had 20 points in 23 minutes. More stunning was the 25 points the Wizards outscored the Nuggets in that 23 minutes.  Also, Al Thornton (just acquired from the Clippers) had 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 block shots in 31 minutes. Oh I can't wait until Ilgauskas joins the group. 

Expect Thornton and Howard to play with a chip on their shoulders, showing the teams that didn't want them that they were wrong. The Wizards have players that are auditioning for the big free agent bucks.  They are going to be competitive for the rest of the season.

Continue reading "New faces, early dividends"

LaDainian Tomlinson was let go by the Chargers.   The 8th all time running back is no longer in San Diego.  He is a future hall of famer. But, does he have a future else where?

Let's take a look:

How about the Arizona Cardinals?  They took a shot at Emmitt Smith towards the end of his career.  Replace aging Warner with another aging vet? 

Cleveland could use a running back if they aren't completely decided on Harrison.

No one may need it more than the Detroit Lions. But I don't think he will take that job.

Another team that can win is the Houston Texas.

Kansas City???

Or how about the Seattle Seahawks---a possibility.

But the winner will be New England.  He would fit perfectly with the Patriots.

Sunny San Diego to chilly Boston-------but another ring???

Continue reading "LT no longer a Charger"

Kansas got closer to locking up a one seed.  They beat Oklahoma soundly last night.  As for the Sooners, it has gotten so bad that the coach is threatening scholarships.  OUch!

The big game of the night was UConn beating West Virginia.  WV is fighting for a top seed and last night didn't help.  They may now be a 3 or 4 seed if the selection were today.  UConn took a big step towards getting in. I think they are still out of the field as of right now since their conference record is still below 500.  They have always been a tourney favorite.  I look for them to keep building on that win.  I say now they are not in. I predict that they will get in.

Continue reading "ncaa tourney feb 22"