Steph Curry Wins Back to Back MVPs: LeBron James Not Impressed

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ESPN – One day after Curry was voted the first unanimous winner in 61 years, James, who finished third behind Curry and San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard, said the honor can be interpreted in different ways…”I think sometimes the word ‘valuable’ or best player of the year you can have different results,” said James, a four-time MVP. “You know, that’s not taking anything from anyone that’s ever won the award.”

Another quote in a long line of them from LeBron that just come off as salty at best. Do you think LeBron was playing semantics when he won back to back MVPs? Winning the award four times (09,10,12,13) I’m pretty sure LeBron would be bullshit if people tried to say he was merely a valuable player, not actually the best player in the league.

Steph Curry is on a historic run and is just decimating teams, albeit in an unconventional way jacking 3’s from half court. Curry is the best player in the league hands down. May not be the best defender, shot creator, whatever you want to nitpick, but is the best overall player in the NBA? Hands down. Hell, even NBA2k had to apologize for not making his video game character good enough. Just more sour grapes coming out of Believeland.

Amendola Takes a Hair Cut to Keep Winning with the Patriots

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CSNNE – Asked how he came to make the decision, Amendola repeatedly explained that there was nowhere else he wanted to be. In order to remain with the Patriots, he was willing to cut his base salary down from $5 million to $1.25 million.

Carports for everybody! Danny Amendola you beautiful sonofabitch. Amendola took a pretty substantial pay cut to stay with the Pats because he loves the team, the coach, the city, but above all else the dude wants to win. Amendola spent a longg time in St. Louis when the Rams were a glorified college team just pissing away the prime years of a lot of guys. No way he’s going back to a hell hole like that to make a few more bucks.

Rumblings started surfacing again this offseason after Amendola restructured his deal last offseason too. What originally was put into place as a replace Wes Welker deal, was starting to seem a little rich for Belichick and co. Danny’s a smart dude, he banked a lot of money the first season plus where he was largely hurt or ineffective. So maybe in his head it all evens out. But after putting in the work with TB12 and finally getting right physically he’s been money and is now one of Brady’s most trusted targets and rarely even drops a ball, unlike some other guys.

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Never forget the Edelman to Amendola touchdown against the Ravens either; that one goes into the Patriots Porn Hall of Fame.

Plus Kay Adams ain’t too bad of an incentive.

Celtics Banking on Banners to Bring in Free Agents, Again

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ESPN – Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens seems flattered when it’s suggested to him that free agents might consider Boston as a destination because of his presence, but he firmly believes that the 17 championship banners that hang above the TD Garden floor are the team’s biggest attraction.

This is what drives me nuts about the Celtics every summer. I’m sure Stevens is just being modest trying to push the focus off himself, but let’s be real. I appreciate the history of the Celtics — Red Auerbach, 17 titles, Russell, Bird etc. Danny Ainge appreciates the history of the Celtics so do Wyc Grousbeck and all the fans. But NBA players don’t give a shit. Nothing better than a little self awareness, guys.

Not to say there aren’t players out there who really do love the history like Pierce and KG, but those guys learned to love it. Garnett initially refused a trade to come to Boston. It was only after playing here that he grew to love the city, the banners and of course Gino. That’s why the Celtics have never landed a big free agent…ever. Guys want to play in LA and schmooze or down in South Beach and duck state taxes. So I just can’t buy into the pipe dream yet again that this free agent class is the one that will be full of history students. The only way to really rebuild this team is through mammoth, monster trades. Make these guys realize what they’re missing.

Red Sox Riding 40 Year Old DH and Knuckleballer to Early Success

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Courtesy of Boston Globe

Courtesy of Boston Globe

ESPN – Ortiz’s strong night overshadowed that of Steven Wright, who had another strong start in a season full of them. Wright tossed a complete game, allowed three hits and faced two batters more than the minimum in the win. The knuckleballer extended his streak of games in which he pitched at least six innings and allowed two or fewer runs to six. In the past 50 years, only Roger Clemens (1993, 1991) and Clay Buchholz (2013) have started seasons with at least six such games for the Red Sox.

Led by a 40 year old DH and a Knuckleballer, the 2016 Red Sox continue to defy expectations. Again, let me repeat that; David Ortiz, a guy who is 40 years old and in the final year of his career is crushing the ball with 9 HR’s so far (MVP type start) and Steven Wright, a former journeyman Knuckleball pitcher, who was slotted as your No. 5 starter, is throwing zeroes and is currently trailing only 3 pitchers in all of baseball in ERA. Not to mention, going the distance and throwing a complete game 3-hitter against your biggest rival on Sunday Night Baseball; you know the stuff Aces do.

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Meanwhile the $217 offseason acquisition has been bad more often than good with an ERA of 6.75. I fully expect David Price to pick it up, for no other reason than it would be a fall off of epic proportions to go from Cy Young contender to guy with an era in the 6’s. Boston does indeed take some getting used to, but I think a guy with his track record figures it out. Probably won’t be in the Cy voting this year, but reel off a few good starts and we’re back on track and the Sox become a dangerous team both with the bat and on the mound.

Right now sitting 1/2 game out of first, most people picked the Sox to be a mediocre team and likely miss the playoffs with the 98.5 Sports Hub guys even dubbing May 5th, “Cinco de Fire-o” for John Farrell. But the offense has been dominant as the Red Sox lead the AL in Runs, Hits, Doubles, Triples, RBIs, AVG, OBP, SLG, and OPS. So in other words – the best offense in the league. That has allowed the pitching to be very meh over the first 30 games.

Things will really get interesting when last year’s rookie stud Eduardo Rodriguez comes back from the DL and then again when Machine Gun Joe Kelly comes back. I think most people initially expected Wright to get the shaft once E-Rod came off the DL, but there is no way in hell John Farrell can yank Wright now. Not while he continues to carry the goddamn team.

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My vote would be for Buchholz to take his annual vacation on the DL. The guy weights 150 pounds, it’s prob for the best if he doesn’t make 32 starts. Give me 20-25 great starts and just be ready for the playoffs and we’re good. No need to force it and try to get more out of a guy when it’s just not coming. He’s been on the Sox for 9 years now, he is what he is. A decent middle of the rotation pitcher who can be lights out when everything is going his way. Put guys in a position to succeed, especially in a sport with athletes as coddled as baseball. And then when he asks for a $150 million dollar contract you politely tell him to kick rocks.

Breaking Down ESPN’s Top 25 Athletes With Unfulfilled Potential

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So the World Wide Leader put out an article breaking down their Top 25 athletes that never fulfilled their potential. Instead of rehashing the whole thing, took my liberties and pulled the excerpts from this list for anyone born after 1985.

 

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No. 25 Matt Leinart: This guy was the king at USC, living the absolute life. Winning every game imaginable, taking home National Championships w/ Reggie Bush and co., all while just basically taking elective classes like Ballroom Dancing his senior year. Like I said, living the life. Gets drafted Top 10 into what seemed like a great situation in Arizona except Kurt Warner ends up going on a late career tear so any chance Leinart had of starting in AZ was gone after that. Bounced around a lot after that, but never was able to put it together, got a last grasp as the 3rd string guy for the Houstons and by some freak miracle both guys ahead of him go down and Leinart has a chance to revive is career..immediately gets sacked and destroys his shoulder, career over. It’s a shame because he was great in college, but has parlayed that into a pretty solid career on FS1.

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No. 24 Bo Jackson: On this list for obvious reason. Bo Jackson could have been the greatest football player of all time, and also ya know dabbled in professional baseball making the 1989 All-Star team. A lot of guys talk a big game, and many pros got drafted in multiple sports, but Bo was dominant in two professional sports at once – before the damn hip injury derailed his career. Now he spends his time being a freak athlete in other ways, like being scary good with a bow and arrow. Bo Knows, indeed.

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No. 17 Aaron Hernandez: Goddamn angel dust. Hernandez was so, so good. Just an absolute beast of an athlete, too big for cornerbacks to cover and too fast for linebackers. Belichick was using his as a freaking running back and he was breaking off 30 yard runs. Then someone had to smudge his Puma’s in the club and set him off into a murderous rage, which as it turns out wasn’t exactly a new thing for Aaron..allegedly.

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No. 16 Vince Young: Vinsanity, VY, Madden Cover Boy, Offensive Rookie of the Year. This dude was a stud in college, crushing the absolute soul of the aforementioned Matt Leinart, and then had a great rookie year obviously. Then the league adapted, his accuracy issues caught up to him, or the pressure became too much, or maybe working for Jeff Fisher just drove him nuts. I mean I’d throw all my shit in the stands too if Jeff Fisher was on my ass all day. At least he won’t be known for any outlandish quotes like being on some sort of Dream Team.

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No. 10 JaMarcus Russell: Another mammoth human being who dominated in college, No. 1 overall pick (got PAID before the new CBA smartened up and stopped giving rookies $70 million deals) and then was basically a disaster from the start. Criticized for being out of shape and lazy so it’s hard to feel too bad for his flame out, but he has offered to play for the price of ‘on the house’ to launch a comeback. With such a terribly small crop of decent backup QB’s in the NFL, why not?

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No. 7 Maurice Clarett: This guy just goes to show you can’t fight city hall. Petitioned to bypass the NFL Draft requirements and skip a year of college eligibility after accounting for 1,300+ yards and 18 TD’s as a freshman. A few gun charges later and Clarett’s getting cut by the Bronco’s before the end of camp. Woof.

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No. 1 Greg Oden: Definition of dodging a bullet for any team not named the Portland Trailblazers. Again, absolutely dominant in college (noticing a trend here), and was the consensus No. 1 overall pick. Another guy who’s career was derailed by injuries pretty much immediately with Oden missing his entire rookie year after getting Microfracture surgery. He only played in 82 games TOTAL with Portland, which is legit depressing to think about if you’re a Blazers fan. The ping pong balls giveth and the ping pong balls taketh.

Bill Parcells Says New Patriots QB Jacoby Brissett is A-OK in His Book

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Courtesy of NY Daily News

Courtesy of NY Daily News

Boston Herald – “You never really know for sure until you see a player under the gun, so to speak, at the top level,” Parcells said. “But, that being said. I have a very high regard for this young man. He’s an awesome kid…..”He’s very bright. He has zero personal issues. He’s a very dedicated, committed guy, and I think he’s going to the absolute perfect place for him.”

I still have no idea what to make of Jacoby Brissett and we probably won’t really know for a couple of years, but as far as references go you could do a lot worse than Bill Parcells. Obviously I don’t know much about his relationship with Brissett, but this basically boils down to the Big Tuna wanting to let everyone know the Pats newest QB has his head screwed on straight. AKA Not an Asshole.

And that’s definitely good to hear from a hard ass like Parcells. A former coach who famously ripped players and wasn’t exactly known for lavishing praise on his guys. I hope this isn’t just Bill softening with age because as far as the comparisons to Troy Brown and Tedy Bruschi go that’s great, but QB is a different animal.

Backup QB is always the most popular guy in town too and this goes double for the third stringers. How else do you explain legit nicknames like The Yates of Hell? Or the stories of Rohan Davey throwing balls from his knees at midfield and hitting the uprights? Absolutely useless info, but the kind of cool stories that you hear about players that never see the field. So my point is, barring “24” style catastrophe, we won’t know much about Jacoby for a while, unless you lie through your teeth like Mel Kiper Jr, so it’s good to hear some high praise out of a Hall of Fame coach right out of the gates.

NFL No Longer Accepting Draft Prospects If They Can’t Cook

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Yahoo Sports – “A college prospect had to defend his cooking skills, which were criticized by an anonymous scout, the day before the NFL draft…”I worry about him because of off-the-field issues. The kid has no life skills. At all. Can’t cook. Just a baby. He’s not first round for me. He scares me to death.”

A college student who can’t cook. That’s what NFL scouts are concerned with these days? When I was a freshman in college I used to buy these little packages of tuna because I had no idea how to use a can opener.

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Ride the shuttle to Wal-Mart and stock up on Red Barrons (bootleg Mama Celeste), popcorn chicken and any other food I could microwave. Sure Apple may need to upgrade his diet from Goldfish and Beers for dinner, but I think he’ll be fine playing some football without a degree from Cordon Bleu.

 

Sacramento Kings Getting People to Tattoo New Logo On Themselves

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Courtesy of ESPN

Courtesy of ESPN

SB Nation – The team, however, has decided to go even further by inviting fans to get tattoos of the logos for free on Wednesday. So, at five designated tattoo parlors, fans lined up immediately.

As a guy that loves tattoos, but has never had the stones to pull the trigger and get one, this is bananas. Yet I respect the hell out of it. Getting a tattoo as part of a publicity stunt is some bold stuff, especially for a team that has changed its logo yet again. It’s not like the Yankees “NY” or something that hasn’t changed in a hundred years. But tattooed folk are like a guy sitting at a hot blackjack table. If you’ve already got a couple, whats another one? Hit me. ESPECIALLY if that shit is free. All while being branded for a garbage basketball team.

With that being said..the secondary logo of the lion is fire.

 

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Las Vegas Raiders Dream is Still Alive!

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ESPN – Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis will attend a meeting with Nevada tourism officials Thursday in Las Vegas to discuss relocating to a proposed domed stadium there…The location for the proposed Las Vegas stadium is a 42-acre lot on Tropicana Avenue, a few blocks off the Strip.
This has to happen. Listen the Raiders want to move because Oakland is a dump and why move to LA just to be Stan Kroenke and the Rams little brother? You really wanna be the Clippers for the next 30 years?

Now would an NFL team in Vegas be a disaster? Probably. Best case scenario the Raiders spawn some kind of weird tourist fan base like Siegfried and Roy or when the Backstreet Boys set up shop in town for a few months. Worst case scenario is half the players can’t control themselves in Sin City with all the debauchery, drinking, drugs and gambling. In other words, exactly how Al Davis would have wanted it.

This immediately would become the top destination for any guys looking to catch a game out of town. Fly in on a Friday, destroy your body all weekend and then have a few Bloody Mary’s at the stadium Sunday afternoon watching the game that you 100% have bet your rent on. Sign me up.

Former Madden Legend JaMarcus Russell Says He’ll Play QB in the NFL for Free

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ESPN – JaMarcus Russell, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft who hasn’t played since 2009, said he will “play for free” if a team gives him another chance…”I am willing to lead the scout team for free for one year just to get experience in your system,” Russell wrote in a letter to Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, according to Sports Illustrated.

On one hand this is legitimately sad for the former No. 1 overall pick in the NFL to be offering to play on a practice squad for free just to get back in the league. On the other hand JaMarcus signed a $68 million deal (poor bastard only actually got $38 mil of it) with the Raiders back in 2007  so he’s not exactly working at the gas station. Fortunately for him a certain team up in New England could potentially use a low-cost (free) QB for a few weeks to start the season. And with Johnny Football in and out of court and all coked up at Coachella, opportunities are abundant for washed up QB’s. It’s called destiny, JaMarcus.