With the injury suffered by All Star guard and franchise player Brandon Roy the Blazers and Coach Nate McMillan have a tough decision to make. Should the Blazers play Brandon Roy for the last couple of games in order to reach their goal of an above .500 record.

The smartest thing to do would be to rest Roy let other players get experience and come back next year with Greg Oden and make a serious run at the playoffs. With one of the youngest teams in the league, however, it would be a nice landmark to have a winning season in the Western Conference.

The Blazers could probably get by with playing Roy after a week or so and be in great shape, but there is always that slight possibility that he re-injures that groin and it becomes a lingering injury. Roy is obviously the Blazers leader and the player that all the chips are riding on. If the Blazers have any chance in making it to the postseason next year they will need Roy in the lineup.

Continue reading "Blazers in pursuit of winning record, but at what risk?"

Anyone who has tuned into ESPN within the past decade has heard comparison in the world of sports. Whether its, “Kobe Bryant will be the next Michael Jordan”, or “Floyd Landis is the next Lance Armstrong”. Whether its true or a sarcastic hyperbole comparison is used almost daily in the world of sports. Comparing similar players is easy, but comparing opposites can be a difficult task. Former Seattle Mariners pitchers Jamie Moyer and Randy Johnson are two of the most unique pitchers in the game. Two distinct styles, two completely different pitchers, one result, success.
Randy Johnson, one of the most well known pitchers in the game of baseball. A flame throwing “freak”. There are few things that are more menacing than stepping into the batter’s box against Randy Johnson. Standing at six feet ten inches and elevated on the pitching mound hurling a nine ounce object at nearly 100 miles per hour from a mere sixty feet away. Many batters are at Johnson’s mercy before they every pick up a bat. Johnson has racked up third most strikeouts in baseball history as he has blown away hitters with his deceptive side arm delivery, menacing appearance, and a fastball that truly lives up to its name.

Continue reading "Randy Johnson vs. Jamie Moyer"

Although LeBron James is the most talented athlete in the NBA I believe that he should not be given the Most Valuable Player award. This award should go to someone who has made his whole team better and has turned around an entire organization.

Standout point guard Chris Paul of the Hornets is the Most Valuable Player. Recording 20 assists on two different occasions this season and leading his team to the promise land. Paul has made Tyson Chandler look like a tier one center in the NBA. Paul has also made David West into one of the better scorers in the league, and Paul continues to drive and dish to Peja giving him open shots night in and night out.

Chris Paul does not have the scoring or explosive highlight real that LeBron can boast about, but he has done the dirty work to make his team the best they can be. Chris Paul is undoubtedly one of the best point guards in the game and has truly brought back the art of passing. He is exciting to watch and should be awarded with the MVP award this season.

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As Ken Griffey Jr. is entering the ladder stages of his career wouldn’t it be fitting to send him home to Seattle, where his career took flight? Although Griffey grew up in Cincinnati and has family ties in that region he has created more memorable moments in a Mariners uniform.

One of the classic moments in baseball came in the 1995 ALDS where Griffey scored from first on an Edgar Martinez double. This classic moment became known as “the slide”. There is nothing that Seattle fans would like more than to see Griffey a the plate for one more season, or to see him standing in right field at the beautiful Safeco Field.

With the Mariners trade of Adam Jones and the departure of Jose Guillen the Mariners are left with a vacant spot in right field that is calling for Griffey. Last summer Griffey came to Safeco in an epic return of Seattle’s legend. He was graced with a standing ovation during his first at bat, and in a press conference told reporters he would love to return to Seattle.

Continue reading "Bring Griffey Home"

The Blazers will be a team that is looking to compete in the very competitive Western Conference. As of now this looks to be their lineup:

C- Greg Oden

PF- Lamarcus Aldridge

SF- Travis Outlaw

SG- Brandon Roy

PG- Steve Blake/Rudy Fernandez

BENCH- Martell Webster, Joel Pryzbilla, Channing Frye, Jarrett Jack, 08 Draft Pick

The Blazers could compete with this lineup and do fairly well, but it's no secret that the Blazers lack experience. With Webster, Jack, Rodriguez, and Blake all likely on the bench they could stand to make a trade to pick up some veteran experience.

They do not need a blockbuster deal, and they should not trade any of their franchise center pieces (Roy, Oden, Aldridge) but they could truly benefit by picking up a veteran somewhere along the line just to bring some playoff experience to the team.

Continue reading "08-09 Outlook for Blazers"

The Dallas Cowboys may be the best team for Pacman Jones to join. The Cowboys really have little to lose from attaining Pacman Jones as their image as America's team will never fade. The Cowboys have some how managed to turn Terrell Owens from a loud mouth, team killing monster, into an All-League player an outstanding teammate, so why can't they do it for Pacman Jones

If Jones is given the chance to play for a team that will contend for the Super Bowl maybe he will be able to steer clear of any trouble. Granted Jones has been crowned NFL's most disruptive player, but if any team could right his ship it's the Dallas Cowboys.

Jones would likely help the Cowboys as an explosive punt returner, and given time he may be able to play for that stingy Dallas defense. It would be the ultimate comeback story if Jones could buckle down and play football for America's team this season and stay clean while making a run into the playoffs.

Continue reading "Cowboys interest in Pacman Jones"

With a huge boost for the pitching staff in Erik Bedard the Mariners are hoping to become a more well rounded team. If King Felix pitches like he can, and Bedard can repeat his success then the Mariners will no longer have a blaring weakness on the mound.

With Bedard and Hernandez being the one and two starters respectively the Mariners will need a nother solid season from Miguel Batista, who won 16 games for the Mariners last season. Carlos Silva will be a nice addition towards the end of the rotation and young Brandon Morrow will be able to make a few starts for the M's if Washburn becomes washed up.

The bullpen obviosuly suffered a loss with the departure of lefty specialist George Sherrill, who appeared in 73 games last season for the M's. The Mariners will be looking for more out of Sean Green (RHP), and will likely depend on Eric O'Flaherty to face the majority of lefties. Mark Lowe, coming off a microfracture surgery that kept him sidelined for most of last season, will also play a key role for the Mariners pitching staff. All these guys will attempt to hold down the fort to get to the bulldog JJ Putz. Putz recorded 40 saves last season with a 1.38 ERA and the Mariners are hoping for the same domination for the split throwing closer.

Continue reading "Mariners Season Preview"

AL MVP: Grady Sizemore, a true five tool talent, can hit for power, steal bases, and is a great center fielder. The Indians look strong this year and with Sizemore at the top of their lineup they will be a very tough team to beat.

Alex Rodriguez, you can't talk MVP without talking Alex Rodriguez. Without a doubt the most complete player in baseball. If he continues to put up numbers like he has in the Bronx then A-Rod will be in contention for the MVP.

Miguel Cabrera will make a huge difference for the Tigers this season. He will be hitting with more runners on base and have more RBI oppurtunities than in Florida. Cabrera has great power and has been one of the most consistent hitters in the game. Cabrera will be one of the best hitters in the American League and will contend for the MVP award.

Continue reading "MLB Season Predictions"

In his second attempt at mastering the art of the english language retired bash brother Jose Canseco published a nother book. A book that points the finger at current Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez, who is the most likely candidate to break Bonds' homerun record.

Canseco, however, has no background to support his claim and says that the time is not right to release the information he has. When is the time right Jose? I suppose that after A-Rod breaks the record you will come in and rain of his parade with a 'he said she said' case "proving" that he was on steroids.

This is just another pathetic attempt by Canseco to get attention. My advice to Canseco, if you have information and you want anyone to take you seriously release it. Instead of waiting until the market is perfect for you to release a third novel. Until I see some credible sources A-Rod remains the best player in baseball and a clean poster boy for the sport. Canseco can take his finger pointing back to the playgroud, because he can't handle the big boys.

Continue reading "Canseco vs. A-Rod"