It was recently announced that Allen Iverson will not be returning to the Philadelphia 76ers this season so that he can focus on a serious family situation involving his daughter’s health.  This got me thinking on whether or not Iverson will ever return to the NBA.  At one time, Iverson was one of the most electrifying players to ever play the game.  In his first ten years in the league (all with Philadelphia), Iverson was always near the top of the league in scoring and always had his 76er’s teams overachieving. In the 2001 season, Iverson averaged 31.1 points, 4.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.5 steals and brought a 76er’s team to the NBA Finals.  It was a Sixers’ team that had no business making it to the Finals.  Iverson put that team on his back and it was one of the most impressive individual playoff performances in years.

In recent years Iverson has been nowhere near the player he once was.  In the past three seasons his production has dropped significantly and his 6-0, 165-pound frame has taken a beating over his 14-year career.  It looked like all those years of putting his body on the line finally caught up with him.  This season he was averaging only 13.8 points, 4.0 assists, and 2.9 rebounds.  Those numbers were all career-lows for Iverson.  His small 34-year-old frame wasn’t holding up like it used to and he seemed mentally drained as well.  After being deemed a “superstar” and a team’s number one guy for so many years, Iverson had no interest in coming off the bench and was not afraid to let people know that.  He was becoming more of a distraction and was killing teams’ morale when he was with Denver, Detroit, Memphis, and his most recent stint with Philadelphia.

That being said, Iverson is one of the best players of his generation and is probably the best “little man” to ever play in the NBA.  He is the shortest player in NBA history to win the MVP and he has career averages of 26.7 points, 6.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and has shot 43% from the field, 32% from three, and 78% from the free throw line.  In his 914 game career, he has played around 40,000 minutes (41.1 mpg) and always played hard.  He may not like to “talk about practice,” but this guy always gave his all during games.  Whether Iverson decides to retire or give the NBA another go, he is a sure Hall-of-Famer.  He has been an MVP (2001), Rookie of the Year (1997), 11-time NBA All-Star, two-time NBA All-Star MVP (2001, 2005), four-time NBA Scoring Champion (1999, 2001, 2002, 2005), three-time All-NBA 1st Team (1999, 2001, 2005), three-time All-NBA 2nd Team (2000, 2002, 2003), and All-NBA Third Team (2006).

UPDATE (3/8/10):  News has now surfaced that Iverson has some serious gambling and alcohol problems.  His gambling is so bad that he has even been blacklisted from a few casinos.  His life is being called a “train wreck” by many who were close to him in the basketball world, most notably journalist Steven A. Smith who has followed Iverson’s career for years and was about as close a journalist could be to an athlete.  This is some sad news and it looks like Iverson’s playing days are over, as he needs to get his life in order before he can even think about returning to the game.

I took a look at the winners at the trade deadline a little earlier here and now here is a look at the losers in no particular order:

Chicago Bulls:  The Bulls traded John Salmons and Tyrus Thomas for Hakim Warrick, Flip Murray, Acie Law, Joe Alexander and a first round pick.  Sure the Bulls got quantity back for the two players they traded but they traded Thomas and Salmons to teams that are trying to take their playoff spot away from them.  For that reason they are a loser.

Los Angeles Clippers:  The Clippers have traded Marcus Camby, Al Thornton and Sabastian Telfair for Steve Blake, Travis Outlaw and Drew Gooden.  The Clippers saved some money making these trades but they also moved the two best players in them (Camby and Thornton).

Philadelphia 76ers:  The Sixers were trying to move some money at the trade deadline but they didn’t find any takers.  They traded Royal Ivey and Primoz Brezec to the Bucks for Jodie Meeks and Francisco Elson in a trade that will help neither team.

Sacramento Kings:  The Kings traded Kevin Martin and Sergio Rodriguez  for Carl Landry, Larry Hughes and Joey Dorsey.  I don’t really have a problem with trading Martin as he and Tyreke Evans didn’t play well together.  I still don’t think they got fair value in this trade despite the fact that I like Carl Landry as a player.  Watching Sergio Rodriguez start for the Knicks will be the extra kick in the nuts to the Kings.

Washington Wizards:  The Wizars blew up the team by trading Antwan Jamison, Brendan Haywood, Caron Butler, DeShawn Stevenson and Drew Gooden for Al Thornton, Quinton Ross, James Singleton, Josh Howard, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and a first round pick.  Howard has already torn his ACL and Ilgauskas wants bought out.  Sure, the Wizards have cap space for next year but who are they going to be able to entice to sign with them?

Utah Jazz:  The Utah Jazz traded starting shooting guard Ronnie Brewer to the Grizzlies for a first round pick.  The trade doesn’t look as bad now that Brewer injured himself but the players on the Jazz are upset with their front office and that is never a good thing.

San Antonio Spurs:  The Spurs pretty much gave Theo Ratliff to the Bobcats to save some cash.

The Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat are teams that needed to make a trade.  Stoudemire and Wade could both walk in free agency after the season.  The Nets, Pacers, Pistons and Warriors are all losers because they should have moved some of there lousy players and saved some cash.

In no particular order I’m going to run down the winners of the trade deadline.  Here we go:

Boston Celtics:  The Celtics were looking for some help off the bench and they got it at the trade deadline adding Nate Robinson and Marcus Landry while only having to give up Eddie House, J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker.  Little Nate should be a big improvement over Eddie House off the bench the rest of the way for the Celtics.

Charlotte Bobcats:  The Bobcats needed some muscle and defense around the basket and they got it with Tyrus Thomas and Theo Ratliff.  They did give up a first round pick but little else as Flip Murray and Acie Law were bench fodder for them this season.

Cleveland Cavaliers:  The Cavaliers wanted to improve at power forward and that they did when they acquired Antwan Jamison and Sebastian Telfair for a first round pick and Zydrunas Ilgauskas.  The Wizards are talking about buying out Ilgauskas which could clear the way for the Cavs to bring him back after thirty days.

Dallas Mavericks:  The Mavericks were huge winners at the deadline as they acquired Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson from the Wizards without giving up a starting player moving Josh Howard, Quinton Ross, James Singleton and Drew Gooden.

Houston Rockets:  The Rockets were also huge winners at the trade deadline as they brought in Kevin Martin, Jared Jeffries, Jordan Hill, Hilton Armstrong, the right to swap first round picks in 2011 with the Knicks and they also got the Knicks’ first round pick in 2012.  The Rockets moved Tracy McGrady, Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey in this huge trade.

Memphis Grizzlies:  I know that hindsight is 20/20 and Ronnie Brewer is hurt right now.  But, giving up a first round pick for Brewer would have been a great move for the Grizzlies who needed help off the bench.

Milwaukee Bucks:  The Bucks made two trades and they netted John Salmons, Primoz Brezec and Royal Ivey in exchange for Hakim Warrick, Joe Alexander, Francisco Elson and Jodie Meeks.  Salmons has already moved into the starting lineup for the Bucks while weakening the Bulls who are right in front of them in the standings.

Minnesota Timberwolves:  The Timberwolves acquired Darko Milicic from the Knicks for Brian Cardinal.  This was the right price to take a gamble on Milicic who is still young.

New York Knicks:  The Knicks not only cleared cap space for next season but they appear to have made themselves a little better for the rest of this year.  Tracy McGrady and Sergio Rodriguez are already in the starting lineup for the Knicks while Eddie House is giving them a boost off the bench.  Bill Walker and J.R. Giddens came over in the Nate Robinson trade and they are still young so the jury is out on them.  Brian Cardinal was released the day after the Knicks traded Darko Milicic to the T-Wolves.  The Knicks moved Darko Milicic, Nate Robinson, Marcus Landry, Larry Hughes and Jared Jeffries in the trades they made and they likely won’t miss any of them.  But, they also gave the Rockets the chance to swap positions in the first round in the 2011 NBA Draft and they also traded them a 2012 first round pick.  It will be interesting to see who the Knicks are able to entice to the Big Apple during the summer.

Portland Trailblazers:  The Trailblazers acquired Marcus Camby from the Clippers for Steve Blake, Travis Outlaw and some cash.  Camby is just what the Blazers needed as he will give them defense and rebounding around the basket.

The Thunder, Hornets, Nuggets, Magic, Lakers, Hawks and Raptors resisted making any trades but I still count them all as winnners because they really didn’t need to make a deal.

28-year old shooting guard Dwyane Wade loves playing in Miami and who wouldn’t as it’s a beautiful city with great weather.  But, that just doesn’t seem to be enough for D-Wade who wants to win another championship.  Despite trying hard to trade for Amare Stoudemire the Heat got turned down by the Suns.  So once again the Heat have not brought in any help for D-Wade and it’s starting to wear on his patience.  They needed to do something to keep him happy because you saw last night what the team would be like without him when they lost at home to the Timberwolves.  Wade has played in 55 games (all starts) this season and he is averaging 35.7 minutes, 26.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.1 blocked shots per game.  In his 7 years with the Heat, Wade has played in 449 games (441 starts) in his career with them and he is averaging 37.6 minutes, 25.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocked shot per game.  There will be a lot of teams after D-Wade in free agency so the Heat will have to work hard to keep him, because without him they would be a lousy team in 2010-11 and beyond.

The NBA trade deadline has come to an end and there was a lot of action this year, with 41 players packing their bags and putting on some new uniforms.  Most of the rumors on guys that would likely get traded really panned out, unlike most trade rumors that usually go on in the NBA.  The only big trade rumor that didn’t pan out was Amar’e Stoudemire being dealt away from the Phoenix Suns.  The headliner of this year’s moves was Antawn Jamison being dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team deal also involving the Wizards and Clippers.  It looks like the Cavs finally got LeBron James his “Scottie Pippen.” Well, here are the moves that were made in this year’s NBA trade deadline.  You can click on the links to get the details of each trade.

Washington Wizards get Al Thornton and more in Jamison deal. 

Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks make a seven player deal.

Los Angeles Clippers get Drew Gooden in Jamison deal. 

Portland Trailblazers get Marcus Camby from the Los Angeles Clippers.

Los Angeles Clippers get Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw in Camby deal.

Minnesota Timberwolves acquire Darko Milicic.

Tracy McGrady going to the New York Knicks

Kevin Martin going to the Houston Rockets

Carl Landry acquired by the Sacramento Kings.

Boston Celtics get Nate Robinson from New York Knicks.

New York Knicks get Eddie House, JR Giddens, & Bill Walker in Robinson deal.

Dominic McGuire aqcuired by Kings from the Washington Wizards.

Chicago Bulls send John Salmons to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Chicago Bulls deal Tyrus Thomas to the Charlotte Bobcats.

Milwaukee Bucks give up Hakim Warrick and Joe Alexander for Salmons.

Chicago Bulls get Flip Murray, Acie Law, and a draft pick for Thomas.

Memphis Grizzlies acquire Ronnie Brewer.

Jodie Meeks traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Milwaukee Bucks get Jodie Meeks & Primoz Brezec for Royal Ivey.

Charlotte Bobcats get Theo Ratliff from the San Antonio Spurs.

All of the All-Star festivities have come to an end and it was the East All-Stars who came away victorious, edging out the West 141-139.  The results from some of the other events included Nate Robinson winning a lackluster Dunk Contest (his 3rd), Paul Pierce shooting his way to the top in the 3-Point Shootout, Steve Nash showing off his skills on his way to winning the Skills Challenge, and the guard dominant rookies beating the sophomores 140-128 in the Rookie-Sophomore Challenge Game.  The All-Star game itself wasn’t the most exciting game, but you can’t expect too much as it is an exhibition game after all.  Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant, who sat out with an ankle injury, said it best, “This is the best pick-up game in the world.”  It was good to see that the game was actually close and the players did get more competitive down the stretch, looking like they actually cared about winning.  Dwyane Wade put on a good show for the East All-Stars, coming away with the MVP award with a stat line of 28 points, 11 assists, 6 rebounds, and 5 steals.  The hometown All-Star Dirk Nowitzki played well, finishing with 22 points, but it was Carmelo Anthony who led the West All-Stars with 27 points and 10 rebounds.  LeBron James also put on a good show for the East, and had some dunks that were better than what we saw in the Dunk Contest itself.

Speaking of the dunk contest, it was one of the poorer contests in recent years.  I get it, Nate Robinson is a little guy who can leap and has some entertaining dunks, but is he really worthy of being a 3-Time Dunk Contest Champion?  I was very disappointed in Shannon Brown of the Lakers, who I really thought would bring the house down as he is the most explosive leaper in the NBA in my opinion.  It’s time for the stars to start competing in the contest again (LeBron where you at?).  Paul Pierce and his 45% 3-point percentage this season came and lit it up from downtown on his way to winning the contest.  Pierce had to go ahead and ruin his shootout win by declaring himself, “The best shooter in NBA history.” Great shooter?  Yes.  Best in NBA history?  Not even close.

The biggest story of the All-Star Weekend, however, was not who won the actual All-Star game or who came away as the Slam Dunk Contest Champion, but it was the atmosphere of the event itself.  The fans poured into the new $1.2 million Cowboys Stadium, 108,713 to be exact.  That absolutely shattered the previous All-Star game attendance record of 44,735 set in 1989 at the Houston Astrodome.  Even the All-Stars themselves, who are used to constant attention and large crowds, were awed by just how huge of an event this really was.  Dallas Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban and Dallas Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones got this event together, and they deserve a lot of credit.  I would like to see a NCAA Final Four here within the next few years, as that stadium can make events go from huge to epic.  All in all, the All-Star weekend was an entertaining and fun event, with the players and fans really getting to enjoy themselves.  Now it is time for a strong and competitive second half of the NBA, and it’s looking like Kobe and the Lakers may be meeting LeBron and the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals this year.

36-year old lefty swinging LF Johnny Damon was coming off a great season with the Yankees into free agency.  He played in 143 games for the Yankees last season and he was 155 for 550 (.282 avg, .854 OPS) with 107 runs scored, 24 homers, 82 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.  He got too greedy for the Yankees’ taste when he said that he wanted $10 million bucks per year so they signed Nick Johnson for roughly half of that to DH for the Yanks in 2010.  Damon got kicked to the curb by the Yankees despite playing well for them.  He played in 576 games in his four years with the Yankees and he was 636 for 2,231 (.285 avg, .821 OPS) with 410 runs scored, 77 homers, 296 RBIs and 93 stolen bases.  His agent, Scott Boras, is not doing a good job for Johnny Damon as Coco Crisp will likely make more money that him in 2010.  Damon has now played in 2,131 games in his 15 years in the majors and he is 2,425 of 8,408 (.288 avg, .794 OPS) with 1,483 runs scored, 207 homers, 996 RBIs and 374 stolen bases.  Damon would like to play three more years in the majors as he would like to get into the 3,000 hit club.  But, he will likely have to swallow his pride in 2010 and take a contract valued at way less than he is worth.  Six teams could probably use Johnny Damon right now especially with his price likely dropping into the bargain basement level.  The team that makes the most sense to me is the Tampa Bay Rays.  The reason is twofold as 1.) He can sleep in his own bed often as he lives less than two hours away in Orlando and 2.) He can stick it to the Yankees and Red Sox all season long.  The Tigers are also very interested in Damon as it would allow them to DH Carlos Guillen full time in a effort to keep him healthy in 2010.  The Braves are also very interested in Damon and I think he’s a good fit there.  The White Sox (DH), Giants (LF) and Reds (LF) all would be much better teams if they added Damon to the team.  Damon could be the final piece for a team like the Rays and they should really consider bringing him in.

Len Bias took the college basketball scene over during the mid 1980’s while at the University of Maryland, and many believed he was just as good as Michael Jordan.  His life was tragically cut short though, and Bias never played a minute in the NBA.  He was drafted second in the 1986 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics, but only two days later he had a cocaine overdose which caused a cardiac arrhythmia and ultimately his death.  Bias, at only the age of 22, was celebrating with friends after achieving his lifelong goal and dream of becoming an NBA player.  Now not to condone cocaine use by any means, but during the early and mid 1980’s cocaine use was much more prevalent and the consequences of using it were not widely known.  It was seen as a glamorous drug, used by Hollywood stars and professional athletes.  Bias’ death was a shock to not only the sporting world, but to the entire country.  His death put the potential deadly consequences of the drug front and center, and it helped to begin a nationwide decline in the use of cocaine.  In 1988 Congress passed a law known as “The Len Bias Law”, which was an Anti-Drug Act that put stricter penalties on drug crimes and also started the D.A.R.E. program for kids.

As a player, Bias was nothing short of extraordinary.  He was a 6′8″ 225-pound forward who could jump out of the gym.  Although mostly known for his athleticism and leaping ability, Bias also had a silky smooth shot, with great touch.  He had a high basketball IQ, and was a strong defender who was a good shot-blocking threat.  In his four-year career as a Maryland Terrapin, Bias improved every year and had career averages of 16.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 blocks, and 32.8 minutes while shooting 53.6% from the field.  He was the ACC Player of the Year in 1985 and 1986, and was a first team All-American his senior season where he averaged 23.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.5 blocks, 0.8 steals, 37.0 minutes and shot 54.4% from the field.  Although Bias’ life was cut short by drug use, Bias was known as good leader and was extremely popular and friendly on Maryland’s campus.  It was very tragic what happened to Bias, and I am sure he would have been a great NBA player who could have helped extend the Boston Celtics’ dominance.

I wrote about the overpaid team last week and this week I look at the most underpaid team in basketball.  I have assembled a team of 15 players which would only made $13,850,810 bucks this season.  Here we go:

POINT GUARD:  A basketball team all starts with the point guard who is the QB of the offense.  With that in mind I picked Aaron Brooks from the Houston Rockets who will make $1,118,520 bucks this season.  He has played in 50 games (all starts) for the Rockets this season and he is averaging 35.8 minutes, 19.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.  Backing him up will be Jason “White Chocolate” Williams of the Orlando Magic.  He is due to make $825,497 bucks this season.  Williams has played in 52 games (18 starts) for the Magic this season and he is averaging 22.7 minutes, 7.0 points, 1.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.  He is also shooting 40% from three point range which will also aid this team.  Tiny Earl Boykins came back to the NBA this season and he is due to make $752,659 bucks for the Wizards.  Boykins has played in 41 games (1 start) for the Wizards this season and he is averaging 18.5 minutes, 7.7 points, 1.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.  Sundiata Gaines is known for his big shot to beat the Cavs in Utah in his first game.  The Jazz are only on the hook for $269,169 bucks for him this season.  He has played in 10 games (0 starts) for the Jazz this season and he is averaging 8.2 minutes, 3.7 points, 0.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.

SHOOTING GUARD:  This is a deep position on this team as they have four very capable players on the depth chart.  I would start Anthony Morrow of the Warriors who is only going to make $736,420 bucks this year.  Morrow has played in 38 games (19 starts) for the Warriors this season and he is averaging 29.4 minutes, 11.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 steal per game.  He is also a great shooter from everywhere on the court as he has connected on 48.7% of his shots from the floor, 45% from three point range and 90.7% from the free throw line.  Arron Afflalo is starting for the Denver Nuggets this season and he will earn $1,086,240.  He has played in 51 games (44 starts) for the Nuggets and he is averaging 26.4 minutes, 9.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.  Afflalo is also a deadeye from three point range hitting 44.7% of his shots from three point range.  Rookie Marcus Thornton is starting for the Hornets despite only making $457,588 bucks.  Thornton has played in 43 games (6 starts) for the Hornets this season and he is averaging 21.3 minutes, 10.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game.  Will Bynum brings a lot of offense off the bench for the Pistons.  He has played in 30 games (0 starts) for the Pistons this season and he is averaging 26.6 minutes, 11.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.

SMALL FORWARD:  Wilson Chandler of the Knicks would be my starter here and he would be the second highest paid player on this team as he is making $1,255,440 bucks.  Chandler has played in 50 games (all starts) for the Knicks this season and he is averaging 34.8 minutes, 15.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.  Chris Douglas-Roberts of the Nets is making only $736,420 bucks this season.  He has played in 41 games (35 starts) in which he is averaging 31.1 minutes, 12.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game.  Keith Bogans has been starting at shooting guard for the Spurs this season.  He has played in 48 games (38 starts) for the Spurs this season and he is averaging 20.1 minutes, 4.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.

POWER FORWARD:  I’m thinking defense and rebounding at power forward and with that in mind I have picked Ben Wallace of the Pistons to start here.  He is making $825,497 bucks for the Pistons this season.  Wallace has played in 49 games (all starts) for the Pistons this season and he is averaging 30.0 minutes, 5.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocked shots per game.  Louis Amundson would be my pick to back up Wallace and he is making $855,189 bucks.  Amundson has played in 49 games (0 starts) for the Suns this season and he is averaging 14.4 minutes, 4.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.  He is also connecting on 52.4% of his shots from the floor.

CENTER:  This is where I’m spending the most money as I would pick Joakim Noah to start on this team.  Noah is making $2,455,680 bucks this season making him the highest paid player on this team.  Noah has played in 46 games (all starts) for the Bulls this season and he is averaging 32.7 minutes, 11.2 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.7 blocked shots per game.  I would back Noah up with veteran Juwan Howard who is starting at center for the Portland Trailblazers this season.  He is making $825,497 bucks this year.  Howard has played in 45 games (21 starts) for the Blazers this season and he is averaging 22.8 minutes, 5.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game while shooting 54.5% from the floor.

This basketball team wouldn’t win 70 games or anything like that, but, it would have a chance of getting a 7-8 seed in either conference thus making the playoffs. 

This really comes as no surprise as the Browns released Stallworth less than 24 hours after he was reinstated by the commissioner.  Stallworth missed all of the 2009 NFL season due to a league suspension after he ran over a pedestrian and killed him in Miami.  He last played in the NFL in 2008 with the Browns appearing in 11 games in which he caught 17 passes for 170 yards (10.0 avg) with 1 TD grab.  He has now played in 95 games in his NFL career and he has caught 296 passes for 4,383 yards (14.8 avg) with 32 TD grabs.  Some team will give Stallworth another chance just like Michael Vick got with the Eagles in 2009.  Maybe one day one of the sports leagues will step up and ban anyone from the league for life for committing any felony.  That would help the image of sports instead of slapping someone like Stallworth on the wrist and then letting him keep making over $1 million bucks a year.

I have ravaged through the NBA rosters and I have put together the most overpaid and underworked roster in the league.  The fifteen players I would have on this team will earn $121,246,393 bucks this season.  Here it goes:

POINT GUARDS:  Mike James of the Wizards would start here for this team.  He has played in 3 games (0 starts) for the Wizards this season and he is averaging 14.3 minutes, 6.0 points, 1.0 rebound and 1.7 assists per game.  He is one of the very few players on this team that are whining about playing time so at least he cares somewhat.  He is making $6,466,600 bucks this season.  His back-up would be Marcus Banks of the Raptors.  Banks has played in 15 games (0 starts) for the Raptors this season and he is averaging 12.4 minutes, 4.5 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.  For all of that productivity Banks is getting paid $4,553,793 bucks.  Speedy Claxton would be the #3 PG on this team but he’s gimpy righty now.  He has yet to play in a game this season for the Warriors but that isn’t stopping him from getting paid $5,209,454 bucks.

SHOOTING GUARD:  Tracy McGrady would be the starter at shooting guard for this team.  He is by far the best player on this list and he’s here because he isn’t earning his checks this year.  T-Mac got off to a slow start coming back from injury before the Rockets just told him to go home.  T-Mac has played in 6 games (0 starts) this season for the Rockets and he is averaging 7.7 minutes, 3.2 points, 0.8 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game.  For all of that production the Rockets are paying T-Mac $22,843,124 bucks!  DeShawn Stevenson would back up T-Mac on this team.  Don’t worry Stevenson will be more than happy to fire up the other team if need be as he liked to run his mouth about how overrated LeBron James is before the Cavs kept bouncing his Wizards out of the playoffs.  Stevenson has played in 37 games (12 starts) for the Wizards this season and he is averaging 15.8 minutes, 2.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.  Stevenson would be the lowest paid player on this team as he is only getting paid $3,883,929 bucks this season.  Matt Carroll would be the #3 SG on this team.  He has played in 15 games (0 starts) for the Mavericks this season and he is averaging 4.3 minutes, 1.5 points, 0.2 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game.  Carroll is making $4,700,000 bucks this season.

SMALL FORWARD:  Bobby Simmons would be the starting small forward on this team.  He has played in 23 games (2 starts) for the Nets this season and he is averaging 17.2 minutes, 5.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game.  For Simmons trouble this season he is making $11,242,666 bucks this year.  Adam Morrison definitely deserves a spot on this team and he would back-up Simmons.  Morrison has played in 21 games (0 starts) for the Lakers this season and he is averaging 8.1 minutes, 2.5 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game.  Morrison is pretty awful but that isn’t going to stop him from making $5,257,229 bucks.  Brian Cardinal of the Timberwolves will be the #3 SF for this team.  He has played in 25 games (0 starts) for the T-Wolves this season and he is averaging 9.2 minutes, 1.7 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game.  Cardinal is making $6,750,000 bucks this season.

POWER FORWARD:  Darko Milicic would have to be my starting power forward on this team.  He has played in 8 games (0 starts) for the Knicks this season and he is averaging 8.9 minutes, 2.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game.  Milicic has really been a awful player and the Pistons are paying for it right now as they picked him over D-Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh!  Milicic is still a rich guy no matter how bad he sucks at basketball as he is making $7,540,000 bucks this season.  For a lack of alternatives I’m going to use Milicic’s Knicks’ teammate Eddy Curry to back him up.  Curry has played in 7 games (0 starts) for the Knicks this season and he is averaging 8.9 minutes, 3.7 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.  Curry is making $10,500,423 bucks this season.

CENTERS:  All you have to do is look at the Charlotte Bobcats here.  Tyson Chandler would be the starting center on this team.  He has played in 25 games (all starts) for the Bobcats this season and he is averaging 25.7 minutes, 6.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 1.2 blocked shots per game.  While his numbers are not near as bad as most players on this team they are still not worth $11,700,000 bucks.  DaSagana Diop would back up Chandler just like he does with the Bobcats.  He has played in 24 games (0 starts) for the Bobcats this season and he is averaging 9.8 minutes, 1.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.2 assists per game.  Diop is making $6,031,800 bucks this year.  Mark Blount of the T-Wolves and Jerome James of the Bulls would be the other centers on this team.  Neither of them have played a game this season.  Blount is making $7,967,375 bucks and James is pocketing $6,600,000 bucks this year. 

This is a team of guys who come to the gym for practice with ski masks on because they are stealing their paychecks.  Now you can see why NBA tickets cost so much!

We are more than halfway through the 2009-’10 NBA season, and the All-Star game is now less than two weeks away in Dallas on February 14th.  There has been a lot of action so far this year and some major players have been stepping up their play all season long.  You’ve got LeBron James leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to the best record in the NBA, Kobe Bryant dominating despite playing most of the season with a severely broken index finger on his shooting hand, Carmelo Anthony lighting it up in Denver, and Dwayne Wade doing his thing in Miami.  Then there is a host of young talent that has been very impressive this year, and the future of the NBA is looking very bright.  Guys like Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, Andrew Bynum, Rajon Rondo, and many more are all coming into their own.  Then there are some rookies who are already playing like seasoned vets.  There are plenty of talented guards in this year’s rookie class, most notably Tyreke Evans of the Kings, Brandon Jennings of the Bucks, Stephen Curry of the Warriors, and Ty Lawson of the Nuggets.  Well, here are my award winners in the NBA so far this season:

MVP:  Kobe Bryant  (Los Angeles Lakers)

Runner-Up:  LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)  

Kobe’s stats:  48 games, 28.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.7 steals, 38.6 minutes, 46% FG, 32% 3PT, 83% FT

There really aren’t any flaws in Kobe Bryant’s game, and the 31-year-old shooting guard is not showing any signs of slowing down.  Kobe has been doing it all this season for the Lakers, leading them to the best record in the Western Conference (37-11), which is only .5 games back of LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers for the best record in the NBA.  Many people are going with LeBron as the MVP, but I think Kobe has the slight edge over King James.  Kobe has played without Pau Gasol in 17 games this year but he has still kept the Lakers at an elite level.  I also think the West is a little bit tougher of a conference.  Oh, and did I mention he has been doing all of this with a broken index finger on his right hand?

Rookie of the Year:  Tyreke Evans (Sacramento Kings)

Runner-Up:  Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)

Evans’ stats:  42 games, 20.5 points, 5.0 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 36.9 minutes, 46% FG,  80% FT

This was an easy choice, as Evans has been the best rookie this season since day one.  Stephen Curry has surpassed Brandon Jennings as the second best rookie, as Curry has been on-fire lately and Jennings shooting percentage keeps dropping.  Both are not playing close to the level Evans has been playing, and although the Kings are only 16-30 so far this season, they can be a dangerous team and Evans gives them a chance to win every single night.  He definitely does not play like a rookie, and he has a strength and maturity on the court that helps him outplay some older, elite NBA players.  This 20-year-old point guard is going to be a star in this league for many years to come.

Defensive Player of the Year:  Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic)

Runner-up:  Gerald Wallace (Charlotte Bobcats)

Dwight Howard is an absolute force on both ends of the court, but I think his defense and rebounding have more of an impact than his offensive game.  That is saying a lot since Howard averages 17.7 points and is shooting 60% from the field.  He gets 9.7 defensive rebounds per game, along with 2.7 blocks, and 1.2 steals.  His presence is always felt on the defensive end and even if he doesn’t block a shot or get a rebound, odds are that he affected how the other team attacked the Magic’s defense.  He forces guys to adjust their shots when driving to the hole, and teams are much more likely to shoot from the outside rather than challenging Howard down low.

Sixth Man Award:  Jamal Crawford (Atlanta Hawks)

Runner-Up:  Tie between Jason Terry (Dallas Mavericks) and Carl Landry (Houston Rockets)

Crawford’s stats:  46 games, 17.7 points, 2.8 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 30.7 minutes, 46% FG, 36% 3PT, 86% FT

The Atlanta Hawks are 30-16 this season, and Jamal Crawford is a big reason why.  Crawford provides a big scoring option off the bench for the Hawks, and he also has a knack for hitting the big shot.  Crawford may not take the best shots at times, but somehow he makes most of them.  He can be deadly from three, and is second all-time in 4-point plays (22) trailing only Reggie Miller.  Crawford can really light it up and will be a huge asset for the Hawks come playoff time.

Most Improved Player:  Carl Landry (Houston Rockets)

Runner-Up:  Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies)

Landry’s stats:  16.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.9 blocks, 27.4 minutes, 55% FG

Carl Landry has really stepped it up this season, and the Houston Rockets really needed him to.  With Yao Ming out for the season, Landry has been a consistent low post threat for the Rockets.  He is also a very efficient player, averaging over 16 points despite only playing 27 minutes per game.  His scoring average is about 7 points more a game this season compared to last, and his rebounding numbers are up as well.  Houston will be fighting for a spot in the playoffs, and if they make it Landry will be a big reason why.

A lot of quality free agents still remain unsigned with pitchers and catchers ready to report to spring training in less than two weeks.  So I will take a look into my crystal ball to predict where the players will land.  The first thing I see is that the A’s, Red Sox, Tigers, Rockies and Pirates appear to be done shopping which is a shame with some many bargains left.  Here we go:

TEXAS RANGERS:  The Texas Rangers are not happy with their catching situation going into the 2010 season and with that in mind they will sign Rod Barajas.  This will cap a fine off-season for the Rangers as they are ready to rock this year.

SEATTLE MARINERS:  Look for the Mariners to bring back Jarrod Washburn on a 1-year deal as he pitched great for them last season.  They have waited him out and will likely get a good deal for 2010.  Look for them to also bring back outfielder Endy Chavez on a minor league deal as he fits with the defensive philosophy that the Mariners are going with in 2010.  Righty reliever Mike MacDougal is the kind of pitcher the Mariners like to take a chance on.  He’s a tad wild but so was David Aardsma and you saw what happened with him.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS:  The Angels could use a cheap veteran for the bullpen and with that in mind righty David Weathers would be perfect for them.  Also, look for them to try to bring back OF/1B Darin Erstad and lefty reliever Scott Schoeneweis (if he still wants to pitch) on minor league deals.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS:  The Blue Jays have a big hole at DH unless they are going to go with Randy Ruiz there and I don’t see that happening.  Looking into the crystal ball I see both lefty swinging Carlos Delgado and righty swinging Gary Sheffield moving north to share the DH spot at a bargain price.

TAMPA BAY RAYS:  The Rays have been picky so far this off-season.  Joe Maddon says he wants another reliever and that is where Chan Ho Park fits in as he can give the Rays a lot of innings.  But, the cherry on top of the post-season for the Rays will be when they sign Johnny Damon to DH even with Pat Burrell still on the roster.  Damon lives in Orlando and he would cherish all of the extra time he can spend with his family.

NEW YORK YANKEES:  The Yankees will add righty swinging outfielder Marcus Thames to give them some pop off the bench and lefty reliever Ron Mahay will also come to the Bronx to help the pen.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES:  The Orioles could use another decent righty reliever and that is where Kiko Calero fits in for them.

CLEVELAND INDIANS:  The Indians look to a couple of old friends in 1B Russell Branyan and righty starting pitcher Bartolo Colon.  Branyan might finally deliver on all of the potential the Tribe thought he had.  Colon could steal the #5 job in the rotation as it looks pretty weak right now.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX:  The White Sox are playing this pretty coy but I think they are ready to pounce and sign Hank Blalock to be the DH against righty pitchers.  His power would play really well in the White Sox’ home field.  Lefty John Bale also goes to the White Sox on a minor league deal.

MINNESOTA TWINS:  The Twins are playing it cheap right now.  Look for 2B Adam Kennedy to sign with the Twins and start at 2B in 2010 for them.  Lefty reliever Will Ohman will sign a minor league deal to be the Twins’ #2 lefty in the pen.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS:  The Royals need some lefty pitching and with that in mind they will sign Eric Bedard for the rotation and Ron Villone for the pen.

SAN DIEGO PADRES:  The Padres are hot and heavy for catcher Yorvit Torrealba and they will get him to start behind the plate in 2010.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS:  The Giants have played the market right as they will sign Jermaine Dye to start in RF in 2010 for them at a nice price.  Look for the Giants to make Bengie Molina even happier by bringing in his brother Jose to back him up.  The Giants also clean up in the pen adding righties Jeff Weaver, Kip Wells and lefty Alan Embree on minor league deals.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS:  The Dodgers will sign outfielder Reed Johnson to be the #4 outfielder in 2010.  They will also bring back righty starter Pedro Martinez and sign Chien-Ming Wang for down the road.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS:  The Diamondbacks will bring in righty starter Brett Tomko and lefty starter Noah Lowry on minor league deals to compete for spots at the back end of the rotation.  Righty reliever Chad Bradford will also get a chance to revive his career in Arizona.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS:  The Nationals still have some money to spend.  They will use most of it on Orlando Hudson to start at 2B for them in 2010.  They will also bring in 1B Mike Jacobs for a nice price as a strong bat off the bench.  Righties Livan Hernandez and Todd Wellemeyer also come in on minor league deals to compete for rotation spots this spring.

FLORIDA MARLINS:  The Marlins will sign righty reliever Kevin Gregg to compete with Leo Nunez this spring for the right to be the closer in 2010.  The Marlins will also bring back Alfredo Amezaga to back up everywhere if he is healthy.  The wildcards will be the spring invites and minor league deals they give to 1B Tony Clark and OF Brian Giles.  The Marlins are also collecting pitchers like Jamey Wright so why not bring in the real thing on a minor league deal.

NEW YORK METS:  Lefty swinging 1B/OF Greg Norton is a solid pinch hitter and that is why the Mets will bring him to camp.

ATLANTA BRAVES:  The Braves still seem short a couple of bench players.  With that in mind righty swinging OF Rocco Baldelli and righty swinging 2B/3B/OF Ryan Freel come to town.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES:  With Jamie Moyer likely not ready to start the season the Phillies ink righty starter Braden Looper to help out.  Lefty reliever Scott Eyre decides not to retire as he signs on for one more year with the Phillies.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS:  I see the Cardinals swooping in and signing a lot of players to bargain 1-year deals.  It all starts with Felipe Lopez who signs on to start at 3B in 2010.  The Cardinals don’t stop there as they bring in outfielder Garret Anderson and 1B/3B Robb Quinlan to provide some punch off the bench.  Righty starter John Smoltz comes back for one more year to serve as the Cards’ #5 starter.  Righties Guillermo Mota and Russ Springer are added to the bullpen.

CINCINNATI REDS:  The Reds will bring back outfielder Jonny Gomes to provide some punch in the line-up.

CHICAGO CUBS:  The Cubs sign outfielder Dave Dellucci with him having a chance to win a bench job this spring.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS:  The Brewers sign lefty reliever Joe Beimel.  They also give old friend lefty swinging Geoff Jenkins a minor league deal.

HOUSTON ASTROS:  The Astros will ink lefty reliever Jamie Walker to a minor league deal as they need some help from that side in the pen.

I’m sure that I won’t be right on most of these destinations but I had fun looking into the crystal ball for you.  I can’t wait until April as baseball in the best sport in the world.

The Nets are sitting at 4-42 on the season as they have the 1972-1973 Philadelphia 76ers in their sites.  That Sixers team went 9-73 compiling the worst record in NBA history.  The Nets have a real shot at this record especially if they dump some players at the trade deadline.  The Nets are equally horrible both at home (3-19) and on the road (1-23) as they are outscored by an average of 12 points per game (101.7-89.7).  The Nets are not without talent though so I have a hard time believing that they can’t win at least 6 more games this season.  It all begins with second year center Brook Lopez who has played in 45 games (all starts) in which he is averaging 36.4 minutes, 18.9 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.  Lopez is the Nets’ only untouchable player as the trade deadline approaches.  Point guard Devin Harris has been a huge disappointment when he has been healthy enough to play.  He has played in 31 games (28 starts) this season and he is averaging 33.6 minutes, 15.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game.  Harris is only shooting 37.8% from the floor and 21.7% from the three point line.  It looks like the losing is getting to him as he seems to be pressing too much.  Harris just needs to get healthy and worry about doing his job of running the offense instead of gunning the ball too much.  Power forward Yi Jianlian got off to a late start this season due to injury.  He has played in 21 games (20 starts) for the Nets this season and he is averaging 32.4 minutes, 14.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game.  Chris Douglas-Roberts has been a surprise for the Nets this season as he is playing pretty well.  He has played in 36 games (34 starts) for the Nets this season and he is averaging 33.8 minutes, 13.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game.  Courtney Lee has been a disappointment so far this season for the Nets.  He has played in 37 games (32 starts) this season and he is averaging 32.5 minutes, 11.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game.  I will be stunned if the Nets set a new record for futility this season because they do have some good, young talented players.

Baseball announcers have been mentioning the Mendoza Line for quite some time without really explaining what it means.  There was a shortstop in the majors who played from the middle seventies to the early eighties who was names Mario Mendoza.  He flat out just couldn’t hit the ball but he hung around because he had a good glove.  Mendoza played in 686 games in 9 years in his major league career and he was 287 for 1,337 (.215 avg, .507 OPS) with 106 runs scored, 4 homers, 101 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.  So an average of about .215 would be the Mendoza Line for the record.  He had a “career” year in 1980 when he played in 114 games in which he was 68 for 277 (.245 avg, .596 OPS) with 27 runs scored, 2 homers, 14 RBIs and 3 stolen bases.  Impress your friends when you hear the “Mendoza” line on a baseball broadcast now as you know exactly what the announcer is talking about.