You heard it here first...

Back in early May when I first reported on Carolina radio that Vince Carter would be playing for the Magic next season, I think few people believed me. I think many people also failed to realize that my Shaq to Cleveland rumors would become true. Well... you heard it here first!!! The problem is, with baseball in full swing and NFL mini-camps just wrapping up, not many people care about the NBA. Its just a fact. My friend the other day said, "So Vince Carter is gonna go from the Raptors to the Magic... nice." I think more people would be watching if the Suns hadn't completely murdered one of the most exciting eras in recent memory. The Seven Seconds Or Less era. (SSOL) This is when someone has to get off a shot in 7 seconds or less. It becomes an amazingly entertaining track meet with very high scores, countless highlights, and eye-popping box scores. Not only is it the best basketball to watch... but it worked!!!

The Suns had the best record in the West when they made the Shaq trade last season. They were right on the brink of making it to the Finals then decided to trade Shawn Marion, Raja Bell, & Boris Diaw and blow the whole thing up. Bring in Shaq, miss the playoffs, then trade him for Sasha Pavlovic (who?) and the artist formerly known as Ben Wallace, who's gonna retire. Congratulations Phoenix, way to take one of the best teams (and easily most exciting, and fun to watch) in the NBA and completely clusterf^ck it up. Now Shaq is in Cleveland, Vince is in Orlando, and you guys are in the middle of the desert. With all the said, I like what the Cavs did by bringing Shaq in, and I really like the Magic bringing in Carter. Now the Magic have 5 All-Stars in their starting 5 with Dwight Howard, Turkoglu, Lewis, Carter, and Jameer Nelson. They have 6 All-Stars if you include JJ Redick. This makes both the Cavs & Magic better teams and it increases the odds of NOT Kobe winning a title.

That's it for this blog entry; have to get back to downloading more Michael Jackson stuff. Oh and as far as he goes, say what u want about him... but there is NO denying that he was the BEST.

Monumental BUST!

With the 17th overall pick in this year's draft, the Tampa Bay Bucs selected Josh Freeman; a QB out of Kansas State. As soon as the pick was made everyone threw their 2 cents in. He's a bad pick, but he's got great potential, blah blah blah. He is the main driving factor behind the free money movement. Here are the facts, lets begin with Pros & Cons:

PROS: Freeman is big. He is 6ft 6in & 248lbs. This also makes him slow and not agile, in fact he ran a 4.97 at the combine making him slower than Peyton Manning and teammate Byron Leftwich... wait these are the PROS... uhhh... he also supposedly has a rocket arm.

CONS: (Deep breath)... had a 14-18 record as a starter in college including 1-10 against teams with a winning record. In his best season (junior season) he threw for a measly 20 TD's & 8 INTs. Eight of those 20 touchdown passes came in three early season games against North Texas, Montana State and Louisiana-Lafayette. He also valiantly lead his team to a brilliant 5 wins 7 losses. Keep in mind this is the BIG 12!!! The same BIG 12 that had 4 QB's who were all Heisman candidates. The Bucs took him 17th OVERALL and he was the 7th best QB in his conference, IF THAT!!! Here are his CONFERENCE rankings among QB's. Not NCAA rankings, just in his conference (that apparently had no pass defense)

QB Rating: 10th out of 12

Passing Yards: 8th

Completion Percentage (usually an important one): 11th, yup second to last

Passing TD's: 9th

Completions: 8th

3rd down conversions (some importance): 9th

He's NOT even in the top 7 of any category in his own crappy conference. He did lead the Big 12 in being 6'6, 250 though. That he did do. But back to the cons. He's only 21 years old, came out after his junior season. He's never won anything ever and the only reason the Bucs drafted him is because the head coach is his boy. New coach Raheem Morris was at Kansas State while Freeman was there. New Bucs GM Mark Dominik went to the Kansas/Kansas St. game and watched Freeman play this season and said he was "very impressed" with what he saw. Here is what he saw in that game:

22/37 207 yards 0 TDs 3 INTs 2 FUMBLES then getting benched in a 52-21 ass-kicking

How the hell does 5 turnovers and no TDs while getting your ass kicked impress you?!?! Just admit that you have no idea what you're doing, you drafted a horrible quarterback and you're praying that your new 32 year old head coach knows something no one else does. Ryan Leaf is the biggest draft bust ever. Period. At least he was good in college!!! He was a Heisman finalist, broke PAC-10 records, almost won a national championship. He was one of the best QB's in the nation! Josh Freeman was one of the worst QB's in his CONFERENCE!!!

But.... none of this matters to the Bucs. Within a few days they are going to give him around 25 million. Dollars. It will set in motion a chain of events that will ultimately lead to him starting at some point this season (hopefully sooner rather than later) which will then lead to losses. Lots of them. I have a friend; Courtney, who has been a season ticket holder for years. He wanted the Bucs to draft a defensive player, then try and get Tebow next year. He also said the fans agree with him and were NOT happy with the Freeman pick. Either Tebow or one of the 15 other good QB's that come out next year would have been smarter. Which is another reason why Freeman came out early, next year all those Big 12 QB's that had better stats than him are eligible for the draft. Anyway, at least Tebow would help with ticket sales! (which are WAY down.) At least Tebow is a proven winner! At least Tebow didn't go 5-7 in his BEST season!

This is the main reason why there is no chance in hell of the Bucs winning 7 games. This kid is gonna start at quarterback. He's awful. You've heard of proven winners, he is a proven loser. Take as much money as you can and put it on the UNDER. This is bad news for the Bucs, but can be good news for you. After a tough financial year for almost everyone, this is your bailout.

FREE MONEY. JOIN THE MOVEMENT.

Freeeeeeeeee Money

Bucs win total over/under 6.5 -picking the under is known as FREE MONEY. This is because they are incapable of winning 7 games or more. I will keep you updated all summer with the latest information on this movement.

A quick review of factors to consider:

Since January the Bucs have done the following things,
Fired a super bowl winning coach coming off 2 straight winning seasons as well
as the GM & gave them 25 million bucks for their troubles.
Hired a 32 year old head coach and new GM with no head coaching or GM experience, respectively.
Let a hall of fame defensive coordinator get away and replaced him with a new D coordinator that was mowing lawns last season.
Hired an offensive coordinator (Jeff Jagodzinski) that will leave town as soon as he finds a head coaching job, college or pro.
Released the face of the franchise, Derrick Brooks unceremoniously along with Galloway, Hilliard, Cato June, & fan favorite Warrick Dunn.
Signed often injured Kellen Winslow Jr to the largest Tight End contract in NFL history and gave up multiple high draft picks for him.
Gave Michael Clayton one of the most lucrative contracts in NFL for a wide out despite 2 TD's in the past 4 SEASONS!!!!! (READ THAT AGAIN!)
Signed RB Derrick Ward to a small contract which was actually good but will only take carries away from Ernest Graham.
Signed a new kicker who missed all of last season with an injury (even though we already have a Pro Bowl kicker in Matt Bryant.)
Let Jeff Garcia go despite a 15-10 record as a starter, 2 winning seasons, and 2 straight Pro Bowls.
Gave QB Luke McCown a new contract and anointed him the starter despite not playing in the NFL in 05 and 06 (he wasn't good enough to make any teams) and having career stats of 9TD's and 10 INT's.
Signed the one and only Byron Leftwich, a HUGE bust (7th overall pick in 2003) who can't scramble and isn't terribly accurate either (his new QB coach just called him "awful")
Have 4 QBs on roster now who all suck; with McCown, Leftwich, Griese, and Josh Johnson (QB who played Div 1-AA in college who Bucs drafted last year)
Agreed to play a "home game" against the Patriots in London, England. This means that every other team in the NFL will have 8 home games & 8 away games. The Bucs will have 7 home games & 9 away games.

Replacing future Hall of Famer & team leader Derrick Brooks with Jermaine Phillips. Jermaine Phillips is a safety that has NOT played linebacker since high school. He also has steel rods in his arm from breaking it twice while playing SAFETY. I'm sure he'll hold up real well at linebacker.

But the most important factor is none other than Josh Freeman. The horrible quarterback the Bucs took 17th overall and are about to give 20 million bucks... maybe more. Day by day he keeps impressing the coaches, hopefully to the point where they will make him the starter. This kid deserves his own blog entry, which he will get very soon.

Its not that they are going to the be the worst team in the NFL this season; they already are. They will win 4 games or less. Re-read this VERY carefully then start saving your money. Betting against them this upcoming season can make all your financial dreams come true. Whatever you may have lost in your 401k, you can get it all back. The Gambling Gods are smiling on Tampa Bay right now. This season is gonna be a disaster... and I can't wait.

FREE MONEY. JOIN THE MOVEMENT.

Locker room discussion before the Lakers won in 5

Excerpt of conversation in Magic locker room before Game 5:

Dwight Howard: (smiling) In next year's dunk contest I'm really gonna show everyone how Superman I can be. I've already starting practicing.

Rashard Lewis: You should be practicing your free throws, Superman!!! (everyone laughs) Man, I'm glad I signed that 110 million dollar contract dawg, I be sucking out there for real.

Rafer Alston: Yeah, you do be sucking out there. We would be up 3 games to 1 if coach played me more than Jameer's crippled ass!

JJ Redick: Guys, stop it. We should be focusing on tonight's game, Coach K always said...

Rafer Alston: Aint you that white boy from Duke???

Jameer Nelson: That's where we know you from!!! I knew it!!! (high fives Dwight Howard)

Hedo Turkoglu: basketbol oyuncusu olma özelliğine sahip metre boyunda olan oyuncu.

Dwight Howard: Hey Gortat, what the hell did he just say?!?!?

Marcin Gortat: something about black people, we speak different languages you know!

Dwight Howard: (standing in front of mirror) do you guys think I look buff in my tank top?

Stan Van Gundy: (walks into the locker room) GUYS! I NEED EVERYONE TO FREAKIN

FOCUS!!! WE NEED TO WIN TONIGHT! THEN WE CAN PUSH THIS BACK TO L.A.

THEN THE PRESSURE IS ON THEM! IF WE LOSE TONIGHT, I MAY BE OUTA HERE!

LET'S PUSH THE SERIES BACK TO L.A.!!! AAAAHHHH!!!!! (jumping and screaming like a crazed Oompa Loompa) SEE YOU ON THE COURT!!!!!!!!!

Hedo Turkoglu: O yıllarda ağabeyinin basketbol antrenmanlarına giderdi ve takım antrenörl?

JJ Redick: How could you even think that Hedo?? Of course we want to win tonight! I can't imagine what would happen if Coach K heard you say something like that...

Rashard Lewis: Shut up white boy. I think the ugly foreigner may be onto something...

Rafer Alston: Yeah... if we lose tonight... we can just go home... we don't have to fly all the way out to LA! We can just go home!

Jameer Nelson: Yeah, instead of traveling all week, we can start our summer off early and play NBA2K9. I can be chillin in my pool tomorrow instead of on that long-ass flight!

Dwight Howard: (still in front of mirror) I know Gasol may be outplaying me, but I'm still waaay better looking... right guys?

Rashard Lewis: Hell yeah Jameer!!! My 110 million is straight guaranteed regardless dawg!

Rafer Alston: Let's do it then! We already choked away games 2 & 4 so nobody will really notice if we suck tonight anyways. So we in this together or what?

(teammates all look at each other, and nod their heads)

Rafer Alston: aight then, hands in everyone, lets get crunk, on 3... 1, 2, 3, VACATION!

(everyone starts to leave the locker room. Dwight Howard remains flexing in front of mirror)

Rashard Lewis: Dammit! Dwight wasn't paying attention again. He don't know the plan.

Jameer Nelson: It don't matter dawg. Gasol, Odom, and Bynum gonna whoop his ass anyways.

Rashard Lewis: True. This is the best idea we had all year. Did I mention that my contract is worth 110 million dollars? 55 million times two. I'm one of the highest paid players in the league and I'm like the 4th best person on this team dawg!

JJ Redick: Whatever, I got drafted 11th overall and sometimes I don't even get in the game!

Rashard Lewis: .................I knew you was that white boy from Duke.

Lakers 99 Magic 86

When will they learn?

When will they learn that free throws are the difference between winning and losing?

When will they learn that when you are up 3 and the other team has the ball, YOU FOUL!!!

When will they learn to shoot from the free throw line instead of dunk from the free throw line?

When will they learn that playing Jameer Nelson equals losing?

What transpired in last night was a complete clusterf*ck. It was the exact same thing that happened to Memphis in last year's national championship game. One team can't make ONE SINGLE F#CKING FREE THROW TO PUT THE GAME AWAY!!! The other team needs a 3. The team thats up 3 NEEDS TO F^CKING FOUL!!! They don't foul, 3 point bombs away, game goes to OT. Team that choked away lead is so devastated they lose in OT. In fact they get their ass kicked in OT. How many more times do we need to see it play out?!?!?! These coaches are paid MILLIONS of dollars to know this kinda sh!t.

Its not all on the coaches; the damn players should know as well. And for God's sake, make a f&cking free throw. If you suck at free throws and you can't make them, then for f^ck's sake, just bank it in. The bank is open. A very good friend of mine who will remain nameless was having free throw troubles recently until he finally took my advice and tried to bank in a couple off the glass. BANG! BANG! 2 for 2. Afterwards he said there was no way in hell he ever would have been able to make 2 consecutive free throws had it not been for the bank shot. You're welcome.

Missed free throws, not fouling when you're up 3, giving up a wide open look for 3, then getting rolled in overtime. WHEN WILL THEY LEARN?!?!?!?!? Like I said before, Lakers in 5.

Things that I find amazing

Amazing!

Its amazing that after Jameer Nelson told me, and everyone else that there was no way he could play... he was able to play.

Its amazing that Courtney Lee missed not one, but two BIG chances to close out the Lakers in game 2 and steal a game in LA.

Its amazing that Kobe is gonna get ring number 4, his first without dominant center Mark Madsen.

Its amazing that I just flew to Rhode Island on a cheap, horrible, smelly Southwest Airlines flight and was joined by former Bucs and current Patriots Joey Galloway & Alex Smith who made over $5,000,000 last year.

But the most amazing thing of all is what happened on Jimmy Fallon's show last night, please enjoy:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/76560/late-night-with-jimmy-fallon-saved-by-the-bell-reunion-update-3

NBA Finals Preview

The Magic have been playing faaaaantastic. The Lakers have been playing decent. They decided to turn it on against Denver and now they're in the Finals. To recap, Magic are playing awesome, Lakers... just ok. With that said, here is my prediction:

Lakers in 5

Kobe can't wait to win another damn ring. Finally, without Shaq. All I wanted was Kobe to NOT win. Now he's going to. The bastard. Last year was so great when Kobe got his ass kicked. This year, its gonna be the other way around. Worst. This isn't one of my lead pipe locks. I'm not saying to bet on it. I'm just saying this is what's going to happen. Now if you're looking to win some money then this is what you do:

Buccaneers win total over/under 6.5 PICK THE UNDER!!!

Now I'm not saying to place a sizable wager on this. I'm saying to bet your life savings, deed to your house, and first born child on this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Bucs will NOT win 7 games. Its something I like to call Free Money. Join the movement.

Interview with Magic Rookie Courtney Lee

Here's my interview with the impressive rookie from the Orlando Magic, Courtney Lee;

Me: Playstation or Xbox?

CL: Xbox 360!

Me: What games?

CL: NBA2k09

Me: Who's your favorite team to play with?

CL: Orlando Magic (laughs)

Me: Besides Orlando

CL: uhhhh, I aint played with no other team on that game since I got it.

Me: Really?? You haven't even tried out LeBron or anything? He's unstoppable in that game!

CL: I haven't tried nobody but me

Me: OK, next question, Kobe or LeBron???

CL: Dwight Howard (laughs)

Me: Great answer. What's your prediction for the Finals?

CL: Victory

Me: Are you happy to be home from Cleveland?

CL: Of course!

Me: Are you aware that Cleveland only gets 2 days of sunshine per year?

CL: I kinda am aware of that, I'm from Indianapolis (laughs more)

Me: I know, I'm just rubbing it in. How does it feel to be in the Finals your first year?

CL: It feels good, I can't stop smiling. I'm very happy. We're not satisfied, we still have to come through and win 4 more games. I think that's our new slogan, "4 more games." We're gonna enjoy it for these first couple days then its back to business. Its not over yet, the champagne will be poppin after 4 more games. As long as we can go over there handle business, come home and handle business, you'll see a lot of champagne.