Mark Cuban tries to build Championship Mavs2.0 with same blueprint

At this point it looks like the Mavericks will go with last years backup Brendon Heywood to replace Tyson Chandler who is now a New York Knick. There shouldn't be much of a dropoff in offensive production in any real noticeable way but where that could really show up is on the defensive end and in the locker room where Chandler has a reputation for accountability and intensity. When he walks into the Knicks locker room he may want to bring in some visual aides like graphs, photos, and some video maybe because no one has confused any of the recent New York teams with anything resembling a hard nosed get in your face defensive squad. Put it this way, your more likely to see the Knicks out on the break 5-0 with the entire team cheating then have all 5 players in the paint on the glass when a shot goes up.

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nba/story/_/id/7337052/dallas-mavericks-close-deal-vince-carter-sources-say

Where Mark Cuban is getting creative is by trying to reunite his all-star point guard with the once high-flying, shot taking, if he's hot shot making, slam dunk champion, Vince Carter. At this point in his career Carter isn't anywhere near the player he once was when he played for the Raptors or the Nets while winning that amazing slam dunk contest. Injuries have ravaged him of his signature athleticism and leaping ability but he still can make shots and would be a great addition for a spark off the bench possibly.

What do you guys think???

Say your offered $14 million to work for the next 5 years guaranteed, sound acceptable to you???

Well, it sounds more then ok to me, it sounds like a dream come true, add in the fact that my "job" would be pitching in the A.L. East against teams like the Yankees and Red Sox and I don't even think I could dream it. Then again, i'm not Matt Moore.

Matt Moore is a left-handed pitcher who at last count was ranked as the 2nd best prospect in  the entire minor leagues to only phenom Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals. Moore dominated both double a and triple a with ease last year and was called up with much of the same expectations and same type of results. Between double A and triple A his record was 12-3 with a 1.92 ERA. Then pitched 10 innings in the ALDS against the Texas Rangers only allowing 1 earned run.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7335303/matt-moore-tampa-bay-rays-reach-five-year-14-million-deal

The total contract actually includes 3 additional years that are team options with escalator clauses attached to games started along with innings pitched and including those years the contract could jump up to just over $40 million. Pretty good for a kid that will be entering only his 2nd major league season. The deal is a record for the largest amount of guaranteed dollars and potential dollars for a player with less then 2 years service time.

Another great story of the Rays building their team from within and locking up talent early before players start testing arbitration and free agency. Could be another talented young staff of pitchers ready to have a break-out season. Who knows, it could happen again, watch out Red Sox and Yankees, here come the Rays.....AGAIN!

Continuing knee problems forcing Blazers star to call it quits

With so many huge stories coming out daily, hourly, seemingly nearly every other minute in the sports world maybe this one got lost in the shuffle a little but for a promising young career to end is sad. The way that it ended though makes it a step beyond sad, and it couldn't have happened to a nicer, more genuine, respectful, professional player. 


Through the rehab, comeback, losing his starting job, the wins, the loses, the whispers, the articles, the questions and then repeat Brandon Roy has continued to support his teammates, say the right things(99%) of the time, and come in and give a spark off the bench when his number was called. At this point in his career there no longer is an explosive, athletic, bruising sharpshooter that could post up any guard the defense threw at him or shoot that smooth jumpshot over the bigs that were too slow to guard him. For a reason we will never know many of the qualities that made him a star have been robbed from him seemingly all at once when the problems began. 


We all kept hoping that with his hard work and dedication of course he'd come back, maybe even better then ever, why not? Look how hard he was working, he's doing everything asked of him and more! He's doing all that rehab work and still cheering on his team every night, waving a towel on big plays, guiding the younger players who were holding his spot in the lineup. Who would've thought that he was guiding the men who would eventually replace him for good? 


My best wishes go out to Brandon Roy, you really were one of my favorite players and I loved watching you in that last playoff game. We all got to see why you were so loved by coaches and players. Shooting that silky smooth jumper, throwing dagger after dagger and still smiling, that's how i'll remember Roy, how about you??


http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7335092/brandon-roy-portland-trail-blazers-retire-due-knees-sources-say