Former Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress and his wife are being sued by Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. for $3.3 million. The lawsuit is regarding foreclosure on his Florida home. Burress bought the home, which is just north of Ft. Lauderdale, in 2005. Burress is now in prison in New York, serving two years for unlawfully and illegally possessing a gun. He shot himself in November of 2008 in the leg in a nightclub in Manhattan, and his time with the Giants ended shortly afterward, when he was released in the offseason. Burress was later convicted on the gun charges and sent to prison for two years.
The circumstances involving Burress right now is eerily reminiscent of what Michael Vick was going through during his dogfighting case. Vick went into bankruptcy after he went to prison, and there is a possibility Burress could be headed in the same direction. Hopefully, this lawsuit doesn't hurt Burress and his family financially. Burress is due to be out of jail in 2011, and he will be looking for an NFL job upon his release.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Yankees Sign Park
The Yankees have signed pitcher Chan Ho Park to a one-year contract worth $1.2 million. Park, who is 36 years old, played with the NL Champion Philadelphia Phillies last season. The Yankees plan to keep Park in the bullpen, as opposed to battling for the fifth and final spot in the Yankees starting rotation. The Yankees have not looked to expand payroll, but Yankees GM Brian Cashman saw an opportunity to get a reliable pitcher at a cheap price and he followed through. Park rejected a $3.25 million offer to stay with the Phillies, and his value dropped since then.
The Yankees acquisition of Park doesn't necessarily make them a better team. The Yankees still have their core players of C.C Sabathia, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira. Those guys are going to be the players who will help the Yankees get another championship in 2010 if they do get there. However, the bullpen did lose a little when they traded Brian Bruney, so this acquisition helps. Their bullpen also wasn't too reliable, especially towards the end of the season, so if Park is effective, it can help.
The Yankees acquisition of Park doesn't necessarily make them a better team. The Yankees still have their core players of C.C Sabathia, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira. Those guys are going to be the players who will help the Yankees get another championship in 2010 if they do get there. However, the bullpen did lose a little when they traded Brian Bruney, so this acquisition helps. Their bullpen also wasn't too reliable, especially towards the end of the season, so if Park is effective, it can help.
McGrady Has Strong Debut
The Knicks newest addition, Tracy McGrady, had a strong debut Saturday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, scoring 26 points, with 19 of them coming in the first half. Eddie House, who was also just acquired by the Knicks, had 24 points in his Knicks' debut as well. However, the Knicks lost 121-118 in overtime, behind a strong performance from Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Durant had 36 points, including the game-tying three-pointer to send the game into overtime. Westbrook almost had a triple-double, with 31 points, 10 assists and 9 rebounds. Durant has now scored at least 25 points in 27 consecutive games, 13 away from Michael Jordan's record of 40.
The Knicks offense looked sharp with McGrady and House, in addition to All-Star David Lee. The Knicks simply played a better Thunder team. The Knicks should look better for the rest of the regular season, and that should help them in free agency. However, the Knicks may not be able to re-sign Lee, and McGrady may only be there for the rest of the regular season, even though he's expressed a desire to take less money to continue with the Knicks.
The Knicks offense looked sharp with McGrady and House, in addition to All-Star David Lee. The Knicks simply played a better Thunder team. The Knicks should look better for the rest of the regular season, and that should help them in free agency. However, the Knicks may not be able to re-sign Lee, and McGrady may only be there for the rest of the regular season, even though he's expressed a desire to take less money to continue with the Knicks.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Knicks Get McGrady In Three-Team Deal
The Knicks have acquired Tracy McGrady in a three-team trade that involved the Knicks, the Houston Rockets and the Sacramento Kings. The Knicks also acquired Sergio Rodriguez from the Kings. The Kings acquired Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey from the Rockets, and Larry Hughes from the Knicks. The Rockets acquired Kevin Martin and Hilton Armstrong from the Kings, and Jordan Hill and Jared Jeffries from the Knicks.
The Knicks have been looking to get McGrady for a long time, since his contract comes off the books at the end of the season. With the Knicks getting rid of Jeffries and Hill, they cleared a good amount of salary for next season, leaving them in position to make two key free-agent acquisitions in the offseason. McGrady will be looking to get playing time to resurrect his career.
This is certainly a good move for the Knicks. The Knicks needed to make this deal because they started shedding salary last season when they traded Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph in the same week. The Knicks had a legit shot at making the playoffs by keeping those two, but they decided to sacrifice two seasons for the big prizes. They have to complete the task and rid themselves of other salary to make a big splash in the offseason.
The only problem this may cause is if the Knicks don't get Lebron James. He is the big prize, and the Knicks got rid of their best talent just to acquire him. If they end up settling for Joe Johnson or a second-tier All-Star player, they may end up paying him first-tier money, for a player or two who won't get the Knicks a championship. Therefore, the Knicks now HAVE to get James, in addition to Chris Bosh, or Amare Stoudemire, or another quality free agent. They should also look to re-sign David Lee, even though that may not be possible.
The Knicks have been looking to get McGrady for a long time, since his contract comes off the books at the end of the season. With the Knicks getting rid of Jeffries and Hill, they cleared a good amount of salary for next season, leaving them in position to make two key free-agent acquisitions in the offseason. McGrady will be looking to get playing time to resurrect his career.
This is certainly a good move for the Knicks. The Knicks needed to make this deal because they started shedding salary last season when they traded Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph in the same week. The Knicks had a legit shot at making the playoffs by keeping those two, but they decided to sacrifice two seasons for the big prizes. They have to complete the task and rid themselves of other salary to make a big splash in the offseason.
The only problem this may cause is if the Knicks don't get Lebron James. He is the big prize, and the Knicks got rid of their best talent just to acquire him. If they end up settling for Joe Johnson or a second-tier All-Star player, they may end up paying him first-tier money, for a player or two who won't get the Knicks a championship. Therefore, the Knicks now HAVE to get James, in addition to Chris Bosh, or Amare Stoudemire, or another quality free agent. They should also look to re-sign David Lee, even though that may not be possible.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Knicks May Add Hill To McGrady Deal
The Knicks are trying to make a deal with the Houston Rockets to bring Tracy McGrady's expiring contract over. The Knicks are now considering throwing rookie Jordan Hill in the deal. The Knicks are clearly looking to get rid of Jared Jeffries, who has played nice defensively, and Eddy Curry, who hasn't really played at all this season. However, Hill hasn't produced at all this season, and he was the Knicks first pick at #8 in the first round of the 2009 Draft.
There was a proposed deal last week between the Knicks, Rockets, and the Washington Wizards, that looked attractive to all sides. That deal included Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood, who were eventually traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Now the Knicks have to make their offer look attractive enough to get McGrady. The Knicks should also consider getting rid of Larry Hughes, who has kind of played his way out of Mike D'Antoni's rotation. The Knicks have until Thursday at 3pm, which is the trade deadline.
There was a proposed deal last week between the Knicks, Rockets, and the Washington Wizards, that looked attractive to all sides. That deal included Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood, who were eventually traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Now the Knicks have to make their offer look attractive enough to get McGrady. The Knicks should also consider getting rid of Larry Hughes, who has kind of played his way out of Mike D'Antoni's rotation. The Knicks have until Thursday at 3pm, which is the trade deadline.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Robinson Wins Third Dunk Contest
Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks won his third dunk contest during All-Star weekend festivities. It was his third win in the dunk contest, the most by any player in NBA history. Robinson beat out Toronto Raptors' rookie Demar DeRozan in the final round for the victory. The two participants eliminated after the first round was Shannon Brown of the Los Angeles Lakers and All-Star Gerald Wallace of the Charlotte Bobcats.
Robinson was defending his title from last season, where he beat All-Star Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic in the final round. In 2006, Robinson won his first dunk contest, amid controversy, after defeating Andre Iguodala of the Philadelphia 76ers. In all likelihood, this will be Robinson's last appearance in the dunk contest, as he didn't express excitement in being in this year's dunk contest.
This could very well also be the last year Robinson is in a Knicks uniform. Robinson will be a free agent in the offseason, and the Knicks don't have any plans to retain him. The Knicks are trying to go after marquee free agents like Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, among others. The Knicks will probably try to re-sign David Lee, who will make his first All-Star appearance tonight.
Robinson was defending his title from last season, where he beat All-Star Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic in the final round. In 2006, Robinson won his first dunk contest, amid controversy, after defeating Andre Iguodala of the Philadelphia 76ers. In all likelihood, this will be Robinson's last appearance in the dunk contest, as he didn't express excitement in being in this year's dunk contest.
This could very well also be the last year Robinson is in a Knicks uniform. Robinson will be a free agent in the offseason, and the Knicks don't have any plans to retain him. The Knicks are trying to go after marquee free agents like Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, among others. The Knicks will probably try to re-sign David Lee, who will make his first All-Star appearance tonight.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Yankees Target Cuban Shortstop For Future
The New York Yankees reportedly will be serious bidders on Cuban defector Adeinis Hechavarria when the Office of Foreign Assets Committee (OFAC) allows him to sign with MLB teams. His age and other information has to be verified by OFAC before he is eligible to sign in America. The Yankees have checked him out a couple of times recently, and sources say their interest has been there for a while. The Red Sox gave 19 year old shortstop Jose Iglesias $8 million, so Hechavarria will be commanding around $7 million in a signing bonus.
Current Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter will turn 36 years old in June. He has been the Yankees starting shortstop since 1996, the year the Yankees won their first championship in 18 years. Jeter has won five championships with the Yankees, getting his first one this past season in almost 10 years. The Yankees know Jeter's time is coming, where they'll have to look at a possible replacement for him. Jeter, however, will be the starting shortstop next year.
Current Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter will turn 36 years old in June. He has been the Yankees starting shortstop since 1996, the year the Yankees won their first championship in 18 years. Jeter has won five championships with the Yankees, getting his first one this past season in almost 10 years. The Yankees know Jeter's time is coming, where they'll have to look at a possible replacement for him. Jeter, however, will be the starting shortstop next year.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Miller Concerns Walsh
Donnie Walsh's plans for the 2010 offseason is clear to many. He has Cleveland Cavaliers superstar Lebron James in his sights, and it's been debated whether he will come to the Knicks or not. Former Indiana Pacers superstar Reggie Miller said recently in an online question and answer session that James won't be coming to New York. He said the Knicks should get two other quality free agents.
While some executives don't take opinions that seriously, Walsh apparently did. Walsh wanted to know if Miller had any inside information regarding James' decision. Walsh contacted Miller, and Miller told Walsh that he knew nothing and what he stated was his opinion. That gives the Knicks some life, as Walsh has been clearing the roster of bad contracts past the 2010 season in order to free up cap space to obtain his services, hopefully along with another.
For now, the debate will continue on James' decision in the 2010 offseason. I think he'll come to the Knicks because there is a lot to accomplish being in New York. New York is the biggest sports market, in addition to the fact that the Knicks have been starving for a championship for almost nearly 40 years. It'll also benefit his endorsements, especially Nike. Coming to New York will benefit James better than staying in Cleveland or going somewhere else.
While some executives don't take opinions that seriously, Walsh apparently did. Walsh wanted to know if Miller had any inside information regarding James' decision. Walsh contacted Miller, and Miller told Walsh that he knew nothing and what he stated was his opinion. That gives the Knicks some life, as Walsh has been clearing the roster of bad contracts past the 2010 season in order to free up cap space to obtain his services, hopefully along with another.
For now, the debate will continue on James' decision in the 2010 offseason. I think he'll come to the Knicks because there is a lot to accomplish being in New York. New York is the biggest sports market, in addition to the fact that the Knicks have been starving for a championship for almost nearly 40 years. It'll also benefit his endorsements, especially Nike. Coming to New York will benefit James better than staying in Cleveland or going somewhere else.
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