alfdogg

A few more rumors thrown out from HoopsHype, if you guys are interested. Before this trade went down, one was being discussed with the main pieces being Stoudemire to Miami, Marion and Rudy Gay to Phoenix, and Beasley to Memphis. A deal of Stoudemire for Gay, Mike Conley, and Hakim Warrick was rejected by Memphis. Dallas and New Jersey are/were in talks again, with this deal sending Vince Carter, Keyon Dooling and Eduardo Najera to Dallas for Josh Howard and...Jerry Stackhouse. Dun dun DUN. But, Dallas does not want to include Josh Howard in a deal for Carter, unless the Nets also include Brook Lopez, which isn't happening. Carter to Houston for Ron Artest and spare parts has also been discussed. The Clippers reportedly offered Baron Davis and Chris Kaman to Dallas for Jason Kidd, but Dallas, also still holding out hope for 2010, is not interested in taking back their contracts. The Nets have also had talks about Mike Miller, Caron Butler, and Larry Hughes. The latest Stoudemire-to-Bulls rumor was for Gooden, Sefolosha, Thomas, and Cedric Simmons. Larry Hughes to Washington for Etan Thomas and Mike James was discussed. Richard Jefferson and Luke Ridnour to Portland for Travis Outlaw, Sergio Rodriguez, Raef LaFrentz and a draft pick.

Show is from Cleveland. I'll try to have something.

O'Neal comes off the cap in 2010, so I assume the Heat are aiming to sign another big name to go alongside Wade.

I will readily admit that LeBron takes lots of contact that isn't called, but a lot of his supporters want to pretend that he never gets the benefit of the whistle whenever the referees may blow a couple, which is just absurd. FWIW, I don't dislike the Cavs as a team or an organization, I've just grown to dislike LeBron a whole lot over the last year or so. I can't say anything bad about him as a player, but he just has this arrogance about him, like he thinks he's bigger than the rest of the world or something.

Add to the list "@ Bucks (w/out leading scorer, rebounder, and assist man) = loss". This fucking team.

KPRC in Houston is reporting that Tracy McGrady may need microfracture surgery, which would end his season. CBS Sports says Phoenix and Portland are discussing Stoudemire for Aldridge, Bayless and LaFrentz.

This is an actual, serious post from one of the ESPN comment sections. srsly.

Along the lines of Detroit and trades, another rumor I've heard is Rasheed Wallace to the Spurs. I don't know who they would deal for him, but that would be a much better coup than Vince Carter, IMO. He would take a lot of the workload defensively off of Duncan. I might go so far as to say they could win another title this year if they make a deal for Sheed. And if it doesn't work out, he's an expiring contract, though I can't imagine it blowing up in their faces.

Pacers' last six games: vs Knicks - loss. vs T-wolves - loss. @ Sixers (no Brand) - loss. vs Magic - win. @ Wizards - loss. vs Cavs - win. I just don't get this team sometimes.

Promos are in. Feedback tomorrow.

Here's my preseason predictions. Let's see how I'm doing approaching the All-Star break. 1. Who will win the MVP? If the Cavs win the Central Division, it'll be LeBron James. Otherwise, Chris Paul. Looks like I've got this one half-right...I'm not sure if Paul will be in the race at the end, unless the Hornets go on an insane run post All-Star. 2. Who will win the Rookie of the Year? I'll go with naiwf's answer of Oden if he's healthy, Beasley otherwise. ...well, this one didn't work out too well. Right now, I'd go with O.J. Mayo by a nose ahead of Derrick Rose. Beasley may not even be the best rookie on the Heat. 3. Who will be the Coach of the Year? Maurice Cheeks, Philadelphia I may be the first person ever to see his COTY prediction get fired before Christmas. 4. Who will be named to the All-NBA First Team? Kobe, Paul, Amare, Garnett, LeBron. Looks like 4/5, with Dwight Howard in Amare's spot. I think you could possibly get away with Duncan in Garnett's spot, as well. 5. Who will be the NBA's Most Improved Player? Marcus Williams, Golden State. He's the only guy that really springs to mind at the moment. Can't even crack the rotation for Golden State. A lot of people have different definitions of what this award is, and it usually ends up going to the person with the most increased stats, regardless of whether he really "improved" or just got a significant increase in minutes. Yes, I'm still bitter about Dunleavy's snub last year. Anyway, going by the usual criteria, my pick here is Rodney Stuckey. 6. What team had the best offseason? Philadelphia. 7. What team had the worst offseason? Golden State. 8. Which team will be the most improved over last year? Philadelphia. The acquisition of Brand, IMO, makes them a top 5 team in the East. Brand hasn't panned out all that well, but sadly, a top 5 spot is still not out of the question for this team in the Eastern conference. 9. Which team will be the biggest disappointment? Houston. Every year we hear the "darkhorse to win it all" talk, and every year they fall in the first round. And I guess Miami, since everyone thinks they're going to be so great for some reason. Houston has to be the answer here. Another injury-plagued season for McGrady, Artest in and out of the lineup, and the Rockets are 4th in the Southwest and 7th in the West. That matches them up with the Spurs in round 1, and if that sticks, it will indeed be another first-round exit. Miami is in a solid spot in the East, largely due to a pansy-ass schedule through the first couple months of the season (I think SOS was something like 43%). I do think they'll hang on and wind up in at this point, but they'll be sent fishing in short order. 10. What was the best offseason move? I like the Hornets signing James Posey. One of the biggest criticisms of the Hornets was their lack of depth, and this is a solid answer. It was a good move, but the biggest move has to be the Spurs getting Roger Mason. Very solid guard play, and has made some huge clutch shots, beating the Celtics, Lakers, and Suns. 11. What was the worst offseason move? James Dolan vetoing the release of Stephon Marbury. But that shouldn't shock anyone. I stand by this answer. 12. Who will make the playoffs that didn't last year? Portland, Indiana (yeah yeah, I know, homer.) Well...I got this one half-right. 13. Who will not make the playoffs that did last year? Denver, Atlanta Another big-time whiff here, as both teams have noticeably improved from last season. 14. Who are the best five players in the league, position aside (weak-sauce question, I know)? In no particular order: Kobe, Paul, James, Iverson, Garnett. Replace Iverson with Wade and Garnett with Dwight Howard. 15. Who will be the division winners? Boston, Detroit, Orlando, Utah, New Orleans, LA Lakers Half-right as of right now. Looks like Detroit and Utah will be misses, still plenty of time for the Hornets, though. 16. Eastern Conference Final: Boston over Detroit Cleveland will take Detroit's place here. I still like the Celtics, but wouldn't be too surprised if the Cavs won. 17. Western Conference Final: New Orleans over LA Lakers I think this is another Lakers/Spurs matchup. New Orleans isn't really any better than they were last year, and still don't have the depth to take out either of these teams. 18. Who will win the NBA Title, and who will they beat?: Boston over New Orleans If Bynum makes a full recovery, I think the Lakers win the title. If he doesn't, they may not get by the Spurs again. Let's not forget that Ginobili was playing injured in that series. 19. Who will be the #1 pick in next year's draft? I don't know. I still don't really know. I guess Rubio or Blake Griffin.

Hoff's birthday cake.

[i]The Church of Hot Addiction[/i] plays, and James Blonde makes his way through the curtains, followed by Faqu. Chttp://forums.thesmartmarks.com/index.php?act=post&do=new_post&f=39OLE Tremendous tag team match on the way in the Anderson Cup! Let's go to Michael Buffer! BUFFER [i]The following contest is a second-round matchup in the Anderson Cup tournament! Making their way to the ring, at a combined weight of 509 pounds...representing Cucaracha Internacional, they are the #4 seed in the Los Infernales Bracket...the team of JAMES BLONDE and the Samoan Wrecking Ball, FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU UUUUUUUU!!!!![/i] COLE And these guys have two big fans in the Deadly Alliance tonight, that being Thunderkid and Reject, the World tag team champions, who do not want Team Heyross to see another chance at their belts! Blonde rolls in the ring, as Faqu climbs in. Blonde pumps up Faqu, as [i]Shine[/i] by Collective Soul hits, and the fans get to their feet for Team Heyross. BUFFER [i]Their opponents...at a combined weight of 485 pounds...the 2008 Anderson Cup champions, and the #1 seed in the Los Infernales Bracket...CHARLIE MOSS and QUENTIN BENJAMIN...TEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMM HHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYRRRRRRRRRRRROSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSS!!!!![/i] Team Heyross slides in and removes their gear, then the referee calls for the bell. *DING DING DING* Both teams have a conversation, then a man steps out on each side. COLE So it'll be Quentin Benjamin starting with James Blonde! The two move in for a tieup, but Blonde delivers a kick to the gut, followed by a side headlock. Benjamin shoves him into the ropes, then puts his head down, but Blonde grabs him and whips him into a corner. Blonde charges, but Benjamin slings over the top of him. Blonde stops and catches him, attempting to ram him into another corner, but Benjamin slips behind the back, and attempts a reverse sunset. Blonde hooks the ropes to block, then turns around, but gets caught with a dropkick! COLE Nice sequence of reversals, and it's Quentin Benjamin gaining the advantage! Benjamin then hits Blonde with another dropkick, then grabs him and wrings his arm. Benjamin wrings the arm once again, but Blonde pokes him in the eye, and reverses the arm-wringer. Blonde backs Benjamin into the ropes, where Moss blind tags himself in. COACH Tag made there, James didn't see it! Moss steps in, as Benjamin reverses an Irish whip, and the two catch him with a double hiptoss! They follow up with a double elbowdrop, but then get floored with a double clothesline from Faqu! COACH Yeah! COLE Big-time clothesline from Faqu, but the referee's got to get two guys out of there! I think it's Moss and James Blonde who are legal in the ring! Blonde sizes up Team Heyross as they get to their feet, and attempts a flying bodypress! However, Team Heyross catches Blonde, then toss him onto Faqu, who also catches him and drops him to the mat, then attempts another double clothesline, but gets sent rolling to the floor with a double superkick! COLE Some nice teamwork by Team Heyross, and Blonde and Faqu need to regroup! After a brief discussion, Faqu slides into the ring to contend with Moss. COACH No more messing around, Faqu's in there now! Faqu immediately moves in, and delivers a foot to the gut, followed by a chop, then a big headbutt! COACH See what I mean? COLE And look at how quickly the Samoan Wrecking Ball just overpowered Charlie Moss! Moss rolls to the apron as Faqu stomps away, then fights to his knees, before driving a shoulder into the gut of Faqu! COLE But look at Moss fight back! Moss slings in over the top of Faqu, rolling along his back and coming down onto his feet. He then delivers a kick to the gut, and attempts an Irish whip. However, Faqu blocks, and pulls him into a knee. Faqu then sets up a powerbomb, but Moss delivers right hands as he's up in the air. Benjamin sneaks in from behind, and dropkicks Faqu in the back, allowing Moss to take him down with a HURRICANRANA~! COLE Moss with a little help from his partner, and a nice hurricanrana! Moss delivers right hands on the mat, then drops an elbow, and covers... 1... 2... Kickout! Moss picks up Faqu, then whips him into the ropes, but puts his head down. Faqu delivers a kick, bringing Moss's head back up, then delivers a THRUST KICK~! COLE And a big kick from Faqu, that could turn the tide in this match! Faqu lets out a big yell, drawing boos, then tags Blonde. Blonde stomps away on Moss, then picks him up and whips him into the ropes, catching him with a flying forearm! Cover... 1... 2... Kickout! Blonde tags Faqu back in, and Faqu whips Moss into the ropes, catching him with a Samoan drop! Cover... 1... 2... Kickout! Faqu then turns around and knocks Benjamin off the apron! Faqu and Blonde double-team Moss in their corner, as Benjamin slides into the ring, but is kept at bay by the referee. Blonde whips Moss into the ropes, but Moss ducks a clothesline and catches Blonde with a flying bodypress! Cover... 1... 2... Kickout! Blonde stomps away on Moss on the mat, then sets him up, and executes the GUILT TRIP~! Cover... 1... 2... Kickout! Faqu tags back in, and whips Moss into a corner, then charges, but Moss gets the foot up! Moss crawls over towards his corner, attempting to make the tag, but Faqu manages to come through to grab his foot, then Blonde comes in and stomps away, before the referee backs him off. Faqu backs into the ropes, and attempts a BIG SPLASH, but Moss rolls out of the way, and this time MAKES THE TAG~! COLE Tag made, Quentin Benjamin back in! Blonde is also back in, and immediately gets caught with a clothesline! And another! Benjamin whips him into the ropes, and catches him with a BIG backdrop! Cover... 1... 2... Kickout! Benjamin backs Blonde into a corner, and delivers right hands as the crowd counts along! 1!!! 2!!! 3!!! 4!!! 5!!! 6!!! Suddenly, Benjamin jumps backwards to meet Faqu, delivering some more rights! Moss then brings Blonde out of the corner, and signals to Benjamin. COACH Uh-oh...look out, James! Moss backs into the ropes, and Benjamin moves in to sweep the leg of Blonde as Moss hits him with a clothesline! COLE Double Goozle~! Benjamin and Moss then hook Faqu, and lift him in a double suplex, then drops him back down onto Blonde! COLE And Team Heyross using the body of Faqu to squash James Blonde! Moss then scoops Blonde onto his shoulders, as Benjamin starts to scale the ropes...when suddenly, Thunderkid appears to drill Benjamin on the side of the leg with a steel chair! COACH Look at this, Cole! COLE Thunderkid and Reject are here! As Reject distracts the referee on the other side, TK quickly pulls Benjamin out and shoves him into the steel steps! Reject then stalks around the ring, until the referee turns his back to the commotion, at which point he slides in and gives Moss a kick to the gut, then executes the EULOGY~!!!!!11111 COLE Reject with the Eulogy on Charlie Moss! The referee hasn't seen any of this! Reject slides out, and he and TK retreat down the aisle, as Blonde drapes an arm over Kevin... 1... 2... 3!!! *DING DING DING* COLE DAMN IT! Team Heyross is eliminated! BUFFER [i]The winners of the match, advancing to the finals of the Los Infernales Bracket...the team of JAMES BLONDE and the Samoan Wrecking Ball, FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU UUUUUUUU!!!!![/i] COACH I guess Reject and TK were going to personally make sure that Team Heyross didn't get another opportunity at their titles! COLE So, the team representing Cucaracha Internacional will be one of the final four teams contending for that World tag team title shot at AngleMania VIII! Right now, let's go to... Team Heyross is shown standing in the ring, disappointed, as the crowd shows its appreciation.

The Anderson Cup match will be done shortly. Leave spots for the promos, in case I don't get to them tonight. I need one promo to be early in the show, and the other needs to come after the AC match.

I guess the Kings are still celebrating Chris Webber night.

In what I'm sure will come as a huge shock, the Pacers also coughed up another fourth-quarter lead, capped off by a flu-ridden Caron Butler draining the buzzer-beater in our faces, ala Michael Jordan. And to top it all off, Mike Dunleavy is hurt again.

So, last night I made some sausage gravy out of the packets, and apparently added too much water, because the stuff has not thickened at all, even after sitting in the fridge overnight. Is there anyway to salvage this gravy, or is it trash?

Sun, Feb. 1 Minnesota @ Boston, 12:00 Orlando @ Toronto, 12:00 Cleveland @ Detroit, 2:30 ABC Oklahoma City @ Sacramento, 3:00 Mon, Feb. 2 Dallas @ Orlando, 7:00 Memphis @ Washington, 7:00 LA Clippers @ Miami, 7:30 LA Lakers @ New York, 7:30 Portland @ New Orleans, 8:00 NBATV Sacramento @ Phoenix, 9:00 Charlotte @ Utah, 9:00 San Antonio @ Golden State, 10:30 Tue, Feb. 3 Toronto @ Cleveland, 7:00 Minnesota @ Indiana, 7:00 Boston @ Philadelphia, 7:00 Milwaukee @ New Jersey, 7:30 Chicago @ Houston, 8:30 San Antonio @ Denver, 9:00 NBATV Wed, Feb. 4 LA Clippers @ Orlando, 7:00 LA Lakers @ Toronto, 7:00 New Jersey @ Washington, 7:00 Miami @ Detroit, 7:30 Cleveland @ New York, 7:30 Houston @ Memphis, 8:00 Atlanta @ Minnesota, 8:00 Chicago @ New Orleans, 8:00 Denver @ Oklahoma City, 8:00 Portland @ Dallas, 8:30 NBATV Phoenix @ Golden State, 10:30 Thu, Feb. 5 Indiana @ Philadelphia, 7:00 LA Lakers @ Boston, 8:00 TNT Dallas @ Utah, 10:30 TNT Fri, Feb. 6 Atlanta @ Charlotte, 7:00 Orlando @ Indiana, 7:00 Boston @ New York, 7:30 LA Clippers @ Memphis, 8:00 Toronto @ New Orleans, 8:00 Portland @ Oklahoma City, 8:00 Denver @ Washington, 8:00 ESPN Utah @ Sacramento, 10:00 Golden State @ Phoenix, 10:30 ESPN Sat, Feb. 7 LA Clippers @ Atlanta, 7:00 Miami @ Philadelphia, 7:00 Denver @ New Jersey, 7:30 NBATV Toronto @ Memphis, 8:00 Chicago @ Dallas, 8:30 Minnesota @ Houston, 8:30 Detroit @ Milwaukee, 8:30

Pacers have now beat the Lakers, Celtics, and Magic. So, in your face!

Doc Rivers, not surprisingly, is pointing the finger at anyone but his team, saying that the Lakers got the benefit of the doubt from the refs when things got chippy. The whole reason the game went to OT in the first place was due to the refs falling for all of Pierce's flip-flop bullshit whenever he drove to the basket, and sending him to the line a thousand times. I also loved listening to ESPN Radio this morning, as they're basically trying to spin it as "yeah, the Celtics got chippy, but they were just retaliating to the bullying from the big, bad Lakers." I don't know about anyone else here, but I was digging it when Odom got up in Garnett's face. It's about time that guy showed a little fire. The Celtics have been bullying other teams around ALL YEAR, and have ALWAYS gotten the benefit of the doubt ("Garnett's just so intense, that's just the way he is!"). It's about time another team stood up to them, even if it is the Lakers.

Great job by everyone on their HD moments. Nice opening segment, as Moneymaker doesn't seem to have missed a beat since his showdown with Zack. And a feud with Ragdoll around the corner? Should be most interesting. at the "interview" with "Hector". I'm embarassed to admit that I didn't know the MGHC had broken up, but it's good to see them make up, for now. I thought Citizen Soldiers would actually win this one for a bit, but VICE steals it at the end. Good match. Terry's really earning his money with these interviews. Leon getting prepared for his match with Krista, but I'm surprised no questions from Josh about potentially meeting his stablemate at AngleMania. Oh well, those questions will come in time. The women's match was Classic Patty. Yes, the capital "C" is necessary. Great stuff. I wondered how the ME would be booked, as I didn't expect either person to lose to the other outright at this point in time. Either way, tremendous match. Looks like neither of these two have heard the last of Mr. Dick. MOTN: Close call, but I have to go with the Venice Beach Bunny Brawl. LOTN: "Call me crappy annoying girlfriend, or Jennifer Love Hewitt, if ya want, buuuuut I’m sort hoping she loses. Pissed off sex is like a gazillion times better than celebration sex." - Alix Maria Spezia

Anderson Cup Team Heyross vs James Blonde & Faqu plus promos

The DDT at 0:20 will never get old.

OK, my stuff is in.