Cheech Tremendous

I mentioned my thoughts on this a little bit in the other thread, but it's not really a snub. There was obviously a feeling from Colangelo and the selection committee that Iverson didn't really offer what they needed for whatever reason (be it age, durability, attitude or whatever). He had his chance in 2004.

I've always considered Jim Jackson to be a much better player than he has ever gotten credit for. Is there something about him that doesn't get much coverage in the media? If I were a GM, he's exactly the type of role player I would go for.

So which 12 would you pick for the team. I'd go with: Billups Bryant Lebron Bosh Stoudemire Paul Redd Marion D. Howard Miller Wade Bowen

I think there are 12 roster spots and 3 alternates, or something like that.

Actually, Isiah would probably be a GREAT college coach. He's obviously got an eye for talent and he's a smooth operator so he'd be a great recruiter. He gets instant respect from young players for being such a great player, and he's a student of Bobby Knight, who like him or not gets results. While that is mostly true, you forgot one important point: the guy couldn't coach his way out of a paper bag.

Is Brad Miller going to play the entire game at center?

I guess I can understand the appeal of Perry and why his movies are successful, but I want to know how anyone even knows these movies are coming out? Where are they advertised? I watch a fair amount of television, read magazines, listen to the radio and have literally never seen anything for either this movie of the one released previously.

http://wrestlingclassics.com/cgi-bin/.ubbc...ic;f=1;t=063897

Yeah, I wasn't trying to imply that he can't stay healthly or anything. I was just saying that with the physical style that he plays and with him getting on in age, maybe playing a couple extra months of highly competitive ball each year might not be the best thing for him.

I know it's his alma mater and everything, but I highly doubt they'd be stupid enough to let him coach the team.

I have no problem with AI not being invited. I like the fact that he wants to play for his country, but his game doesn't translate that well into the international model and let's be honest, a player at his age and level of durability probably isn't a good bet to give a three year commitment to the program.

The fact that this isn't getting more press and discussion is frightening. I don't think a lot of people understand the implications of the fallout of talks. The lack of a cap in 2007, plus an impending lockout in 2008 are frightening considering the overall popularity and success of the NFL at this point.

If you dig deep enough I think you will find that most stars of the 80s and 90s got their starts in the territories doing jobs while they learned the ropes.

Several media outlets are reporting that James Dolan has called off Isiah Thomas' scouting trip to Europe for a special "state of the team" meeting in Memphis. I would assume the axe is about to fall.

Not really an answer to your question, but an interesting note on his run as the Masked Superstar. According to Eadie, he was originally booked to be one to defeat Bob Backlund for the world title. Vince, however, felt that he would be forever remembered as the transitional champ to Hulk, and had too much respect for him to put him in that position (look at Sheik's career path after his reign). Not sure how true it is, but an interesting note nonetheless.

I'd really only consider the WCW/NWA title (-'01) and the WWF ('84-) as true world titles. I think the definition changes based on what people feel like recognizing. The WWE recognizes whatever will appease their rewritten history.

I wasn't playing that close attention to the NBA in the late 90s and early 00s. What's the deal with the large crop of players (Brian Grant, Antonio Davis, Keith Van Horn, Allan Houston, Jalen Rose, Tim Thomas, Juwan Howard, Penny Hardaway, Antoine Walker, Latrell Sprewell, Vin Baker) who got contracts in $15 million +/- range? None of these guys were ever really superstars and nearly all of them were bench warmers or cut towards the end of their contracts. It just seems like there is this whole lost generation of players who made astounding money and never really did anything of note.

Actual 2005 numbers: Coco Crisp 300/345/465 Johnny Damon 316/366/439 Edgar Renteria 276/335/385 Alex Gonzalez 264/319/368 The players are already close in their numbers. Factor the move of Crisp and A-Gon from two of the best pitching parks in the majors to a decent hitter's park in Fenway and the numbers are essentially a wash.

While I agree with most of what you have stated, I don't see how the Sox got worse this offseason. They made a lot of changes, which can lead to uncertainty, but other than a potential dip in runs scored the rest of the team is much better. Heading into spring training, they have 7 potential starters (Schilling, Beckett, Wells, Clement, Wakefield, Arroyo, Papelbon), which will not only provide depth, but allow them to deal for a fourth outfielder or whatever else they feel they might need. Offensively, Youkilis is an upgrade at first, Loretta is at second, SS and CF are a wash. 3B is the only position they downgraded at offensively, but at the expense of improving the infield defense (plus Lowell could bounce back, but I doubt it). They had the worst bullpen in baseball last year but they strengthened it with the acquisitions of Riske and Tavarez, and provided that Foulke can give them something this year, that's a vast overall improvement for the late innings. So once again, show me how this team got worse.

Red Sox are the more likely. I legitimately only see them as the third best team in the division at this point. There are a lot of question marks with that team. The Red Sox have question marks, but so does every other team in the division. They've improved the starting pitching, bullpen and infield defense this offseason from a team that won 95 games last year. I'm not sure how you can view them as the third best team in the division.

It's probably because he heard he was being traded for Tracy McGrady.

The Yankees won 95 games last year, the same as the Red Sox. Other than CF, they didn't really upgrade the team in any significant way this offseason. It's far from a sure thing that they will win that division. The A's were really good last year, despite a horrendous start and breaking in a lot of young guys. They've added Thomas, Bradley and Loaiza. They are deep, play great defense and have fantastic pitching front to bottom. That's enough to make a World Series push.

It's going to be extremely hard for the Wild Card winner to come out of the AL East because things are going to be so competitive. The Blue Jays, for all they have done, are still only the third best team in the division. The Yanks and Sox will be damn close. Anyone see the potential for the Cardinals to fall off this year? I was almost going to pick against them in the central before realizing there isn't another team that could reasonably win that division (Brewers, maybe?).

I'm really surprised at all the love for the Blue Jays. I know they spent a lot of money in the offseason and they should play a legit role in the east, but you're really ready to slot them ahead of the Yankees and Red Sox? How do you figure? I also can't see the Angels winning that division again. They didn't address their needs in the offseason, the Rangers got better and the A's are going to be sick next year. They don't have the offense to compete.

AL East: NY Yankees AL Central: Cleveland Indians AL West: Oakland A's Wild Card: Chicago White Sox Sox over Yankees A's over Indians A's over Sox NL East: Atlanta Braves NL Central: St. Louis Cardinals NL West: LA Dodgers Wild Card: NY Mets Mets over Braves Cardinals over Dodgers Mets over Cardinals World Series Champs: Oakland A's