Cheech Tremendous

I don't understand how these record label executives can be so naive when it comes to understanding the failings of the industry in recent years. It really doesn't take a genius to figure out. Why not bring in a panel of 18-34 year olds and ask them why they are buying less music?

I don't understand how this holds the deal up. It's not like Artest has a no-trade clause. You tell him he's traded and let him whine and cry on the plane to Sacramento.

Yeah I'm sure that they would wait this long to trade for Q Richardson. Give me a break.

The Coco Crisp to Boston deal appears to be off at the moment due to Mota failing his physical. I'm not sure that's necessarily a deal-breaker, but the ancillary parts will have to be re-adjusted. Oh, and Theo's officially back as GM. Sucks to be Hoyer or Cherington.

I think you also have to weigh in the fact that Kobe has been playing professionally since he was 18. The wear and tear of playing 82 games per year, plus all the playoff games could significantly shorten his career. I wouldn't be surprised to only see 4 to 5 more years of high-level production.

Saying Lebron James having a "much higher" ceiling then Kobe Bryant is fucking ridiculous. I know it's the "in thing" to hate Kobe, but he's the most talented player in the NBA, and has been since MJ retired (The first time). It is not ridiculous in the least to assume that the ceiling is much higher for Lebron. Kobe is a phenomenal player, but he is 27 already. That's not to say he's reached his peak as a performer, but for the most part, we know what we are getting with him. He is a great scorer, defender and ruthless competitor. But he doesn't do a whole lot to make his team better. Unless he can drag a team to another NBA finals, we've probably seen all that we will out of him. Lebron is 21 years old, and is right now a better passer and rebounder than Kobe, and not far off as a scorer. He is light years ahead of where Kobe was at the same age. It is much more likely that he continues to develop and produce at a historical level than it is to think that Kobe will do something remarkable in his remaining years.

I don't know about the whole year, but it was reported somewhere along the way that the angle started with some sort of invasion led by Foley, Hart and a bunch of other has-beens that may or may not have even been under contract.

I don't put any stock in these numbers any longer now that internationaly buys have been figured in. There is no way to adjust to a common ground.

At first I was inclined to say Kobe. History will look very kindly on a player that won 3 championships and had historical personal achievements (the 81 point game). However, in the context of the time he played, he was never the best player in the league, and as of this point, has no MVPs or league scoring titles to his name. His titles came when he was the second best player on his team. If his most productive years come for an average team struggling to make the playoffs, it's hard to make an argument as an all-time great capable of carrying a team on his back. With Lebron, the jury is still out on what sort of player he turns into. But the ceiling is obviously much higher with LBJ. I don't think that it takes a stretch of the imagination to see him winning a couple of MVPs and scoring titles in the next 5-10 years. As long as he can pair that with a championship or two, he slides above Kobe on the all-time great list.

I don't think that actual Sox fans think like this. This is more the media linking every big name to the Sox, because A. they have holes to fill (CF, SS), B. they have many tradeable parts (Ramirez, Wells, Arroyo, Clement, Mota), C. they have the payroll flexibility to take on a big name/contract and D. the FO is willing to gamble on a big deal

It would be reall short-sighted to consider him a failure for not winning a World Series. In the three years under his watch, he made the playoffs each time (something that they had never done before, ever) in a division with a team that sports a $200 million payroll. He also built up a farm system that was decimated into one of the best in baseball. He's easily one of the 5 best GMS in the game and the best overall option for the Sox organization.

More or less. It's something you're either good at or you're not. Bret Hart would like to say hello.

I think HHH thinks (knows) he'd get cheered and doesn't want to play a face. Meltzer alluded to this as well on the Observer radio show over the weekend. It would be really bad for future business to have your top heel going into the bout as a face and vice versa (and HHH certainly knows this).

I didn't know that Earl Hebner poster here.

Now that would just be ridiculous.

Actually, I think Meltzer reported in his daily update that his name is officially Warrior Warrior now.

I can't believe this. The room is spinning right now.

My memory is a little sketchy on the details, but I think that he was going to jump ship to WCW, even going as far as announcing it to the lockerroom. However, he had misinterpreted his contract and couldn't get out of it, leading to his subsequent burial. Does anyone else remember this?

I don't think that the Sox have the holes that the media is claiming. I'll address each of your aforementioned concerns individually. Youkilis is a more than adequate replacement for Damon in the leadoff spot because of his ability to get on base. While there is a loss in speed at the top of the order, that shouldn't be a main concern given that Manny-Ortiz are mashing behind him. A Cora/Pedroia platoon at short is going to give at least what Renteria offered last year, both offensively and defensively. Don't forget the added advantage of not having Renterial clogging up the order by batting in the two spot. Centerfield is the only major hole at the moment. Jeremy Reed appears to still be a backup option after all the other pieces fall (which could hinge on the Wells deal). Worst case scenario they put Adam Stern in center, which would be a disaster offensively but a major defensive upgrade over Damon. Seeing that the team has tremendously improved its starting pitching, bullpen and defense, sacrificing some offense should be of less concern than it was in years past. If trading Wells (who could retire if not moved) isn't a priority, what is? Especially since some of the names being mentioned in this deal are Justin Duscherer and JD Drew. It's time to look at filling out the roster instead of searching for "names" to patch up their perceived deficiencies.

So since they conversation is starting to head go this way anyways, where does everyone think Marbury fits among the league's point guards? Is he a top-5 talent? Top-10? I am curious to see some opinions.

I don't think there is any chance that the Knicks deal works out. There is no way the Pacers would touch Marbury or his albatross of a contract.

If those are the options, I think the Atlanta deal makes the most sense for both teams. At least Indiana gets back something useul as well as a good young player. Golden State should really be making a run, and had they not resigned Dunleavy they would be the frontrunner. They are about one star player away from being a legit contender in the west.

I think that was sort of the idea. If he somehow regained form and started putting on good matches, you could always unmask him.

Are you kidding me? That was one of the worst PPVs I have ever seen.

I thought that I remembered reading that Vince came up with idea in a dream just before meeting with Dustin Rhodes.