DeMarcus Cousins Extension has Some Scratching Their Heads

NBA troubled Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins got his wish yesterday when he signed a lucrative extension for 4 years and $62 million. Now with this kind of contract we all just hope that Cousins can get it together and go out there and just play basketball.

He’s one of the names of the 2010 draft that got their extension this week. But many fans are scratching their heads and wondering why the Kings would extend him with all the problems and troubles that follow this young 23-year-old player.

If you ask me I think the fans of Sacramento wanted him out and just start over again. Not if they were already a winning club but having a player that’s giving you 17 points and 9 rebounds, I don’t think it’s worth the entire headache.

If Cousins were to keep his emotions in place he could have got a better deal like Indiana Pacers Paul George got. He received an extension for the max which is 5 years and about $90 million. Cousins got a lot of money on his plate too but he left some on the table. I’m just as surprised as everyone that they gave him another chance and are banking on him to be the club’s franchise player.

Could it all be that Shaquille O’Neal is coming in to work with the young man or is it just to sell some tickets? It could be both as I’m concerned. I don’t think it will be a success in Sacramento and I see many more troubles following him if he doesn’t change his attitude. If the Kings want to protect their investment they should put him in anger management classes.

Lastly I wanted to touch on his weight gain and the future of his body that many aren’t touching on. Shaq was a different kind of player in his days as a NBA dominant center. He came into the league very lean and strong then just became overweight and fat. But I don’t think this will help Cousins if he doesn’t take care of himself and his diet. He’s no Shaq that can go up and down in weight and still dominate the game.

Brett Favre is Retired and Done for Good in the NFL

Retired and future Hall of Famer quarterback Brett Favre is making news again and we all know what it is by now. His agent Bus Cook comes out of the woods to tell us that Brett Favre could still play the game of football better than most of these quarterbacks out there. That may be true because of the competitor that he is and the talents he holds is like no other.

Brett Favre might have the itch to come back but we all know that he’s old and doesn’t want to put in the full work needed to become a champion at the age of 43. My memory I recall that Favre didn’t want to take part in training camp. I think that’s not professional and the greats don’t do this.

Picture Peyton Manning, Drew Brees or Tom Brady doing this; I can’t see that happening because they care about the game and their image. Not to say that Brett doesn’t but he sure made it clear that he should get preferential treatment because of his accomplishments.

Favre is turning 44 years old next month just to give you an idea of what he could face if he decided to come back. His body in my opinion wouldn’t be able to take those kinds of hits at that age. But we can’t count of the legend in Favre but he should stay retired and keep riding off to the sunset. It doesn’t matter how much running and miles of bike riding he’s doing daily. His time is up.

I don’t want another fiasco in the NFL with Brett Favre making headlines and taking the news from teams and players that should be getting the attention.

Timothy Bradley vs. Juan Manuel Marquez

The big PPV fight that many will be watching October 12, 2013 is Bradley vs. Marquez. This main event isn’t just a fight, it will be two fighters that just beat Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao and are looking to prove their legacy in boxing.

Timothy Bradley has got a big break when he beat Pacquiao in a controversial decision and in public opinion he lost. I watched the fight and I think that Bradley did his best to out box Manny but he was hit with vicious blows and the quickness of Pacquiao just was too much for Bradley.

Now we have Juan Manuel Marquez the 40 year old Mexican warrior that is looking for another title in his legendary career but undefeated Bradley has something to say about that. I think that this fight will be close but I think with the punching power of Bradley and youth it will be too much for Marquez.

But as we seen in the Marquez/Pacquiao 4 you just can’t count out this boxer. He not just knocked out Manny but he put him to sleep. I was even scared for Pacquiao with that hit and was wondering would he get up. Bradley will most likely out box Marquez but he needs to be careful and don’t underestimate him in the ring.

The power punch that Marquez can display isn’t one that you want to get countered with. Overall it will be a good fight and Bradley will likely come out the winner but Marquez has made his last couple of years memorable as he’s getting better with age. Some are saying that he’s on PEDs and I just think that’s the easy excuse when someone knocks out Manny Pacquiao at his age.

So make sure you get your chips and dip because you don't want to miss this match and this might be the best fight of 2013. Who are you choosing?

The Brooklyn Nets: Growing Pains or Championship

With the NBA training camp right around the corner and the season looming the Brooklyn Nets are confident and ready to show the world they’re ready to be taken serious. The Nets this offseason made a big splash where they brought in future Hall of Famers from the Boston Celtics Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.

Brooklyn Nets billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov showed everyone watching that money is no issue and that he will do anything to win right now. This put a pain in many New York Knicks fans and players stomachs; I can tell you that!

Last season the Nets were a good team and competitive but something was just missing from the team. Some would even say leadership. Now for the next two seasons that won’t be a question or concern because KG and Pierce bring not just leadership but intensity that has been missing from this club.

With a new young head coach in NBA legend Jason Kidd and a starting five on paper that can make you think championship contenders, the Nets aren’t just looking to win but to be New York’s team. That would be a very hard feat because the New York Knicks aren’t just going to lie down and let that happen on their watches.

I see this season as a success for this now veteran team but they will come short of the title prize because I think with Derrick Rose back the Chicago Bulls will be better and the two-time defending champs Miami Heat will be in their way as well. Being a Knicks fan I’m concerned about this season and I think the Nets are better. Trust me when I say it hurts to say that but with the additions you can’t deny it.

This upcoming season you will see some growing pains with the Brooklyn Nets but their fans will be very happy to see a young star in the making in center Brooke Lopez. He will flourish playing with KG and that will make him better. I don’t see a championship in the cards for the Nets but I’m not going to count them out just yet.

The New York Giants are Playing Awful

The New York Giants and coach Tom Coughlin are 0-3 and they’re unraveling fast. Coughlin might think Sunday’s game against 3-0 Kansas City Chiefs isn’t a must win but I’m here to tell you that it is.

Nobody in their right mind would have imagined the Giants would be in this kind of hole for the start of the season. But with almost a quarter of the season closing in the New York Giants need to win and quickly.

Being 0-3 doesn’t mean your team isn’t going to make the playoffs because it’s a 16 game season and a lot more games to play. But watching the Giants just track out to the field week after week, they just look dead on the field and it’s hard to see things turn around.

Being a diehard New York Giants fan it’s hard to watch them just look defeated and not help one another make big plays. The offensive line looks pathetic and the running game isn’t there. I don’t know what else Eli Manning can do to help this team win and get back on track? Manning is scrambling and throwing the ball but his accuracy is being closed in because the line isn’t protecting him.

You have running back David Wilson fumbling the football the first game against the Dallas Cowboys and now he seems to be afraid to make mistakes and that’s hurting his play. JPP back is injured but he’s doing the best he can. As of now the New York Giants season has been a failure but it’s not over until it’s over.

They will have a hard task ahead of them going into the resurged Kansas City Chiefs stadium. So getting a win against this early undefeated team looks very bleak.

Give Robinson Cano his Walking Papers

New York Yankees All-Star second basemen Robinson Cano is going to the media to let them know what he is seeking for his future services in the MLB and that’s approximately 10 years and $305 million. He is making it very for the Yankees to keep him. We all know the Yankees have the money but after the disastrous signing of A-Rod, they don’t want to make the same mistake.

Cano is a very good to a great player right now at the age of 30. But next month he will be 31 and I don’t want to see the Yankees give him that kind of contract. The amount per year isn’t the issue; it’s the years that he’s seeking.

The New York Yankees should offer him a 7 year deal worth $196 million. I think that’s more than fair and should be a contract that Cano should appreciate. I understand that players want to get paid and they only have one shot at a big payday. But Cano is a great fit for this organization and this is a club they gave him the opportunity that he has.

10 year contracts for players that are 30 years and over are just damn ridiculous and shouldn’t be considered anymore. Let’s even look at star Albert Pujols and the 10 year contract that he received from the Angels. So far he’s been a bust and a contract that the Angels will regret if they haven’t already.

There are going to be teams lining up for Cano’s talents and will more than likely throw him the years and dollars that he wants, such teams like the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers. Do to you really think Cano is going to be a productive $30 million player at age 38, 39 or 40 years old? You be the judge of that people.

I just think the Yankees will do their best to retain him but if he isn’t working with them with the negotiations they should just let him walk. It will hurt to see a player of his caliber that has been the team’s best hitter for some time now. Cano is a guarantee to give a team 30 homers, .300 batting and 100 RBIs per season.

The New York Yankees Playoff Hopes are Doomed

This 2013 season for the New York Yankees has been a roller coaster ride. They have been stricken with injuries the whole season and their offense has been close to nonexistent. With the 7-0 loss last night against the Tampa Bay Rays in Yankee Stadium, their hopes to make the playoffs and slip into the final spot in the Wild Card aren’t going to happen.

Yes, mathematically they are still in it but with another loss or a Cleveland Indians win they will be out and clearing out their lockers. This comes by no surprise to many this season that with fans favorite star players out to injury there would be hurt and disappointment. The backups look terrible at the plate and in the field. They looked like minor league players and not a Yankee.

So what’s next for the New York Yankees and their depleted roster and manager Joe Girardi? That’s the famous question that most can’t answer at this time. For one I don’t even want to put most or even half the blame on Alex Rodriguez and his PED use and possible suspension that he’s appealing. The New York Yankees aren’t any good and that’s that. There is much blame to go around but that isn’t going to change the fact that they will miss the playoffs this season.

The Yankees aren’t use to be in this situation of not winning. So I can imagine what is going through the mind of the team and top executives of the club. It use to be championship or bust but what’s going to be the new slogan now?

I feel terrible for manager Joe Girardi. He looks like he's aged 20 years since taking this job. The man just looks old and rundown. Also C.C. Sabathia has gone on record and said that this season wasn’t his best and he’ll be better in 2014. But what’s your excuse for this season?

The Tribute: Shaq Throws it Down on David Robinson

The NBA All-Star Game is a game of exhibition and some fun for the players and fans across the world. But Shaquille O’Neal got the memo and took it to the next level as where he threw it down on David “The Admiral” Robinson. I just finished watching this video and it never seems to get old. Congrats to Shaq on his minority ownership purchase in the Sacramento Kings.

Do you guys remember this dunk?

Top 10 MLB Power Rankings

1.      Boston Red Sox (95-63)

2.      Oakland A’s (94-64)

3.      Atlanta Braves (93-64)

4.      St. Louis Cardinals (93-65)

5.      Detroit Tigers (92-66)

6.      Los Angeles Dodgers (91-66)

7.      Pittsburgh Pirates (91-67)

8.      Cincinnati Reds (90-68)

9.      Cleveland Indians (87-70)

10.    Tampa Bay Rays (88-69)

Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr is Flawless

Saturday night’s fight really told me that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is one of the greatest fighters ever and not just in our era. There has been much speculation through the years if he was one of the greatest because some felt that he hand-picked his fights. Well certainly with this win against Canelo Alvarez many doubters should open up their eyes and give this man respect he finally deserves.

Mayweather didn’t just win against Alvarez; he destroyed this young champion and brought so much frustration unto him. This PPV fight brought many celebrities, politicians, athletes and many other high power figures together to watch a masterful magician in the ring in Mayweather.

The Mexican community presence was definitely heavy Saturday night in Las Vegas and Canelo had a lot of support behind him but at the young age of 23, he wasn’t ready for that kind of fight with Mayweather. It showed once the bell rung that Alvarez was nervous and Mayweather was just too fast and hard hitting for him. I think Alvarez didn’t really know what he was getting into when he decided to take this match with the veteran champ.

I understand that this was a big payday for Alvarez and I can respect that but many people out there supporters and doubters thought that Mayweather was going to lose. I knew with his experience and skill he can beat the young Mexican champ. I don’t think that nobody out there can beat Floyd Mayweather Jr. He will retire undefeated in my opinion. Mayweather looks like he’s getting better with age.

Lastly, what the hell is Justin Bieber doing out there for the last two fights? Just a thought people.

Top 10 NFL Power Rankings

1.      Denver Broncos (2-0)

2.      Seattle Seahawks (2-0)

3.      New Orleans Saints (2-0)

4.      San Francisco 49ers (1-1)

5.      Houston Texans (2-0)

6.      Green Bay Packers (1-1)

7.      New England Patriots (2-0)

8.      Chicago Bears (2-0)

9.      Kansas City Chiefs (2-0)

10.    Miami Dolphins (2-0)

Melo is Staying Put in New York

The New York Knicks haven’t been on top of the NBA plateau since the 1990’s when Patrick Ewing & Co. was putting the city on their backs with gritty play and tough nose defense. Now the Garden has been revived by the player they call “Melo”. Carmelo Anthony is the 29 year old star for the New York Knicks and happens to be playing this upcoming season with an opt-out option on his contract.

The New York Knicks have been planning this year for some time now and know they have to do everything possible to keep this talent in town. But not so fast!!! Melo isn’t looking for James Dolan and management to sweep him off his feet because he’s already made up his mind and that’s to be a Knick for life.

Anthony has recently gone on record to let his fans, media and the New York Knicks that he isn’t going anywhere. The reason he came to this city was to win a championship and that hasn’t changed one bit he says. Many players would fold under the bright lights and pressure but this is everyday life for the Knicks forward.

I didn’t think about that player option that Melo had in his fourth year of his deal,  just like many of us didn’t think of. We as fans were just so caught up with finally having a savior to bring back respectability to the New York Knicks franchise. This summer we’ve been hearing all types of rumors of Anthony joining forces with Kobe Bryant in L.A. or him going down to South Beach to play with LeBron James. Knicks fans hearts were beating fast but now that we have some clarity from the man himself that he plans on stay in a New York Knick uniform.

But not so fast people. Even though Melo plans on staying, the New York Knicks need to give Anthony more help on offensive. I know he can go out there and light it up and give you 40 points on any given night but the body wears. If they want to get past teams such as the Pacers, Nets, Bulls and the Heat; the Knicks have to step up as a group and not just watch Melo play isolation ball.

The team made some descent moves this off-season but other Eastern Conference teams made more of a splash like the Brooklyn Nets. I just hope Melo and the Knicks are ready for the challenge and not just talk about it but to be about it.

Top 10 MLB Power Rankings

1.      Boston Red Sox (89-58)

2.      Los Angeles Dodgers (85-60)

3.      Atlanta Braves (88-58)

4.      Detroit Tigers (84-62)

5.      Oakland A’s (85-61)

6.      Cincinnati Reds (83-64)

7.      Texas Rangers (81-64)

8.      Pittsburgh Pirates (84-61)

9.      St. Louis Cardinals (85-60)

10.    New York Yankees (78-68)