Monthly Archive: October 2012

Oct 31

The Atrocious Predicament For The College Football Fan

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NCAA

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This college football season is starting to take shape and just like every season there are those who perform as expected, those who let us down worse than The Cleveland Show, and a few surprises. However, as the race for the National Title begins to take shape—I am reminded of one of my all-time favorite episodes of South Park.

Let’s face it, we’re SEC’d out and if Oregon loses at some point this season then it appears that their ducks will be lined up (see what I did there?) for another SEC team to make the natty whether or not LSU beats Bama this Saturday.

There are a couple of cute surprises like Klein State.. ahem… Kansas State but the one everyone is now talking about is Notre Dame. Notre Dame’s score suggests they gave Oklahoma a beatdown very akin to the LAPD and Rodney King but this game was close until Landry Jones did what Landry Jones does and went Chernobyl. With Notre Dame back in the picture and with a legitimate shot at playing for their first title since the Reagan administration; Golden dome haters will be out in full force to see to it that the Irish’s title draught continues.

This is where I call the attention of the casual college football fan. This is what affects you since most of our teams need three miracles, a plane crash, and all the planets to align to make the title game. So you’re going to be viewing this game for your personal enjoyment without a real dog in the fight. So what is it you want to see? Tough choice, huh?

Back to my South Park analogy: in the episode of South Park I earlier mentioned—an election takes place to decide the school’s new mascot. After much deliberation, the choices were down to a giant douche and a turd sandwich. Each person was highly passionate for one or the other; However, Stan was indifferent on the issue and didn’t care for either one and decided he wasn’t going to vote. Much to the chagrin of his father, the mayor, and P. Diddy (vote or die, motherfucker).

Let’s be real—we’re all sports fans and simply won’t just NOT watch the game. I vowed to boycott Bama-LSU 2.0 and ended up watching that travesty of a football game. I’ve seen soccer games with more offensive strategy but this is where we’re at. If it’s only Oregon and K-State undefeated then a one loss SEC champion will likely jump one or the other given that Notre Dame loses to USC or another opponent. If Notre Dame is undefeated as well as the Quack Attack and the Fighting Kleins then there’s no way Touchdown Jesus doesn’t make an appearance in the natty.

So there’s your options, folks. What will it be? A giant douche or a turd sandwich?

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Oct 31

Does Jets QB Tim Tebow Finally Have A Girlfriend?

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NFL

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According to TMZ Tim Tebow has a girlfriend. No, you read that right, he has a girlfriend. I almost feel out my seat too when I read it. Look at it this way, he can’t score on the field he might as well do if off. Get it?

Who is she? Her name is Camilla Belle and she is no stranger to famous virgins; she also dated Joe Jonas from the Disney boy band The Jonas Brothers.

You can literally hear all the women’s hearts breaking across the United States right now.

Tim and Camilla showed up at Latitude 30 in Jacksonville, Florida Tuesday night, where they bowled and partied like 14 year olds on a Friday night.

The subpar New York Jets are off this week, so Tebow took the liberty of traveling home to show off and introduce his new arm candy to mommy and daddy.

Belle is easy on the eyes and one can see how Tebow could fall for her.  Belle also has a couple of horrible movies to her credit such as 10,000 BC and When a Stranger Calls.

Will this be the last of Tim Tebow on the single’s market? HSH hopes so.

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Oct 30

Heisman Race Update: The Collin Klein Show

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NCAA

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The Heisman race is starting to look like it did a few weeks ago, only with a different front runner. There is Collin Klein, and there is everyone else. With West Virginia having another bye week this past Saturday, Geno Smith is a distant memory in the minds of Heisman voters. Although, he’s got some big games left on the schedule to make his way back on the list. There is a new name on the list this week, and with the team he’s on, he could make a push for the trophy if Klein and Kansas State stumble down the stretch.

1. Collin Klein – QB – Kansas State
Another week, another bludgeoning of a top 15 opponent. This time, Texas Tech brought their Heisman hopeful QB, Seth Doege to the Little Apple to take on Klein and the Wildcats. I bet if you asked them now, they wish they would have just stayed in Lubbock, Texas. Klein went nuts and had 233 yards passing and 2 TDs to go with his 83 yards rushing and 2 rushing TDs. For the 4th week in a row, Klein had at least 3 total TDs with no turnovers. He only has 2 INTs on the year, and holds a 71% completion rate. He boasts over 5 yards per rush, and is averaging 15 carries per game. This is a very 2008 Tebow-esque season, when he became the first Sophomore to ever win the Heisman. The numbers are just undeniable right now for Klein.

2. Kenjon Barner – RB – Oregon
Barner is having the same problem that his teammate, De’Anthony Thomas, had in the beginning of the season; Oregon is up so big at halftime, they rarely use him in the 3rd and 4th quarters. The Ducks beat up on Colorado to the tune of 70-14. Barner got only 9 carries, but turned that in to 104 yards and 2 TDs. On top of that, he made 2 receptions for a total of 47 yards. He’s averaging 121 yards rushing on 17 carries a game. Oregon’s “tough” schedule late in the season starts this week with a trip to LA to face the USC Trojans. Oregon hasn’t put up any less than 42 points in any game this year, but the Trojans have the kind of defense to at least slow them down. This is a trap game for the Ducks, and Barner can separate himself from the rest of the runner-ups with a big game at The Coliseum.

3. Manti Te’o – LB – Notre Dame
Te’o sure knows when to turn it up a notch. In what was Notre Dame’s biggest game of the year so far, Te’o took his Fighting Irish on the road to Norman, Oklahoma to face Bob Stoop’s Sooners. This had upset written all over it. Oklahoma’s powerful offense, playing at home, looking to prove they belonged in the top 5, if not the BCS Championship discussion. Notre Dame was not hearing any of that. Te’o lead the defense with 11 tackles and another interception, which brings his total on the season to 5, which is 2nd in the country, and tops amongst linebackers.

4. Braxton Miller – QB – Ohio State
Miller has had two subpar passing games in a row, and if he was a pocket passer, he would be forgotten in the eyes of Heisman voters. Fortunately for Miller, his legs are what make him great. While he only passed for 143 yards with a TD and INT on 7-19 passing, Miller compiled an 134 rushing yards and 2 rushing scores. Any time you have 275+ yards of offense, with 3 scores and only 1 turnover, you’re doing something right. Interceptions have been Miller’s Achilles heel this season, as he has more games with a pick than without. Miller only has one game this season, against Nebraska, in which he didn’t score at least 2 TDs.

5. AJ McCarron – QB – Alabama
I’m not sure exactly how hard it is to lead a team as talented as Alabama to an undefeated season, but McCarron is making it look easy. This is his first week appearing in our Heisman Race Update, but I don’t want to get any Tide fans too excited. I have a feeling that Geno Smith will use his bye week to regroup, and find a way to get his name back on this list. McCarron has 18 TDs and 0 INTs this season which is impressive given Bama’s knack for running the ball. AJ has been the picture of efficiency for Nick Saban, completing over 65% of his passes in all but 2 of their games this year. The Tide face a big challenge, on the road, this week against LSU, and could push McCarron either way on our Heisman list.

West Virginia QB Geno Smith had a bye last week, and will play TCU this week. With time to regroup after the shellacking given to them by Kansas State, you have to imagine Smith will be playing the rest of the season with a chip on his shoulder, which could be dangerous to his opponents. USC QB Matt Barkley can’t decide if he wants to be on our list or not. One game he’s hot, the next, he’s not. His season numbers are pretty decent, with over 2,200 yards passing. He already has 8 INTs, but his TD to INT ratio is better than 3 to 1.

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Oct 29

Your Quick Guide to the 2012-2013 NBA Season

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NBA

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The NBA season starts on Tuesday and we here at HSH know that all of your concentration has been either on football or the World Series. We know that means you haven’t had time to really think about the NBA quite yet, and you’re probably not sure which teams to look out for. Sure, we know that the Heat and Lakers will make the playoffs unless they catch the plague. What you don’t know is who will fill out the bottom half of the playoff bracket or who will win season awards. But that’s ok. HSH has your back.

We’re putting out a quick-read guide to the NBA this season along with our predictions, and they go a little something like this:

 

Eastern Conference

1. Miami Heat
The Heat are the defending champs and are favored to repeat. They still have the South Beach version of the Big 3 in Lebron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. They added sharp-shooter Ray Allen in the off-season, to come off the bench. Rashard Lewis, who also signed as a free-agent, will also open up the paint when he’s on the floor by demanding a big man to cover him, and camping behind the three point line.

2. Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks are one of those teams who never seem to be quite good enough, but they always match up well against other playoff teams. They traded their biggest star, Joe Johnson, to the Nets for 4 players, two of which should contribute positively on at least a somewhat regular basis (I’m looking at you Jordan Farmar and DeShawn Stevenson). They also acquired Devin Harris, who was once considered to be the best young point guard in the game, from the Jazz. The two big men, Josh Smith and Al Horford are the team leaders and will have to improve on their team play to be a contender. Too often, the Hawks look like they’re playing 1 on 1 or pick up basketball.

3. Boston Celtics

The Celtics had quite the off-season. With Ray Allen taking his talents to South Beach, the C’s signed Jason Terry to replace him, which is a solid trade off. They did get two big guys in the draft. Fab Melo and Jared Sullinger should learn from Kevin Garnett for the next couple of years so they are ready to take the reins when he retires. Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo are still the leaders of the team with Rondo starting to take hold on the steering wheel.

4. Chicago Bulls

Derrick Rose’s knee exploded in to a million tiny pieces in the playoffs last year and the Bulls were bounced back to the Second City. They have a solid supporting cast, but this team goes as Rose does. If healthy, Rose has already shown he’s an MVP caliber player, having won the award in 2010-2011. If the Bulls can hang on for long enough in the beginning of the season while Rose rehabs his knee and adjusts to playing at the NBA level, the Bulls will be dangerous come playoff time.

5. New York Knicks

The Knicks are a team that, before last season, people expected to contest with Miami for the Eastern Conference title. Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire now have Jason Kidd instead of Jeremy Lin, which will be an improvement. The Knicks don’t need a play making point guard; they need a facilitator, and Kidd is just that. Under his leadership, plus Tyson Chandler’s defending his defensive player of the year title from last year, the Knicks will be far improved over the side show they were last year.

6. Indiana Pacers

The Pacers were the surprise team out of the East last year. No one saw them finishing 3rd in the conference, much less pushing the Heat to the edge in the Eastern semifinals. Roy Hibbert is emerging as the player he was supposed to be coming in to the league as a 7’2 Yeti. Danny Granger is by far the best player on the Pacers, but they won’t have the luxury of nobody thinking the Pacers can actually win.

7. Brooklyn Nets

The New Jersey Brooklyn Nets are a top heavy team. The starters have the star power to really make a push to be a higher seed, but the bench looks thin on paper. Any time you have to bring in Jerry Stackhouse’s skeleton to eat minutes off the bench, you’re in trouble. Deron Williams, Gerald Wallace, Brook Lopez, Joe Johnson and Kris Humphries are the starting 5. A new stadium in a new city in a new state should shake the cob webs off the lowly New Jersey Nets.

8. Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers were part of the blockbuster trade that sent Dwight Howard to the Lakers. In order for that to happen, LA had to make room for the big man. Out goes Andrew Bynum to Philly. Out of Philly went their best player, Andre Iguodala to Denver. Bynum really started to come on the playoffs last year to the point where people were ready to crown him the best big man in the NBA. We will certainly see if that’s the case this year without him having the crutch of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol to lean on.

 

Western Conference

1. Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe, Dwight, Pau Gasol, and Steve Nash. Forget a Big 3, LA has a Fantastic 4. With this roster, they are the favorites to meet the Heat in the finals. The question is whether Steve Nash’s up-tempo style will gel with the half court set that Kobe, Pau, and Dwight flourish in. Nash is smart enough to know when slow down and when to push the team up the floor. If Nash can get Dwight Howard out ahead of traffic, the Lakers could beat every team by 300.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder

The Western Conference defending champs were being disrespected by not being the favorite, and that was before they traded James Harden to Houston late Saturday night. Kevin Durant is arguably the best player in the league. If he’s not #1, there’s no denying who #2 is. Russell Westbrook is one of the best guards in the league and he’s only 23. Serge Ibaka is a budding super star, and will complete the Thunder’s version of the Big 3.

3. San Antonio Spurs

Can you ever count out the Spurs? As long as they have Mr. Dependable, Tim Duncan, the answer is an emphatic NO. Tony Parker is one of the most consistent players in the league. The Spurs have the closest thing the NBA has to a dynasty right now. They can compete for the title every year, and they find themselves right in the thick of things come playoff time.

4. Los Angeles Clippers

CP3 to Blake Griffin is the combo that gets it done for LA’s 2nd team. It’s the second coming of Nash to Stoudemire in Phoenix. Chris Paul is the best point guard in the league, and Griffin is the highest flyer. This pick and roll combo is beyond lethal. Adding Lamar Odom could be huge, if his head is back in the game. DeAndre Jordan was a good compliment to Griffin last year, and if he can continue his maturation, the Clippers could shake up the landscape of LA basketball.

5. Dallas Mavericks

Jason Terry and Jason Kidd are gone, and that’s big news. The bigger news is that they still have Dirk. They have also added the memory of what Vince Carter once was, Elton Brand’s hospital bill, and Chris Kaman. They also brought in OJ Mayo, who has to be happy to get out of Memphis. The Mayo/Dirk duo is a dangerous point scoring combo. The Mavs problem will be the same as it is every postseason; when you don’t play defense, and your offense goes cold, you’re in trouble.

6. Memphis Grizzlies

This is a team that could either surprise everyone and really take the next step in becoming a legitimate playoff team, or fall off and resume the expectations of Memphis Grizzlies basketball. The Mike Conley to Rudy Gay combo has blossomed over the past couple of season, and with Marc Gasol playing like the better of the Gasol brothers, and Zach Randolph proving that pudgy is power, the Grizz will make the playoffs and be a decent team to watch all season.

7. Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets were players in the Dwight Howard trade, and actually got Andre Iguodala out of the deal, which instantly improves their team over last season. Ty Lawson is perhaps the fastest player in the league, and this team has the make up to get out and run up and down the floor on teams.

8. Houston Rockets

Linsanity! Fear the beard! The Rockets have so many choices when it comes to over used catch phrases. Houston acquired Jeremy Lin based on what he did last year, which was create instant offense when he was finally put in the game for the Knicks. Unfortunately, that trend will slow down once he gets full time play over the course of an entire season. The Rockets brought in James Harden for the same reason. This experiment has a chance to blow up in their faces, but it also has the chance to mix just right and create a really special atmosphere in Houston.

 

Finals Prediction

Lakers over Heat in 7 games
Steve Nash finally gets a ring because of the Kobe takeover in the finals. The Lakers have three of the premier defenders in the league (Kobe, Howard, and aka Ron Artest) who can match up with Miami’s Big 3. We spend all offseason talking about how LeBron choked, even though he averaged 27 pts, 8 rebs and 5 assists in the finals. Chris Bosh gets traded in the offseason. D Wade somehow escapes any shard of blame. Again.

 

 

 

Season Awards:

MVP – Kevin Durant – SF – OKC Thunder

KD finally gets love after leading the league in scoring 3 out of his first 4 years in the league, and making the Sonics Thunder one of the best teams in the league. LeBron James is the favorite to repeat and Kobe Bryant is always in the mix, but this is Durant’s year.

 

Defensive Player of the Year – Dwight Howard – C Los Angeles Lakers

Howard felt slighted when he had better stats than winner Tyson Chandler. Look for Superman to leave no doubt about who wins the award this year. Howard is a rebound and block machine, and on the Lakers, who are already a solid defensive team, all the pressure won’t be on Howard. His numbers may slip a little, but his impact will still be felt.

 

Rookie of the Year – Michael Kidd-Gilchrist – SF Charlotte Bobcats

MKG wasn’t in as big a spot light as he, and many around the country, would have been in his one season at Kentucky. That was due to Anthony Davis taking over as the face of the college game last year. Kidd-Gilchrist is on the Bobcats, who had the worst season in NBA history last year. Any improvement upon that gives him instant credibility.

 

Sixth Man of the Year - Ray Allen – SG – Miami Heat

This will be Allen’s first full season coming off the bench, and he’ll be entering the game for one purpose: stand in the corner and shoot 3’s. Allen’s defense goes unnoticed, but the Heat, for all that offense, are actually just as good on defense. Jesus Shuttlesworth’s first season in SoBe will be a sign of how long he has left in the league.

 

Most Improved Player - Ty Lawson – PG – Denver Nuggets

Lawson is poised to have a breakout season. The addition of Andre Iguodala will help Lawson’s assist numbers. He’s got the moves and aggressiveness to make plays around the basket. He’s fast enough to be pesky on defense. If he puts it all together, watch out.

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Oct 29

Giants of the Game Again

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MLB

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Buster Posey and Sergio Romo begin the celebration after Romo struck out the side in the tenth to win the 2012 World Series

He kept the ball low and away pitch after pitch, striking out the first two batters in the bottom of the tenth. Saving the best pitch for last, Sergio Romo then threw an inside fastball to catch Miguel Cabrera looking at strike-three for the final out. The San Francisco Giants are World Champions again. Their second championship in three years was capped off by a quick and decisive sweep of the Detroit Tigers.

Not since the Big Red Machine in the ’70′s has a National League team won two titles in a three-year-span. The Giants possibly have a dynasty in the making because of their pitching and defense. While hitting isn’t always there, it is quality pitching that wins over a long season. And if you can have good defense and timely hitting to go with it, than even better. This is what the Giants have. When their pitching needed to step up, it did. When their defense was needed to make big plays, it did. And at the best possible time, their bats came through in clutch at-bat after clutch at-bat.

“When pitching is your strength, you want a good defense,” said Giants manager Bruce Bochy. “That shows up every day. … Hitting sometimes, it comes and goes. But as long as you can stay in more games, the better chance you have of winning them, and that’s how we play.”

It was fitting for NLCS MVP, Marco Scutaro, to drive in the winning run in the tenth. He has been the epitomy of this team’s clutch hitting. The game was tied 3-3 in the tenth when Ryan Theriot hit a lead off-single off of Phil Coke. Theriot then moved to second base on a text-book sacrifice bunt by Brandon Crawford. And Scutaro, of course, drove him in with a single to center.

Romo then got the save in the bottom half of the inning.

Pablo Sandoval was named World Series MVP after going 8-16 with four RBI’s. But it was his three home-run performance in Game 1 that set the tone for the series.

“That’s what makes it so much special, the way we did it,” said Scutaro. “We’re always against the wall and my team, it just came through first series, second series and now we sweep the Tigers.”

The Giants are a deserving team because they are a complete team that can do all the little things. To go with their great pitching and defense and clutch hitting, they can also hit for power. Two years ago, Pablo Sandoval rode the bench in the World Series. This time he won the series MVP by going 8-16 with four RBI’s. But it was his three home-run performance in Game 1 (two off Justin Verlander) that set the tone for the series.

“You learn,” Sandoval said. “You learn from everything that happened in your career. … We’re working hard to enjoy this moment right now.”

The Giants got hot when it matters most. They finished the year by winning their final seven games for their seventh title. For 56 years San Francisco had not won a World Series. Now they’ve won two in three years.

The Giants are a perfect example of “it’s not how you start, it’s how finish”. They got swept in the first season series in Arizona and were under .500 by mid-May. They quickly lost closer, Brian Wilson, who under went season-ending elbow surgery. The MVP of the All-Star game and their best hitter, Melky Cabrera, was suspended for 50 games for testing positive for PED’s. And Tim Lincecum struggled all year and was moved to the bullpen. But by trading for Scutaro and Hunter Pence, and by relying on the strong pitching of Matt Cain and Ryan Vogelsong, the Giants overcame all this adversity. By the middle of July they passed the Dodgers in the NL West and maintained their divison lead by ending the regular season with 94 wins.

The San Francisco Giants are the 2012 World Series Champions

The San Francisco Giants are a resilient team. One that does not know when to go home. They were the first team to win five elimination games in a row in a single postseason. They came back from 0-2 and 3-1 deficits to the Reds and Cardinals and carried their momentum from the NLCS into the World Series. A line-up and pitching staff that was on fire dominated the overly-rested Tigers. The Giants had a combined 1.42 ERA, outscored the Tigers 16-6 and held them to a .159 batting average.

“Obviously, there was no doubt about it. They swept us,” said Tigers manager Jim Leyland. “So there was certainly no bad breaks, no fluke. Simple, they did better than we did,” he continued. “It was freaky. I would have never guessed we would have swept the Yankees and I would have never guessed the Giants would have swept us.”

So congratulations to the San Francisco Giants for winning the 2012 World Series. They overcame the odds, fought back, and swept the heavily favored Tigers. Right now they are the model organization in, not only how to win, but how to win the right way.

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Oct 28

Harden Trade A Cruel Reminder Of Ownership’s Priorities

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NBA

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James Harden, and Thunder fans, need only to look to the owners’ suite for the reason why the budding superstar is no longer with Oklahoma City.

If you had forgotten the NBA season was starting Tuesday, Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti just delivered a bombshell of a reminder.

With days to go before the deadline to sign budding star James Harden to an extension, the Thunder traded him and lesser lights to the Houston Rockets for a package headlined by Kevin Martin, a shooting guard who has spent his eight-year career putting up high scoring numbers in obscurity. It’s a stunning move to those who follow the NBA on a daily basis, but one that shouldn’t really come as that much of a surprise, given the franchise’s history.

In the past couple of years, Oklahoma City locked up team cornerstones Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook to five-year deals, meaning only four-year contracts would be available for fellow stars Serge Ibaka and Harden under the rules of the league’s collective bargaining agreement. That erased a key advantage the Thunder had against other teams that could sign those players as restricted free agents next summer if they weren’t offered extensions before this year’s October 31st deadline. Though Ibaka and Harden were due to hit restricted free agency next summer, meaning Presti could have matched four-year offers from any other team, the Thunder could give them no more money than anyone else could.

That didn’t seem to matter to Ibaka, who gave himself away at roughly $10 million less than what he could have made in a maximum contract from Oklahoma City or another team. Presti was so anxious to close that deal that he interrupted his wedding day to do so. That set something of a precedent for Harden, whose teammate had sacrificed so much to keep together a young, exciting team with seemingly limitless room for success. If Harden didn’t sacrifice for the betterment of his championship-contending team, he risked coming off as shallow and selfish, the very embodiment of an NBA star gone wrong, to a growing legion of diehard Thunder fans who took to donning replicas of his trademark scraggly beard.

The Thunder seemed wary of committing more than $60 million a season to just four players and invoking the league’s increasingly stringent luxury tax penalties. That kind of financial commitment over the long haul would be unprecedented, particularly for a team in just the 41st-largest television market in the country.

Aubrey McClendon has made enough from dangerous natural gas mining not to have to endanger the Thunder’s title hopes.

Don’t believe for a second, though, that the Thunder couldn’t have afforded a maximum-salary extension for Harden as well as Ibaka. Minority owner Aubrey McClendon holds but a 19 percent stake in the team, but Forbes values his net worth at $1.1 billion. As CEO of Chesapeake Energy Corp., the natural gas company most prominently engaged in the environmentally destructive practice of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, McClendon has built his empire while playing fast and loose with the rules, such as they are, of finance. Few are better equipped to pay the artificially capped salaries of NBA stars than he is. It’s not as if majority owner Clay Bennett, or any of the other well-heeled members of the ownership group, aren’t capable, either.

Rob Pelinka, Harden’s agent, clearly knew this. That’s why he wasn’t going to accept a final offer of less than $54 million for his client when next summer’s maximum four-year amount will probably be around $60 million. Presti clearly would have given Harden the max if he had ownership’s backing. Without it, he was in a bind.

To be fair, the difference between a $54 million contract and a $60 million contract would likely have been much more than $6 million to the Thunder because of the league’s tax structure. It conceivably could have meant an additional $6 million the team would have had to pay the NBA for each season of the deal. That, and the additional $1.5 million per year it would have put on Harden’s contract, is chump change to a franchise that has escalated in value from $325 million when Bennett and McClendon bought it in 2006 to $348 million this year. Never mind what $7.5 million means to someone worth $1.1 billion.

Given his circumstances, Presti made a bold move, one that gives the Thunder rookie Jeremy Lamb, draft picks, and flexibility once Martin’s $12.44 expiring contract comes off the team’s books next summer. Only time will tell if it works this year, when Martin will be asked to share the ball with other talented players, as he has seldom done, or down the road. For now, it’s clear that if Thunder fans want to regard anyone as selfish, without regard for their beloved roster of young stars as they try to take down the big-spending Heat and Lakers, it’s not Harden, who merely demanded the salary he had earned. Neither is it Presti, who could only attempt to make the best of a compromising situation presented to him by an ownership group that put a limit on its willingness to win, and puts its needs above the needs of its team.

Now, finally, Oklahoma City fans have begun to understand what their Seattle counterparts have long known about McClendon, Bennett and company.

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Oct 27

Week 8 NFL Guaranteed Pick Wins

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NFL

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Its week 8 of the NFL season and Hinton Sports Highlights decided it’s time to start using our NFL prowess to make weekly picks.  A lot of games this week are important for teams who want to separate themselves from the pack, so let’s see who comes out on top this weekend and why.

 

  AT    

On paper this game looks like a Bears blowout, and it will be. Nothing has gone right for Carolina this year and Cam Newton has gone from Superman to pouty teenager. So far the Bears look like a serious force in the NFC, and the Panthers look like a they have another top three draft pick coming their way in 2013. I think Cam’s suggestion box does nothing for him in this one. He probably presses too hard and turns it over multiple times.

Bears win 27-13

 

   AT  

The Browns are a young and promising team led by Brandon Weeden who has looked great lately. The Chargers are an under achieving team led by Philip Rivers who has looked awful this year. His mechanics are off and he doesn’t look motivated. However NFL teams who are embarrassed as bad as San Diego has been lately tend to play hard. The Browns are giving up 133.7 yards a game on the ground so Ryan Mathews might finally have a breakout game this week.

Chargers win 35 – 16

 

   AT   

This could turn into a tight defensive struggle for both teams. Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson have their work cut out for them. Seattle’s secondary is no joke and the Lions offense has struggled even against mediocre defenses. If Seattle has a lead in the second half you can expect a huge dose of Marshawn Lynch wearing down the Lions defense.

Seahawks win 20 – 14

 

    AT    

This game will probably be the biggest blowout of the day. Even if Jacksonville wasn’t missing their starting QB and RB, they still would have been blown out in this game. The Packers are really starting to hit their stride and Aaron Rodgers is going to make fantasy football owners very happy this week once again. Look for Jordy Nelson and the emerging James Jones to have a big day hauling in catches.

Packers win 34 – 6

 

   AT     The Titans have played well with Matt Hasselbeck at QB during their two game winning streak. Chris Johnson has finally started to look like CJ2K lately which is imperative to the Titans success. Andrew Luck has shown signs of greatness lately and Tennessee’s defense lacks play-makers so Luck will probably have a decent day even though he’s been far more effective at home than on the road. This will be a close one but ultimately the rookie is taught a lesson by the older, wiser Hasselbeck.

Titans win 28 – 27

 

    AT  

The Rams will somehow be considered the home team even though this game is being played in London. The Patriots clearly seem like the better team, however you never know which team will be more affected by overseas traveling. Sam Bradford has been inconsistent but should find some easy targets against a weak New England secondary. Tom Brady will be without Aaron Hernandez this week but will still be too much for the Rams.

Patriots win 23 – 10

 

     AT  

This should be a great AFC East battle. Both teams need this game to keep up with New England. Miami will look to their rookie QB Ryan Tannehill to continue his impressive progression. If he protects the ball and makes some big throws the Dolphins can win this game. The Jets need another big week from Mark Sanchez like last week against New England. Shonn Green has had 54 touches the last two games so he will be key to loosening things up for Sanchez and the passing game.

Jets win 20 – 17

 

     AT  

This has all the makings of a trap game for Atlanta. The Eagles have never lost under Andy Reid following a bye week and for that reason, a lot of people are picking the Eagles this week. HSH is sticking with the hot team. Although firing their defensive coordinator might have fired up the team, it’s not certain they can pull it all together already against once of the NFL’s best offences. The Falcons biggest weakness in this game is their run defense which gives up 143.8 rushing yards a game. LeSean McCoy will probably get plenty of touches but ultimately Matty Ice gets it done.

Falcons win 32 – 30

 

     AT   

Robert Griffin III is going to be truly tested against the stingy defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers. This seems like a tough, grind em out, low scoring football game. The Steelers aren’t the 3 yards and a cloud of dust team they were for decades. Instead, they air it out a lot more, and Big Ben will do just enough at home like usual.

Steelers win 21 – 20

 

     AT  

This game won’t be pretty. Kansas City and Oakland usually play hard fought games. Unfortunately for the Chiefs, Brady Quinn is starting at QB again and that usually means turnovers. Darren McFadden is due for a breakout game this year and this might be the week.

Carson Palmer > Brady Quinn

Raiders win 28 – 10

 

    AT  

These teams have a history of not liking each other and playing closely fought contests and this game won’t be any different. Eli Manning keeps showing every week that he’s as elite as he thinks he is. Who can argue? But he will have a hard time finding open receivers against an improved Dallas secondary. The Giants running game needs to show up and take advantage of the injury to linebacker Sean Lee. Dallas will also be missing RB DeMarco Murray for this one.

Giants win 33 – 24

 

     AT  

This is a game I’m looking forward to watching. Anytime you get to watch two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks in one game it’s exciting. Even though Peyton Manning is having a great comeback year I still get the feeling like I’m watching the end of an amazing career. This one will be high scoring but Denver’s solid defense is the difference in this one. New Orleans can’t stop anyone. Peyton and the Broncos roll at home.

Broncos win 34 – 21

 

   AT   

Arizona is looking to pull off the Monday Night Football upset at home. I just don’t see it happening. San Fran’s defense will be making John Skelton very uncomfortable all  night long and the Cardinals just don’t have the weapons to counter beyond Larry Fitzgerald.

49ers win 24 – 7

 

If you use these picks, you’re not guaranteed to win your office pool, but HSH will surely take a cut if you do!

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Oct 26

Florida/Georgia: Preview of The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party

Categories:

NCAA

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This week’s coverage of college football takes us to Jacksonville. The Florida/Georgia game is always one of the biggest games on the schedule for both teams, which affectionately know the game as “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.” Jacksonville has played host to this weekend of debauchery and, oh by the way, a football game, every year since 1933. (Except in 1994 and 1995 when the new Jags stadium was being built)

Florida is coming off a 33 point win against a top 10 team in South Carolina, who absolutely curb stomped Georgia 35-7. It is for that reason that many think the Gators could be overlooking the Bulldogs, which is dangerous to do for any team, but even more so when you’re talking about a conference rival. Head Coach Will Muschamp and the Gators don’t think that’s a problem. Muschamp has been adamant that the Gators 7-0 record hasn’t won them anything yet, and there are still games left to play.

In order to beat Georgia, Florida’s defense has to continue it’s trend of getting after the quarterback and forcing turnovers. UGA QB Aaron Murray is one of the best in the country. He could turn this game in to the one thing the Gators don’t want: a shootout. Murray is currently tied for 3rd in the SEC in passing with over 1,900 yards to go with his 16 TDs and 4 INTs. Murray is coming off a big game against Kentucky in which he threw for over 400 yards. Look for Gators LB Lerentee McCray to really force Murray to hurry throws while DTs Sharrif Floyd and Omar Hunter stuff the middle and exterminate any threat of running the ball.

Georgia has a history of running well in big games, with 2006 being the last time the Bulldogs didn’t rush for at least 100 yards against the Gators. The Bulldogs freshman tandem backfield of Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley, the combo is known in Athens as “Gurshall”, have been outstanding for Mark Richt. Together, Gurshall has 1,110 yards out of the Dawgs 1,436 rushing yards and 14 of the team’s 20 rushing TDs.

The knock on Florida has been their lack of offense. The Gators have won their last three games despite the fact that QB Jeff Driskel hasn’t thrown for 100 yards in any of those games. But, it’s hard to throw for big numbers when your defense is creating turnovers and giving the offense the ball at the opponent’s 5 yard line. Driskel uses his feet to make plays more so than his arm. Think Tim Tebow, but right handed.

Georgia’s answer to Driskel and the rushing attack from RB Mike Gillislee will be their star LB, Jarvis Jones. Jones transferred from USC after doing blending in than standing out. He sure has fixed that problem in Athens. Jones is now projected to be a top 10 draft pick, and with this being a weak class, he could move to the top 5.

This is going to be a great game to watch. I expect to see Murray make some big plays with his arm, and the Gators to make adjustments and grind it out in the second half. Florida hasn’t lost to Georgia two times in a row since 1988-89. The Bulldogs have only won the matchup 4 times since those two victories, but there’s nothing more the Dawgs would enjoy than the derail the Gators season.

With a victory, Florida seals their seat in the SEC Championship Game as the winner of the SEC East. With a victory, Georgia keeps their SEC hopes alive.

HSH prediction: Gators 24 – Bulldogs 20

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Oct 26

How To Fix The Yankees In Two Months

Categories:

MLB, Opinion Spot

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These aren’t your dad’s Yankees. No, these aren’t even your older brother’s Yankees. These New York Yankees are a shell of the franchise we had grown to expect to contend for a World Series title each October. Since the epic collapse in 2004, it seems we have grown more and more accustomed to the Yankees falling short of payroll expectations.

These disappointments have become the norm in the Bronx. Who’s to blame? Is it Alex Rodriguez for failing to deliver despite his monstrous contract? Is it Curtis Granderson who hit 40+ home runs? Is it C.C. Sabathia who got smacked like a misbehaving kid in a Wal-Mart in game 4 of the ALCS? Is it the baseball Gods for injuring Derek Jeter? Or is it GM, Brian Cashman? The answer is all of the above.

It’s clear the Yankees don’t just need a facelift. They need a brand new face. Like John Travolta and Nicholas Cage in Face/Off drastic. Yes I get it, Mr. typical Yankees fan, “trade A-Rod”?! But that doesn’t solve all your issues. Your problems are philosophical. A a drastic change must be made. And changes are coming anyway with the Steinbrenner’s desire to get their payroll below $180 million. Here is a plan, though, that won’t slash payroll for the sake of saving dough.

While playing in Chicago, Kevin Youkilis proved that he still is one of the game’s most disciplined hitters

Trade A-Rod to the Miami Marlins for nothing. Yes nothing. Even dish out $80 million to pay his contract. If all the Marlins offer are Billy the Marlin and a Cuban sandwich then you take it. This frees up third base where you sign likely free agent, Kevin Youkilis. While playing in the ghetto of Chicago, Youk proved that he still is one of the game’s most disciplined hitters.His glove and bat would be an upgrade over A-Rod. And you could sign him to two or three years for a fraction of the price. And oh yeah, the whole sticking it to Boston thing rocks, too.

They should try to trade Granderson too, but the odds are that you won’t get what he’s worth. Baseball is beginning to frown on guys who hit .220 but still have a lot of pop. It doesn’t matter what park you play in. If you can’t get what he’s worth then pay the $2 million to decline his option and test the market. You won’t replace his power but you can get somebody who does the little-things more effectively.

Next I propose my most radical change. Trade Robinson Cano. I get it, New Yorkers, you’re choking on your slice of Famous Ray’s right now, but breathe slowly and don’t forget to chew. Have a Manhattan Special to wash it down. Cano is the best second baseman in baseball. He’s also in the last year of his deal and will want around $25 million a year. Not real prudent for a franchise that wants to shed salary. Cano would command two elite pitching prospects from a team with boatloads of money that has a lust for superstars (cough…Dodgers…cough).

The solid hitting, Marco Scutaro, is gold glove-caliber

The Yankees need pitching, but spending now may not be the best way to go. Remember in 2007, when the Yankees top pitching prospects where Ian Kennedy, Phil Hughes, and Joba Chamberlain? Well, Kennedy is now in Arizona where he’s been helter-skelter, Hughes has been up-and-down but nothing close to ace-worthy, and Chamberlain is still made of carbon paper. The Yanks need to reload with a couple of power arms while they have just enough to win now.

With all three outfield positions filled and open salary, all that remains is second-base. The Yanks need to find players who have offensive versatility, patience, speed and a glove to make their team more complete. At second base they should sign either Marco Scutaro or Orlando Hudson to a one-year-deal. Both are solid hitters with gold-glove-caliber defense.

In the outfield is a cheaper and more specified short-term solution. Go after Shane Victorino, Angel Pagan, and Cody Ross. Build a trio of solid defenders who are multicapable on the base-paths and have pop in their bats. Couple that with the short right-field porch and Yanks fans will be hearing the home-run siren all season long.

As well as a solid outfielder, Shane Victorino, is multi-capable on the base paths

HSH has filled out every lineup spot except for one and this is the wildcard pick. This player has been injury plagued his whole career while playing a physically demanding centerfield. His bat, however, is still stud-city. The Yankees should make a one year offer for Grady Sizemore to play DH. Overpay for him if you must, but this move could pay off dividends to the sound of a .290 batting average, 25-30 home-runs, and 90-100 runs-batted-in. A change of scenery and the short right-field fence could forge a beautiful marriage between Grady and the City that Never Sleeps.

If it were for moves made by HSH, the lineup would look like this:

  1. Victorino
  2. Jeter
  3. Youkilis
  4. Texeira
  5. Sizemore
  6. Ross
  7. Pagan
  8. Martin
  9. Scutaro/ Odawg

This a lineup that would win the AL East, given the Tampa Bay Rays are going to lose James Shields. The Baltimore Orioles are an exciting team but a record of 77-0 in regular-season games when leading after seven innings won’t happen again next year.

All of this would let the new young guys develop in the minors while the now, dimensional Yanks, compete with a more balanced lineup. One more aspect to cover is that is that all of these new additions are professionals and good clubhouse guys. It seems that the Yankees have been missing this kind of leadership for a while now. Jeter can’t do it alone and guys like Youkilis, Ross, and Victorino would definitely provide that. The Yankees can be fixed but it will require some clever thinking and open-mindedness from Brian Cashman. Can he deliver? We’ll find out.

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Oct 25

Wow, This Week’s Crazed Fan Photo. Miami, The Home Of Beautiful?

Categories:

Crazed Fan Photos, NCAA

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This week’s crazed fan photo comes from Miami, Florida. The home of South Beach, beautiful women and movie stars right? Wrong! This young lady let the world know that even Miami has disgusting waste in it too. This photo is courtesy of Aimie Tanner during last week’s Florida State vs. Miami Hurricanes battle. Thanks Aimie for thinking of HSH and supplying such a disgusting photo.

Aimie stated “I was enjoying my day of tailgating when I heard chuckling behind me. I quickly turned around and took the photo and they didn’t even care.”

 

Mike “The Champ” Millis

Does it really surprise anyone that it’s the Miami fan taking a sh!t in public? In plain sight, none the less!

Believe it or not, but right after that, another Miami fan was seen picking up the turd and throwing it at a FSU fan. Yes this actually happened! Again, does this surprise anyone? What makes this picture even worse is that you can actually see the poo if you look closely.

On better note, who says FSU and Miami fans can’t get along? This is the best team work Miami has shown all season.

A little bit of advice when you’re feeling the sudden urge to take a crap in the parking lot while tailgating. Next time you want to form a human shield, you may want to pick the fat friend. Always pick the fat friend. Bigger shield and it is less likely you’ll end up on the internet. I’m pretty sure this is how the idea for the 2 girl’s one cup video got its start.

After this classy display was over, the line to ask this young lady on a date was endless. Who wouldn’t want to want to date a parking lot sh!tting, double fisting PBR in a can woman? It is every toothless man’s dream woman.

Just imagine if politicians worked together like this. We wouldn’t have debt, the real estate market would be back to where it was 6 years ago…or at the very least, the fertilizer market in DC would be booming.

Matt “The Homer” Bowie

Holy Shit! PBR makes me have to crap too, but come on, can’t she wait?  Was the line really too long at the john?

And of course it’s a Miami fan, but why at your own place? Do you routinely make a habit of dirtying your own home?

B!tches crap in other people’s yards, not their own. Then again this is probably the best ground game that stadium has seen all year. It also resembles what Miami did against Florida State.

Frank “The Pat” Feeley

Do you think she was so drunk she may have actually stated “Trust me! You’re completely hidden behind these beers”? Or was it something along the lines of “I’m using Bud Light’s new reflective label technology. I hope this guy doesn’t mind”?

Either way, I’m sure your mother is extremely proud of the class you displayed in front of thousands of people.

Nickolas “I’ll stick my finger in your food” Hinton

Wow, is the first word that immediately comes to mind. I mean don’t get me wrong, I have taken my fair share of dumps in dirty places while overseas or in the field, but this beautiful display of being completely drunk off your ass and sh!tting in a public parking lot is some real Honey Boo Boo stuff.

I could see this sort of display in Georgia or South Carolina where it is a common practice, but Miami?  I do have to give the Miami girl credit. Her ability to keep herself elevated in that position for a long period of time is a credit to her athletic ability. Damn, if only sh!tting in a public parking lot was an Olympic sport, this hottie would receive gold.

Here are my questions; did anyone clean this PBR of a mess up? Did she rub dirt over it like a dog? Or did she leave it there for someone to step in her joy? In the famous words of a song by LMFAO “I’m in Miami B!tch”.

Every week we will add a photo submitted by our readers, or one we supply. If you have a photo that you think is worthy of a laugh, submit it to us with a brief synopsis of why you think it is funny.

We will not only use your reasoning and credit you, but add our commentary too. The picture doesn’t have to be of a person, it can be anything that is over-the-top and related to sports. So come on let’s have a laugh at the expense of others. You can submit your photo to admin2012@hintonssportshighlights.com

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