Sports Agenda For Monday (2/28/11)
Big Story:
Usually, I don't partake much of sports talk radio. This morning, I decided to listen in to the Jorge Sedano show (cheap plug) and heard more chicken little's than I've ever heard. From the fans calling in to the show you could glean two things: First, LeBron James is not the best player in the world and Second, the Heat are in DEEP TROUBLE and can't win the Eastern Conference.
Look, Sunday night's game against the Knickerbockers was bad. But think about it, Wade couldn't hit anything in the second half. If he scores 20 points, the Heat win, and no one is as worried about the game. In addition, Chauncey Billups played out of his head last night and that won't happen night in and night out, it just won't at his age. Finally, if you really think that LeBron James shouldn't take a last second shot….yeah, it only reinforces how little South Florida knows about basketball.
We'll get into the Heat a little more below, as well as the NFL labor situation, a little draft talk, the Marlins lost to the "U," and the Panthers, well, they are to hockey what Fox News is to news….not much.
Heat:
When it comes to the Heat, you have to look at a couple of things. LeBron had a good look at the end of the game with 2 seconds left, so he HAS to shoot the shot, simple as that. He's the best player in the world and if Wade has the ball, he'd throw it up too.
Look, we know LeBron will take the shot when he can. Remember, he's never played on a team with any other talented players. He's had to carry the team himself. He's still learning to work with Wade and Bosh and getting other players involved. Give the guy a little bit of a break.
It's true, Wade should probably get the ball near the end, but if you're a professional basketball player and you have a good look with 2 seconds left, throw that ball up and go, simple as that.
You're also hearing a lot about the point guard woes. No one will argue that Chalmers/Arroyo isn't getting it done. But outside of maybe Mike Bibby, who is a liability in the fast break, it's what they have to work with. Plus, imagine this at the end of the game. Wade/LeBron running the point, Bosh and a healthy Haslem when he returns, and either Mike Miller or Eddie House spotting up. That's not a bad lineup.
The Heat may not have it all next year, but when you combine three guys who have had to carry teams by themselves for so long, it's going to take a season or so to all get on the same page.
Spoelstra is drawing up the right plays, it's just getting the shots to go in.
Plus….it's ONE FREAKING GAME!!!! The Heat are still 43-17 on the season and just a half-game behind the Celtics for the best record in the Eastern Conference. Relax people it's a long way until the end of the season and the Heat still have plenty of time to get better.
NFL Labor:
The talks will be ongoing today and tomorrow with some hopes of a breakthrough. According to Jay Feeley, there are only three issues separating the two sides. A rookie wage scale, an 18-game season, and the owners desire to take back a billion dollars out of the pool of revenue. The rookie wage scale will probably be easy to deal with. The 18-game season is a no-go on the players side, even though there's already 20 games including the preseason anyways.
The billion dollar take-back is probably the deal-breaker. I don't see why they can't meet in the middle and call it $500 million and call it a day. But, when you have billionaires and millionaires arguing over money, it doesn't matter what us peon's think. Sometimes I think it would be nice if Congress put a salary cap on the teams of $5 million for the roster and taxed any revenue that owners made at 90 percent and called it a day. Then we'd see who is in it for the money and who really loves the game.
NFL Draft:
The combine started over the weekend, which is a good distraction from the CBA. Mark Ingram, the Alabama tail back at the center of many mock drafts with the Dolphins, ran a 4.62 40-yard dash.
Big freaking whoop. Two words….Emmitt Smith.
He ran about the same time and he turned out pretty well, don't ya think?
Auburn quarterback Cam Newton was there and looked, well, he looked like a mid-round pick. He couldn't throw the ball and complete it to receivers, but he did at least run around 4.59 in the 40-yard dash. So he's got that going for him.
Jake Locker looked really good, has improved his delivery and accuracy, and if I'm the Dolphins, I'm investigating him very heavily. He also ran around 4.5 in the 40-yard dash and is basically an incredible athlete. And if you aren't sold on him, take a look at Ryan Mallett. He looked good, had decent accuracy and is probably a second-round pick. I'd still take Locker over Mallett though.
It's looking like the Fins may have a shot at Locker or possibly even Gabbert if he starts to tumble in the draft because of the system he ran at Mizzou.
Marlins: @ St. Louis Cardinals (1:05 p.m.)
The Marlins had an exhibition game against the Miami Hurricanes yesterday. Vazquez looked good in his short time in the game, but the Marlins held their breath after Mike Stanton strained his right quad. He's listed as day-to-day, but aren't we all.
The Marlins kick off preseason play today with a 1:05 game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Panthers:
In the Panthers last four games, they've been outscored 14-4.
I don't need to say anything more than that.
