Sports Agenda for Tuesday (2/22/11)
Big Story:
It's not necessarily a local story, but it will impact the Miami Heat. Following the lead of the Heat, the New York Knicks added a puzzle piece to their perceived dream team by trading for Carmelo Anthony last night.
Wow, I can hardly contain myself. *and yes I'm speaking in total sarcasm there*
Here's the specifics of the deal: New York gave up Danilo Galinari, Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Timofey Mozgov, a first-round pick in 2014, and second round picks in 2012 and 2013. Denver sent back Anthony, Chuncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter, Renaldo Balkman, and Corey Brewer was sent to the Knicks ain exchange for Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry's expiring contract.
Now, when it comes to New York, here's why the trade was, frankly, stupid. Carmelo would have been a free agent at the end of the year anyways and New York could have signed him then and kept the young talent like Galinari, Felton and Mozgov. If they had kept Galinari and Mozgov and then gone after Chris Paul in 2012's off-season, fuhgettaboutit.
Instead, the Knicks sacrificed today and tomorrow for what? Yes, Anthony can score….but he can't guard air and as has been proven in every sport out there, DEFENSE wins championships. Look at the best teams, the Lakers, Spurs, Celtics, Heat, what's the common denominator past good scorers? They all play stellar defense. True, Billups will be great at the point, especially defensively, but do you really think Melo can guard Paul Pierce or LeBron well enough to make it far in the playoffs?
And if you think the Knicks drama is over just wait, they're trying to out Heat the Heat. They want to sign Anthony, keep Stoudemire and then sign both Chris Paul and Dwight Howard in the 2012 offseason. I'd also like to have $1 billion, but there's about as much of a chance as that happening as New York collecting all that talent. The new CBA will not allow it, whenever that gets done.
Okay, on to the agenda….
Heat: vs. Sacramento Kings (7:30 p.m., Sun Sports)
The Miami Heat return to the court tonight to take on the Sacramento Kings, and it should be a slaughter. The Kings will be without star guard Tyreke Evans tonight, and considering he's there only truly good player, that doesn't bode well for them. The Kings will have virtually no chance to stop LeBron and Dwyane Wade, who will play after reinjuring his ankle during the all-star game.
James has already said the team is now in playoffs mode, but it's all about the Celtics right now and knocking them off.
To do that, the Heat have to get a contribution out of Mike Miller. He's getting paid handsomely and hasn't shown up except for one game this season. For the Heat to truly be successful, they will have to get something out of Miller. Plus, they should get ready to dump him after the season. Of course with the insane contract he was given, that may prove to be difficult.
Marlins:
Today is the first full workout for the Marlins during Spring Training. That means we're one day closer to the first spring training game of the season, which is set for next Tuesday, against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Just a thought: Why do the Marlins travel to Jupiter for Spring Training? Wouldn't some place closer like I don't know, Sun Life Stadium work just as well and not incur the costs of going up to Jupiter?
NFL Labor Update:
The ongoing negotiations with a federal mediator are said to be "going well," according to quarterback Charlie Batch. It's unknown how much progress is being made with next week being D-Day for the NFL and the NFLPA.
They're four days into negotiations with the mediator and at least they're talking constantly throughout the day. Both sides have negotiated for roughly 27 hours since last Friday, so HOPEFULLY, both sides will realize they don't want to screw up the most popular game in the country.
Still, much like the Marlins were so secretive about how much money they were making versus how much money they said they were making, the players want to see the books. Based on what happened to Miami-Dade County with the Marlins, maybe the players should stand firm and say no deal until they see the books.
Course, I'm still for football and can't understand how guys who are making at a minimum somewhere in the neighborhood of 200-250k are upset over money. I especially love the players who have been paid millions asking who's going to pay their bills and take care of their family. Really? Now I know these guys have taken to many blows to the head!
Panthers:
If you looked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel this morning, you might think the entire Panthers organization is for sale. Well, all of their players are essentially on the trading block, so in some ways, they really are up for bids. And who can blame them for wanting to torch the franchise again this season, they are bigger teases than…okay, I should stop with that analogy. But seriously, they come out and play well against the Lightning and then come out and drop a bomb bigger than the last few Michael Bay movies.
The team has been moved to the back burner by fans, the media, and the rest of the NHL. But I hear the 2011 Ice Dancers calendar is pretty good!
