Countdown to NBA Free Agency 2011

With the NBA lockout finally coming to an end, and the NBA 2011 - 2012 season officially to start on Christmas Day one wonders what great NBA free agents will be available? The NBA free agency officially begins on December 9^th where we might see some top players go to different teams hopefully contributing to the overall team’s success. The unique scenario about this year’s free agency market is the abundance of big men available. I have compiled my top 3 best players that can make a difference for any team and make a push deep into the playoffs.

1. MARC GASOL  Center, 26 years old, 7'1 2011 stats: 11.7 points, 7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks in 32 minutes per game

The younger brother of Lakers star Paul Gasol isn't a big scorer -- his career-high for points in a game is 30. He's also not the incredible rebounder you'd think he'd be, given his size: he's an average rebounder at center, and a bit above average at power forward. On offense, he sets brilliant screens, can pass well and has a decent mid-range jumper. His overall value is on defense, which he is great at shot blocking and does not foul too much. He would be a great addition to any team especially needing a center coming off the bench.

2. TYSON CHANDLER  Center, 29 years old, 7'1  2011 stats: 10.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.1 blocks in 28 minutes per game

Chandler is the best defender at center in the league next to Dwight Howard. He is a huge reason why the Dallas Mavericks won the 2011 NBA Championship. He is offense is strictly near the basket and does not really create his own shots. He is really good around the basket and can finish with ease. He might score a lot if you do not create for him but his defense makes up for it. Giving the circumstance somebody you definitely want to pick up.

3. NENE  Center, 29 years old, 6'11 2011 stats: 14.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.0 blocks in 30 minutes per game

Overall Nene is solid on both sides of the ball he averages enough points to be a threat and does an efficient job at being a center. His defense one-on-one is phenomenal and any team would be lucky to have him. Don’t be surprise if you seem him in a Miami Heat’s jersey come start of the season as they try to fill their final piece to win a championship.

It will be interesting to see what happens when the dust settles and where many NBA free agents end up. Like anything adding a new player to a team can help or hinder a team. I’m just excited as any fan for the NBA season to start as we had one of the best years the past 2010-11 season.

References:

www.nba.com

www.espn.com

30 November, 2011 // // 0 comments //

Does Having a Press Card Mean to be Unethical in the Sports World?

With the advancement of technology and living in a world that needs their information instantly, bloggers are now becoming 21^st century journalists. The days of applying to the New York Time or the San Francisco Chronicle to be a writer has passed with new innovative ways to break into this field. Recently three bloggers had sued New York City due to the fact the Police Department denied them of press credentials because they had worked for online or nontraditional news outlets were ultimately issued credentials for the sporting events. Each blogger had varied experience in the journalism all owing their own website that did some form of publication to various countries, audiences, and sports enthusiasts.

A press card simply carries two kinds of credentials: working press cards, for a “full-time employee of a news-gathering organization covering spot or breaking news on a regular basis,” and press identification cards, for journalists who are “employed by a legitimate news organization” but who do “not normally cover spot or breaking news events.”

Strike force, which is a subsidiary of MMA, has also had problems with denying reporters access and coverage for major fights. President Dana White has been refusing access to all UFC events in recent years after the writers published stories that White didn’t consider worthy of his companies PR clip file. Besides bloggers, Dana White banned ESPN and CBS sports from gaining access into the event. This in a large part of certain information that is not censored or review before being released, this ultimately can damage the publicity of the athlete or organization. It simple seems on who covers the team and how that can determine access and opportunity in the locker rooms.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban feels that sports writers have become the equivalent of paparazzi rather than reporters. Mark Cuban also stated “The last few years have brought about a lot of change in how people publish and receive information.” Having reporters or journalists in the locker room asking questions that are not relevant to the game can be annoying for anybody. I feel by laying specific ground rules on what can or cannot be said can be a roadmap of what ethics these reporters must go by. If not the ramifications for this can be in a form of losing their press card for an extended period of time, or worse losing access to that organization completely.

References:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/bloggers-get-press-credentials-after-police-relent/

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/jeff_wagenheim/04/13/credentials/index.html

http://blogmaverick.com/2011/04/04/whats-the-role-of-media-for-sports-teams/

15 November, 2011 // // 1 comments //

Day 134 of NBA Lockout

As we now approach day 134 of the NBA lockout representatives for the NBA and player’s union met this past Thursday in an effort to salvage what remains of an already-shortened season. After meeting for 11 hours on Thursday and 16 hours on Wednesday both sides still were unable to produce a fair collective bargaining agreement that both would agree on. Although the NBA presented a proposal to the players of an offer they feel is fair and if approved by next week, a 72-game season would start on December 15^th.

NBA Commissioner David Stern stated, “There comes a time when you have to be through negotiating and we are.” The National Basketball Players Association are still upset about being unable to narrow the gap on salary cap and luxury tax system issues that have put negotiations in a standstill, with either side willing to budge. With Derek Fisher and Billy Hunter representing the players they will go back to their collective side and present the latest offer to the union and come back with an answer come early Monday or Tuesday next week. The owners are firm on create a favorable system over the revenue split, which would allow smaller market teams to compete for a championship.

There has been threats that if the players do not take this deal, the owner’s next offer will be to drop the players’ split to only 47% from 50%, and include a NHL-style flex-cap on the table. Which the players union would not go for and might consider decertification as their only option, this would ultimately wipe out the 2011-12 season and possible if it goes to court the process could effect the following season as well. Decertification of a union means that the union would be giving up a lot of benefits and the power to collectively bargain on behalf of its members. Which this situation will then be upheld in court, which can be drawn out over a long time due to court proceedings.

I feel this is unfortunate for the fans, arena employees, businesses, and NBA players, due to the fact that collectively everyone wants a season. There is a lot of red tape that still needs to be address with the owners being difficult to deal with. I hope for everybody this gets resolved and we can enjoy professional basketball sooner than the latter.

References:

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/nba-lockout-talks-players-receive-revised-deal-article-1.975999?localLinksEnabled=false

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/nba-players-continue-negotiations-on-thursday/2011/11/10/gIQAbA629M_story.html

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7214672/nba-lockout-nba-owners-players-wrap-12-hours-talks-major-progress

11 November, 2011 // // 0 comments //