Sunday, February 21, 2016

MLB Spring Training, NBA Trade Deadline

MLB



   It's late February and Spring is at our doorstep. What does it mean? The NBA is at its half-way point and its the beginning of the MLB season. "What is Spring Training?" spring training is the where the MLB splits its teams in to two leagues, the Citrus league (which is held here in central Florida) and the Cactus league (held in Arizona). Its a preview really it lets us fans see what to expect from the teams in the upcoming season which starts in early April. Exhibition games are played between the teams in their respective leagues. The games don't count but if your team does well in Spring Training then you can expect a pretty exciting regular season.


NBA


As of the end of last week the NBA trade deadline was reached. Meaning that 2nd half of the NBA season has started. This is a tradition carried out in most American sports. When the season hits the half-way point, trading between teams begin. Teams can trade players while still in contract, the player can be traded for what the other team deems as a fair trade for the player, it can be one or two or even 3 players. Sometimes it can be a player and a sum of money or for draft picks in the next player draft. But the team that receives players has to take their standing contract as well, paying it of till the team can make an offer and at that point its off-season and the player will be in what is called "Arbitration" where the player and his agent sit with representatives of the current team they play for and discuss contract terms EX. length of contract, prices, opt-out clauses, trade clauses, etc...   

*A link to the trades that happened before the trade deadline.



*Which team do you feel got the most out of the NBA trade?*

*Which team do you fell got the least*?

*Answer in the comments below*

Friday, February 12, 2016

NFL's Return To LA, A Trade That Could've Changed The NBA

NFL


  A couple of times in a span of maybe 10 years or so, a big change comes to a sports organization and that's the relocation of a team. For example, the Oakland Raiders used to be the LA Raiders before originally being from Oakland, California. In basketball this is seen as well with the Hornets, Grizzlies, Rockets, and Warriors. Today in 2015 where most teams are now settled in their permanent homes we have a change in the NFL. The St. Louis Rams are relocating back to Los Angeles, California after leaving in 1995 to St. Louis Missouri. After playing in St. Louis for 20 years the owners of the Rams decided to move back to LA, a decision supported by many football fans considering that LA hasn't had a football team since the early 90's which applies to the Rams, Raiders, and Chargers who spent their first year as an organization in LA before having to move to San Diego.

NBA


  As Kobe Bryant's final season comes closer to an end with his final game in Cleveland against the Cavaliers on February 10th, new information about the four-time NBA Finals Champion was released earlier in the week. The LA Lakers almost traded Kobe for Lebron James. This brings questions like; How would Kobe play with the Cavaliers?, How would Lebron connect with Shaq and the fame that comes with being a Laker? (Lebron being relatively new to the NBA at the time). It's a "What if?" situation really. Sports are unpredictable in big ways. one minute your team is losing by a big margin, the next they're ahead by a bigger margin. the star-player for your team could be here one day and traded to the rival team the next. So yes Kobe possibly being a Cavalier and Lebron being a Laker is only but a mere thought that looks good on paper but when acted out could be a horrible idea. Kobe went on to win NBA MVP the following season and Lebron in 2009.


*How do you see the Rams moving to LA?*

*Do you think the possible trade between the Lakers and the Cavaliers should've gone through, or not*?

*Answer in the comments below*

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Superbowl 50, Rumors in the NBA

NFL


Today starting at 6:30 PM EST we get to see how these two teams face off against each other. As said in previous posts, this Superbowl include two strong teams. The Panthers having the better offense with Cam Newton as their QB, and the Broncos with the better defense. I personally see Superbowl 50 starting with a lead by the Broncos in the first quarter and about 4 minutes into the 2nd quarter the Panthers coming back and being ahead by a field-goal. Then after half-time the Broncos will tie but the Panthers will keep the lead. Shortly after, into the 4th quarter the Panthers will keep the lead and win Superbowl 50 37-28 against the Denver Broncos.


NBA



Shocking news arises in the NBA this week. Kevin Durant Power Forward for the Oklahoma City Thunders is hitting free agency meaning after this season he can choose which team to sign with when given a contract offer. Now the big news here is the possibility of the 7 time NBA All-Star going to the Golden State Warriors and playing along side the 3 time NBA All-Star Point Guard Stephen Curry. This could be big for the team. With GSW having a phenomenal season starting undefeated and having one of the best NBA seasons in a while. GSW easily seen returning to the finals to possibly take the gold again. But with Durant in the mix the undefeated season that GSW was seen to have could become a quick reality. Having Durant brings nothing but pros to the Warriors. Like bringing Ray Allen to the Miami Heat, it wasn't necessary but it was appreciated. With this possibility there isn't a lot that could stop the Golden State Warriors, it really might be the unbreakable team.


*Which team do you see Kevin Durant going to, if he leaves OKC?*

*How do you think Superbowl 50 will play out?*

*Answer in the comments below*