Friday's Lineup posted by Henri "theactor" Ramsey

OK I've read what Miaocco had to say and thesee are my thoughts...

I knew long ago that Hill was going to start the first game of Pre Season and that's becuase it would only be fiar since he was the starter last season. As for Smith, he's going to get his first taste of action since the whole Nolan fiasco. Smith looked good at times during TC while I was there and so he should do well against the Broncos. 

Nolan will obivously try to do things that will make it hard on his former QB but, if Smith plays HIS game, he'll play right through it.

The fact the Gore is NOT playing at all doesn'y surprise me. In fact, I'm glad to hear it. Like Singletary stated "I see no benefit from working seasoned vets in the first game of Pre Season" This will give them a chance to rest and look at the back up players to see where they might need help and make ajustments.

The injury list is long...lol and I'm happy that this IS just the beginning of the season. If this were some where in the middle of the season, we'd be pulling our hair out by the roots trying to figure out how we are going to make the play-offs and all that jazz.

But it's not and we're not so...rest easy people.

The other players that are going to be missing are:

Tarell Brown

Patrick Willis

David Baas

Michael Robinson

Delaine Walker

Brandon Jones

Ray McDonald

Most of these guys are going to be back ready to play next week. With exception of Brandon Jones who's out until the end of September and Ray McDonald who is expected back in time for Regular Season. 

Rumor "Mills"ap posted by john howard

One of the numerous rumors going around this week is that the Thunder are going to make an offer to Utah's restricted free agent Paul Millsap. He is a good young player that filled lifted his game when Okur and Boozer were out.  I like the things he can do for OKC. Or any team for that matter.  What I hope we don't do is pay to much for him.  Since Millsap is a restricted free agent, Utah can match any offer to keep him.  They are likely to do that since it appears thata they will be about 3 million over the cap.  They can trade Boozer and keep Millsap at a cheaper price.  This is  very likely because Boozer has another year left on his contract and isn't guaranteed to stay in Utah.  So, they may trade Boozer for some future stock.  Teams can start talking with players today and get verbal commitments.  However, contracts don't become official until July 8th.  The team spends this week determining the new salary cap.  Last year it was 57 million dollars.  A team may go over the cap to resign it's own players, or by offersing the mid-level one year contract of around 5 million dollars.  If it goes over the cap, it must pay a tax to the league.  This next couple of week's should be exciting.

Utah Jazz draft posted by john howard

The Utah Jazz have a busy summer in front of them.  Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, and Mehmet Okur can all opt out of their contracts.  So, they have to convince all 3 to stay.  Paul Millsap is a restricted free agent, so they can match offers to keep him.  Ronnie Price and Brevin Knight are backup guards who are unrestricted free agents.  Keeping the starters is very important to the future of the Jazz. But, today is the draft, which is also a key to the future.  Or, is it?  The Jazz have the 20th and 50th picks in this year's draft. In the past 14 years the 20th pick has produced 2 starters and 6 bench players.  That's almost a 50% chance that the Jazz won't find anyone with this pick.  The 50th pick has produced 3 bench players.  So, the past shows that the Jazz may not get much from this position. Continue reading "Utah Jazz draft"

Let's play GM part II posted by Aarwich

Since my last post I've received heated opinions from some fired up Golden State fans regarding my Rip Hamilton for Ellis and Randolph trade. G.S. fans are obviously a little smarter then I thought. So let me be clear. Although I'm a Utah Jazz and Golden State Warrior fan, my heart lies with the Detroit Pistons.

I WANT ANTHONY RANDOLPH IN A PISTONS UNIFORM!!!

So.

What's it going to take?

I know most of you have forgiven Ellis for his moped accident.

I know you all regret signing Maggette.

I know most of you hope Crawford ops out (which he won't).

I know we can work something out.

Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Kwame Brown & a 2nd rounder

for

Corey Maggette, Jamal Crawford, Ronny Turiaf & Anthony Randolph

STARTERS:

Ellis

Rip

Prince

Write

Biedrins

With Rip & Prince re-energized (like Billups in Denver) and Steven Jackson as a potential 6th man of the year, the Warriors are ready to compete for a championship.

Now, some of you Pistons fans who are a little confused do to the fact that GM - Part I, had us end up with Bosh, Randolph & Stoudemire, get over it, it's never going to happen. Some of you may not even know who A. Randolph is. He is a 19 year old C, PF, SF high-bred, who has the fire and the talent of The Big Ticket – K.G. Yet still unproven, he fits in great with Detroit and could be a cornerstone for the next decade. In my opinion, worst case, he's as good as Bosh.

Congrats Blazers...Now Get Over It posted by Cal Conrad

Congratulations Portland Trail Blazers on a great season. You overachieved, brought the city to hysteria not seen since the early 90s and created a solid foundation on which to work on. Now get over it.

It's time to start looking towards next year. The Blazers, if they keep their roster intact, are a lock for the playoffs for the next decade. But is that what management wants? To be the Utah Jazz? I don't think so. It's seriously time to consider making this team into a title contender. Barring a miracle draft pick in the next few years, their needs to be some roster shake-up, otherwise the Blazers will be piddling around third or fourth best in the west for years to come.

First, let's look up what makes a championship team. Over the past 20 years, there has been a pretty simple formula to great teams: You have you have your 'Big 3'-a guard, a wing, and a post, surround them with a few shooters and some defensive stoppers and you got yourself a title (This excludes the 2003-2004 Pistons, because the Lakers self-destructed in that series and any Shaq-led team because all the centers sucked in the early 2000s). Seriously look back at the past winners: 2007-2008 Celtics (Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett), The Spurs dynasty (Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli, Timmy Duncan), The Bulls dynasty (MJ, Scottie Pippen, Toni Kukoc/Horace Grant), The mid-90s Rockets (Kenny 'I'm Barkley's Bitch' Smith, Clyde Drexler and Hakeem). Let's add in the team that will win it this year, The Cavs (Mo Williams, Lebron, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas). All those teams had great shooters and defensive stoppers. This is the blueprint and Portland needs to get on board.

Oaks Day spot plays posted by Johnny Matheis

Thursday saw some horrendous rides on some who should have won and paid well. Undeniably the case for Flying Jazz and Cover Story, both rated way too far back for Churchill. Still, those who took my advice still won with the ninth race trifecta and superfecta paying well, with AEGEAN winning. The final race, which I said to take an overlay and hope it wouldn't be a jockey race, wasn't a good betting race. It turned into a jockey race, with the five lowest price horses finishing first through fifth. That's overkill, and being obvious with the cheating. But it happens.

Friday, Oaks Day, there is a great spot play in the fifth race, with REYNALDOTHEWIZARD having a great forward move as a 2 year old that would ensure a victory here at three. Good ones to link him with in exotic wagers are the probable favorite, Munnings, as well as CUSTOM FOR CARLOS, Zito's JUST BEN, BROTHER KEITH, and STAMP.

The seventh has a potential upset, as Hartlage often has a runner ready, and his FRENCH KISS looks like he should be one of the better ones already. Good ones to put him with are sure favorite ZENYATTA, as well as UNFORGOTTEN, UNBRIDLED BELLE, and SWIFT TEMPER. Look for previously undefeated second choice One Caroline to fail to hit the board. This company is too tough on a fair track.

For the Oaks. NAN is a live long shot. Never underestimate those who come from Keeneland, especially fillies from the Ashland. This field looks very week, and you could just wheel her in possibly the weakest looking Oaks field ever.

Finally, the last race, EXOTIC INDY is just short of being a lock, a 4 year old facing many 3 year olds with less form. 2-1 is a steal here. Good ones to include in boxes are MERIFUL and MARKET AT MIDDAY (an also eligible), Look for overlays on the others.

Spot plays for Churchill Thursday 4-30-2009 posted by Johnny Matheis

For Thursday's big crowd at Churchill, there are some spot plays.

In the third race, there are 7 entrants. It's a good time to against the struggling
Vance stable, which will eventually come back around. WILD SUNDAY shows good form at Fairgrounds, and Fairgrounds horses are kicking tail. He was claimed by an owner-trianer team of the Larues. MR ZARROW looks like a strong second. MESS NERA looks to round out the trifecta. If Wild Sunday goes over 5-2, take him to win and place. Good superfectas are 1 with 34 with All with All, then 1, 3, with 1,3, 4, with 1,3,4 2, 7, with All, and a tri box and exacta box on 1-3-4. A saver superfecta on the 1-3-4-7 box, and a 1 with the 2,3,4,5, 7 all the way down. Remember, these are 10 cent superfectas.

Race Five has MILITARY LIKE with some speed and dropping for a pretty good stable of the Pitts. At 7-2 or over, she's worth a win-place, and show in an eight horse field. Superfectas should be a box on 2-4-5-6, and also a wheel the 4 with the 2,5, 6 with the 2, 5, 6, with All, then a 2,4 with a 2,4, with All with All. Follow with a tri box on 2-4-5 and an exacta box on 2-4-5-6.

Race 6 is a chance to take advantage of Foley's drop. The Foleys hit hard the first 2 or 3 days, then slack off. So now Greg Foley, who has won 2 of 3 starts, can be left out of the superfecta. SMOKE WARNING is much the class here, and should be played if he gets over 9-5, but CRAZY COYOTE has good form at Tufway, and looks to match him. Take an exacta box on the 1 and 5, then bet the 5 across the board if it is over 9-2. Superfectas can be 1,5 with 1,3,5,6,7 all the way down, then a box on 1-5-6-7, then 5 with 1, 6 with All with All. A tri saver can be a 1,5 with 1,5,6,7 with 1,3,5,6,7.

Why Lakers fans should worry about facing LeBron in the NBA Finals posted by Chris Strickland

I'm a Kobe fan. Huge Kobe fan. He's practically my generation's MJ. Nothing against MJ, I just never saw him play much. I went to the United Center once, when I was seven, and all I remember is Scottie Pippen's crew-cut and cotton candy. Also, I'm from D.C., so the fact that MJ ruined the entire development and chemistry of an up-and-coming Washington Wizards team, just so he could milk a little more limelight, doesn't really sit well.

Having lived in the LA area now for two years, I've become a Kobe fan. Which is why I'm genuinely worried for the Lakers, should they play LeBron's Cavaliers in this year's NBA Finals. I'm worried for three reasons: 

1) Defense. Having witnessed the Boston Celtics' utter demolition of the Lakers last June, first-hand, in a crowded Georgetown bar amongst rabid Boston Masshole fans yelling while chugging beer (I didn't even think that was possible), I've watched Kobe's squad carefully all year for any signs of an improving defense. I didn't see much worth noting, other than the fact Ariza was sorely missed. If Bynum's back to full strength, that's one thing, but I highly doubt he is. Let's check some stats: at year's end, LA was giving up 100 points per game on average to its opponents. Through its first four games with Utah in the playoffs, the Lakers are allowing the Jazz 98 points a game. LeBron, in comparison, led his Cavs to a first-round sweep of the Shadowy Pistons, including holding them to a pathetic 78 a game. A twenty-point-differential? Don't the playoffs get harder as you progress? I realize the Jazz are tougher than Detroit, and way more physical, but don't be fooled if you think Roy/Aldridge/Blake, or Artest/Yao/Brooks, whoever Kobe faces next, won't be a tougher challenge. Especially if it's vs. Portland, on the road, where the Rose Garden owns Los Angeles.

A Tribute to One of the Great Owners posted by Rees Woodcock

  Larry H. Miller, one of the great NBA franchise owners and stand up guy in the community, died Friday from complications with type two diabetes.  Larry will be remember in the NBA world for years to come and will be a role model for what integrity and honor stands for.

  Larry Miller, in my eyes, will be known for him establishing the Utah Jazz as a premier powerhouse in the NBA and producing two championship runs, both ending in defeat to the great Mr. Air himself.  He brought big name superstars like Karl Malone, John Stockton, Jeff Hornacek, and current superstar Deron Williams.  He was also known to me by hiring one of the greatest coaches of all time in Jerry Sloan.  Jerry has took the Jazz to two championships and to the playoffs all but two years he has been coaching.

  Larry was also an amazing business man too. He purchased a Toyota dealership in the Salt Lake City suburb of Murray, Utah. It opened on May 1, 1979 as Larry H. Miller Toyota. In October 1981, Miller bought out his uncle's share in the business. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, he acquired a number of automobile dealerships in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico, creating the Larry H. Miller Automotive Group. In 2007, Selling Power listed him as the tenth largest U.S. automotive dealer, with forty-two dealerships and sales of $2,327,000,000.  After a failed attempt to start a television outlet on the last remaining VHF frequency in the Utah market, Miller purchased Salt Lake City independent station KXIV in February 1993. He later changed the call letters to KJZZ-TV as a reference to the Jazz.  Miller also owned the Larry H. Miller Megaplex, Prestige Financial, Miller Motor-sports Park (opened in 2006), Fanzz (a chain of sports clothing & memorabilia outlets), and the successful Jordan Commons cinema/restaurant complexes along the Wasatch Front. There are 5 Megaplex Theaters located in shopping centers along the Wasatch Front; the Gateway Mall in downtown Salt Lake City, at the aforementioned Jordan Commons in Sandy, at The District in South Jordan, at The Junction in Ogden, and at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. Together the theaters total 70 screens.

SAY NO TO BRAND AND YES TO THE FUTURE posted by Aarwich

You may have heard about the Rasheed Wallace for Elton Brand rummer. This is a bad idea. A panic move. Prior to Brands streak of injuries he was one of the top post-up power forwards in the league. And if he was available for 3 years 30 million he would be a deal. However, as of now, he refuses to run the floor and his stats are declining on a team with less talent then the Pistons. Not to mention he has trouble staying healthy. Plus his contract runs through the 2012/13 season @ over 18 million. By then we'll be wishing we still had a 38 year old Wallace. Trust me, we should let him stay Philly's problem.

As I have stated in recant posts, Joe Dumars is going to entertain the notion that Puppet Boy (Micheal Curry) will be able to convince his players they have the most talented team in the NBA. If they would just play Piston basketball and put together a good solid win streak, they could gel as one well oiled machine and take the League by storm. Then Iverson and McDyess will finally wear that oval prize of the NBA elite.

Dumars will fight to keep his composure until right around All-Star Weekend. At this time he will decide weather his current team has a chance to make it to the finals. If there is a trade scenario that can put said team in the upper echelon (star big man). Or, make moves for the future. All three options have the chance to be successful ones provided he plays it smart. For instance, trading Rip Hamilton, the coveted Amir Johnson and draft picks, for Bosh, Boozer or Stoudemire.

If Dumars isn't planning on resigning his two expiring contracts, there's one option know one seems to be discussing. Trade off Sheed and A.I. to contenders for 1st round draft picks. This would be a white flag move, but the future would be bright. There are teams out there that are willing to take the luxury tax - cap hit. Examples would include Minnesota for one. After that beet down Sheed put on them, they just might be interested in giving up one of the 3 (possibly 4) 1st rounders they have stock piled for the 2009 NBA draft. San Antonio also might take a chance for the same price. And I know Larry Brown would jump at the opportunity to have Sheed, Okafor and J.Wallace @ the 3-4-5 for the last half of the season. Now there's Iverson. I've figured it out. Trade Iverson to the Utah Jazz for a 1st rounder or two. I believe they would take the 8-9 million dollar cap hit to have Williams, A.I., AK-47, Boozer and Okur as their starting 5, and one hell of a bench.

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