Hawks Flying High

The St. Joseph’s Hawks are doing their collective things as the are undefeated at 19-0 (as of Feb. 4th) and look to continue that streak throughout the regular season and Atlantic 10 Tournament and receive a number one seed in the NCAA March Madness Tournament.

The Hawks still must face Temple once, Rhode Island twice, LaSalle, Dayton, Fordham, UMass and St. Bonaventure before the A-10 tourney starts. Of course anything can happen especially when you play against city rivals in the Big Five, but even if St. Joseph’s doesn’t go undefeated they look to have the tools to make a run in the tournament for several reasons. First, they have great coaching in Phil Martelli and his staff, secondly they have experienced players like Nelson, costar Delonte West, (18 p.p.g., 5 r.p.g., and 4 a.p.g.) Tyrone Barley Pat Carroll who have been to the tournament. And lastly with two centers over 6-11, and only two players under 6-2 they have depth and size.

Jameer Nelson (20 points per game, 4 rebounds per game and 5 assists per game.), the team’s point guard is looking like a sure fire 1st team All-American and a mid-round draft pick, by showing unquestioned leadership, blazing quickness, outside shooting, and the ability to penetrate and pass. This last attribute will make everyone around better and also keeps everyone involved instead of stargazing.

Give Ayers a Chance

I know that the Sixers are struggling this point in the season but I don’t think it’s all Randy Ayers fault.

The fact is the projected starting lineup has played even twenty games yet because of injury and the makeup of the team is a mistake. Eric Snow and Aaron McKie have been complaining about the makeup of the team and while saying no names I think I know what they are talking about. First off Kenny Thomas and Glenn Robinson provide rebounding and scoring respectively but can’t play a lick of defense. Thomas is undersized at the power forward position and the “Big Dog” is just that on defense. In Robinson’s case you heard the rumors but I didn’t think it was as abominable as it is. Keith Van Horn, the person we essentially trade for Robinson, wasn’t good on defense and was a gutless in the clutch but he made the three and had size at least at 6-10. He used his fouls and even got some shady calls against him because of his reputation. Big Dog doesn’t look like he’s been asked to play defense in his lifetime, often swipes at the ball and doesn’t want to get on the floor for loose balls.

This is a definite no-no in a tough nosed city like Philly.

Allen Iverson hasn’t looked as explosive since his knee injury and hasn’t been going inside. Even when he does he isn’t getting the calls he once was. Before he used to live on the line now you see some games he doesn’t get on the line until the second half. I do think the conditioning and practice habits are catching up to A.I. but not to the point he is invaluable to the team. And even so where can we get value to him? Not too many teams want a 6-0 shooting guard with that kind of contract so I think we have to move on to major concerns like a lack of a go to guy in the paint.

I don’t know what we can do but we need to sign or trade for a power forward who can dominate. In particular, Rasheed Wallace is being dangled by Portland who may want to get some value for him before he can leave after this season.

The Trail Blazers have already rejected offers from teams Dallas and Golden State and will probably want more characters guys to go with young players like Zach Randolph and Qyntel Woods.

Head coach Maurice Cheeks and General Manager John Nash both have Philly ties and have a need for a solid small forward (has Darius Miles proven he is a starter yet) and a veteran point guard. The point guard position has plagued the Blazers for years and Damon Stoudamire hasn’t been the answer.

One Sixer with considerable trade value is Eric Snow, who is known throughout the league for his tough defense, and has a relatively low contract. If the Sixers could package Snow, maybe Greg Buckner (defense) and either Big Dog or Kenny Thomas we could maybe get Sheed.

It’s a stretch but both teams could be happy.

Portland gets a veteran point with finals experience and the ability to guard point and shooting guards and some other role players to go with a team that already has the firepower to compete in the Western Conference. Also Snow would allow Stoudamire to play off the ball and score ala A.I.

For the Sixers you would get your post guy and also a big draw as Sheed is a Philly native. While he brings some baggage he would be great in familiar settings and a different team.

Cheney wins more than 700

John Cheney recently won his 700 Division I game versus St. Bonaventure and became the first African American to do so joining coaches like Dean Smith, Bob Knight, Eddie Sutton, and Adolph Rupp.

Cheney is won his games at Cheyney State (9 seasons) and Temple (21 seasons) with only a few All-Americans and a lot of morning practices. He is a great person in the community and is outspoken about more than just basketball. His Temple teams are known for the match-up zone and he has been to several Elite Eights in the NCAA Tournaments.

He also taught in the Philadelphia School District at Sayre Elementary and later at Simon Gratz High School

At Temple, Cheney has put several players in the NBA including Mark Macon, Eddie Jones, Aaron McKie, Marc Jackson, Mark Strickland, Pepe Sanchez, Rick Brunson and Duane Causwell. Cheney is a great mentor and teacher to these players and more who rave about his influence on them off as well as on the court.

Two things you know about a Temple men’s basketball player: he plays good defense and he is a decent person.

We need more coaches who care about the people and not just the players.

Phillies Need Kalas Back

The Philadelphia Phillies with all their great off-season moves will make a mistake if they take the voice of baseball away. While Kalas has been demanding and has a new agent don’t you think he is worth whatever he wants? Most of the losing seasons Kalas along with Richie Ashburn were the only reason some turned the game on! I don’t know what beef Kalas and Chris Wheeler have but if he wants to be separated do it! We need his voice in a season we hope will be special. If we don’t “Outta Here” for Kalas I won’t feel the same. It's time to pay up fellas.


NFL Coaching Hires

Most teams in the National Football League are watching the Super Bowl and a good number have made some coaching changes. In Chicago, Lovie Smith (former St. Louis Rams Defensive Coordinator) has taken over and will bring more discipline and turnovers on defense. In Arizona, former Minnesota Vikings headman Dennis Green will take over a putrid offense possibly with Eli Manning and will help them become a improved team. In Buffalo Mike Mularkey will help a offense that could put points on the board by using more screen and short passing plays. In Oakland, Norv Turner (former Redskins Head coach) will take over and look to revamp the offense that struggled after appearing in the Super Bowl last season. Joe Gibbs brings his three rings back to the Washington Redskins where his will learn to deal with today’s players and also preach his philosophies, which obviously have worked in the past. Jim Mora, Jr. will takeover in Atlanta and bring the 4-3 back to a defense that struggled mightily. I think these hires make a lot of sense but wished the league would give coaches who are still playing now the opportunity to get a job by holding up the times you can hire till after the big game. This way guys like the Patriots’ Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel could get a chance to interview.


Super Bowl Prediction

I don’t know whether this will be on the site before the bowl but hold me to it the New England Patriots will win and handily 31-16 over the Carolina Panthers. Bill Belichick will have a game plan to stop the Carolina offense and Tom Brady will prove why people compare him to Joe Montana. He is a great quarterback with complementary players who step up in the big games (you hear that Eagles!)! Plus I’m not impressed with Carolina’s secondary and they will be exposed.