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The Woelfel World of Sports
January 2009
Friday January 30, 2009
Posted by: gwoelfel at 8:57PM CST on January 30, 2009
BY GERY WOELFEL Let’s get my Super Bowl prediction immediately out of the way: Pittsburgh 27, Arizona 20 Having written that, I could also see the Steelers annihilating the Cardinals. I could see them winning by 17 points — or more. Yet, while I fully expect the Steelers to prevail, I am — like our Pres — pulling for the Cardinals. They’ve already beat amazing odds to get to the Big Show, so it would make for good entertainment if they could surprise the Steelers. Some other thoughts on sports’ greatest spectacle: -- How many times do you think they’ll show Brenda Warner before the game, during the game and after the game? My over-under is six. -- As good as the Packers’ receiving tandem of Greg Jennings and Donald Driver is, do you think either one of them is better than Larry Fitzgerald or Anquan Boldin of the Cardinals? -- As talented as Fitzgerald is — and he is awesome — I’d still take Pittsburgh’s Hines Ward over him. -- Seeing how the Cardinals, a good but hardly great team, have advanced to the Super Bowl should bring encouragement to every Packers fan. The Cardinals posted a ho-hum 9-7 regular-season record and they even got their fannies kicked by the Vikings: 35-14. -- Can you imagine if Ted Thompson was the Cardinals GM? You can safely assume they would have never gotten to the Super bowl because Kurt Warner would have either 1) been traded, or 2) been Matt Leinart’s backup. Warner, after all, is a fossil — just like Brett Favre. Warner will turn a decrepit 38 this summer. -- Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is in Tampa for the Big One and did a bunch of interviews, including one with Jim Rome. Rodgers revealed to Rome how a “fan’’ greeted him with a “---- U’’ upon his arrival at Lambeau Field one day this season. Rodgers also noted how another “fan’’ challenged him to a fight. Can you imagine how some of these morons might treat him if he has a bad season? Sunday January 25, 2009
Posted by: gwoelfel at 1:24PM CST on January 25, 2009
BY GERY WOELFEL The Milwaukee Bucks received some devastating news Sunday. Star shooting guard Michael Redd is out for the rest of the NBA season. Redd suffered what Bucks officials termed as a strained left knee in the third quarter of Saturday night's game againt the Sacramento Kings at the Bradley Center. Sunday morning, Redd underwent a MRI and learned he had tears in both the ACL and MCL. Bucks officials weren't available for comment. Earlier this season, Redd sat out 14 games because of a sprained right ankle. Redd is the Bucks' leading scorer, averaging 22.2 points per game. He has been playing particularly well in recent The Bucks have a 22-25 record and are currently in the eighth -- and final -- spot in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. The Bucks' next game is Monday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Bradley Center. It'll be one of eight games the Bucks will play in their next 12 outings at home.
Thursday January 22, 2009
Posted by: gwoelfel at 11:50PM CST on January 22, 2009
BY GERY WOELFEL Some news and views on the playoff-bound Milwaukee Bucks: * It isn't often an assistant coach leaves a professional sports team in the middle of the season to take a head coaching position with another team. But that apparently could happen with Lionel Hollins. According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Hollins, who was an assistant for Bucks head coach Scott Skiles, is leaving the Bucks to become head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies. Hollins would replace Marc Iavaroni, who was fired Thursday. Interestingly, the Bucks and Grizzlies have been rumored as possible trade partners. The scuttlebutt is the Bucks are considering trading point guard Ramon Sessions and forward Joe Alexander to the Grizzlies for point guard Mike Conley and a draft choice. * If the playoffs were held today, the Bucks would be in them. They have the seventh-best record in the Eastern Conference and, barring a devastating injury, it’s only going to get better. Why? Because the Bucks will have a rather favorable schedule the rest of the way. After a brutal preseason trip to China and then an absurd number of road games in November and December, the Bucks will get to sleep in their own beds fairly often now. Starting Saturday night, the Bucks will play nine of their next 13 games at the Bradley Center. Playing at home is a distinct advantage for most teams, especially the Bucks. They seem to have found a comfort zone in the BC and its reflective in their record there. In the 12 games the Bucks played in December and this month at home, they have won nine of them. * The uniformed observer believes NBA games are determined in the final two minutes. Not with the Bucks. One has a fairly good idea whether the Bucks are going to win after just one quarter. In the 21 games where the Bucks have led their opponents after the first quarter, they have a 16-5 record. * The trade rumors surrounding Charlie Villanueva haven’t subsided. Yet, that hasn’t deterred Villanueva from playing the best basketball of his career. In the last four games, Villanueva is averaging 22 points and nine rebounds. * Speaking of players on a roll, Luke Ridnour is doing a terrific job of protecting the basketball. The veteran point guard, whom the Bucks acquired in an offseason trade, has recorded 28 assists in the last four games -- and committed just four turnovers. * Yet another Bucks player who is playing at a high level is Michael Redd. Redd has had some blockbuster scoring performances lately, including a 44-point barrage. Redd has averaged 26 points in the last four games, which is impressive, but he also shot the ball well in that stretch: a red-hot 55 percent. * The good news for the Bucks is that Andrew Bogut’s back is better. The bad news for the Bucks is that he isn’t likely to play major minutes once he returns to action. Bogut, who has missed the last four games, said his minutes will likely be monitored and he definitely won’t be playing around 40 minutes a game like he had before being sidelined. “It’s going to be a slow process,’’ Bogut said. * With Bogut sidelined with back spasms, Dan Gadzuric has had a chance to step up. He hasn’t. Gadzuric misfired on all five of his shots in the first quarter -- yes, the first quarter -- against the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday night. He’s connected on just five of his last 24 field-goal attempts. * The rap on rookie Luc Mbah a Moute has always been his suspect shooting. That’s why the former UCLA forward was a second-round draft pick. But Mbah is showing concrete signs of becoming a decent shooter. Mbah a Moute has made 14 of his last 23 shots from the field -- a sizzling 61 percent. Monday January 19, 2009
Posted by: gwoelfel at 2:27PM CST on January 19, 2009
BY GERY WOELFEL
The Packers’ decision to hire Dom Capers as their defensive coordinator was definitely a step in the right direction.
Capers has a quality resume and has a wealth of experience. He’s overseen 3-4 defenses and 4-3 defenses. He’s seen every offensive formation imaginable.
But hiring Capers is hardly a cure-all for the Packers’ sickly defense.
Consider:
The Packers have two aging cornerbacks: Al Harris is 34 and Charles Woodson will be 33 next season. There are already whispers the Packers are considering moving Woodson to safety. If that occurs, they’ll have to draft a cornerback or sign one in free agency.
The Packers’ outside linebackers – A.J. Hawk and Brady Poppinga – are ho-hum performers and have seldom shown any playmaking skills.
Hawk is coming off an underachieving season and hasn’t come close to justifying Packers GM Ted Thompson’s decision to make him the fifth overall selection in the 2006 NFL draft.
Poppinga, on the other hand, may actually be an overachiever. But that’s doesn’t mean he’s good. He isn’t.
As for the Packers’ defensive line, only one of their regular starters – Aaron Kampman – can be counted on as a consistently reliable pass rusher.
Capers may bring some new, innovative schemes and new, much-needed philosophies with him to Green Bay, but until Thompson hands him some new players -- and good ones -- don't expect him to be a miracle worker.
Thursday January 15, 2009
Posted by: gwoelfel at 1:39PM CST on January 15, 2009
BY GERY WOELFEL Andrew Bogut just can't catch a break. Bogut, the Bucks' talented young center, has seemingly been beset by injuries all season. Thursday morning, Bogut underwent a MRI on his lower back and learned he'll have to miss at least three games because of back spasms. "The good thing is there is no structural damage,'' said Marc Boff, the Bucks' head athletic trainer. "It (the MRI) confirmed it's just back spasms.'' Bucks general manager John Hammond said Bogut will not travel with the team on its upcoming West Coast trip. The Bucks play the Kings in Sacramento Friday night, the Clippers in Los Angeles Saturday night and the Trail Blazers in Portland next Monday night. Bogut said he's been experiencing lower back problems since late December and doesn't really know how the injury occurred. "I've tried everything under the sun and nothing works,'' Bogut said. "It's been really frustrating.'' Bogut has been slowed by a variety of ailments this season, including hip problems and excruciatingly painful migraine headaces. They have forced him to miss eight games. Despite the health issues, Bogut has played well. He is averaging 11.8 points and 10.4 rebounds. Bogut also entered last night's game against Miami shooting .574 from the field -- fifth-best in the NBA. In the last three games, including Wednesday night's encounter, the 7-foot center has connected on 22-of-30 shots from the field -- a white-hot 73 percent. * Wednesday was final day for voting in the Slam Dunk Contest, which will be a part of All-Star Weekend in Phoenix next month. Bucks forward Joe Alexander was one of three rookies vying for a spot in the competition, the others being guard Russell Westrbrook of Oklahoma City and guard Rudy Fernandez of Portland. Mark Broussard, the NBA's director of basketball communications, said the winner of the voting would be announced next week.
Sunday January 11, 2009
Posted by: gwoelfel at 11:36PM CST on January 11, 2009
By GERY WOELFEL
It’s hardly a secret the Milwaukee Bucks have been working the phones to make a trade,
There have been continuous rumors forward Charlie Villanueva is being shopped and whispers about Michael Redd being dealt.
Backup guard Charlie Bell’s name has also been bandied about in trade talks and it is believed some teams have contacted the Bucks about the availability of veteran small forward Richard Jefferson.
The latest rumor to surface is the Bucks possibly trading backup point guard Ramon Sessions and forward Joe Alexander, who was the eighth overall selection in last June’s NBA draft, to the Memphis Grizzlies.
In return, the Bucks would obtain point guard Michael Conley Jr., who was the No. 4 overall selection in the 2007 draft.
The Bucks would also likely receive a future draft choice.
I’ve been told both teams have virtually agreed on the conditions of the trade and only Bucks owner Herb Kohl had to give his stamp of approval. Bucks general manager John Hammond, reached in North Carolina where he was on a scouting trip, said it was his policy not to comment on any trade speculation.
As a rookie last season, Conley played in 53 games and started 46. He averaged 9.4 points and 4.2 assists.
But Conley has struggled this season, starting only 18 of 37 games. He is averaging 7.5 points and 4.9 assists.
Sessions spent most of last season in the NBA's D-League with Tulsa before becoming the Bucks starting point guard when Mo Williams got hurt.
Sessions played well then and is playing well now, although he has been used primarily as a back up to Luke Ridnour. Sessions is averaging 10.8 points and 4.5 assists.
Alexander has played sparingly behind veteran small forward Richard Jefferson. He has appeared in 27 games, averaging 4.1 points.
Conley, who worked out for the Bucks before last year’s draft, is making $3.63 million this season. He’ll earn $3.88M next season with a team option for $4.91M the following season.
Alexander is being paid $2.4 million this season and Sessions makes $711,000.
While the Bucks and Grizzlies may be in agreement on the aforementioned deal, neither team is under any pressure to consummate it quickly since the league-imposed trading deadline isn’t until Feb. 19.
* Billy McKinney, the Bucks' scouting director, recently traveled to Europe and checked out several players, including Ersan Ilyasova.
Ilyasova, the Bucks' second-round pick in 2005 who played in 66 games during the 2006-2007 season, is playing in Spain for FC Barcelona. The Bucks still retain his playing rights.
McKinney watched Ilyasova play and went out to dinner with him. He came away suitably impressed with the combo forward.
"He played very well,'' McKinney said. "He's a nice, multi-dimensional player. I don't have any doubts he can play well at the NBA level.''
“It was good to see we have a very viable asset playing in our system.''
McKinney believes several other European teams will vie for Ilyasova's services after the season, but didn't dismiss the possibility of Ilyasova rejoining the Bucks.
What could work in the Bucks' favor is that Ilyasova's wife is from Milwaukee.
* So, who do the Bucks think should represent the Eastern Conference in next month's NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix? Well, in a poll of eight Bucks, only two players were unanimous selections: small forward LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers and center Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic.
Former Marquette University and current Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade received seven votes and Boston Celtics power forward Kevin Garnett garnered six votes.
Rounding out the Bucks' Eastern Conference All-Star starting team was ex-University of Wisconsin star guard Devin Harris of the New Jersey Nets, who got four votes.
Others who received first team votes were Detroit guard Allen Iverson, Boston guard Ray Allen, Toronto guard Jose Calderon, Toronto forward Chris Bosh and Indiana forward Danny Granger.
The Bucks, who couldn’t choose any teammate, were also asked to pick seven reserves. No less than 14 players were chosen.
They were Boston forward Paul Pierce, Detroit guard Richard Hamilton, Atlanta guard Joe Johnson, Orlando forward Rashard Lewis, Washington forward Antawn Jamison, Detroit forward Tayshaun Prince, New Jersey guard Vince Carter, Orlando forward Hedo Turkoglu, Cleveland center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Atlanta guard Mike Bibby, Boston guard Rajon Rondo, Orlando guard Jameer Nelson, Chicago guard Derrick Rose and Detroit forward Rasheed Wallace.
Wednesday December 31, 2008
Posted by: gwoelfel at 11:56PM CST on December 31, 2008
BY GERY WOELFEL So, you want to be a scout for the Green Bay Packers? Well, here’s your big chance. Sort of. Thursday afternoon, starting at 4 on ABC (Channels 7 and 12), Southern California will play Penn State in the Rose Bowl at Pasadena, Calif. The game will feature a slew of draft-eligible players, including several who could be of keen interest to the Packers when they make their first selection in the NFL draft — the ninth overall pick. According to a couple of NFL scouts I recently chatted with about the draft, the following players could be on the Packers’ radar: * Southern Cal linebacker Rey Maualuga, whom some observers compare favorably to Baltimore’s stud linebacker Ray Lewis. * Southern Cal linebacker Brian Cushing, a vicious hitter who plays the run and pass equally well. * Southern Cal free safety Taylor Mays, a tremendous athlete who has exceptional closing speed. * Penn State defensive end Aaron Maybin, who, at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, seemingly has all the physical attributes to be a force. One other player you might want to “scout’’ is Fili Moala, a defensive tackle from Southern California. He won’t likely go in the first round but could be available for the Packers in the second round. |
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