The Basement View

I hope you all had a great safe and Happy Thanksgiving. Mine was full of great family time turkey, and of course football. 3 really good games. In the 1 o'clock game Alshon Jeffery showed everyone that he is still a dominate receiver in the NFL and the main target on da Bears. Jeffery had 9 receptions with 71 yards and 2 touchdowns. Even though the Lions beat down on the Bears Jeffery gets my game ball. In the 4 o'clock Eagle destruction of the Cowboys, LeSean McCoy had 159 yards on 25 attempts and a Touchdown. McCoy who seemed like he was moving in slow motion as he waited for his blocks and busted off some brutal long runs against the depleted Dallas Cowboys. Tony Romo who just didn't look like the leader of "America's Team" as he under threw and missed throws that he normally makes. None the less Philadelphia just went into Dallas ran all over the Cowboys and took care of business then had Thanksgiving dinner. Lastly in the late night prime time NFC Champio...

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bhX1D0gsHF_-06MP_oVyEQzCPl358o524sAAttY2EJE/edit Have a Happy Thanksgiving Everyone enjoy your turkey and of course your family. Watch some football and eat some pumpkin pie. Oh, and Don't forget to follow on your way out! Happy Turkey Day!

So this NBA season has been very entertaining so far. Here are the standing for both Conferences  http://www.nba.com/standings/team_record_comparison/conferenceNew_Std_Cnf.html Now for the top 5 in scoring/rebounds/assists Scoring  Kobe Bryant 26.7 PPG Anthony Davis 26.3 PPG James Harden 25.2 PPG  LeBron James 25.0 PPG  Carmelo Anthony 23.2 PPG  Rebounding  DeMarcus Cousins 12.3 RPG Nikola Vucevic 12.2 RPG Zach Randolph 11.8 RPG Andre Drummond 11.6 RPG DeAndre Jordan 11.5 Assists  Rajon Rando 10.7 APG Chris Paul 9.9 APG Ty Lawson 9.7 APG John Wall 9.1 APG Stephen Curry 7.8 APG Don't forget to follow on your way out!

Earlier today I did a piece on Bostons' crazy week. This Hot Stove updates have become kind of daily now and I think I will do it daily. Other than Boston Texas and the Dodgers are busy. The Rangers are talking to the Braves about Justin Upton. The Power hitting left-fielder who has been in trade talks for a while now. The Braves have already traded Jason Heyward to St.Louis, and are possibly looking to rebuild, and in an unstable division its going to be a crazy ride to see who comes out on top. Texas is looking to move Shin-Soo Choo to right field, and are looking for a power bat to fill the corner-outfield void. Upton who is a very good bat that Texas needs in the middle of their lineup. Upton could possibly be the bat that they are missing since the Nelson Cruz exist. Upton who hit 29 homers and had 102 RBI's last season for Atlanta. A few years ago he hit 31 homers in the hot air of Arizona for the Diamondbacks. It seems that every good year that Upton has the team is look...

Over the past week or so the Boston Red Sox have stolen the headlines in the MLB free agency this offseason. Pablo Sandoval has signed a 5 year and at least 90 Million, also the Soxs' are talking to former LA Dodger Shortstop Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez is reportedly finalizing a deal with Boston for 5 years and 90 Million. Although the Red Sox are improving the left-side of their infield they still don't have any pitching. Lester is reportedly talking to the Giants, and if you are Boston and you do sign Ramirez and Sandoval what do you do with Xander Bogaerts which was your shortstop or third baseman of the future. Many teams that are in need of a young shortstop would love to have him. Bogaerts did have a terrible year but if I'm Boston I wouldn't give up on my future that quickly. This lineup will be something if Ramirez actually finalizes that deal. On the other hand with all the money that you spent, how will you win games if your pitching staff is suffering? Should be...

So yesterday was an interesting day in the NFL. Sanchez got to his winning was with the Eagles, Kaepernick barely beat Washington, Romo led a 4th quarter game winning drive with a little help from the chain gang, and Odell Beckham Jr. showed that he is here to stay like Mike Evans did last week. This receiving class that came up in last April's draft is something special. Beckham Jr. had the Catch of the Year last night with a full extension one handed diving catch in the endzone. I still can't believe that he made that catch because his arm looks likes its going to dislocate because of how far he went back to get the ball. That play will definitely be an ESPY nominee for play of the year. The catch now, along with his crazy yellow mohawk and nice goatee is the type of swagger that Beckham possesses when he takes the field for the G-Men. When Cruz comes back this receiving core will be one of the best in league and full of big plays, that might land the Giants in the playoffs i...

So over the past week rumors speculation, and signings have dominated the headlines. Jon Lester and Pablo "The Panda" Sandoval have deals on the table from Boston. Oakland went out and signed Billy Butler for 3 years and $30 Million. Jason Heyward got traded to St.Louis for Shelby Miller. Doug Fister and Jordan Zimmermann are available in Washington. Russell Martin went home North of the Boarder to Toranto for $82 Million over 5 years, and possibly getting involved with the Panda. Let's see whats happens this week, and what big name will go next? Don't forget to follow on your way out!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bhX1D0gsHF_-06MP_oVyEQzCPl358o524sAAttY2EJE/edit#gid=0 Week 12 picks are in! Don't forget to follow on your way out

So this weeks game balls are 2 players that are up and coming stars in the NFL. But, first the recap for Sundays games, well that's very easy. Blow out city in all of the games on Sunday. Aaron Rodgers had a field day against Mark Sanchez and the Eagles! You could here the boo birds from Green Bay. Monday was a come from behind by the terrible towels in the Music City. Big Ben had 207 yards passing with one score, but the star of last night and my game ball is Le'veon Bell. He carried the ball 33 times for 204 yards and a rushing touchdown. Bell who is a good young back showed that he can carry a team literally on his back. Big Ben only had 3 more passing yards then Bell had rushing. And in the freezing cold Music City the rushing attack seemed to warm the spirits of the entire Pittsburgh team. My other game ball is the young stud wide out from Tampa Bay Mike Evans. Evans who last year was catching passes from Johnny Football, had 209 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns in a route...

So this week was the first week of signings. Michael Cuddyer signed with the Mets to play with his best friend David Wright. Giancarlo Stanton is talking about a $320 Million deal with the Marlins. Victor Martinez inked a 4 year $70 Million deal to stay in Detroit. Who will drop next and where? Reports are the Cubs, Dodgers, and Pirates are interested in Russell Martin. Theo Epstein the Cubs GM is trying to make a splash this offseason. He is talking to Washington about Jordan Zimmermann. The Cubs are also perusing the Royals right-hander James Shields, as well as former Red Sox and Athletic Jon Lester. The Mariners reportedly interested in Hanley Ramirez, and other top bats. Lets sit back and enjoy the news Don't forget to follow on your way out!

So the AL, and NL Cy Young where announced along with the AL, and NL MVP's. So here they are: AL Cy young- Corey Kluber  NL Cy young-  Clayton Kershaw  AL MVP- Mike Trout  NL MVP- Clayton Kershaw So notes on these awards: Trout is the youngest unanimous MVP in MLB history. Trout is the fifth youngest MVP overall. Trout had 7.4 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) which led the majors. Kershaw is the first National League pitcher since Bob Gibson to win both the Cy Young and MVP. Kluber won his first Cy Young after a up and down career Runner up for NL MVP was Giancarlo Stanton had 18 first place votes Felix Hernandez finished second in the AL Cy young voting Don't forget to follow on your way out!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bhX1D0gsHF_-06MP_oVyEQzCPl358o524sAAttY2EJE/edit#gid=0 Wow Week 11, here are my picks Don't forget to follow on your way out!

Last night Kobe Bryant set yet another NBA record last night in Memphis. He shot 10-26 which made him the all-time leader in missed shots in NBA history. Bryant passed John Halicek who had 13,417 missed shots in his career. Kobe who shot a signature fade away from about 14 feet. Kobe who hasn't really payed attention to records said after that the game that he doesn't worry about that sort of stuff. Bryant who is playing his 19th season in the NBA is arguably one of the best that ever played the game. I'm sure Kobe Bryant isn't fazed by this record but the 1-6 start that his Lakers have. Jeremy Lin who had some miss communication at the end of the game heard 2 for 1 instead of a game tieing 3 that would have possibly sent the game into overtime, but who knows Kobe could have missed that one too. Don't forget to follow on your way out!

In yesterday's blow out win over the Panthers last night one star rose above all. That player was former Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, who last night looked like a poor man's Peyton Manning. Sanchez threw for 332 with 2 TD's against a God awful Carolina team. I'm still not a believer in Mark Sanchez, although he is my game ball for Monday. Sanchez who travels to Green Bay to face the discount double checking Green Bay Packers. This is a test to see if Sanchez has found it or not. The Packers aren't the best defense in the world but they are a defense that can make Sanchez turn over the ball. I can say that I'm not routing for Mark Sanchez because as a Jets fan I can see what he can do as a quarterback. I thought for sure his playing days where over just like Geno Smith's but that's neither here or there. The question is now can Mark Sanchez lead Philly to the playoffs or will the boo birds come out and the Eagles miss the playoffs Don't forget to...

The AL and NL mangers of the year where announced today! Buck Showalter the Baltimore Orioles won it for the like 20th time. He owns that award in a sense because he is a great baseball man and he knows what he is talking about. And on the NL side Matt Williams the first year manger of the Washington Nationals got the honor. Williams who replaced long time Nats skipper Davy Johnson. The Nationals had a pretty good season although in my book they underachievied. Washington who had one of the best rotations in the senior circuit didn't make it out of the division series. Don't forget to follow on your way out

Yesterday the Jets had a great win against Pittsburgh, The Lions won on the last drive, Beast Mode ran all over the Giants. The biggest game however was the overtime win the Super Dome, or the Sunday night game, it was the Patrick Peterson led Cardinals bringing Arizona back into the game against St.Louis. Peterson who with no question had the best game out of any of the players yesterday. Dez Bryant across the pond had a great game but then I had a second thought and realized it was against the Jags. Nothing against Jacksonville but they are clearly the worst team in the NFL and Bryant had a field day. Peterson, yes his game was against the Rams, but Austin Davis beat the defending champs Seattle Seahawks. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I would like to know what you think about yesterdays game. I apologize that I haven't been posting that much lately, or post the main subjects of this blog. Don't forget to follow on your way out!

Last night James Harden, Dwight Howard, and the Red Hot Houston Rockets. They are now 6-0 on the young season, and with the 98-81 win over the defending champion Spurs, the Rockets look almost unbeatable. Granted that Popovich was sitting Tim Duncan and Ginobili the Rockets still came out firing and Dwight Howard capitalized on the absence of Duncan. Howard who finished with 32 points and 16 rebounds does have a weak put in his game still, and this was pointed out by Charles Barkley in the halftime show. They showed video of the Rockets shoot around in the morning and Howard being taught how to post up by Rockets head coach Kevin McHale. And Barkley brought up a good point Howard who is in his 11th year in the league should have been taught this already. Once Barkley pointed this out I saw how often Howard catches and turns and faces. He played great last night, but if teams catch on to this I wonder how it will effect the Rockets chances of competing for a title. Harden and Howard are...

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bhX1D0gsHF_-06MP_oVyEQzCPl358o524sAAttY2EJE/edit#gid=0 Very late but picks Don't forget to follow on your way out!

AL Winners 1st Base- Eric Hosmer 2nd Base- Dustin Pedroia  Shortstop- J.J Hardy  3rd Base- Kyle Seager Leftfield- Alex Gordon Centerfield- Adam Jones  Rightfield-  Nick Markakis  Catcher- Salvador Perez  Pitcher- Dallas Keuchel  NL Winners 1st Base-  Adrian Gonzalez  2nd Base- DJ LeMahieu  Shortstop- Andrelton Simmons  3rd Base- Nolan Andenado Leftfield- Christian Yelich  Centerfield- Juan Lageras  Rightfield- Jason Hayward  Catcher- Yadier Molina  Pitcher- Zach Greinke Now I don't agree with 2 positions 1 for each league for the golden gloves. Adrian Beltre should have won the glove Seager played great defense but not be considered for a Gold Glove. And now the National League side Brandon Philips should have one another Gold Glove at 2nd because frankly he just owns this award at 2nd. Don't forget to follow on your way out! 

Last night LeBron and the Cavs lost bad in Portland 101-82. James acted passive at times, and not like the LeBron that played in Miami over the last 4 years.  James didn't even score in the second half, he finished with 11 points, 7 boards, and 7 assists. Kevin Love, Kyrie, and LeBron just aren't in sync on the offensive side of the ball. Struggling mightily at times trying to find a source of offense in the second half. Coach David Blatt is facing the same problem as Eric Spoelstra faced in 2010 when the Miami Big 3 was gelling together. We all knew this was coming for the Cavs but not this bad. Losing 2 games that they should have had. No doubt that at the end of the season Cleveland will be at the top of the Eastern Conference because the East is so bad. The question is how will the Cavs find offense? How long will it take them to gel? How long will it take LeBron take to get chemistry with his new teammates? Don't forget to follow on your way out!

Throughout the week there has been rumors of Joe Maddon the former Tampa Bay Rays manager going to Chicago next season and mange the Cubs. The rumors surfaced the day of the 7th Game of the World Series. Now you can't name a manager during the World Series. So the Cubs waiting with "Experts" saying that the reports were false. But Maddon is getting introduced today in Chi-Town. This partnership between Maddon and Epstein is a perfect match because both man think the same. This is the prototype of a manager that Theo Epstein would want to manage a team that he puts together. The Cubs could do big things in the upcoming years. Don't forget to follow on your way out.

A great week of football with great games, blowouts and yet another Brady/Manning matchup. This so called rivalry that the NFL has put on Manning and Brady doesn't exist. Brady is something like 10-6 against Manning. Peyton only has to memorable wins against Brady. The 2006 AFC title game and last years AFC Championship Game. Defense is always big key along with the punt/kick teams, and the Patriots just out played Denver in those areas. Also Peyton in the last couple times he has faced Brady, it has been in New England. With that said Big Ben again is my game ball, yes two weeks in a row Roethlisberger has dominated a team. Last week it was embarrassed the Colts, and this week it was their rival the Baltimore Ravens. Roethlisberger had 340 passing yards with 6 TD's against the Ravens Defense that murdered Big Ben and Pittsburgh the last time they played.   Don't forget to follow on your way out!