Shot in the Dark: 2010 Offseason Predictions

After years of waiting, franchises that have tanked purposely over the past couple of seasons have finally reached their day of salvation, July 1, 2010. It all started with LeBron....the two time MVP all-world small forward has had several franchises drooling ever since teams began to realize that the possibility of him leaving his home state was all too real. Soon, other free agents noticed how much general managers were targeting this summer, and began setting plans on getting in on the fun. The question is, with all of the talk lately about summits and collaborations of James, Wade, Johnson, Stoudemire, Bosh, and whoever else, is it really about forming a super team and creating a dynasty.
For James, I dont think it is. I dont think he wants to go to Miami and play with Wade, where they will be considered a duo, not James as the leader. I also dont think he really wants to go to Chicago, which would invite constant comparisons to MJ, which at this point in his career would be hard to live up to. I also dont see him returning to Cleveland, because in all honesty, they arent going to be able to put a much better team around him than the one that just lost in the second round. This leaves a few teams....the Knicks and Nets...and the outsiders with no cap room, Dallas and Houston. I dont see the Nets being big enough of a market for LBJ, so my prediction: LeBron James signs with the New York Knicks.
Dwyane Wade is the obvious number 2 in this class. To me, his free agency has only two real options....his current team, the Heat, or his hometown Chicago Bulls. The determining factor for him is who he will be playing with.....he wants another ring.....I dont see the Heat walking away from this offseason without at least two top 10 free agents. For this reason, Dwyane Wade re-signs with the Miami Heat.
If your GM says you are probably headed out of town, then you probably are. Chris Bosh has a big list of options. I dont see the Knicks having a huge pursuit of him, and I dont think he wants to play in a small market like New Jersey. Bosh wants to go back to playing power forward, and the issue with Heat is that they currently do not have a legitimate center on the roster.....the Bulls have Joakim Noah, as well as rising point guard Derrick Rose. This should tip the scales, and Chris Bosh signs with the Chicago Bulls.

NBA Draft 2010 Grades

For the record....I dont grade teams that dont end up with any prospects





Washington: B John Wall, Kevin Seraphin, Trevor Booker, Hamady N'Diaye


John Wall is the no brainer here, even if you already have a franchise point guard. I like Trevor Booker as a player, but I think they reached on him. N'Diaye is not a bad pick at 56, but I doubt he ever makes the roster. The question mark is Kevin Seraphin, who was acquired alongside Kirk Hinrich. Lots of people are knocking this trade for setting up a potential Chicago dynasty, but Hinrich brings leadership, something this franchise needs to improve their image.





Philadelphia: B+ Evan Turner


I do think Turner is the better player than Favors at the 2 spot, but I dont see him fitting in all that well in Philadelphia with Igoudala. They really didnt have a better option here, and I dont see the Sixers making the playoffs next year...but Turner is a good building block.





New Jersey: A- Derrick Favors, Damion James


I think Favors will eventually turn into a very solid PF, but it will take 2-3 years....The Nets may be able to find someone to teach him through free agency though, possibly David Lee or Carlos Boozer. Even as a Texas fan, Damion James doesnt strike me a difference-maker. With that said, he should be be able to contribute on a team that may not have money left to spend on a bench when all is said and done.

My 2010 NFL Mock Draft

1. Sam Bradford, QB-St. Louis- I think this is pretty obvious, even if he hasnt signed yet. Releasing Marc Bulger means The Greatest Show on Turf needs a new ring leader

2. Ndamukong Suh, DT-Detroit-Rumors are that the Lions like Suh more than McCoy, so this pick isnt surprising either. Suh and Vanden Bosch teamed up might actually mean a decent line for the Lions

3. Gerald McCoy, DT- Tampa Bay-The Bucs biggest area of need also fits with the best player available, as they find a replacement for the Chris Hovan or Ryan Sims

4. Russell Okung, OT- Washington- Time to protect your assets. With Donovan McNabb on board, and Chris Samuels retired, a new blindside protector is necessary

5. Bryan Bulaga, OT- Kansas City- The Chiefs really like what they have in Branden Albert, but he may be better off at guard. The question here is Bulaga or Trent Williams....sources say Bulaga

6. Trent Williams, OT-Seattle-In a similar situation to Washington, the Seahawks need to replace Walter Jones. They may be better off picking a quarterback,(you really trust Charlie Whitehurst?) but Jimmy Clausen shouldnt be picked this high

7. Eric Berry, S- Cleveland- The Browns also could use a quarterback, but they need a safety even more. Even with Earl Thomas gaining ground, Berry should still be the first safety picked

8. Bruce Campbell, OT- Oakland- Mocking the Raiders is really deciding how dumb you think Al Davis is. After picking workout warrior Heyward-Bey last year, Im going to say he repeats his mistakes and picks athletic freak Bruce Campbell. In all seriousness, Derrick Morgan or Dez Bryant would be a better pick to fill their needs

9. Jimmy Clausen, QB- Buffalo- Again, Clausen doesnt impress me that much. But Trent Edwards shouldn't be a starter anymore, and Clausen is one of the few quarterbacks that can actually contribute this year

10. Earl Thomas, S- Jacksonville- Even with two young safeties, the Jaguars would still be willing to take Thomas, one of the rising players in the draft. Joe Haden and Brandon Graham are also considerations here.

???

Yet another long break....it is really hard to be committed to this...yet, something makes me want to come back for some more...from now on, I am going to try to get something up on here at least a couple times a week...mostly just my observations of the sports world from a biased or unbiased point of view

For now, it is tourney time...the 2010 NCAA Basketball Tournament has consumed my entire weekend. At first my bracket looked good...I had Kansas, Kansas State, Texas (yes....Texas), and Duke in my Final Four. My final two had Kansas matching up against the Dukies, with the Blue Devils winning the championship. It was a great bracket in my opinion, with my personal biases represented (Duke and Texas), and a significant amount of upsets (Tennessee in the Elite 8, Texas in the Final 4).

When the smoke of the first round cleared, Texas had been lost, but my bracket didnt look too shabby, with only 6 wrong. Other than Texas, my Sweet 16 teams were all still intact.

Then the second round started....first, Nova went down.....sure...no big deal, I had them in the Sweet 16, Omar Samhan and that goofy guy with the two-toned mouthguard deserved their time to shine. But then......Ali Farokhmanesh, the Brothers Koch, and the big dude with the sideburns decided they wanted Kansas's season to end....and in the process, sent brackets everywhere into the garbage can.

Even with two of my Final Four teams gone, I am still satisfied. My bracket still has a chance...albeit, a small one....to win me some money. More importantly, the games have been phenomenal this year....phenomenal. There have been so many good games, I cant even start to name them...and even though Northern Iowa just laid waste to my bracket, I can't help but root for them. As long as Bill Raftery is announcing, you know the Tournament is going to be something to watch.