Elton Brand showing us some old school

All the gossip about Brand losing his starting spot must have inspired him. Elton was breaking it down old school against the Charlotte Bobcats. He finished with 19 points, 11 boards, 2 assist and 3 steals in just under 42 minutes.

From the opening tip Brand seemed to have some pep in his step. Getting to lose balls, fighting for rebounds, stealing passes and taking them coast to coast for dunk finishes. He looked like Elton Brand circa 2006.

It’s good timing for Brand, who has been criticized even more than usual lately.

The real question is whether or not this is or isn’t a one time deal. Can Brand play this way on a consistent basis or just against teams like the Bobcats?

Read more at PhinallyPhilly.com........

Top Five Sixer Trades of All-Time

All the buzz in Philadelphia now is the Phils acquiring reigning Cy Young award winner Cliff Lee. It’s a huge deal, a huge deal that got me thinking.

What are some of the best 76er trades of all-time?

I did some old fashion research and came up with my own Top 5 list. I think you’ll be surprised at some of the names below and how the Sixers acquired them.

And please feel free to send in your honorable mentions!

Enjoy!

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Ruben Amaro Jr. = Anti-Ed Wade

Let me take you back to the end of the 2005 season. Remember when the Phillies had finally had enough of Ed Wade? Phillies fans everywhere took the news of Wade's firing with cautious optimism.
Why?

While Ed Wade was bad his possible replacement wasn't seen to be much better. It was believed that the Phillies were grooming Ruben Amaro Jr. for the position. The feeling was "more of the same," from the Phillies as Amaro was deemed a "yes man" by many. So you can imagine how reaction to his possible hiring was less then exciting from the fan base.

Then along came Pat Gillick, and Amaro kept his previous title. Another GM to learn from, one with more experience and one with much more success under his belt. In three seasons Gillick taught Amaro the ropes and some tricks along the way.

So far Amaro's best moves have been one he made and also one he didn't make. Pushed to the limit by Toronto, Amaro didn't budge. He didn't panic, nor did he worry about the backlash from the media or fans if he didn't pull the trigger on a trade for Roy Halladay.

Instead he did one better, he made a trade for reigning Cy Young winner Cliff Lee, while also acquiring a much needed right hand bat in Ben Francisco. And he pulled this deal off without giving up J.A. Happ, Kyle Drabek, Dominic Brown or Michael Taylor.

Seems as if Amaro learned an awful lot from Pat Gillick. In his first year as GM he's made many un-Ed Wade like moves. Ed Wade wasn't nearly as bad as he was made out too be though.

His biggest flaw was his inability to pull the trigger on big deals and his unwillingness to trade away top prospects. Wade was terrified of a move blowing up in his face, so he resorted to measly waiver-deadline deals, remember Kelly Stinnett? So even if the Phils were contenders he was unable to add the parts necessary to put the Phils over the top. A GM who didn't take risks, therefore he was also a GM who didn't win.

Right now we're watching the beginning of something special. Your defending World Series Champions have just made a solid move that makes them the favorites to represent the NL once again. A team with swagger, whose unafraid and most importantly a team with a GM whose not holding them back, but helping them along the way.

-Mike Santa Barbara

Does Anyone REALLY Care About the WBC?

If your a Baseball fan your probably at least checking out the World Baseball Classic. Chances are a handful of players on the MLB team you cheer for are playing in the WBC. However, Do you care more if they do well? Your country wins? Your home teams players coming out of this "exhibition," healthy is what you should really care about. This Bud Selig created monster is a disaster waiting to happen. All it does his hurt some players development during what should be spring training, putting them in a false "big game," mentality. And the risk of injury? It's silly, I know that they could get hurt the same way in a Spring Training game but at least they are with their team, they are there. Not thousands of miles away in some cases, sitting in a locker room next to a guy from a division rival.


I've watched almost every game of the WBC because my job requires it. It's been entertaining, well some of the games have been. The USA vs Canada game was great, other then that you have a handful of mercy ruled games. It's just a meaningless exhibition. And is it making money? Who knows, the USA vs Venezuela game in Canada earlier, let's just say there are still plenty of good seats available. All I'm saying is what does Baseball hope to accomplish here? All it will take is a superstar to get seriously injured in one of these games for all of them to want to back out.

Just a few thoughts on it before this Korea/Japan WBC game starts.

Mike Santa Barbara

ESPN to get Hockey Back?

Eklund from Hockeybuzz.com posted that ESPN could potential get some NHL games including the Cup Finals next season. I think it would be great for the sport. With attendance and ratings up already, this would be even better for the NHL.

Any thoughts ?

The Donovan Debate

There has been lots of talk about Donovan McNabb lately on a variety of topics. Let's settle all of it right now. Donovan wants a new deal, with two years remaining on his present deal which will pay him around $19 Million. There is speculation from fans and media alike on whether or not Donovan and the current version of the Eagles Super Bowl window is closed. Is Donovan a choker? Is he too sensitive? What do his parents think? Blah, blah, blah.

First, we'll tackle what his parents think of the situation. Wilma? Just kidding.

Ok, kidding aside, should the Birds give Donovan another contract? Simply, no. He will be earning 19 million during his remaining two years of his current deal, which ain't to bad. Does he want more money? Doubtful. Security is the more likely reason. Does he deserve a new deal? Yes and no. McNabb has been a good soldier, but he hasn't led the Birds to the promised land yet. His numbers are good yes, but when it's mattered most he has come up very small. You can argue whose fault all those NFC Championship game losses were and if you went back and looked at them in detail you probably couldn't come to the conclusion that it was all 5's fault. However, he is the Quarterback of an NFL team. A damn good one too,considered in some circles as a top 5 QB in the league. He's also in one of the largest sport markets, so pressure comes with not only the title but the territory as well. In the end will the Birds give him a new deal? Who knows, usually in this position the Eagles do not budge, but Donovan has been a company man so they may make an exception.

Has the Super Bowl window closed? NO. Donovan can still get it done. If the Eagles would have showed up in the first half of the NFC Championship game they would have been in the Super Bowl, with a good shot at winning it. An upgrade at TE, a big back, and some depth at tackle and perhaps safety and the Birds are a better team. Clearly able to compete in a NFC which no one clearly dominated this past season. The key will be off season moves and what the Eagles plan to do with those two 1st round picks.

I think I may be becoming tired of all this talk, maybe football season being over is a good thing for now. However, once those mini-camps start, and leading up to the draft the green blood will start flowing again.

Mike Santa Barbara