Portland Trail Blazers 2010 Draft Preview
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06/21/2010 -
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kevin Pritchard has built the Portland Trail Blazers into a
contender in the Western Conference but he is reportedly not in the good
graces of team owner Paul Allen.
In fact, Pritchard has acknowledged he knows ownership is already searching
for his replacement, while at the same time trying to pull off a draft-day
trade that would be a "shape-shifter for the organization."
Pritchard is still in charge and did pull off a trade already, although it was
no shape-shifter but helps the possibility of making one on draft day.
Pritchard acquired the 34th overall pick from the Golden State Warriors on
Monday in exchange for the 44th overall selection and cash considerations.
The core of the roster is under contract so there are no glaring needs but
Rudy Fernandez seemed to take a step back last year, it's clear you can't
count on Greg Oden being healthy and veteran point guard Andre Miller is a
poor shooter and perimeter defender.
Oklahoma State shooting guard James Anderson is slight but tough and could be
the best pure shooter in this year's draft. Chad Buchanan, the Blazers'
director of college scouting, recently said there would likely be "two really
solid catch-and- shoot guys" that could help the team at 22 and that
definition fits Anderson to a tee. A reach would be Jon Scheyer from Duke.
Players under contract: F LaMarcus Aldridge; F Nicolas Batum; G Jerryd
Bayless; F Marcus Camby; F Dante Cunningham; G Travis Diener; G Rudy
Fernandez; G Andre Miller; C Greg Oden; F/C Jeff Pendergraph; G/F Brandon Roy;
F Martell Webster
Free agents: G Travis Diener (Unrestricted); G Patrick Mills (Restricted);
C/F Juwan Howard (Unrestricted); C Joel Przybilla (ETO)
Draft picks: 1st round (22nd overall), 2nd round (34th overall)
<< Phoenix Suns 2010 Draft Preview
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Suns rebounded nicely this year after the Terry Porter
debacle but that didn't stop Steve Kerr from announcing that he would not
return as president and general manager when his contract expires on June 30.
Kerr intend
<< Monterey is more than Pebble Beach
Monterey, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Most golf nuts are always searching for that
ultimate buddy trip. To play 12 rounds of golf in 5 days, visit the local
establishments and enjoy the fruitful libation to the wee hours of the
morning.
Myrtle Be
<< Philadelphia 76ers 2010 Draft Preview
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia 76ers have been one of the more active
teams early in the offseason, naming Doug Collins as the team's new head
coach, and trading disappointing center Samuel Dalembert to the Sacramento
Kings.
Collins is
<< Orlando Magic 2010 Draft Preview
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Magic are clearly one of the most skilled teams in the
NBA but seem to lack the requisite toughness to get over the top.
I'm not sure you can correct that in the draft and you certainly can't do it
at No. 29, where Orl
<< Venus, Jankovic, Clijsters, Henin advance at Wimbledon
Wimbledon, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former world No. 1s Venus Williams,
Jelena Jankovic, Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin were among Monday's first-
round winners at Wimbledon 2010.
The second-seeded Williams blew past Paraguayan veteran
Saints release DE McCray >>
Metairie, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Orleans Saints have released
defensive end Bobby McCray.
McCray, 28, signed with the Saints as an unrestricted free agent in 2008. The
Florida product started eight of 32 regular-season ga
Rachel Alexandra back to work in morning >>
Louisville, KY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Reigning Horse of the Year Rachel
Alexandra put in her first workout at Churchill Downs on Monday morning since
her victory in the $200,000 Fleur de Lis Handicap. The four-year-old filly
breezed
San Antonio Spurs 2010 Draft Preview >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After 13 Consecutive trips to the postseason and four
rings, you can almost see the end of the road coming for a great San Antonio
team.
Injuries and age have taken a toll on Gregg Popovich's club for the last two
seasons
Toronto Raptors 2010 Draft Preview >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Raptors figure to lose Chris Bosh in the offseason so
they will need to acquire a big man to replace him.
Toronto would like to work a sign-and-trade with Bosh's prospective new
team, where it could get an asset in ret
Miyazato takes over top spot in world rankings >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With her fourth win of the season on
Sunday, Ai Miyazato took over the No. 1 spot in the world rankings for women's
golf.
Jiyai Shin, who slipped to No. 2, is scheduled to return to action thi
Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.
NFL Betting
After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."
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