NBA: Let The Freenzy Begin

By: Zack Poff

This years NBA Finals was one of the best ever and definitely the most entertaining in a very long time. It was only the fifth NBA Finals series to reach a Game 7 since 1988. LeBron James shut his haters up for the second consecutive season and did so emphatically averaging 34.5 PPG, 11 RPG, and 7.5 APG with his team facing elimination in the final two games of the series. 

As the guys from Comedy Central's Workaholics say "Get Weird" because that is exactly what happened after the 2012-13 season officially ended.

Coaches were getting canned more than freshman on the first Friday of the school year. Five coaches made the playoffs and received pink slips or weren't re-signed, including the "Coach of the Year" George Karl. Doc Rivers was traded to the Clippers, okay I'm sorry David Stern, he was "let go" by the Celtics for a 2015 first round draft pick. The Celtics weren't done there. They shipped Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry to Brooklyn for 99 problems. That's right, Jay-Z got out of Brooklyn so he could take over the agency game, and Hova is. Philadelphia shipped out their lone All-Star from last year in Jrue Holiday for the rights to Nerlens Noel. I feel sorry for Holiday, now he has to wear a jersey that says Pelicans across his chest. Poor dude. The 2013 NBA Draft was really one of the most bizarre of all-time. Nobody had Anthony Bennett going first overall and everyone thought Noel and Ben McLemore would go first and second overall but instead went sixth and seventh respectively. 

I can almost guarantee things will continue to get even crazier as the clock ticks down and we are getting closer to finding out who will have a one-hour show making the best decision of their life. 

Okay, nobody better do that again. 

Don't get any ideas Mr. Howard. 

The NBA free agency period is hours from starting and there are some marquee names on the market. The two biggest names are Dwight Howard and Chris Paul but we won't even mention CP3 because he's staying put in Hollywood. The same can't be said for Howard but we will get to that later. 

Some other big time names include: Josh Smith, Andre Iguodala, Andrew Bynum, David West, Brandon Jennings (R), Paul Millsap, J.R. Smith, Jeff Teague (R), Tyreke Evans (R), Al Jefferson, Manu Ginobili, Monta Ellis, Nikola Pekovic (R) and Tony Allen.

(R) = Restricted Free Agent 

If your team is searching for that certain role player there are a ton of cheaper assets on the market that include: Tiago Splitter, Andre Kirilenko, Kevin Martin, Kyle Korver, Devin Harris, Nate Robinson, Gerald Henderson (R), Marco Belinelli, Marreese Speights, Darren Collison (R), O.J. Mayo, Corey Brewer, Jose Calderon, Jarrett Jack, Carl Landry, Francisco Garcia, Matt Barnes, Earl Clark, J.J. Redick, Mike Dunleavy, Al-Farouq Aminu, Nick Young, J.J. Hickson, Randy Foye and Mo Williams.

Once 12:01 ET gets here on July 1st teams can officially contact players and let the flirting begin. Better take a few shots and ease up because it is time to dish out the dollar dollar bills ya'll and sway players to come ball out for your squad. Lets have some fun and predict where these superstars and role players are heading this summer.

DWIGHT HOWARD

I think there are two teams that have a realistic chance to sign Dwight Howard: Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers. Howard is set to meet with these five teams: Rockets, Warriors, Mavericks, Hawks and the Lakers. It will be near impossible for the Warriors to sign Howard because of cap space. The Rockets, Mavericks and Hawks all have enough cap space and won't have to work out a sign and trade. 

I would throw out Atlanta because for some odd reason Howard is not intrigued to play in front of his hometown. The Mavericks are the dark horse in this race but I don't see Seabiscuit coming out of the gates so don't bet on the horse from Dallas. Golden State has a very good young team and will continue to get better. They played the Western Conference Champions better than anyone in the Western Conference and if they didn't blow a 16-point lead with four minutes left in Game 1 who knows how that series would have played out. The problem is the Warriors will have to trade at least one of their young pieces in a sign and trade with the Lakers because of salary cap issues. Golden State is wishing they didn't waste their amnesty on Charlie Bell last season and saved it for Andris Biedrins $9 million he is due next season. The Warriors could throw in David Lee or Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes or Klay Thompson to L.A. but I don't see a trade happening between L.A. and Golden State. 

This leaves us with two teams: Houston and Los Angeles. The Lakers asked Howard to save the best for last and they get the final meeting. However, I don't think it matters. Him and the Lakers 115th coach over the last two years, Mike D'Antoni don't see eye to eye. (Isn't it time they take the D out of his last name because he is allergic to it.) You could sense last season Howard did not enjoy playing with Kobe Bryant. No offense to Howard but he is a very sensitive guy and sensitivity and Kobe Bryant go together like Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian. The one thing the Lakers have that no other team has is an extra year and $30 million extra dollars in Howard's bank account and being able to live in Hollywood. Just please stay away from Kazaam II if you stay in Los Angeles.  

The Houston Rockets only have four players who are due to make over $3 million next season. They are sitting $19 million under the projected $58.5 million dollar salary cap for the 2013-14 season so signing Howard would not be a problem at all for Houston. They are up first to set the bar high. The Rockets have their version of the A-Team waiting in Hollywood to wine and dine Howard. They are hoping he is ready to commit to a long relationship and put out (get your mind out of the gutter) on the court. Kevin McHale, Hakeem Olajuwon, James Harden, Chandler Parsons, Daryl Morey (GM), and Les Alexander (owner) are hoping they can convince Howard to join them in Houston. The Rockets have a really good chance to sign Howard to a maximum 4-year deal worth $88 million because they have a boatload of young talent and he would get to be Superman again. Kind of hard to be Superman when you are playing with the Black Mamba. James Harden won't have a problem being Robin, the eye mask will fit perfectly with his beard. 

PREDICTION: Houston we have a problem, but signing Dwight Howard won't be one. Howard spurns the Lakers and signs a four-year maximum contract with the Rockets. 

LOS ANGELES LAKERS

This leads us right into what will the Lakers do if Howard bounces. The Lakers are already over the salary cap even without Dwight Howard. Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant are on the books for next season right under $50 million. The Lakers are one of 15 teams who haven't used their amnesty clause and they could chose to use it on Metta World Peace or Gasol and free up some cap space. Gasol is due to make $19.3 million and MWP is owed nearly $8 million. I would amnesty Gasol but I don't see the Lakers doing that because Kobe Bryant is a huge Gasol fan. 

The Lakers look at the salary cap like women do when it comes to shopping: There is no spending limit. Sorry ladies, but facts are facts. 

I am buying into the hype and Dwight Howard is gone so here is plan B for the Lakeshow: Monta Ellis and three role players. Ellis really wants to come back to California and Hollywood would be a perfect match for him. Both parties have shown mutual interest but the same thing could happen to the Lakers that happened to the Cavaliers in the summer of 2010. Sit and wait then miss out on the other big name free agents.

The Lakers need another big man if Howard bounces and perimeter shooters. Tiago Splitter or J.J. Hickson would be a nice pickup for Los Angeles to go along with Nick Young and Kyle Korver. Young is a poor man's Jamal Crawford and could be the scoring the Lakers need off the bench. He played really well in his hometown for the Clippers two years ago in the postseason and going back to Hollywood would be a perfect home for Young. Korver would be perfect for D'Antoni's system to stretch the floor. The Lakers might not sign a center and try and go after Carl Landry to help on the defensive side of the floor. 

PREDICTION: Monta Ellis, Kyle Korver, Nick Young and J.J. Hickson call Los Angeles home. 

JOSH SMITH

While everyone is focusing in on Howard and Paul, Josh Smith is arguably the most underrated superstar in the NBA. He is one of the most athletic players in the game and is a very underrated defender. Over the last four seasons Smith is averaging 17.1 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.8 BPG and 1.4 SPG. The guy does it all and his game continues to get overlooked. Outside of LeBron James he is one of the few players who can really guard any position in the league. There are plenty of suitors who are ready to dish out some big-time doe to bring in J-Smoove.

The Boston Celtics want to make a deal for Smith. They will have to work out a sign and trade with Atlanta and after shipping Pierce and Garnett this has a chance of happening. Smith has shown a lot of interest to play in Boston and ball with his former Oak Hill Academy HS teammate, Rajon Rondo. Rondo and Smith hope they get the chance to do this in Boston Green. Josh Smith could help Boston get over one of the worst sports weeks in Boston history, don't worry Buckner you are still holding down the top spot. The Boston Bruins gave up two goals in 17 seconds in Game 6 on their home ice, blowing a 2-1 lead, and losing the Cup in six. Doc Rivers was sent packing to the West Coast. Aaron Hernandez had one too many pieces of bubble gum and the "Big Three Era" is officially over in Boston. So grab some tea and hope it's time to party with Josh Smith in Boston.

The Detroit Pistons are another strong suitor for Smith. They can give him a four-year max contract to build around Greg Monroe, Andre Drummond and Brandon Knight. The question is does Smith want to win now or does he care more about getting a max contract at the age of 27. He is in his prime and this could very well be the last time he gets a chance to get a max deal. 

The Bucks, Mavericks, Rockets and Spurs have all shown interest in Smith.

PREDICTION: The Celtics and Hawks work out a sign and trade deal. Smith and Rondo reunite and help Boston fans get over the "Big Three Era." 

*Dallas has a really good chance to land Smith too, it's just a matter if they want to give him a max contract or wait until the 2014 free agency period.

Rapid Fire: The Best of the Top Tier Free Agents

ANDREW BYNUM: Re-signs with Philadelphia 

DAVID WEST: Re-signs with Indiana

J.R. SMITH: Signs with Chicago

BRANDON JENNINGS: Re-signs with Milwaukee

PAUL MILLSAP: Signs with Dallas

AL JEFFERSON: Signs with San Antonio

ANDRE IGUODALA: Signs with Dallas

TYREKE EVANS: Signs with New Orleans

TONY ALLEN: Signs with Detroit

JEFF TEAGUE: Re-signs with Atlanta

MANU GINOBILI: Signs with Atlanta

NIKOLA PEKOVIC: Re-signs with Minnesota

The Best of the Rest

KEVIN MARTIN: Signs with Milwaukee

DEVIN HARRIS: Signs with Cleveland

ANDRE KIRILENKO: Signs with Dallas

DARREN COLLISON: Signs with Minnesota

O.J. MAYO: Signs with Philadelphia

MATT BARNES: Re-signs with L.A. Clippers

TIAGO SPLITTER: Signs with Portland

NATE ROBINSON: Signs with Detroit

GERALD HENDERSON: Re-signs with Charlotte

J.J. REDICK: Signs with New York

MO WILLIAMS: Signs with Indiana

RANDY FOYE: Signs with L.A. Lakers



EARL CLARK: Re-signs with L.A. Lakers


JARRETT JACK: Signs with Dallas

CARL LANDRY: Signs with Portland

JOSE CALDERON: Signs with L.A. Clippers


As my boy Nicholas Xay always says, "Grab your popcorn" because this is going to be a very interesting free agency period. The Miami Heat are looking to be the first team to three-peat since the 2000-02 Los Angeles Lakers. We will have to wait and see if your team adds that last piece to the puzzle to make sure James and company don't become the sixth team in NBA history to three-peat. This is the deepest pool of free agents since James, Wade, and Bosh announced they were taking their talents to South Beach so just sit back and enjoy reading the bottom line on ESPN for the next couple of weeks. Teams can't officially sign players until July 10th but once 12:01 gets here in a matter of hours teams can officially start fishing for the biggest prizes in the game.

Yasiel Puig Has Taken Baseball By Storm

By: Zack Poff 

After one week everyone said it wouldn't last.

Two weeks went by and people started to wonder if they were believing what they were seeing.

25 days have passed and he still hasn't taken his foot off the gas pedal.

If anything, Yasiel Puig has gone way past the speed limit recklessly, for the second time this year, except this time he's doing it in a good way: on the diamond.

The 22-year old Cuban sensation was everything the Dodgers organization needed. Los Angeles was dishing out money left and right trying to build a winning franchise, surpassing the New York Yankees with the highest payroll in baseball. The Dodgers 215+ million dollar payroll is the highest in Major League Baseball history and it is the first time since 1998 the Yankees weren't the top spenders in the game. 

However, having the No. 1 payroll doesn't guarantee anything. Baseball is a very unique sport and it takes a lot more than dollar bills to have success. It's not about having the best player in the world like basketball or having the best quarterback to lead your team to destiny. Baseball is truly the hardest sport to predict and hockey is the only other sport among the major four that you could make an argument. Baseball and hockey haven't had a repeat champion in this millennium. 

Before Puig was called up on June 3rd, the Dodgers were sitting in last place in the NL West, eight and a half games out of first place. The Miami Marlins and the Milwaukee Brewers were the only teams in the National League with a worse record than Los Angeles. Matt Kemp and Carl Crawford were on the disabled list and the Dodgers were desperate for a spark. 

They reached in their "Puiggy" bank and hit the jackpot. Puig has reached base safely in all but two of the 25 games he has played in and has 13 multi-hit games. Puig has been just as entertaining to watch in the outfield as he has been in the batters box. The guy has a cannon and goes after every ball like it is the 27th out. He plays with a relentless passion for the game, something the Dodgers were lacking during the first 54 games of the season. He is built like Patrick Willis, runs like Chris Johnson and has a Brett Favre cannon for an arm. 

He did something no other baseball player has done in the live-ball era (since 1920): 32 hits and seven HR's through his first 20 career games. 

Through his first 25 games he is batting .424 with seven long-balls and 16 RBI's. He has a 1.115 OPS and most importantly the Dodgers are 13-11 in the 24 games he has started this year. 

However, the most important aspect Puig has attributed to the Dodgers doesn't show up on the stat sheet: excitement. Los Angeles has been a totally different ball club since they called him up from the minors. They weren't playing like a team, there was no excitement in the clubhouse or the stands, and they were simply not playing good baseball.

A lot has changed since the month of June begun. The Dodgers went 10-17 in May, the worst they have done in May since they moved to Los Angeles in 1958.

Enter Yasiel Puig. He made playing baseball fun again for a team that was desperate for momentum. The Dodgers were pressing way too much and forgot how to play the game like it's supposed to be played: go out and have fun. Don Mattingly was on the outside looking in with a ton of pressure managing the highest payroll the game has ever seen. I really don't think his job was on the line but Puig took a lot of pressure off the shoulders of the third year skipper. 

Since Puig joined the Dodgers no one has more hits or a higher batting average than the 22-year old outfielder. He has taken baseball by storm and has been the talk of the game this month. I am still on the fence on if he should be an All-Star because he has only started 24 games and appeared in 25. I think the National League would love to have Puig on their roster. It's a win-win situation. The main purpose of the game is to please the fans and there hasn't been a more trending player in the game than Mr. Puig. Forget about "Tebowmania" it's now "Puigomania" time. 

Bruce Bochy, manager of the San Francisco Giants, said it would be extremely difficult to select Puig to the All-Star team because he hasn't played in enough games. Puig answered going 6-12 with a HR and 2 RBI in a three-game sweep against the Giants earlier this week to try and change Bochy's opinion.

Furthermore, there is a lot on the line winning the All-Star game with the winner awarded home-field advantage in the World Series. Yasiel Puig would definitely help out the National League roster tremendously. It is hard to argue there are 34 other players who are more deserving than Puig. He has been one of the best players in June and you could make the argument he has had the best individual month among anyone this season. 

The phrase "five-tool player" gets overused way too much in the game of baseball. That is not the case with Yasiel Puig. Vin Scully said it best, "I have never seen anyone do what he has done in a such a short period of time." He continued to say, "I've never seen a a player who is a five-tool player show all five tools in his first three career games." Scully has only been around the game of baseball since 1950. 

Whether or not the Dodgers rookie phenom continues his rapid pace it is amazing to just sit back and watch what he has done to start his young career. 

Exactly a year ago today the Dodgers inked Puig to a seven-year deal worth $42 million. 365 days later he has a good chance to win "National League Player of the Month." You can believe in the Puig hype or continue to say it won't last but you have to tip your cap to the remarkable start the Cuban phenom has had. 

Immaturity was a big question mark with Puig but that has been far from the truth. No one said he could continue his hot start but his 39 hits are most in the Majors in the month of June. We live in a society where it's about the now and Yasiel Puig has taken over the game of baseball and is trending more than North West. Even the 85-year old Vin Scully took over twitter for the Dodgers and was tweeting about Yasiel Puig. If Scully gets on twitter because of Puig this young Cuban phenom has truly become a major hit not just in baseball, but nationwide. 

Yasiel Puig highlights