Tag Archive | Philadelphia

A Look Back at the Kevin Love Trade

By Jack Allen

The Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Philadelphia 76ers made a 3 way trade earlier this month. Minnesota received Anthony Bennett, Andrew Wiggins, Thaddeus Young and $6.3 Million. The 76ers received a 1st round pick, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, and Alexey Shved. And of course, Cleveland landed Kevin Love. Kevin Love for the last six years has been the face of the T-Wolves franchise, but now joins up with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving in what the players are calling, “The Land.” Kevin Love has never played in a playoff game in his career and neither has Kyrie Irving. I can honestly say that I believe in LeBron and the Cavs starting five through the regular season to finish atop the Eastern Conference. When it comes to playoff time, will Kevin Love and the rest of the Cavaliers be ready? Due to lack of experience Im seeing a first round exit to possibly the Hawks, Knicks or the Nets. Each of those teams have playoff experience and aren’t projected to place at the top of the conference, but can compete with top teams.

As for the 76ers, I don’t think they are close to being a top team yet, and they’ll probably finish in the cellar similar to last season. They have a very bright future with young blue chip prospects such as Nerlens Noel, Michael Carter-Williams, and their latest 1st rounder, Joel Embiid. The Sixers will probably have the opportunity to draft another top prospect and only then will they be ready for a possible playoff-birth in a year from now. Looking at this season though, it’s going to be a rough time for Sixers fans as they watch their team struggle through their schedule in a deep rebuild.

Finally, the T-Wolves. With a completely new look, I already think that they’ll contend to reach the playoffs. It would mark the first time since the 2003-04 season that the Timberwolves were in the playoffs, when they lost to the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. They likely should make the playoffs this season, led by the young guns of Andrew Wiggins, Thaddeus Young, Anthony Bennett, and Zach LaVine, in addition to Ricky Rubio. With a motivated and passionate fan base, the team is primed for a return to playing basketball in late April into May. I’m predicting that Andrew Wiggins will win rookie of the year and will be the leader of the team. Not once had they made it to the playoffs with Love, but with the core that they have now, the Timberwolves will be good for a long time in the NBA. They should start off the next few years in the middle of the pack with early playoff exits, but two seasons down the road they’ll be definite title contenders if they can keep their core players. I’d say that the Timberwolves were the real winners of this trade but it should be fun to see how it plays out!

The rest of the NBA must watch out for the young core the T’Wolves have built. (From Left: Bennett, Wiggins, Young, LaVine) (Via Timberwolves)

Jack Allen is a writer for dabuzzza.com. He is a fan of the New York Mets, New York Islanders, New York Knicks, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Mariners, Queens Park Rangers, and West Virginia Mountaineer football and basketball. His favorite athletes are David Wright, John Tavares, Geno Smith, Allen Iverson and Charlie Austin. He is a very passionate and determined fan. You can follow him on twitter @JackAllen99.

11/11/13

Phillies Looking to Bounce Back

By Dan Lagnado

The Philadelphia Phillies’ time atop the National League East seems to have come to a screeching halt. After 5 consecutive division titles from 2007-2011, the Phillies have struggled to regain the luster that they had achieved during those 5 seasons, which included a World Series title in 2008 and a National League Pennant in 2009. Instead, they have struggled along just attempting to remain relevant. A disappointing 2013 season found them in fourth place in the division, only above the lowly Marlins. Certainly not the result anybody among the team was looking for.

It appears that the old Phillies stalwarts are no longer able of carrying them to victory. The one time stacked lineup of Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Carlos Ruiz, does not provoke the power and fear that it once did. Instead, it may be time for a changing of the guard. This season saw the breakout of Domonic Brown, who in his first full season exploded into national attention with 27 homeruns and 83 RBI. That’s not to say that Rollins or Utley did not produce. Utley hit .284 with 18 homeruns and Rollins provided a .252 average and 22 stolen bases. What is true however is that somewhat diminishing production and increasing age and potential health problems do not spell the best of times for this team. Howard played in only 80 games and Ruiz in only 92. Another bright spot that emerged in the latter stages of the season was Darin Ruf. He slugged 14 homeruns in only 73 games and provided a late season spark and something to look forward to in the future a she seems to be capable of reaching the 30 HR plateau. Cody Asche also impressed for Philadelphia, contributing 5 homeruns in 50 games (for all you math studs out there that is one homerun every 10 games) showing the capability of hitting 15-20 in a full season. This offense has a chance to regain its greatness. The first step is resigning Ruiz. Even at age 35, and surrounded by PED scandals, when he plays, Ruiz is a very solid offensive catcher as well as being able to aid young pitchers. It is also important for the key cogs to stay healthy (looking at you Ryan Howard). With a little fine-tuning this could offense has an opportunity to once again become what it once was during its dynasty years.

Jimmy Rollins, 34, Chase Utley, 34, and Ryan Howard, 33, will try to make some more magic in Philly (Via SI)

The same bug that bit the offense plagues the Phillies pitching staff: aging stars. Cliff Lee will turn 36 next season. Roy Halladay, should the Phillies choose to resign him, will turn 37 and has a history of arm issues. Should the Phillies choose to let Halladay leave, their rotation will be left with the likes of Jonathan Pettibone (5-4, 4.04 ERA), Tyler Cloyd (2-7, 6.56 ERA) and Kyle Kendrick (10-13, 4.70 ERA) behind Lee and Cole Hamels. In addition, the pitching stars that the Phils do have have been able to play consistently at the same time. Last season, it was Hamels who pitched himself into the ace position, but this year he floundered with an 8-14 record while Lee led the team in wins (14), ERA (2.87), and strikeouts (222). The back end of the bullpen is very impressive with Closer Jonathan Papelbon (29 saves) as well as Antonio Bastardo (2.32 ERA, 14 Holds) and Jacob Diekman (2.58 ERA, 11 Holds). The acquisition of some veteran middle relievers as well as a back end starter would do wonders for the outlook of this team moving into next season.

Coming off of one down year is no reason to despair for Phillies fans. A few small free agent signings could set the table for another potential postseason run. However in order for that to happen, the big time players must be able to stay healthy and guide the young prospects. It is always dangerous to count out a team with postseason experience and the weapons of this team. I think it is possible for these Phillies to have another playoff run in them.

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Dan Lagnado is studying communications, law economics and government at American University. He’s a fan of both the Mets and Jets and has been writing about sports for four years. You can follow him on twitter at @dlag1995

11/05/13

From Zero To Hero: Nick Foles Puts Up Seven TD’s

By Doug Tyburski

Nick Foles returned as the Eagles starting quarterback this past Sunday, and did it in a major way. The second year QB tied an NFL record, throwing seven touchdown passes in Philadelphia’s 49-20 victory in Oakland.

Foles completed 22 of 28 passes for 406 yards, while spreading out an offense that was in need of a breakout game. The much talked about Eagles “potent” offense was nowhere to be found the prior two games before arriving in Oakland. Coming off two consecutive home losses to division rivals, the Cowboys & Giants, where the only touchdown scored came off a special teams fumble recovery, the 49 points was a much welcomed site for the Eagles and their fans.

Nick Foles has stepped in as the starting Quarterback during Michael Vick’s injury (Via AP)

The Eagles quarterback did a very impressive job of spreading out the offense, which included three touchdown passes to Riley Cooper (17 yards, 63 yards, & 5 yards), Desean Jackson (46 yards), Zach Ertz (15 yards), Brent Celek (2 yards), and LeSean McCoy (25 yards). With Michael Vick once again sidelined with a hamstring injury combined with Foles performance, one would think Foles would be named the starter the rest of the way. Think again.

Head coach Chip Kelly would not commit to Foles as the team’s number one starter even when Vick is healthy enough to return. When asked by a reporter at the conclusion of Sunday’s game if this victory is enough to name Foles the everyday QB with or without a healthy Vick, Kelly responded,” I think you’re more worried about it than Nick is.” It is difficult to imagine why Kelly would be so hesitant to declare Foles the permanent starter. It appears obvious that the offense is run more smoothly under Foles and barring the concussion issue two weeks ago, he is not as injury prone as Vick.

There could many many reasons as to why Kelly won’t commit to a starter. One possibility is Vick’s contract. The Eagles are paying Vick a lot of money on a one year deal, and feel that they want that contract to be justified. It could also be the fact that Kelly likes both QB’s to push each other for the starting job. Then again, there is the real possibility that the Eagles coach truly believes when healthy, Vick is a better option to play in his up tempo system.

One thing is certain though, Foles play is making it increasingly harder for Kelly to deny officially handing the job over to Foles. The fans in Philly already have made up their mind, Foles is their man. It may just be time for Chip Kelly to finally come to the same conclusion as the fans in Philadelphia.

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Doug Tyburski is a graduate of Nassau Community College & Suny Stony Brook. He has always been a huge sports fan and his favorite team’s include the NY Islanders, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Eagles, and Brooklyn Nets. You can follow him on twitter at @dtybur