Dash

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2013/01/morey-unlikely-to-tweak-rockets-roster-before-deadline/ Glad to hear this from Daryl. There is very little reason in parting with assets for Paul Milsap or Josh Smith at the deadline when Houston has the ability to sign them in the offseason. Even then I don't really see the Rockets being interested in either one because neither one propels this team to even top 3 in the West. I could see interest in signing them to a big money 2 year deal but otherwise no. Of course eventually Houston needs to have that 2nd star behind James Harden but right now we're just the youngest team in the league currently in the playoffs with a 23 year old superstar locked in on a 5 year deal. No need to rush the process. As for the trade deadline, Patrick Patterson will certainly be flipped in order to make some room for playing time for either Motiejunas or Jones and the cap space will definitely be used likely by taking on a expiring contract from a team looking to avoid the tax in exchange for an asset (Houston could use a first to bolster their assets after dealing 3 to OKC).

Welcome to the best.

But it says Phoenix automatically gets the pick. My interpretation is if its lotto, Cleveland loses the option to swap?

I never really cared about Seattle but I'm alright with them getting a team back. Feel awful for Kings fans though, some of the best in the NBA.

According to Realgm and IIRC the Suns' beat writers, Phoenix gets LA's pick if its lotto. http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/draft/future_drafts/detailed

Accomplished at just 23 years old and on his first season going from 6th man to superstar. Unbelievable. He'll have a chance to break the franchise record tomorrow against the Hornets.

If we play mistake free then we got a chance, but I don't see how we can win with the way Schaub has been playing recently.

Parsons was out sick today and missed practice. Probably will be a gametime decision.

Yep. Hopefully we don't get embarrassed this time.

Eh considering that it would have to happen WM30 at the earliest, no real point turning Cena that late into his career unless he's on board for 2-3 more years after. Anyways did anyone catch Raw tonight? Great segment between Punk and Rock, already a better promo than Cena/Rock ever put together. I didn't like the cookie puss bit from Rock but apart from that he was solid and Punk brought his A game, the boxing with God line from him was pure gold.

Punk still hasn't gotten his big Wrestlemania win as a superstar. Yes, he already has had his super long title reign but that played second fiddle to John Cena for a good portion of it and who hasn't beaten Chris Jericho? Streak vs streak sounds interesting but obviously predictable with Punk holding the title. Honestly I don't know what they should do with Punk once he loses the title, feuding with Rock makes the most sense for him but they just HAVE to have Rock vs Cena part 2. Where does Cena even go with the title after he wins it? Rock/Cena rematch only makes sense for me if Cena turns heel but that will NEVER happen. Face Cena is going to get KILLED by the crowd though if he wins, I can't imagine WWE wanting that but they usually spin the Cena heat anyways. At least it won't be as bad as it would be if he won in Miami. Neither Punk nor Cena should end the streak. Cena is in the twilight of his career where he's losing matches and actually putting people over, there is no need for him to put an end to the streak. It should be a future face of the company. I say Ziggler/Ryback because I don't see any other time Ziggler can cash besides the Rumble. IF Ziggler waits till 'Mania then that will likely be after Ryback big win and I don't see them ending Ryback's first reign so quickly. Don't see Punk ending the streak but who else is there to give this kind of push? No point in overpushing Cena again and everyone else is either clearly not a superstar or not ready for a major push. So this only leaves Punk. This is what happens when you're the WWE and you force feed Cena for YEARS instead of developing younger stars (they've been doing a better job at it lately with The Shield).

You can make the argument for Harden anywhere between 6th-9th depending on how you want to factor in Wade and Dwight's health (as of right now, neither are having better seasons than Harden) and where you stand on Duncan vs Harden with Duncan making more impact when he's on the floor but playing 8.2 minutes less than Harden. Clearly not top 5 yet but he's getting there and given up how quickly he's adjusted from 6th man to superstar, I don't think its far fetched to say that he'll be a top 5 player by the end of next season especially if he improves on his defense.

Traded on draft night to Miami for Arnett Moultrie.

Of course they play right when I have to go to work.

@LarryCoon: For those who have been asking me about the Royce White situation, @McCannSportsLaw covers it a lot better than I can: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2095190 Terminate his contract and pick up a first round pick, hopefully 16th but more likely it ends up being a supplemental pick. I'll take that over Royce White but management insists on keeping him. The following is from the same paper:

Just hit midnight 5 minutes ago. Happy New Year guys.

LOL wow.

This guy must really hate the D-League. What a waste of a draft pick.

Maybe when Punk and Rock can get a promo in together to help build the feud I'll change my mind, but right now I'm honestly no where near as hype for this match as I was back in Raw 1000. I love Punk and he's actually pulling off his character well but I hate his current chickenshit character, he should have stayed face or turned into a more edgy heel ala Nexus Punk heading into his feud with Rock but not this. Rock returns January 7th to Raw, thats 3 weeks AFTER the TLC and 3 weeks of ZERO build up to the Punk-Rock match. Factor in Punk's injury and his rematch with Ryback and I'm just not seeing how this feud gets the proper build up it deserves. Shame because this feud deserves so much more. The predictable ending but I'm all for it. Punk's had his super long reign and no better way to end it (except at WrestleMania) in one of the 3 major ppvs (not counting Survivor Series, I feel like its dropped off big time). Brock hasn't appeared since Summerslam so Royal Rumble wouldn't be a bad time for him to make one of his few appearances this year. I can't see Rock/Brock at WM though, both would be gone after the event so it makes little sense. I'll be a happy camper with either result. Rock is my favorite wrestler of all time and Punk is the only reason to even watch the show at this point, so not opposed to him keeping the title at all. Remember the brand split is pretty much over. My memory might be a bit hazy but I think after Sheamus won last year he was able to pick between facing Punk or Bryan for the title so Ryback would be eligible to challenge for the WHC. My guess is that Ziggler will finally cash in on Royal Rumble and there is NO way he fails to capture the title if he does considering he just went over John Cena in TLC's main event. After that you only need Ziggler to attack Ryback at the ppv or in the following show and that pulls Ryback away from challenging Punk or Rock. Rock/Cena II is a given although I'd rather have Rock/Punk again with Punk being a more entertaining wrestler (rewatching Rock/Cena was dreadful, I was so pumped because it was Rock but now the ending is far more predictable with Rock entering as the champion and already getting his win last year. Take away the crowd and it was a slow and boring match, rather that not main event again) and I feel like it sort of takes away from last year's match because it was dubbed "once in a lifetime". Not saying this because I'm a Punk fan but he's literally the only other wrestler in the company that makes sense as a opponent for Rock besides Cena because the only other options would make it a part time wrestler vs part time wrestler, and thats just bad business. My rambling aside, what I think will likely happen regardless of how I feel about it is this: Rock/Cena II, Triple H/Brock, Ryback/Ziggler and Punk's opponent is a toss up between Undertaker and Stone Cold. If Punk gets Stone Cold, which has been hinted this year, then Brock gets Taker with Triple H playing some sort of role on the sidelines. However, I don't see the #2 all-time superstar in Stone Cold coming back to take a backseat to anyone including Rock so either he concedes to playing a backup role (he could always miraculously main event) or Punk/Stone Cold will be saved for next year with the seeds already sown. Crazy ppv in terms of star power but feels way too predictable for me. No way Cena loses again, Ryback will obviously be WHC if he gets the match, Brock isn't going over HHH a 2nd time and no chance he ends the streak, and Punk probably loses his match as well. Miz needs to get his babyface character over with the crowd first before thinking of winning the Rumble and Barrett is done, so much potential with Nexus but the guy is in no man's land. Orton is a strong possibility with Ryback being the heavy favorite.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--avery-johnson-is-out-in-brooklyn--but-deron-williams--own-demise-is-sinking-the-nets-205709848.html

20 points, 18 rebounds, 3 blocks and +41. Asik took a dump on Noah and the Bulls.

Felt the same here. First hour was dreadful and my expectations for the rest of the movie were low especially considering that its a 300 page book + author notes divided into 3 movies. It did pick up though like you said and I'm glad I watched it.

Harden and Lin have been so amazing since McHale got back.

If only Lin and Harden could co-exist like this every night.