NBA/NBAPA reaches tentative agreement

From ESPN:

NEW YORK -- NBA owners and players reached a tentative agreement early Saturday to end the 149-day lockout.
After a secret meeting earlier this week, the sides met for more than 15 hours Friday, working to try to save the season. This handshake deal, however, still must be ratified by both owners and players.
"We've reached a tentative understanding that is subject to a variety of approvals and very complex machinations, but we're optimistic that will all come to pass and that the NBA season will begin Dec. 25," Commissioner David Stern said.

NBA free agency will open on December 9th and the Bulls will have a huge hole to fill at shooting guard.  A week ago, Stephen A. Smith said the Bulls would sign Tracy McGrady as soon as the lockout was lifted.  No thanks.

Ivan DeJesus out

Buried under the somber Jay Cutler stories is this article from Gordon Wittenmeyer.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum has made some of his first staff decisions, including retaining well-regarded hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, one of the top-paid coaches in the game. He’s under contract through 2012.  The two other coaches under contract through next year — bullpen coach Lester Strode and bench coach Pat Listach — also are expected to be asked back. Sources said first-base coach Bob Dernier and third-base coach Ivan DeJesus were informed they won’t be back. Pitching coach Mark Riggins spoke with Sveum over the weekend, according to a source, and was expected to talk again soon.

First off, while Rudy Jaramillo is extremely overpaid, he's still one of the better hitting coaches in baseball. The one thing that he needs to do next season is to get the Cubs to be more patient at the plate something that they've struggled with since 2008.

But the best news coming out of this story is the fact that Ivan DeJesus will not be on the Cubs staff next year. DeJesus is the worst 3rd base coach the Cubs have had since Wavin Wendell Kim in 2004 and was probably the worst 3rd base coach in baseball last season. So many times last year the Cubs had horrible sends at 3rd base that costed them runs.

 The next move Sveum needs to make is to get rid of Mark Riggins who did an awful job in his 1st season as Cubs pitching coach last year. He should have never had the job anyways.

It's Hanie Time!

So Jay Cutler is going to be out for the rest of the regular season and we probably won't see him again until next season pending Caleb Hanie doing the unthinkable and leading the Bears to the playoffs and a wild card round win. If Jay Cutler is indeed out for 6 to 8 weeks, this is how the Bears schedule will end up:

@ Oakland
Raiders 30, Bears 9
This was a toss-up game before Jay Cutler got hurt but now Oakland should win this game rather easily and end the Bears five game losing streak. The Raiders currently have a playoff spot if the season ended today and are playing great football after the Carson Palmer trade even with Darren McFadden sidelined with an injury. McFadden might be back for this game but if he's not ready, Michael Bush has done a great job filling in for him. The Raiders best receiver Jacoby Ford also missed his last game with a foot injury. Playing in Oakland in front of the Black Hole is probably not the way you want to make your first start. Raiders win.
Bears: 7-4

VS Kansas City
Bears 17, Chiefs 10
Expect this one to be a low scoring game with the Chiefs losing both Jamaal Charles and Matt Cassell to injuries. The Chiefs are starting some dude named Tyler Palko at quarterback right now. Isn't that Keanu Reeves' character from "The Replacements"? This is going to be an ugly game but the Bears defense should lead them to victory.
Bears: 8-4

@ Denver
Bears 16, Broncos 13
The Broncos have been playing great under Tim Tebow but I really don't think this will continue against the Bears. I had this pegged as an automatic win before Cutler went out but now it might be a little closer but I still think the Bears find a way to win. The Bears have done a great job in the past in containing run-first quarterbacks that are better than Tebow and I don't expect this trend to stop. I hope Von Miller doesn't kill Hanie though.
Bears: 9-4

VS Seattle
Bears 17 Seahawks 10
Another close win for the Bears. Tavaris Jackson is another quarterback who like Michael Vick is run-first but obviously he doesn't have the speed or the arm like Michael Vick. Expect the Bears to win another low-scoring game.
Bears: 10-4

@ Green Bay
Packers 31, Bears 13
I didn't have the Bears winning this game before Jay Cutler got hurt although I thought the Bears could give the Packers a mini-scare. Maybe the Bears will get a let-down from the Packers but this is pretty much an automatic loss.
Bears: 10-5

@ Minnesota
Bears 24, Vikings 20
If 10 wins doesn't get you in the playoffs as a wild card, then the season could come down to this. There might be an outside chance that Cutler could return for this game if the Bears really need him I think but this should be Hanie's game assuming he's still starting. The Vikings are not a good team and have a terrible secondary but teams like the Vikings who have nothing to play for at the end of the season scare the shit out of me and playing on the road at the Metrodome is never an easy task especially for an inexperienced quarterback like Hanie. I have the Bears winning this game but it could really go either way.
Bears: 11-5

11 wins will get you into the playoffs in the NFC and the Bears would get either the Cowboys, Giants, or Saints on the road in the Wild Card playoff game. My money is on New Orleans being the 3rd seed. It'll be fun seeing Caleb Hanie potentially going into the Superdome for a playoff win. Thankfully the Bears have a pretty easy schedule to end the year. I had them tabbed at 12-4 if Cutler finished the year so 11-5 with Hanie isn't too big of a drop-off but losing Cutler for a potential playoff game basically guarantees a loss.

Hanie is not a bad quarterback but he's not a good quarterback either. People who still don't like Cutler are going to learn to appreciate him by the time this season is over. I guarantee it.

My Streak For The Cash Lock Of the Day 3/3/11

Yesterday, I continued my streak by taking the Tarheels over Florida State. Harrison Barnes became a lock of the day hero by sinking the game winner.

Today, take the St. John's Red Storm over the Seton Hall Pirates. I also like South Carolina to LOSE to Tennessee.

March Lock of the Day Record: 2-0
Lock of the Day Streak: W5
Overall Lock of the Day record: 20-7
February Final Record: 18-7

My Streak For The Cash Lock Of the Day 3/2/11

I got March off to a good start as the Dallas Mavericks beat the Philadelphia 76ers last night in Philly.

Let's continue the streak. My Lock of the Day is to take the North Carolina Tarheels on the road against Florida State. Another pick I like for tomorrow is to take the Connecticut Huskies on the road at West Virginia. I also like Kansas winning by double digits tomorrow against the Texas A&M Aggies.

March Lock of the Day Record: 1-0
Lock of the Day Streak: W4
Overall Lock of the Day record: 19-7
February Final Record: 18-7

Album Review: Lupe Fiasco's Lasers

One of the most anticipated albums of 2011 in the rap world was Lupe Fiasco's latest studio album "Lasers". This album was supposed to be released months ago but kept getting delayed by his music label Atlantic.

Over the past few months, I've really gotten into Lupe Fiasco and love his style and was anxiously awaiting this album like everyone else. Last night, I finally got my hands on every song and I came away very disappointed as did a lot of Lupe's fanbase. This is an album the casual rap fan is going to love but fans of Lupe Fiasco will come away unhappy with the end result and a lot of it might have to do with his record label who must have really pushed to make this a mainstream album something Lupe Fiasco is not. I've seen comparisons to Kanye West's bust of an album "808's and Heartbreaks" and that might be a perfect comparison to this album. I love "The Cool" and "Food and Liquor" but this album really doesn't even come close to comparing to those two albums.

Here's my quick thoughts on all the songs and what I would rate them out of 5. This is just my 2nd listen to each song so my thoughts might chance after a week or so. I actually thought the bonus songs were better than the songs on the actual album:

Letting Go (Ft. Sarah Green)---Not too bad of a song. Really like the chorus and the instrumental. Not Lupe's best lyrical work though. 3/5

Words I Never Said (Ft. Skylar Grey)---After the first listen to this song when Lupe released it online a few weeks ago, I was digging this song. Now? Not so much. Think Lupe is too preachy in this song and I'm really growing tired of the course. Not to mention I don't agree a lot with Lupe has to say in the song such as the fact that 9/11 was an inside job. Hate people who think this. 2/5

Till I Get There---If only his whole album was like this song. Really digging the instrumental in this song. Not the best lyrics but one of the better songs on this album. 4/5

I Don't Wanna Care Right Now (Ft. MDMA)---Kind of reminds me of Common's Universal Mind Control in a way. Just not a very good song at all. This is one of those songs the casual rap fan will enjoy. 2/5

Out Of My Head (Ft. Trey Songz)---Another song the casual rap fan will enjoy. Again, don't think this is the best song and is very forgettable. 2/5

The Show Goes On---This is the radio song on this album and it actually isn't that bad. Sampled from Modest Mouse's Float On. A lot of Lupe fans aren't fans of this song but I find it okay. 3/5

Beautiful Lasers (Ft. MDMA)---I think this one is just okay. Basically solid everywhere around (chorus, instrumental, lyrics, flow). 3/5

Coming Up (Ft. MDMA)---Another song that reminds me of Food and Liquor and The Cool. 4/5

State Run Radio (Ft. Matt Mahffey)---This is challenging for worst song on the album. Kind of rap and rock mixed together and doesn't work very well to go with a terrible chorus. 1/5

Break The Chain (Ft. Eric Turner & Sway)---Another song probably challenging for worst song of the album. Not a fan of the instrumental and chorus and the flow is pretty weak. 1/5

All Black Everything---Another preachy song and this was actually Lupe's favorite song on the album. Personally, I like this more than Words I Never Said. 3/5

Never Forget You (Ft. John Legend)---Favorite song on the album and if there's a song to take away from Lasers, this is it. John Legend as expected has an amazing hook and I love the instrumental as well as Lupe's lyrics and flow. 5/5

Bonus Songs:
I'm Beaming---If this was on the album as a regular track, it would challenge Never Forget You for my favorite song. The lyrics are very meaningful and it has a good beat. 5/5

Shining Down (ft. Matthew Santos)---Wish we could have a song with these two on the album because they're really a great duo. Have had this song on repeat since I downloaded a few months ago. 4/5

Go To Sleep---Probably my least favorite of the bonus songs but still a very solid song. 3/5

Overall:
Overall, I'd probably give this album a 2/5. Maybe it's just because I anticipated a better album out of Lupe as this really disappointed. There's a few good songs but most of it is pure crap. Hopefully Lupe drops Atlantic and gets back to making his music.

Lasers comes out on March 8th.

My Streak For The Cash Lock Of the Day 3/1/11

Let the new month begin! I finished February with a win by picking the Boston Celtics over the Utah Jazz. It's time to keep that streak going and get a long lock streak for the month of March.

My lock of the day for today is to take the Dallas Mavericks over the Philadelphia 76ers tonight in Philly. Philadelphia has been playing great lately but Dallas has been just as good and has been the hottest team in the NBA. Other picks I like for tonight include taking San Antonio over Memphis (Be aware, Spurs are missing Tony Parker) and taking Missouri over Nebraska.

March Lock of the Day Record: 0-0

Lock of the Day Streak: W3

Overall Lock of the Day record: 18-7

February Final Record: 18-7

My NBA Power Rankings for Week of 2/28/11 and Bulls Power Rankings

Everyone ready for this week's rankings? Well too bad. Here we go.

1. San Antonio Spurs---Just lost Tony Parker for two to four weeks with a calf injury but the Spurs should still hang tough because George Hill is one of the better back-up point guards in the NBA. Only problem? They have the Miami Heat twice during this span.

2. Dallas Mavericks---Hottest team in the NBA right now (has gone 16-1 in their last 17 games). Still not convinced that this team is good enough to win the West this year and make it to the finals and I think they're peaking too early but there's no denying how hot they've been especially with Caron Butler out.

3. Chicago Bulls---The Bulls stumbled out of the gates after the All Star Break with a loss to the Toronto Raptors with Joakim Noah making his return but the Bulls followed that loss off with wins against the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks. The Bulls are looking like a legit championship contender but if they want to go far this year, they need to start winning games on the road. They did a nice job winning in Milwaukee (although there was probably more Bulls fans than Bucks fans there) but they need to keep it going. This week should be a good test for them with Atlanta, Miami, and Orlando coming up for them. I think they'll go 1-2 over this stretch with losses in Miami and Orlando.

4. Boston Celtics---The NBA world is still wondering why the hell the Boston Celtics dealt Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder. I still don't get it. The Celtics are 6-4 in their last 10 and was in a dogfight with the Clippers last night. I do think the Celtics will eventually get it together and win the East but trading Perkins really opened the door up for the Heat and Bulls to take their crown.

5. Los Angeles Lakers---I think that loss to Cleveland before the All Star Break was a real wake-up call for the Lakers because they've been playing terrific basketball since then. They've won 4 in a row and are quietly gaining momentum.

6. Miami Heat
7. Orlando Magic
8. Oklahoma City Thunder
9. Memphis Grizzlies
10. Portland Trail Blazers
11. Atlanta Hawks
12. Philadelphia 76ers
13. Denver Nuggets
14. New York Knicks
15. New Orleans Hornets
16. Phoenix Suns
17. Houston Rockets
18. Utah Jazz
19. Indiana Pacers
20. Golden State Warriors
21. Charlotte Bobcats
22. Milwaukee Bucks
23. New Jersey Nets
24. Detroit Pistons
25. Los Angeles Clippers
26. Toronto Raptors
27. Sacramento Kings
28. Minnesota Timberwolves
29. Washington Wizards
30. Cleveland Cavaliers

Bulls Power Rankings
John Schuhmann of NBA.com:
1. Spurs
2. Mavericks
3. Bulls

The Bulls opened their post-break schedule with one of their worst defensive games of the season (losing their No. 1 ranking in the process) in Toronto, but responded with their second win over the Heat, thanks to a huge shot from Luol Deng. Joakim Noah grabbed 41 rebounds in his first three games back.

4. Celtics
5. Lakers

Marc Stein of ESPN.com:
1. Spurs
2. Mavericks
3. Bulls

Some reward we get for vaulting the Bulls above Boston to No. 3 last Monday. Hard to focus on Chicago's 8-5 record against the rest of the top six when it gives up 118, in Noah's first game back, to (yikes) Toronto.

4. Celtics
5. Lakers

Dave Del Grande from CBS Sports:
1. Spurs
2. Heat
3. Lakers
4. Celtics
5. Mavericks
6. Bulls

Impact of trade deadline: Negative. They added a future low first-round pick, but the wish list of buyout prospects doesn't change the pecking order in the East: Heat, Celtics, then the rest.

Zac Jackson of Fox Sports:
1. Spurs
2. Bulls

Celebrated their No. 1 ranking last week by welcoming Joakim Noah back to action ... and promptly losing to the Raptors. And blowing up the comment section of these rankings, but that's beside the point. They have lots of pieces, didn't feel they needed to make a trade and beat the Heat last week. They'll be near the top for a while.

3. Celtics
4. Mavericks
5. Heat

John Hollinger's Stupid Computer:
1. Spurs
2. Heat
3. Lakers
4. Bulls
5. Lakers

PAST POWER RANKINGS
2/21/11
2/14/11