Is Derek Rose Career Over?

Just as the Chicago Bulls were primed to make a push for the NBA playoffs as one of the Eastern Conference’s main contenders, Derrick Rose’s knee has become a stumbling block. Again.

Image Credit: HuffingtonPost.com

Despite his supreme talent, athleticism and agility, Derrick Rose hasn't had the greatest fortune utilizing his abilities over the past three years due to injury. With two surgeries in two years, Rose had attempted to make yet another comeback this season. However Rose suffered a tear of the medial meniscus in his right knee—another devastating blow to what has been an up-and-down career. 

It will be Rose's third knee surgery since 2012, starting when he went down with an ACL tear in his left knee in the first game of that year's playoffs. He tore the meniscus in his right knee in Portland in November 2013 and missed the remainder of last season.

It will be impossible to trust his body anymore. You could use his knees of clay as skeet-shooting targets. Even before Tuesday’s news of a planned third surgery landed with a mushroom cloud, whatever trust there might have been was hanging by a few strands of ligament and cartilage.

After missing eight of 15 games in November, he had played 46 games this season, his most since suiting up for 81 in his MVP season in 2010-11. He hadn't missed a game since Jan. 10, a stretch of 19 straight. His minutes restrictions were over.

No timeline has been determined for Rose's recovery from the procedure, which has yet to be scheduled.

Christine O'Connor

@christineeeeO

Yoan Moncada: Why the Yankees Didn't Get Him and How It Might Hurt Them

Switch-hitting Cuban sensation Yoan Moncada, just 19, will be playing his future home games at Fenway Park because the Yankees reportedly did not want to spend an extra $9 million. 

After months of speculation and rumors, the auction for Yoan Moncada's services has ended and the Red Sox have signed the Cuban prospect for about $63 million in total bonuses and penalties. People had initially blamed Brian Cashman for for not signing him, but it seems that he couldn't Hal Steinbrenner to get any higher than $32 Million. 

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Image Credit: bostonglobe.com 

The days of the blank checkbook seem to be over the Yankees. 

The Yankees clearly have the money and financial might to acquire a player in that dollar range, so seeing the Steinbrenners place a hard cap on bidding is quite illogical. This all under the assumption that Hal did in fact place a cap, which is not obvious, so we may never know the truth. If the front office's dollar value estimation was at all higher than their rival's bid, then this strategy is not only illogical, but largely damaging to the long-term health of the club. 

The Yankees, under GM Brian Cashman and the Steinbrenner family without George, spend most of their time figuring ways to pay less luxury tax and scheming for angles to avoid paying Alex Rodriguez bonus money on a contract they stupidly agreed to extend back in 2007.

When they fell to last place in the AL East during the lost summer of Bobby Valentine, the Red Sox took a fire hose to both the manager’s office and the roster, and stormed back to win the World Series in 2013. Now, after again finishing last in the AL East in 2014 at 71-91,they’re again positioned to make significant hay in the division. They played it smart in July, dealing away most of their rotation and jump-starting the rebuilding process toward 2015. Then this offseason, the acquired Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez, which will greatly boost both their offense and defense. 

The Red Sox have acted wisely in order to revamp their team. The Yankees, however, have been less than efficient in rebuilding their team. They could learn a lesson from the Red Sox in the art of wheeling and dealing. Boston formed a team that all the teams in the AL East will struggle greatly against- especially the Yankees. 

Yoan Moncada’s talent is unquestioned, and he would have immediately bolstered a lackluster Yankees farm system that desperately needs a boost. That bonus money would not count against the Yankees’ salary number, and would get them a high-end player that they would control for years to come at a reasonable yearly salary. The Yankees might not have access to that type of player ever again.

Not only did Boston acquire a five-tool, 19-year-old infielder who has been the talk of baseball all winter, the Yankees failed to acquire young talent- which they desperately need- and let the talent fall into the hands of their rivals.

Brian Cashman made a mistake on Monday, one that he might regret in a big way in a few years. Hopefully, Moncada will not pan out the way people thought, and the Yankees will have made the right choice. 

Christine O'Connor

@christineeeeO

Why Brett Gardner Should Be the New Face of the Yankees

During Derek Jeter‘s career, he was the undisputed face of the New York Yankees. He was “The Captain," he was a leader and he was a respected player around baseball. But with Jeter retiring, the Yankees need someone to represent the team. That player should be Brett Gardner.

He has spent his entire eight-year career with the Yankees. Gardner did exhibit leadership qualities while Jeter was out for the 2013 season and did so again even with Jeter on the team last year. 

Image Credit: usatoday.com

The New York Yankees produced the third worst offense in the American League last season, but Brett Gardner was not a part of the problem, at least not until August. Gardner enjoyed one of his better overall statistical seasons in the Bronx and solidified his place atop the Yankees batting order with an amazing first four months. 

This season Gardner, who's signed through 2018 and coming off abdominal surgery, will start the year in left and likely lead off. Last year he popped 17 home runs while his average dropped nearly 20 points from 2013. Will the power surge continue? Sure, the Yankees will take 17 home runs again, but if he can steal bases like its 2011 and get on base at a higher rate than last year (.327 on-base percentage, a career-low), well, the home runs can shrink in the name of more production elsewhere.

A .265/.340/.415 line with 50+ extra-base hits is not out of the range of possibilities given a full season of plate appearances. There is still plenty of upside in Gardner’s abilities at the plate. Gardner’s importance to the lineup cannot be understated. The Yankees offensive success starts at the top with Gardner leading the way. Further, much like Ellsbury, Gardner might need to be at the top of his game for an entire season to make up for the possibility that the aging middle of the lineup cannot turn things around as hoped.

Homegrown players have an obvious financial impact on a baseball team, and successful player development is surely the easiest way to build a roster without having to enter the murky waters of free agency. But beyond all that, homegrown players who stick around build common ground with the fan base. They create an easy connection. They spark loyalty.

Christine O'Connor

Happy Birthday WWE Network! Fast Lane, Raw, and Chyna "Twerkin'"

This week marks the first birthday of the WWE network and the true start of the road to Wrestlemania 31. Raw opens with Randy Orton on the mic trying to explain how The Authority kept him out of action for the last four months. He should of explained why he was hanging out backstage Sunday night in his gear. While Fast Lane may not have delivered, Raw, and the announcement of free streaming of the network for 24 hours, definitely made up for it. 

Image Credit: wwe.com

After a little bit of sweet talk from Boss Lady, Orton returns to The Authority for the main event tag match. It appears that Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns became BFFs after Fast Lane and it definitely showed in the ring Monday night. Orton and Rollins storm off with their tails between their legs. That match was the highlight of my night.

Last week TMZ reported on the terrible twerking video Chyna posted to her social media sites. From what I understand, Chyna admits to falling off the sober wagon tweeting from @ChynaJoanLaurer on February 24th. "Hi everyone. I have been kept denying the fact that I have been an alcohhol...This has been very hard... I am."  This seems to be a contributing factor to all the non-sense going on at her YouTube, Toyko Chyna. If you haven't heard, Chyna has been working in the adult entertainment industry since leaving WWE in 2001. Posing nude for Playboy, starring in 6 adult films, collecting 2 AVN awards, and working for the LA Porn Star Escort Service has been her claim to fame for the last 10 years. She has since retired and resides in Japan teaching private English classes. 

In all honesty, Chyna Doll looks like any other silly drunk girl dancing around her room in her underwear. She's just trying to live her life. Maybe she wasn't even drinking and that's just her charismatic personality. I do believe she's trying her hardest to live a normal life free of addiction. I think if these last few articles have taught me anything, it's that professional wrestlers are normal people that like to get fucked up and take pictures of their dicks. 

-Loveblump

The State of the NBA and Potential Playoff Changes

By now it's not exactly a major news flash that the Eastern Conference isn't anywhere near as deep as the Western Conference.

The Nets and Miami Heat, who would both be in the playoffs if they started today with records way below .500, wouldn't be the worst teams in NBA history to make the postseason. Chicago, San Antonio and Boston have all had teams that, when combining regular-season and postseason records, have had teams make the playoffs with winning percentages of .419 or less twice.

And the Bulls, Spurs and Celtics franchises are basketball royalty.But even they have experienced bad times.

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One of the ideas that has been talked about -- and will likely one day happen, somehow -- is for the best 16 teams to make the playoffs, regardless of conference.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver joined the Golden State Warriors' broadcast Wednesday night when the Warriors beat the Dallas Mavericks. During the broadcast, Silver talked about the idea that so many fans and maybe players in the Western Conference have been dying to hear. The commissioner of the NBA is thinking about redesigning the NBA playoffs format to have the best teams in the postseason than just the top 8 from each conference.

Conference imbalance between the West and the East has been going on for over a decade now and it's left a good team or two in the West out of the playoffs while lesser teams in the East manage to get in.

So here's a look at what that playoff bracket would look like, if this season ended Sunday:

1. Golden State vs. 16. New Orleans.

2. Atlanta vs. 15. Phoenix.

3. Memphis vs. 14. Oklahoma City.

4. Houston vs. 13. Milwaukee.

5. Toronto vs. 12. Washington.

6. L.A. Clippers vs. 11. Cleveland.

7. Dallas vs. 10. San Antonio.

8. Portland vs. 9. Chicago.

Seriously, who wouldn't take that right now (except Miami and Brooklyn, who would fall off the postseason bracket in this system)?

Anthony Davis vs. the Splash Brothers in a first-round series. Chris Paul matching wits with LeBron James to open the playoffs (and everyone who follows college basketball's postseason knows an 11 seed has to beat a 6 seed every year). Bulls vs. Blazers, a rematch of NBA Finals past in an opening-round matchup.

New York Knicks: On their way to the worst season in franchise history, the Knicks will continue their attempt to win a game without Carmelo Anthony. New York is 0-15 without Anthony this season, and visits the Celtics on Wednesday, visits the Pistons on Friday and plays host to the Raptors on Saturday.

Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers: It's not too early for an NBA Finals preview. Golden State travels to Cleveland on Thursday night, a nationally televised game that will surely get tons of attention. Golden State won the season's first meeting last month by 18, though that was with LeBron James sitting out.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Oklahoma City has climbed back onto the Western Conference playoff bracket after its disastrous start, and now tries to stay there with Kevin Durant set to miss at least a week because of pain in his surgically repaired foot. The Thunder play four games this week, including a trip to Phoenix -- also jostling for that No. 8 spot out West -- on Thursday.

Atlanta Hawks: Atlanta sharpshooter Kyle Korver's chase of history continues. Only one player in NBA history has finished a full season shooting 50 percent from the field, 50 percent from 3-point range and 90 percent from the foul line, and that was Steve Kerr for the Bulls in 1995-96. Korver is currently at 50 percent from the field, 51 percent from 3-point range and 90 percent from the line.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Kevin Garnett puts a Minnesota uniform on again Wednesday, when the Timberwolves play host to Washington. Wind chills in Minneapolis on Wednesday night are expected to be below zero, and be assured that no one lucky enough to have tickets to this one will be deterred.

Christine O'Connor

@christineeeeO

Kanye West: New Album, Tour with Rihanna, and a Video Game?

Kanye West might just have the biggest year of his career in 2015. 

Kanye West stopped by Power 105.1's The Breakfast Club yesterday to talk about his Adidas fashion line, his upcoming album, and Kim Kardashian. Near the very end of the interview, he slyly mentioned that he's working on a video game based on his recent single, "Only One."

Image Credit: etonline.com

He gave a vague description of the game, which he says he's been working on for six months. "The idea is that it’s my mother going through the gates of heaven," he said, "and you’ve got to bring her to the highest gate of heaven by holding her to the light."

His next album, the Yeezus follow-up, doesn't have a release date, however. "I'm trying to get it finished," Kanye said. "I'm trying to get it to the people."

He described it as: "It's gonna be bars, songs, cookout music that just feels good. My last album was a protest to music, I was like 'I'm gonna take my ball and go home'... This album is embracing the music, joy. Being of service to the people. I just hope people like it and enjoy it."

West recently debuted his new song 'Wolves' featuring Vic Mensa and Sia at the launch of his Adidas Yeezy 750 Boost collection, now revealing that the track originates from a previously planned collaboration with Drake. "The song ['Wolves'] came from a conversation me and Drake had where we were supposed to do an album together - it was supposed to be called Wolves... we said we was gonna do it, he was sending beats back and forth," West said.

Ticketing giant Live Nation has confirmed the first date to be July 25 in the eastern European country of Estonia with tickets going on sale March 5. No other dates have been revealed, however.

West, who has been teasing his new album, is currently serving as the executive producer of Rihanna's upcoming new album, which ostensibly is also due out soon. The artists also recently collaborated on the song "FourFiveSeconds" with Paul McCartney.

Image Credit: rollingstone.com 

The three musicians performed the song together at the Grammys, where West explained how it came together on the red carpet to Ryan Seacrest. "I said I'd done a few songs with Paul McCartney and she couldn't get past this record," the rapper said. "She had to have it on her album.... So now we at the Grammys doing it."

Complex speculated that a 2015 West-Rihanna tour was in the works, based on un-sourced art the fact that Rihanna was offering VIP tickets to see West live as part of a charity auction. Rihanna previously opened for West on the rapper's Glow in the Dark tour in 2008.

Christine O'Connor

CC Sabathia Looking To Make a Big Return This Season

CC Sabathia threw his first outdoor bullpen session Saturday, and hopes to be on a mound a lot more this season.

C.C. Sabathia weighed in at Spring Training for the Yankees at 305 pounds. The former Cy Young winner hopes that this weight will fuel the charge at making a big comeback after injury problems last year. 

Image Credit: DeadSpin.com

Joe Girardi signed off on this bigger Sabathia, with the Yankees' doctor and trainers setting a target weight that's still below what he weighed in Cleveland, but one they expect will put less wear and tear on that knee.

Sabathia lost a huge amount of weight two years ago. He weighed around 275 pounds, the lightest he has ever been. This proved to be a bad decision as Sabathia posted the worst numbers of his career.

Then in 2014, he was placed on the disabled list for the majority of the season because of an injury. But gaining some of that weight back makes Sabathia think he is really going to bounce back. After all, he did win a Cy Young when he was at this same weight back in 2007 when he was with the Indians.

Sabathia's knee condition is degenerative, so it's only going to get worse. He admitted he's needed three platelet-rich plasma injections to get him ready for spring training. He's 34 years old, but he's been remarkably durable throughout his career—which has always been one of his strengths—and racked up more than 2,800 innings, third most among active players.

Now 34 years old, Sabathia has had a rough two years, owning a 4.87 ERA in 257 innings since the start of the 2013 season. Though Sabathia admitted he’ll likely never completely overcome his degenerative knee condition, he’ll try to be productive in the middle of the Yankees’ starting rotation behind Masahiro Tanaka and Michael Pineda.

Sabathia will have plenty of time to get his stuff back as the Yankees tee off against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 6th. Manager Joe Girardi will need Sabathia to produce like he has in years past if the Yankees plan on making the playoffs.

Christine O'Connor

@christineeeeO