Tannehill Rob the Dolphins for $100 Million

The NFL is not the same as it was 10-15 years ago. The Quarterback and passing game is what makes the game interesting. Quarterbacks such as Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are consistently elite no matter what type of team is put around him. The next tier of QB’s can be put in any order whether its Eli Manning, Drew Brees or Tony Romo, etc. In recent years, teams are awarding this prominent position with $100 million contracts for mediocrity. Andy Dalton just received one before he won a playoff game, even though he put his team in the playoffs since entering the league it hasn’t translated into any success. 

Ryan Tannehill received a multi-year $96 million contract from the Miami Dolphins, with $45 million guaranteed. He doesn’t deserve this large amount of money this early in his career. I have heard every argument as to why he deserve this contract. My co-worker says he has gotten better every year and this is the first stable QB since they had Marino. I counter that by saying YES, he has improved statistically but does that equate to w’s in the win column. No, the dolphins have been on the verge of the playoffs the last two seasons. Coming up short both years. 

 Now I agree he does deserve to be given an extension and this helps them dictate the market since the contracts of Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson to be done soon. I thought the NFL was a league of results once you make it in the NFL. Players are drafted because off of potential and growth but this type of investment should be based on the end result of the overall team. Dolphin fans will be paying close attention to the play of Tannehill this year. Any regression from last year will have the dolphins choice to pay him this money to be questioned throughout the league. 

Miami Carol City High School signs with NIKE and BSN Sports

By: Jimbo Brown

Ironic how 9 years later, the first Dade county high school to appear in a NIKE commercial has officially signed a contract with the worlds leading brand. I don’t know the details of the agreement but they also partnered up with BSN Sports. For those who are not familiar with BSN, it is a factory-direct equipment company. BSN represents hundreds of teams/organizations across america. Being a Chief alumnus I feel this was long over due. I remember when the commercial first aired. Me and the boys believed we was about to receive some fly Nike uniforms and gear. Sad to say Coach Walt Frazier, declined the offer. The only thing we were given was the generic “Miami Carol City Football is Everything,” which I still have. All Nike schools had these shirts, lol. I am proud to say that this shows my school is moving back in the right direction.

Since Aubrey Hill has token over as the head coach, the team has done nothing but progressed. The talent is starting to come back to its home. With Rashad Fenton signing to the University of South Carolina, shows the program is gaining national exposure. Its going to take more than a apparel deal to prove we have returned. That comes with wins and competing for state championships. 

Chief Pride!

Best Point Guard in the NBA?

By: Candy Man 

Russell Westbrook is making his case as the best point guard in the league. He’s had to carry his team with Kevin Durant in & out of the lineup and he has been very productive doing so. People are wondering whether Westbrook might be more valuable to his team than Durant. There are also questions if he could possibly have more success if he was the leading man on his own squad. Just take a look at his numbers from this month alone & you can see why Westbrook’s name has been gaining momentum around the league…he’s been averaging about 30 points, 10 assists & 8 rebounds and has been putting up monster stats with Durant out of the lineup. The most explosive playmaker in the NBA, he’s also been more efficient, posting those numbers while only playing under 30 minutes on some nights. I’m calling it now that Westbrook will win an MVP trophy in the next few seasons.

Other names that are brought up in the best point guard conversation are Chris Paul, Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving & John Wall. Paul has been considered the best point guard because he is the prototypical guard with a pass-first, shoot-second mentality. He puts up high assist numbers and gets his teammates involved in the game, while being one of the most efficient players in the league. The only knock against Paul is that he hasn’t gotten deep into the playoffs. His teams have been disappointing in the playoffs, coming in with high expectations but consistently getting knocked out in the first & second rounds. He has cost the Clippers late in games with dumb mistakes & turnovers and he should be more aggressive in scoring as I feel he could score more than 20 a night if he really wanted to. Steph Curry, the best 3-point shooter in the game today, probably has taken the best PG title from Paul this season. He’s elevated his game and improved on much criticized areas such as defense & passing. Curry is the most exciting player in the NBA to watch and is deadly from anywhere on the court. From pulling up for the 3 to swerving through traffic down the lane with his fancy ball handling, he can get any shot he wants and hit it with pinpoint accuracy. John Wall is one of the best finishers in the league and is having a career season. He leads the NBA in assists with over 10 a game and he’s been the key piece to the Wizards getting back into the playoffs. Kyrie Irving is another point guard with a shoot first mentality. He’s not much of a facilitator, isn’t impressive on defense but is a lethal scorer and probably has the best handles out of anybody. With LeBron James & a better supporting cast, he has the potential to be a more all-around guard in the next couple years.

The talent at the point guard position is probably the deepest it has ever been. In addition to the first five, you also have Damian Lillard, Rajon Rondo, Derrick Rose, Kyle Lowry, Mike Conley, Goran Dragic, Tony Parker, Kemba Walker, Brandon Knight, & Eric Bledsoe. In my opinion, Lillard has the potential to be the biggest star out of all those I just named. He’s still young (3^rd year in the league) and is far from reaching his prime. If this was a list of the top 5 offensive point guards, he would definitely be in there without a question. He’s one of the most clutch players in the NBA, hitting big shots for the Trailblazers late in games. The man hit one of the best buzzer-beaters I’ve ever seen when he sent Houston home last year in the 1^st round of the playoffs. This season, he’s averaging over 21 points, 6 assists & 4 rebounds a game.

The way Stephen Curry & Russell Westbrook are playing, they’ll be considered for the MVP trophy at the end of the season. Steph most likely is going down as the best 3 point shooter ever along with Ray Allen & Reggie Miller. It seems like Westbrook has gotten even better & more explosive since his torn meniscus injury in the 2013 playoffs and arthroscopic surgery last year. I feel like Westbrook is the player Derrick Rose was supposed to be before his knee injuries. With Steph & Westbrook in my top 2, the rest of my top 5 in no order would be Paul, Kyrie & Wall with Dame not too far behind them at 6th.

Candy Man's NBA Bold Predictions

By: @yachtclubrandy aka Candy Man

East playoff teams: Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors

West playoff teams: L.A. Clippers, San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Portland Trailblazers, Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Mavericks

Eastern Conference Champs: Cleveland Cavaliers

Western Conference Champs: Los Angeles Clippers

NBA Finals Champs: Los Angeles Clippers

Most Valuable Player: Lebron James...teamed up with a supporting cast just as good, if not better, than the one he had with the Heat. With Kevin Love & Kyrie Irving, he will produce all around numbers that won him the MVP twice during Miami’s championship run.

Underdog: Blake Griffin

Anthony Davis blocks Zeller shot with ease.

Defensive Player of the Year: Anthony Davis...just 21 years old & coming into his 3^rd season, you can say that he is already a top 10 player in the league. Averaged about 21 points, 10 rebounds, & 3 blocks last season. Skilled, productive, & a threat in all statistical categories; he’ll improve on all of his numbers this year. Off to a great start this year and one of the best big men in the NBA.

Underdog: DeAndre Jordan, Serge Ibaka

Rookie of the Year: Jabari Parker...unlike other high-profile rookies that will most likely settle into a bench or rotational role, Jabari Parker will be the main man in Milwaukee on a team with not much talent. Good enough to start every game for the Bucks and will play over 30 minutes a game with plenty of opportunities to handle the ball and put up shots.

Underdog: Andrew Wiggins

Sixth Man of the Year: Jamal Crawford…obvious choice, 1 of 4 players in NBA history that have won this award twice. One of the most exciting players & probably has the best ball-handling skills in the league. A good bet to win his 3^rd Sixth Man Award..

Underdog: Isaiah Thomas, Taj Gibson

Reggie Jackson wants to continue to improve this season.

Most Improved Player: Reggie Jackson…productive & underrated player that is off to a great start this year. With Durant & Westbrook out for a significant time, he’ll be the main man & go-to scorer.

Scoring Champion: Stephen Curry...he best pure scorer along with Kevin Durant & Carmelo Anthony. Has the ability score in multiple ways & get a shot off from anywhere on the court with long range & accuracy. Just set the record for most 3-pointers in a season last year.

Outlook on the 2014-2015 NBA Season

By: @yachtclubrandy aka Candy Man

About 2 weeks into the NBA season and the Golden State Warriors were the last undefeated team at 5-0 but recently lost to Phoenix. The Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, & Toronto Raptors all have the best record tied at 6-1. Chris Bosh & Klay Thompson have been named players of the first week. And a few teams are already dealing with major injuries; most significant are the OKC Thunder with Kevin Durant & Russell Westbrook out more than a month, the Lakers losing both Steve Nash & Julius Randle for the year, & the Pacers without Paul George.

There are interesting headlines all over the NBA & the championship will be wide open this season with multiple teams looking like viable contenders to win it all. King James returned to Cleveland to bring his city its first ever championship along with Kevin Love & Kyrie Irving and a host of other teammates that LeBron brought with him from Miami. Despite minor ankle sprains to both ankles, Chicago finally has Derrick Rose back and a new addition in Pau Gasol so they’ll be a top pick to get to the Finals. The Heat are off to a great start with Chris Bosh averaging over 23 points & 10 rebounds, a healthy Dwyane Wade, and contributions from new teammates including Luol Deng, Shawne Williams, James Ennis, Shabazz Napier, & Justin Hamilton. The Knicks hope to have a better season with Phil Jackson hired into the front office & Derek Fisher as the new head coach. The Wizards have a solid team coming off a 44-38 record last season looking to aspire for 50 wins and then some with Paul Pierce, John Wall, former Gator Bradley Beal, & Marcin Gortat. Charlotte has a young playoff team, add in Lance Stephenson & they should make bigger noise in the East. Indiana will suffer without Paul George so it’ll be interesting to see how much of a setback his loss will be & who will step up in his place. Despite losing Paul Pierce, Brooklyn will be right in the middle of the pack & should finish with at least 42 wins. Atlanta is an average team with just enough young talent & depth to either finish as a #8 seed or be out of the playoffs.

Things are just as exciting and maybe even more competitive in the Western Conference. As good as the Spurs are with Greg Popovich and their core players, I believe the Spurs will always be in the race but they’ll take a backseat this season to a new Western Conference champ. If I could bet my money on any team to come out the West, it would be the L.A. Clippers. They have the leadership to get it done with a coach that won the 2008 NBA Finals, one of the league’s best point guards in Chris Paul, an even better Blake Griffin, a big threat in the paint with DeAndre Jordan, and reliable depth coming off the bench. They have all the pieces in place to get to the Finals. Golden State is another popular pick. The Splash brothers are wet from anywhere on the court but how will the team play under Steve Kerr after Mark Jackson got the pink slip? The chemistry seems good as they pulled off 5 straight wins to start the season. The Rockets should achieve another 50+ win season. They have 2 of the best players in the league in James Harden & Dwight Howard and look to get past the 1^st round after getting beat on a buzzer beater last season from Damian Lillard. Portland got to the 2^nd round last year and has the talent to compete with anybody. Memphis is the same ol’ gritty team with stingy defense but suspect offense. Zach Randolph & Marc Gasol will play their parts but who will be the consistent go-to scorer when they need it? OKC will struggle early without Durant & Westbrook but will be alright in the second half of the season if they can stay healthy. Kobe will carry the Lakers without Nash & Randle but don’t expect them to win more than 30 games. Dallas looks like a better team than last year’s 49 win season and will surprise a lot of people. My sleeper team is the New Orleans Hornets. They’ll be the most improved team from last year and Anthony Davis will carry them to just enough wins to compete for the #8 seed in the playoffs along with Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans.