Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
May 14, 2009
Ukash es una manera de pago que está verdaderamente revolucionando el mundo de hoy. Una de las ventajas más asombrosas de Ukash es que tiene la capacidad de trabajar de manera simultánea no solamente con pagos que realizas por la Internet u otros mecanismos electrónicos, además de esto Ukash está siendo utilizado como una manera de pago en los casinos para no tener que utilizar dinero en efectivo. Vas a la caja y compras fichas con un cupón de Ukash y luego te dan todas tus fichas y así esto ayuda un poco a prevenir robos y fraudes que se desprenden directamente del uso de dinero en efectivo. Ukash es ampliamente utilizado en apuestas que se hacen a través de la Internet y es una forma bastante beneficiosa para reducir el robo de identidad como también el fraude electrónico mediante el robo de las numeraciones de las tarjetas de crédito. Es asombroso todo lo que se puede hacer mediante los mecanismos de seguridad que tienes acceso por Ukash.
Se han descubierto que con el uso de Ukash en muchos casinos de Europa y del mundo se ha reducido el fraude electrónico proveniente por este medio en más de un 80% cosa que es bastante significativa. Hoy en día los jugadores de juegos de azar por la Internet tienen mayores niveles de confianza para realizar apuestas y participar en toda clase de juegos de diversión por apuestas en la Internet. Es bastante significativo. Otro punto a favor en este sentido es que ha aumentado significativamente el número de jugadores y apostadores en línea que han estado interactuando en este tipo de actividad de diversión. Muchos ahora son los que compran cupones de Ukash para participar en este juego en línea con toda libertad y flexibilidad. Ukash es revolución que está alcanzando al mundo.
March 31, 2009
Michael Owen is now just 8/11 with Paddy Power to fail to play for England in South Africa after Fabio Capello all but wrote off the Newcastle strikers international chances.
Failure to be called up for Wednesdays game against Ukraine has moved Owens odds to not make South Africa next summer to odds-on for the first time whilst the 40 goal England striker is now out to 4/1 to ever break Bobby Charltons 49 goal England record.
With his contract up in the summer Owen might believe a change of club will boost his chances. Paddy Power are betting odds on where out of contract Owen will start next season with current club Newcastle the 6/5 favourites. Free-spending Manchester City are the first of the clubs in the running at 4/1 should he move elsewhere with a trip to LA Galaxy out at 33/1.
Darren Haines, spokesman for Paddy Power, said: The England door may not be completely shut if Owen can put a run of games together but with Darren Bents call up effectively demoting Owen to Englands eighth choice striker it doesnt look good.
World Cup Qualifying
Meanwhile England are now 1/6 to top their World Cup Qualifying group ahead of their Wednesday game against Ukraine and 1/10 to qualify for South Africa next summer. Northern Ireland may be a distant 12/1 to top Group Three but the current leaders are 6/1 to eventually qualify for next summers tournament.
Ireland are 15/8 to make it to South Africa with Scotlandat 10/3.
Michael Owen to play in WC2010
Evs Yes
8/11 No
4/1 Michael Owen to break Bobby Charltons England goals record
7/4 Michael Owen to score at WC2010
Michael Owen to score another goal for England
2/5 Yes
7/4 No
Who will Michael Owen play for at the start of next season?
6/5 Newcastle
4/1 Man City
8/1 Liverpool
9/1 Chelsea
13/2 Everton
11/1 Spurs
12/1 Arsenal
16/1 Man Utd
33/1 LA Galaxy
World Cup 2010 Qualification
To Top World Cup Qualifying Group
1/6 England (Group 6)
11/2 Ireland (8)
12/1 Northern Ireland (3)
16/1 Scotland (9)
To Qualify for WC2010
1/10 England
15/8 Ireland
10/3 Scotland
6/1 Northern Ireland
March 8, 2009
FA CUP - LIVE ‘IN-PLAY’
English football’s most competitive knockout competition enters the quarter finals stage this weekend, bar the delayed Arsenal v Swansea fixture. With Man Utd and Chelsea still in the hunt for glory, will it be another case of Big 4 domination or is an upset on the cards?
HORSE RACING - PRE-CHELTENHAM WEEKEND
Strong programmes at Sandown and Wolverhampton this weekend are set to whet punters’ appetites for the annual Cheltenham jumps racing feast starting next week. Pick your winners at Canbet with Best Odds Guaranteed, SP+ and 25% Cashback on all UK Racing.
INTERNATIONAL CRICKET
West Indies (3.95) v England (2.85) and South Africa (2.60) v Australia (3.85) provide a global spread of Test cricket this weekend, while New Zealand (2.40) v India (1.57) top off the action with an ODI clash in Wellington. Catch better odds and more markets at Canbet sportsbook.
DAVIS CUP TENNIS
It’s the largest annual international team competition in sport, featuring 125 countries. This weekend, defending Champions and outright favourites, Spain (1.15) clashes with Serbia (5.25) in one of eight Davis Cup World Group first round ties.
October 19, 2008
Utah Jazz guard Deron Williams left an exhibition game. Against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday after falling awkwardly and spraining his left ankle in the first quarter.
Williams had X-rays, which were negative, but the Jazz said he wouldn’t return to the game.
Williams pulled up for a 3-pointer midway through the period. He made contact with Chicago guard Derrick Rose when elevating for the shot and fell to the floor. Rose was called for a foul on the play.
Williams was carried off the court by two teammates as he grimaced in pain. He then left the floor for the locker room on a wheelchair.
Williams, who was on the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic team at the Beijing Olympics, has career averages of 15.3 points, 8.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds while appearing in a total of 242 of a possible 246 career games, including all 82 during the 2007-08 regular season.
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Cavaliers Williams ejected from game with 76ers.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams was ejected Saturday night in the first quarter of a game against Philadelphia.
Williams and 76ers guard Andre Miller were assessed double technicals at the 6:27 mark. Williams drew an offensive foul from Miller, who tossed the ball on the Cleveland player while he was on the floor. Williams quickly walked toward Miller before being stopped by teammates.
On Cleveland’s ensuing possession, Miller fouled Williams as he drove to the basket, knocking him to the floor with 6:08 left. Williams said something when he got up and was ejected by referee Sean Corbin. It was unclear whether Williams was talking to Miller or Corbin.
Coach Mike Brown planned to play his starters into the second half. Williams, a key offseason acquisition from Milwaukee, will start at point guard and is expected to provide vital help for LeBron James.
October 19, 2008
Mavericks backup will get a longer look. The right hamstring injury to Keith McLeod has led the Dallas Mavericks to amend the point guard’s contract, giving them more time to determine if he can be the backup to Jason Kidd.
McLeod’s original contract was non-guaranteed. But if he were still on the team when rosters are set on Oct. 27, the deal would become fully guaranteed.
The Mavericks worked out a change to the deal, making it a totally non-guaranteed contract. That actually helps McLeod, who probably would have been waived next week because he is not scheduled to play any of the three remaining preseason games.
“I was kind of glad it happened,” he said. “I got on the treadmill today, so I’m hoping to get back on the court soon. But I don’t want to get out there too soon and re-injure it.”
With the revision to his deal, the 6-2 McLeod can be kept on the roster and the Mavericks can determine whether he is the proper fit for the backup point-guard spot.
McLeod’s absence has left the Mavericks with J.J. Barea as the only true backup point guard. Jason Terry has been playing mostly shooting guard. They also have rookie free agents JaJuan Smith and Cheyne Gadson.
Barea has had a lukewarm preseason and suffered a bruised knee Thursday against Detroit. Barea sat out Friday night’s Fan Jam at American Airlines Center and will not play tonight against Sacramento.
The Mavericks will have to make a decision about their backup to Kidd as soon as possible. McLeod played under coach Rick Carlisle at Indiana in part of the 2006-07 season and had some of his best games as a pro.
If McLeod is not the answer, or if he can’t get healthy by the guarantee deadline, the Mavericks could explore other options, although the pool of available point guards is shallow.
Benefit of a high-quality staff: Carlisle has the benefit of having two former head coaches as his top assistants. Dwane Casey coached Minnesota for a season and a half and Terry Stotts had head-coaching stints at Atlanta and Milwaukee.
So who moves into the big chair when the inevitable first ejection comes for Carlisle? Casey would assume the lead role although he and Stotts would work in tandem.
Fan Jam highlights: The Mavericks gave an energetic crowd a nice show during Friday night’s Fan Jam, with players going through several drills, then playing a couple of 10-minute scrimmages.
The biggest cheers came after the scrimmage when players tossed signed shoes into the crowd.
As for the game action, Gerald Green’s double-clutch dunk was a crowd-pleaser.
“These are people that don’t normally get to see our guys up close, and we understand this is a big deal for them,” Carlisle said. “We’re real appreciative.”
Jason Kidd’s 10-year-old son, T.J., was made an associate coach for the blue team in the scrimmage. He had only a few words of advice to his dad: shoot more.
“He’s the No. 1 person that tells me I need to look to shoot more,” Kidd said.
October 19, 2008
Saturday National Basketball Association Capsules.
CLEVELAND 100, PHILADELPHIA 93
CLEVELAND With LeBron James leading the cheers, the Cleveland Cavaliers used a game-ending 15-0 run to overtake the Philadelphia 76ers, 100-93, for their first win of the exhibition season.
Delonte West sparked Cleveland with 17 points and 10 assists and was key in the final surge.
Philadelphia got a lift from former Cleveland forward Donyell Marshall, who scored 15 points on five 3-pointers.
After the 76ers took an eight-point lead when Reggie Evans sank free throws with 2:54 left to play, the Cavaliers - with a lineup of West, Daniel Gibson, Sasha Pavlovic, Anderson Varejao, and rookie J.J. Hickson - caught fire and stole the win as Philadelphia missed its final seven shots from the floor and turned the ball over twice.
In his longest stint of the preseason, James played 27 minutes and collected 16 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.
The Cavaliers trailed 41-28 at 7:20 of the second quarter but, with James leading the way, used a 19-7 run to close the half and trim their deficit to 48-47.
This was not your garden variety NBA exhibition game. Both teams got chippy early when Clevelands Mo Williams was tagged with two quick technical fouls midway through the first quarter and was ejected.
Williams got tangled up with Philadelphias Andre Miller and both players were given technical fouls. On the ensuing possession, the newly acquired Williams was fouled by Miller on a drive.
Williams said something as he got up, was assessed his second infraction and pleaded with the official to reconsider, but it was too late.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who contributed 17 points and eight boards, was tagged with a technical foul at 4:48 of the third quarter.
Andre Iguodala had 17 points and Louis Williams added 15 for Philadelphia.
DALLAS 124, SACRAMENTO 109
DALLAS Gerald Green, a former first round pick of the Boston Celtics in the 2005 draft, led all scorers with 29 points in an outstanding performance to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 124-109 victory over the Sacramento Kings.
After scoring 16 points in the second quarter alone, Green returned for the fourth quarter and scored 13, including going 3-of-4 from 3-point range. His signature moment came with 5:05 remaining when he slashed his way to the basket and finished with an authoritative slam to give Dallas a commanding 113-92 lead.
The Mavericks, who had lost two straight after winning their first three preseason contests, pulled away with a dominating fourth quarter, building up a 24-point lead over the Kings at one point.
Kevin Martin led Sacramento - which began inserting most of its back-ups and roster hopefuls in the final period - with 26 points in 36 minutes, while John Salmons and Beno Udrih added 15 each.
Josh Howard registered 25 points and Dirk Nowitzki put 21 on the board for Dallas before each left the contest after the third quarter.
Both teams played the usual rotations of players for most of the game until the final period, which Dallas entered with a 92-86 lead.
But Green, looking to add spice to the Mavericks guard position, was the story of this game. He also collected six rebounds and three steals in just over 20 minutes, while shooting 5-of-5 from the free-throw line. Green now is shooting 95 percent (19-of-20) from the line in six preseason contests.
ATLANTA 102, CHARLOTTE 96
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina Joe Johnson scored 22 points and Mike Bibby scored nine of his 14 in the fourth quarter to lift the Atlanta Hawks to a 102-96 exhibition win over the struggling Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena.
The veteran Bibby sparked the Hawks in the final three minutes, knocking down a 3-pointer from the top of the arc with 2:55 left to help his team take control from there. Bibby added three more baskets down the stretch to keep the Bobcats at bay.
Jason Richardson and Raymond Felton combined for 13 of the final 14 points for the Bobcats, but the Hawks proved to be too much.
Al Horford gave Atlanta the lead for good on a dunk with 6:29 to play on a pass from Flip Murray.
The Bobcats are now 0-5 in preseason under new coach Larry Brown, with four of those losses coming against Southeast Division foes. Atlanta improved to 4-2 with the win.
The Hawks were without the services of forward Marvin Williams (left thumb sprain) and Mario West (left ankle sprain).
Atlanta had strong contributions from two of its offseason signings. Maurice Evans, brought in to replace Josh Childress, had 13 points and four rebounds off the bench while Murray added 18, including six in the final period.
The Bobcats were without forward Adam Morrison, who missed the game with tendinitis in his left knee. Morrison missed all of last season with a torn left ACL.
Felton scored 20 points and Emeka Okafor added 18 and 11 rebounds for Charlotte.
ORLANDO 100, MIAMI 92
JACKSONVILLE, Florida Dwight Howard was in midseason form, collecting 26 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Orlando Magic to a 100-92 victory over the Miami Heat in a preseason contest.
Howard went 10-of-14 from the field in 34 minutes while blocking three shots for the Magic, who shot 45 percent (33-for-74) from the field in the contest. Rashard Lewis added 21 points and J.J. Redick chipped in 14 off the bench.
Howard, Lewis and Redick combined for 28 points in the second quarter, when Orlando outscored Miami, 35-17, to take a 57-42 advantage into the break.
Dwyane Wade paced Miami with 29 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in 35 minutes and Udonis Haslem added 16 and 11 rebounds. Rookie Michael Beasley played well off the bench, pouring in 14 points for the Heat, who have yet to win in four preseason contests.
Miami had a good night from the free-throw line, knocking down 16-of-17.
TORONTO 93, LA CLIPPERS 89
LOS ANGELES While most teams give rookies and invited players minutes to assess their value, the Toronto Raptors let their veterans dominate in a 93-89 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Forward Chris Bosh had 26 points and 11 rebounds in 36 minutes, while center Jermaine ONeal had 20 and nine in 33 and forward Kris Humphries added 12 for the Raptors.
Baron Davis and Marcus Camby, two of the Los Angeles Clippers marquee offseason acquisitions, were scratched. Davis was battling the flu and Camby had a sore right heel.
One offseason pick-up that did play was Ricky Davis, who signed as a free agent for the Clippers in July. The former member of the Miami Heat led the team with 14 points, including two 3-pointers.
Al Thornton had 12 points, 10 of them in the first quarter for Los Angeles. The teams first-round pick (14th overall) in the 2007 draft out of Florida State showed the same explosiveness to the basket as last year when he averaged 12.7 points.
Five other Clippers scored in double figures, including Paul Davis, who saw more minutes with Cambys absence and poured in 10 points. Davis is returning after tearing his ACL in December and missing the remainder of the season.
Guards Cuttino Mobley and Jason Hart scored 11 points apiece, while center Chris Kaman and guard Eric Gordon netted 10 points each for Los Angeles.
SAN ANTONIO 106, INDIANA 98
SAN ANTONIO Tony Parker had 19 points and eight assists as the San Antonio Spurs held off the Indiana Pacers in the second half en route to a 106-98 victory.
Matt Bonner scored 15 points and Michael Finley added 13 for the Spurs, who played without superstar Tim Duncan. The franchise forward was not injured but rested in the meaningless exhibition contest.
Without guard Manu Ginobili for the first three months of the season and Duncan for this one, San Antonio unveiled its long-range game, nailing 15-of-39 shots from the arc.
Desmon Farmer scored 14 points and Roger Mason added 11 for the Spurs, who took a 12-point lead at halftime and cruised in the second half.
Newcomer T.J. Ford, who has replaced the mercurial Jamaal Tinsley as the starting point guard, had 16 points and five assists for the Pacers, who implemented coach Jim OBriens trigger-happy offense, shooting 10-of-26 on 3-pointers.
Marquis Daniels scored 18 points and Danny Granger added 17 for Indiana.
UTAH 88, CHICAGO 80
CHICAGO Andrei Kirilenko scored 18 points and Carlos Boozer added 17 and 16 rebounds to lead the Utah Jazz to an 88-80 preseason victory over the Chicago Bulls.
The win means little compared to what the Jazz lost - point guard Deron Williams suffered a sprained left ankle in the first quarter.
Williams injured his ankle on an awkward fall after being fouled while shooting a 3-pointer. X-Rays were negative, but he did not return to the game.
Paul Millsap added 14 points and Ronnie Brewer finished with 11 and 10 rebounds for the Jazz.
Tyrus Thomas, who fouled out in the fourth quarter, had 15 points and 14 rebounds while No. 1 overall pick Derrick Rose scored 11 points.
Ben Gordon did not play for the Bulls, missing the game with a jammed right toe.
LA LAKERS 108, FC BARCELONA 104
LOS ANGELES Kobe Bryant had 28 points and six steals as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated FC Barcelona, 108-104, in preseason action.
Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol each scored 13 points for Los Angeles, which shot 55 percent (41-of-74) from the field and forced 27 turnovers.
The Lakers had a 29-19 lead after the first quarter and never trailed again, although they failed to put away the international club.
After Barcelona closed within four late in the game, Chris Mihm converted a key three-point play with 33 seconds remaining to extend the Lakers lead to 104-97. The Spanish club never got closer than four the rest of the way.
Former Memphis Grizzlies guard - and Gasols teammate on the Olympic silver medal-winning Spanish squad - Juan Carlos Navarro led all scorers with 34 points for Barcelona. He made 7-of-13 from the arc.
FC Barcelona has won seven of the last 13 Liga ACB titles.
October 19, 2008
Kurz hits 3 at the buzzer to lift Warriors. Rob Kurz hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer on an inbounds play to give the Golden State Warriors a 109-108 preseason victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.
Matt Frieje gave the Bucks a 108-106 lead with a shot in the lane with 1.4 seconds to play - his only points of the game.
Kurz, who had tied it with 24 seconds left with another 3, took an inbounds pass from C.J. Watson and shot straightaway from just outside the arc. Kurz finished with 11 points, all but two from 3-point range where he finished 3-for-3.
Stephen Jackson led the Warriors (3-2) with 24 points, while Andris Biedrins had 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Charlie Villaneuva led the Bucks (1-5) with 26 points and Michael Redd added 23.
The Bucks trailed 99-93 with about 6 minutes to play but pulled ahead with an 11-0 run.
The game was scheduled when Chinese player Yi Jianlian was still a member of the Bucks, which would have been a huge draw for the fans in Beijing. But Yi and Bobby Simmons were traded to the New Jersey Nets this summer for Richard Jefferson.
The Chinese fans, who had packed the Beijing Olympic Basketball Arena during the August games, cheered equally for both teams, but were most enthusiastic during breaks in play when cheerleaders threw free T-shirts into the stands.
October 19, 2008
Power forwards supply points, rebounds and blocked shots. Small forwards score as well, but fantasy hoops owners look for more assists, steals and three-pointers from their 3s than their 4s.
The pool of forwards is deeper than Mark Cubans pockets. There are plenty of guys out there that can pour in 20 points per game, grab 10 rebounds per game or do both.
Just pay attention to your leagues rules before your draft. Some leagues separate small forwards from power forwards in starting lineups. Other leagues just stick all of the forwards together in one big pot and allow you to play whomever you choose.
Here are the top 50 forwards in fantasy basketball entering the 2008-09 campaign:
1. LeBron James, Cavaliers: He should be taken first overall in all fantasy drafts, or at least second behind Kobe Bryant. Ok, maybe third behind Bryant and Chris Paul. But James is numero uno at forward for sure.
2. Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets: Set new career-highs in field-goal percentage, three-point percentage and rebounding while averaging over 25 ppg last season.
3. Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks: Luckily his playoff performances do not count against him in fantasy leagues - unless you own him in fantasy playoff leagues, that is.
4. Kevin Garnett, Celtics: K.G. may have won himself a championship ring in Boston, but his fantasy value was a lot better when he had to be a one-man wrecking crew in Minnesota.
5. Josh Smith, Hawks: If his numbers keep progressing the way they have the past couple years, Smith is primed to average 20 points, 10 rebounds and a league-leading three blocks per game. And his stats could be better than that.
6. Caron Butler, Wizards: Not only does he score and rebound, Butler is one of the best forwards in fantasy hoops when it comes to assists and steals. The Los Angeles Lakers look like idiots for giving him away a couple years ago.
7. Paul Pierce, Celtics: Bostons top playoff performer during its title run just celebrated his birthday. Fantasy owners who draft him will be celebrating all season long.
8. Chris Bosh, Raptors: The Roy Halladay of Torontos basketball team remains an All-Star power forward and a constant source for double-doubles, although he generally misses 10 games with injuries.
9. Elton Brand, 76ers: Here is your top contender for the NBAs Comeback Player of the Year award.
10. Danny Granger, Pacers: Getting better and better with every game, this three-point master will set new personal-bests in all of the major fantasy categories this season.
11. Rudy Gay, Grizzlies: There was no sophomore slump for this kid last season. Gay doubled his scoring average from 10.9 ppg to 20.2.
12. Andre Iguodala, 76ers: Phillys current A.I. helps out a little bit in all of the categories fantasy hoopsters care about.
13. Rashard Lewis, Magic: Lewis fantasy value shot up after going from a cellar-dweller to a playoff team.
14. Shawn Marion, Heat: The long-armed Marion has seen his assist and rebound averages improve each of the past two seasons, but his scoring average has gone down each of the past two seasons, too.
15. Carlos Boozer, Jazz: You like 20 points and 10 rebounds per game? You like drafting a player with booze in his name? You get both with this guy.
16. Pau Gasol, Lakers: A healthy Andrew Bynum could cut into Gasols points and rebounds.
17. David West, Hornets: Not only one of the most underrated players in the NBA, but one of the most underrated players in fantasy basketball as well.
18. Michael Beasley, Heat: Should be battling it out with Derrick Rose for Rookie of the Year honors at seasons end.
19. Richard Jefferson, Bucks: Could get some more touches and score more points now that he has gotten away from that ballhog Vince Carter.
20. Gerald Wallace, Bobcats: His points are great, his rebounds are good, his assists are solid and his steals are always above-average.
21. Lamar Odom, Lakers: One of the best all-around forwards in fantasy basketball, Odoms extra assists and rebounds make up for the low point totals he posts because he does not get many shots in L.A.s Kobe-heavy offense.
22. Luol Deng, Bulls: Avoided getting dealt for the 1,000th time after another offseason of trade rumors.
23. Mike Dunleavy, Pacers: He isnt a bust after all! Dunleavy had the best year of his short career last season thanks to his 19.1 ppg and his scintillating shooting from three-point range (42.4 percent).
24. Hedo Turkoglu, Magic: Fantasy basketballs most improved player last season needs to prove it was not a fluke by repeating those numbers this season.
25. Antwan Jamison, Wizards: Has an ongoing contest to see who can get injured more often with teammate Gilbert Arenas.
26. LaMarcus Aldridge, Blazers: Having a healthy Greg Oden down on the blocks will help Aldridges scoring and rebounding, not hurt it.
27. Josh Howard, Mavericks: Adam Pacman Jones got into less trouble in the offseason than Howard did.
28. Ron Artest, Rockets: He might be as grumpy as John McCain, yet when Artest is injury-free and suspension-free he can do some fantasy damage.
29. Corey Maggette, Warriors: Golden States run-and-gun game should make Maggette a 20-point scorer on more nights than not.
30. Luis Scola, Rockets: Averaged 13.6 points and 8.4 rebounds after the All-Star break last season, helping Houston go on its sick winning streak down the stretch.
31. Stephen Jackson, Warriors: Keep this dude away from guns and strip clubs and he is very serviceable fantasy-wise.
32. Zach Randolph, Knicks: Will this perennial loafer buy into New Yorks new score-at-all-costs style of play? He could average 20 points and 10 rebounds, or he could be a gigantic fiasco.
33. Jermaine O Neal, Raptors: I dont know if it is fair to call him the most injury-prone O Neal in fantasy hoops because Shaquille O Neal is no Calvin Murphy when it comes to durability.
34. Peja Stojakovic, Hornets: This long-range bomber supplies above-average points and rebounds, and league-leading numbers in three-pointers and free-throw percentage.
35. Nick Collison, Thunder: Has finally found his niche as a rebound-crazy center-forward that can put up some 12-point, 10-rebound games.
36. Kevin Love, Grizzlies: The best passing big man I have seen in college basketball in a long while. How that translates fantasy-wise in the NBA is anyones guess.
37. Troy Murphy, Pacers: A pure shooter from outside and the charity stripe, although he is not the solid rebounder he was four or five years ago.
38. David Lee, Knicks: His team is going to take more shots this season, so Lee should score more points and grab more boards.
39. Al Thornton, Clippers: Average at best in most major fantasy categories in his rookie campaign, look for his fantasy worth to step up a level in Year Two.
40. Andrei Kirilenko, Jazz: Can you have a player on your fantasy roster who cried once when he was not getting enough playing time? Maybe only if you need blocks badly, because Kirilenko is adept at that.
41. Joe Alexander, Bucks: The West Virginia product might need a season or two before he becomes a fantasy force.
42. Marvin Williams, Hawks: Josh Childress defecting to Greece opens up some extra scoring chances for this underachieving youngster.
43. Jeff Green, Thunder: Everybody forgets that Durant was not the only lottery pick the Sonics/Thunder drafted in 2007, and Green averaged 15.9 points and 6.3 rebounds during the last month of last season.
44. Drew Gooden, Bulls: Even Joe the Plumber knows Gooden is good for a few double-doubles during the season.
45. Tayshaun Prince, Pistons: Known more for his defense than his offense.
46. Chris Wilcox, Thunder: Has not developed into the above-average power forward Seattle, I mean Oklahoma City, banked on when they signed him to a multi-million dollar deal.
47. Al Harrington, Warriors: Coming off the bench kills his fantasy value since he is no Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
48. Kyle Korver, Jazz: Good for three-pointers and free-throw percentage and not much else.
49. Thaddeus Young, 76ers: So much potential it makes your head ache just thinking about it. Its true.
50. Danilo Gallinari, Knicks: Is he the second-coming of Frederic Weis? You just have to trust Knicks general manager Donnie Walsh on this one.
Next week: The top 50 guards.
October 2, 2008
Ryan Smyth, T J Hensick and David Jones each scored for Colorado. And the Avalanche beat the Dallas Stars 3-1 in a preseason game Wednesday night.
Steve Ott scored his second goal of the preseason for Dallas.
Smyth took a cross-ice pass from Paul Stastny and beat Stars goalie Matt Climie at the right post with 1:22 left in the second period to break a scoreless tie. Smyth, who has four goals in the preseason, nearly scored again with 5:12 left in the game but he was stopped trying to stuff the puck through Climies legs.
Jones scored his first goal 2:39 into the third period when he skated in front of Climie and beat him with a wrister to make it 2-0. Ott answered 2:18 later when he redirected a pass from Matt Niskanen past Colorado goalie Peter Budaj.
Hensick scored late in the third to make it 3-1, his second of the preseason.
Budaj had 30 saves for the Avalanche (3-0-1) and Climie had 23 saves for Dallas (1-3-0), which has lost two straight preseason games.
Both teams had chances on the power play in a scoreless first period. The Stars best chance to score in the frame came when Trevor Daley had a point-blank shot from the slot with 1:20 left, but Budaj made the pad save to keep the game tied heading into the first intermission.
The Stars controlled the play for the first 10 minutes of the second period, outshooting the Avalanche 7-3, including three good chances on an early power play. Colorado had two good chances, the best coming with 9:35 left when Peter Stastny fed defenseman John-Michael Liles with a drop pass, but Climie made the save on the wrister.
Jones had a short-handed chance two minutes later that Climie stopped with a pad save to keep the game scoreless.
October 2, 2008
Philadelphia Flyers right wing Steve Downie left Wednesday 2-1 preseason victory. Over the Washington Capitals in the second period following a fight with Jay Beagle.
The 21-year-old Downie suffered a left knee strain after falling to the ice. He did not return to the contest and is expected to undergo an MRI on Thursday.
Downie was suspended 20 games by the NHL in October for delivering a hit to the head of Ottawa Senators left wing Dean McAmmond in a preseason game.
The 2005 first-round pick registered six goals and 12 points in 32 games for the Flyers last season.
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Flyers sign first-round pick Sbisa.
The Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday signed defenseman Luca Sbisa, their top pick in this past Junes draft.
Terms were not disclosed.
Sbisa, 18, is scoreless with eight penalty minutes in four preseason games with the Flyers. The native of Switzerland spent last season with Lethbridge of the Western Hockey League, recording six goals and 27 assists in 62 contests.
We consider Luca a good, young prospect for us, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said. We are happy to have it done. He has continued to play well for us through training camp. The fact that he is still here (in training camp) shows that we think very highly of him.
It is a great feeling, said Sbisa, who was drafted 19th overall. I have been working for this moment since I started playing hockey. I came here and told myself to do my best, have fun and see what happens. I just want to gain as much experience as I can and see what happens.
Sbisa participated in the 2008 CHL Top Prospects Game and was a member of Team Switzerland at the 2008 World Junior Championship Tournament.
