Is Dwight Howard Headed Out Of Orlando?

Dwight Howard will have a tough decision when 2012 gets here. Will he stay with the Orlando Magic or we he test the free agency waters. Many people feel he will test the waters and I really cannot blame him one bit. The Magic continue to surround him with players it seems who do not have the desire to win a championship like Howard. Most of his teammates stand around and do nothing, but collect a check.

Howard is getting tired of it and went off on his teammates the other day. You really cannot blame him as he is tired of losing especially since he has a very talented team. Howard is getting frustrated and when that happens a player wants out. Unless Orlando makes some changes for the better look for Superman to fly right out of Orlando.

Will Kendrick Perkins Trade Come Back To Haunt Boston?

The Boston Celtics has always been a smart team in the moves they make during the off-season and during the season. This latest move though has to get you wondering what they are thinking. Boston sent Kendrick Perkins to Oklahoma City and acquiring forward Jeff Green and center Nenad Krstic. Now Green and Krstic are very nice players, but in reality the Celtics post a big piece of their swagger with Perkins gone.

Kendrick Perkins is one of the few big men in the league who does not need help guarding people. Shaq gets into foul trouble pretty easy, while Perkins does not foul out very often. The Celtics got smaller and are hoping Shaq and Jermaine O’Neal get and stay healthy. That is a big thing to hope for, but I guess they think it is possible. I think down the stretch and the playoffs they will wish they had Kendrick Perkins especially if they play against Dwight Howard and the Magic. Perkins was one guy who gave Howard a lot of trouble. I guess we will have to wait and see how this all plays out.

NHL Schedule February 25, 2011

NY Rangers
Washington
7:00pm ET

Pittsburgh
Carolina
7:00pm ET

Phoenix
Columbus
7:00pm ET

Ottawa
Buffalo
7:30pm ET

New Jersey
Tampa Bay
7:30pm ET

Florida
Atlanta
7:30pm ET

San Jose
Calgary
9:00pm ET

St. Louis
Edmonton
9:00pm ET

Minnesota
Anaheim
10:00pm ET

Around The Diamond: 2011 Philadelphia Phillies Preview

It is time for our Spring Training Preview and were going to start it in the National League with the 2011 edition of the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies made a big splash in the off-season with the signing of Cliff Lee. Adding Lee gives the Phillies the best rotation in baseball bar none. The Phillies can throw Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt, and probably Joe Blanton. That is starting pitcher any baseball club would be happy to have. The bullpen is anchored by Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson. Not that they will need them much with the starting pitching that they have right now.

On offense the Phillies lost Jayson Werth which was an important bat in the lineup. They should still be fine though as they have a lot of talent. Below is a tentative batting order for the Phillies.

1. Jimmy Rollins (SS)
2. Placido Polanco (3B)
3. Chase Utley (2B)
4. Ryan Howard (1B)
5. Carlos Ruiz (C)
6. Domonic Brown (RF)
7. Raul Ibanez (LF)
8. Shane Victorino (CF)

They still have the potential to score a bunch of runs. A healthy Jimmy Rollins could be the key to everything. If he can stay on the field and off the disabled list the Phillies could be the best team in baseball. On paper the Phillies should be an World Series favorite.

Around The Diamond: 2011 Atlanta Braves Preview

When you talk about the 2011 Atlanta Braves two things come to mind right away Bobby Cox and Chipper Jones. This will be the first time in a long time the Braves will be led by someone besides Bobby Cox. The Braves have hired Fredi Gonzalez to take over for Bobby Cox. Getting Chipper Jones back is also something many people will be watching very closely. The Braves have lost quite a feel people from last years team.

Manager Bobby Cox (Retired)
RP Billy Wagner (Retired)
RP Takashi Saito (Released)
RP Michael Dunn (Traded)
RP Kyle Farnsworth (Released)
OF Matt Diaz (Released)
OF Melky Cabrera (Released)
OF Rick Ankiel (Released)
1B Derrek Lee (Released)
1B Troy Glaus (Released)
UT Omar Infante (Traded)

That is a lot of players for the Braves to lose and the list additions is much shorter and nothing really earth shattering either.

Manager Fredi Gonzalez
2B Dan Uggla (Trade)
RP Scott Linebrink (Trade)
RP George Sherrill (Free Agent)
RP Anthony Varvaro (Waivers)
OF Joe Mather (Waivers)

Picking up Dan Uggla was a good move as he is a player that I really like and the Braves had an issue at second base last season. The starting pitching for the Braves have been in the past their strong suit and they have a nice rotation for this coming season as well. Tim Hudson,Tommy Hanson, and Derek Lowe are three good ones to build around for the Braves. The bullpen was good last season, but will take a hit in 2011. Gone are Billy Wagner, and the departure of Takashi Saito will hurt them.

The projected lineup below is what the Braves will probably go with barring and injuries or setbacks in spring training. I like their starting lineup and if Chipper Jones can stay healthy they should be fine. I think for the Braves it will come down to their pitching and how well the bullpen performs. Do not count this team out as they have enough talent to contend.

CF Nate McLouth
LF Martin Prado
3B Chipper Jones
2B Dan Uggla
C Brian McCann
RF Jason Heyward
SS Alex Gonzalez
1B Freddie Freeman