The Toronto Raptors acquired small forward James Johnson from the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday in exchange for the Miami HEAT's 2011 first-round draft pick that the Raptors picked up this past summer as part of the Chris Bosh sign and trade deal with Miami.
Johnson was taken with the sixteenth pick of the 2009 draft by the Bulls after two seasons with Wake Forest. In college, Johnson averaged an impressive 14.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks in about 30 minutes a game. At a legitimate 6' 8" tall and 257 lbs, Johnson also sports a seven-foot wingspan and has a 35" maximum vertical leap.
"James Johnson is a strong, athletic and versatile small forward that we have had our eye on dating back to the 2009 NBA Draft," said Raptors President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo.
Johnson had trouble getting minutes on the Bulls in his rookie season and averaged 3.9 points and 1.9 rebounds in 11.6 minutes over 65 games and a partially-torn plantar fasciitis in his right foot caused him to miss five games over the season's final couple of weeks.
This season has been even tougher as the Bulls revamped roster left little time for Johnson. A largely forgotten man, Johnson has only played in two games for the Bulls since Christmas.
The 24-year-old Johnson does fill both an immediate and possibly a long-term need on the Raptors. Since Linas Kleiza was lost for the season due to injury, the Raptors have found themselves short-handed at the small forward position and lacking the physical presence with which to guard larger wing players. Johnson will get the chance denied to him in Chicago this year to show what he is capable of in Toronto.
The Toronto Raptors acquired small forward James Johnson from the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday in exchange for the Miami HEAT's 2011 first-round draft pick that the Raptors picked up this past summer as part of the Chris Bosh sign and trade deal with Miami.
Johnson was taken with the sixteenth pick of the 2009 draft by the Bulls after two seasons with Wake Forest. In college, Johnson averaged an impressive 14.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks in about 30 minutes a game. At a legitimate 6' 8" tall and 257 lbs, Johnson also sports a seven-foot wingspan and has a 35" maximum vertical leap.
"James Johnson is a strong, athletic and versatile small forward that we have had our eye on dating back to the 2009 NBA Draft," said Raptors President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo.
Johnson had trouble getting minutes on the Bulls in his rookie season and averaged 3.9 points and 1.9 rebounds in 11.6 minutes over 65 games and a partially-torn plantar fasciitis in his right foot caused him to miss five games over the season's final couple of weeks.
This season has been even tougher as the Bulls revamped roster left little time for Johnson. A largely forgotten man, Johnson has only played in two games for the Bulls since Christmas.
The 24-year-old Johnson does fill both an immediate and possibly a long-term need on the Raptors. Since Linas Kleiza was lost for the season due to injury, the Raptors have found themselves short-handed at the small forward position and lacking the physical presence with which to guard larger wing players. Johnson will get the chance denied to him in Chicago this year to show what he is capable of in Toronto.
I know that fans have grown to like James Neal. I have, too. He's got upside and can be a solid scorer in the NHL.
But the Stars needed help on the blue line. That's clear. This team is struggling, dropping from first in the Pacific Division (and, consequently third in the Western Conference) to tied with four other teams for one of the final playoff spots. And Neal was expendable. The team can't trade Jamie Benn. But with the forward depth, it could afford to trade Neal. I agree with GM Joe Nieuwendyk: You have to give up something to get something.
Alex Goligoski gives them a puck-moving defenseman and someone who can pair with Stephane Robidas right now to help give that blueline corps some punch. He's got another year remaining on his contract and becomes a restricted free agent after that. He frees up some money should Nieuwendyk find another move he'd like to make.
The move makes sense for the Penguins, too. Neal gives them a winger they need. Maybe a change of scenery will help Matt Niskanen.
But the Stars can shift Benn to left wing on Brad Richards' line (when everybody is healthy) and add a defenseman to the mix who is at least somewhat in the mold of Sergei Zubov. While Goligoski is certainly not at Zubov's level, he is the closest thing this club has had since Zubov left. He can also play the point on the power play.
I know many of you don't like this trade because you feel the Stars gave up too much. We'll know more about that in the coming months. But Nieuwendyk had to do something. A good start to the 2010-11 season is evaporating and now the Stars are in a major fight just to get into the playoffs. Goligoski helps them get there more than Neal would have.
I know that fans have grown to like James Neal. I have, too. He's got upside and can be a solid scorer in the NHL.
But the Stars needed help on the blue line. That's clear. This team is struggling, dropping from first in the Pacific Division (and, consequently third in the Western Conference) to tied with four other teams for one of the final playoff spots. And Neal was expendable. The team can't trade Jamie Benn. But with the forward depth, it could afford to trade Neal. I agree with GM Joe Nieuwendyk: You have to give up something to get something.
Alex Goligoski gives them a puck-moving defenseman and someone who can pair with Stephane Robidas right now to help give that blueline corps some punch. He's got another year remaining on his contract and becomes a restricted free agent after that. He frees up some money should Nieuwendyk find another move he'd like to make.
The move makes sense for the Penguins, too. Neal gives them a winger they need. Maybe a change of scenery will help Matt Niskanen.
But the Stars can shift Benn to left wing on Brad Richards' line (when everybody is healthy) and add a defenseman to the mix who is at least somewhat in the mold of Sergei Zubov. While Goligoski is certainly not at Zubov's level, he is the closest thing this club has had since Zubov left. He can also play the point on the power play.
I know many of you don't like this trade because you feel the Stars gave up too much. We'll know more about that in the coming months. But Nieuwendyk had to do something. A good start to the 2010-11 season is evaporating and now the Stars are in a major fight just to get into the playoffs. Goligoski helps them get there more than Neal would have.
Lebron James, Michael Phelps, Peyton Manning and Alex Rodriguez, they are giants of their games. Lebron James towers on the basketball court, Michael Phelps is tall drink of water in the pool, Peyton Manning reigns tall on the football field and Alex Rodriguez is at the height of his game on the baseball diamond. So how tall are these sports super stars?
Alex Rodriguez is 6′3″
Peyton Manning is 6′5″
Michael Phelps is 6′ 4″
LeBron James is 6′ 7″
It looks like size does indeed matter! Especially in these games, these players got not only game…but they got height.
Lebron James, Michael Phelps, Peyton Manning and Alex Rodriguez, they are giants of their games. Lebron James towers on the basketball court, Michael Phelps is tall drink of water in the pool, Peyton Manning reigns tall on the football field and Alex Rodriguez is at the height of his game on the baseball diamond. So how tall are these sports super stars?
Alex Rodriguez is 6′3″
Peyton Manning is 6′5″
Michael Phelps is 6′ 4″
LeBron James is 6′ 7″
It looks like size does indeed matter! Especially in these games, these players got not only game…but they got height.
LeBron James may be one of most loathed men in professional sports; he may have executed a cartoonishly graceless exit that left his home state traumatized and heartbroken; he may have left a chunk of his soul here that he will never recover; he may play for a erratic Florida-based concern that has yet to find a groove; and he remains deprived of championship jewelry. But he's still a phenomenally talented basketball player, and Earth is just going to have to get over it.
Mr. James proved this with an intergalactic thump Thursday in the downtown arena he used to call home. Playing amid a nonstop blast of boos and invective from fans who once lionized his every move, he scored 38 points and played his best game of the season as the Miami Heat routed the Cavaliers, 118-90.
"So many things went through my mind," Mr. James said afterward. "I have nothing bad to say about these fans at all. [We had] seven great years."
Veni, Vidi, Vici. You can practically smell the Nike ad coming. For months, this otherwise nondescript regular-season game had been pumped up into a Roman blood match, with the detested Mr. James standing at the center. It was billed as a chance for Cleveland to find closure for what it saw as a cold-blooded betrayal, when a stiff Mr. James infamously told ESPN and the world in July that he would be relocating to Miami.
"Things could have been a little bit different this summer from both sides," Mr. James conceded.
Cleveland still seems to be sorting out its anger. It didn't want a pity party. It wants to be seen as a citadel of fan loyalty, a decent place that respects tradition and family. It wants Bernie Kosar and the Browns sitting courtside, and also Drew Carey. It goofily celebrates its owner, Dan Gilbert, who went thermonuclear in a strongly worded letter after Mr. James announced his departure ("If you believe in Dan Gilbert, make some noise!" a courtside announcer bellowed, and the crowd dutifully made some noise.)
But Cleveland also wanted a measure of revenge. It wanted to call Mr. James unprintable words and put LeBron stickers in the bottom of the men's room urinals and scream "Akron Hates You" at its least favorite son. It wanted to boo, and from the instant Mr. James stepped on the court, the boos were good ones—deep, rich and authentic.
Then the ball went up, and Miami-Cleveland became a basketball game, and not an especially entertaining one. That's the thing about regular-season NBA games—they become regular season NBA games. After an early, emotional surge, Cleveland started to misfire and wobble, and the Heat showed signs of finally coalescing into the contender most people assumed they'd be when Mr. James joined up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Mr. James had his highest point total of the year, finding his jump shot and playing calmly under undeniable duress.
"I saw a group that was playing for their brothers," the embattled Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said afterwards, referring to Mr. James and his fellow ex-Cavalier, Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
It surely must have been a surreal day for Mr. James. When he was a Cleveland phenom, his slogan was the Biblically tinged "Witness." Nike draped a banner printed with the seven letters on a building outside the arena. Now that banner is gone, replaced with a Sherwin-Williams poster celebrating the city he abandoned. He must have seen it when he arrived at the Quicken Loans Arena around 5:30 p.m. after a quiet day at a luxury Cleveland hotel counting his money, cackling with his yacht broker and stroking the chin of his hairless Siberian tiger.
He was The Only Story. There was almost no activity outside the Cavaliers locker room—reporters from as far away as France and Italy and that great Xanadu, New York City, huddled around the Heat, hoping for a Tweetable LeBron nugget or scrap. As Mr. Bosh tinkered on his iPad, Mr. Wade tried to sneak past the scrum, muttering under his breath, "What the he—…?"
Mr. James passed on pregame press availability and opted to throw his pal Mr. Ilgauskas before the media. As Mr. James dressed in a corner, giving a quick glimpse of his "Chosen 1" back tattoo, the aging Mr.Ilgauskas quietly told reporters he just hoped "nothing stupid happens tonight."
Stupid didn't happen. There were a few skirmishes in the stands, and by the fourth quarter, a handful of Heat fans daring enough to flash their red and black jerseys. The streets outside the Hate Volcano were not the apocalyptic, open flame Road Warrior scene the haters seemed to be hoping for. Near the arena's main entrance, someone had parked a portable shredder on the street, and for a small donation to charity offered to julienne LeBron memorabilia. A sign outside a sports bar admonished customers to not wear James gear inside. PLEASE REMOVE IT, OR PATRONIZE A DIFFERENT ESTABLISHMENT, it read.
But it was never as crazy as that. Cleveland released its agita, and Mr. James reasserted his greatness, victoriously walking out into the cold Cleveland night wearing a jacket that read "Time to Roll" on the back. This whole emotionally exhausting saga is settled, right? Of course not. The Heat are back in Ohio on March 29.
LeBron James may be one of most loathed men in professional sports; he may have executed a cartoonishly graceless exit that left his home state traumatized and heartbroken; he may have left a chunk of his soul here that he will never recover; he may play for a erratic Florida-based concern that has yet to find a groove; and he remains deprived of championship jewelry. But he's still a phenomenally talented basketball player, and Earth is just going to have to get over it.
Mr. James proved this with an intergalactic thump Thursday in the downtown arena he used to call home. Playing amid a nonstop blast of boos and invective from fans who once lionized his every move, he scored 38 points and played his best game of the season as the Miami Heat routed the Cavaliers, 118-90.
"So many things went through my mind," Mr. James said afterward. "I have nothing bad to say about these fans at all. [We had] seven great years."
Veni, Vidi, Vici. You can practically smell the Nike ad coming. For months, this otherwise nondescript regular-season game had been pumped up into a Roman blood match, with the detested Mr. James standing at the center. It was billed as a chance for Cleveland to find closure for what it saw as a cold-blooded betrayal, when a stiff Mr. James infamously told ESPN and the world in July that he would be relocating to Miami.
"Things could have been a little bit different this summer from both sides," Mr. James conceded.
Cleveland still seems to be sorting out its anger. It didn't want a pity party. It wants to be seen as a citadel of fan loyalty, a decent place that respects tradition and family. It wants Bernie Kosar and the Browns sitting courtside, and also Drew Carey. It goofily celebrates its owner, Dan Gilbert, who went thermonuclear in a strongly worded letter after Mr. James announced his departure ("If you believe in Dan Gilbert, make some noise!" a courtside announcer bellowed, and the crowd dutifully made some noise.)
But Cleveland also wanted a measure of revenge. It wanted to call Mr. James unprintable words and put LeBron stickers in the bottom of the men's room urinals and scream "Akron Hates You" at its least favorite son. It wanted to boo, and from the instant Mr. James stepped on the court, the boos were good ones—deep, rich and authentic.
Then the ball went up, and Miami-Cleveland became a basketball game, and not an especially entertaining one. That's the thing about regular-season NBA games—they become regular season NBA games. After an early, emotional surge, Cleveland started to misfire and wobble, and the Heat showed signs of finally coalescing into the contender most people assumed they'd be when Mr. James joined up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Mr. James had his highest point total of the year, finding his jump shot and playing calmly under undeniable duress.
"I saw a group that was playing for their brothers," the embattled Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said afterwards, referring to Mr. James and his fellow ex-Cavalier, Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
It surely must have been a surreal day for Mr. James. When he was a Cleveland phenom, his slogan was the Biblically tinged "Witness." Nike draped a banner printed with the seven letters on a building outside the arena. Now that banner is gone, replaced with a Sherwin-Williams poster celebrating the city he abandoned. He must have seen it when he arrived at the Quicken Loans Arena around 5:30 p.m. after a quiet day at a luxury Cleveland hotel counting his money, cackling with his yacht broker and stroking the chin of his hairless Siberian tiger.
He was The Only Story. There was almost no activity outside the Cavaliers locker room—reporters from as far away as France and Italy and that great Xanadu, New York City, huddled around the Heat, hoping for a Tweetable LeBron nugget or scrap. As Mr. Bosh tinkered on his iPad, Mr. Wade tried to sneak past the scrum, muttering under his breath, "What the he—…?"
Mr. James passed on pregame press availability and opted to throw his pal Mr. Ilgauskas before the media. As Mr. James dressed in a corner, giving a quick glimpse of his "Chosen 1" back tattoo, the aging Mr.Ilgauskas quietly told reporters he just hoped "nothing stupid happens tonight."
Stupid didn't happen. There were a few skirmishes in the stands, and by the fourth quarter, a handful of Heat fans daring enough to flash their red and black jerseys. The streets outside the Hate Volcano were not the apocalyptic, open flame Road Warrior scene the haters seemed to be hoping for. Near the arena's main entrance, someone had parked a portable shredder on the street, and for a small donation to charity offered to julienne LeBron memorabilia. A sign outside a sports bar admonished customers to not wear James gear inside. PLEASE REMOVE IT, OR PATRONIZE A DIFFERENT ESTABLISHMENT, it read.
But it was never as crazy as that. Cleveland released its agita, and Mr. James reasserted his greatness, victoriously walking out into the cold Cleveland night wearing a jacket that read "Time to Roll" on the back. This whole emotionally exhausting saga is settled, right? Of course not. The Heat are back in Ohio on March 29.
If you wanted somebody crusty in your movie, you hired James Gammon.
Gammon, a veteran character actor, died Friday at his daughter's home in Costa Mesa, Calif., the Los Angeles Times reported. He was 70.
You probably know Gammon best for his role (pictured above) as Lou Brown, the gruff manager of the Cleveland Indians in the baseball comedy "Major League." (He was the one who was confined to a hospital bed during the Indians' stretch toward the division title.)
He also had major roles in "Urban Cowboy," "The Milagro Beanfield War" (for director Robert Redford), "Leaving Normal," "Ironweed," "Silverado" and "Cold Mountain."
On TV, he made guest appearances from the 1960s (in "Gunsmoke") through 2007 (on "Grey's Anatomy"). He also was on the detective series "Nash Bridges," playing the father of the title character played by Don Johnson (even though there was only a nine-year age difference between them).
On stage, though, Gammon was a regular actor in the plays of Sam Shepard -- a collaboration that began when Gammon appeared in a 1978 production at New York's Public Theatre of "Curse of the Starving Class."
If you wanted somebody crusty in your movie, you hired James Gammon.
Gammon, a veteran character actor, died Friday at his daughter's home in Costa Mesa, Calif., the Los Angeles Times reported. He was 70.
You probably know Gammon best for his role (pictured above) as Lou Brown, the gruff manager of the Cleveland Indians in the baseball comedy "Major League." (He was the one who was confined to a hospital bed during the Indians' stretch toward the division title.)
He also had major roles in "Urban Cowboy," "The Milagro Beanfield War" (for director Robert Redford), "Leaving Normal," "Ironweed," "Silverado" and "Cold Mountain."
On TV, he made guest appearances from the 1960s (in "Gunsmoke") through 2007 (on "Grey's Anatomy"). He also was on the detective series "Nash Bridges," playing the father of the title character played by Don Johnson (even though there was only a nine-year age difference between them).
On stage, though, Gammon was a regular actor in the plays of Sam Shepard -- a collaboration that began when Gammon appeared in a 1978 production at New York's Public Theatre of "Curse of the Starving Class."
Actor James Gammon, who was known for his distinct gravelly voice, died at his daughter's home surrounded by his family. He was only 70 years-old.
Gammon battled "cancer two and a half years ago. It came back aggressively about a month ago in his adrenal glands and liver," according to his wife, Nancy. Unfortunately, the actor was too weak to do surgery or chemotherapy, so he choose to do hospice at home for his remaining days.
He had a vast career starting as a cameraman while acting in local theater. The actor moved to California and began acting in television. In 1967, James made his film debut in Cool Hand Luke along side actor Paul Newman.
Throughout his career, Gammon logged more than 135 screen credits, but is best known for his film role in the 1989 comedy Major League where he played Lou Brown, manager of the hopeless Cleveland Indians. He also played a key role in films including, Urban Cowboy, The Milagro Beanfield War, Leaving Normal, Ironweed, Silverado and Cold Mountain.
In his most notable television role, he played the father of Don Johnson on Nash Bridges from 1996 to 2001. Gammon also had recurring roles in The Waltons, Bagdad Café, Homefront and Middle Ages. He even made guest appearances on shows like the popular 1960s hit Gunsmoke to the now popular Grey's Anatomy.
Actor James Gammon, who was known for his distinct gravelly voice, died at his daughter's home surrounded by his family. He was only 70 years-old.
Gammon battled "cancer two and a half years ago. It came back aggressively about a month ago in his adrenal glands and liver," according to his wife, Nancy. Unfortunately, the actor was too weak to do surgery or chemotherapy, so he choose to do hospice at home for his remaining days.
He had a vast career starting as a cameraman while acting in local theater. The actor moved to California and began acting in television. In 1967, James made his film debut in Cool Hand Luke along side actor Paul Newman.
Throughout his career, Gammon logged more than 135 screen credits, but is best known for his film role in the 1989 comedy Major League where he played Lou Brown, manager of the hopeless Cleveland Indians. He also played a key role in films including, Urban Cowboy, The Milagro Beanfield War, Leaving Normal, Ironweed, Silverado and Cold Mountain.
In his most notable television role, he played the father of Don Johnson on Nash Bridges from 1996 to 2001. Gammon also had recurring roles in The Waltons, Bagdad Café, Homefront and Middle Ages. He even made guest appearances on shows like the popular 1960s hit Gunsmoke to the now popular Grey's Anatomy.
All right, we're almost ready to begin the countdown and end the LeBron James drama. His ESPN special, The Decision, starts at 9 ET, and the expectation is that he'll give Jim Gray the word on where he's going within the first 10 minutes or so.
We'll be checking in with updates, and here's what we know so far:
Extra police are on duty at LeBron's Cleveland-area home, just in case Cavalier fans don't take the news well.
If LeBron bails on Cleveland, there are going to be some ugly comparisons to Art Modell.
The New York Knicks seem to have given up hope on landing LeBron.
Us Magazine says LeBron has set up a weekend celebration in Miami.
Already in line to share LeBron's millions is a man who has filed a lawsuit, claiming to be his father.
It's never too late to cast a vote on how you feel about LeBron's choices.
Just for the heck of it, Dan Patrick thinks this event provides an excellent opportunity for a drinking game. Here are the rules.
All right, we're almost ready to begin the countdown and end the LeBron James drama. His ESPN special, The Decision, starts at 9 ET, and the expectation is that he'll give Jim Gray the word on where he's going within the first 10 minutes or so.
We'll be checking in with updates, and here's what we know so far:
Extra police are on duty at LeBron's Cleveland-area home, just in case Cavalier fans don't take the news well.
If LeBron bails on Cleveland, there are going to be some ugly comparisons to Art Modell.
The New York Knicks seem to have given up hope on landing LeBron.
Us Magazine says LeBron has set up a weekend celebration in Miami.
Already in line to share LeBron's millions is a man who has filed a lawsuit, claiming to be his father.
It's never too late to cast a vote on how you feel about LeBron's choices.
Just for the heck of it, Dan Patrick thinks this event provides an excellent opportunity for a drinking game. Here are the rules.
Heavy metal sustained another loss in as many months, as it was reported that famed singer Ronnie James Dio died this morning. The actual cause of death remains unreported, but it seems likely it was related to complications with Dio's ongoing treatment for stomach cancer.
Dio was a permanent fixture in hard rock and heavy metal, and he had a celebrated career fronting bands like ELF, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and his own eponymous band. His most recent effort was the warmly-received Heaven and Hell, which also featured Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath.
The singer addressed his illness with grace and bravado, and he expressed certainty that he would survive and perform again. Unfortunately this was not the case, and fans around the world will mourn his passing in the days and weeks to come.
Heavy metal sustained another loss in as many months, as it was reported that famed singer Ronnie James Dio died this morning. The actual cause of death remains unreported, but it seems likely it was related to complications with Dio's ongoing treatment for stomach cancer.
Dio was a permanent fixture in hard rock and heavy metal, and he had a celebrated career fronting bands like ELF, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and his own eponymous band. His most recent effort was the warmly-received Heaven and Hell, which also featured Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath.
The singer addressed his illness with grace and bravado, and he expressed certainty that he would survive and perform again. Unfortunately this was not the case, and fans around the world will mourn his passing in the days and weeks to come.
Not a good way to start a Sunday morning. Waking up to an inbox full of "tips" that rock legend RONNIE JAMES DIO had passed away, thankfully that "news" has proven to be nothing more than false, rumor-driven internet babble. DIO, who recently revealed that he's been undergoing treatment for stomach cancer since last year, is in the hospital but is not "Hungry for Heaven" just yet. After various sources began falsely reporting his death, WENDY DIO, both wife and manager to the singer, posted the following message on Ronnie's official Twitter account: "Don't believe the rumors, Ronnie is still hanging in there!!! Hugs, Wendy Dio"
Not a good way to start a Sunday morning. Waking up to an inbox full of "tips" that rock legend RONNIE JAMES DIO had passed away, thankfully that "news" has proven to be nothing more than false, rumor-driven internet babble. DIO, who recently revealed that he's been undergoing treatment for stomach cancer since last year, is in the hospital but is not "Hungry for Heaven" just yet. After various sources began falsely reporting his death, WENDY DIO, both wife and manager to the singer, posted the following message on Ronnie's official Twitter account: "Don't believe the rumors, Ronnie is still hanging in there!!! Hugs, Wendy Dio"