The current top-five players in the NBA according to RealGM's FIC, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh, were all on Team USA's 2008 Gold Medal team. How does the rest of the NBA rank?
Monta Ellis is still at least a full month away from his return to the court for the Warriors, but he recently called RealGM with the full story behind his ankle injury.
Just three installments remain in the series, with this chapter housing names like Michael Jordan, Kevin McHale, and Carmelo Anthony. It was incredibly hard to leave off a number of players, and I’m sure after reading you’ll see exactly whom I decided skip over this time around.
Born within six months of each other in opposite corners of the world, two seven footers who are finalists for the Basketball Hall of Fame this fall are two of the best ever to play the center position.
RealGM Search
by Andrew Perna
Guess what?
The NFL season is just nine days away.
After winning a gold medal with Team USA, point guard Jason Kidd is now focused on the Mavericks’ chances this season. J-Kidd has a point, saying that Dallas was only five games out of first place in the West, but I still believe the Mavs have some strides to make.
Bobcats' Coach Larry Brown has blamed both 9/11 and injuries for Team USA’s bronze medal win in 2004. After initially reading this I thought Brown was going a bit too far, but he has a point. Players were worried about security in the first summer Olympics following 9/11.
Some Jazz fans are clamoring for Karl Malone to return to the team as a defensive coach. The Mailman was always a superior defensive player, so he could certainly help Utah out, but I doubt he’ll come out of retirement.
Shaquille O’Neal and his wife Shaunie are officially back together after the center filed for divorce last September. I’m happy for the O’Neal’s, but I’d rather be hearing about his offseason training, to be honest.
Yao Ming has blamed blisters for why he hobbled off the floor during the Olympics, claiming there is nothing wrong with his surgically repaired foot. That’s good news for Houston fans, but he still looks like he’s a while away from being one-hundred percent.
A.J. Burnett is expected to opt out of his contract this winter, making him a free agent. Rumor has it that Burnett would prefer to play for the Yankees, but A.J. himself hasn’t yet commented on the issue. New York could certainly use a pitcher of his caliber, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be in pinstripes either.
Brandon Lyon is reportedly losing his grip on the role of closer in Arizona. I’d recommend that the D’Backs just go with a different option at this point, whether it be Jon Rauch or someone else because Lyon has been horrible. He ruined the Drew Crew’s chances at making the playoffs.
Joba Chamberlain and Jason Giambi apparently lost a beer pong battle with Kansas City fans recently. Chamberlain and Giambi reportedly did horribly, which somewhat surprises me considering Jason’s reputation and Joba’s recent time in college. At least K.C. wins in something.
Presidential candidate John McCain reportedly follows the Diamondbacks from his cell phone, something that brings him up a few notches in my book. I’m not one for politics, so I won’t even attempt to act like I know what I’m talking about, but a story like this will sadly influence my vote.
Chad Pennington has been named the quarterback of the Dolphins, which is something I think everyone in Miami expected. It’ll be interesting to see Pennington battle Brett Favre twice this season.
Another Chad, this one Johnson, has a torn labrum in his left shoulder, but is hoping to play this season with the help of a brace. I actually drafted him in one of my five fantasy leagues this season, which is now making me nervous.
Peyton Manning is expected to begin practicing with the Colts soon, as he hasn’t taken the field since having minor knee surgery in mid-July. If he does start practicing on Tuesday, he’ll look good to start in Week One.
The St. Louis Blues are reportedly interested in Brendan Shanahan. Brendan played for the Blues during the 1990s, but as he enters his 21st season in the NHL, he’s not nearly the same player.
