Blogcritics Author: AJ Vaynerchuk

Announcement: Short-content feeds

Phillip Winn — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT

Sunday, August 26, 2007, marks the switch of all Blogcritics.org article feeds from full-content to short-content. This is the result of several converging factors, and is unfortunately a permanent decision (as permanent as any decision can be on the web, that is). We are aware of all of the reasons that this is a Bad Idea, and we are aware that some of you will be quite upset about having to click on something to read the free content, and we're sorry. Unfortunately, despite great effort, full-content feeds are not currently economically viable. Two other factors are involved: full-content feeds have resulted in an unprecedented level of content theft, with BC content appearing on many websites, usually spam sites, without attribution or permission. This duplicate content causes a cascading set of problems, not the least of which is that search engines generally aren't favorable to duplicate content, and don't always guess correctly. Finally, our RSS advertising partner is strongly in favor of short-content feeds. We hope that you'll continue to subscribe to BC via RSS, and when an article grabs your eye, it's only a click away, still free on the BC website. Thank you for your understanding.

Scott Rolen Should 'Role' To The NL Comeback Player Of The Year Award

AJ Vaynerchuk — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 00:45:09 EDT

When Scott Rolen hit that grand slam yesterday, I realized I had made a monumental mistake. This former National League MVP contender is back, and I didn't take advantage of it. Scott Rolen is clearly healthy, and when he is healthy he is an amazing baseball player. Not only can Scott bash the ball into the stands at any time, but he also plays an excellent hot corner. So how did I miss all the warning signs?Back in February Scott Rolen went to his doctor to get his shoulder check-up. The results? Via The Cardinals site: 'Get out of here.' He said, 'You're doing great. Get out of here.'" Rolen has already resumed taking groundballs and batting practice. "I discussed this with the entire medical staff of the St. Louis Cardinals," said Kremchek. "My response is that I would not hold him back. I would let him go through a normal routine for his shoulder, stretching, continuing to work. I would allow him to go out and take ground balls, take batting practice, and just get ready for the season as he normally would."Via Rotoworld on March 11th: Scott Rolen delivered his first two hits of the spring and stole a base Saturday as the Cardinals shut out the Orioles. Rolen's rehab from shoulder surgery is going as well as could have been hoped. He's started three games since debuting Tuesday, and it's likely that he'll resume playing on back-to-back days soon.Clearly Rolen looks like he is back, and for that, I am ashamed I did not spend $21 in my fantasy baseball draft.

AJ Vaynerchuk's personal website is 15sports, be sure to check out more of his work.

Julio Lugo Rumored Be Mets' Latest Infield Addition

AJ Vaynerchuk — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 18:32:18 EST

Check out the video for what I am hearing from my New York Mets source. I understand most of you won't believe me, but I figured I should spread the information I have. Julio Lugo could be a New York Met very soon. With Jose Reyes and Lugo in the middle of the infield, the New York Mets could have a very dangerous double play combo in terms of defense and offense. This would be a great addition to the New York Mets, depending on what they give up! Word around the league is that it could involve Aaron Heilman, but Heath Bell is also coming up in the discussions. No one knows for sure how this will go down, or if it will in fact go down.

AJ Vaynerchuk's personal website is 15sports, be sure to check out more of his work.

San Francisco Giants' Matt Cain, Super Prospect

AJ Vaynerchuk — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 00:45:21 EST

This written part of the article is right below, but if you want to see what I predict in terms of Matt Cain's production this year, check out the video. Matthew Cain -- actually I'd rather call him super prospect sleeper Matt Cain -- is the real deal, and I am going to start off by saying, "if your fantasy baseball league is National League only, and has keepers, Matt Cain better not be in the draft pool." This kid is one of the elite "arms" in the National League. There is a lot to like about Matt Cain: his high-speed fastball, the way he has dominated the minors, and especially the way the San Francisco Giants have handled his arm with caution.Cain is at an advantage playing in San Francisco. For one, he gets to be the #4 starter, which prevents any strain or pressure on that arm of his. Two, the Giants aren't exactly a playoff caliber team; this will allow Matt Cain to pitch carefree for a few of his outings. The Giants have to look at this year, in regards to Matt Cain, as a process. This kid has all the talent, and the last thing the San Francisco Giants want to do is Mark Prior him.Matt Cain came up late last year and managed to pitch well in the 7 starts he had. In 46 innings he had a 2.33 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP, which is very impressive for the first go around. The only thing that concerns me is his low walk-to-strikeout ratio. The low WHIP is more attributed to luck, since he Cain gave up such a low amount of hits. Hits can be random at times, so Cain better work on his control. Again, walking 19 and striking out 30 in 46 innings isn't horrible, but one can only hope he can lower the walks a little while raising his strikeouts to about one per inning.Matt Cain is a Rookie of the Year contender, and if everything comes out right, a Cy young contender in the future for the San Francisco Giants. He has been ok this spring, starting off well and getting beat up recently. I expect Matt Cain to level off in between the great and bad once the season starts, and from there he should excel. To be perfectly honest though, I would rather see Matt Cain flop. Not because I don't love him as a player, I do, but because I do not have him in my competitive fantasy baseball league. He was drafted in the farm draft last year, and I won't be able to even try to draft him for another 4 years.

AJ Vaynerchuk's personal website is 15sports, be sure to check out more of his work.

Why This Year's NL Cy Young Will Go To John Patterson

AJ Vaynerchuk — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 19:03:44 EST

When it comes to figuring out who the National League Cy Young will be, there are plenty of names that come to mind rather quickly. You can bring up Chris Carpenter, Roger Clemens, and Roy Oswalt, and no one would even blink. Today I am going to be adding a name to that list, and hopefully after reading this article, you will be paying more attention to John Patterson of the Washington Nationals.First we must acknowledge how much of a prospect John Patterson was coming into the Major Leagues. By knowing that John Patterson's expectations were very high, we can assume that what he has done during his career is legitimate. The first fact that is proof of his overall ability is the idea that John Patterson was the number five overall selection in the 1996 amateur draft. Being a first round selection is always an indication of ability and potential, and being the 5th overall selection enforces those ideas even more so. In the year 2000, BaseballAmerica.com had John as the 10th best prospect in the minor leagues. To put that in perspective, other number 10 overall prospects include: Mark Teixeira, Miguel Tejada, Nomar Garciaparra, and Francisco Rodriguez. All of those guys have enjoyed tremendous success for at least a short period of time, and I expect John Patterson to do the same this coming season.Now that we have realized the great potential and ability John Patterson always had, we can analyze last year's performance and see how that will transition to this year. Last year, John Patterson was one of the most electrifying pitchers in the National League. The Nationals relied on Patterson's arm each time out to keep them in the game. He nearly reached 200 innings pitched, while having a 3-1 strike out to walk ratio. Most dominant pitchers achieve roughly one strikeout per inning pitched, and John is no different. So his general pitching credentials are there, but what about his performance last year, he didn't win much, and his ERA wasn't that great right?Winning ball games in this day and age can be chalked up to luck and offense. I truly believe that the number of wins is irrelevant in terms of overall performance. Looking at Roger Clemens last year, he didn't win many games considering he was the ERA champion. John Patterson went through the same issues Clemens did in Houston, and hopefully the addition of Alfonso Soriano will help Patterson's cause. In regards to his end of season stats, I would prefer to look at his stats before any injuries came into play. John Patterson had a 2.43 ERA in 24 starts for the Washington Nationals before he began to obtain the injury bug. He was nearly un-hittable in those 24 starts, and only when he was exhausted, and oft hurt, would teams score runs on him. Looking at him this so far this year, while he is healthy, John Patterson has yet to allow a run in spring training. Not only has he enjoyed his success from last years pitching, John has been pleased with his changeup according to Rotoworld. Again, via Rotoworld, "The pitch I'm most impressed with right now is my changeup," John Patterson said. "It's come a long way, and it feels really good."Please do not hesitate to leave a comment below. I am awaiting your thoughts!

AJ Vaynerchuk's personal website is 15sports, be sure to check out more of his work.

Chris Wilcox Making the Clippers Sleepless In Seattle

AJ Vaynerchuk — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 17:24:11 EST

All I have been hearing the past few months is Chris Wilcox, Chris Wilcox, and Chris Wilcox. My friend is a major Seattle Super Sonics fan and has been pimping Chris Wilcox for some time now. I decided to take a deeper look into Wilcox recently and even caught some of his games. I knew him quite well from his days playing at Maryland, and have always been a fan of the way he plays the game. So now, without further ado, here is what I got from my quick look at the rejuvenated Chris Wilcox.Coming out of Maryland University early, Chris Wilcox was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 8th overall selection in the 2002 NBA draft. Since that moment in time, Wilcox was seemingly a disappointment for the Clippers. His career high for season totals included 8.6 points per game, and 4.7 rebounds. It seems that the Clippers were looking for a little more production than that, so Chris Wilcox was shipped to the Seattle Super Sonics in exchange for Vladimir Radmonovic on February 14th, 2006.Six weeks after the trade, it seems like that the Sonics made a tremendous move acquiring the energetic Wilcox. Chris is currently averaging 29.3 minutes a game, a true sign that the Sonics are giving Wilcox his fair shake. This chance to play is something the Clippers never really gave Chris. In those 29.3 minutes, Chris is averaging 14 points and 7 rebounds a game. Add in the fact that Chris has upped his free throw percentage to 80% and his field goal percentage to an alarming 63%, and you can see the progression he has made in this short period of time. Just this past week Chris set career highs in points (30) and rebounds in a game (19).Chris Wilcox of the Seattle Super Sonics has hit a new level of his game. Please, I advise you to watch some Sonics games and see this energetic, hard working monster at work. Chris, being 23, has yet to hit his prime, and is already beginning to tear up opposing teams. Wait until this kid hits his prime in a year or two, then sit back and enjoy the brilliance that is Chris Wilcox.Have you watched Chris play recently? Do you see him being a star in the future? Or do you see him flopping when it is all said and done? Either way, let me know what you think in the comments section!

AJ Vaynerchuk's personal website is 15sports, be sure to check out more of his work.

Everything -- And I Mean Everything -- On The 2006 Milwaukee Brewers Position Players

AJ Vaynerchuk — Sun, 26 Mar 2006 21:06:45 EST

CatcherDamian Miller: The 36-year-old Damian Miller is the starter in Milwaukee. Having him behind the plate brings experience and a sense of stability for the pitching staff. Surprisingly, Miller is very consistent. His stats during the last two years have been nearly identical; his average varied by one point, as did his on base percentage. Add to the fact that he had an equal amount of doubles and home runs and the similarities are silly. Using his recent statistics, we can figure Damian Miller for a .270 batting average, with about 10 home runs, and 50-50 in terms of runs and RBI. Considering the weak state of the catcher position in the National League, this position is relatively strong for the Milwaukee Brewers.Chad Moeller: Not the best hitter in the world, and certainly the defense isn't the strong suit in his game. His contract this year is guaranteed, so it seems that he will make it to the start of the season. I had this guy as my starting catcher in one of my NL only leagues. He started 0 for 13, and I quickly decided that he wasn't going to decide to hit. In reality, the best thing that Chad Moeller has done as a Milwaukee Brewer was on the night of April 24th, 2004. Moeller was the first Milwaukee Brewer to hit for the cycle since Paul Molitor. A back up is a back up, so hopefully the Brewers won't have to entertain playing Chad Moeller every day this season.Mike Rivera: This another guy who isn't much of a batter, and again he isn't much of a help on the defensive side. Rivera is a non-roster invitee, and I haven't heard much from him, so I can only assume he hasn't done much. Looking at his past experience as a major leaguer, the 4 walks compared to 35 strikeouts in 2002 sticks out like a sore thumb. To his credit, he looked pretty good last year in AAA Nashville, but at the age of 29 he doesn't seem like the kind of prospect you have to keep around. Look for him to fight for his life and possibly start at AAA.Mark Johnson: Another guy who is around 30 and isn't much of an asset on either side of the ball, this is becoming a normality. He is also a non-roster invitee who should see some time in AAA for the Brewers. Mark Johnson has never hit over .250 in the majors, and I am going to assume this is what has kept him in a continual struggle between the majors and minors throughout his entire career.Kade Johnson: From what I have read, Kade Johnson is a non-prospect. It seems that he used to have some promise, considering his being drafted in the 2nd round, but injuries took over his career. His 21 home runs in the minors in 2001 is impressive, and it is a shame that he never had a real shot in the majors.Analysis: The catcher position for the Brewers seems set for the time being. Lets hope that they do not have to endure any injuries. Moeller isn't the answer, and I don't think he will ever be.1st basePrince Fielder: The super prospect himself. The Milwaukee Brewers shipped out the serviceable Lyle Overbay so they could put this big bat in their line up. The son of Cecil is the truth. Some might point out that he struck out 17 times compared to only walking twice in his short stint in the majors last year. No need to worry, Prince has shown a solid eye for a power hitter in the minors. I place the blame on Prince Fielder trying to come out of the gate blasting home runs left and right. He still did a nice job with the power output with his four doubles and two home runs. I can see this kid coming out as a rookie and blasting 35 home runs. That may be an overstatement, but I am only telling you what I feel. This kid will provide the Milwaukee fans with some great excitement over the next few years, and I truly believe they might not have to wait for him to develop. Here is my season projection: .280 batting average, 32 home runs, 102 RBI.Jeff Cirillo: Hopefully we will never have to see this guy play first base on a consistent basis for the Brewers. Nothing against him of course, but Prince needs to be on the field as much as possible. Jeff was a nice addition last year for the Brewers, and he does bring along some nice experience to this team. His second stint with Milwaukee won't be the same as the first time, but at least he can be a decent pinch hitter due to his great eye and solid ability to make contact.Brad Nelson: The former darling of the Brewers organization doesn't seem to be a major prospect for Milwaukee anymore. His play between first base and outfield has been nothing but a circus show. You have to feel for Brad Nelson considering the fact that he got stuck behind Nelson Cruz, and Tony Gwynn Jr. in the outfield. Although he is making the switch back to first base, there is a little guy named Prince running the show.Analysis: First base is definitely a strong suit for the Milwaukee Brewers. They are set for a few years with Prince Fielder, and in case of injury Jeff Cirillo could fill in admirably. If not Cirillo, word is Corey Hart could fill the void.Second BaseRickie Weeks: Would it be weird if I said I am in love with Rickie Weeks? This kid has the potential to become a 30-homer-30-stolen-base type player. His power is obvious, I remember a moon-shot home run last year, and his speed is also top notch. His low batting average should improve now that he has had a full season to adjust to major league pitching. There aren't many second base prospects in the majors that have already proven as much as Rickie Weeks, and have the ability to do what Rickie Weeks could. The strained oblique he has suffered recently shouldn't be a problem as long as the Brewer's organization handles the recovery process correctly. Injuries not playing a factor, I see Rickie Weeks hitting .265, bombing out 24 home runs, and stealing 27 bases. I can't see why Milwaukee won't be set for the next few years at the second base position.Brent Abernathy: Not going to lie here, I am kind of a Brent Abernathy fan. I have a little bias towards him considering he played relatively well for me last year. His defensive skills are limited to the second base position, and his bat isn't much to talk about, so Brent might have trouble contributing to the Brewers team off the bench. Him being a non-roster invitee doesn't guarantee him much, so lets see how this plays out over the next few days.Zach Sorenson: At the age of 28 he isn't much of a prospect despite his solid play last year in AAA baseball. He looked over matched in his twelve at bats last year with the Angels. If Zach were 5 years younger he would be someone to keep an eye out for.Hernan Iribarren: I like this kid, and from what I have read he has a chance to develop into a major league player. This lefty isn't necessarily in the Brewers plans considering Rickie Weeks plays second base. Although a nice prospect he isn't the type of player that you need to accommodate so he can play on your team. The Brewers might entertain trading him if they decide that they are primed for a run this year. Iribarren does have a nice little award on his resume; on September 16, 2004 he was named MVP of the Arizona Rookie League.Analysis: Another deep position for the Brewers. Weeks is a stud, and although Abernathy isn't much of a big name, he could possibly play well for a week or two at a time. Iribarren is a nice guy to have in the farm system, and if the Brewers decide to keep him, he would be great depth to the second base position.ShortstopJJ Hardy: The 23-year-old JJ Hardy had a nice little rookie campaign with the Milwaukee Brewers last year. There is no doubt in my mind that this kid will develop into a rock solid option for Milwaukee at shortstop. He has a very solid defensive player. And his bat is starting to come around. JJ had an extremely good second half of the season last year, and showed that he had the ability to hit in important situations. His plate discipline last year was unparalleled in terms of the rookies. The batting average should improve dramatically with the increased talent of the lineup and his strong ability to swing at the right pitch. As long as he stays healthy, and keeps his head on straight, JJ should be in for a nice season. Look for a .272 batting average, and around 15 home runs. Rickie Weeks and JJ Hardy should be turning double plays for this squad for the next few years!Wilton Veras: Seems like Wilton hasn't done much since he has left the Red Sox. From the little of what I got to read, Wilton is in the minors and isn't making much of a peep. I am going to chalk him up as a question mark, and more so, a non-factor.Analysis: As you can see I am clearly a fan of Hardy's. He is one of the more stable shortstops in the game, and I don't expect him to go through a "sophomore slump." The depth here is a little scary, as Wilton Veras is the only other player listed as a possibility at shortstop. Obviously the Brewers could shift someone into the spot if Hardy goes down, but it would be nice to have a backup who plays shortstop naturally.Third BaseCorey Koskie: What a great memory Corey Koskie brings. I will never forget when he was coming up with Minnesota, the anticipation that he garnished. In 2001, he lived up to expectations with his 26 home runs and 27 stolen bases. Since then, it has been a different story. I think the Brewers made a nice addition here to sure up their hot corner. He isn't the best when it comes to hitting for average, but Brewer's fans will be pleasantly surprised by the amount of pop he has in his bat. Look for Koskie to hit 25 home runs while batting around .245-.250.Bill Hall: Is this the epitome of a great back up or what? Bill Hall is a stud that showed that he had the ability to be a 20-20-player. There is word that the Brewers might try to play Hall in the outfield, but I would be more concerned with him learning to play shortstop a little better. Bill Hall recently broke off contract negotiations with the Brew Crew; this shows that he wants to get a new contract by the end of the year. Contract year always results in a big year, because the player is hungry for the recognition and the dollar signs. Look for Bill Hall to do everything in his power to force himself into the line-up, and in-turn produce. I could still see him putting up nice numbers.Enrique Cruz: I like this kid. He was very impressive in Double-A last year. The only downfall is that he is in fact 24 years old and playing AA baseball. He needs to progress in a quicker fashion if he hopes to make a mark in the majors. I understand that many players come up later and produce, but the general rule of thumb states that being 24 in AA is a bad sign. It will be interesting to see what Enrique does this year in the minors.Analysis: Third base is very deep for the Milwaukee Brewers. Koskie brings some pop, and Bill Hall brings the rest. Both of them could easily hold down the position, and be productive for the team in their own way. This position is the most intriguing to me, and if I were you, I would pay close attention.Left FieldCarlos Lee: What needs to be said about the anchor of this offense? He disappointed me in the only at bat I saw him in during the World Baseball Classic, but that's one at bat. This man is an out and out stud, and is making the Brewers feel great about the Scott Podsednik trade. I expect Carlos to raise his batting average a bit, and put up 30 home runs again. Look for something in the .270 range in terms of batting average.Gabe Gross: Remember this guy from spring training last year? He was the one who single handedly made me crap my pants about protecting Alexis Rios in my AL keeper league. The home run power seemed to tail off a bit, or a lot. He seems to be stuck behind a nice outfield everywhere he goes, and for that I feel bad for him. I like Gabe, I really do, even if it is just for the name alone. Solid depth.Christophe Morris: He's 26, shows no power, and doesn't have much of an eye for the baseball. I guess everyone has hope, but I don't see much for Christophe Morris. He is nothing more than a career minor leaguer, hey that's better than what I could do!Center FieldBrady Clark: My main man. I drafted Brady Clark last year for a measly $7, and got some nice returns. He didn't steal like he was supposed to, but his nice batting average, and plethora of runs were great. Word is that he has been working on his timing in regards to stealing second base. Nice to see that this guy had a great season last year, yet is striving to improve the one part of his game that seemed disappointing. I see Brady Clark batting around .300, bombing out 10 home runs, and stealing 20 bases.Dave Krynzel: Another one of those minor league guys that is just a little too old. He is coming off broken right clavicle, so it is nice to see him recently come back and start playing again. He is written in to play in AAA, and it seems that Triple-A is where Dave will stay. Maybe if he worked on that 3-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio he has, he could move up.Jason Romano: More spring training and minor league fodder. Jason actually has a solid bat, but again the Brewers have a nice outfield, and I don't see them turning to Romano if they get in injury trouble. Interesting note about Romano: in his 5 major league seasons, he has been with a different team each year. Teams included are: Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, Florida Marlins, and of course the Milwaukee Brewers.Right FieldGeoff Jenkins: What needs to be said about this Brewers veteran? Geoff brings a solid bat to left field, not to mention a nice glove. Injuries have prevented Geoff Jenkins from going to the superstar level, but he could at anytime go off on a home run tear. I like Geoff for this season, and he could easily have a career year. I would not be shocked if he had 30 home runs and a .300 batting average. Stay healthy Geoff, and I can see a nice season coming from that bat of yours.Corey Hart: There is no question that Corey Hart is a nice prospect. He has proven everything he needed to in the minor leagues, and simply needs a spot in the outfield to produce. He brings great depth to the outfield, as well as possibly the first base position. Guys like Corey are always great to have, just incase the injury bug strikes your team. Look for Corey to earn his at bats with his nice play, and still have a chance to belt out 10 home runs. If the at bats don't come from the outfield, he could get it replacing Prince Fielder at first base against lefties on occasion.Nelson Cruz: Nice little player the Brewers have in Nelson Cruz. It was said about a month ago that he will most likely spend at least half the season at AAA, before coming up to the show. The Brewers are intrigued by Nelson, and will experiment with him and his position this year. Look for Cruz to continue to improve, and possibly make an impact as a pinch hitter, or back up later on this season.Tony Gwynn Jr.: He is going to be a Hall of Famer. Just kidding. I couldn't resist comparing him to his father. Brewer fans sure hope he has half the ability his father did, but don't hold your breath. He did display some speed last year stealing 32 bases in AA baseball, but his bat is lagging behind. This year is truly a make or break year for the Hall of Famer's son.Analysis: The Brewers have a very nice outfield. Lee, and Jenkins bring the pop from the corners, and Brady Clark brings a nice all-round ability at center field. Corey Hart is a tremendous reserve that seems next in line for a starting spot. Nelson Cruz will work feverishly to make some progress and possibly be the 5th outfielder on the roster that could start.

AJ Vaynerchuk's personal website is 15sports, be sure to check out more of his work.

Trevor Ariza To Bring "A Rise" To The Magic

AJ Vaynerchuk — Sun, 26 Mar 2006 00:39:24 EST

Trevor Ariza is one of my favorite players in the National Basketball Association (NBA), I wanted to start with that. I truly believe that at a mere 20 years of age, Trevor Ariza has endured an interesting and complex basketball career. At this point and time, many Orlando Magic fans do not know the details in regards to Trevor Ariza. This article will take you through his time with the UCLA Bruins and the New York Knicks, as well as provide you with some of my personal thoughts and analysis on this young, emerging star, and why you should like him.Trevor Ariza only stayed at UCLA for his freshman season. Putting things in a quick perspective will show that Trevor could, and should have been the starting small forward for this year's Sweet 16 Bruins. Not only would he be starting there, but he would be flourishing! Either way, Trevor Ariza's freshman year statistics were a nice preview of what we could expect from Trevor in the NBA. Immediately you can see that Trevor was the type of player who liked to do a little bit everything. Evidence of his well-rounded game is the scoring 11 points, grabbing 6.5 rebounds, and dishing 2 assists a game his freshman year. At 6'8", Trevor Ariza is able to utilize his athletic ability and his hard working nature in order to make plays happen; the type of plays that are seen on the stat sheet, and the ones not seen on the stat sheet. Taking a deeper look into his stats, one can see the alarmingly low percentages Trevor shot from the three point line, as well as the charity stripe. At 24% from three, and 50% from the free throw line, it was clear that Trevor had to develop a consistent, and realistic jump shot in the pros.On draft night in 2004, the New York Knicks drafted Trevor Ariza, and so began my love affair with the youngster from California. As a New York Knick, Trevor Ariza was the typical spark plug off the bench. I don't think anyone in the world can question Trevor's energy when it came to the courts. He would dive after every ball, and in general, give everything he had every night. More often than not, Trevor Ariza would truly provide some sort of spark with electrifying dunks. Trevor was fearless attacking the rim, and that -- mixed with his hard work and leaping ability -- provided the Garden with some highlight reels. Now while everything sounds all gravy, Trevor still possessed the dreaded jump shot. He would consistently air ball one jump shot, and then make the next. His inconsistency from anywhere outside of 12 feet made the opposing team dare Trevor to either shoot or dribble drive. This was the downfall for Trevor in my eyes. Not only could Trevor miss every shot from the outside, he could not dribble if his life depended on it. During the tail end of his rookie campaign, Trevor simply became a non-factor on the offensive side of the ball. Trevor Ariza's rookie season came to an end with a mix of doubt and hope. Trevor had some serious problems with the fundamentals, and now the Knicks were bringing in Larry Brown to be the next head coach. While some actually took this as a positive, I saw this as the end of the Trevor Ariza era in New York. Larry Brown hates youngsters, period. Larry Brown hates youngsters that can't control the ball, and make the necessary open shots. See where I am going with this? You can easily assume what went down during the course of this season, and see why Trevor Ariza was shipped out to Orlando.The Orlando Magic have picked up a 20-year-old athletic freak. This kid attended a nice college in UCLA, received some playing experience in New York, and has learned under a hall of fame coach. When all of these factors are put into effect, Trevor Ariza and the Orlando Magic have both made out here. Hopefully the Magic will be patient; the organization has to understand that Trevor has the tools and the mindset to be a successful NBA starter. If I were the coaching staff, I would have Trevor solely focus on dribbling the basketball and shooting mid range jump shots. His defense could use some work, but his natural ability, and his size provides him with a solid foundation to become a nice defensemen rather easily. Magic fans, understand that Trevor will not flourish immediately; Trevor will occasionally bring the house down with a nice dunk, and then dribble the ball of his feet. All I ask of you is to appreciate the fact that all you gave up for Trevor Ariza is that cancer Steve Francis. Aren't you happy that disaster is gone?

AJ Vaynerchuk's personal website is 15sports, be sure to check out more of his work.

Tyler Hansbrough Bound For The NBA Draft Lottery

AJ Vaynerchuk — Sun, 26 Mar 2006 00:27:48 EST

Tyler Hansbrough of the University of North Carolina (UNC) is what I like to believe the epitome of basketball. I am here to tell you to disregard the game against George Mason University. The way he plays the game and displays passion on the court is a joy to watch. His overall talent and the hustle he possesses is nearly unparalleled in the college game. Although North Carolina had a disappointing loss at the hands of the George Mason University Patriots, Tyler Hansbrough still displayed his plentiful talents this past season.When looking at Tyler Hansbrough's most impressive game this season, in terms of overall play and circumstances, one can only come away impressed. The 6'9" Hansborough dropped in 27 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. The defense he played was nothing short of spectacular as well. Oh, did I mention that this impressive game I am referring to came in a 83-76 victory over Duke University?Looking into the conference Tyler plays in, The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), one can find Tyler's name on the list of the 1st Team All-Conference players. That is quite impressive considering that Tyler Hansbrough is a freshman playing in a conference with such teams as Duke and Boston College. Oh, did I mention that Tyler is the first freshman in the history of the ACC to be voted unanimously 1st Team All-Conference? I guess that can be interpreted as mildly impressive.Speaking of being a freshman and Tyler Hansbrough being unanimously voted for an award; Tyler Hansbrough received the ACC's Freshman of the Year award. Another impressive feat for the young and energetic Tyler Hansbrough.Tyler Hansbrough definitely has the option to enter the draft after his freshman campaign. This year's draft class features NBA tweeners such as JJ Redick, Shelden Williams, and Adam Morrison. Tyler could easily enter this year's draft and be a lottery selection. Even though all of this is possible, I truly would love for Tyler to stay at North Carolina. I believe if he stays in Chapel Hill and learns more under Roy Williams, Tyler can turn out to be one of the most consistent and productive players in the Nation Basketball Association.When looking for an NBA comparison for Tyler, one name popped into mind instantly. I simply thought to myself: what NBA player is a power forward, hard worker, intelligent post player, and happened to attend a school in the state of North Carolina, while playing for a Hall of Fame coach? Elton Brand fits the previous description quite well (and yes I realize it is a sin to compare a UNC player to a Duke alum). I truly do believe that if Tyler Hansbrough stays in school for a year or two longer, he could develop into a sophisticated post presence. These kids, who are passionate, fundamental, and hard working, always transition well to the NBA.

AJ Vaynerchuk's personal website is 15sports, be sure to check out more of his work.

Bradley 'Brave' Enough To Reach The Final Four

AJ Vaynerchuk — Sun, 19 Mar 2006 18:32:15 EST

Watch this Episode! So Bradley University just beat Pittsburgh. WOW. Led by Sophomore Patrick O'Bryant who had 28 points and 7 rebounds. One of the major things I noticed was that Bradley always stay composed and gave off the type of confidence a #1 seed would.The Missouri Valley Conference, with now Wichita State and Bradley in the Sweet 16, is now a serious conference. All Wichita State has to do to make the Elite 8 is top George Mason. Not an easy take, but definitely doable for the red-hot Shockers.Speaking of Wichita State, O'Bryant played some great games against the Shockers. Including a 14-point, 19-rebound performance earlier this season.When looking for someone to compare O'Bryant to in terms of his position on the team, his age, and the circumstances, Nervous Pervis Ellision of the 1986 Louisville run comes to mind.Coincidentally The Defiant Patrick O'Bryant was born in 1986. Even more coincidental is the fact that the highest seed to ever make the final four of the NCAA tournament was the 1986 Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers.That's right -- I am implying that this Bradley Braves team is heading to the Final Four. Watching the Kansas and Pittsburgh games, I got the vibe that this Bradley University team is truly special. They even are giving off the same vibe that some say the LSU Tigers gave during the 1986 tournament. Both teams have gone through some obstacles, LSU with a handful of suspensions and academic ineligible players, and Bradley with the 8 game suspension that Patrick O'Bryant received earlier in the year. This team has shown true composure and a knack to hit the all-important shot. All that stands in the Braves' path is an overrated Memphis team and either the overrated, easy-scheduled Gonzaga Bulldogs or the inexperienced youthful UCLA Bruins. All this adds up clearly for the Bradley University Braves to become the highest seed ever to reach the final four!What a run to the Sweet 16 for Bradley, and in the end I truly see Bradley having the opportunity to Boooogie their way to the final four!In the comments section we can discuss this great Bradley win, their road to the final four, or how the Missouri Valley Conference has established themselves as a legitimate threat. Discuss! Email me at jetsdonwankey@earthlink.net with any cool stories about Bradley and the Tournament!

AJ Vaynerchuk's personal website is 15sports, be sure to check out more of his work.

Terrell Owens With the Dallas Cowboys: This Will Work

AJ Vaynerchuk — Sat, 18 Mar 2006 19:13:02 EST

Terrell Owens is heading to Dallas to work with Bill Parcells and the Cowboys. The first thing that came to my mind when I read the news was Bill Parcells and Keyshawn Johnson's relationship in New York and Dallas. I thought hey, Keyshawn and Bill worked well together, so Bill and Terrell won't have any problems. I truly believe that Terrell is a terrific pick up by Bill Parcells and the Dallas Cowboys -- this belief is coming from a New York Jets fan who wouldn't touch Terrell Owens with a 10-foot pole.Terrell Owens is the type of cancer that only comes out when the football team is losing, a la Keyshawn Johnson. These two guys simply want to win, that is it. If Terrell Owens wasn't the kind of guy who only cared about the ring, I am pretty sure he would have sat out the Super Bowl. Owens could have easily caused more damage to himself by playing in that game, playing with an injury is the easiest way to get hurt. If Owens did somehow get re-injured, he would have never been in the position to bargain for another contract, or seek out a new deal from a new team.Many say Terrell is the kind of guy who has had good quarterbacks and should have never complained about his situation. I don't think Terrell has every truly played with a great PASSER. Yes, Donovan McNabb is a great quarterback, but his actual passing ability is overrated. McNabb has the tendency to put the ball too low, a no-no when dealing with such a large receiver such as Terrell Owens. Jeff Garcia? Please. He was a product of the system, and could never get Terrell the ball at the right time.In the end, the contract is going to be incentive-heavy, and behavior-based. If Terrell Owens becomes a problem (hard to believe with Parcells in town) he won't cost the Cowboys all that much. They didn't give up any players or draft picks to obtain him, and when you take those factors into account, Terrell Owens is a phenomenal risk for the Dallas Cowboys.Let me know in the comments section if you believe Terrell Owens was the right move for the Dallas Cowboys. Also leave your thoughts on how we will perform this season for those fantasy football lovers.

AJ Vaynerchuk's personal website is 15sports, be sure to check out more of his work.