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Showing posts from February, 2016

2016 FC Dallas Preview

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FC Dallas starts the new MLS season with high expectations.  FC Dallas Preview by Da`Vince “Dino” Wright Micheal Barrios, Kellyn Acosta, and newcomer Carlos Gruezo will lead a talented team this year. FC Dallas was a competitive team but better overall with the new editions. Maxi Urruti will be a featured player on the frontline. His size and strength will be the teams turning point at the position from last year. Micheal (Mickey) Barrios made a play in a preseason game that changed the dynamics of how the team looked in the 12 minute frame in the first. He made a pass to a streaking Mauro that showed the teams change from power to speed. “I think I liked my first goal (preseason) better,” Barrios said. “It set us up for the win. And the whole play, the run I made for Mauro and the pass he made before I finished the play.”  The well timed coordination between Diaz`s vision to make the pass and Barrio`s timing to make the runon a goal wasn`t a coincidence. ...

The Impact of David Lee for the Dallas Mavericks

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David Lee is making an immediate impact for the Dallas Mavericks.  David Lee in Dallas by Da`Vince “Dino” Wright First of all allow me to send a special shout out to the Boston Celtics. And before I get into this article and say, “Thank you NOT for using him up!” I know what your thinking, “How could a columnist start a story off like this?” Well the answer is simple.  Danny Ainge and his stooge of a coach kept him on the bench while Boston continued to stink up the joint. Flash forward to last Monday night. David came off the bench and scored a few points and grabbed 3 rebounds to change the dynamics of the game. Dallas has a few big men that settles for jump shots and hate posting up. David will be that change we need. He plays great defense, he can pass from the blocks and he can score in traffic.  If you go back a year ago to the Golden State Warriors winning the NBA Championship. The person Steve Kerr played in front of him was Draymond Green. Dray...

Texas Rangers Spring Training Report

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Texas Rangers Spring Training Report Texas Rangers Spring Training Report by Da`Vince “Dino” Wright Sunrise, Arizona - Adding key players is the key for the Rangers this year, but having guys to play multiple position that will help the team.  “It`s good a way to make the team, and, for some, it may be the only way in an organization that places a high value on versatility”, Ranger scout said. “It`s very valuable to have a guy with versatility.” General Manager Jon Daniels said. “It gives the manager a lot of different options and allows you not to make a roster move if a starter has to miss a day or two. It gives you a ton of roster flexibility.”  When you talk about flexibility your speaking over Ben Zobrist, Hanser Alberto and Drew Robinson. Zobrist Hanser is a two time All-Star that has 10 years in the majors playing all four infield and 3 outfield positions. It`s amazing to have a player that can start anywhere on the diamond. He`s made the All-Sta...

OUs Buddy Hield Should Be the #1 Pick in the NBA Draft

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Is Buddy Hield really the #1 in the NBA Draft?  Should OUs Buddy Hield be the #1 pick in the NBA Draft? by Da`Vince “Dino” Wright Scouting talent for the NBA is a risky job. You see so many talented players from schools all over the country. The first place NBA general managers look at are the schools with championships pedigree like DUKE, Michigan, Michigan State, Kansas and Kentucky. But, the BIG 12 has a really good player in Buddy Hield. Let`s take a look at Buddy and dissect his game from the college ranks looking forward to next season in the NBA. Buddy at OU Buddy is a 6`4, 214 pound senior guard at Oklahoma. Since attending OU he has gotten better across the board. As a freshman he averaged 7.8 points a game shooting .238 from the field. His sophomore year he averaged 16.5 points a game with 46 steals. His junior year his average raised to 17.4 and .359 from the 3 point arc. Now, it`s his senior year and he`s making noise. He could easily go in the first r...

Podcast: Fantasy Jam 2-20-2016

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Press Release: Dallas Mavericks Sign David Lee

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MAVERICKS SIGN FREE AGENT DAVID LEE DALLAS— The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have signed free agent forward/center David Lee. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. In a related move, the Mavericks also requested waivers on guard John Jenkins. Lee (6-9, 245) was originally drafted by the New York Knicks with the 30 th overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft. He spent the first five years of his career as a Knick before signing as a free agent with the Golden State Warriors prior to the 2010-11 season. He played five seasons with the Warriors before being traded to the Boston Celtics this past offseason. The two-time NBA All-Star (2010, 2013) holds career averages of 14.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 30.9 minutes in 725 career games (494 starts) with New York, Golden State and Boston.  Lee was named All-NBA Third Team in 2013 and was a member of Golden State’s 2015 World Championship squad. The Saint Louis, Mo., native was waived b...

Texas Rangers Biggest Needs For Spring Training

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Texas Rangers start spring training with a few needs.  The Rangers Needs Before Spring Training by Da`Vince “Dino” Wright The Texas Rangers won their division last year and didn`t get deep into the playoffs. Why? The depth at key positions cost the team dreams of reaching the World Series. Pitching is the first thing that comes to mind and it`s the most important piece to winning. The Rangers has the best farm teams in the MLB. They need to bring up fresh talent to keep the team afloat during dry spells that plague th team. “The Texas Rangers has a core of young pitchers being developed in the minor league. Why don`t they just bring them up,” said Ryan Gosslet of Dallas Morning News. “Those young guys are hungry and landing a top 2 tier pitcher will cost them dearly”.  Let` take a look at the needs of the Rangers and the players that would possibly land here. Pitchers David Price - He went 18-5 last year with an ERA of 2.45 and 225 strike outs. He...

Dallas Cowboys Free Agents - Who Stays Who Goes

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Dallas Cowboys have a few big free agent decisions to make.  Dallas Cowboys Free Agents - Who Stays Who Goes by Da`Vince “Dino” Wright The Dallas Cowboys has 19 free agents. They have 16 unrestricted free agents and 3 restricted. Now looking at the list of players and their salaries are mind boggling because some of these guys played below league standards not mentioning what the Cowboys thought they were getting. You have to make changes for the better not scrapping the dream of winning a Super Bowl just to rebuild. They have to bring in quality players that want to fit the mold of the philosophy of them team. Here`s the list and their salaries. (UFA Unrestricted Free Agent) CB Morris Claiborne 5,175,069 UFA Keep him DE Greg Hardy 3,041,379 UFA Keep him C Mackenzy Bernadeau 2,824,166 UFA Keep him ILB Rolando McClain 2,636,029 UFA Trade him DE Jeremy Mincy 2,250,000 ...

Big 12 Mens Basketball Strong Heading Into March Madness

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Kansas Jayhawks look to win Big 12 and head into March strong.  Big 12 Mens Basketball by Da`Vince “Dino” Wright The Big 12 Mens basketball standings are in some cases intriguing. Most young ballers look for the dazzling lights of North Carolina, Duke, Michigan and Indiana. There are so many conferences and teams that litter USA Today, ESPN and Fox Sports. When I played in high school the teams I wanted to play for was UNLV, DePaul, Duke, St. John`s and Temple just to name a few. These teams was the cream of the crop when it came to Men`s basketball. Let`s take a look at the Big 12 conference and standings. Mind you Oaklahoma was the number team in the country before losing 2 straight games. Kansas is the darling of the conference and they`ve been beaten twice this year. It`s been 26 games into the season and March is looming. Here are the standings. Team Wins Loss PCT Streak Kansas 22 4 .846 W6 West Virginia 20 6 .769 L1 Oklahoma ...