Sports With Brandon: NBA news. Notre Dame Uni's Domestic Violence in sports

NBA

Calm & Melo

This off-season proved to be one of the most busiest out of all NBA off-seasons in recent years. The Heat, Lakers, Celtics and Suns made the most moves out of all but my eyes are set on the New York Knicks, why? Because I have been critical of Carmelo Anthony since 2010 and this year he has to prove not only to me but other critics that he can help the New York Knicks get out of the 1st round. Melo, who is going into his 10th year in the NBA has had little to moderate success in the playoffs reaching the NBA playoffs 9 times and advancing past round 1 only once. Is Carmelo a good player? Yes, but to me he is not one of the elites. I like Melo but his leadership can come into question. There were some reports that he clashed heads with George Karl in Denver and D' Antoni in New York. He is a good player but in order to be an elite he has to prove to me 2 things 1. Make it out the 1st round of the NBA playoffs and second at least make the 2nd team all NBA defensive squad. His defense is average and in order to be at the top play some above the average defense. At 28, he is in the prime of his career. Yes, he will get over 20,000 points and be a Naismith inductee, but he has to learn all the intangibles of the game. Its is clear you can't win with Melo on the team, look at Amar'e Stoudemire. Since Carmelo was acquired by New York in February of 2011, Amar'e's production declined in all categories. In 2011, Amar'e was ranked 5th in the NBA in scoring, when the Denver and NY swapped players we saw a small decline in Stoudemire's numbers. When the 2011 playoffs came around Amar'e averaged 22 pts a game during his playoff appearances. That year he averaged 14 a game while Melo averaged 26. Now can these 2 co-exist with another? Look at their stats this past season. Melo averaged 22 a game and Amar'e averaged career low's since his rookie season of 17 points. Beside's Amare's playoff rant that injured his hand and caused him to miss game 3 also had career low's in his playoff appearance as well. I like Melo but there is no way you can win with the man on your team. When he was hurt the Knicks turned their season around and were able to push for a 7th seed in the playoffs while Melo was in the line-up there were constant struggles of piecing together a winning streak to keep their playoff hopes alive. This past off-season the Knicks acquired Jason Kidd, who also had career low's in every department to run point, Ronnie Brewer, James White, and Raymond Felton. It will be an interesting rotation for the Knicks but can this cast for Melo be enough to help Melo advance to the 2nd round? I don't know the East became an powerhouse conference and it will be hard for me to say what can happen. Maybe with the full season blooming ahead and with training camp coming up soon maybe Melo can gell with the Knicks and they can come up with some type of strategic way of having a strong season. Note Melo was acquired mid-season and the NBA lockout these two players had not been giving the chance to work together. I hope they have a successful season but having a banner raised at MSG is looooong in the future. My projections of the 12-13 NY Knicks 47-35, 4th seed in the East 5th seed Brooklyn Nets, interesting series.

NFL.

Meaningless Football and replacement refs catch me when it most matters week 1. But I like to say them Cleveland Browns been looking good soooo far. Beating the Lions last Friday and beating up on the Packers Thursday night gave Cleveland fans something to cheer about for once. I do not believe that they will have a successful year with their difficult schedule, but I think they'll have a bright future in the next 30 years LOL. But this year it will be a long season at the good ole dawg pound

Lions

The Lions off-season has been one to forget. Multiple arrests by 6 players, 1 player released and several players facing suspensions by the front office mainly with DT Nick Fairley who was arrested twice in 1 month for marijuana possession the first time and the second time DUI and eluding the police. Fairley faces misdemeanor charges faces a stiff suspension by Roger Goodell, who has been very tough on off-the field issues. The Lions have improved over the past 2 years but their success can be overshadowed by their off-the field issues. I think the Lions will be just fine on the field once the situation is settled and I look forward to them duplicating their 2011 success and I believe it is possible, if Stafford stays healthy and the rest of the players stay level-headed they can be a force to be reckoned with in the NFC.

Nick Fairley Mikel LeShoure

My surprise team is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The acquisition of Vincent Jackson and guard Carl Nicks made the offensive side of TB stronger, but my main concern is for quarterback Josh Freeman. After a stellar 2010 campaign his status took a step back from throwing 6 ints to 22 the year ago and his passing rating dropped 20 points in the process. Being only 24 years Freeman can't help but to get better with a improved line and a core of WR's to throw to Freeman should be able to have a good season and lead Tampa Bay to the playoffs. It can be done, they improved on both sides of the field they should contend if everyone stays healthy. I expect a 10-6 season from TB. Although the NFC south's a strong division, I believe New Orleans will drop off this season leaving TB to conquer the division in a dogfight with the Falcons. It will be interesting I maybe wrong but my gut feeling is TB as a sleeper in the NFC.

NCAA.
The new Picasso Notre Dame Uniforms are nice and I kind of like the new look for the Notre Dame jersey's away with the old traditional uni's and in with the new. They are no Oregon or Maryland but the new jerseys have that little appeal to them. Although I hate ND I'll give them their props for losing the old jerseys but they still get no love from me until they join the Big 10.

New ND's

MLB

The pennant races are on and the season is winding down. My Tigers are will in the race with a month and a half to go there can be a lot of jumps within the AL wildcard and the AL Central and West division standings. I like my Tigers to win the AL central and the Rangers to get wildcard. The Oakland A's made the race more interesting coming out of nowhere and fighting for a playoff spot. I don't think they'll get in with their lack of pitching but who knows, I've seen some interesting things in the past like the Tampa Rays in 2008. The NL Centrals race between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates are one for the ages. I would think people would root for the Pirates, being that they haven't been in the postseason since 1992. It would be a great Cinderella story for the game of baseball that and the Washington Nationals if one thing doesn't hold them back......................................

Stras-Tastic

Prized Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg has been pitching unbelievably well this season coming off of Tommy John surgery. Currently Strasburgh is ranked 5th in the league in strikeouts with 173 and 7th in wins with 12, is facing a tough decision with the Washington Nationals competing for a NL pennant, Buuuuuuuuut, there could be a pivotal decision that can cost Washington a 1st place bid and a shot at the WS. Nationals GM Mike Rizzo stated during the season that they will closely monitor Stephen Strasburg's limit on innings pitch. He later concluded that the best decision in Strasburg's well being and the Nationals organization is that they shutdown Stephen once he pitches his 200th inning. That raised ire among the National players and fans who are hoping for a division clincher since 1933. Strasburg hasn't complained about elbow problems this year and he is currently off of his first all-star appearance. It would be devastating to do so if they are in the middle of the pennant race. I'd say let him pitch. As a team the Nationals have 4 aces that are in the top 10 in the league in strikeouts, ERA, and as a starting rotation has allowed the fewest runs in quality starts. That's very impressive and by looking at the stats they can be a favorite to represent in the NL in the World Series. It would be awesome to see the Nats contend because their franchise has done so well adding pieces to compliment the talents of Strasburg and Zimmerman it would be crucial to the Nats and their fans to see their star not helping them pitch into the playoffs. Stras has 139 innings pitched so far in order for the Nats to avoid this situation they would have to consider skipping a start allowing Stras to pitch once every 12 day. Or limit Strasburg to 5 innings a start. The Nats have one of the best bullpens in baseball can relieve Stephen of his duties and pitch them in to the closing latter of the game. You don't want to burn out your bullpen but this is one of the situations they'll encounter once September comes around. Myself, along with thousands of Nats fans don't agree with Rizzo, but we do understand, then again who knows if the Nats will be in this position again. Its safe to say Straburg hasn't had any re-occuring elbow trouble since last season so let him pitch. Lets Go Nationals.

Domestic Violence in sports.

Almost 150 athletes in various sports gets arrested for domestic violence each year. Yes, violence against women is wrong but the severity of the crime is not as serious as other charges like felony assault, gun crimes and etc. Recently free-agent WR Chad Johnson was arrested on domestic violence and this blew up media outlets being that Johnson's friendly personality and being the court jester out the bunch would commit such crime. It is not that serious. His actions doesn't warrant this negative impact and there isn't any proof that he actually head butted Evelyn Lozada. There isn't any photos to support the claim and its all based off of he say-she say. But there are severe acts of domestic violence that have hit the sports world hard. Even a few fatal incidents. Here is a list of notable domestic disputes involving sports players and women that involved serious and fatal endings.

1976, Philadelphia Eagles DE Blenda Gay was stabbed to death by his wife after claims she was abused by her husband for domestic violence.

1988, former middleweight champion Carlos Monzon killed his wife after he had thrown her off a balcony after an argument. Monzon had a history of violent behavior and domestic violence was no stranger to Monzon. He plead guilty to his wife's death and was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Monzon passed away in 1995 from injuries sustained in a car accident when he was out on furlough.

1994, The infamous O.J. Simpson case has changed American's justice system forever. Although acquitted the motion of DV against women stiffened as jail sentences for repeated offenders increased. This incident also raised awareness for violence against women in which we see on TV today. Domestic Abuse hotlines and support groups are currently active today. And with the laws passed in different states ensure stricter sentences for men who act violently towards women.

2000, Carolina Panthers RB Fred Lane was gunned down by his wife during a domestic dispute. The Panthers at the time had parted ways with WR Rae Carruth after he plead guilty to conspiracy to commit murder after the death of his son's mother in a shooting in late 1999. The Lane's have had past cases of domestic violence and the last encounter was a fatal one. In result Fred Lane's wife Deidra was sentenced to 9 years in prison.

2001, The late boxing champ Diego Corrales was sentenced to 14 months in prison for beating his pregnant wife in late 2000. He was the first well known athlete to sentenced under the new DV law in California. After his release in 2003, Corrales continued boxing until his death in May of 2007.

Most interesting story.

The shortest baseball player to ever suit up for a game was a dward from Chicago by the name of Eddie Gaedel. He stood around 3 ft 7 inches tall and weighed about 65 pounds. The story about Gaedel signing with the St Louis Browns in 1951 was quite a story. Bill Veeck, who was GM of the Browns at the time was known for his outrageous publicity stunts. Well, lets just say this is one of the biggest stunts ever pulled off in sports history. Anyways, Veeck met with Gaedel who did between the inning routines at the stadium was pulled aside by Veeck about possibly playing for the St Louis Browns. Obviously there was an agreement and Gaedel suited up for the Browns and made his debut on August 19th, 1951. That day the Browns hosted the Detroit Tigers and Gaedel made his appearance in the bottom of the 1st inning as a pinch hitter. Wearing the jersey 1/2, the pint-sized Gaedel was walked on 4 pitches and was subbed out for a pinch runner. After he left the game the crowd gave Gaedel a standing ovation and his career was all but over. With a 100% career on base percentage Gaedel is best known for being the smallest player to officially play the game of baseball.