Is he worth the Manny?

I’m BACKKKKKKKK!” 

But at what cost? In 2008, when the Dodgers first acquired Ramirez midseason, he hit 17 HR, 53 RBI’s, 74 hits, 38 strikeouts, and a beastly batting average of .396, all in a span of 53 games with 187 at bats. This year is a different story. Over a span of 63 games and 217 at bats, he has 13 HR, 44 RBI’s, 70 hits, 49 strikeouts, and a batting average of .323. Yes, Manny was the reason the Dodgers made it to the playoffs last year. Yes Manny had one of the best 2nd halves of the season I had ever seen any player have. You would think that a miraculous 2008 season would continue into the next season, especially since Manny always puts up good numbers. His $44 million deal over 2 years probably helped a little too, but once LA fans could relax and Manny was in fact coming back, everything seemed fine, but I beg to differ.

We’re paying Manny Ramirez $22 million a year, that’s only $3 million less a year than Alex Rodriguez (which I thought was a complete joke to pay someone that much). The only thing I can say is that if someone is being paid $22 million a year, they better be hitting a .396, 40+ HR, 120+ RBI’s, and lead their team to a World Series Win. I just described Albert Pujols, who even he is not being paid this much. So ultimately, we pay Manny this much money, and sure, the Dodgers are doing really well at the beginning of the season, then steroids happen along with a 50 game suspension. All of a sudden, people are saying to themselves, “if we are paying Manny $22 million, and he’s sitting on the bench for 1/3 of the season, how is that money well spent?” Luckily, the Dodgers continued to roll, and although their record wasn’t as good as when they had Ramirez, it still kept them on top of the standings in the MLB.

So here’s the question I pose: If someone is being paid $22 million but is not performing to a $22 milion level, BUT the team is still winning and is the best team in majors, is it money well spent?

When a ball-club signs a player, they intend for that player to help lead them into the playoffs and ultimately to the World Series. Or, as I am starting to see it, they sign the player to win, which is a completely different way of looking at it. Pay to win or pay to perform. Alex Rodriguez could hit 90 HR’s in a season, but if the Yankees don’t make it to the World Series or like last year don’t even make the playoffs, then that’s a waste of money( ALTHOUGH he was the best player in the MLB). However, as in the case for the Dodgers, Manny isn’t playing as well as they thought he would, but they’re still winning. I know that Manny has helped a lot and has had some clutch performances, but when he’s not even leading the team in any categories, how is he worth the money? It’s because the Dodgers are winning, so if you’re a Dodger fan, and are sad to see those $22 million go away, don’t look at it as money spent ill-wisely, but rather money spent to win.

Is Iverson the Answer to the Clippers needs?

In a report by ESPN this morning, I read that the Clippers are in "very serious" talks with signing Allen Iverson to a contract. Even at 34 years old, thinking about having Baron Davis, Allen Iverson, Blake Griffin, Chris Kaman, Al Thorton, Eric Gordon, Marcus Camby, and Zach Randolph has to make you excited. I honestly don't even care if they do that well... as long as the Lakers stay in LA, the Clippers will be overlooked. But just thinking about that lineup makes me think that there is some hope.

It always seems that the Clippers don't make any serious contract offers to true stars, just trying to get players that they know will bring in money. This might be the offense (and sometimes defence) that they've been looking for. More news to come...

WE TALKIN' ABOUT PRACTICE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGDBR2L5kzI

With the 1st Overall Pick in the NBA 2009 Draft, the Los Angeles Clippers select...

Blake Griffin! Everyone and their mom saw this pick coming to whoever was lucky enough to land the #1 overall pick. Griffin was a standout in college, averaging just under 23 points a game with 14.4 rebounds. Last year, Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley had to fight it out towards who was going to be the #1 overall pick (Rose eventually won that battle), but this year Griffin was unanimously the best player in the draft. So for once in the Clippers troubled history, something good happens to them. They get a player who can dominate both offensively, defensively, and is a very coachable and well liked guy, a guy that the Clippers need desperately.

Side note: I'm tired of teams who take guys like Zach Randolph just because he is a nightly double-double (more like he eats a nightly double-double) when they should be looking at character players who can play AND are manageable on 

court (David Lee and Shane Battier come to mind). 

Despite all the injuries to players such as Shawn Livingston, Elton Brand, and Baron Davis, the Clippers are finally moving in the right direction. They have a point guard in Baron Davis who, if healthy, can give you as many points as he wants with almost as many assists. Then they have two guys who are trying to make a name for themselves in Eric Gordon and Al Thorton, both who are good players and have shown some potential and if given the right motivation, can blossom into dominant players. Finally, their post presence includes Marcus Camby, Zach Randolph, and Chris Kaman, who is a rebounding maching. Throw in Blake Griffin in there and the Clippers look to be a team on the rise, at least on paper.

Another side note: Why is Dunleavy still coaching them? People have blamed the team on their management, their players, and sometimes even their lack of fans, but why hasn't anyone realized that Dunleavy simply isn't doing the job that he once was doing? The Bulls fired their coach, so did the Heat, and look at where it got them... The Playoffs!

So with everything that the Clippers had going for them, it was all suddenly overlooked with the arrival of Ron Artest and the departure of Trevor Ariza. Now the only news that anyone can hear about in Los Angeles is how Artest is going to help Kobe Bryant win his 5th ring and if Ariza will fire his agent for basically choosing the Rockets over the Lakers. When my friend and I were talking about the Lakers, he reminded me that the Clippers drafted Blake Griffin, and I honestly forgot about it. Let's face it, unless the Clippers win a championship, there will only be one meaningful NBA team in Los Angeles.

ARTESTament to the Los Angeles Lakers

Phil Jackson won his 10th NBA championship ring. Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher just won their 4th. The Los Angeles Lakers proved to the world that they had the toughness, had the passion, and had the strive to win a championship. With a starting lineup that encompassed Fisher, Bryant, Ariza, Gasol, and Bynum, and not to mention having Odom come off the bench, it was almost impossible to envision how the Lakers could get any better. 

I remember last summer talking with my friends about who would be the perfect fit for the Lakers; a guy that can play solid, aggressive defence and yet has a deadly shot from the 3. Names like Michael Redd, Mike Miller, and even Shane Battier were tossed around, but none were more appealing than Ron Artest. Sure, he's not the most compassionate guy, but this guy knows how to win and wants to win. Not only can he shoot the lights out, but he can guard basically any person in the NBA, including Lebron James. Michael Jordan had his Rodman, now Kobe Bryant has his Artest. 

The only regret I have through these insane series of events is losing Trevor Ariza. Ariza was the deciding factor in every single series, from his game-winning steals against the Nuggets to his clutch shooting against the Rockets and the Magic. Trevor Ariza deserved that championship just as much as Kobe, as much as Fisher, and even as much as Phil Jackson. It's sad to see him leave the Lakers, especially because he was so revered here in this city and was loved by all of his fans. I wish him the best of luck in Houston and I hope that he proves us wrong for not keeping him. BUT in the mean time, let's celebrate for having Ron Artest, the only person who could guard Kobe Bryant, on our team. Just thinking about the intensity that he brings to the court makes me want another championship so badly! Here's to next season and to the 2009-2010 NBA Champions, the Los Angeles Lakers.