As much fun as I’m having watching the Rangers every night, I’m already looking ahead to next season.  Hank Blalock and Ramon Vazquez are likely done in Arlington and that will open up a spot at 3rd base in ’09.  The good thing for Texas is their replacement is already in the organization.  His name is Elvis Andrus.  The 19 year old shortstop is hitting .291 with 52 RBIs in Frisco this season.  Moving Andrus from SS to 3rd will give him a chance to get his feet wet at the major league level before he replaces Michael Young at shortstop.  (The move will also save money and allow Texas to make a play for CC Sabathia in the off-season.)

            Please tell me why 1B Chris Davis is batting 8th in the Rangers lineup?  The 22 year old future star is hitting .351 with 11 RBI in the last 15 days. (.316 in the last 30 days)  I understand the theme of a righty, lefty lineup, but Marlon Byrd hitting 5th is a joke.  Please give Josh Hamilton some protection and move Davis up in the order.

            I know I just questioned Ron Washington, but the 2nd year manager deserves a lot of credit for the Rangers turnaround.  Even though most people were calling for his head after two months last season, his team has been 13 games over .500 (112-99) since June 14, 2007.  I don’t think there are many managers who could have a record like that with pitching staff he’s been given.  Tampa Bay skipper Joe Maddon deserves the AL Manger of the Year, but Ron Washington shouldn’t be far behind.

            When Team USA announced that Jason Kidd was going to be part of the Olympic team, I questioned the decision.  Here are Kidd’s averages through 5 exhibition games; 13 minutes per game, 1 ppg, 2 rbs, 1.4 asts and 1.6 turnovers.  Kidd has been starting, but that will last long.  Chris Paul and Deron Williams are too good to keep off the court.

            38 days till Ohio State at USC.  (Just 24 days till the opener.)

Cody Crystal Ball (a.k.a. Bold Prediction of the Week)

            Cowboys 4th round running back Tashard Choice will have more carries this season than 1st rounder Felix Jones.  Like most people are saying, I think Felix will be used for like Reggie Bush.  Steve Dennis said Tashard’s running style reminds him of Emmitt Smith.  (Bill Jones is too excited to see #29 hit the hole and break into the secondary.)

            Ian Kinsler’s 31st double of the year set up the go ahead run to give the Rangers a 3-2 win last night.  The All-Star second baseman is on pace for 55 doubles this season.  That would break Michael Young’s club record of 52, set in 2006.  However, it’s not close to the major league record of 67 held by Earl Webb of the 1931 Boston Red Sox.

            C.J. Wilson is tied for 8th in the majors with 22 saves this season.  But, C.J. has only blown two saves in ’08.  I found it interesting that there are 46 guys in MLB who have 3 or more blown saves this year.  I like C.J. as the closer, but to steal a line for Bill Parcells; C.J. Wilson is dodging bullets.

            I’m thinking about a catch phrase for the 22 year tandem of Matt Harrison and Eric Hurley.  Something like; ‘Can you catch the 22s?’ or something along those lines.  Feel free to share ideas.  But, we better hurry because Harrison turns 23 on August 16th and Hurley on September 17th.

            I love the Gerald Green signing by the Mavericks last week.  He brings some more youth and excitement to the Mavs roster.  One of the major reasons I didn’t like the Jason Kidd trade was because he didn’t have guys like Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter on the wings here in Dallas.  Green solves that problem.  He’ll be running the floor and throwing down huge dunks next season.  He may also be able to help out from behind the arc.  He shoots .366% from 3 point range in his career.  Coming out of high school in Houston, he was known for his terrific shooting stroke.  I think the Mavs may have found a steal similar to last year’s find of Brandon Bass.

            Here is a quick update on the Michael Beasley vs. Derrick Rose comparison at the Orlando summer league.  Beasley’s Heat dominated Rose’s (and my) Bulls 94-70 on opening day.  Beasley had 28 pts 9 rbs in 23 minutes of play.  Rose has struggled in his 2 games averaging 9.5 pts, 5.5 asts and 4 turnovers.  Here is the quote I saw in the Chicago Tribune; “the offense ran as smoothly as a used Yugo.”  I know it’s just summer ball.  I’m just sayin.

            Who better than Bubba Watson to win this week at the John Deere?  (UPDATE: Cody 2, Bull 2)

****My perfect mock draft wasn’t intended to predict where players would be picked.  The reason I put it together was to show that every team would be happy if the top 10 would have fallen in that order.****

            It’s time to name the winners and losers from the 2008 NBA Draft.

Winners

New Jersey Nets – They add Brook Lopez, the best center in draft, with the 10th overall pick.  They picked up California forward Ryan Anderson with the 21st pick.  Anderson averaged 21 pts and 10 rbs last season as a sophomore.  Chris Douglas-Roberts was finally chosen in the 2nd round. (pick #39) He could end of being the steal of this draft

Miami Heat – Michael Beasley, probably the best player in the draft, falls to them at #2.  People forget how dominate Beasley was last season at K-State. (Scored 30 of more points in 13 games last season)  Miami also filled a couple holes when they drafted former Kansas Jayhawks, Mario Chalmers and Darnell Jackson.

Boston Celtics – The champions took athletic SF J.R. Giddens with the last pick in the 1st round.  They also got Bill Walker (K-State) in the 2nd round (47th overall).  I have no doubt Walker will be a good pro, if he can stay healthy.

Losers

Sacramento Kings – They took Jason Thompson with the 12th pick.  I’m not saying the senior from Ryder won’t be a decent player, but they could have traded down and drafted him later.  (Anthony Randolph and Brandon Rush were still available at 12).

Charlotte Bobcats – I like the pick of D.J. Augustin at #9.  The only problem is they passed on Stanford center Brook Lopez and chose a PG when they already have Raymond Felton.  I don’t know a thing about Alexis Ajinca (#20), but it’s probably not a good sign when he only averaged 5 ppg last year in France.

I like the Mavericks pick of Shan Foster in the 2nd round.  They say he can shoot it and hopefully will provide a little scoring off the bench.  I wondered if they could have moved up to get Chris Douglas-Roberts at #39 or Bill Walker at #47.  Both of those guys could have come in and immediately contributed.

Written: 6/27/08

Posted: 7/2/08

Here are a couple of feelings and predictions about this huge sports weekend.

Cowboys

            I hope the Cowboys trade the 22nd pick in the draft.  There is a big fall off of talent in the top 8 picks and between 9 and 16.  If they pick a cornerback, running back or wide receiver like they should, it will be a reach pick. (aka a Bobby Carpenter type of choice)

Players you want your team to pick:                           Avoid these players this weekend:

Glenn Dorsey DT (LSU)                               Jake Long OT (Michigan)

Sedrick Ellis DT (USC)                                Matt Ryan QB (Boston College)

Vernon Gholston DE-LB (Ohio State)          Devin Thomas WR (Michigan State)

Rashard Mendenhall RB (Illinois)                  Felix Jones RB (Arkansas)

Mike Jenkins CB (South Florida)                  Aqib Talib CB (Kansas)

James Hardy WR (Indiana)                           DeSean Jackson WR (California)

Malcolm Kelly WR (Oklahoma)                  Brandon Flowers CB (Virginia Tech)

Limas Sweed WR (Texas)                           Justin King CB (Penn State)

Fred Davis TE (USC)                                  Chevis Jackson CB (LSU)

Kevin Smith RB (Central Florida)                 John David Booty QB (USC)

Trevor Laws DT (Notre Dame)                    Jacob Hester FB (LSU)

Mavericks

            I really think the Mavericks are going to show up this weekend against the Hornets.  What does that mean?  Not much I guess.  This hasn’t happened yet, but the Mavs can play well and still lose.  I’m guessing that will happen this weekend.

            Brandon Bass should be starting for Erick Dampier.  Bass can score and plays with the physical mentality that Avery Johnson keeps talking about.  Avery keeps saying Bass’ defense keeps costing him playing time. Who cares, they’re giving up 115 points on 53% shooting through two playoff games.

Byron Nelson Championship

            Any tournament without Brandt Snedeker is going to struggle for ratings.  Most people talk about Tiger Woods driving golf, but without Sneds in the field, viewers just plain won’t tune in. 

Rangers 

            Josh Hamilton will continue to lead the American League in RBIs.  Also, can we look at the good moves Jon Daniels has made of the last year and a half as Rangers General Manager? 

2008    Josh Hamilton - One of the top two players on the roster.

            Milton Bradley - Leads the team in batting average. (.329)

            Franklyn German - One of the sure things in the Texas Bullpen (0.87 ERA)

2007    Eric Gagne - Was great as closer and received a ton in a trade with Boston (Kason Gabbard)

Kenny Lofton - Signed and traded to Cleveland for young catcher.

Sammy Sosa - Was basically signed as a joke and added  21 HR and 92 RBI.

 Written: 4/24/08

Posted: 7/2/08

It has been widely publicized that I was against the Mavericks trade for Jason Kidd from the beginning.  I will say I became a little more in favor after Jerry Stackhouse and Devean George were left out of the deal.  If the original deal went through, they would have been in trouble going into the post-season with their lack of depth. My biggest problem with the finalized trade was the fact that it didn’t make Dallas that much better.  Come playoff time the Mavericks will struggle against the Jazz, Lakers, Suns and Spurs with or without Jason Kidd.

As we stand today, the Mavs are 4-4 since acquiring Kidd.  The future Hall of Fame point guard is averaging 11.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 3 turnovers a game as a Maverick.  There is one thing I like about the team; they are much more entertaining since the deal.  But are they a better team?  Most people didn’t realized that the Mavs were 28-11 (.718 winning percentage) with Devin Harris in the lineup this year.  This proves that when he was healthy, Dallas was a tough team to beat.  Is it possible the front office couldn’t wait for Harris to return from the injury list?  Were they worried that the 4 games between Kidd’s first game with the Mavs (2/20) and Harris returning from injury with the Nets (2/28) would hurt the Mavs chances of making the playoffs? 

Here is the bottom line.  I think everyone will admit the trade was a failure if they miss the playoffs.  But here’s my question.  How far do they have to go in the playoffs to make the trade a success?  In my opinion, if they don’t make the Western Conference Finals, there is no doubt the trade did not work.  Let me know what you guys think.

Written: 3/4/08

Posted: 7/2/08