Dempster Traded To Braves.....Or Not---Twitter-Era Makes Another Major Mistake

I woke up this morning to about 10 texts about Ryan Dempster being traded to Atlanta for Randall Delgado.  Originally, I was ecstatic. 

As a Cubs fan, I love what Dempster has been able to do for us over the past few years. But I am more impressed with what Randall Delgado has the potential to be, a top-tier pitcher. 

So I crawl out of my bed--it is about 2 P.M. mind you--and sign on to Twitter and a few other sites. I read and read. All the sudden, Ryan Dempster isn't actually traded. He is reportedly walking into the Cubs clubhouse in his Cubs jersey. 

So, what happened?

This is exactly what happened. Everyone in sports reporting wants to be the first to report the story. They think being first brings fame. Not true. Being wrong brings fame, and not for the right reasons, however. 

Tweet after tweet from the average fan trying to act like a reporter and announce that Dempster has been traded.

 News spreads these days incredibly fast. But once again, this rumor was not true. Granted, it is possible by the end of the day, Ryan Dempster might possibly be traded to the Braves for Delgado.

But let's keep in mind, Ryan Dempster has a no-trade clause. Before he can be traded, he obviously has to waive that. So if Dempster tweets about no traded being in place, how do people not realize that?

This could possibly be the worst failure to be right before being first in the entire Twitter-era. 

If you learn anything from this, you can be first and be wrong. That makes you look dumb. Be second and be right, you look like a genius. Get your facts straight before talking about something. 

And for the sake of everyone's sanity, leave the reporting to the professionals. 

NBA Free Agent Update--Update on Remaining FAs

We are past the point in the off season where the stars are debating what team to play for next season (for the most part). Now is the time that role players that could be key in a playoff run are doing the same. But the news isn't as publicized.

So I will give an update on many of the top remaining free agents and where they might end up. Starting in alphabetical order.

Gilbert Arenas

The only team Arenas has really been linked to is the Lakers. It is hard to imagine that he won't play next season. Some team somewhere can use a backup point guard. Arenas still has a little left in the tank.

Leandro Barbosa

Reports point to him not returning to the Pacers. The Timberwolves have popped up as a possible dark horse team. Again, someone will eventually pick up Barbosa. He is still an above average shooter. Among various other vets, Barbosa has been linked to the Bulls. Don't expect him to be in Chi-Town, as he is likely near the mid-pack of their list.

Matt Barnes

Barnes might be the top forward left. The defensive specialist has been linked to.....well.....nobody. Again, I do not understand why teams refuse to go after these veterans. Maybe there are talks under the table that we are not hearing. But if Barnes does go anywhere, it is likely he returns to the Lakers.

Mike Bibby

The Knicks will likely bring back the guard. Plain and simple, Bibby is pretty much washed up.

Baron Davis

Davis, coming off a torn ACL, says he has no plans to retire. He was playing well with the Knicks last season before the injury. Hasn't been linked to a team yet, but someone will surface soon enough.

Carlos Delfino

Delfino said he hopes to return to Bucks, but the Pacers and Celtics have showed interest in him. Injury issues supposedly scare some teams away.

Keyon Dooling

Dooling will likely re-sign with the Celt's to pad their backcourt.

Derek Fisher

Fisher has been linked to plenty of teams. Cavs, Bulls, Nets, Thunder, Mavs, Knicks. All reported to be interested in Fisher. He would be a good veteran to have in the locker room and can still do a thing or two on the court.

Jonny Flynn

Lakers, Trail Blazers, Suns, Raptors, Bulls, Nets, and Cavs have all been reported to have interest in the young guard. Still just 23, Flynn has a lot of room to grow.

Randy Foye

Foye is reportedly drawing interest from the Mavericks, Rockets, Knicks, Hawks, Suns and Bucks. A good shooter; he can spread the floor too.

Josh Howard

Howard is drawing interest from the Mavericks, Jazz, Lakers, Nets, Spurs and Celtics. There was a time when Howard was one of the best forwards in the league. But now just a good vet.

Juwan Howard

Howard will likely retire. Says he still wants to play, but he'd be better off coaching or something in the area. 

Yi Jianlian

Yi has drawn more interest from Euro teams than the NBA, but says he is focused on staying in the NBA. 

Carl Landry

The Bobcats are attempting to acquire Landry in a sign-and-trade with the Bobcats. If not, the T'Wolves and Warriors have shown interest.

John Lucas III

Lucas can end up with Miami or Toronto. Miami would be a good place if he wants to win. Toronto is he likes hockey. 

Kenyon Martin

Martin, one of the best remaining FAs has gotten interest from the Warriors. Won't be a surprise if they pick him up. 

Jodie Meeks

The Grizzlies and Lakers have shown interest. He is a talented spot-up shooter who can fit in with just about any team.

CJ Miles

Miles, who has been in the league 7 years but is still only 25, visited with the Mavs recently.

Anthony Parker

Parker officially announced his retirement around the end of June. 

Michael Redd

The Cavs, Suns, and Bulls have shown heavy interest in Redd. Formerly one of the best shooters in the league, Redd can still spot up. 

Brandon Rush

Rush hopes to be signed to an offer sheet by the Lakers, who he recently worked out with.

Brain Scalabrine

Scal says he will play until the kick him out. Possible he returns with Bulls. He is a great locker room guy.

Ben Wallace

If Wallace returns, it is likely he does so with the Pistons.

Delonte West

Mavs and Bulls are West's likely destinations. Still a crafty player.

Many of the teams that are showing interest are doing nothing other than that. Showing interest. They will likely not sign that player. 

There are still plenty of vets left that can be important to a team. 

If there are any players you would like to know about, contact on Twitter. 

@SportNationwide 

Back Back Back--MLB Home Run Derby Predictions

It is that time of year. The Major League All-Star break. Today, the Home Run Derby. Every year, the top home run hitters in the majors square off in a battle to see who is the best home run hitter. Whether it goes 500 feet and barely over the wall, it counts as a single home run. Who will win this year? Take a look

Last Place - Matt Kemp
Kemp had just two homers in last seasons contest. I think he struggles again and is lucky to get more than 5.

7th Place - Carlos Beltran
Love the way he plays the game overall, but just not right for this competition. Expect 3-7 homers.

6th Place - Prince Fielder
His in game struggles this season translate into this contest. 4-8 homers.

5th Place - Jose Bautista
Barely misses second round cut. Saves his power for the second half of the season. 5-10 homers.

4th Place - Mark Trumbo
Trumbo picks up the slack. Shows the world his raw power. 8-15 homers.


3rd Place - Carlos Gonzalez
The underdog in this competition surprises everyone a bit. 7-15 homers.

2nd Place - Robinson Cano
Puts on an absolute show the first two rounds but runs out of gas in the finals. 13-20 homers.

Champion - Andrew McCutchen
McCutchen carries his outstanding play over to KC for the Derby. Welcome your Home Run Derby Champion, Pittsburgh Pirate outfielder, Andrew McCutchen. 15-25 homers.


Predicting the Home Run Derby is always a crap shoot. The best power hitter can often hit less than 5 bombs, while the so-called underdog explodes for 20+ home runs.

Don't expect any McGuire/Sosa type bombs. Don't expect a backwards hat, sweet swinger like Ken Griffey Jr. But as walways, expect to here Chris Berman over and over. And over. And over. And over.

"Back, back, back, back, back, back, back.....GONE!"

Nash to LA; Kidd to NY--Coast to Coast NBA Fans Overract to the Signings of Veterans

Earlier this week, two veteran point guards signed with two new teams.

Steve Nash, 38 years old, signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in a sign-and-trade deal. In return, Phoenix got two first round draft selections and two second round draft selections.

Clearly, Phoenix got the better end of the deal, right? Not according to most of America. For some reason, the Nash acquisition makes the Lakers the favorite for the Finals next season. Or at least according to at least half of the nation.

I understand the country's massive, unreasonable hatred for the Miami Heat. But have a little sense. Whether you like it or not, the Miami Heat are the best team in the NBA. Also, Steve Nash is getting old. We all want him to get a ring. He deserves is. But the Lakers are still not favorites to win anything right now.

Nash is 38 and not getting any younger. His numbers are slowly decreasing. He is becoming a step slower. The Lakers have pretty much one year with Nash to do something big. Chances are, they just won't be able to do it. The Thunder will only get better. And say they do reach the Finals, there is little chance they beat the Heat. But they won't even get that far.

Jason Kidd, 39 years old, is....well.....washed up. I love the way he plays. But we saw how he played last season. He is no where near what he used to be. But him being signed to the Knicks for some reason makes people think the Knicks are so much better. It isn't a bad pick up for the Knicks, but Kidd is barely an average player.

On Twitter, on ESPN Poll questons, on Facebook, and around town, all I hear is how the Lakers and Knicks are going to be so much better. Yes, the Lakers will be better and maybe even the Knicks too, but I'm not sure those pickups alone make them title contenders.

Sorry America, but the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder are still the two best teams in the NBA.

Chicago Bulls Free Agency Update -- Moves That Would Help the Bulls

The free agent frenzy has begun. As it always is, this off season has already been quite crazy, and we are only a few days in. Dwight Howard wants to leave again, the Heat are looking for veterans, the Bobcats still are really bad. Nothing too new. But the Chicago Bulls have yet to make some waves, besides drafting point guard Marquis Teague. But free agent wise, the only thing that has happened involving the Bulls was the Rockets giving Omer Asik an unthinkable $8.3 million a year contract. Go ahead Houston, for that money you can have him.

The Bulls have very limited cap space, however, there are a few moves they can make to improve their team. Most likely, Derrick Rose and Luol Deng will be out for most, if not the whole, year.

Sign A Point Guard


Kirk Hinrich
Yes, bring back Hinrich. He is supposedly at the top of the Bulls list. With CJ Watson and Teague already on the roster, it means we could finally dump John Lucas and Mike James. Sorry Bulls fans, I know you love them. But they just don't cut it. Would you rather have Lucas and James than Hinrich? Didn't think so. It will take more than just the veterans minimum to get the 31 year old. He's been in Chicago before. Granted, it is obviously a new coach, but he does still know the environment. He wouldn't have to readjust much.

Derek Fisher
The Bulls have reportedly contacted Fisher's representatives. If Hinrich is not available, I feel like this veteran should be their second option. He can not only provide good bench play, but help teach Teague a thing or two. Fisher has been noted as one of the best locker room morale boosting guys around, and the Bulls could use that. Fisher has always been typically a role playing starter. He is a guy who would start the game, but still play only 25 minutes. Either way, Fisher can't hurt.

Sign A True Shooting Guard

The Bulls still have an empty spot at the 2 guard. Yes, Rip Hamilton helped. But he is a mid-range shooter. Korver can shoot, especially in clutch situations when the Bulls need it, but he is too streaky and not a good enough defender to get consistent playing time.

Ray Allen, Nick Young, OJ Mayo, Eric Gordon (restricted), and Jamal Crawford would be perfect pickups. Unfortunately the Bulls don't enough cash to throw around and sign these guys. The Celtics have signed Jason Terry, so he is off the list as well. But that does mean Ray Allen is ((% not going to be a Celtic next season.

They could look at Michael Redd in hopes that he can return to his old self. Or at least something close to it.

Trade Carlos Boozer

Listen, I love Boozer. I love his intensity. But he just doesn't fit the Bulls like we thought he would.

Possible Boozer Trades
Carlos Boozer & Ronnie Brewer for Pau Gasol

Carlos Boozer & Luol Deng & Ronnie Brewer for Dwight Howard & Hedo Turkoglu

There are obviously a lot more trade scenarios but those are the first two that come to mind.


You could say this season is practically a lost year. Deng and Rose are going to be out for most of the year. Their big man project with Omer Asik is gone.This would be a good time to try and rebuild again. Not saying blow the whole team up. But get rid of the older guys and try to grab a young gun or two.

It is time the Bulls stop being timid in the off season and go make moves instead of waiting for players to come to them.