Williams

Photo: Jon Fobes/Cleveland.com

It wasn't pretty and it certainly wasn't easy, but the Cavaliers found a way to break their longest losing streak in the past two seasons with their home crowd behind them. With six guys in double figure scoring and running more diverse offense, they overcame their defensive woes and Marcus Thornton's game of his life to stop the skid at three games heading into a heavyweight bout on Thursday night.

Rotation tidbits: Tonight was a preview of what we are likely to see for the rest of the season: Mike Brown narrowing down his rotation and finding what will work. On this occasion, that meant no Daniel Gibson, Jawad Williams, J.J. Hickson, or Leon Powe. Granted, it was Powe's first game deemed medically ready to play and J.J. was suffering from the stomach flu, but it was a sign that the 10-11 man rotation that Brown has used at times is coming to an end. The new starting of five of Mo, AP, LeBron, Antawn Jamison, and Shaq, Delonte, Andy, and Jamario Moon; 8 guys; that's it. I see that getting stretched to nine eventually, either when Z returns or as J.J. or Jawad Williams is pressed into service. There's still a lot to work out, however, including some of the moves Brown made tonight. For instance, he played Jamison with LeBron for the entire first quarter, then both had to sit at the start of the second rather than having 'Tawn to fill-in scoring with LBJ resting. Furthermore, Coach Brown played his two centers, Varejao and Shaq, together quite a bit. If memory serves me correctly, the team had reservations about Andy and Shaq playing alongside each other when they WEREN'T the only two centers on the team; that's why J.J. made his way into the starting lineups. After playing both Parker and Shaq heavy minutes in the first half, he did even it out a bit in the 2nd half. With that being said, Jamario Moon had just 9 minutes, while Shaq had 31, LeBron had 44, and Antawn had 37 minutes respectively. They need to make this a full eight man rotation or give both Jawad and Jamario 9 minutes. I don't want to see Shaq ramped up to 30 minutes consistently until just before the playoffs. It's fine in the Boston, Orlando, Denver, and Lakers games, but not against lesser competition. We need the Diesel for the long haul.

As the NBA season begins to wind towards playoffs, let’s take a look at the top 20 point guards. The injury to Chris Paul has opened the door for some other young guards to make a lot of noise in the fantasy world, and some of the major trades that went down could impact the roles some of these guards are asked to play for their teams.

For Steve Nash owners, Amar'e Stoudemire staying in Phoenix was a sigh or relief. However, the subtractions of Tyrus Thomas and John Salmons in Chicago will put Derrick Rose into more of a scoring role for the Bulls. Kevin Martin leaving Sacramento could only improve the fantasy impact of rookie Tyreke Evans as well.

Here are the top 20 point guards as we near the end of February.

1. Steve Nash , Phoenix—17.6 ppg, 11.2 apg, 0.5 spg

2. Deron Williams , Utah—18.3 ppg, 9.9 apg, 1.1 spg

3. Rajon Rondo , Boston—14.0 ppg, 9.7 apg, 2.5 spg

4. Monta Ellis , Golden State—25.8 ppg, 5.4 apg, 2.2 spg

5. Derrick Rose , Chicago—19.9 ppg, 5.7 apg, 0.8 spg

6. Russell Westbrook , Oklahoma City—16.4 ppg, 7.7 apg, 1.2 spg

7. Tyreke Evans , Sacramento—20.1 ppg, 5.3 apg, 1.5 apg

8. Jason Kidd , Dallas—9.7 ppg, 9.2 apg, 2.0 spg

9. Stephen Curry , Golden State—15.2 ppg, 5.1 apg, 1.9 spg

10. Chauncey Billups , Denver—19.8 ppg, 6.1 apg, 1.2 spg

11. Baron Davis , L.A. Clippers—15.6 ppg, 7.8 apg, 1.8 spg

12. Devin Harris , New Jersey—16.3 ppg, 6.7 apg, 1.4 spg

13. Aaron Brooks , Houston—19.3 ppg, 5.1 apg, 0.9 spg

14. Darren Collison , New Orleans—9.3 ppg, 4.2 apg, 0.9 spg

15. Tony Parker , San Antonio—16.8 ppg, 5.9 apg, 0.6 spg

16. Jamal Crawford , Atlanta—17.5 ppg, 2.8 apg, 0.8 spg

17. Mo Williams , Cleveland—16.3 ppg, 4.9 apg, 1.2 spg

18. Jameer Nelson , Orlando—11.9 ppg, 5.0 apg, 0.8 spg

19. Andre Miller , Portland—13.6 ppg, 5.4 apg, 0.9 spg

20. Mike Bibby , Atlanta—8.6 ppg, 4.4 apg, 0.9 spg

Sleeper Specials:

Nate Robinson, Boston*—13.2 ppg, 3.7 apg, 0.9 spg

Mike Conley, Memphis—10.2 ppg, 5.2 apg, 1.2 spg

Jonny Flynn, Minnesota—13.9 ppg, 4.3 apg, 1.1 spg

Kirk Hinrich, Chicago—10.6 ppg, 4.4 apg, 1,0 spg

Time To Sell:

Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee—16.7 ppg, 6.7 apg, 1.3 spg

Steve Blake, LA Clippers*—7.6 ppg, 4.2 apg, 0.7 spg

Check out our SG Power Rankings!

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*Please visit FiveKnuckles.com for more mixed martial arts media*

Zuffa, LLC, doing business as the Ultimate Fighting Championship ("UFC"), was awarded a legal victory today against former champion, Ken Shamrock. Shamrock, who claimed Zuffa had violated certain contractual provisions of his final fight agreement, was demanding several hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation he claimed was due and owing from the UFC.

Following a trial before the Honorable Susan H. Johnson, the Court entered a sixteen page written decision concluding that Ken Shamrock was to "take nothing by way of its Complaint filed April 15, 2008, and judgment is rendered in favor of Zuffa, LLC dba the Ultimate Fighting Championship." Specifically, Judge Johnson ruled that Zuffa (1) did not breach the contract; (2) that the contract should be interpreted in manner advocated by Zuffa; and (3) that, in any event, Shamrock and his attorney/agent Rod Donohoo waived any purported breach by Zuffa.

The UFC was again represented by their trial counsel Donald J. Campbell and J. Colby Williams of the Las Vegas firm Campbell & Williams. Asked for a comment, Messrs. Campbell and Williams responded as follows:

"Zuffa has issued a clear directive that we are to pursue every legal remedy to ensure that the UFC's contracts are scrupulously honored and defended. The resulting judgment in this case is just one more example of the UFC's resolve to vigorously vindicate its contractual rights in the courts."

When asked if further proceedings would be likely in this case, Messrs. Campbell and Williams remarked in the affirmative:

"The UFC has a clear and unambiguous attorney fee clause in all of its contracts with fighters to the effect, that in the event a fighter loses any contractual challenge in court, that fighter will be responsible for paying our fees. Accordingly, we will be filing a motion to seek recovery of all of our expenses and fees which were occasioned by this lawsuit."

If you follow this blog, you know I have a "thing" for concussions. I believe that football teams don't take concussions seriously and put kids back in the game way too fast.

It can happen at any level of football, High School, College and of course in the NFL. If you remember when Sam McGuffie was a Wolverine, I was of the opinion he should probably quit football altogether (he actually transferred from Michigan to Rice). Having 3 concussions in one year is very serious.

If you follow HBO's "Real Sports" program, they have done a number of reports on concussions and have studied the brains of NFL players that have died in their 50's.

What they have found is that NFL players that have had a number of concussions have had an onset of early dementia or another way to say it is, their brains were equivalent to an 80-90 year old when they were only in their 50's. The show also talked about that it may not just be concussions that have an effect on the brain, the number of "regular" hits in practice and games can also cause serious damage.

With that said, the University of Michigan believes they have developed a test where football players can take right on the sideline to see if they have a concussion or not:

Using a long stick weighted with a hockey puck, the person administering the test must drop the device while the athlete tries to catch it as quickly as possible. Marks on the stick measure how quickly the athlete was able to react.

The researchers gave the test to more than 200 uninjured athletes in Division 1 football, wrestling and women's soccer to test their reaction times. During the sports season, eight of those athletes suffered a concussion and took the test again. For seven of those athletes, it took 15 percent longer to catch the cylinder.

The researchers say further clinical trials are needed, and the test wouldn't replace computerized diagnosis, but could be a more practical way to evaluate athletes soon after an injury.

This test is a inexpensive way for all football teams no matter what level to have on the sideline to test for concussions. As you might imagine, going back into a football game after getting a concussion can cause serious damage or even death.

I was in three leagues this year and made it to the playoffs in all of them, but I found myself coming up just short as I lost in the championship game in two of them (thank you Mr. Curtis Lofton and Peyton Manning).

Though I'm still a little bitter, overall, it was a great year. This post is intended to recap the season from an IDP perspective so nothing will be forgotten when draft time starts back up in August.

I've run the numbers for you on all the IDPers from this season by category (DL, LB, DB) and compiled a list of what each averaged each game for the entire year, Weeks One through Five, Weeks Six through 11, and Weeks 12 through 16. I've also included one of my favorite sections—IDP Opportunity —to show which teams had the most and fewest opportunities to pad their stats this year.

No surprise here—Patrick Willis ended as the No. 1 overall LB of the 2009 season. He is simply a man amongst boys at this point and will be for the foreseeable future. Other interesting points: Don't forget the power of the weakside linebacker position in Carolina. Whoever started there seemed to produce very well alongside Jon Beason.

When looking at the three subsections, Willis was the only top 15 performer in all three. Thomas Davis, Paul Posluszny, Jon Beason, Brian Cushing, London Fletcher, Ray Lewis, and D.J. Williams were in the top 15 for two of them and should all be considered upper echelon guys in 2010.

Also, I will preach this just like I have all year: YOU WANT JUSTIN DURANT on your squad in 2010!

After looking at the numbers on DBs, a lot of unexpected names (if you don't truly follow IDP) came up to the top of the list this year. This is a great lesson on where you can really do damage in your draft next year. Whoever starts at SS for Oakland and Buffalo in 2010 should be high on your list to draft.

Other takeaways: Bernard Pollard is simply a beast. I don't see that fact being any different in 2010. Also, hopefully you were able to jump on the Bryan Scott train this year. Next year should be good for him as well.

Speaking of Scott, only he and Tyvon Branch found themselves in the top 15 every part of this year. Pollard (not really fair because he didn't have a home for a while until he went to Houston), Brian Dawkins, Charles Woodson, and Antoine Winfield found themselves in the top 15 for two of them. All of these guys should be on your radar in the 2010 draft as well.

Even though he's a CB (those that regularly read my blog know how much I try to stay away from them), I also really like Nick Harper in 2010.

In Formula 1 there have been many forgettable drivers. Kazuki Nakajima was the latest addition to a long list of drivers who during their time in the sport achieved very little in the way of points, performance or reputation – Luca Badoer or Giorgio Pantano anyone?!

After a disastrous 2009 season at the hands of a Williams, Nakajima seemingly ended any chances of a further career as he became the only driver to start the season and finish it without a single point to his name.

If it were not for Nico Rosberg’s impressive tally of points the Williams team would have been left trailing the rest of the field, with only Force India as company at the foot of the standings.

So it was not surprising that of the thirteen teams initiated for the 2010 season, none of them provided the Japanese driver to further what looked at most to be an average career. This was until Kazuki was thrown an unlikely yet now plausible lifeline which could see him partner former winner Ralf Schumacher at the team Stefan GP.

With both the Campos and US F1 teams stuttering towards Bahrain Serbian outfit Stefan GP are looking to pounce upon a position in the field of twenty-six if it turns out that either of the rookie teams fails to establish themselves in the sport. They have continued development of a race car even though they have no place in the field at this moment in time, but would be willing to partake in the season if given the opportunity.

However we do then have to wonder, does the sport really need a returning Nakajima? Or was his lacklustre last season a wake up call for a driver who may best belong in the lower tiers of the motor racing world?

Kazuki is not the slowest driver ever to grace a race track, but sadly for him he’s not far off being considered the worst. With only a tiny batch of points finishes to his name, none higher than this lucky sixth placed finish at the 2008 Australian Grand Prix, the driver has given little to prove himself worthy of a stable position on the grid.

He has made a variety of mistakes making him a certain liability at times. His overshooting of his pitbox in his first race for example put mechanics into hospital and then his crash in the pitlane in the Canadian Grand Prix in 2008 also portrayed a reckless driver who may not be confident or able enough to compete.

To be fair to the driver though these errors became less frequent in his second season, but then it was his lack of race pace and presence that cost him any fans he may have had after a start to his career that did indeed show a early signs of promising speed.

His only hope of sustaining a career will be in looking at former drivers who had suffered similar openings to their careers; those who overturned their critics opinions and elevated themselves to credible results.

Felipe Massa for example was considered destructive and clumsy at Sauber, and Ferrari’s decision to employ the unpredictable youngster was rightfully met with responses of astonishment rather than replies of of acknowledgement and expectation.

Yet once the Brazilian settled down into his new team the results began to come and he redefined his credentials and enforced a reputation of a driver capable of beautiful scenes on the race track. He still sometimes showed the fateful elements that hindered his early career but the good most certainly outweighed the bad. We felt sorry for his loss of the 2008 title after a season where he produced a stunning array of results.

Kazuki’s first two seasons do therefore echo Massa’s introduction into the sport.

Kazuki also has the added bonus of actually seeming to be more level headed and controlled behind the wheel. He appears more comfortable and stable in the race seat.  

If Stefan GP were given the opportunity to appear in the 2010 season they would of course need to produce a monster of a car for Kazuki to get results. This is going on the assumption that his demeanour and potential matches that of his first two seasons. No-one would expect that in the months since the end of last season that he would have improved a huge amount, but we can always live in hope if his opportunity comes.

After all for any Formula 1 fan we want to see a competition, and not drivers elected by their teams who then show little in the way of determination and a competitive edge.

Kazuki if he were to return needs to overcome our current visions of his capabilities as a driver. He is required to start producing the sort of results needed to be capable of warranting himself a drive that defers any opinions that his inception is more financially motivated than talent related.

9:20 a.m. - Three-star offensive lineman prospect Daniel Munyer , from Sherman Oaks, California, has confirmed sending in his letter of intent…

9:10 a.m. - Two more offensive players have been confirmed, as tight end Henley Griffin, from Apopka, Florida, and running back/H-back/tight end/athlete Justin “J.T.” Torres , from La Mirada, California, are now CU Buffs…

9:00 a.m. - Offensive lineman Alex Lewis made it 10 known commitments in the first hour. Lewis will grey-shirt, as the 17-year old is 6′4″, but only 255 pounds, and will use the extra time to develop into his body…

8:55 a.m. – Chidera Uzo-Diribe is a three-star defensive line prospect from Corona, California. A September commit, Uzo-Diribe is now a Buff…

8:45 a.m. – Colorado may be picking up only two in-state players this year, but both of the known verbal commitments heading into Wednesday have stayed on, as tight end Kyle Slavin has indicated that he has sent in his letter of intent… 

8:35 a.m. - Kicker/punter Justin Cantor , from Arvada, Colorado, has sent in his letter of intent. The former Kansas commit is considered the 22nd-best kicker prospect in the nation…

8:25 a.m. – Colorado received a verbal commitment from Munchie Legaux in November. At the same time, his less heralded teammate, wide receiver Keenan Canty , also committed. Legaux is going to Cincinnati, but Canty is still coming to Boulder…

8:15 a.m. - The Buffs will not be adding much on the defensive side of the ball this recruiting cycle, but there will be a few defensive players, including linebacker Lowell Williams , from Missouri City, Texas, who has confirmed he will be a Buff…

810 a.m. - Colorado adds two running backs. It is being widely reported that both Trea Jones , from Wake Forest, North Carolina, and Tony Jones , from Ramsey, New Jersey, have sent it their letters of intent…

8:00 a.m. – While Colorado is not reporting on commitments, other schools are, and the Cincinnati Bearcat website is indicating that it has received a letter of intent from quarterback Munchie Legaux . The Louisiana quarterback was a long time Colorado verbal commitment, but did take official visits to Arizona and Cincinnati in recent weeks.

7:50 a.m .  - The cubuffs.com website has posted a notice that the Athletic Department will not be announcing the receipt of individual letters of intent, but rather will wait, and announce the class as a whole once all the letters have been processed. However, there are other avenues to determine whether a player has sent in their LOI, so we’ll try and post information about known commitments as soon as possible…