My 2011 National League All-Star Picks

This year's all-star ballot looks a lot different than in previous years. As we look at who should be an all-star in 2011, we see a lot of first timers and newcomers into the league that have proven they know how to play. You saw my AL picks, now here are my NL All-Star choices.

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My 2011 American League All-Star Picks

This year's all-star ballot looks a lot different than in previous years. As we look at who should be an all-star in 2011, we see a lot of first timers and newcomers into the league that have proven they know how to play. With that being said, I'm going to get right into it and start with the American League, just like the ballot.

Sportisphere: Weekly National Roundup 6/12/11

This week in sports was filled with a lot of playoff action, with the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Playoffs going on. In addition, there were some coaching changes across the nation.

John Clayton of ESPN visits EC Journalism

John Clayton visited my high school, Eastside Catholic, where I got to interview him.

On May 26, NFL Hall of Fame writer John Clayton visited the Eastside Catholic campus to talk to the journalism students. Speaking on the topic of journalism as well as sports, Clayton entertained an audience of about 40 students from the two journalism classes, as well as others who just wanted to drop in. He gave pointers to all of the students, as well as many stories of his time as an upcoming journalist.

Clayton, a writer, radio broadcaster, and NFL analyst for ESPN, grew up in Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh. He attended Duquesne University, where he held as many as 25 paying jobs throughout his college career, working on and off for many sports media companies. Before he had even graduated from Duquesne, he had experience at companies such as The Associated Press, Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News, ABC, NBC, and CBS.

The session was a question and answer session in regards to journalism.  Clayton spoke about himself and his extensive experience, stories which were entertaining and filled with helpful advice to becoming a successful journalist. All of them included valuable information for all of the students listening.

2011 NBA Playoffs: How James Harden Secured a Starting Role for the Thunder Next Season

It was a crushing defeat that ended the Oklahoma City Thunder's fantastic season, but in all of the agony, the Thunder discovered what they are going to do to improve for the 2011-12 season: Start James Harden.

Harden's performance in this season's playoffs showed Oklahoma City exactly where he belongs in the rotation: Starting. You could begin to see the plans for next season when in game 5 versus the Dallas Mavericks, Harden played 34 minutes and netted 23 points. Seeing that, it was clear Harden was ready for an increased role.

Upcoming EXCLUSIVE Interview With John Clayton of ESPN

Next Thursday, esteemed sports journalist John Clayton will be visting my school, Eastside Catholic High School, to speak to the journalism students, a once in a lifetime opportunity. Needless to say, I'm thrilled. When I found out he was coming, I freaked out. When I found out that of everyone in our class, I get to interview him, I was blown away.

How did our school manage to get John Clayton, of all journalists? Well, our college counselor has known him since his time back when he was at school with Clayton at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. He and I had been talking about Clayton during our semiannual college counselor meeting between the student and counselor, when I revealed my plans to become a sports journalist. That's when he told me about his relationship with Clayton, and we talked for about ten minutes about him. I told him Clayton was one of my idols, because Clayton knows everything about sports. That's why he's "The Professor with No Successor". And then a week ago, at approximately the same time you are reading this, we were informed he was coming, due to my counselor. 

So that's the story behind him coming, but now is the important part.

Since I get to interview him, it's the opportunity to make a huge impression. If I do well, I have a potential high profile contact. But in order to do well, I'm obviously going to need questions. I have plenty I'm working on, but I would like to know, of all you who look at this, do you have any questions you would like asked? 

It can be anything to do with how he became a journalist, current sports topics, journalism ethics, basically anything! Shoot some ideas in the comments if you want anything asked. If you need a little background for the questions, here is some info:

Clayton graduated from Duquesne University, so he is a big Steelers fan. While being a Steelers fan, he also knows the Seahawks inside and out, being that he lives up here in Renton, WA and covers the Seahawks. He has a weekly sports radio show on AM 710 ESPN Seattle from 9-12 in the morning every Saturday. Clayton was inducted as a member of the writer's wing of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007, honoring his work as a writer covering the NFL. 

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The Kings and Their Court

Amidst the chaos of the NBA Playoffs, the Sacramento Kings discreetly made one of the most important decisions in the NBA this year. The Kings aren’t moving to Anaheim, or Seattle, or anywhere- at least not for one more year. They have decided to remain in Sacramento for the 2011-12 season, in a last ditch effort
to stave off relocation.

“One more chance.”

That is the message the Kings are sending to Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson, a former NBA All-Star and one of the key figures in this final effort to keep the organization in town. For 13 years, the Kings organization has been trying to work with the city of Sacramento to get a new arena. They currently play at Power Balance Pavilion, more widely remembered as ARCO Arena. Built in 1988, the arena seats just 17,317 people, the second smallest arena capacity in the NBA. In addition to the small arena, Sacramento is the NBA’s 10th smallest television market. Being so small, the Kings organization has found it hard to secure funding for a new arena, especially in such a trying economical time as it is.

One and done: Why the College Basketball Landscape Needs a Makeover

Terrence Jones #3 (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Over the past few years,  the number of college freshman entering the NBA draft after one year in the college environment has increased drastically. This year’s NBA draft has been properly dubbed “The Year of the Freshman”, as it is projected to see 13 freshmen go in the first round, more than the previous two years combined. But while it’s great for the NBA to see this large influx of talented teens, it’s ruining the college landscape. 

From First Four to Final Four: Virginia Commonwealth's Impossible Title Run

PG Joey Rodriguez and the VCU Rams have gone from cinderellas to contenders
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

On Selection Sunday,Virginia Commonwealth head coach Shaka Smart wasn't even watching the selection show, because he admitted he didn't even think they would even be considered for an NCAA Tournament bid. Needless to say when they were selected, Shaka was in shock. His 23-11 VCU Rams were in the tournament, but not without a challenge ahead of them. They had been selected as one of the inaugural First Four, the NCAA's new first round because of the reconfigured 68-team bracket. From there, they have gone on to playing spoiler in this year's NCAA Tournament, reaching the Final Four for the first time in school history.

Faced With a Lockout, Players and Owners Are at Odds

The owners and NFLPA aren't getting along in regards to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement

On April 6, a Minneapolis judge will decide the fate of the the season for the NFL in 2012. As of now, the NFL faces a lockout because there is no new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), since the owners and NFL Players Association (NFLPA) failed to reach a consensus on numerous issues that need fixing. Many suspected that the two sides were close to completing a deal at the March 11 deadline, but sources indicated that in reality, they weren't even close.

Many different issues were the cause of failure by the two sides in making a new CBA, including revenue sharing, retirement benefits, proposal of an 18 game season, and rookie wage scales. Part of the real problem is the complete lack of trust between both sides, especially suspicions by the players that the owners are not complying because in the players opinion, it doesn't matter to the owners if there will be a season in 2012- they are already rich and face no financial consequences if a lockout happens.

UW Season Over, Three Guard System Looking Forward

                     Isaiah Thomas (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

After Washington's heartbreaking loss to North Carolina in the round of 32 on Sunday, it was apparent that UW would be moving in a different direction. Freshman guard Terrence Ross dropped a team high 19 pts and also raked in six rebounds for the Huskies over 24 minutes. During these past five games, Ross has really become an integral part of the Husky offense, netting 65 points over their past five games, despite a zero point effort in ten minutes against Georgia in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. It has become apparent that Ross, one of the Huskies talented freshman, will inherit the starting role next year as the Huskies transition to what is anticipated to be a three guard system. If that is the case, there are a couple situations that the Huskies will have to find out quickly.

First, is Isaiah Thomas going to stay or leave for the NBA Draft? Many anticipate that he will stay, based on his own words that he will return. But who knows, money changes people. If that isn't the case, and Thomas leaves, then incoming Freshman Tony Wroten is likely to start along with Abdul Gaddy and Ross. This combo of young, athletic guards is a great combination for the Huskies. Before Gaddy injured his ACL, he was playing fairly well for the Huskies, and an even better junior year is anticipated for the #2 ranked point guard prospect out of high school.

Could the Miami Heat See an Early Exit in the Playoffs?

(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami lost again Sunday night, and that brings up a lot of questions as to how they will be able to play this postseason. Miami has lost 5 of their last 6 games versus top 10 opponents, and this spawns doubt as to their maturity and ability to get it done in big games. Even more alarming is their complete lack of closing power to games. Their record in one point games is 5-13, one of the worst in the league. They can't close out teams, especially on the road. LeBron James can't seem to sink any clutch shots toward the end of games where Heat have a chance to win, and their defense has been a completely defunct late in tight contests.

As Season Approaches, Questions Need Answering for Young Mariners Squad

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Every year, spring training brings new hope to Mariners fans. A new season means a chance to start from scratch, forget last year, and go forward with a clean slate. After another rebuilding year in 2010, the Mariners look to try and get back to competing in the AL West, but won’t be able to do so unless they can cure their many problems from a season ago. After a somewhat quiet offseason, it will be interesting to see how they can use their additions to impact their organization.

Where Does Favre Go from Here?

(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

It’s official. The retirement papers have been filed. The wheel of uncertainty that is Brett Favre’s career has finally been put to rest. After much speculation, Brett Favre has finally decided to hang up his pads and retire. This comes as no surprise, as his season was a less-than-satisfactory end to an otherwise storybook career. Now that he is officially retired, everyone will be asking: What will he do next?

Now That the Seahawks Season is Over, the QB Search Should Begin

Kyle Orton, Kevin Kolb, and Matt Flynn are all possible targets to be the next quarterback in Seattle

With the Seahawks season over, everything turns to draft day. The Seahawks have the 25th pick, and that raises a lot of questions. First, with the success of Matt Hasselbeck in the playoffs, Seattle has to answer the question of: What do we do for a QB? If the Seahawks are truly set on keeping Matty H, then one would have to pose the question of drafting a QB. The draft is full of many quarterbacks who are first-round caliber, like Ryan Mallett of Arkansas, Blaine Gabbert (Missouri), and hometown hero Jake Locker. Some even say Heisman winner Cam Newton is first round worthy, though I couldn't disagree more.

Duel in the Desert: Auburn v. Oregon

GLENDALE, AZ - Come January 10th, Auburn and Oregon will be squaring off in this year’s BCS National Championship, where two best offenses in the country collide. Auburn’s one man wrecking crew, quarterback Cam Newton, leads his Auburn Tigers against running back LaMichael James and the prolific offense of the Oregon Ducks. There’s a lot more to this match-up than these two superstars, though.

How Can You Still Hate the Sonics Ownership?!

My friend and I were talking today about the Sonics, due to all the hype about the Hornets possible moves. He exclaimed he is still boycotting Starbucks Coffee because of Howard Schultz. I think it is ridiculous how much Seattle people hate the move. I understand, it was a big part of people's lives, bringing back many memories. But what it all boils down to is business. People don't seem to realize these days that everything is about money.

King Felix Trade Rumors?

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

When Cliff Lee finally put the Yankees in the rear view mirror and signed with the Phillies, I can admit, I was relieved. Finally, someone doesn't whine about an extra couple million bucks (like Jeter did), and gets preliminary contract stuff out of the way quickly, like it should be. Cliff Lee joined the Phillies because he enjoyed Philadelphia, not just for the money. This goes to prove that not everyone is worried about getting as much money as possible. Cliff Lee signed with them for the love of the game, not what it brings him financially. I can't help but think he was imagining the most dominant pitching rotation of the 21st century.

New Hit Policy is a Detriment to the Game

Following week six of the NFL season, and a plethora of big hits later, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell put his foot down. The NFL decided that beginning week seven, hits on defenseless players, especially hits to the helmet, would be met with new fines and possible suspensions, depending on the situation as deemed by the NFL. Although many people see the new rules as beneficial, there is no way this will end up being a successful move for the future of the NFL.

Putting a Roof Over Baseball- Is Salary Capping America’s Pasttime a Bad Idea?

Owners and GM's like New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman can spend an unlimited amount of money under
the current soft salary cap in the MLB.

The Yankees made it to the ALCS once again this year, and had the major leagues 3rd best record in the regular season, while the Pittsburgh Pirates finished with a losing record for the 18th year in a row. The question has been brought up throughout baseball circles for many years, but is now really coming to fruition. Should there be a salary cap in baseball?