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In this weeks Three-Man Weave, Will Strickland and Duane Watson of TSN 1050s 1 On 1 With Will & Duane are joined by Elias Sbiet, co-captain of North Pole Hoops, a leader in covering Canadian hoop stars at every level, to talk the Sterlings Monopoly Money, who can help keep Melo in Gotham, why the Raptors might go after Bramptons own Tyler Ennis in the Draft and of course, cover issues in the NBA Playoffs. Kevin Pamphile Buccaneers Jersey . Will this $2 billion sale of the Los Angeles Clippers affect the future pricing of NBA team deals? Watson: This is somewhat of an anomaly. It was the second biggest team sale in the history of sport, after the Los Angeles Dodgers went for $2 billion in 2012. Between New York and LA there is no bigger market in sports, which definitely played a factor in price. In addition to the fact this wasnt an owner looking at prospective buyers; it was more of a garage sale with billionaires coming out of the woodwork to bid. Sbiet: There are other teams in the NBA that would have higher bidders, so yes it would affect future pricing. The Lakers are estimated to be worth close to $1 billion, and if the Buss family wanted to sell, there would be potential buyers at their door and the Lakers would be in position to ask for more than $2 billion when considering the rich history. The other factors involved in the sale of a team such as; the citys population, team success and current value would be more compulsory for future pricing. Strickland: No. The expected financial windfall of the Sterlings is based on exigent circumstances, which have been well-documented within multiple media platforms. On top of the fact that the real estate is in a major market and huge free agent/player destination never hurts this price. Dont expect to see numbers like this coming up for a future sale of the Utah Jazz or Cleveland Cavaliers. Its simple geo-economics...and all mathematics. After Tyler Ennis pre-draft workout, do the Toronto Raptors trade up for the hometown point guard? Watson: Tyler Ennis would be a great pick up for any NBA team, hes the best point guard in the Draft. It would only make sense for them to do that if they arent willing to pay Greivis Vasquez or worse not pay Kyle Lowry this summer. Both are concerns, but Ennis has the type of poise that Damian Lillard had when he came in the league and exceeded expectations. Sbiet: In a record setting NBA Draft for Canadians, it would be a smart move for the Raps to keep the basketball culture rolling in this country by adding one to the roster, especially someone as celebrated and accomplished as Ennis. Hes someone you dont have to worry about as management or a coaching staff. Ennis is a true professional that will adapt quickly and earn respect from the team as a leader. On the defensive end his length and continuous development in lateral speed will help against the NBAs explosive guards. Every rookie is going to have to make adjustments coming into the league but Ennis is not one who will struggle to make them. On the other end, if they were to trade up is Ennis the piece they need or are looking for in T.O? Strickland: Depends on circumstance. In our #1On1 Mock Draft here on TSN.ca, I had Tyler going number six to Boston, which is pretty high, but also insurance given the persistent Rajon Rondo trade rumours. There is a feeling that Wheel & Deal Danny Ainge is in business to do business and Masai Ujiri is always looking to protect and serve the Raptors. Ennis would provide Ujiri with a solid contingency in the event either Kyle Lowry or Greivis Vasquez are lost to free agency. Its a long shot, but if the asset management play is right, I roll those dice to put a hometown guy who can be an impact player on my roster. If Carmelo Anthony would "embrace" Mark Jackson as coach, should the New York Knicks try and keep the pending free agent happy? Watson: The Knicks need to make decisions on coaching based on their ball club and not what their star wants. There is no guarantee that Anthony will stay and barring a miracle, the Knicks will have to endure some losses before they get to the winning pedigree of a couple of years ago. They need a coach who can command the locker room, Jackson is that guy, it just shouldnt be predicated on Melo. Sbiet: Im not a fan of the idea of "if" Carmelo embraces Mark Jackson. Yes, Melo is a superstar but superstars are being allowed too much control over management. If he wants to walk then let him go. Jackson could be exactly what New York needs in terms of someone that can get the Knicks personnel on one page. He revived the scene for the Warriors and has built a contending winning culture in the state. Of course theres a lot of pressure if he were to walk into New York, but his rock steady composure translates onto his players and that could make a major difference in his first year. Mark Jacksons record improved gradually to a 51-31 season. Anthony and the Knicks would be fortunate to land Jackson. Strickland: Mark Jackson should have some sway in the executive offices and the locker room of the Worlds Most Famous Arena. As a well-respected colour commentator turned relatively successful coach and a popular former Rookie of The Year with the Knicks, Jackson has the star power to aid Phil Jackson in having Carmelo stay in Gotham. But they have no real assets, no draft picks, a paucity of keen playmakers and no leadership right now. Would you stay? Bon Voyage, Melo! Who is doing a better coaching job in the Western Conference Finals, Scott Brooks or Gregg Popovich? Watson: In various stretches both, however Scott Brooks adjustments inserting Reggie Jackson into the starting line-up and giving key minutes to Jeremy Lamb, while benching Thabo Sefolosha have paid dividends. Plus, setting a quickened tempo in the game using the fast break on the Spurs old legs, has worked to the Thunders advantage. Sbiet: Pop, but its not a no brainer, utmost respect for Brooks. Coach Popovichs control of substitutions and play calling is an art form of its own. At this point and time the Spurs are executing so well and on many possessions, dissecting OKCs defence, especially in transition. The three games that belong to the Spurs have not just been won, but dominated. Coach Pop injects his bench at key turn around points in the game and his bench responds with major contribution. You know I cant be on here without adding a little Canadian flavour. Lets refer back to that nasty dunk by Corey Joseph after splitting the D. Strickland: Its damn near blasphemous to suggest someone can outcoach Gregg Popovich. I almost slapped myself for pondering. Perish the thought! However, lets give credit where its due. Scott Brooks dug himself and his Thunder team out of its own playoff grave once again by letting go of his fierce loyalty to his starting lineup, pulling Sefolosha for more offence with Reggie Jackson and giving Steven Adams more time in the middle over Kendrick Perkins. It didnt hurt that Brooks may or may not have employed the services of Mr. Miyagis Healing Hands to get PF Serge Ibaka back in the lineup to stop the hemorrhaging of points in the paint and create court comfort for Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant to tie the series at two wins apiece. Pop and the Spurs counterpunched deftly in Game 5. Now Brooks has to show and prove once again in Game 6 or else its #TackleBox Season. What happens to Larry Birds Pacers if they lose the Eastern Conference Finals? Watson: Something has to happen, the Pacers havent been right since January. Paul George is a keeper, but after that, do what changes are necessary. This team was built to make it to the NBA Finals, and they havent got over the hump. I like Coach Vogel, but one of his assistants, Nate McMillan, has had experience as a head coach in the NBA if Bird is willing to make a change. Either that, or pray that one of the Big Three leaves Miami. Sbiet: You never know what to expect with the Pacers. Will Hibbert show up? Will they quit their antics and play basketball? The drama thats been surrounding the team means theres been internal affairs that have been lingering. Outside of Frank Vogel, George and Luis Scola most pieces are replaceable or at least worth it for Larry Bird to shop around. The Pacers need a backcourt that can consistently come out and defend teams with serious fire power at the three point line. Strickland: Full scale upheaval, starting with Frank Vogel, who has proven to be a solid coach. But the perceived inability to hold his talented but flawed locker room from strife and turmoil in the midst of fighting for what should have been a singular goal will be considered. He would have not been the man to drive the Pacers past the Miami Heat and into the NBA Finals. The question of re-signing mercurial do-everything guard Lance Stephenson is also at the top of President and GM Larry Birds list. Small market teams are loathe to exceed the salary cap threshold and Indiana, already locked into well over $52 million in cap space next season for four of their starters, face an unenviable situation where Lance will get overpaid for his services. The Where is the Issue: Where does he go and where does all of this leave the Indiana Pacers? It would seem they would be lost in the hinterland of teams like the Cleveland Cavs of the mid-late 80s and Sacramento Kings of the late-90s/early 2000s who were on the cusp of greatness, but always seemed to fall just short in their quest for NBA championship glory. The Three-Man Weave contributors are co-hosts of TSN Radio 1050s 1-on-1 with Will and Duane, Will Strickland (@WallStrizzle1), Duane Watson (@byDuaneWatson) and guest contributor with an injured calf coming through those locker room doors this week, Elias Sbiet (@Elias_NPH). Warren Sapp Buccaneers Jersey . Harris is entering his third season with the Riders. He has appeared in 10 regular-season games, registering 30 tackles and an interception. Buccaneers #87 Jersey . The Miami star has sure had fun against his old nemesis this season. James scored a season-high 42 points and the Heat tuned up for a showdown with Oklahoma City by beating the Mavericks 117-106 Tuesday night.Melbourne, Australia (Sports Network) - Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were each straight-set winners Friday in third-round action at the Australian Open. Federer, this years third seed and a four-time winner in Melbourne, battled through a tough first set against Ivo Karlovic before capturing a 7-6 (8-6), 7-5, 6-3 win over the hard-serving Croatian. The 16-time Grand Slam champion had to save a set point in the first-set tiebreaker and did so with a lob over the 6-foot-10 Karlovic. "Im happy I found a way today," said Federer, who played his 998th career match on Friday. "[The] first set was crucial, like I said. [Im] happy to be through in straight sets." The second-seeded Nadal, who beat Federer for the 2009 Aussie Open crown, had little trouble in a 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 rout of Slovakias Lukas Lacko. The 10-time Grand Slam champ has won each of his three matches in straight sets and hasnt yet faced a tiebreaker. "Ive played three matches at a very good level," Nadal said. "Today was one of the best. [It was] solid, without mistakes, [I was] comfortable with the serve [and] having good returns." Things could start to get difficult for both men in the fourth round. Federer, who had three days off before Fridays win because of a walkover in the second round, will be tested by Australian crowd favorite Bernard Tomic, while Nadal will square off against fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez. Tomic, who rallied from two sets down to win his first-round match against Spains Fernando Verdasco, went five again on Friday and advanced with a 4-6, 7-6 (7-0), 7-6 (8-6), 2-6, 6-3 win over 13th-seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov of the Ukraine. The 30-year-old Federer and 19-year-old Tomic have met just once previously, a four-set win for the Swiss veteran in a Davis Cup World Group playoff last year. As for Nadal, hell take on a familiar opponent in Lopez. The two have met 10 times previously, with Nadal winning eight. Lopez needed five sets to advance on Friday, as the 18th seed outlasted American John Isner, 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4, 6-7 (0-7), 6-1. "I hit great shots," Lopez said about his effort.Lavonte David Buccaneers Jersey. "Sometimes I hit a little bit too much, too many double faults at one point, but overall I think I played great. I played great points." Isner was the last American hope in Melbourne. Its the first time since 1973 that no American man has reached the round of 16 at the Australian Open. There were also no American men entered in 1973. "Its very disappointing," Isner stated. "Thats not a good effort from the Americans this tournament. I knew going in today I was the last one left and I wanted to keep on going, but just didnt happen. But its very ugly, to be honest, to have no one in the round of 16. Weve got to try to rectify that next time the big tournaments roll around." Other winners Friday were seventh-seeded Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic, 10th-seeded Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, 11th-seeded Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina and unseeded German Philipp Kohlschreiber. Berdych earned a 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-1), 6-1 victory over South Africas Kevin Anderson and will next take on Almagro, who notched a 7-6 (7-2), 6-2, 6-4 win over Switzerlands Stanislas Wawrinka. Del Potro dropped a mere five games in a straight-set thumping of Taipeis Yen-Hsun Lu and will next face Kohlschreiber, who toppled Colombias Alejandro Falla, 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (7-3). Falla eliminated eighth-seeded American Mardy Fish in the second round. The third round continues Saturday with eight matches and features top-seeded Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, David Ferrer, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Aussie veteran Lleyton Hewitt. Djokovic will battle Frenchman Nicolas Mahut with a potential fourth-round match against Hewitt on the horizon. Hewitt would have to beat Canadas Milos Raonic on Saturday. The fourth-seeded Murray, who lost to Djokovic in last years final and was also the runner-up to Federer two years ago, will meet Frenchman Michael Llodra. Ferrer, the fifth seed, will tangle with Argentinas Juan Ignacio Chela, while the sixth-seeded Tsonga will take on Portugals Frederico Gil. ' ' ' |
