James Rodriguez signs with Real Madrid

Colombian star James Rodriguez has signed with Real Madrid for a transfer fee somewhere between 101-102 million dollars. Rodriguez led the World Cup with 6 goals, and made it to the quarterfinals before losing 2-1 to the home Brazil. Rodriguez played just as well [and better, in my opinion] than some of the Cup's other biggest stars such as Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. He also outperformed the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and Xavi Hernandez, who all had underwhelming Cup performances. His arrival to Real Madrid bolsters the midfield and makes up for the loss of German star Mesut Ozil. Real Madrid also signed German midfielder Toni Kroos and Costa Rican goaltender Jesus Navas, both of whom had stellar Cup performances. The addition of this three, when paired with Real Madrid's already existing big three of Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, France's Karim Benzema, and Spain's Sergio Ramos, makes this team even better than they were last year, when they won the UEFA Champions League, a tournament of all the best clubs in the world. This makes Real Madrid the most valuable sports franchise in the world, valued at approximately 3.48 billion dollars. 

Giants' Wilson Cleared To Play

New York Giants Running Back David Wilson announced he has been cleared to play on Twitter this week. He had been suffering from a neck injury that could've potentially ended his career. He had a rough season for the Giants in 2013 before getting hurt, but has the speed and potential to be a dynamic Running Back soon. He will, however, need to stay healthy to do so. In other news, Giants Pro Bowl Guard Chris Snee has retired. 

Paul George talks about what he can improve on next year

Indiana Pacers Forward Paul George has said recently that he will play more physically next year, and take more contact. He also said he would be working on his post moves to potentially compliment 7"2 Center Roy Hibbert. This would help the Pacers' offense significantly as Hibbert was the only menacing threat in the paint last season, save for an aging veteran in David West, who usually resorts to a midrange pick-and-pop shot instead of getting dirty in the post. What George is doing sounds a lot like what superstar Lebron James did after leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010. He redefined his game so that he not only was a decent jump shooter and great at getting to the rim, but he put on weight and developed more of a post game. And after doing so, what happened? That's right. He won two championships. Do it, PG. Work on that post game. And if George does succeed, he'll have the physicality to no longer let James push him around, a big weakness in Indiana's defense last year. 

Early 2014-15 NBA Predictions

EAST 
Playoffs
1. Indiana Pacers
2. Chicago Bulls
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
4. Atlanta Hawks
5. Washington Wizards
6. Toronto Raptors
7. Miami Heat
8. Charlotte Hornets

Round One
Indiana Pacers 4-1 Charlotte Hornets
Chicago Bulls 4-3 Miami Heat
Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1 Toronto Raptors
Washington Wizards 4-3 Atlanta Hawks

Round Two
Indiana Pacers 4-2 Washington Wizards
Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1 Chicago Bulls

Round Three
Indiana Pacers 4-2 Cleveland Cavaliers


WEST
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Los Angeles Clippers
3. San Antonio Spurs
4. Houston Rockets
5. Memphis Grizzlies
6. Golden State Warriors
7. Portland Trailblazers
8. Phoenix Suns

Round One
Oklahoma City Thunder 4-0 Phoenix Suns
Los Angeles Clippers 4-1 Portland Trailblazers
San Antonio Spurs 4-2 Golden State Warriors
Memphis Grizzlies 4-1 Houston Rockets

Round Two
Oklahoma City Thunder 4-3 Memphis Grizzlies
San Antonio Spurs 4-2 Los Angeles

Round Three
Oklahoma City Thunder 4-2 San Antonio Spurs

FINALS
Oklahoma City Thunder 4-2 Indiana Pacers

Lebron returns to Cleveland

We all remember when Lebron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Sumner of 2010, and in doing so alienating himself from his hometown of Akron, and angering the entire state of Ohio. But now, after four years and two championships, James is going back to Cleveland, which has welcomed him with open arms, after their complete and total irrelevancy the past four years since James' departure. Here's what James said in a letter announcing his return:

"When I left Cleveland, I was on a mission. I was seeking championships, and we won two. But Miami already knew that feeling. Our city hasn’t had that feeling in a long, long, long time. My goal is still to win as many titles as possible, no question. But what’s most important for me is bringing one trophy back to Northeast Ohio.

"I’m not promising a championship. I know how hard that is to deliver. We’re not ready right now. No way. Of course, I want to win next year, but I’m realistic. (He knows he's probably not going to be able to beat Indiana next year. Sorry, I had to.) 

"I’m ready to accept the challenge. I’m coming home."

Top 50 Players in the NBA: #50

50. Derrick Rose/Kobe Bryant 

I was torn on this one. 

While Derrick Rose is a top-5 player when healthy, he has missed most of the past two seasons with a nasty knee injury. He suffered a torn ACL in the 2011-12 playoffs and sat out the entire 2012-13 season. Then shortly after returning in the 2013-14 season, tore the ACL in his OTHER knee. Now, no one knows what to expect from him. But before he tore his ACL the first time, Rose was the best Point Guard in the NBA, and had just won the league MVP award, the first time a Point Guard had win the award since (blank). 

Kobe Bryant, meanwhile, has finally relinquished his throne as the NBA's best player to Lebron James. After going out with a torn achilles in Game 4 of a 4-0 first-round playoff loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2012-13 playoffs, Bryant rehabilitated during the offseason, and said he would be ready to go by the opening game. However, he did not play until the middle of the season. When he finally got on the court he looked, obviously, rusty. After a few ugly games, the 37 year old tore his achilles AGAIN and missed the rest of the year. No one knows what he could bring the table were he fully healthy, but he could be a top-10 player for sure. 

I can't say much about either one of these guys' game's, because it's been so long since they last played. They certainly deserve a spot in this list, but until they both come back HEALTHY from their respective injuries, it's unclear exactly WHERE they should be placed. 

I've been taking a vacation from this blog for a while while I'm on vacation in Florida. Thanks!