Why Superman is headed to La La Land.....

Since the end of the NBA strike the most talked about topic has been where will Dwight Howard land. We all know that this tenure in Orlando is almost over and well to be honest, it is over right after the all-star game.

The only bigger story or almost bigger story is the emergence of Jeramey Lin. I didn't see that coming, but I am happy it came as are New Yorkers I am sure.

Now, back to Superman. He has many of you wondering if he will actually take his talents to New Jersey. For Net fans I hate to have to tell you this but its not going to happen. Regardless of the amount of cash Mikhail Prokhorov has, there are two things he cannot buy (right now anyway. He cannot buy warm weather or make them a contender overnight.

These are two of the prerequisites that Howard set forth when he was informing those that would listen that he was leaving Orlando. He stated these three things for his choice of his next home. He stated that he wanted to play in a large market (Jersey can provide that), he wants to play in a warm climate (sorry Nets) and finally he stated that he wanted to play for a contender (eliminate Jersey).

Now most people simply feel that he will go to whoever has the most cash to offer him. I disagree for two reasons, the first being the list above. The second being that he has money now, however there is nothing more depressing than to have all the cash and still be no closer to winning a championship then he is right now.

With that said, lets look at what team can fill all three of his demands and get him a great pay check to boot. Only one comes to mind, that's right, The Lakers!

He gets the warm weather, a huge market and they instantly become a contender again with him in the line-up. This may explain why Jim Bus has been so slow in making moves to assist Kobe with getting his next ring, because he knows that Superman is coming and that's all the help Kobe will need.

Did you folks really believe that the Buss family was going to allow the Lakers to become second fiddle to the Clippers? Not a chance in Hell!

So, believe me when I tell you that right after the All-star game, Howard will do exactly what Wilt, Kareem and Shaq did before him. He'll take his talents to LA and then head to the hall of fame(with rings) without even pausing to collect $200 after passing go.

Where else did you think a mega start like Howard would go? New Jersey?

If I was the GM for the NJ Nets.....

I love to sit around and think about what I would do as a General Manager for professional teams. This gives me an opportunity to evaluate where the team is currently and what I could do to possibly make them better.

So today, I'd like to be the GM for the NBA's New Jersey Nets. Why you might ask? Because I don't know if they know it or not but they have about as much chance of getting Dwight Howard as a Chinese team.

Why would Howard want to go there? If he cannot win a championship in Orlando with that team, what would make him think he could win one with the Nets. Now, as we all know even if we don't want to actually admit it, superman will be wearing gold and purple after the all-star game. There, you read it here first.

So what are the Nets to do? I was hoping you might ask that question. Well, as the new General Manager I'd be calling the Oklahoma City Thunder. That's right! Because I can think of a deal that will benefit both teams immensely.

The Thunder are a very good team, however, their chances to win a championship with Durant and Westbrook are not very good. They're great individual players, but together they simply do not match.

What they have is two extremely talented players and one basketball. Because of this very real fact it tend to leave very few shots left over from others on the floor. In the playoffs this has hurt them tremendously, because you need these other players to elevate their games in order to be competitive.

Now, in New Jersey I have a point guard by the name of Deron Williams who would be a perfect addition to the Thunder team. He's a hell of a talent, he's unselfish with his play and tends to make the players around him better. He also knows something very important, how to defer to the real star of the team, Kevin Durant.

However, when Durant is struggling, Williams can put up numbers to keep the team moving forward. Oh, and did I mention that he can distribute the rock and shots? Therefore getting others to feel as though they are a part of the offense, which really helps come play-off time.

Now, some will think my next statement is crazy, but I think I've played and been around the game long enough to make it. The Nets are moving into a new facility soon, in Brooklyn to be exact.

If I don't have a full product to offer my fan base in terms of making a play-off push, then I need to create some excitement. This is where Westbrook comes in. Westbrook is nothing less than another Derick Rose, however because he has to defer to Durant the league hasn't acknowledged it as of yet.

I plan to do just that! Give Westbrook the keys to the franchise, much like the sixers did with AI years ago and let him energize the City. The Nets may not win in the beginning (nothing new) but fans will enjoy the fireworks until I can get players around Westbrook to make serious noise in the league.

To me, it's a win-win for both franchises and both players will be happy. Williams will be happy because he can get back to the play-offs right now, and Westbrook because he can show the league and everyone in the NBA that he's a force to be reckoned with, night in a night out, just like D. Rose.

As GM for the Nets, this is my first order of business. After that, it's looking at other pieces through the draft and free agency to become more competitive very quickly. In the mean time, who would like to trade me a bag of skittles for Chris Humphries? Anyone?

Luck or RGIII, whats a Colt to do?

Tomorrow is the start of the NFL combine and the major buzz will be, who should the Colts take with the number one pick? I don't know about you, but I think regardless of whom they chose they cannot go wrong.

I like both quarterbacks and with either you simply cannot go wrong. What I like most about them is that there is still a remote possibility that Payton Manning may be back to tutor them for a couple of years.

Lets be real here, both are great College signal callers. But this is the NFL, and it's been known to chew up rookie quarterbacks faster than a coach on the hot seat eating tums. Your strengths in the college game could become your weakness in the pros.

A friend of mine once explained to me that in college when a receiver is open, it's generally by 2-3 feet. However in the NFL, that window is by 12-18 inches. Not a very big window of opportunity now is it?

Regardless of where these two great quarterbacks go, they'll both struggle at times maybe a lot of the time. Why? Because regardless of where they go they'll be asked to perform with inferior talent surrounding them.

With Payton calling the signals, the Colts are by far a very different team, I am sure we can all agree on this statement. However, with any other person under center they simply suck! I am just being honest here.

Now, lets look at what most people assume will happen. The Colts let Payton walk and draft Luck to take over. How good will they be? Probably not very good at all. Not only that but can you imagine being the signal caller expected to replace a legend?

This proposition isn't very appealing because it seldom works out. Hell, how many quarterbacks have they utilized to replace Dan Marino? How about John Elway, Troy Aikman, Jim Kelley or even Steve Young? Hasn't worked out very well for those that came in after they departed has it?

Now, on the bright side you can point to Arron Rodgers right? Well, no thats not a good comparison for two reasons. The first being that Rogers got to sit behind Farve for several seasons and secondly, Brett left the cupboard full of talent making the transition easier.

The saying goes that you do not want to be the person immediately after the legend, especially if the legend is forced out. The fans will never let you forget it and you'll always be compared to the guy who did it best for the organization and put the franchise on the map. Talking about big shoes to fill, Payton Mannings!

Now I know some of you have thought that I overlooked Steve Young replacing Joe Montana, right? No I haven't, Joe left the cupboard stocked as well ala Jerry Rice and others.

Now, lets get back on topic shall we? If, and only if Payton Manning stays then this is how I would let the scenario play out. I'd trade that first pick, especially if I could get say Cleveland to trade spots with me and give me a first and 2nd or 3rd.

I'd take let them draft Luck because I'd still have Manning and the spot to take RGIII, plus I can fill other holes I desperately need filled. RGIII gets to sit and observe while he's learning from one of the tops to ever play the position for a few years. This scenario is a Colts win!

However, if Manning is actually leaving, then I take Luck without question and I hope he can stand up to the scrutiny that will follow him until I can get the proper pieces to surround him.

Given a proper chance he will no doubt be an outstanding NFL leader, as will RGIII, however his biggest obstacle will be to overcome the shadow that Manning will cast over this franchise for years to come.

I don't know about you, but I kinda think he just may be able to do just that. Regardless, I wish them both well in their NFL futures.

Welcome to the Nickle Seats

Welcome to the Nickle Seats. You've probably been here before, you know the seats so far away from the court or field you probably got a nose bleed.

But, it's ok, at least you got to see the game. The game, this is what this site is about, or after the game if you like Monday morning quarterbacking. We all have an opinion, and just because you aren't your favorite teams GM doesn't mean that yours doesn't count.

Here in the Nickle Seats everyone's opinion counts. Why? Because we are the consumer for American sports and without us there would be no, NFL, MLB or NBA for that matter. So, if you want to just come here and rant because your favorite team can't run a proper 2 minute drill or if you want to write a post about who your team should draft, bring it up to the Nickle Seats.

We may be way up in the nosebleed section, but on here your voice will be heard and believe me, it matters!

So, pull up a chair, pop open a beer and chime in with your opinions, rants and raves about the sports we all love so dearly!