Yesterday, just before the NBA trading deadline, all-star center Dikembe Mutombo was traded from the Atlanta Hawks to the Philadelphia 76ers. In return, the notable players the Hawks received were Theo Ratliff and Toni Kukoc. The trade clearly marks the 76ers attempt to win a championship this year. Mutombo is an excellent rebounder and shot blocker, but is 34 and in the last year of his contract. It will take some time for Mutombo to adjust to Philly's offensive game plan (get out of the way and let Iverson shoot), but the Sixers are now the favorite to win the East, if there was ever any doubt before.
In Los Angeles, the roles are now reversed from the few games prior to the All-Star break, when Shaquille O'Neal was injured. Now Shaq is back and Kobe is sitting out with a sprained ankle. On Wednesday, O'Neal scored 22 points in leading the Lakers to victory in an away game against the San Antonio Spurs. Also, Shaq has started making some foul shots. He shot 11-15 and 4-5, respectively, in the Lakers' last two games, both wins, against the tough Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs teams. Back in December, the "Hack-a-Shaq" technique worked like a charm for the Mavs as they forced the big man to the line down the stretch, and he finished the game with an appalling 5-19 mark from the stripe. With the Lakers currently struggling, Shaq's ability to shoot the free throw could decide whether or not the Lakers repeat as NBA champions.
Spring training is great: the players are relaxed, the fans are optimistic, and the pitching is overrated. The big story this week is that Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Gary Sheffield wants out of LA. After hitting .325 with 43 homeruns last year, he feels the Dodgers have insulted him by not restructuring his contract, although he is due to make $9.5 million in each of the next two seasons, and $11 million in 2003. Of course, Sheffield says it's not about the money, but rather it's about the lack of respect the Dodgers have shown him. Instead of just demanding a trade and leaving it at that, however (he has asked to be traded to the Mets, Yankees, or Braves), he has also insulted certain teammates, claiming that they are overpaid. At this point, it is unlikely that he will play for the Dodgers this year. If he is not traded soon, it will be interesting to see if he reports to spring training on the 27th, the last day he can do so without being penalized.
There seems to be a lot of good feeling emanating from Fort Myers, the Red Sox spring training home. Most of this centers on Manny Ramirez, the $20 million RBI machine. Ramirez has recently agreed to play left field, a position he has never played.
Stanford is again the top-ranked team in college hoops after UNC lost at Clemson on Sunday. But the number-one ranking isn't nearly as important as it is in college football. An ACC Championship is important, however. UNC will try to get back on track after breaking their longest winning streak in 15 years, with 18 straight victories. UNC now, like its conference rival Duke, has three overall losses and an imperfect conference mark. The two teams play in the final game of the regular season on March 4 at Chapel Hill. In a matchup which will have Dick Vitale in a frenzy, the two teams will feature four of the nine finalists for the 2001 Naismith college basketball Player of the Year award, including Shane Battier and Jason Williams from the Blue Devils and Joseph Forte and Brendan Haywood from the Tar Heels.
