NBA Free Agency

If You Can't Beat 'Em, Join 'Em.

What in the world? What just happened? In what has to be one of the wildest Free Agencies since "The Decision", we have missed quite a bit while being off for the Fourth of July. With so much to cover, let us hit the high points and discuss.

Kevin Durant to Golden State

Wow! In the biggest surprise, Kevin Durant leaves the only franchise that he has ever known. We all knew that Durant would be visiting teams, but I don't think that anyone would have imagined that he would have gone to Golden State: the team that his OKC Thunder took to the brink in the Western Conference Finals only to lose in Game 7 after having a 3-1 lead. Sure, we had heard early reports that Durant might consider going, but I cannot believe yet that he signed. Just because the bully on the playground beat the crap out of you does not mean that you should be his friend. Durant signed a two-year contract worth $54.3 million with a player option after the first year. Durant has since stated that he intends on staying with the Warriors throughout the rest of his career. A hard pill to swallow if you remember the last time Durant had a contract negotiation. While LeBron was having his decision on ESPN, Durant tweeted his extension with the Thunder out over Twitter. Best of luck to the young man, but we're still scratching our heads over this one.



Dwayne Wade Leaves Heat for Bulls

Dwayne Wade returns home as he signs a contract with the Chicago Bulls. For the first time in his long career, Wade will be the highest paid player on the team. Feeling unwanted and unappreciated in Miami, Wade goes to Chicago where it was rumored he might sign with the last time he was a free agent. Joining him will be Rajon Rondo who also signed with the Bulls to the tune of two-years $28 million. Wade will now make $47.5 million over the next two seasons when he could have stayed in Miami for about $7 million less. Wade is known for taking pay cuts to bring in talent. Now, he has decided that it is time for him to earn his due. Congratulations on returning home!




Next post, we will look at some of the more puzzling signings of this Free Agency Period. Tune in next time to see the busts!




-Dug
@chansm1th

Fourth of July Break and Return

Good Saturday Morning! What a week it has been. The Fourth of July for us ungrateful colonists was on Monday and let's just say that we here at Smith Bros. Sports have taken an extended vacation. Sorry, not sorry. Hopefully you didn't Jason Pierre-Paul yourself, otherwise, it would be difficult for you to leave us a comment.

This coming week, we have a lot of content for you. We will be continuing our preview of the upcoming college football season as Alty brings you up to speed on the Independents, and Corbeech fills you in on the Sun Belt (aka FunBelt). After that, it is on to the Power 5 Conferences as we get ever close to live football.

We've missed a lot this past week. Quite a bit of the NBA free agents season and also the announcements of the MLB All-Star teams. We'll try to sort through it all as best as we can.

Thank you for taking the time to read, and we hope that you are having a wonderful holiday week!

-Dug

@chansm1th

Finishing Up with the Mountain West

This week we have taken a look at the Mountain West conference.It is exciting football that they play if you enjoy lots of scoring. By now, we should have an idea of how each team will finish. Let us take a look at the standings.

Mountain Division

1. Boise State 9-3, 6-2*

2. Wyoming 9-3, 6-2

3. New Mexico 8-4, 5-3

4. Air Force 8-4, 5-3

5. Colorado State 4-8, 2-6

6. Utah State 4-8, 2-6

Boise State makes a trip to the conference championship as they defeat Wyoming. Wyoming is our biggest mover as they go from 2-6 to 6-2. New Mexico rounds out the top three as they stay par to last year's record.

West Division

1. San Diego State 10-2, 6-2*

2. San Jose State 7-5, 6-2

3. Nevada 9-3, 6-2

4. UNLV 4-8, 2-6

5. Fresno State 2-10, 1-7

6. Hawaii 3-10, 0-8

You don't know the struggle of going through all of the tiebreaker rules for a three team tie in the Mountain West Conference. Once you go through all of the stipulations, the final one is the College Football Playoff poll. Given that San Diego State has a 10-2 record, I feel like they might be the only one ranked at season's end. San Jose State finishes second because they beat Nevada in the regular season. San Diego State falls to Boise State in the conference championship knocking them out of any consideration for the playoff. 

Bowl Eligible Teams

San Diego State

Nevada

Boise State

Air Force

Wyoming

New Mexico

San Jose State

Conference Player of the Year (Offense)

Brett Rypien, Boise State Quarterback

Conference Player of the Year (Defense)

Dakota Cox, New Mexico Linebacker

Conference Coach of the Year

Craig Bohl, Wyoming

College Football Preview: Wyoming

Wyoming Cowboys

2015 Results: 2-10 (2-6, 6th in Mountain)

Returning Starters: 9 OFF, 8 DEF, 1 SP

2016 Schedule

September

3rd NORTHERN ILLINOIS

10th at Nebraska

17th UC DAVIS

24th at Eastern Michigan

October

1st at Colorado State

8th AIR FORCE

22nd at Nevada

29th BOISE STATE

November

5th UTAH STATE

12 at UNLV

19th SAN DIEGO STATE

26th at New Mexico

The Cowboys had a rough go at it last year. The young team took their lumps as they are the only team in the conference who lost to an FCS team. However, this team could be the best they've had in years. If their young talent can learn how to win, this team could have one of the better turnarounds of any team in the nation. 

Sophomore Josh Allen will take over the offense. Coach Craig Bohl said that Allen has the strongest arm of anyone in the Mountain West, but that he didn't know where the ball would be when it got to where it was going. Junior tailback Brian Hill returns and will be a force for the Cowboys on offense. All receivers returning will be seniors this year so Allen will have plenty of experience to throw at. The offensive line returns four and should have an easy time blocking for Hill.

The defense is young. They will need to be tested before it is clear how much they have improved. The defense will start six sophomores and a freshman. The early part of the schedule will give them plenty of in-game experience for the second half of the season in conference. Free safety Andrew Wingard returns for his sophomore season after making the freshman All-American team last year. 

Player to Watch: Brian Hill

Hill is a monster. Last season, he rushed for 1,631 yards as a sophomore. For him to do nearly as much damage, the passing game will have to hit the ground running. Hill was a former safety in high school before Bohl talked him into coming to Wyoming to play running back. Hill is now one of the top running backs in the conference, and will pick up right where he left off last year.

If you only watch them once, watch:

9/10 at Nebraska

This early season match-up will give fans an idea of where the team is. It will also give Wyoming a television spot in the midwest that will bolster their recruiting in the area.

What to Expect

The schedule works out for the Cowboys. They have top teams from the conference at home (Air Force, Boise State, and San Diego State). The Cowboys could also have a season that they remember for a long time. If the young team can hit the ground running, other teams will have a hard time stopping them.

Prediction

9-3 (6-2, MWC)

-Dug

@chansm1th

College Football Preview: Utah State

Utah State Aggies

2015 Results: 6-7 (5-3, 3rd in Mountain)

Lost to Akron in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Returning Starters: 6 OFF, 3 DEF, 2 SP

2016 Schedule

September

1st WEBER STATE

10th at Southern Cal

17th ARKANSAS STATE

24th AIR FORCE

October

1st at Boise State

8th at Colorado State

22nd FRESNO STATE

29th SAN DIEGO STATE

November

5th at Wyoming

12th NEW MEXICO

19th at Nevada

26th at Brigham Young

The Aggies featured one of the conferences top defenses. Ranked 17th nationally, they will face a lot of turnovers on the defensive side as a few have moved on to the professional level. This year's defense will be a huge rebuilding process seeing as the Aggies will have a new defensive coordinator. 

Offense won't be a problem for Utah State. They return 6 starters, but have 10 players with starting experience. Quarterback Kent Myers will come into this season as his first starting full time. He filled in for Chuckie Keeton and excelled. Along with Myers, two more of last year's top rushers return. Devante Mays and LaJuan Hunt return. The three combined last season for over 1,600 yards. Three return on the offensive line that will be able to open the holes for the Aggies' rushing attack. Seniors Andrew Rodriguez and Wyatt Houston return to lead a new group of receivers.

The defense will need to rebuild. Only three return from 2015 which saw one of the best defenses they've had in Logan in a long time. It is very likely that all starting jobs will be open to competition when fall comes around. Only five positions are expected to be fill with seniors. It could be a long season with this unproven defense. Similar to UNLV, Utah State will need to be ready for some shootouts if their defense doesn't get going quickly.

Player to Watch: Kent Myers

Myers will lead the Aggies on offense. The dual threat quarterback is one of the most athletic players in the conference. Last season, Myers threw for 1,593 yards, 16 TDs, and only three interceptions. He also ran for 966 yards. There's not much that he can't do.

If you only watch them once, watch:

9/10 at Southern Cal

The USC game will be a tough way to open the season, but it should get the Aggies a lot of exposure. The Trojans will have a defense needing rebuilt like Utah State. This could be a high scoring affair, and if it turns out like that, it could be anyone's game.

What to Expect

The Aggies will put up a lot of points, but their defense will give up nearly as much. They lost too much to pick up right where they left off. It is had to imagine that they will keep their five year bowl streak alive.

Prediction

4-8 (2-6, MWC)

-Dug

@chansm1th

College Football Preview: UNLV

UNLV Rebels

2015 Results: 3-9 (2-6, 5th in West)

Returning Starters: 6 OFF, 6 DEF, 1 SP

2016 Schedule

September

1st JACKSON STATE

10th at UCLA

17th at Central Michigan

24th IDAHO

October

1st FRESNO STATE

8th at San Diego State

15th at Hawaii

22nd COLORADO STATE

29th at San Jose State

November

12th WYOMING

18th at Boise State

26th NEVADA

Tony Sanchez brought a lot of excitement when he took over as head coach of UNLV prior to last season. After going 3-9 with the roster he inherited, the Rebels are on the upswing. Defense hurt UNLV last year, as they were ranked near the bottom in most categories.The upcoming year will have its share of bumps and bruises, but the Rebels are on their way back.

Johnny Stanton will be calling the signals for the Rebels. After beginning his college career at Nebraska, he ended up going the junior college route before coming to UNLV. An All-American last season, Stanton will have plenty of talent around him to get the ball rolling. UNLV does have the best receiving corp in the conference. Devonte Boyd and Kendal Keys both return for their junior seasons. The two combined for 97 catches, 1,419 yards, and 13 TDs. UNLV also has the luxury of returning their top four rushers from a year ago. Speedster Lexington Thomas ran for 506 yards as a true freshman a year ago. He will be running this year behind a bigger offensive line that will be anchored by senior Will Kreitler.

The defense is't much to take home aside from junior defensive end Mike Hughes. The Rebels gave up 457.3 yards per game last season, but they actually might be improved this coming year. Linebackers Ryan McAleeman and Tau Lotulelei both return to a group that also added a lot of players who came in via transfer. Last year's pass rush was one of the worst in the nation. They should improve this year as they have bulked up their front end. 

Player to Watch: Mike Hughes

The junior returns to the Rebels and they really need him. Hughes is a preseason All-Mountain West players, and he will be a big part of holding down the front seven, and the key to the Rebels' success on defense this year.

If you only watch them once, watch:

11/26 Nevada

The battle for the state of Nevada takes place as the last game of the regular season for each of these teams. Last year, UNLV shocked the Wolf Pack in Reno. This year's contest takes place in Las Vegas. 

What to Expect

This year's team will be improved. The defense might not be able to hold down most teams, so the offense needs to be ready for shootouts. Next year should be a better year for the Rebels, but they're on their way.

Prediction

4-8 (2-6, MWC)

-Dug

@chansm1thUNLV

College Football Preview: San Jose State

San Jose State Spartans

2015 Results: 6-4 (4-4, 3rd in West)

Defeated Georgia State in Cure Bowl

Returning Starters: 8 OFF, 6 DEF, 1 SP

2016 Schedule:

September

3rd at Tulsa

10th PORTLAND STATE

17th UTAH

24th at Iowa State

October

1st at New Mexico

8th HAWAII

15th NEVADA

21st at San Diego State

29th UNLV

November

5th at Boise State

19th AIR FORCE

26th at Fresno State

Because there weren't enough winning teams last year, a few 5-7 teams were invited to bowls. San Jose State was one of them. The Spartans were one of a few teams in history to have won their bowl game, but have a losing record. They were led by young talent, but faced a difficult schedule. This year, they still have a tough one.

Senior Kenny Potter returns at starting quarterback to lead an experienced offense. The only position lacking a returning starter is running back. Junior Thomas Tucker is expected to get the nod, but the Spartans will likely be running back by committee. Potter's favorite targets, tight end Billy Freeman and wide out Tyler Winston both return. Four starters return to the offensive line. This offense will be seasoned after playing last year's rough campaign, and should turn the corner this year moving forward. 

Former Eastern Michigan head coach Ron English will take over the job of defensive coordinator. In his first year, this defense will be shuffled around. Three of the front seven return, however, five in the group are seniors including linebacker Christian Tago. Tago is the best NFL prospect on this team despite being undersized for his position. As a fourth year starter, he will be the vocal leader of this team. The secondary returns half of a unit that ranked second in the nation while only allowing 157.8 passing yards per game.

Player to Watch: Kenny Potter

Potter is classified as a pocket passer, but if needed, he can use his legs. This will be his second season starting for the Spartans and he has already established himself as the most accurate passer in the conference. 

If you only watch them once, watch:

9/17 Utah

This game will played at home, so there is nothing certain. The fact that Utah will be playing Southern Cal the following week might work out to San Jose's advantage.

What to Expect

The Spartans have improved each year under head coach Ron Caragher. It's almost certain that with as much talent coming back as they have that the trend will continue. However, a difficult schedule that includes road games to San Diego State and Boise will be key moments in the development of this team.

Prediction

7-5 (6-2, MWC)

-Dug

@chansm1th