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02/15/2007 -
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -The only thing fans want the Philadelphia 76ers to win these days is the draft lottery.
The playoffs are far out of reach for the third-worst team in the NBA, so winning games won't do anything except lower the number of available ping pong balls. Tune in talk radio, read a message board or a blog, or listen to the few fans still showing up at the Wachovia Center and the point is clear: Lose. A lot.
Problem is, the Sixers (17-36) aren't listening.
``Yeah, we hear it, and it's kind of weird. But we can't pay attention,'' said forward Kyle Korver. ``Everyone in this locker room wants to win and win now, not wait for the future.''
But waiting for the future is about all the Sixers can do these days. This has turned into one of the more disastrous seasons in recent team history and the Sixers will miss the playoffs for the third time in four seasons. Hope only comes in the form of fantasizing about who will be available in the draft.
How would Greg Oden or Kevin Durant look in a Sixers uniform?
No doubt, this has been a tumultuous season to forget. Allen Iverson and his 30 points, All-Star berth and coaching clashes are now in Denver after a franchise-shaking blockbuster deal in December. Chris Webber, miserable and mopey from the day he got here, had his contract bought out and is finally happy again in Detroit.
Two veteran All-Stars expected to lead the team did nothing but drag it down. They demanded the ball, but did little to make their teammates better. Now it's smiles all around on the Sixers, free of the distractions and selfishness that sabotaged them early.
``We were definitely distracted by that,'' forward Steven Hunter said. ``It was a circus around here a month or so ago with all that trade talk. Now things are calmed down and everyone's focused on basketball.''
The Sixers are a bit better since dumping the dour duo, and went 7-7 over the final 14 games before the All-Star break. They were 5-18 when Iverson was traded on Dec. 19 and 12-18 since.
Credit goes mostly to Andre Miller, acquired in the Iverson deal, who's been a steady, more traditional point guard. More players are involved, the offense runs more set plays, and the hot hand keeps getting fed.
Five players average in double figures, including Miller at 13.2 points.
``We're just not relying on a guy to come down, pull up and hit a jump shot,'' Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks said. ``He gets guys layups, he gets guys the ball in a certain time at the right place. You can't underestimate that when you have a guy who understands the position.''
Without old A.I. around, the Sixers have turned mostly their new one: Andre Iguodala.
The third-year swingman has absolutely flourished in Iverson and Webber's absence. Once known only for his flashy dunks and tantalizing potential, he's thrived as the go-to guy in Philly.
Iguodala scored at least 19 points in 12 straight games before that streak was snapped Wednesday night against Washington. He's been more aggressive, posted two triple-doubles, has become a better rebounder and watched his overall scoring average leap to 17.7 points.
``When I first got here, he was a complementary player to the other guys that where here,'' Cheeks said. ``Now his role has changed a little bit being the primary scorer. You put the ball in his hands and you see what he can do.''
Samuel Dalembert still battles inconsistency but overall has been solid at center, teaming with Hunter to solidify the middle. Korver and Miller will both be part of any rebuilding process. Their draft lottery pick, plus the two first-round picks they acquired from the Nuggets in the Iverson trade, give the Sixers reason to believe they can be a playoff team again soon.
``They stayed with everything we've been trying to do, they continue to give effort and that's all we can ask,'' Cheeks said. ``Our results aren't what we'd like them to be, but they've stayed with the program and they continue to work.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
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Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.
Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.
Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.
Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.
All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.
A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.
For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.
2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award
Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1
Ron Brace (NE) 25/1
Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1
Darius Butler (NE) 40/1
Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1
Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1
Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1
Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1
Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1
Larry English (SD) 15/1
Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1
Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1
Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1
Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1
James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1
Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1
Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1
Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1
Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1
Roy Miller (TB) 20/1
Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1
Fili Moala (IND) 30/1
Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1
Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1
B J Raji (GB) 7/1
Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1
Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1
David Verkune (CLE) 20/1
Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1
Field (Any Other Player) 6/1
To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.
Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.
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After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."
To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your college football betting needs.
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