Farewell

Today is a very sad day in the history of The King of Sports Blog. Today I the author, Brad, will be taking a temporary break from the reporting of your favorite sports news. My break from the job will start today and I'll return in mid-August because of summer camp. Don't be surprised to maybe see a quick blurb written by my pop up on the blog. Since this blog has been launched some amazing sports stories have happened like Kansas defeating North Carolina and Memphis to win the National Championship and the amazing round of golf from Sergio Garcia at the Players Championship or Big Brown winning the Derby. I hope you have enjoyed The King of Sports Blog 2008. To be placed on the mailing list which makes you eligible to be the first to find out when the first new article comes out leave a comment with your initials and your email address. Thank you for your support and I hope you keep reading.

Mayo for Love: The Trade of the Future

OJ Mayo was disappointed when the Miami Heat selected Michael Beasley who Pat Riley disliked. Mayo was picked by the Timberwolves right after. Two picks after, big Kevin Love was picked my Memphis. Then it began.

Five hours after the draft the Midnight Mayo trade was accepted. The rights of Kevin Love, Mike Miller, Jason Collins, and Brian Cardinal were traded to the Minnesota for the rights of OJ Mayo, Marko Jaric, Antoine Walker, and Greg Buckner. If Love is going to be great the T'Wolves got the better side because Mike Miller is decent and Jason Collins is above terrible.

Mayo was told by Minnesota assistant GM, Fred Hoilberg, that the 7 scouts were "blown away" by Mayo's skills. Why wouldn't they build around Mayo?

Twelve years ago, the Wolves drafted Connecticut star Ray Allen and traded him minutes later for Stephon Marbury. Two years ago, they took Brandon Roy and then sent him to Portland for Randy Foye and cash. They also traded Chalmers to Miami for two future second-round picks and cash. Clearly they don't learn from their mistakes.

The Latest NBA Trades

What a trade day?

First off Jermaine O'Neal of the Indiana Pacers was traded to the Toronto Raptors for TJ Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, and the 17th pick of the draft. Then later on in the day Richard Jefferson of the Nets was traded for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons but it isn't official yet.

I think now that the Pacers picked up a point guard and center they will take Roy Hibbert or Danilo Gallinari.

For draft coverage visit ESPN or ESPN360.com at 7 PM Eastern Time.

Is Jerry and Omar Next?

The New York Mockery Mets are PATHETIC. Last night Jerry Manuel and Carlos Beltran were ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the Mets second straight loss. On Monday, King Felix hit a grand slam, the first grand slam by an AL pitcher in 37 years. If you didn't know he is the pitcher. You might think I badmouth the Mets too much but they are really just terrible.

After firing Willie and some of his staff, Jerry Manuel and Omar Minaya should be next. You can't possibly believe that Fred Wilpon, the owner, likes Omar because that is what Omar said about Willie and he fired his "friend".

Jerry Manuel in his Mets managerial career so far hasn't been great. They are below .500 and after last nights disaster to the worst-in-majors Mariners by the score of 11-0 making them one loss away from being swept means two things: Make more firings and you should have kept Willie.

Manuel may be the only manager the Mets got but there are managers on the market like John Gibbons and Phil Garner. Even if they are spending more money they need a third manager. They can't possibly think that Manuel can win another manager of the year in New York, right?

NBA Mock Draft

With the draft on Thursday here is my predictions for this years draft and possible trade and 2nd round superstars.

1. Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose, Memphis

2. Miami Heat: Michael Beasley, Kansas State

3. Minnesota Timberwolves: OJ Mayo, USC

4. Seattle Supersonics: Jerryd Bayless, Arizona

5. Memphis Grizzlies: Kevin Love, UCLA

6. New York Knicks: Russell Westbrook, UCLA

7. Los Angeles Clippers: Eric Gordon, Indiana

8. Milwaukee Bucks: Joe Alexander, West Virginia

9. Charlotte Bobcats Brook Lopez, Stanford

10. New Jersey Nets: Danilo Gallinari, Italy

11. Indiana Pacers: DJ Augustin, Texas

12. Sacramento Kings: Roy Hibbert, Georgetown

13. Portland Trail Blazers: Brandon Rush, Kansas

14. Golden State Warriors: Kosta Koufos, Ohio State

15. Phoenix Suns: Mario Chalmers, Kansas

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Anthony Randolph, LSU

17. Toronto Raptors: Nicholas Batum, France

18. Washington Wizards: Robin Lopez, Stanford

19. Cleveland Cavaliers: Darrell Arthur, Kansas

20. Denver Nuggets: Joey Dorsey, Memphis

21. New Jersey Nets: JaVale McGee, Nevada

22. Orlando Magic: Mareese Speights, Florida

23. Utah Jazz: , Jason Thompson, Rider

24. Seattle Supersonics: Serge Ibaka, Congo

25. Houston Rockets: Donte' Green, Syracuse

26. San Antonio Spurs: Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis

27. New Orleans Hornets: Courtney Lee, Western Kentucky

28. Memphis Grizzlies: DeAndre Jordan, Texas A&M

29. Detroit Pistons: Bill Walker, Kansas State

30. Boston Celtics: Jamont Gordon, Mississippi State

POSSIBLE TRADE
Dwayne Wade traded for the number 1 pick (Derrick Rose giving Miami the 1 and 2 pick). Wade grew up in Chicago, idolized Jordan, and went to Marquette. Rose also idolized MJ and wants his number in the Windy City but D-Wade is a better fit then Rose because you don't have to wait for him to develop. Rose and Beasley would also make Miami a championship contender with Shawn Marion on their side.

SECOND ROUND SUPERSTARS

Drew Neitzel, Michigan State, San Antonio Spurs, Pick 58
Neitzel has been one of my favorite college players and one of my favorite teams might pick him and have one of the best drafts. Neitzel brings so much intensity and leadership.

DeMarcus Nelson, Duke, Boston Celtics, Pick 60

Is He A Future Hall of Famer?

Every sports fan has asked this question, " Is He a Hall of Famer?" Especially me! In this article I will clarify what active MLB players are going to be traveling to Cooperstown.

Curt Schilling: 216-146, ERA 3.46
Curt is a borderline Hall of Famer like many others. After researching guys like Bert Blyleven had more wins then Curt and he didn't make the Hall of Fame. Curt is a great pitcher and is a good candidate for the HOF.

Greg Maddux: 350-219, 3.11 ERA
Just like any pitcher with 300 wins Greg is a lock to be in the Hall of Fame.

Ken Griffey Jr.: .289, 601 HR, 1733 RBI
After his impressive 600th home run Ken Griffey Jr. making him 6th on the all-time list and 8 behind Sammy Sosa. Technically Ken is in 4th if you eliminate the steroid users.

Randy Johnson: 288-155, 3.26 ERA
His 4867 strikeouts speak for themselves and go along well with that World Series ring.

Tom Glavine: 305-202, 3.53 ERA
Tom Glavine is one of the most imitating pitchers of all-time. Once again a man who wins 300 wins is automatically in.

John Smoltz: 210-147, 147 Saves, 3.26 ERA
Sadly Smoltz's career can be over but Smoltz will always be remembered. You know how? Because you will see his face in Cooperstown.

Trevor Hoffman: 539 Saves, 2.77 ERA
Some people say he is better than Mo and I disagree even though Hoffman has way more saves but that doesn't take him out of this list. Trevor is a mentor and the leader of most saves ever.

Mariano Rivera: 464 Saves, 2.29 ERA
There are reasons why Mo is my favorite closer. Mo is clutch and has so many rings. Mariano is definitely a Hall of Famer.

Alex Rodriguez: .307, 532 HR, 1544 RBI
An A-Bomb for A-Rod! He may not be my favorite player but he is America's.

Derek Jeter: .316, 199 HR, 965 RBI, 4 World Series Rings
DJ is my favorite player and I have to stick with him. No matter what SI says Derek Jeter is the best shortstop ever.

Manny Ramirez: .312, 505 HR, 1653 RBI

• 2004: American League Silver Slugger	• 2004: World Series Most Valuable Player
• 2005: American League Silver Slugger	• 2006: American League Silver Slugger

Those stats mixed with 2 rings makes a first ballot Hall of Famer.

Pedro Martinez: 211-94, 2.84 ERA
I know right now you guys are nodding your head but Pedro simply is a great pitcher and without injuries he would have 300. Pedro has won two Cy Young in the AL and one in the NL.

Frank Thomas: .302, 520 HR, 1701 RBI
Frank is such a great player and I always pick him up in video games but that doesn't matter. Frank would be so much closer to the Hall but he is a DH.

Jorge Posada: .278, 221 HR, 880 RBI
Hip, hip Jorge!!! Jorge is such a great leader and is such a great Yankee. He has won 4 rings and one more is coming if Joba and Hughes step up big.

Need more great years:

Ichiro Suzuki(34 years old): .331, 70 HR, 446 RBI
Ichiro's 2004 season sums up how great he is. He defeated George Sisler's single season hit record with 262. Suzuki needs to be traded to a winning team and win a ring and he will be booking a hotel in Cooperstown down the road.

Albert Pujols (only 28 years old: .332, 298 HR, 903 RBI
Albert has become injury prone and that may haunt him later on. Albert has at least 10 more years and is almost already at 300 with injuries.

Chase Utley (28 years old): .299, 119 HR, 451 RBI
Chase is not exactly Pujols but he is still a great player. He is having an MVP year and has a lot of time left.

Alfonso Soriano (32 years old): .282, 256 HR, 670 RBI
Alfonso along with Utley barely made my list. Alfonso has won 3 Silver Slugger's and I think one more is coming.

Carlos Zambrano (27 years old): 90-58, 3.39 ERA
Zambrano is one of my favorite pitchers and is so overpowering. Carlos is one of the best pitchers in the majors. He has many years left and will get 250+ wins.

Brandon Webb (29 years old): 76-59, 3,24 ERA
He won the Cy Young in '06 and is ready to win one now. Webb is on a good young team and will be the best player in all of baseball in a few years.

OVERRATED?!?!

This is really showing how dumb Major League Baseball players are. How is a four-time World Series champion, World Series MVP, eight-time All-Star and captain OVERRATED! In a Sports Illustrated survey of 495 Major League Baseball players in its June 23 issue, Jeter was voted the most overrated with 10% of the vote. Struggling Giants left hander Barry Zito was second at 9%, while Alex Rodriguez and Red Sox outfielder J.D Drew were tied for third with 7%. Mets third baseman David Wright and Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youklis tied for fourth at 4%. Jeter is one of the greatest players ever and is a lock to make the Hall of Fame but how is he overrated?

Last year Jeter was an MVP season hitting .322 with 12 homers and 72 RBI’s leading New York to the playoffs after going 94-68. Jeter is the captain of the best team in baseball and is also Captain Clutch.

Being named the most overrated player in baseball by some of his peers didn't stop Jeter from going 2-for-3 Thursday and scoring the decisive run in the Yankees' 2-1 win over the Padres, completing a three-game sweep and extending the Bombers' winning streak to seven.

When the Daily News informed Jeter of the survey results, he shunned it altogether.

"I don't want to hear about it," Jeter told The News. "I don't want to hear about it, I don't want to talk about it. All negative stuff I don't want to talk about.''

Jeter is an idol to many and is a great all-around person and player and this is insulting.