Report: J.R. Smith is broke

Usually when a player is entering free agency the famous quote of "it's not about the money" is always thrown around. Because it's always about the money no matter what a player says. For New York Knicks free agent guard J.R. Smith it will be all about the money.

According to reports Smith chose to play with the Knicks instead of the Los Angeles Clippers because the Knicks offered $2.4 million to the Clippers' $1.4 million. The other part of why is because Smith was "financially broke".

Smith's father, Earl, is pushing for J.R. to stay in New York, I guess since it will be the place that will pay him the most money.


A source told ESPN New York that Smith’s father, Earl, is going to make a strong case for his son to stay in New York, but “it’s very clear that the money is the biggest factor with him.”


In fact, when Smith chose the Knicks over the Clippers in mid-February after coming back from China, a source said the Knicks’ higher offer ($2.443 million to the Clippers’ $1.4 million veteran’s minimum) was the deciding factor because he was financially broke. Therefore, Smith will likely opt out and ask for the 20 percent raise. At that point, the ball will be in the Knicks’ court to re-sign Smith, who’s already said publicly that he wants to return next season.


Smith has earned nearly $26 million in the eight years he's played plus another $3 million from playing in China. He'll probably go into denial about being broke. If he is it's pretty sad especially since he's still playing.

Brandon Flowers "not too worried about Peyton Manning"

Anyone who has ever played a sport knows that you must have confidence. Sometimes one can be too confident in his/her or their teams ability. So do you think Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers is overconfident by thinking that the Chiefs will win the AFC West and that Peyton Manning is nothing to worry about? Maybe. That'll all get played out on the field.

Flowers has no doubt that Manning is a great player but experts shouldn't be so quick to give the division to the Denver Broncos. Flowers says the Chiefs plan to take the division this year.


“We’ve got the mindset we’re going to win the AFC West,” Flowers said. “Peyton Manning, he’s a quarterback that everyone wants to have. He’s not going to turn the ball over, he’s not going to make critical mistakes.


“But I’m going out there saying if my man can’t get open, he won’t have no one to throw the ball to. So as long as I do my part, we’re not too worried about Peyton Manning.”

Manning has made corners look foolish in the past, but this is a post neck surgery Manning we're talking about. He is one of the great quarterbacks of all time but he could possibly be a shell of himself.

As for Flowers, just hope his mouth isn't writing any checks that he won't be able to cash.

Torii Hunter on restricted list due to son's arrest

Torii Hunter won't be in the Los Angeles Angels' lineup for an undisclosed amount of time because his son has been arrested in connection with to a sexual assault in Prosper,Texas. Hunter has been placed on the restricted list by the Angels.  

Hunter's son,  Darius McClinton-Hunter, was arrested along with four other students at Prosper High School on charges related to sexual assault.

The investigation into the alleged sexual assault was reported about a month ago "and culminated with the arrest of these five individuals today," said Prosper Assistant Police Chief Gary McHone.


"There's a lot of information we're receiving to date in terms of the actual alleged offenses," he said. "That's still part of our ongoing investigation."


McClinton-Hunter's attorney, Todd Shapiro says the family is upset and devastated.


"Everybody is devastated," he said. "They're very upset. He's a 17-year-old kid. He has a very bright future; he still does. He's a very good student. He's a good athlete. He has a lot going for him."


I feel bad for Hunter, but I feel worse for the victim who'll have to relive this through a trial and have to fight through the mental torture for the rest of their life.

VCU joining Atlantic 10 in 2013

VCU will be leaving the Colonial Athletic Association and joining the Atlantic 10 in 2013. The move will be announced Tuesday.

On Friday, George Mason, which along with VCU and Butler had discussions with the Atlantic 10, announced it was staying in the CAA. However, sources told CBSSports.com at the present time the Atlantic 10 was looking to add only one more school and VCU got the nod over Mason.

In the latest basketball related realignment move this makes sense for the Rams as they move from a one bid league to a multiple bid league in the A-10. And don't try to sell me on how it's more competitive in the Atlantic 10 and the Rams won't be able to rule the roost in a lesser conference.

With the recent additions of Butler and VCU it makes the loss of Temple (Big East) and Charlotte (Conference USA) easier to deal with. The move also gives the Rams a natural rivalry with Richmond and George Washington.

When it comes to basketball related realignment the Atlantic 10 is a winner.      

Nolan Richardson III, son of former Arkansas coach found dead

Nolan Richardson III, the son of former national championship winning coach Nolan Richardson was found dead in his Tulsa home on Sunday.

Officer Jason Willingham said Monday that Richardson III's wife found her husband dead in a chair in their Tulsa home about 3 p.m. Sunday. A cause of death was not immediately released but Willingham said the 47-year-old's death appears to be due to natural causes.


Richardson III served as an assistant under his father at Arkansas and also was the head coach at Tennessee State. He was best known at Tennessee State for being suspended after a well publicized incident in which he allegedly brought a gun into the Gentry Center (university arena) in a dispute with an assistant.

Sergei Federov to become GM of Russian hockey club

According to a report in Sovetsky Sport, former Detroit Red Wing star Sergei Federov will retire from the game of hockey and concentrate on being a general manager for CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League.

Federov will play in one more game before assuming the duties of general manager next season.

"It's a great possibility that CSKA's first home game of the new season will be Sergei's farewell. It will be sort of a farewell celebration and he will concentrate on the management work at the club."



The highly skilled Fedorov defected from the Soviet Union in 1990 and helped the Red Wings win three Stanley Cup championships in 13 seasons in Detroit. He ranks fourth on the club's career list for goals (400) and fifth in points (954).


He is the last Red Wing to win the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player in 1993-94 and is a two-time winner of the Selke Trophy as the league top defensive forward.


CSKA hasn't yet confirmed the report and Federov has yet to make his retirement official.

Osi Umenyiora tells LeSean McCoy Happy Mother's Day

Two players on rival teams that don't get along have a lot in common with each other. They both feel they're being mistreated by their front office and are looking for a new contract form their respective teams. They also don't like each other.

New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora and Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy have had a beef with each other since last season after McCoy called Umenyiora overrated and soft. Umenyiora responded by calling McCoy "Lady Gaga" and "she".

Umenyiora has fanned the flames once again via Twitter by telling McCoy to have a Happy Mother's Day.

“Happy Mothers Day Lesean Mccoy (sic)! Enjoy your special day!!”


Umenyiora then said that "the beef is never over". We'll have to see if McCoy can come up with a clever response to Umenyiora's taunts.