Morning Jolt: March 10, 2011
Thursday, March 10
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While the Bengals insist they won't trade disgruntled quarterback Carson Palmer, some signs may suggest otherwise. First off, the belief around the league is that Palmer's threat to retire if untraded is not an empty one. The Southern California native has two young kids, tens of millions in the bank and a wife who doesn't like the Cincinnati area. The Bengals know this. More directly, look at the recent behavior of Cincy's coaching staff. ... [New] offensive coordinator Jay Gruden casually referred to [Cedric] Benson as someone who could carry the ball "20 to 25 times a game if we need to if we have the young quarterback." When Gruden mentions a "young quarterback," he's not referring to the 31-year-old Palmer. (CBSSports.com)Comment
Scouts circling Red Sox outfield
Though Boston is reportedly not expected to move Mike Cameron, a few factors will drive the speculation. [Scouts] are becoming ever more curious about Juan Carlos Linares, the 26-year-old Cuban outfielder who may be one of the most intriguing players in spring training. Cameron and Linares are examples of the quality outfield depth the Red Sox have -- depth that isn't going unnoticed by scouts. ... [Darnell McDonald] could probably start on a few teams. Ryan Kalish and Josh Reddick can play in the big leagues if they have to. Daniel Nava can flat-out hit and would have a bench spot on many teams. Che-Hsuan Lin could get to Triple A this season. You must have depth to win. And the Red Sox seem to have it in the outfield. (The Boston Globe)Comment
Krstic would like to stick in Boston
Considering the way he left Oklahoma City, Nenad Krstic's arrival in Boston has gone smoother than he'd expected. [Krstic] seems to have found a niche immediately with the Celtics, who are still uncertain about when center Shaquille O'Neal will return from an Achilles/hip injury. ... He may not be a starting center for the Celtics for much longer this year, not when O'Neal comes back. But he's already made an impression in Boston, and when his contract comes up after this year, he wouldn't mind sticking around. "I was more excited and more nervous and happy about coming here," Krstic said. "So far, it's been good, and when you have a chance to play for a team like this, of course, you hope you can do it for a long time." (Sporting News)Comment
Must-See Photo
Baylor's Melissa Jones passes the ball during a game against Kansas in the Big 12 tournament yesterday. Jones hit her head diving for a ball earlier this season and has been forced to wear protective shades. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Must-See Video
Carmelo Anthony hits a buzzer-beater to give the Knicks a victory over the Grizzlies.
Game To Watch
Lakers at Heat, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
SI Vault: More Wilt Chamberlain
This Day in Sports
- 1970 -- San Francisco's Wilt Chamberlain scores 70 points in a 163-148 loss to Syracuse, one of six 70-plus point games in his career.
- 1987 -- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar becomes the NBA's all-time leader in personal fouls (4,194) committed when he charges into Denver's Danny Schayes with 4:23 left in the first quarter of the Lakers' 143-107 victory over the Nuggets.
- 1995 -- Citing the labor unrest as the reason, former Chicago Bulls great Michael Jordan announces he is leaving baseball to return the NBA.
- 2002 -- By registering 13 assists in a 95-92 loss to Houston, Utah's John Stockton improves his career assist total of 15,000, and became the only player in NBA history to reach that plateau.
