Wait, What Just Happened?

As Flavor Flav would say...WOW. Honestly, I really don't know how to react.

If you didn't hear about the trades, here's the story from ESPN.com,

The Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks have received league approval to complete a trade that will swap disgruntled Warriors forward Al Harrington for Knicks guard Jamal Crawford.

ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher confirmed the league's sign-off after reporting early Friday morning that the teams were nearing completion on a deal featuring Harrington and Crawford.

The Knicks announced the deal in a news release later Friday afternoon.

Less than two hours later, the Knicks completed another deal, sending Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins to the Los Angeles Clippers for Tim Thomas and Cuttino Mobley, according the The New York Daily News.

So, there you go. We sold our shoot-first, dribble-always shooting guard (Crawford) and our hefty big man with an even hefter contract (Randolph) for what amounts to the pu-pu platter, as well as contracts that will be expiring in 2010. Though I wasn't ready to write this season off just yet (I mean, we are 6-5), I feel confident that we can grab one of the superstar chips that will be on the free agent market in two years. Check out the some of the names real quick:

Potential Free Agents in the Summer of 2010

Lebron James (maybe, probably not)

Dwayne Wade ( very possible)

Chris Bosh (a mortal lock, especially since he's trapped in Canada right now)

Amare Stoudemire (big contract, old coach, very probable...won't have to play any defense)

Steve Nash (36 years old, relive MVP days)

Dirk Nowitzki (shoot-first big)

Michael Redd (shoot-first SG)

Richard Jefferson (athletic wing player)

Josh "I Smoke Weed Everyday" Howard

Yao Ming (marketing ploy to Asian population of NY)

Tracy McGrady (don't really want either Rocket for D'Antoni's system, but hey, they'll be here)

So that's where we stand. If you live in New York, get used to seeing "The Hunt for Lebron Continues, Knicks Routed by Magic" headlines in the Daily News and the New York Post for the next two seasons.

In other news, Marbury is active for tonight's game against the Bucks.

(I'm just saying.)

-Michael "TTK" Benjamin

How My Life Got Real Busy...

Hello Loyal Readers,

Sorry for not checking it at all over the last two weeks. I've been writing columns for the sports section at my school's newspaper, the Hilltop. I've pretty much had a personal mission to make our sports section the awesomeist location for sports news in campus news outlets, and we're well on our way. (Big ups to Howard for beating a Pac-10 team last week!)

Secondly, my computer definitely crashed last week. I love the internets more than a fat kid loves cake, but since I've been computer-less for the last week, I've started to lose my connections with the blogosphere and (gasp!) rely solely on local news and ESPN for my sports information. ESPN is cool and all, but in order to be a good journalist, you need to break out of the ordinary and reach for new ideas and new thoughts to cultivate good writing. Well, for that and more McNabb jokes.

My work has been starting to pick up, and I'm also getting noticed by other bloggers. So, check my stuff out at The Hilltop Online, Infinite Gen (started by some other HU students), and my sister's blog, Forever Chasing After You.

Keep checking by periodically, and I'll try to finish the monster post that I've had waiting for the blog by Thanksgiving.

Until then...peace. (New York Knicks 6-4!)

-Michael "TTK" Benjamin

Redskins: Good Indicator Of Election Winner?

Hail to the Redskins!

Well, maybe not in every game, but tonight’s anyway.

According to Forbes magazine’s report in 2007, the Washington Redskins are the second-most valuable franchise in the NFL, trailing only the Jerry Jones-led Dallas Cowboys. The fiscal success of this Washington-based franchise is predicated on their preservation of a number of great traditions. Those traditions include the adoration of the famous (or infamous) “Hogs” offensive line established during Joe Gibbs’ first tenure with the team and their live marching band, a throng of musicians the owners continue to squeeze into their 91,000-capacity stadium.

Every Sunday, Washingtonians attach team flags to their radio antennas and jerseys to their backs, waiting for their team to trounce an unsuspecting foe and praying for the Redskins’ ascension to the pinnacle of the NFL. While living as an observant college student in the D.C. area over the past four years, I definitely regard the Redskins’ fan base as one of the most united and dedicated groups that exists in the NFL today.

However, before this edition of “Monday Night Football” (Redskins vs. Steelers), some of these diehard Redskins patrons will have to make a tough decision. During the game, you may see fans that normally bang their fist on their chest and yell violently after a big Clinton Portis resort to giving their star running back a simple round of applause. Instead of standing to witness Santana Moss potentially run a punt back to the house, some fans will probably resign to crossing their legs and watching the return from the big screen.

On Monday night, loyalties will be tested, friendships lost and fans divided. Why?

Well, according to the stats, the Redskins have the ability to predict the White House.

Over the last 17 presidential elections, the Redskins have been the most accurate barometer of success for either the Democratic or Republican Party.

Here’s how it goes: If the Redskins win the game prior to Election Day, the incumbent political party will retain power and regain leadership over the United States. However, if the ’Skins lose before the election, the rival party will defeat the controlling party in the White House, and party power will switch hands.

In other words ... if the ’Skins win, McCain wins. If the ’Skins lose, Obama wins.

The Redskins’ prognostication prowess began in 1936, when the Boston Redskins downed the Chicago Cardinals 13-10, signaling a win for FDR and the incumbent Democratic Party. During the heated presidential race of 1992, Redskins fans already knew Bill Clinton would be our next leader after witnessing their defending Super Bowl champs fall to the New York Giants in a rout at home.

Don’t worry, Washingtonians. Since George W. Bush trounced John Kerry in the 2004 presidential election (even though the Packers had defeated the Redskins on the Sunday prior to voting day), the reliability of the ’Skins’ election barometer has been questioned. Heck, you might just be able to pencil in your vote for Barack Obama and still cheer valiantly for your beloved burgundy and gold. As for me ... well, let’s just say that I’ll be starting Ben Roethlisberger in my fantasy league this week.

So football fans, don’t be afraid to yell “Let’s Go Redskins!” on Monday night.

Or, you can just hold your cheers in until next week. We’ll understand.