Leadoff with Lee 2.13.16

By @cleeverizon

How would you feel if the Celtics and Cavaliers were involved in a 3-way trade centered around Kevin Love and Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony?

In this scenario, Love would be dealt to Boston, while Anthony would need to waive his no trade clause in order to head to Cleveland. The Knicks get draft picks, and possibly Timofey Mozgov?

According to the New York Daily News' Frank Isola, there has been a discussion of this possible trade. The NBA trade deadline is Thursday and Knicks president Phil Jackson is exploring ways to upgrade the 23-32 Knicks and get them back in the playoff race. Trading Anthony would signal a complete rebuild centered around 20-year-old Kristaps Porzingis. 

Sounds good for 'Melo and Boston, but how does this make the Cavs better in an already crowed front court? And why would the Knicks or Celtics want to help a team not only in the Eastern Conference but a team in the same division (Atlantic)? Just remember two things Cavs/NBA fans, this is "silly season" for the NBA and NFL right now. And if this wasn't All-Star weekend for the NBA, this wouldn't be a story. What other sport is making headlines this weekend? Silly Season at its best!

- The Houston Rockets are said to be working on trades involving center Dwight Howard. Howard is expected to exercise a opt-out clause in his contract and become a free agent this summer. He is seeking a max deal hoping to cash in on next years NBA cap money which will increase. He averages 14.6 points and 12 rebounds per game.

- Matt Forte's career with the Chicago Bears has officially come to an end. The Bears have informed the running back he will not be re-signed. Forte has been with the club since 2008 and is the Bears second all-time leading rusher, behind Walter Payton.

- Browns linebacker Armonty Bryant was indicted Wednesday on two counts of felony drug possession (adderall and oxycodone), stemming from a traffic stop on Interstate 71 Christmas morning with former Browns practice player De'Ante Saunders, who was driving Bryant at the time of the traffic stop. Saunders was indicted for improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, a felony was released from the team in December.

Bryant could be facing a suspension by the NFL under the personal conduct policy and also possibly the performing-enhancing drug policy since he didn't a prescription. Adderall falls under the PED policy, and Joe Haden was suspended for four games in 2012 for testing positive for the stimulant. An NFL spokesman said in an email response, "the matter will be subject to review under the relevant policies".


- Browns running back Duke Johnson has been named AFC North rookie of the year. Johnson may have only recorded 379 yards on the ground, but he had 61 receptions for 534 yards receiving, giving him 913 yards from the line of scrimmage.

- This season, the NCAA Tournament will go back to calling the field of 64 starting on Thursday and Friday the "First Round," while calling the Tuesday and Wednesday games the “First Four”. NCAA spokesman David Worlock said, "The Thursday-Friday games will be known as first and second rounds, so there’s no more, quote-unquote, 'third round.'" 

The Thursday and Friday games (First Round) will be known as the Round of 64, with the Saturday and Sunday games (Second Round) labeled as the Round of 32. The Sweet 16, Elite Eight, and Final Four remain unchanged. The NCAA Tournament will begin on March 15 with the first game of the “First Four.”

- Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has expressed interest in having Reliant Stadium in Houston host the 2017 NFL Pro Bowl. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said 'No decisions have been made on the future of the Pro Bowl. We anticipate making a decision this spring.' 'We have received interest from cities in the U.S. and from around the world.'

- The NCAA Football Rules Committee has proposed several rule changes that would take effect in the 2016 season which include: Low blocks outside of the tackle box, Hits on players who have given themselves up by sliding feet first after a run, deliberately tripping ball carriers and also giving instant replay officials more responsibility on determining targeting and helmet to helmet hits that may have been missed by the officials on the field. The potential changes will be heard by Playing Rules Over site Panel on March 8th.

- The Ohio State Buckeyes have 14 NFL Combine invites the most of any college this year followed by: Notre Dame: 10, Alabama: 9 UCLA: 9 Auburn: 8 Florida: 8 Georgia: 8 Clemson: 8 Oklahoma: 8. And remember if Noah Spence wasn't dismissed from Ohio State that number would be 15.

- Kevin Kiley of 92.3 The Fan announced his resignation after discussing his comments made about the Buffalo Bills promoting a female to a special teams coaching job. He also stated he placed his resignation back in November and will be done at the end of February. Kiley was not on the Friday morning show and was replaced by J.G Spooner.