No hockey love

The UMass hockey team isn’t getting much respect in the first Hockey East poll.

The Minutemen are selected to finish No. 6 – just above its little brother (UMass-Lowell) from the East.

1.	Boston College (6)	86
2.	Boston University (3)	80
3.	New Hampshire	78
4.	Northeastern	62
5.	Vermont	58
6.	Massachusetts	48
7.	UMass Lowell	46
8.	Providence	34
9.	Maine	28
10.	Merrimack	20

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George Karl spoke out about the Marcus Camby trade that happened earlier this year.

“What transpired doesn’t make basketball sense and never will,” Karl said of the Camby trade. “But the world of basketball has grown into being bigger than just basketball. A young coach, if he can’t accept there’s going to be financial decisions in the world of basketball, he’s crazy.”

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The Daily Collegian is touting the field hockey team as the best fall squad.

‘I’m still in disbelief’

Marcus Camby is downright insulted.

Camby, who was recently traded to the Clippers for essentially nothing, spoke out about the trade to the Rocky Mountain News yesterday.

Let’s just say he wasn’t too pleased.

“I’m definitely frustrated because I felt that I gave it my all,” he said. “There were years when I was the only (healthy) big guy on the team when all the big guys around me were hurt. I would still play hurt and do my all for this team. I didn’t realize my salary was that much compared to everyone else’s. They basically dumped mine and got nothing in return.”

I initially didn’t really understand this trade, but it was obviously a salary dump. Nuggets fans are pretty pissed about this whole thing, and I would be, too. Camby was a great guy in the community around here and was always a good quote for the newspaper boys at the Post and the Rocky.

Now the Nuggets rebuild – and they will surely do so by letting up triple-digit scores every single night.

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UMass women’s soccer coach Jim Rudy received a contract extension.

Camby gets Clipped

Cambyland is heading to the City of Angels.

Marcus Camby, one of the best defensive players in the NBA, has been traded from the Denver Nuggets to the Los Angeles Clippers for the “right to swap second-round picks in the 2010 draft” according to The Denver Post.

While this very well be a bit of financial jostling for the Nuggets, why would a team that was embarrassing on defense trade away their best defensive player? Sure it will save them a little money – which is around $10 million – but now the team, which got swept by the Clippers’ bigger brother in the playoffs this year, just got a whole lot worse in the post.

They also lost a great human being, which is a rare commodity this day and age.

Woody Paige agrees with my assesment:

What he was was a quality person — somewhat of a rarity on the Nuggets. Camby and his family bought food to feed the underprivileged at Thanksgiving, and spent the entire day serving it. He supported several organizations in Colorado, and he didn’t cause a problem in the community for six years. His personality and contributions didn’t win games, especially in the playoffs, but he was featured in the sports pages, not on the news pages.

I wish Camby nothing but the best in the future. The former Minuteman – who I wholeheartedly believe should have his number retired at the Mullins Center, yea … sue me – has been a pleasure to watch during my time out here in the mountains.

It’s too bad he’s stuck in the abyss known as Clipperhood, but maybe he’ll get a chance to show the Nuggets what they’re missing next season.

Camby to Detroit?

Woody Paige, a columnist for the Denver Post, wrote an column today in regards to a potential trade involving Marcus Camby – among other Denver Nuggets.

From the Denver Post:

An exchange of Anthony, Marcus Camby, Kenyon Martin and Chucky Atkins for Billups, Tayshaun Prince, Rasheed Wallace and Detroit’s first-round pick (29th) makes the most sense (and dollars under the cap for the Nuggets) and is scary-good for both teams. (Some might think just scary, but it definitely would be good.)

Rasheed Wallace? I know. But Wallace and George Karl have that North Carolina Connection, and Wallace played his strongest (controlled) basketball under Larry Brown, who also has tar on his Gucci loafers.

Now, I’m not too sure if either team would be interested in a trade of this magnitude, and I don’t understand how this would immediately benefit the Nuggets in the post.

The Nuggets have been looking for defense after being one of the absolute worst defensive teams in the league, and Camby has been the one bright spot for Denver. He constantly alters shots and leads the team in rebounds, yet Paige wants the team to trade him away for essentially a point guard – which is, I understand, a HUGE need for the Nuggets.

If Denver wants to compete in the future, it needs to hold on to the stars that fuel its offense, but it also needs to retain the one defensive presence on the team. Finding a handful of defenders should not break the bank – as they are typically role players on most other teams (save for the Celtics and Lakers, and we see there the superstar scorer/defenders got them this year).

 

Camby to Detroit?

Woody Paige, a columnist for the Denver Post, wrote an column today in regards to a potential trade involving Marcus Camby – among other Denver Nuggets.

From the Denver Post:

An exchange of Anthony, Marcus Camby, Kenyon Martin and Chucky Atkins for Billups, Tayshaun Prince, Rasheed Wallace and Detroit’s first-round pick (29th) makes the most sense (and dollars under the cap for the Nuggets) and is scary-good for both teams. (Some might think just scary, but it definitely would be good.)

Rasheed Wallace? I know. But Wallace and George Karl have that North Carolina Connection, and Wallace played his strongest (controlled) basketball under Larry Brown, who also has tar on his Gucci loafers.

Now, I’m not too sure if either team would be interested in a trade of this magnitude, and I don’t understand how this would immediately benefit the Nuggets in the post.

The Nuggets have been looking for defense after being one of the absolute worst defensive teams in the league, and Camby has been the one bright spot for Denver. He constantly alters shots and leads the team in rebounds, yet Paige wants the team to trade him away for essentially a point guard – which is, I understand, a HUGE need for the Nuggets.

If Denver wants to compete in the future, it needs to hold on to the stars that fuel its offense, but it also needs to retain the one defensive presence on the team. Finding a handful of defenders should not break the bank – as they are typically role players on most other teams (save for the Celtics and Lakers, and we see there the superstar scorer/defenders got them this year).

 

Camby remembers

Marcus Camby never forgets.

After helping the Denver Nuggets defeat the Boston Celtics out here in Colorado, Camby took some time to show his undying affection for his alma mater. Even with all the drama that ensued his leaving Amherst early, Camby still appreciates the school, follows the team and stays in touch with people from his past.

From the Boston Globe:

“I haven’t been on campus since I was in New York [playing for the Knicks]. Actually, my mom goes to a lot of games on the weekends and stuff like that. They do a good job of taking care of her.

“I love my school a lot. I also follow [former coach John Calipari] with what he is doing at Memphis. I can’t discredit what he’s done for my career.”

He waxed nostalgic a bit and also discussed the state of the program:

“It seems like we haven’t recovered since the year we went to the Final Four,” Camby said. “We have to find a way to get some recruits in, some better players in. I think coach [Travis] Ford is doing a great job with the guys he does have there. But we have to get a couple players that can get us over the hump.”

Of course people have bitter-sweet feelings for Camby because of his role in the “vacation” of UMass’ Final Four appearance. However, the guy obviously still cares deeply about the program and coach that gave him a shot out of high school.

On the Mount Rushmore of UMass basketball it has to be something along the lines of: Dr. J, Jack, Calipari and Camby.

It’s always good to see an alumni — especially one that has made a name for himself in the NBA — look back on his days in Amherst with a smile.

Lord knows I do.

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It (sorta) looks like Northeastern is going to keep its football program, which is great because a game against the Huskies usually equals a. win for UMass.

Yes, I’ll be knocking on wood for a few days — sorry.

From the Boston Globe:

Football was the primary topic because rumors of its demise hovered around the program throughout the fall. That caused angst internally among head coach Rocky Hager and his staff and externally as the friends and supporters of Husky athletics wondered whether football would disappear the way it did at crosstown rival Boston University.

“One of the key recommendations of senior leadership is that we continue to support a full complement of intercollegiate athletics,” said Roby.

Grinch gets swatted

Camby Claus is coming to town.

Marcus Camby — a standout big man for UMass and a current Denver Nugget — helped 15 kids have a merrier Christmas:

Camby shared the holiday spirit with 15 Denver kids. Each was given an autographed jersey, just for starters. After being picked up at the Cope Branch Boys and Girls Club, the kids were treated to a limo ride. Their destination was Cherry Creek Shopping Center.

…then

All the shopping was done at Macy’s and the kids who thought they were shopping only for someone else got a final surprise. They received gifts themselves courtesy of the store.

It’s always good to see a professional athlete making good in the community — especially if they’re a UMass alumni.

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The Charleston Daily Mail is reporting that Marshall University has hired Jerry Azzinaro, a former defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator for UMass, as its defensive line coach.

His other coaching stops include serving as the defensive coordinator at the University of Massachusetts in 1994 and again from 1997-98, coaching the defensive line at Boston College (1995-96), coaching linebackers and serving as recruiting coordinator at UMass (1992-93), serving as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at American International (1987-91) and serving as head coach at Division III Western New England College in 1986.

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I’ve seen this reported elsewhere, but it’s still important. UMass will be playing Kansas next year.

Via the Lawrence Journal:

KU, UMass to tangle: Look for KU to play Massachusetts Dec. 13 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo. The contract has not yet arrived in the mail, but the two sides have agreed to play. UMass, coached by Travis Ford, is off to an 8-2 start this year.