Allen Iverson Faces Another Lawsuit

The unfortunate down fall of "The Answer" continues. Allen Iverson is facing yet another lawsuit for allegedly not paying back a jeweler a few years back. Aydin and Company sued Iverson $375,000 back in 2010 and Iverson elected to not respond to the lawsuit. Now that bill is a hefty one and a Georgia judge has taken control over A.I's Wells Fargo bank account and will deduct a total of $859,896.46 accorcding to TMZ. In August of 2011, Iverson was reportedly sued $2.5 million by a man who claimed the 11 time All Stars body guard assaulted him but because of insufficient evidence the case was dismissed. It was during that case that Iverson told the opposing lawyer to "Go to hell". In the past few years it has been reported that Allen's high school sweet heart filed for divorce and custody of their five children, and had claimed that Iverson failed to pay child support. An article published in March of 2010 by the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that according to reliable sources, people close to Iverson said that the former star would "either drink himself into oblivion or gamble his life away"...A sad, sad story that seems to keep getting worse, and even more disappointing is that we kind of saw it coming. Lets hope one of the most prized athletes in Philadelphia history can get back on the right track and fight these tough times just like he did with adversity, and injuries on the hardwood. 

New Developments In The Jerry Sandusky Case

The continuing disturbing saga of the Jerry Sandusky case has some new developments. Prosecutors have requested jurors from a different county other then the Penn State area be brought in. Just yesterday, court records had confirmed that the names of ten victims were going to be given to Jerry Sandusky. Not surprisingly, Sandusky's attorney Joe Amendola said he will attempt to fight against the prosecutors proposal. According to CSNPhilly.com, Sandusky, who is 68 years creepy faces a total of 52 charges for child molestation. The former Penn State defensive coordinator remains on bail until he is due to appear in court on February 10th and is looking to modify his bail conditions so that he can have contact with his grandchildren.....Interesting.

Flyers Return From The All Star Break

The Flyers (29-14-5) returned to practice yesterday for their first meeting since the All-Star break and are back in action tonight as the Winnipeg Jets (22-22-6) travel into the Wells Fargo Center. The puck drops at 7. This will be the first game of a home stand that consists of six of the next seven games on home ice. The Flyers who have been a dominant road team this season, haven't had as much luck in Philly (11-7-3 overall) but have shaped things up by going 6-2-1 in their last eight home games.
Jaromir Jagr will be a go for tonight. The Hall of Famer is returning from a lower body injury. (Jagr talks about his return) Danny Briere who took an elbow to the head last week and suffered a mild concussion, and Zac Rinaldo both participated full on during practice yesterday and although it has not yet been confirmed, both players should be back this week.

Andy Reid Comes Out Of His Cave, Juan Castillo Will Be Back as Defensive Coordinator

Andy Reid has finally made an appearance and talked with the media today for the first time since New Years Day when the Birds beat the hapless Washington Redskins 34-10 on the final week of the season. While most of his coaching staff has been at the Senior Bowl, Reid, who elects not to attend the Senior Bowl activities every year has basically steered away from the public since the mediocre, failure of a season came to a conclusion. According to Reid, he talked to former St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnulo about the possibility of becoming the defensive coordinator and actually offered him a job "If he needed one". His plan was to pair up Spags with Juan Castillo and have them run the defensive side of the ball. Although it was clarified yesterday after Todd Bowles, the former Temple graduate and Miami Dolphins assistant was signed as the new defensive backs coach that Juan Castillo would remain as defensive coordinator, "Big Red" clarified that today during his press conference. Marty Mornhinweg, who was rumored to be a candidate for the vacant Raiders, and Colts head coaching jobs which have since been filled will also be back as offensive coordinator. Howard Mudd, the offensive line coach who got his 15 seconds of fame week 8 when he was pictured on crutches repeatedly by NBC on Sunday Night Football on the sideline will also return to his original position. As far as coaching goes, it looks as though the staff is set in stone. The only moves left to be made will be on the roster when free agency begins and through the NFL draft. Lets hope and pray the Eagles can get some meat, attitude, and skill on the defensive side of the rock...Linebackers and and a safety please!

Phils Ink RHP Chad Qualls to 1 year deal

Add Chad Qualls next to Juan Pierre (minor league deal) as the latest veterans to sign with the Phillies. The right handed relief pitcher will be entering his 8 season in the bigs, spending last season at pitcher friendly PETCO Park as a member of the San Diego Padres. Qualls appeared in 77 games going 6-8, tossing 74.1 innings, and compiled a 3.51 ERA (Career 3.78). Not a bad move by Ruben Amaro adding more depth to the bullpen after losing Brad Lidge to the Nats, but there is one concern. When away from the massive ballpark that is PETCO park, Qualls was significantly less effective (5.05 ERA on the road) compared to a 2.08 ERA in San Diego. As we have come accustomed to knowing Citizens Bank Park isn't the most pitcher friendly palace in the Major Leagues. Qualls is mostly a ground ball pitcher though and many pitchers have thrived in Philly with that type of style (Roy Halladay for instance) so we will see how it goes. The deal is worth 1 year, $1.15 million including performance incentives.

#BallSoHardPhilly-The Monday Leadoff: How Dwight Howard coming to Philly might just be able to happen..

     What’s good sports enthusiasts? Welcome to the kick off of the #BallSoHardPhilly sports blog, a 20 year old Temple students perspective on what is popping off in the sporting industry! 

 As my coffee is brewing anticipating my study session on American Politics that I am so just looking forward to...(gasp) I had to fit in my debut post. So I’m going to lead it off like J-Roll, except I’m not reeling in 11 mill a year sitting court side at virtually every basketball game across the Philly area during the offseason.

If your one of those fans who gave up on Philadelphia 76ers basketball after the team decided to hire Eddie Jordan, who led the Sixers to a god-awful 27 win season in 2009 where the organization had to bring back "The Answer" just to boost ticket sales, and rocked some hefty braces and who is still getting paid 3 million dollars by the Sixers to coach high school freshman basketball in Washington DC. http://www.forbes.com/sites/bobcook/2011/12/06/eddie-jordan-the-worlds-highest-paid-youth-basketball-coach/  As well as after those long, grueling years of which we saw Randy Ayers, Mo Cheeks, Jim O’Brien, Chris Ford and even Tony Dileo on the bench, you might want to take a step back and in fact rethink your options.

Philly basketball is officially back on the map, and their much beloved head coach, the guru Doug Collins has his team #believing, and off to the best start (14-6, 1st in the Atlantic Division) since 2001 when the Allen Iverson led Sixers made it to the NBA Finals under Larry Brown. 

This group is deceiving though, as there is no particular star thats lacing up the kicks on a nightly basis. The 2011-2012 Sixers are playing a completely team oriented game, and I must say...They are a fun group to watch. Although they have not had the most difficult schedule thus far, the Sixers have been straight up running opponents out of the gymnasium, and are about to embark in their toughest week of the season. 

The Orlando Magic come into the Wells Fargo Center tonight, followed the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, the Miami Heat on Friday, Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, and the Los Angeles Lakers a week from tonight, so we will really get a better glimpse of what this Sixers team is all about. Personally, I think they are a legit threat. I see them as a three or four seed in the Eastern Conference, and if they don’t make it to the second round of the playoffs, I’ll be dumbfounded. 

Adam Aron and Joshua Harris who were among the two that purchase this team over the summer have done a magnificent reviving this franchise, and has the city believing once again. They have slashed ticket prices, brought in a new public address announcer, organized some minor things and most importantly: THE TEAM IS WINNING, which is reeling more fans back in the seats...But, what this team desperately needs to propel itself into the top echelon of teams in the National Basketball Association is a star player that can be a force night in, and night out. The man that could make this franchise super again...Is Super Man him self, Dwight Howard, and it might just be able to happen.

The Magic have strung together some of the most embarrassing losses in franchise history as of late causing Dwight Howard to call out his team. You know #12 is not a happy camper, and I don’t see any possible way Orlando will have a chance at keeping the big fella. He has recently come out and stated that the Lakers, Nets, Mavericks, Clippers, and Bulls are on top of his wish list. The 215 isn’t listed among his favorite destinations, but boy would he be a perfect fit for this team

Ever since Allen Iverson has left, something has just been missing..The Sixers need that guy, and how could Dwight Howard turn down a sports craved city like Philadelphia with a really, really good team already in place? I mean damn, he’s already been welcomed by Jimmy Rollins, and Ryan Howard of the Phillies (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib9xjdQFQO4 ) who know what its like to deliver a championship to this town. Why not follow in the footsteps of guys like Wilt Chamberlain, Dr. J, Moses Malone, Charles Barkley, Hal Greer, and Allen Iverson, and join a franchise with such a rich history? 

This team is loaded with talent. Jrue Holiday is a top 10 point guard in this league, Jodie Meeks can shoot the lights out from beyond the arc, Thad Young, Lou Williams, and Evan Turner ball out off the bench (#NightShift), and Andre Iguodala is a star..Yes, I said it. He may be a little overpaid (13.5 Million a year) but he gets ridiculed in this city way more then he deserves. Not many players in the world can fill up the stat sheet and defend as well as him on every given night, putting him atop some of the best players in the NBA. So why not Dwight? How about you come to the city of brotherly love and join Halladay, Lee, Papelbon and Nnamdi as the latest stars to join this city? Athletes who have mastered the right mindset have come out publicly and said that they #Love playing here. With his personality and talents, Howard would be a near perfect fit barring he can stay healthy. Philadelphia would embrace the 6'11, 265 pound center as a god-like figure.. The next Wilt Chamberlain! 

I know its a very slim chance, but the Sixers might have an opportunity to sign Dwight Howard. Spencer Hawes is in the last year of his contract making 4 million dollars, and if he continues his play, his asking price will be around the neighborhood of 8 million per. Andres Nocioni is getting paid 6 million a season to ride the pine, and score a couple of baskets in garbage time but his contract is done after this year. Last of all, Elton Brand is making 17 million dollars a year, and only has one more year left on his contract after this season. If the Sixers can somehow void his contract....Well, the money to sign Dwight Howard might be available. This is a move that if the Sixers can somehow pull off, will put them in the top ranks right up there with the Heat, and Bulls in the Eastern Conference. 

It’s certainly easier said than done, and may be far fetched, but we can all hope and dream.. Cant we?