Rockets want Conroy in and Dorsey OUT!

Today was a very interesting day. The RGV Vipers acquire point guard Will Conroy. Sources close to the Vipers told me Conroy's plane lands at 5:30 and he will play in tonight’s game against Austin. Conroy is the NBA Development League's all-time leader in points (2,799), minutes played (5,852), free throws made (660), free throws attempted (948) and assist (1,267). He is also third all-time in steals with 238. So why is a player like Conroy still in the D-League after putting those type of numbers. Well sources close to the Houston Rockets told me that Conroy will not be in the Rio Grande Valley for long. The Rockets want to move him up on their current roster. Conroy received two GATORADE Call-Ups during the 2006-07 season, playing in three games with the Memphis Grizzlies and four games with the Los Angeles Clippers. With Tracy McGrady trade talk and injuries on the Houston roster it's only a matter of time before Conroy puts on a Rockets jersey. Sources close to the Rockets also tell me that the Rockets are unhappy with Joey Dorsey and will look to trade him in the future. Dorsey was a second round pick in 2008 and currently makes $881,000 for the Rockets but currently plays for the RGV Vipers. A source told me that Dorsey was told to expect to play down in the Valley for the entire year. Meaning no hope for a Joey call up. Dorsey has only played 2 minutes in his entire NBA career with a .7 points per game average.

Mike Harris Rejoins Rockets....Leaves RGV Vipers

Rio Grande Valley Viper guard Mike Harris is officially a Houston Rocket. Rockets General Manger Daryl Morey told me today that Harris cleared his physical and will join the team today. Morey simply states the reason for the move is because of “depth” something the Rockets need since Chase Budinger will miss at least two weeks with a severely sprained right ankle. A press release from the Houston Rockets will be released today at 1:30pm. I also spoke to Mike Harris who is at the hotel in Orlando. He told me he took the physical but didn’t know the official word. Harris knows now!!! Harris will be on the bench with the Houston Rockets as they take on the Orlando Magic tonight. Harris led the Vipers scoring 25.3 points per game. That’s the third highest in the NBA D-League. Harris played for the Rockets in the past when he signed a non-guaranteed deal with the Houston Rockets on July 13, 2008, and after averaging 5.0 points per game and 6.0 rebounds per game in Houston's first two preseason games, he was waived by the club before the season started on October 22. Harris also signed a 10-day NBA contract with the Houston Rockets on March 9, 2008. Harris later signed a contract from the club for the remainder of the season, with a team option for the next season. During the 2008-09 NBA preseason, Harris was released once again by the Rockets.

Gym Sock Award: “Kicking out the Kicker”

On Tuesday the Dallas Cowboys decided to have a kicking contest between Nick Folk and David Buehler. Folk missed his last five field goals and only made 3 out of his last 9 in games for Dallas. Folk ended up winning the competition but might have lost his job yesterday. The Cowboys defeated the once undefeated New Orleans Saints 27-17 but Folk has missed a league-high 10 field-goal attempts and his failure on a 26-yarder in New Orleans that could have clinched Saturday's upset of the Saints. This has reinforced internal concerns that Folk's issues are mental and demonstrate he cannot be trusted on kicks of any length. The Cowboys don’t want to get rid of the guy because they believe he can eventually be effective again. I say, “The proof is in the pudding.” Folk proves that he just can’t cut it right now and he’s stinks up the field like “GYM SOCKS” rather than a sweet flavor pudding should taste like. Veteran Jason Elam might be the kicker who can save the day. He was released by Atlanta earlier this month. Nick Folk you have stunk up the kicking game this year for the Cowboys so you are my “Gym Sock” recipient. Until then kicking drama will continue in Dallas and maybe in Houston too. Remember Kris Brown missed two game winners for the Texans this year. What’s up with Texas Kickers?

Rockets missing TEETH and Players

During the summer of 2009 the Houston Rockets took over operations of the NBA D-league Rio Grande Valley Vipers. This allows the Rockets to develop players for the NBA and also keep their own players on reserve when needed. Well this is the best time for the Rockets to put their resources into use. Rockets forward Carl Landry is day-to-day after colliding with Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, resulting in damage to five of his teeth. Small forward Chase Budinger suffered a right ankle sprain Saturday. He will be re-evaluated today. If Houston needs anyone extra in the meantime Vipers forward Mike Harris will probably be the next up.
Harris is third in scoring in NBADL averaging 26.2 points per game. Harris also played for the Rockets in 2008 during their 22 game winning streak. If the Rockets decide to play guard Jermaine Taylor then they might recall forward/center Joey Dorsey to sit on the bench. If Houston goes that route then they can recall Dorsey tomorrow after the Vipers vs Reno game and send him back down before Saturdays game if Budinger or Landry returns.

I want Joique Bell to win the Harlon Hill Trophy

Joique Bell is not only a good friend but he was my teammate. I knew the day he came to play for Wayne State he was a star. Now as a Sportscaster for a CBS station, I can say I've seen a lot of great football players. Joique Bell is different. Most of the time when Joique runs the football I can only look at my best friend and former teammate Floyd Ferjuste and say, "How did he do that." On December 11th the NCAA will announce the 24th Harlon Hill Trophy. The Harlon Hill is giving to the player of the year in division II football. Joique Bell will join junior quarterback Zach Amedro of West Liberty (W.V.) and senior quarterback Nick Graziano of Arkansas Tech University as the three finalist. Although the national voting concluded on November 28th. Joique Bell led the nation in rushing with 2,084 yards on 326 carries and 29 touchdowns. Do the math that's 6.39 yards per carry. That a first down every time Bell carries the ball twice. Who needs the standard four downs when you have Joique Bell. I wish I could add my vote. Amedro and Graziano are great players and I have kept up with their stats throughout the year but Joique Bell is a "MAN CHILD." He plays like a man amongst boys. It's too late for me to vote but I can write who deserves the award. "JOIQUE FOR HARLON HILL!!!"

The Big Pay Back

Mingo Rincon said it best quote “We are better than last year, we are coming back and you better not take us lightly.” Mingo was talking to the football players at Austin Westlake. Harlingen defeated previously unbeaten San Antonio Southwest to advance to the regional round at the Alamodome for a rematch against Austin Westlake, the team that defeated the Cardinals in last years 5A regional. Harlingen head football coach Manny Gomez even posted a sign during the first day of camp that said, “Remember the Alamodome.” I’m sure the Cards were remembering and waiting for this rematch since the clock struck zero in last year’s game. Usually Rio Grande Valley teams have no chance against teams north of San Antonio. I personally think that might change on Friday at 4pm. Harlingen is different this year. 2008 was a great year but this team has little bit of a swagger. They carry themselves like a team hungry to be and beat the best. This Harlingen team has manhandled ever team on their schedule for all for quarters. The Cardinals are like the energizer bunny. They keep going and going and going. Which team will be able to neutralize the relentlessness of Harlingen? I don’t know the answer but I don’t think Austin Westlake will. This team has a new flavor and I’m sure Harlingen is going to give Austin Westlake a bitter taste after Friday night.

Yes Ucan

How big of a win is this for the University of Connecticut. To see Connecticut head football coach Randy Edsall cry on national television made perfect sense. His football team just won their biggest game in school history, a 33-30 double overtime win over the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, a school with so much history and tradition. It’s funny because I was offered a full athletic scholarship to play football at Uconn. That was ten years ago when coach Edsall had a vision of turning around a division 1-AA program. As coach Edsall sat on the coach at my house with my parents in January of 1999, I knew Connecticut moving up to a division 1-A program in two years wasn’t an easy transition. But I saw that VISION of a coach that was about to start his first head job. As I watched the Connecticut at Notre Dame football game I could see the vision become reality. I noticed myself, a diehard Fighting Irish football fan cheering for the Huskies football team the same way I would cheer the huskies basketball team. I realized the green and gold program was out and the blue and white is moving in. My friend Dan Orlovsky, a Uconn grad and current Houston Texan quarterback, used to tell me how the program was gaining national recognition. That was after Connecticut won their first bowl game over Toledo in 2005. First bowl game just four years ago and now Uconn just beat Notre Dame on national television. How big is this win you may ask again? Well I am currently on my way to my home in Connecticut for nine days. As I write this on the plane packed with Uconn fans and a few Notre Dame fans born in Connecticut, I couldn’t help myself but chant the UCONN cheer before take off. We are the close nit little state of Connecticut. This week this little state just made some big time history in a humongous country. Go Huskies!!!!

Flu like symptoms for Joey Dorsey and three other RGV Vipers

Anyone who knows Joey Dorsey like myself knows he wasn't excited when the Rockets sent him to the Rio Grande Valley to improve his game. To add more fuel to the fire Dorsey can't practice until he stops vomiting because of food poisoning after eating chicken at a local restaurant in McAllen Texas. Julian Sensley and Garrett Temple joined Dorsey last night at the restaurant and suffer from the same sickness. Jonathan Wallace didn't eat with the the three players but missed practiced with flue like symptoms after he at a CHICKEN lean cuisine. Vipers head coach Chris Finch told me that he expect all four players to return for Saturday's exhibition against Austin Saturd

ay. Joey Dorsey told me he should be ready to return to practice tomorrow while eating his soup.

I

was shocked when he told me it was CHICKEN noodle soup.

North vs South

Who is better??? Northern football vs Southern football??? You tell me?

Don King Please Call Me

Today as I went to interview boxer King James De La Rosa. Bad news came before I could ask my first question. Recently King James signed a contract with Don King Promotions. In James De La Rosa's new contract there are certain rules regarding when he can talk to the media. King James will call me later to what those terms are. As of right now I can't interview King James unless Don King allows him to do so. I can't complain as I see King James move up in the world boxing ranks. Juan De La Rosa, the father of King James, told me Don King can see a title shot coming in the next year and a half. I have built up a relationship with the De La Rosa family and covered James when he was 8-0. King James is now 20-0 (12 KO's). I remember putting together a story on James and his brother J.P. in September of 2008. I watched every fight iincluding the hundreds of amateur fights between the two. The King and the De La Rosa family know our friendship will never end but as of right now I will just have to wait. That's just how contracts are for big time boxers. Maybe James De La Rosa's contract can be different. This could possibly happen

"ONLY IN AMERICA!!!"

D's Picks: High School Football Playoffs

Ok Valley football fans. This is playoff time!!!! Every team better show up or expect to stay home in round two. Here are my picks for the first round of the High School Football Playoffs!!!

Thursday:
4A
Mission Veterans vs Corpus Christi Flour Bluff: Flour Bluff Wins

Friday:
5A
Brownsville Pace vs PSJA North: Pace Wins
San Benito vs Harlingen High: Harlingen Wins
Edinburg North vs Los Fresnos: Los Fresnos Wins
Edinburg vs Brownsville Hanna: Hanna Wins
Laredo Alexander vs Misson Sharyland: Sharyland Wins
Rio Grande City vs San Antonio Southwest: S.A. Southwest Wins
McAllen vs Eagle Pass: Eagle Pass Wins

4A
Alice vs Mission: Mission Wins
Corpus Christi Calallen vs Weslaco East: Weslaco East
Mercedes vs Corpus Christi Tuloso-Midway: Mercedes Wins

3A
Lyford vs Mathis: Lyford Wins
Rio Hondo vs Sinton: Sinton Wins

1A
La Villa vs Falls City: Falls City

Saturday:
4A
Mercedes vs Corpus Christi Tuloso-Midway: Mercedes Wins

San Benito coach on MEDIA BOYCOTT but talks to ME

I heard through the grapevine that San Benito head football coach Spencer Gantt is not talking to the media this week. Through the grapevine coach Gantt wants his kids to be focused on Friday's 1st round playoff game against Harlingen High. I decided to call Mr. Gantt tonight and I was surprised that coach picked up the phone. Although he won't let me speak to the players I reminded him that the last time I interviewed the team the Greyhounds crushed Los Fresnos 52-27. That's the fist district loss for Los Fresnos since 2005. I guess superstition is powerful as our conversation didn't end. I did mention that during the Los Fresnos week coach Gantt said quote, "to be the best you have to beat the best," end quote. He laughed. Before the end of our conversation coach Gantt also said quote, "Darren you can interview Harlingen during your live shot before the game but after you better interview me" end quote. I guess that means he expects San Benito to upset Harlingen.

Spurs defeat Raptors Recap from the AT&T Center in San Antonio

Game Finale update.....Tim Duncan and Tony Parker a no go. Toronto played well. This game went back and forth. 21 lead changes and 9 ties in this one. I guess that's pretty good since Timmy D and T-Parker are in street clothes. Manu Ginobili was 14-16 shooting for a team high 36 points 8 assist and 4 blocks that Manu told me he didn't know he had for the Spurs. Ginobili continues to get rabies shots. Maybe Manu should get rabies shots for the rest of the season. Ginobili told me this was the best he played in a long time. Overall most of the player for San Antonio stepped their game up. Richard Jefferson and Marcus Hill combined for 46 points while Matt Bonner finished with 18 off the bench. Overall tonight was a great night. Even Richard Jefferson offered me a bite of his corn on the cob. I said no thank you. (the H1N1 was on my mind)

Raptors 124 Spurs 131 Final

GYM SOCK AWARD WINNER!!! "YOU HAVE ONE JOB, MAKE A FIELD GOAL"

I played football for 15 years and I can't count how many times the kicker lets the team down. Today Houston Texans kicker Kris Brown misses a 42 yard field wide left. A kicker sits on the sideline and kicks into a net. Five minutes later he's still on the sidelines kicking into a net. Practicing and Practicing for one moment. A moment so many kickers choke. Texans lose 20-17 to Indianapolis. The Colts improve to 8-0 on the year. Most football players know football is 90% mental. Football players practice and get mentally in shape. What do the kickers do. They practice on another field kicking dandelions. Maybe that's why kickers choke during crucial game changing kicks. They don't practice with the team so their are not mental in shape to overcome big time kicks. I remember rushing for 225 yards and three touchdowns to lose the game because my kicker missed a 32 yard game winning field goal. That's why Kris Brown is the first recipient of my "GYM SOCK AWARD!!!"

Valley's Leading Rusher is OK!!!!

Good news!! Hanna running back Enrique Saldaña does not have a concussion. He will practice tomorrow morning with the team. Hanna Head Coach Tom Chavez told me that a player on the Pace football team punched Saldaña's face under the pile during the 2ND quarter. Wow I remember those days. Most players usually went for my eyes. The game is set. Hanna will have the Rio Grande Valley's leading rusher on Friday. Edinburg High versus Hanna at Sam's Stadium in Brownsville. BE THERE!!!

San Benito does not lose but Harlingen is next!!!

So San Benito is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2007. Great performance by the Greyhounds defeating Rivera 48-21. This team improves every week. The date and time is set for next week. Battle of the Arroyo "The Postseason Addition" is next. Harlingen vs San Benito at Boggus Stadium on Friday. Harlingen's a different bread. I love San Benito but I really feel Harlingen has too many "CONSISTENT" weapons. When I used to play football one of my favorite quotes were "Play to the whistle and all out for 48 minutes." If I had to look that phrase up the team picture for Harlingen's football team will be there. It's a rematch!!! Harlingen whooped them once but will just beat them this time. Sorry Greyhounds but maybe this can be motivation to prove me wrong. It worked when I played.

San Benito Better Not Lose

San Benito against Brownsville Rivera tonight at Bobby Morrow Stadium. Winner will play in the 5A playoffs. Loser goes home and watches me on the news talk about other teams. If San Benito loses this game I will be shocked. San Benito defeated Los Fresnos and played a great game against Pace. Rivera has only three wins this entire season!!!! San Benito's 1st year Head Coach Spencer Gantt and I spoke this morning. Coach, "this game determines a great start to your career or the biggest disappointment in your career." Destiny is in your hands!!

T-rash Talk T-Shirts in Edinburg

I thought it was hilarious that the Edinburg North football team wanted to make City Championship T-Shirts. I'm laughing because the shirt will to show off how many times the cougars beat Edinburg High. The Edinburg North football team COULDN'T REMEMBER THE COUNT!!! Did Edinburg North really beat Edinburg High that many times that even Cougars Head Coach Roy Garza couldn't even remember. Ouch! I don't even know the total record. I'm curious for tonight's game. One friend of mine from Edinburg High already told me the T-Shirt idea has spread into the hallways of Bobcat City. Game time is tonight at 7:30 at Bobcat Stadium. I wonder if we should see some interesting signs or T-shirts during the game. Stay tuned......

Come to Play or don't play at all

I was a little bit concerned about the Los Fresnos Volleyball team after a close battle between Edinburg North on Tuesday. After the lady Cougars won game two the playoff light bulb went off on the Los Fresnos sideline. The Lady Falcons bounced back with a 3-1 win and a victory over McAllen Memorial last night. Los Fresnos didn't lose one game in district 32-5A. Maybe it was the easy competition but the Lady Falcons look like they were caught off guard in the first round of the playoffs. After defeating Memorial in five games it looks like Los Fresnos knows they need to play their best every game. Los Fresnos will play the winner of Saturday's McAllen Rowe/PSJA High game. Trust me Los Fresnos better be ready because either team is a huge threat.

Hanna's Cinderella Story (Male Version)

All I could do is smile watching from the sidelines as Hanna High School wins their first football district championship since 1969 when the school was call Brownsville High. I remember talking to Enrique Saldaña, running back for the Eagles, about winning a district title over the summer. Honestly I thought he was out of his mind. Week after week passed by and I became closer to Saldana and the Hanna football team. I was a witness to these boys in the brown and gold shocking the valley and proving the valley's preseason predictions wrong. I interviewed Angelo Quadalquivir and the first thing he said was "this was a blessing from GOD." For a school to only win 5 games in the last three years I believe Quadalquivir completely. Now the Hanna Eagles are 9-1 and district 32-5a champions. The bad news is Enrique Saldaña did suffer a possible concussion during their final district game. Enrique from a former running back to you a current r.b. do whatever you can to return. Your team didn't look the same without you. Playoffs now baby!!! That's where the men separate from the boys.

D'S LOCKER GRAND OPENING!!!!

Hello everyone and welcome to D's Locker. Your source for more sports!!! If you love to talk about sports you are at the right place. I will talk about every sport from little league to the pros. I look forward reading your comments and concerns regarding the sports world.