In this weeks Three-Man Weave, Will Strickland and Duane Watson of TSN 1050s 1 On 1 With Will & Duane are joined by Elias Sbiet, co-captain of North Pole Hoops, a leader in covering Canadian hoop stars at every level, to talk the Sterlings Monopoly Money, who can help keep Melo in Gotham, why the Raptors might go after Bramptons own Tyler Ennis in the Draft and of course, cover issues in the NBA Playoffs. Will this $2 billion sale of the Los Angeles Clippers affect the future pricing of NBA team deals? Watson: This is somewhat of an anomaly. It was the second biggest team sale in the history of sport, after the Los Angeles Dodgers went for $2 billion in 2012. Between New York and LA there is no bigger market in sports, which definitely played a factor in price. In addition to the fact this wasnt an owner looking at prospective buyers; it was more of a garage sale with billionaires coming out of the woodwork to bid. Sbiet: There are other teams in the NBA that would have higher bidders, so yes it would affect future pricing. The Lakers are estimated to be worth close to $1 billion, and if the Buss family wanted to sell, there would be potential buyers at their door and the Lakers would be in position to ask for more than $2 billion when considering the rich history. The other factors involved in the sale of a team such as; the citys population, team success and current value would be more compulsory for future pricing. Strickland: No. The expected financial windfall of the Sterlings is based on exigent circumstances, which have been well-documented within multiple media platforms. On top of the fact that the real estate is in a major market and huge free agent/player destination never hurts this price. Dont expect to see numbers like this coming up for a future sale of the Utah Jazz or Cleveland Cavaliers. Its simple geo-economics...and all mathematics. After Tyler Ennis pre-draft workout, do the Toronto Raptors trade up for the hometown point guard? Watson: Tyler Ennis would be a great pick up for any NBA team, hes the best point guard in the Draft. It would only make sense for them to do that if they arent willing to pay Greivis Vasquez or worse not pay Kyle Lowry this summer. Both are concerns, but Ennis has the type of poise that Damian Lillard had when he came in the league and exceeded expectations. Sbiet: In a record setting NBA Draft for Canadians, it would be a smart move for the Raps to keep the basketball culture rolling in this country by adding one to the roster, especially someone as celebrated and accomplished as Ennis. Hes someone you dont have to worry about as management or a coaching staff. Ennis is a true professional that will adapt quickly and earn respect from the team as a leader. On the defensive end his length and continuous development in lateral speed will help against the NBAs explosive guards. Every rookie is going to have to make adjustments coming into the league but Ennis is not one who will struggle to make them. On the other end, if they were to trade up is Ennis the piece they need or are looking for in T.O? Strickland: Depends on circumstance. In our #1On1 Mock Draft here on TSN.ca, I had Tyler going number six to Boston, which is pretty high, but also insurance given the persistent Rajon Rondo trade rumours. There is a feeling that Wheel & Deal Danny Ainge is in business to do business and Masai Ujiri is always looking to protect and serve the Raptors. Ennis would provide Ujiri with a solid contingency in the event either Kyle Lowry or Greivis Vasquez are lost to free agency. Its a long shot, but if the asset management play is right, I roll those dice to put a hometown guy who can be an impact player on my roster. If Carmelo Anthony would "embrace" Mark Jackson as coach, should the New York Knicks try and keep the pending free agent happy? Watson: The Knicks need to make decisions on coaching based on their ball club and not what their star wants. There is no guarantee that Anthony will stay and barring a miracle, the Knicks will have to endure some losses before they get to the winning pedigree of a couple of years ago. They need a coach who can command the locker room, Jackson is that guy, it just shouldnt be predicated on Melo. Sbiet: Im not a fan of the idea of "if" Carmelo embraces Mark Jackson. Yes, Melo is a superstar but superstars are being allowed too much control over management. If he wants to walk then let him go. Jackson could be exactly what New York needs in terms of someone that can get the Knicks personnel on one page. He revived the scene for the Warriors and has built a contending winning culture in the state. Of course theres a lot of pressure if he were to walk into New York, but his rock steady composure translates onto his players and that could make a major difference in his first year. Mark Jacksons record improved gradually to a 51-31 season. Anthony and the Knicks would be fortunate to land Jackson. Strickland: Mark Jackson should have some sway in the executive offices and the locker room of the Worlds Most Famous Arena. As a well-respected colour commentator turned relatively successful coach and a popular former Rookie of The Year with the Knicks, Jackson has the star power to aid Phil Jackson in having Carmelo stay in Gotham. But they have no real assets, no draft picks, a paucity of keen playmakers and no leadership right now. Would you stay? Bon Voyage, Melo! Who is doing a better coaching job in the Western Conference Finals, Scott Brooks or Gregg Popovich? Watson: In various stretches both, however Scott Brooks adjustments inserting Reggie Jackson into the starting line-up and giving key minutes to Jeremy Lamb, while benching Thabo Sefolosha have paid dividends. Plus, setting a quickened tempo in the game using the fast break on the Spurs old legs, has worked to the Thunders advantage. Sbiet: Pop, but its not a no brainer, utmost respect for Brooks. Coach Popovichs control of substitutions and play calling is an art form of its own. At this point and time the Spurs are executing so well and on many possessions, dissecting OKCs defence, especially in transition. The three games that belong to the Spurs have not just been won, but dominated. Coach Pop injects his bench at key turn around points in the game and his bench responds with major contribution. You know I cant be on here without adding a little Canadian flavour. Lets refer back to that nasty dunk by Corey Joseph after splitting the D. Strickland: Its damn near blasphemous to suggest someone can outcoach Gregg Popovich. I almost slapped myself for pondering. Perish the thought! However, lets give credit where its due. Scott Brooks dug himself and his Thunder team out of its own playoff grave once again by letting go of his fierce loyalty to his starting lineup, pulling Sefolosha for more offence with Reggie Jackson and giving Steven Adams more time in the middle over Kendrick Perkins. It didnt hurt that Brooks may or may not have employed the services of Mr. Miyagis Healing Hands to get PF Serge Ibaka back in the lineup to stop the hemorrhaging of points in the paint and create court comfort for Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant to tie the series at two wins apiece. Pop and the Spurs counterpunched deftly in Game 5. Now Brooks has to show and prove once again in Game 6 or else its #TackleBox Season. What happens to Larry Birds Pacers if they lose the Eastern Conference Finals? Watson: Something has to happen, the Pacers havent been right since January. Paul George is a keeper, but after that, do what changes are necessary. This team was built to make it to the NBA Finals, and they havent got over the hump. I like Coach Vogel, but one of his assistants, Nate McMillan, has had experience as a head coach in the NBA if Bird is willing to make a change. Either that, or pray that one of the Big Three leaves Miami. Sbiet: You never know what to expect with the Pacers. Will Hibbert show up? Will they quit their antics and play basketball? The drama thats been surrounding the team means theres been internal affairs that have been lingering. Outside of Frank Vogel, George and Luis Scola most pieces are replaceable or at least worth it for Larry Bird to shop around. The Pacers need a backcourt that can consistently come out and defend teams with serious fire power at the three point line. Strickland: Full scale upheaval, starting with Frank Vogel, who has proven to be a solid coach. But the perceived inability to hold his talented but flawed locker room from strife and turmoil in the midst of fighting for what should have been a singular goal will be considered. He would have not been the man to drive the Pacers past the Miami Heat and into the NBA Finals. The question of re-signing mercurial do-everything guard Lance Stephenson is also at the top of President and GM Larry Birds list. Small market teams are loathe to exceed the salary cap threshold and Indiana, already locked into well over $52 million in cap space next season for four of their starters, face an unenviable situation where Lance will get overpaid for his services. The Where is the Issue: Where does he go and where does all of this leave the Indiana Pacers? It would seem they would be lost in the hinterland of teams like the Cleveland Cavs of the mid-late 80s and Sacramento Kings of the late-90s/early 2000s who were on the cusp of greatness, but always seemed to fall just short in their quest for NBA championship glory. The Three-Man Weave contributors are co-hosts of TSN Radio 1050s 1-on-1 with Will and Duane, Will Strickland (@WallStrizzle1), Duane Watson (@byDuaneWatson) and guest contributor with an injured calf coming through those locker room doors this week, Elias Sbiet (@Elias_NPH). Colorado Rockies Pro Shop . Raonic, the mens No. 8 seed from Thornhill, Ont., needed more than three hours to overcome Frenchman Gilles Simon 4-6, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 and become the first Canadian man into the fourth round at Roland Garros. David Nied Jersey . In question is whether 26-year-old Matt Frattin will be on it. A a€?mediocrea€? training camp, as Carlyle put it earlier this week, has Frattin lingering nervously on the bubble at the end of the exhibition season, pushed out of a likely job by Brandon Kozun, the small, but feisty winger determined to make the NHL for the first time. https://www.cheaprockiesjerseys.us/714t-...ey-rockies.html. PAUL, Minn. Custom Colorado Rockies Jerseys . The striker headed Spurs into a 35th-minute lead and tapped in their third in the 71st after Chico Flores own goal. Wilfried Bony hit the bar and had a good penalty appeal for a push by Tottenham captain Michael Dawson turned down in the first half, before getting Swanseas consolation late on. Jon Gray Jersey . According to the sportsbook BoDog, the Stampeders are 8/5 favourites to take home the Grey Cup at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on November 24.A manager is often only as good as his players. A Liverpool team played to great acclaim a season ago. Luis Suarez was a top-three player in the world, alongside an in-form Daniel Sturridge (who managed to stay healthy), and an up-and-coming prodigy Raheem Sterling that made for the most daunting attack in all of Great Britain. It was enough for Champions League qualification. It was enough for Brendan Rodgers to win Manager of the Year. It wasnt quite enough for a long-waited Premier League title. But it was a start of something. What that something turns out to be remains to be seen. The expectation was Liverpool was a team on the rise. Shortcomings were ignored. Perhaps passionate Liverpool support forgot how hard it was to balance a domestic and Champions League campaign. Perhaps it was overlooked by all just how difficult it is to maintain top form and place, year after year, in the most balanced and competitive football league in the world. Perhaps it was understated how important Suarez was to the overall team success. And perhaps we all conveniently ignored the evident weakness of Steven Gerrard as an everyday player as Father Time continues to slow the inspiration captain. Liverpool does not have a win in the month of November, not even a draw. The Anfield club sits 12th in the table on 14 points through 12 matches. The form has been erratic and the play all over the place. They hardly look the impressive outfit of a season ago. The system is off and the players largely look clueless. To say these are trying times for Rodgers is to put it mildly. As Rodgers tries to sort out his squad, find a proper formation to please this unit, and find a way to rid the damning mistakes that keep plaguing this group, calls for his job have crept into the conversation. Manager-facing-the-sack is a side-storyline that all too often grabs ahold of the main narrative and becomes all encompassing in the everyday life at a club. Every match becomes a must-win for the manager. Collars are tightened. Every decision and performance is run through with a fine-toothed comb. Its hardly fair on Rodgers. From the penthouse to the doghouse in four months hardly makes sense. Exceptional performance brings heightened expectations. Sturridge and Suarez combined for 52 goals last season. SAS were the main catalysts for success. Yet soccer types like yours truly praised superior team movement on and off the ball, tactical flexibility and formational depth set by the manager, and emerging young talent as reason for belief superior results would continue. While those assessments arent entirely off base, they are trumped by flash points; the big moments that inevitably decide a match. Finishing. Defensive intervention. Big saves. Central midfield dominance. And referee decisions. These count. These matter. These defining moments have ended poorly for Liverpool this season. SAS would simply outscore Liverpools mistakes. Teams would be forced to play differently against Liverpool, fully understanding taking risk wasnt in the cards or they would be punished by the strike duo. Liverpool would take advantage of superior possession numbers as teams sat back to guard against SAS. That simply isnt the case anymore. Rickie Lamberts goal was the first by a striker not named Sturridge this season. And Sturridge only scored once before falling into his old ways as an injury-plagued, maddeningly frustrating enigma. Rodgers isnt managing any differently. But the way we look at him has changed. If anything, Rodgers can be blamed for spending big money on the wrong players to replace Suarez. Liverpool spent ￡113 million this summer in attempt to fill the hole left by Suarez and strengthen the squad. His signings have left much to be desired. Three Southampton players, young and unproven, and a wild card in Mario Balotelli should never have been deemed good enough for Liverpool to take the next step. Quality was replaced with quantity. Failing to find value in the market for a team with financial pressures without a new, modern stadium is a massive issue. And Rodgers eye for talent in the market should be questioned as the list of bad signings continues to grow. If you spend more than ￡100million, you expect to be challenging for the league. Rodgers flippant remark last season about Tottenhams struggles a season ago may come back to haunt him. Spurs had all kinds of problems replacing Gareth Bale. Spending, according to Rodgers, should have been enough. Now he finds himself in a similar predicament. Andre Villas-Boas lost his job at Spurs for failure to launch. Its incredible to think Rodgers may be facing the same. That comment may turn out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Rodgers shouldnt be fired. But with sky-high expectations and a lack of patience in modern day football, Rodgers has set himself up for the worst. Bad signings, controversial decision-making and poor form does nothing for job security. United in the Top Four It should have been predictable no matter who van Gaal sent out for an injury-depleted Manchester United, they would fare well against fragile Arsenal. A 2-1 win at the Emirates had more to do witth Arsenals failures than anything United showed during the cagey victory.dddddddddddd Recent years havent been kind on the Arsenal-United rivalry. Its been entirely one-sided, with United posting an impressive 11-2-3 record in all competitions since the beginning of the 2008-09 season. Arsenals inability to push back is a massive concern in North London, as is Arsenals porous record against top teams in recent seasons. The vintage performances of a decade ago between these two teams are no more. The competitive, no-love-lost engagement is seldom evident. Even worse, the quality of play has dramatically declined. Arsenal and United both have top players. Its undeniable. But the standard of play has dropped as team form has dipped. The sheer inability to finish and lack of quality in the final third continues to plague Arsenal. The Gunners should have been up at least two through the first 15 minutes if Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck had any kind of nose for goal. Likewise, poor defending also remains an Achilles heel. The forced reliance to play the average Nacho Monreal and centre-back speaks to the lack of reinforcements at Arsene Wengers disposal. There are clear and present holes across the park, notable in the defensive midfield position where average players are expected to perform extraordinarily. Its naive of Wenger to think his squad is anywhere near complete. Instead, decent ball movement with little cutting edge is what goes for good football at Arsenal these days. Its an absolute drop in the acceptable standard at the club. United is not free of criticism, despite victory. The current injury crisis demands players to play out of position or beyond their experience/level. Forty injuries and 31 different players contributing speaks volumes about the overall team approach. Its fair to question however how many in this United squad are of genuine United quality? A club like Manchester United is used to the best and can afford top talent others cannot dream of. Yet many who are playing significant roles fit the bill as good, not great players. It all starts in the midfield, where balance has not been achieved and remains a position that has lacked a true top player for years on end. United are left with the likes Marouane Fellaini, who as a good friend explains plays the role of disruptive midfielder - he disrupts the play of all 21 other players when on the field. The overall quality of the match between two Premier League giants was poor. It was scrappy, mistake-ridden, and hardly eye-pleasing for the casual. Top football is expected and demanded from teams like these. Its an overall poor reflection of the Premier League when the so-called best play such substandard football. Through it all, somehow, some way, United sits in fourth in the table. United incredibly ended the game with three 19-year-olds on the field, and it would have been four if Luke Shaw had not gone off injured. The team is far from a finished product and there remains imbalance across the park. Yet, the players, young and old, continue to show remarkable composure. Amidst mistakes, there is confidence in the process. Its an intangible you cannot quantify. Although these are trying times at a moment of change, the stature of the club has not changed. The approach bodes well for the future of this group. The quality of play is what need come next. Wenger Out? The Wenger Out campaign again gains in number and volume. Arsenal is not a title contender, rendered again to the battle for the top four. What else is new? Thats the crux of it all, and Wenger mindlessly continues to play into the madness of the masses. He is his own worst enemy, teasing fans with moronic comments like Arsenal could have had Lionel Messi, while the likes of Welbeck, Arteta, and Flamini are being rolled out as key players week after week. Its comical stuff from the manager and a club that refuses to spend to their capacity. Criticism from shareholder Alisher Usmanov hits home. The billionaire is not wrong; Arsenal need better players across the pitch. Yet Wenger remains defiant, loyal to his model that perennially fails to reach the summit of the Premier League. This is the worst start to the season for Arsenal since 82-83. But all is not lost. Yet. They are ahead of Everton, Liverpool and Spurs in the standings and only two points behind Manchester United. They are on pace to advance from the group stage in the Champions League and Arsenal is coming off an FA Cup victory. The argument of new vision and leadership at Arsenal is well taken. Wengers due date may have come and gone. Eighteen years at one club will do that. New ideas are welcome, and frankly needed at the Emirates. But now, in the middle of the season, is no time to make such a move. Wenger cannot and should not be sacked. The three-time Premier League winner deserves to go out on amicable terms. He has earned the trust of the club and its fans to see out this season. He is the best man for it. Any change should happen in the off-season. It would be apropos for Wenger to go out after another top four finish. @WheelerTSN gareth.wheeler@bellmedia.ca ' ' '