OTP SPORTS

Welcome to the first edition of OTP Sports. As you can see this section will suffer strongly from a Philadelphia bias. But really, aren't you sick of reading all those columns by New York and Boston sports fans - like the Yankees and the Red Sox are on the only two baseball teams in the world. For those that wish to read the ranting of an obsessed Yankees fan, please check out the Hauser Report.

Eagles All Pro linebacker Jeremiah Trotter skulked out of town after rejecting the Birds "measly" 5.5 million dollar offer as a designated "franchise" player. Was the Eagles unwillingness to show Trotter the money an example of penny-pinching or wise cap-management? The jury's out, but the Eagles are trying to build a team for the long-run and want to avert a Ravens-like purge. If losing Trotter lets them keep the rest of their core and add the piece their defense really needs (one more difference-maker on the defensive line to go with Hugh Douglas and Corey Simon) it will turn out to be the right move.

On the other hand, Phillies third baseman Scott Rolen is a totally different matter. He could be the cornerstone of what looks to be the first solid Phillies team in two decades (1993 was fun, but a fluke). Instead he will most likely be wearing pinstripes in a year.

The 76ers are once more hobbling into the playoffs - but despite the rickety record they may actually be healthier than they were last year at this time. Their defensive stopper, Eric Snow, is close to 100%, and Iverson will return far less banged up than he was last year. The road to the Leastern Conference championship still goes through Philadelphia.

My picks for the individual awards:
MVP: Tim Duncan, Spurs
Coach of the Year: Rick Carlise, Pistons
Defensive Player of the Year: Ben Wallace, Pistons
Rookie of the Year: Pau Gasol, Grizzlies

ALL NBA
1st Team: Shaq, Duncan, Garnett, Kobe, Kidd
2nd Team: Nowitzski, Webber, McGrady, Iverson, Payton
3rd Team: B.Wallace, K.Malone, Stojkovic, Pierce, A.Miller