WHO'S Hot
Derek Anderson
Nice month. Soon after his first trip to the Pro Bowl, the free-agent QB re-signed in Cleveland
for three years and $24 million. That, says G.M. Phil Savage
, makes him the "lead horse" in the battle with Brady Quinn
. And what do you get for the horse who has everything? Cleveland
's next move was landing playmaking receiver Donte' Stallworth
.
Wally Szczerbiak
He went from loser to winner when Seattle
dealt him to Cleveland
, and the sixth man is settling in nicely next to the King. Szczerbiak's 17 points helped the Cavs beat Chicago
on Sunday—one day after he and his wife, Shannon, had a son they're calling Maximus Jack.
Warriors
Last year's NBA
playoff darlings are this year's consistent winners; the team hasn't lost back-to-back games in two months, and by climbing to eighth in the West, the Warriors
(36--22) are truly in a golden state. Forward Stephen Jackson
: "We're starting to realize we're playing for something."
Louisville
It's not just the win over Villanova
that's reason for glee; Louisville
(24--6) is 9--0 since Jan. 28. "I'm delighted with where we're at," said coach Rick Pitino
. So's forward Juan Palacios
(right), who had 13 points on Sunday in the first college game his mother, Mar�a, up from Colombia
, ever saw him play.
WHO's Not
David Carr
A new lease on life? Not so much. After his disappointing five-season turn in Houston
, the well-coiffed QB bombed so badly with the Panthers
in '07 that last week they cut him loose. ("It didn't work out," explained G.M. Marty Hurney
.) The final burn: Carolina
's next move was landing playmaking receiver Muhsin Muhammad
.
Brandon Inge
Everyone's excited about the Tigers' new power-packed lineup—except Inge
, who lost his third-base job to incoming Miguel Cabrera
. Now he wants a trade, especially after a stint at his old position, catcher, on Sunday left him with "kind of a downer feeling."
Warrior
That's what some call NHL
heavyweight Chris Simon
; others consider him a thug. The oft-suspended forward (SI, Oct. 29, 2007) got dealt to Minnesota
, rankling the Wild faithful (a good group, poll below). The team got so many complaints, it issued a letter saying it was "aware of fans' concerns."
Syracuse
It's not just the loss to Pitt that hurts—though coach Jim Boeheim
called it "the most disappointing game I've ever been involved with," after Syracuse
blew an 11point lead in the last 3:30. Syracuse
(17--12) has lost five of six, all but ensuring it'll miss the NCAAs
for the second straight year.