Wow! I can't believe it has been since June since I mused about sports on here. So much ground to cover. Let's get started....
* Is anyone as sick of the Patroits as I am? I really hope they win all of their regular season games then get thumped by the Cleveland Browns in the playoffs. yes, they are a good team...maybe the best ever...but let's turn the hype machine down a notch or two. They did almost blow a game to the Eagles with A.J. feely at QB.
* Here's a shocker, OJ is in trouble with the law again. Bigger shock, he pleaded not guilty. What would be worse, OJ beating this rap or him not beating this rap and going to jail NOT for killing his wife and another guy but for breaking into a hotel room to steal back crap he already owned?
* I'm going out on a limb here but I'm guessing Isiah Thomas can't wait for this year to be over...not that '08 will be better for him.
* Not to pat myself on the back, but many thought I was smoking something illegal when I predicted last December that the University at Buffalo would go 6-6 and make it to a bowl game. 2008 outcome: 5-7 overall and a share of the MAC East Division and a tie breaker from going to MAC title game.
* If you really want to read a great American journalist, read Fox Sports' jason Whitlock's column on the death of Sean Taylor. I wish more folks would speak the truth like him...http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7499442?MSNHPHCP>1=10637
* If the Packers and Cowboys play on the NFL Network, which most of America can't see, does the outcome count? I guess we are all blessed that we don't have to listen to Bryant Gumbel.
* Big TV news for me...well, wait a few more days and check my homepage for an announcement.
I'm off to go find out whatever happened to my cassette of the Chicago Bears Super Bowl shuffle.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
The Best Team in Sports
Seen as the NBA Finals wrapped up last night it probably isn't a shock that I think the San Antonio Spurs are the best team in sports. The reasoning behind this should not shock you either.
I'm not talking about how they dominated their league like the Celtics in the 1960's or had the biggest names like the 1980's 49ers but how the Spurs have put together a team of unselfish, team players with a common goal.
When was the last time you heard of a San Antonio player getting in trouble with the law or for that matter in a game. Their players led by Tim Duncan's example keep their nose clean on and off the court. Yes, Duncan had the one run in with Joey Crawford this year and Bruce Bowen is considered by some to be a dirty player for his physical play. Duncan is allowed one overreaction during his otherwise spotless career and hasn't Bowen been considered the best defensive player in the league.
I got a laugh when some media types said that Tony Parker's solid play "came out of nowhere". Newsflash. He is good and has been good since he got into the league. Just because he doesn't flaunt his skills like #81 from Big D doesn't mean he isn't a star.
Their role players compliment their two stars as well.
Manu Ginobli- Duncan referred to him as their "x-factor".
Robert Horry- All he does is win championships...what is this 7 now?
Michael Finley- Was the star in Dallas but is more than happy to be a the 4th or 5th option. Could you see Kobe or AI doing this?
Brent Barry- An overachiever who never complained after his minutes where cut in half this season.
Franisco Elson- Who? A jounreyman who played overseas and with the Nuggets before finding his nitch with the Spurs.
Gregg Popovich deserves most of the credit for assembling this roster of guys who have the same desire...to see their team win. Not all championships have that. It is not a coincidence that not one member of the team uttered the word Dynasty last night despite winning four championships since 1999. Let's hope all team's in all sports see that you can win titles and have a very successful franchise without the selfish, self-promoting goons that seem to have taken over the world of sports.
I'm not talking about how they dominated their league like the Celtics in the 1960's or had the biggest names like the 1980's 49ers but how the Spurs have put together a team of unselfish, team players with a common goal.
When was the last time you heard of a San Antonio player getting in trouble with the law or for that matter in a game. Their players led by Tim Duncan's example keep their nose clean on and off the court. Yes, Duncan had the one run in with Joey Crawford this year and Bruce Bowen is considered by some to be a dirty player for his physical play. Duncan is allowed one overreaction during his otherwise spotless career and hasn't Bowen been considered the best defensive player in the league.
I got a laugh when some media types said that Tony Parker's solid play "came out of nowhere". Newsflash. He is good and has been good since he got into the league. Just because he doesn't flaunt his skills like #81 from Big D doesn't mean he isn't a star.
Their role players compliment their two stars as well.
Manu Ginobli- Duncan referred to him as their "x-factor".
Robert Horry- All he does is win championships...what is this 7 now?
Michael Finley- Was the star in Dallas but is more than happy to be a the 4th or 5th option. Could you see Kobe or AI doing this?
Brent Barry- An overachiever who never complained after his minutes where cut in half this season.
Franisco Elson- Who? A jounreyman who played overseas and with the Nuggets before finding his nitch with the Spurs.
Gregg Popovich deserves most of the credit for assembling this roster of guys who have the same desire...to see their team win. Not all championships have that. It is not a coincidence that not one member of the team uttered the word Dynasty last night despite winning four championships since 1999. Let's hope all team's in all sports see that you can win titles and have a very successful franchise without the selfish, self-promoting goons that seem to have taken over the world of sports.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
My indecisive blog...
Just sitting here with my blog wondering whatever happened to A.C. Cowlings. I saw a white Ford Bronco the other day and thought of A.C. slowly cruising down the LA freeway with you know who in the back. I'm sure the Ford family loves that association.
* Even days after LeBron's legendary Game 5 performance, it's hard to believe he is just 22 years old! With Detroit looking old and the prospect of the two best players in this year's draft heading out West, LeBron and company can become the next Eastern Dynasty.
* So Billy Donovan is the new head coach for the Orlando Magic...or is he? Shocking how you can sign a 27.7 million dollar contract then decide within hours that you really didn't want it after all. Now, the NBA is considering banning him from coaching an NBA team for 5 years. I think a lifetime ban is in order. Billy the kid is making Orlando look like a bunch of chumps, not to mention the U. of Florida for leaving to take Orlando's money. Sadly, Florida will welcome him back with open arms and Orlando will be left at the alter with all of their guests snickering under their collective breath about how they tried to overachieve and failed. If I was David Stern, I would tell Billy that he lost his opportunity to coach at the pro level and best of luck on being the mayor of Gainesville again.
* The NHL playoffs have been exciting but a couple of things have really put a damper on this great stretch. (1) The NHL needs to come up with actual rules when it comes to kicked in pucks. Why do they not count in the Buffalo-New York series but they do in the Ottawa-Anaheim series? Some things are black and white. Either they are all goals or not...then their is no need to waste time with reviews. Let the refs call the game on the ice. (2) Don Cherry said during the intermission of Game 4 that he blames the NHL and NBC for curbing fighting, and called it "a big mistake," adding, "Let's return to rock 'em, sock 'em hockey." He denounced the league and the network for thinking less fighting would increase U.S. viewing audiences. Cherry has to realize that American hockey fans are not like Canadian fans who remember the old school ways. With 24 of the 30 teams being in the U.S. and bringing in a lot more revenue to the league, the NHL should cater to the American fans. Cherry added that U.S. sports fans like violence and sited the NFL and NASCAR as examples. I don't watch NASCAR but I'm pretty sure even with all the physicality of pro football, there is almost zero fighting and it is the most popular sport around.
* Even days after LeBron's legendary Game 5 performance, it's hard to believe he is just 22 years old! With Detroit looking old and the prospect of the two best players in this year's draft heading out West, LeBron and company can become the next Eastern Dynasty.
* So Billy Donovan is the new head coach for the Orlando Magic...or is he? Shocking how you can sign a 27.7 million dollar contract then decide within hours that you really didn't want it after all. Now, the NBA is considering banning him from coaching an NBA team for 5 years. I think a lifetime ban is in order. Billy the kid is making Orlando look like a bunch of chumps, not to mention the U. of Florida for leaving to take Orlando's money. Sadly, Florida will welcome him back with open arms and Orlando will be left at the alter with all of their guests snickering under their collective breath about how they tried to overachieve and failed. If I was David Stern, I would tell Billy that he lost his opportunity to coach at the pro level and best of luck on being the mayor of Gainesville again.
* The NHL playoffs have been exciting but a couple of things have really put a damper on this great stretch. (1) The NHL needs to come up with actual rules when it comes to kicked in pucks. Why do they not count in the Buffalo-New York series but they do in the Ottawa-Anaheim series? Some things are black and white. Either they are all goals or not...then their is no need to waste time with reviews. Let the refs call the game on the ice. (2) Don Cherry said during the intermission of Game 4 that he blames the NHL and NBC for curbing fighting, and called it "a big mistake," adding, "Let's return to rock 'em, sock 'em hockey." He denounced the league and the network for thinking less fighting would increase U.S. viewing audiences. Cherry has to realize that American hockey fans are not like Canadian fans who remember the old school ways. With 24 of the 30 teams being in the U.S. and bringing in a lot more revenue to the league, the NHL should cater to the American fans. Cherry added that U.S. sports fans like violence and sited the NFL and NASCAR as examples. I don't watch NASCAR but I'm pretty sure even with all the physicality of pro football, there is almost zero fighting and it is the most popular sport around.
Friday, May 18, 2007
As Landis Turns
Just sitting here wondering whatever happened to Greg Lemond.
Well, he has turned up in the always bizarre Floyd Landis doping case. Yes, I too can't believe that cyclist actually try to cheat. Apparently, they didn't get the memo that they are riding bikes. What, next your going to tell me that Curlers use performance enhancing drugs....more 'roids, faster brooms?
Sorry, I got off topic. The Landis hearing took a chaotic twist Thursday when fellow American Tour de France champion Greg LeMond revealed he had been sexually abused as a child and claimed the Landis camp tried to use it as a threat to keep LeMond from testifying.
Landis then fired his manager, Will Geoghegan, when it came to light that he had made the call. He of course gave a half hearted apology the next day.
During his short, explosive bit of testimony, LeMond told of a conversation he had with Landis after news of Landis' positive "A" urine sample during his 2006 Tour victory had been leaked to the press.
LeMond urged Landis to come clean if, in fact, his backup "B" sample also came back tainted.
LeMond said he used the story of his being sexually abused when he was 6 as an example of how it's good to get things out in the open.
He said he told Landis that very few people knew that about him and then accused someone in the Landis camp of using that information Wednesday night to intimidate him from appearing as a witness.
LeMond described receiving a call that he said he later traced to the cell phone of Landis' manager, Will Geoghegan.
"He said, 'I'll be there tomorrow and we can talk about how we used to ...,'" LeMond said, finishing his sentence with a graphic sexual description. "I thought this was intimidation to keep me from coming here."
He said he was so distraught by the call that he filed a police report, which was presented as evidence by attorneys. LeMond showed his cell phone screen with a record of the number from which he received the call. The number matched that on Geoghegan's business card.
Why can't Floyd Landis just admit that he cheated, take his punishment like a man, then call Jason Giambi to find out how to rehabilitate your reputation after being caught cheating.
So what have we learned here today:
1- Floyd Landis is a dope...and a bad liar.
2- Floyd Landis' agent is a dope...and a really bad liar.
3- Greg LeMond should mind his own business.
4- Greg LeMond should not tell people stories he wants kept secret.
5- Someone still apparently cares about cycling.
6- I have yet again amazed myself to expound on a topic I know nothing about.
Well, he has turned up in the always bizarre Floyd Landis doping case. Yes, I too can't believe that cyclist actually try to cheat. Apparently, they didn't get the memo that they are riding bikes. What, next your going to tell me that Curlers use performance enhancing drugs....more 'roids, faster brooms?
Sorry, I got off topic. The Landis hearing took a chaotic twist Thursday when fellow American Tour de France champion Greg LeMond revealed he had been sexually abused as a child and claimed the Landis camp tried to use it as a threat to keep LeMond from testifying.
Landis then fired his manager, Will Geoghegan, when it came to light that he had made the call. He of course gave a half hearted apology the next day.
During his short, explosive bit of testimony, LeMond told of a conversation he had with Landis after news of Landis' positive "A" urine sample during his 2006 Tour victory had been leaked to the press.
LeMond urged Landis to come clean if, in fact, his backup "B" sample also came back tainted.
LeMond said he used the story of his being sexually abused when he was 6 as an example of how it's good to get things out in the open.
He said he told Landis that very few people knew that about him and then accused someone in the Landis camp of using that information Wednesday night to intimidate him from appearing as a witness.
LeMond described receiving a call that he said he later traced to the cell phone of Landis' manager, Will Geoghegan.
"He said, 'I'll be there tomorrow and we can talk about how we used to ...,'" LeMond said, finishing his sentence with a graphic sexual description. "I thought this was intimidation to keep me from coming here."
He said he was so distraught by the call that he filed a police report, which was presented as evidence by attorneys. LeMond showed his cell phone screen with a record of the number from which he received the call. The number matched that on Geoghegan's business card.
Why can't Floyd Landis just admit that he cheated, take his punishment like a man, then call Jason Giambi to find out how to rehabilitate your reputation after being caught cheating.
So what have we learned here today:
1- Floyd Landis is a dope...and a bad liar.
2- Floyd Landis' agent is a dope...and a really bad liar.
3- Greg LeMond should mind his own business.
4- Greg LeMond should not tell people stories he wants kept secret.
5- Someone still apparently cares about cycling.
6- I have yet again amazed myself to expound on a topic I know nothing about.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Checking my (Sports) Shorts
Bloggin', wondering whatever happened to Mitch Richmond. Remember Run TMC “back in the day” with the Golden State Warriors? T & C have been in the news recently. Chris Mullin (C) was just named as finalist for the Basketball Hall of Fame and Tim Hardaway (T) well, we now know who he doesn’t like, but nothing from the M. The old saying is everything happens in three…so Mitch, you’re on the clock!
* While we are on the subject, Hardaway apologized again Sunday for his anti-gay remarks about former NBA player John Amaechi, telling a Miami television station that he "didn't mean" to say what he said in a South Florida radio interview last week. I have two problems with this. First, when Dan LeBartard, who did the interview, gave Hardaway an opportunity, to retract is statement, Hardaway went even further about how much he detested gays. Second, he is apologizing for what he said, not his way of thinking, which he will not change. That makes his apology meaningless.
* I still don’t get the fuss about NASCAR. Beside the fact that their “Super Bowl” and Opening Day are the same day, which I don’t understand, they are still just driving around making left hand turns. Don’t see what is exciting about that. I will give kudos to the driver who crossed the finish line at Daytona on Sunday on his hood. $50 says 40% of the people who have seen the video (me included) reacted like this, “Wow, thought that only happened in the movies.”
*Is 14 days too soon after the Super Bowl to think that I miss football? If it is, let me know what is a reasonable time and then I will tell you then that I miss football.
* Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks said the team nixed (get it?) his best idea for the Slam Dunk competition last weekend in Las Vegas. Robinson, the 2006 winner, wanted to leap over a pool table that had a Playboy Bunny sitting on it. Apparently, Robinson has practiced the dunk before. This brings up two questions, (1) is this why the Knicks are so crappy…worrying about Nate’s dunks and not about the actual games and (2) who do you think filled in for the Playboy Bunny in while he practiced.
* Major League Baseball players are beginning to report to Spring Training, which means we can officially eliminate the Tampa Bay Devil Rays from the playoff race.
* After watching 11 Top 25 teams lose this weekend, I can’t be more excited about March Madness. The NCAA Tournament provides more drama than General Hospital in a postseason that is truly anyone’s guess as to whom will be the last one standing. An early pick for this year’s George Mason…how about Virginia Commonwealth. They are out of the same league, the Colonial Athletic Association, and have a up and coming coach Anthony Grant. Grant was Billy Donavan's top aide at Florida. VCU has an RPI of 44 and could make some noise in the Big Dance.
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