Headlines
Yankees beat Twins in 10 innings off third straight walk-off
Going to the game yesterday, I wasn't expecting much. After two straight walk-off wins, there had to be a let down. They had to come back to Earth. But after the Yankees came back in the seventh to tie it, I knew they weren't going to go quietly into the late afternoon. Other than the Damon walk-off and Teixeira's diving stop at first, the key to the game was Alfredo Aceves' scoreless 10th inning. New York's bullpen has a penchant for throwing a lot of pitches, walking batters and just being terrible at times. But Aceves did what the Yankees needed in the 10th. He worked quickly, changed speeds, and threw strikes. Eleven pitches later, it was off into the bottom of the tenth. Note to the Yankees: If Chien-Ming Wang comes back and is terrible again, it's time to put Aceves back in the rotation. With a sub-3.00 ERA and durable arm, he is perfect as a fifth starter.
Magic disposes of Celtics in Game 7, onto Cleveland
I thought I was going to watch this game, but then I remembered the Survivor finale was on. I couldn't miss that. It was the final four! Taj, JT, Stephen, and Erinn. JT ended up winning the million dollars. Which was expected. What wasn't expected was the utter domination Orlando displayed on the road against the Celtics. Well, Boston cut it to 5 at the end of the third. But the fourth belonged to the Magic. Now it's off to Cleveland where Lebron James and the rest of the Cavaliers have been resting for about, checks watch, a month. There is an off chance that Orlando makes a series out of it, but it seems as if James as a win-at-all-costs attitude this year. So I wouldn't be surprised if the Cavs sweep the Magic out of the playoffs and strut into the Finals.
New England was eerily quiet this evening (I’m guessing)
You can't put too much stock in a May loss to a non-divisional opponent. But this one had to sting. David Ortiz goes 0 for 7 with 3 strikeouts and leaving 12 (!) men on base in a 5-4 loss to the Angels in twelve innings. Jeff Mathis drove in the winning run in the bottom of the twelve. And in case you're keeping score at home, Big Papi is batting a robust .208 for the season with no homeruns. Lets not forget that .618 OPS. Should I go through some of the players who have a higher OPS than that this year? You're right, I should. Freddie Sanchez, Kosuke Fukudome, Mike Napoli, Orlando Hudson, Jason Kubel, Jesus Flores, Russell Branyan, Kurt Suzuki, Marco Scutaro, and many, many more.
Look. We all know that this series was going to go seven games. Since their inception, the Celtics have been in about 1000 game sevens. But if Boston plays anything like they did tonight on Sunday, there won't be an opportunity for them to play another one. It was fun to watch them struggle and play dumb basketball for once. For forty-eight minutes they took bad shots, made bad passes and let Dwight Howard own the boards. Yet they kept it close. Keep your fingers crossed for a Magic win on Sunday. I've had it up to here (Hand at chin), with this impromptu Celtics run. It's very inconvenient. I liked it a lot better when they were tanking games down the stretch so they would have a better lottery pick.
"When exiting the bandwagon, please stand clear of the doors." Anyway, unlike yesterday's game seven, this one (as well as the Red Wings/Ducks one) was riveting. I was riveted. Versus was nice enough to put Sports Soup on hold and play the overtime period of Bruins and Hurricanes. Mike Iseman must have been pissed.
Night Cap
Boston rallies from 14 points down, take series lead 3-2
I have started a petition to change the international symbol of choking from two hands clasped over the neck to the last eight and a half minutes of game five. So now, if you see ANYONE doing what Orlando did last night, prepare to perform the Heimlich maneuver or least shove them into the back of a chair. With 8:49 left in the fourth, the Magic held a 77-63 lead. Then before you can say "JJ Redick", Boston had climbed to within eight. You know the rest of the story. The Magic are forced into taking ill-advised three pointers and rush passes. While, the Celtics triumph due to quality shooting, deft passing, and shutdown defense. It's the same story, different chapter. David Stern really needs better writers.
NFL considering second London regular season game for 2010
After the success of the previous two regular season games at Wembley Stadium in London, the NFL is musing on the possibility of two games in England for the 2010 season. I understand that it makes business sense to expand your brand as much as possible. To build on previous achievement and work to improve every aspect of your business. But is it necessary? The NFL is already the king of all sports in America. Is their intention to slowly but surely own the sports scene in England and eventually Europe itself? Or are they simply attempting to grab a slice of a demographic they never had before? Who knows? With the amount of cash flow the "League" has to operate with, they could team up with the Cambodian Midget Fighting League and still turn a profit.
I am already jealous that Lebron James signed a $90 million contract with Nike straight out of high school. But now, he is getting paid for things he doesn't even have to work on. The marketing department for Nike must foam at the mouth knowing they have the ability to use his likeness in any fashion.
Marketing Executive 1: How about we use him as a puppet?
Marketing Executive 2: You're like an idea machine! Get me a cigar, will ya?
They high five. Light cigars with $500 bills.
Headlines
Celtics tie series 2-2 on Big Baby buzzer beater
To even think about experiencing what it would be like to be a Boston sports fan for a day is considered treason where I live. That being said, it must be nice. Really nice. As I type, both the Celtics and Bruins are legitimate contenders for their respective championships and the Red Sox are arguably the best team in Major League Baseball. Last night alone, all three teams won. Glen Davis' 18-foot jumpshot as time expired changed the complexity of their series against the Magic. Orlando was poised to take a commanding 3-1 series lead and have an opportunity to wrap things up in Boston. Now, the Celtics have a chance to take a 3-2 series advantage at home in the Garden. The Bruins, who were down 3 games to 1 against the Carolina Hurricanes, humiliated Carolina 4-0 on the stellar goaltending by Tim Thomas. Even though the Hurricanes are leading the series, it looks as if Boston has taken the momentum. Boy is it frustrating to watch every New England-based franchise contend. Not to mention having to hear it from their fans who are never shy about expressing their feelings. It's always nice to walk down the street and have Red Sox fans tell me where I can put my Yankee hat.
Without Yao, Rockets still manage to rout Lakers, series tied 2-2
If the Rockets end up winning this series and perhaps winning it all, is there a better case of addition by subtraction? McGrady: Out. Yao: Out. No problem. On the backs of their "complimentary" players, the Rockets made the Lakers look awfully pedestrian. Aaron Brooks, who is about 4 foot 11, scored a career high 34 points and caught Los Angeles napping. And if the Rockets do defeat the Lakers, it will prove once again that general managers do not have to be ex-players and that the future of player development, drafting, and overall NBA personnel should be at the hands of stat geeks and number crunchers. Daryl Morey, we salute you!
Epic
I didn't get a chance to watch the first 47 minutes of Game 6 between the Bulls and the Celtics. I was too busy playing a pickup game of basketball which involved guys in their twenties, fourties, fifties, and even sixties. In hindsight, I should have stayed home. Thankfully, as I sat on my couch to watch the final seconds, the score was 101-101. No one had an advantage. It was like I hadn't missed a thing. What would follow was three more overtimes in a series that had already had four. In the end, the Bulls prevailed. But with the way this series has been going, a Game 7 was inevitable. I wonder what the odds are on Game 7 going into OT. 3:1? 2:1? Even money? Probably. With that in mind, here are some thoughts regarding the game that will only send a team to the EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS!
- With the Bulls already winning on the road in this series, home court is thrown out. Barring a Game 3 type performance from the Bulls (Which I don't see happening), this game will come down to the wire. Again.
- It's tough to imagine that Ray Allen will have anything left in the tank for Game 7. He gave EVERYTHING he had tonight. Scoring 51 points on 18 for 32 shooting, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals all in 59 minutes. 59 minutes! Some players don't play that many minutes in their career.
- For anyone who hates the Celtics (myself) and Joakim Noah (myself), they were put in a difficult position when he stole the ball from Paul Pierce, drove down court, and dunked while being fouled. It was an awkward position for us. "Do we cheer? This puts the Bulls up by three, which is good. But Noah is posturing and yelling like a moron again, which is bad." I ended up cheering. I am allowed one cheer for Noah in my life and I believe chose wisely. But that's it for him. He better not hit a buzzer beater in Game 7.
- Throwing out money for a second. If the Bulls win on Saturday, the trade for John Salmons and Brad Miller in February was one of the best of the year. What Salmons and Miller have done for the Bulls is taught their young bigs Noah and Thomas how to play in crunch time. In Game 6, Salmons had a team-high 35 points and Miller had 23 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Not to mention hit 4 huge free throws down the stretch. Regardless of what happens in 48 hours, the Bulls have built a young team that has more experience in one series than some of the teams left in the playoffs. And those two guys are to thank.
- Derek Rose is now my favorite NBA player. I would explain but it would take too long.
Headlines
Celtics wins in OT over Bulls, lead series 3-2
I don't think I can take it anymore. Someone has got to stop the Celtics. The Bulls were up by 6 with 2:00 left in the game and still lost. Then Paul Pierce did what Paul Pierce does and hit every fade away jumper down the stretch. And he took them all from the same spot. John Salmons was wasting his time trying to man Pierce up around the court, he could have just stood on the right foul line extended and waited for Pierce to come to him. But no, Salmons fell for every head fake and juke thinking that Pierce was going to take him off the dribble. Which of course he wouldn't. The game could have been tied if Brad Miller had hit his two free throws with 2 seconds left. But you have to cut him some slack, he nearly got his head cut off by Rajon Rondo while driving down the lane. If there was wasn't so much home-cooking, the referees would have called that a flagrant foul. I have watched that replay 100 times, and I have yet to be convinced that Rondo was going for the ball. He may have had the intention of going for the ball pre-jumping, but once he was in the air and saw that the ball was out of reach, he decided to take a swipe at Miller's face making sure he didn't make the shot. But you can get away with that if you're a Celtic. Remember, it's good for the league. The Greater Good!
Capitals defeat Rangers 2-1 in Game 7, advance
Well it was fun while it lasted. Those seven games satisfied my hockey fix for the year. It really is a shame that the Rangers choked so bad though. Being up three games to one, it seemed they had a date with the Boston Bruins in the second round. Instead, they'll be heading back to Canada or Mother Russia, or wherever it is they go in the offseason. Now that the Rangers have been eliminated, I have to chose another team to root for. And obviously that team will be any team that is playing the Boston Bruins. So "Go Washington!" Boston has had too many championships over the past several years. The Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and even Boston University has won major championships recently. A Stanley Cup Finals Championship would just be icing on the cake for them. And I don't think I can take another reason for New England to gloat, they're already smug to begin with. With they're Sam Adams and Quincy Park, it's time for them to be cut down to size. Who's with me?!
New York Jets release Brett Favre
This is a fun story. On Tuesday night, Brett Favre was released from the reserve-retired list of the New York Jets. This being on the heels of New York's draft pick of Mark Sanchez. In a statement Favre said, "Nothing has changed. At this time, I am retired and have no intention of returning to football". Oh he's a clever one, isn't he? "At this time". He knows what he's doing. Leaving the door ajar just a little bit, maybe for a possible 97th comeback. I have no problem with him wanting to play football. What I don't understand is his constant flip-flopping on the subject. If you want to play, say you want to play. He knows if he goes back to Pumpkin Nuts, Mississippi, they'll be no crowds, no gun-slinging, no river-boat gambling, no Madden, no fun. There will just be his John Deere tractor and acres of land for him to fiddle around on. He isn't a talking head. He would be lost on ESPN, on FOX, on CBS, or the NFL Network. He would show up to work in his Wranglers and act like Uncle Rico:
2009 NBA Playoffs Preview
After having a big bowl of delicious Lucky Charms this morning, I have decided to write my NBA Playoffs Preview. It's something I have been mulling over ever since the Knicks were eliminated from playoff contention (about three weeks ago). From what I've heard from the talking heads, sports radio, and the blogs, is that however the playoffs themselves shake out, the inevitable finals matchup will be between the Lakers and Cavaliers. Kobe v. Lebron. The Old v. The New. Ecks v. Sever. Anyway, after watching about 1000 NBA games this season, I wouldn't argue with that premonition. And now with Garnett out for the entire postseason possibly, the Lakers and the Cavs are the most complete teams.
This doesn't bode well for my Knicks though. If Lebron wins a championship for Cleveland, there is no way he will leave after next season, maximum contract or not. Because if he leaves for the money and the "marketing leverage" in New York, he can kiss any more championships goodbye. Right now, the Knicks have a worse supporting cast for James than Cleveland does. Nate Robinson and David Lee are nice players, but on any other team they are complementary. Almost negligible. Lebron may think he could broaden his image and become a global icon in New York, but look at the age we live in today. Where you are has nothing to do with exposure anymore. Winning does. Nike knew that when they signed him to a $90 million deal when he was drafted. If he starts to hoist trophies over his head, this New York dream will be long forgotten.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Miami Heat (Atlanta in 7)
Best series of the first round. Last season, the Hawks took the Celtics to game 7 in the first round of the playoffs. As exciting as that was, it resulted in nothing tangible. There was no "win" under their belt. They'll be looking to change that against the Heat. For me it boils down to who has a more cohesive starting five, with the advantage going to Atlanta. They've been through this before and with 47 wins in the regular season, they proved it was no fluke. Obviously, Dwyane Wade is the X factor. For 82 games this season, he took Mario Chalmers, Michael Beasley, and the rest of the team on his back and carried them to 43 wins. I would like to believe he could do it for a seven game series, but I just don't see it. With the amount of youth on that team (not to mention a first year coach who isn't necessarily good), the Hawks can just double or triple team Wade and shut them down.
Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls (Celtics in 6)
In terms of an upset in these playoffs, all directions are pointing to Chicago. An insanely talented rookie point guard who has game-takeoverability (Bilas'ism), strong play down the stretch (18-11 since the All-Star Break), savvy trades for veteran players (Brad Miller, John Salmons), and Garnett out. I could easily pick the Bulls in seven. But there is no way that the Celtics are going to roll over after losing Garnett. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen will have none of that. And this pains me to type it. But it's true. Even without KG, they still can suffocate teams defensively. However, if Boston wants to have any sort of run in these playoffs, Rondo will need to play out of his mind for extended periods of time. If he does, we can see them back in the Finals.
Orlando Magic vs. Philadelphia 76ers (Magic in 5)
Boring. This series is essentially a "wait out the clock" situation. Philadelphia matches up horribly with Orlando. And quite frankly (Stephen A.'ed), no one does. No team in the playoffs has three players like Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, and Hedo Turkoglu. On paper, the Magic should wipe the floor with the Eastern Conference and have a preemptive date with the Lakers in the Finals. Even with 53 wins in 2008-2009 they haven't played to their potential. Especially Howard. It's scary to think that he might not yet know how big he really is. A player of his size and skill should touch the ball at least once every time down court, but that's not the case. He seems to shy away from the spotlight in crunch time. That's either unselfishness or fear. If I am the Magic, I am praying it isn't the latter.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons (Cavaliers in 4)
Exhibit A
Exhibit B
Exhibit C
Exhibit D
No further questions.
Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Hornets (New Orleans in 7)
As I get further and further into this preview, I realize that you don't need to know much about basketball to predict series. Very rarely is there an upset and the team that played better in the regular season often wins. It's nothing like baseball. Baseball relies heavily on which team is hot coming into the playoffs. In basketball, teams who have success on the defensive end of the ball are able to combat any sort of run from the opposing team. Ironically, that is also the reasoning to why I am predicting the Hornets to upset the Nuggets in seven games. Bottomline, Denver plays little to no defense and New Orleans is top five in the NBA in opponent scoring. Chris Paul in 2009.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks (Spurs in 6)
One last hurrah for the Spurs? I think so. The Ginobili injury took the decisive blow to their Finals hopes, but I think there is enough in the tank of Parker and Duncan to muster up at least one more series win. And if Jason Kidd guards Parker in the series, consider that prediction signed, sealed, and delivered. This season Tony Parker averaged 31.3 ppg, 7.3 APG, and 52% shooting when Kidd defended him (Thank you Bill Simmons). Also, let's go through some of Roger Mason Jr.'s game-winning shots this season: Vs. Lakers, At Clippers, At Suns, At Celtics. He is good.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz (Lakers in 5)
I can't imagine how much better the Lakers would be if they had a lick of team-cohesiveness and chemistry. It's no question that every player on Los Angeles is unbelievably talented, but they play with eachother, not for eachother. And I think they is an enormous difference. The bottomline is: They are going to be in the finals in June, but they are not going to win it. That fatal flaw will rear it's ugly head when at some point during the series, they will be down by 5 with 3 minutes left. Kobe will take ill-advised shots thinking he needs to take over, he will get frustrated with his teammates for showing lack of heart, and they will lose. It's 2008 all over again.
Portland Trailblazers vs. Houston Rockets (Trailblazers in 7)
Who doesn't want to see Portland make a playoff run? They could be the most likeable team ever. Which is a stark contrast from the "Jailblazers" era of 2000 and 2001. But honestly, look at this team. Name a player on Portland you wouldn't want to be friends with. Even Rudy Fernandez would be a riot to hang out with. Their fast, young, talented, and even nice. Not to mention, they could have the best fans in the sport. I wish I was a Trailblazer fan. It is like a party every night.
Headlines…
Kevin Garnett could miss postseason with knee injury
Boy, does this stick a thorn in the side of the Celtics title hopes. If Garnett is out for the entire postseason, Lebron can crab dribble his way to the Finals. This also makes the Celtics/Bulls first round series that more interesting. The silver lining in all of this is that Boston was 18-7 without Garnett in the lineup. They might be able to fight their way to an Eastern Conference championship appearance, but it looks as if Lebron's road to his first title got substantially easier. But keep your heads up Celtics fans and remember, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!
John Madden to retire
This is bad news for Frank Caliendo. His show might be cancell...oh it has? Well, his career is definitely going to take a hi...it's already down the tubes? So I guess this isn't so bad for him. Anyway, I genuinely enjoyed listening to Madden on Monday Night and Sunday Night telecasts. I really didn't care if he stated the obvious, because every one in a while he would hit you with a legitimate piece of insight and wisdom. Something only a man with 900 years in the NFL could offer. Hopefully he stays in the video game business, the man knows what's goo...oh he has no say?
Yankees open up new stadium against Indians at 1ET
wipes away tear. I am going to miss the first couple of innings because I have class. Business Finance if you were wondering. I'm banking on the Yankees having an uber-elaborate, time-consuming introduction ceremony so I miss very little of the game. Coupling that with the fact that Yankees games usually take 4.5 hours, I shouldn't miss any of it. Also, I am going to the Met game tonight. Should be an exciting day, if it wasn't for that stupid Business Finance.
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How is Wesley Snipes in a movie? Work release? [seanbfitzgerald]
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RT @jacko2323: DO YOU BELIEVE IN MINOR UPSETS??? [seanbfitzgerald]
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4-2!!!! #USA [seanbfitzgerald]
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Hockey? Oh yeah! US vs. Canada! When we're done with them, they'll be grateful they have universal health care! [seanbfitzgerald]
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