Nothing quite says summer like the pool. My new apartment complex has a pool-- perfect for reading, relaxing and doing the crossword while avoiding sunburn. Unfortunately there's the occasional Candlestick Parkesque wind... not ideal for reading a newspaper or eating chips. I still have yet to lock down my summer reading... previous winners include The Cloud Atlas, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy, and Founding Brothers.
But nothing interrupts a lazy day other than a surprise resignation-- Jim Riggleman leaving the Nationals after a 38-37 start is somewhat of a surprise; evidently he wasn't pleased with his 2012 option status and threatened to walk if it wasn't resolved. This comes as the team wraps up an 8-1 homestand and is over .500 this deep in the season for the first time in six years. Zimmerman's back... and hitting well. Michael Morse continues to camouflage Jayson Werth's underachieving with a breakout season of his own. And the pitching isn't porous (although they still have their moments). Right now, it's a great time to be a Nationals fan... as for the first time since their arrival-- the upside is here! But then Riggleman bluffs and is called on it and walks off into the sunset. Did he at least wave the victory sign before he boarded the helicopter?
The NBA Draft is front and center this week; most media outlets try to pattern their coverage around the blueprint of the golden goose that is the NFL. Unfortunately, while most pro football fans dabble in following the college game- there's a bigger disconnect with the NBA and NCAA. Plus the European factor-- imagine if the Redskins picked a defensive lineman from Turkey (truth be told you could make the case for the Skins signing a defensive lineman who was a turkey), followed by a cornerback from Italy. And with just two picks for each team and 60 overall selections, the draft is over before you know it. Sixty players doesn't even get you 30% of the way through the NFL draft.
Will the Wizards pick the right player? This is the team that picked Kwame Brown. So things have a way of happening. In a draft as shallow as my swimming pool (3 feet-- NO DIVING) they might get some pieces who can help them win in the future. With the 6th, 18th and 34th selections the perfect world would yield an impact player at 6... a contributor at 18 and a 12th man at 34. Many of the mock drafts (and there are a multitude of them) have the Wizards grabbing a pair of foreign players (Czech forward Jan Vesely and Lithuanian big man Donatas Motiejunas) with your guess in the second round (as things often are). One of the websites has Jordan Williams lasting until the 42nd pick... not ideal for skipping your last year at Maryland, especially with a lockout looming.
If you watched any of the U.S. Open over the weekend, you'd think that Rory McIlroy is going to win the next 25 majors in a row. The Irishman did lap the field and led wire to wire after making Congressional his little playground, but let's allow him to win a few before we jump all over ourselves. Ernie Els won three majors in his 20's... and I thought he'd be good for three more-- but no dice. David Duval hasn't added to his total. McIlroy has been anointed the future, and as the window closes on the generation of Phil/Ernie/Vijay (I would have bet the world Els or Singh would have been the one to get to 4 majors instead of Lefty)... the new breed of golfer that grew up during Tiger's reign is here. And winning.
Whither Tiger Woods? As he recovers from leg injuries, golf's number one lightning rod stands four majors shy of Jack Nicklaus' record. Four years ago as he was winning back to back PGA's after taking consecutive British Opens the year before (he also has repeated at Masters champ and won consecutive PGA's earlier in his career)... I thought he had a true grandslam in the future with a few other wins-giving Tiger eventually 20-21 majors. Now he's got a 10-15 year window to get four... and while I still think he can get there... I thought Tom Watson had 3 majors in him after age 33. Woods' career somewhat parallels Jacks in that each had an early dominant streak (Jack won 7 from 1962-67, Tiger won 8 from 1997-2002) followed by a mid-career peak (Jack took 7 from 1970-75, Tiger took 6 from 2005-08). Nicklaus added four more in his 1978-86 twilight... and you'd think Tiger could do the same if not better- once his knee works.
Last but not least, who plays Anthony Wiener in the TV movie? Keep in mind Alyssa Milano and Drew Barrymore both took shots at Amy Fisher on competing networks. I threw the question out on Facebook and some responded with Adrian Brody-- he seems a little too high-class for a quickie TV movie. Fisher Stevens is an inspired choice... as is Dustin Diamond (he would be on the CW version). Johnathon Schaetch, meanwhile, is still building off his role as Jimmy Mattingly in "That Thing You Do!"... and although I can't recall anything of note he's done since, would be a good fit in the creepy Congressman role. Now to cast his wife, interns and the porn star...
Showing posts with label nba. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nba. Show all posts
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Ten for '10...
2010 came and went like a blur. Too many things on the sports landscape to fairly document.
So to combine scattershot summaries with everybody's best crutch, THE LIST... here we go...:
1-- Superbowl Smackdown... and snowbound-- New Orleans beat Indianapolis 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV... and what wasn't there to like? A gutsy call to start the second half on an onside kick. A masterful game by MVP Drew Brees... and a pick-six thrown by Peyton Manning. An area that hasn't had a lot to celebrate lately (Katrina) got a moment in the sun. A downtrodden franchise (paper bags, anyone) finally won it all. And the trifecta of Yankees-Lakers-Colts as world champs (pure hell for any Boston fan) was prevented. This took place during a February where the DC Metro area doubled as the Ice Planet Hoth... and I swear I saw a tauntaun. After ten years of living in the area and joking about the "rough winters", I actually experienced a rough winter. Still, much more mild than New Hampshire.
2-- Hall Hell... and hoops hubris-- I was excited when the Hollies were voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I avidly watched the induction ceremony-- only to learn that drummer Bobby Elliott and guitarist Tony Hicks weren't there because of a concert in London... with the Hollies. So the guys getting honored (Allen Clarke, Graham Nash and a very hammered Terry Sylvester) weren't actually with the band anymore-- yet they were making speeches while the guys still touring as the Hollies were in a different nation. Like if the Rolling Stones were inducted this year and Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor show up to the ceremony because Mick, Keith and Charlie have a gig overseas. And it didn't help that Stevie van Zandt's induction speech sucked. On the hoopfront, I was excited when Syracuse was ranked #1 for the first time since the 1989-90 season (when I finally invent that time-machine, I'm going back to '88 and getting Kenny Anderson to attend SU). But unfortunately the Orange peaked on a Saturday night rout of Villanova... and dropped 3 of their last 5 games en route to a Sweet Sixteen succumbing to Butler. At least the wings were money at Sign of the Whale-- they didn't have them (excuse me? this is a sportsbar! I expect you to run out of everything but beer before you say you don't have wings) for Syracuse's Lacrosse loss to Army (I still blame the bar for the defeat).
3-- NBA Finals... or Green with disgust-- I wasn't expecting to fall for this spring's Boston Celtic squad. The rapidly aging and skill eroding bunch was going to be handed sure defeat if not by Lebron James' getting better by the moment Cleveland Cavaliers, then they'd be schooled by last year's conference champ Orlando. Not so fast sir! Danny Ainge's questionable move for Nate Robinson paid off... Rajon Rondo went from apprentice to master... and the Aging Trio turned in one memorable May. I made the wise decision of watching games two and five with a friend who is one massive Lakers apologist (with the phrase "that's a foul" never too far away) and got to hear a lispy Lakers fan say "ith all tied up now, bithcheth!". After a nice win in game five ("that's a foul!) I was expecting flag #18 and the requisite championship paraphernalia. One Kendrick Perkins injury and two tough losses later, I was sick beyond belief. Damn that one hurt. Still hurts.
4-- Can't spell collapse without C-A-P-S... this was the year, right? So much for a 3 games to 1 first round lead... so much for cruising into Lord Stanley's waiting room. Instead, an offseason of doubt surrounding the direction of the best-run franchise in the Beltway... months of wondering which moves were necessary and a fall of unfulfilled dreams that turned into a dismal December (8 game losing streak) underneath a major microscope (HBO). Hopefully it won't rain Saturday at the Winter Classic in Pittsburgh.
5-- Lebron looms large-- "taking one's talents to South Beach" will never sound the same. After flaming out in the conference semifinals, King James made a smart move in the most stupid way. Go to Miami and a much more talented team? Brilliant. Do so on national TV with a hype-machine on overdrive, making us feel like NBA GM's should have been there expecting roses, bachelor-style? Buffoonish. While the Heat have finally gotten their act together, this will be James' "Maroon and Black" moment... if they win, great-- but if things don't work out this will be the moment and that will be the phrase everyone looks back at. Meanwhile, Jim Gray looks more ridiculous every time he has an incident (this fiasco plus the golf channel melee with Corey Pavin making those forget his Pete Rose run-in).
6-- Toothless Tiger-- Tiger began the year under a cloud of mystery (what happened on Thanksgiving?)... apologized after a slew of nasty texts....failed to win a major (the road to 18 has a few more bumps) and became an odd non-story on the PGA Tour. One has to feel he can still reel off two or three major wins in one year, though-- although the window for a "natural grandslam" may be closing fast.
7-- Skinsationalism-- they're on the right path... then all of a sudden Shanahan doesn't know what he's doing. McNabb is the savior. Then he doesn't get the offense and is out of shape. Donovan gets a contract extension-- then is benched. Haynesworth's in... but can't run... then is run out of town. Gold pants help them beat Dallas-- then are the cause for everything wrong. There's no better entertainment in and around the beltway...
8-- NFL...longer with labor-- the best-run league may run itself aground with its current labor issues. Head injuries suddenly become serious. And now the league wants to extend its regular season to 18 games. Great, more January games with 3-14 Carolina facing 7-10 Detroit.
Why mess with perfection? Yeah, I know-- money.
9-- November baseball?-- talk about drawing things out. Extra off-days during the postseason ruin whatever rhythm develops- and heaven forbid a series ends in a game or two early... then you've got a week off. I enjoyed San Francisco's run to the title (they remain my National League mistress and have been since the days of Kevin Mitchell and Will Clark) and the Yankees collapse... but let's wrap this thing up quicker so we can focus fully on the NFL.
10-- December departures come in threes--and an arrival is awesome. Over one weekend the futures of Gilbert Arenas, Ralph Friedgen and Donovan McNabb were determined-- further underscoring how fickle the world of sports is. Gilbert Arenas had the brightest DC future in 2006... and one bad contract, multiple surgeries and a poor understanding of firearm laws later is in a different uniform as a franchise rebuilds. Instead of an all-time great we get a major what-if. Ralph Friedgen spent his life with the job of head football coach as his goal and College Park as his dream destination; and after ten years of returning his alma mater to relevence was shown the door despite being named ACC Coach of the Year. Instead of departing into the sunset in 2012 or 2013 or 2014... a proud alum leaves under a cloud. Even in the "I don't remember yesterday/I won't make plans for tomorrow" world that is the Redskins, most thought Donovan McNabb would be the starting quarterback longer than 13 games. Now #5 is in the land of limbo but definitely on his way out after giving fans a glimpse of the NFC East rival who terrorized them for a decade. Nothing is forever-- or even temporary. Enjoy the games while you can.
Ohh... the arrival. My sister gave birth April 7th to my first niece... and Sarah Margaret is a bundle of joy who will get Maryland, Syracuse, Celtics, Patriots, Red Sox and Caps gear until she turns eighteen. Happy new year to everyone... may 2011 be as rich with hopes and dreams and laughter and tears as this past year was.
So to combine scattershot summaries with everybody's best crutch, THE LIST... here we go...:
1-- Superbowl Smackdown... and snowbound-- New Orleans beat Indianapolis 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV... and what wasn't there to like? A gutsy call to start the second half on an onside kick. A masterful game by MVP Drew Brees... and a pick-six thrown by Peyton Manning. An area that hasn't had a lot to celebrate lately (Katrina) got a moment in the sun. A downtrodden franchise (paper bags, anyone) finally won it all. And the trifecta of Yankees-Lakers-Colts as world champs (pure hell for any Boston fan) was prevented. This took place during a February where the DC Metro area doubled as the Ice Planet Hoth... and I swear I saw a tauntaun. After ten years of living in the area and joking about the "rough winters", I actually experienced a rough winter. Still, much more mild than New Hampshire.
2-- Hall Hell... and hoops hubris-- I was excited when the Hollies were voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I avidly watched the induction ceremony-- only to learn that drummer Bobby Elliott and guitarist Tony Hicks weren't there because of a concert in London... with the Hollies. So the guys getting honored (Allen Clarke, Graham Nash and a very hammered Terry Sylvester) weren't actually with the band anymore-- yet they were making speeches while the guys still touring as the Hollies were in a different nation. Like if the Rolling Stones were inducted this year and Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor show up to the ceremony because Mick, Keith and Charlie have a gig overseas. And it didn't help that Stevie van Zandt's induction speech sucked. On the hoopfront, I was excited when Syracuse was ranked #1 for the first time since the 1989-90 season (when I finally invent that time-machine, I'm going back to '88 and getting Kenny Anderson to attend SU). But unfortunately the Orange peaked on a Saturday night rout of Villanova... and dropped 3 of their last 5 games en route to a Sweet Sixteen succumbing to Butler. At least the wings were money at Sign of the Whale-- they didn't have them (excuse me? this is a sportsbar! I expect you to run out of everything but beer before you say you don't have wings) for Syracuse's Lacrosse loss to Army (I still blame the bar for the defeat).
3-- NBA Finals... or Green with disgust-- I wasn't expecting to fall for this spring's Boston Celtic squad. The rapidly aging and skill eroding bunch was going to be handed sure defeat if not by Lebron James' getting better by the moment Cleveland Cavaliers, then they'd be schooled by last year's conference champ Orlando. Not so fast sir! Danny Ainge's questionable move for Nate Robinson paid off... Rajon Rondo went from apprentice to master... and the Aging Trio turned in one memorable May. I made the wise decision of watching games two and five with a friend who is one massive Lakers apologist (with the phrase "that's a foul" never too far away) and got to hear a lispy Lakers fan say "ith all tied up now, bithcheth!". After a nice win in game five ("that's a foul!) I was expecting flag #18 and the requisite championship paraphernalia. One Kendrick Perkins injury and two tough losses later, I was sick beyond belief. Damn that one hurt. Still hurts.
4-- Can't spell collapse without C-A-P-S... this was the year, right? So much for a 3 games to 1 first round lead... so much for cruising into Lord Stanley's waiting room. Instead, an offseason of doubt surrounding the direction of the best-run franchise in the Beltway... months of wondering which moves were necessary and a fall of unfulfilled dreams that turned into a dismal December (8 game losing streak) underneath a major microscope (HBO). Hopefully it won't rain Saturday at the Winter Classic in Pittsburgh.
5-- Lebron looms large-- "taking one's talents to South Beach" will never sound the same. After flaming out in the conference semifinals, King James made a smart move in the most stupid way. Go to Miami and a much more talented team? Brilliant. Do so on national TV with a hype-machine on overdrive, making us feel like NBA GM's should have been there expecting roses, bachelor-style? Buffoonish. While the Heat have finally gotten their act together, this will be James' "Maroon and Black" moment... if they win, great-- but if things don't work out this will be the moment and that will be the phrase everyone looks back at. Meanwhile, Jim Gray looks more ridiculous every time he has an incident (this fiasco plus the golf channel melee with Corey Pavin making those forget his Pete Rose run-in).
6-- Toothless Tiger-- Tiger began the year under a cloud of mystery (what happened on Thanksgiving?)... apologized after a slew of nasty texts....failed to win a major (the road to 18 has a few more bumps) and became an odd non-story on the PGA Tour. One has to feel he can still reel off two or three major wins in one year, though-- although the window for a "natural grandslam" may be closing fast.
7-- Skinsationalism-- they're on the right path... then all of a sudden Shanahan doesn't know what he's doing. McNabb is the savior. Then he doesn't get the offense and is out of shape. Donovan gets a contract extension-- then is benched. Haynesworth's in... but can't run... then is run out of town. Gold pants help them beat Dallas-- then are the cause for everything wrong. There's no better entertainment in and around the beltway...
8-- NFL...longer with labor-- the best-run league may run itself aground with its current labor issues. Head injuries suddenly become serious. And now the league wants to extend its regular season to 18 games. Great, more January games with 3-14 Carolina facing 7-10 Detroit.
Why mess with perfection? Yeah, I know-- money.
9-- November baseball?-- talk about drawing things out. Extra off-days during the postseason ruin whatever rhythm develops- and heaven forbid a series ends in a game or two early... then you've got a week off. I enjoyed San Francisco's run to the title (they remain my National League mistress and have been since the days of Kevin Mitchell and Will Clark) and the Yankees collapse... but let's wrap this thing up quicker so we can focus fully on the NFL.
10-- December departures come in threes--and an arrival is awesome. Over one weekend the futures of Gilbert Arenas, Ralph Friedgen and Donovan McNabb were determined-- further underscoring how fickle the world of sports is. Gilbert Arenas had the brightest DC future in 2006... and one bad contract, multiple surgeries and a poor understanding of firearm laws later is in a different uniform as a franchise rebuilds. Instead of an all-time great we get a major what-if. Ralph Friedgen spent his life with the job of head football coach as his goal and College Park as his dream destination; and after ten years of returning his alma mater to relevence was shown the door despite being named ACC Coach of the Year. Instead of departing into the sunset in 2012 or 2013 or 2014... a proud alum leaves under a cloud. Even in the "I don't remember yesterday/I won't make plans for tomorrow" world that is the Redskins, most thought Donovan McNabb would be the starting quarterback longer than 13 games. Now #5 is in the land of limbo but definitely on his way out after giving fans a glimpse of the NFC East rival who terrorized them for a decade. Nothing is forever-- or even temporary. Enjoy the games while you can.
Ohh... the arrival. My sister gave birth April 7th to my first niece... and Sarah Margaret is a bundle of joy who will get Maryland, Syracuse, Celtics, Patriots, Red Sox and Caps gear until she turns eighteen. Happy new year to everyone... may 2011 be as rich with hopes and dreams and laughter and tears as this past year was.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Fading through the door...
Summer's a sneeze-- before you know it Labor Day will be on the horizon. Time to regroup, refresh and repair for a full fall of football. Book recommendations by friends for this summer range from Chuck Klosterman's Eating the Dinosaur to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (more on tattoos later)... and I'm still trying to work my way through Joseph Heller's God Knows.
First Serve-- don't be fooled by the fine trim, mandatory white outfits and strict diet of strawberries and cream at Wimbledon... this is one wild major. Past is present, tradition is everywhere... the annual drama (will a Brit win) now features Andy Murray instead of Tim Henman (much like a Bond actor recast this happens every ten years or so)... the wondering if Andy Roddick will get it done (he's tennis' version of Phil Mickelson)... and the apparent collision course between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Wide US Open-- did Graeme McDowell win the US Open as much as Tiger, Phil and Ernie failed to take it? Credit his calm and cool demeanor while others failed to make charges and third round leader Dustin Johnson imploded Sunday. I also heard somewhere that Phil Mickelson is a father-- could we get more on that please?
Hold the Line-- the Redskins trade for a former pro bowler and he's not a running back? Jammal Brown comes to Ashburn with a Super Bowl ring he had little to do with... missing all of last season with the Saints due to sports hernia and hip injury. Previously he started 58 of 64 career games, earning Pro Bowl berths in 2006 and 2008. Best case he provides another bookend to go with Trent Williams and Donovan McNabb stays upright this fall; worst case he stays hobbled all season and contributes to a decaying locker room.
NBA Finals-- legend has it my mother gave me three key pieces of advice when I turned 18: never drink milk out of the carton, just because your date has a cross tattooed on her back doesn't mean she goes to church, and defense doesn't end until you get the rebound. As is usually the case my mother was proven right in the Lakers seventh game win over Boston... LA beat the Celtics on the glass by 13 and took the title. Credit the Lakers for playing more persistent and physical than they did two years ago (shades of '85)... and the winner of each game was the one who had the most rebounds. Although Kobe took the MVP trophy, I thought Pau Gasol had the better series (19 points and 18 rebounds in Game Seven.
Personal aside, or this one's gonna leave a mark. Growing up in New Hampshire... I convinced myself not to fall for this current Celtic team. A 27-27 finish with losses to New Jersey and Washington? Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce aging exponentially? I'm so glad I guarded my heart against the Green. And then they blew past Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat. Still not sold, I told myself-- they may be able to take a game from Cleveland, but look at Game 3's 29 point debacle (at home no less). But I should have known better that to count them out. And I should have known better than to think I wouldn't leapfrog completely into their postseason run. I'll be much smarter at guarding myself against the Red Sox as they heat up, following the results every day. Did you say Clay Buchholtz won his tenth last night? Oh no. Something always happens and I'm head over heels.
First Serve-- don't be fooled by the fine trim, mandatory white outfits and strict diet of strawberries and cream at Wimbledon... this is one wild major. Past is present, tradition is everywhere... the annual drama (will a Brit win) now features Andy Murray instead of Tim Henman (much like a Bond actor recast this happens every ten years or so)... the wondering if Andy Roddick will get it done (he's tennis' version of Phil Mickelson)... and the apparent collision course between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Wide US Open-- did Graeme McDowell win the US Open as much as Tiger, Phil and Ernie failed to take it? Credit his calm and cool demeanor while others failed to make charges and third round leader Dustin Johnson imploded Sunday. I also heard somewhere that Phil Mickelson is a father-- could we get more on that please?
Hold the Line-- the Redskins trade for a former pro bowler and he's not a running back? Jammal Brown comes to Ashburn with a Super Bowl ring he had little to do with... missing all of last season with the Saints due to sports hernia and hip injury. Previously he started 58 of 64 career games, earning Pro Bowl berths in 2006 and 2008. Best case he provides another bookend to go with Trent Williams and Donovan McNabb stays upright this fall; worst case he stays hobbled all season and contributes to a decaying locker room.
NBA Finals-- legend has it my mother gave me three key pieces of advice when I turned 18: never drink milk out of the carton, just because your date has a cross tattooed on her back doesn't mean she goes to church, and defense doesn't end until you get the rebound. As is usually the case my mother was proven right in the Lakers seventh game win over Boston... LA beat the Celtics on the glass by 13 and took the title. Credit the Lakers for playing more persistent and physical than they did two years ago (shades of '85)... and the winner of each game was the one who had the most rebounds. Although Kobe took the MVP trophy, I thought Pau Gasol had the better series (19 points and 18 rebounds in Game Seven.
Personal aside, or this one's gonna leave a mark. Growing up in New Hampshire... I convinced myself not to fall for this current Celtic team. A 27-27 finish with losses to New Jersey and Washington? Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce aging exponentially? I'm so glad I guarded my heart against the Green. And then they blew past Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat. Still not sold, I told myself-- they may be able to take a game from Cleveland, but look at Game 3's 29 point debacle (at home no less). But I should have known better that to count them out. And I should have known better than to think I wouldn't leapfrog completely into their postseason run. I'll be much smarter at guarding myself against the Red Sox as they heat up, following the results every day. Did you say Clay Buchholtz won his tenth last night? Oh no. Something always happens and I'm head over heels.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Summer Fun... Finals, Firings, and Foals.
There are many signposts to summer... while the actual day the season begins is June 21st, Memorial Day and the final day of school are summertime's virtual kickoffs. So much and so little to do...
First things first-- I'm proposing throwing practice for all of the kids in my apartment complex who use the pool... they've shown the accuracy of Jamarcus Russell when throwing those nerf-like pool balls that exude water on impact. I have no problem getting splashed-- I mean it's the pool... water's expected in the equation-- but kids need to try to keep the ball in play and not on my lawn chair.
The NBA Finals reunites royalty-- Boston and the Los Angeles Lakers have combined to win more than 50% of their league championships and have met for the title more often (12) than any other pair of teams in any other sport. They represent the same (excellence) and different (LA flash vs Boston grit) virtues. Incredible theater all around. Game one saw the Lakers defend and rebound the life out of a Celtic team that looked as though it was aging rapidly by the minute (Kevin Garnett doing his best Greg Kite impersonation on back to back layup misses). It all comes back to a game two as pivotal as the one in 1984 and 1985 where the winner of that tilt and not the series opener took the title.
Meet the new boss, with the same problems as the old boss-- who thinks Dave Trembley's firing will completely change the mess that is the Baltimore Orioles? And didn't this happen three years ago with the Sam Perlozzo purging? The O's own the worst record in the majors and the offense has been reduced to a crawl during their current nine game losing streak (just 14 runs scored). The pitching has been porous... from Kevin Millwood's 0-6 mark to Chris Tillman getting roasted for four runs over an inning and a third last night. In theory, Juan Samuel will finish out the season and then Andy MacPhail will bring in one of his own men to manage the ballclub. The long Oriole nightmare continues.
Belmont Stakes...aka racing not well done-- the Triple Crown wraps up today with the running of the Belmont Stakes. Neither the Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver nor Preakness winner Lookin at Lucky will be running today, making the race even more irrelevant. Wake up, Horse Racing before it's completely too late! Push back the Preakness a two or three weeks (I'm ideally hoping for the first weekend in June, but I'd settle for the last weekend in May) and do likewise with the Belmont (first week of July in a perfect world) to allow the thoroughbreds the proper time to recover and then be in peak condition for the next race. Otherwise, your sport's going to the glue factory.
First things first-- I'm proposing throwing practice for all of the kids in my apartment complex who use the pool... they've shown the accuracy of Jamarcus Russell when throwing those nerf-like pool balls that exude water on impact. I have no problem getting splashed-- I mean it's the pool... water's expected in the equation-- but kids need to try to keep the ball in play and not on my lawn chair.
The NBA Finals reunites royalty-- Boston and the Los Angeles Lakers have combined to win more than 50% of their league championships and have met for the title more often (12) than any other pair of teams in any other sport. They represent the same (excellence) and different (LA flash vs Boston grit) virtues. Incredible theater all around. Game one saw the Lakers defend and rebound the life out of a Celtic team that looked as though it was aging rapidly by the minute (Kevin Garnett doing his best Greg Kite impersonation on back to back layup misses). It all comes back to a game two as pivotal as the one in 1984 and 1985 where the winner of that tilt and not the series opener took the title.
Meet the new boss, with the same problems as the old boss-- who thinks Dave Trembley's firing will completely change the mess that is the Baltimore Orioles? And didn't this happen three years ago with the Sam Perlozzo purging? The O's own the worst record in the majors and the offense has been reduced to a crawl during their current nine game losing streak (just 14 runs scored). The pitching has been porous... from Kevin Millwood's 0-6 mark to Chris Tillman getting roasted for four runs over an inning and a third last night. In theory, Juan Samuel will finish out the season and then Andy MacPhail will bring in one of his own men to manage the ballclub. The long Oriole nightmare continues.
Belmont Stakes...aka racing not well done-- the Triple Crown wraps up today with the running of the Belmont Stakes. Neither the Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver nor Preakness winner Lookin at Lucky will be running today, making the race even more irrelevant. Wake up, Horse Racing before it's completely too late! Push back the Preakness a two or three weeks (I'm ideally hoping for the first weekend in June, but I'd settle for the last weekend in May) and do likewise with the Belmont (first week of July in a perfect world) to allow the thoroughbreds the proper time to recover and then be in peak condition for the next race. Otherwise, your sport's going to the glue factory.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Wizards hit the lotto- and somebody has to lose.
Guess who the biggest loser is with the Wizards hitting the Lottery? I say the Capitals. They go from being the best-run franchise in the region last summer to the NHL's usual place in most markets. Instead of VinnyZorn, the Redskins are being run by the son of George Allen and a two-time Super Bowl winning coach. Instead of "Natinals" and "flying sausage sandwiches" the Nats are actually playing good baseball with a pitching phenom in Stephen Strasberg warming up in Triple A. And instead of constant Gilbert-talk, Wizards fans will avidly await the arrival of a #1 draft pick-- who unless he turns into Kwame Brown/LaRue Martin will mean the start of the next era.
The Caps had a window of opportunity to become a more prominent player in DC (and they still are)... armed with home ice in the Eastern Conference playoffs they should still be playing and gathering headlines. Instead, it's wait for the draft and toughen up for next spring (we know Bruce Boudreau's bunch can win the fall and winter). When they come back this Labor Day, there will be a completely different landscape than last September.
The Wizards have the task of not messing up this windfall; most have them choosing between Ohio State's Evan Turner or Kentucky's John Wall. In today's guards game, you almost can't pass up a point-man like Wall... although Turner's one heck of a building block. And he hasn't been coached by John Calipari.
Speaking of the current Kentucky coach, what is with the rumor mill that has him headed to Chicago as a package deal with LeBron James? Unfortunately most NBA brain trusts think that the ideal pro coach is one who either excels in a shorter-season sample with a completely different method for acquiring talent or somebody who sounds good on TV (Doug Collins/Mike Fratello corollary).
I will admit it-- TV sucks this year. We say goodbye to 24, Lost, and Law & Order-- three of my favorite shows. And they're not going out gracefully. 24 has given us a full season of moles, women making bad life decisions and Freddie Prinze Jr. Lost has made me yearn for the streamlined straight-ahead feel of 24. And L&O's plug gets pulled without even a farewell episode-- I mean who wouldn't watch Jack McCoy's retirement party? The only other shows on network TV I'm readily into have been sagging as well. How I Met Your Mother forced a Barney-Robin duo that was tough to stomach... and then broke the pair up as soon as I bought the two of them together. The highlight was the faux movie "The Wedding Bride" (please Youtube the trailer)... funnier than the actual TV show it appears in. Meanwhile, The Office has given us a baby... and in Andy's pursuit of Erin a rehash of Jim's courting of Pam. Thanks for getting me back into reading, idiot-box.
The Caps had a window of opportunity to become a more prominent player in DC (and they still are)... armed with home ice in the Eastern Conference playoffs they should still be playing and gathering headlines. Instead, it's wait for the draft and toughen up for next spring (we know Bruce Boudreau's bunch can win the fall and winter). When they come back this Labor Day, there will be a completely different landscape than last September.
The Wizards have the task of not messing up this windfall; most have them choosing between Ohio State's Evan Turner or Kentucky's John Wall. In today's guards game, you almost can't pass up a point-man like Wall... although Turner's one heck of a building block. And he hasn't been coached by John Calipari.
Speaking of the current Kentucky coach, what is with the rumor mill that has him headed to Chicago as a package deal with LeBron James? Unfortunately most NBA brain trusts think that the ideal pro coach is one who either excels in a shorter-season sample with a completely different method for acquiring talent or somebody who sounds good on TV (Doug Collins/Mike Fratello corollary).
I will admit it-- TV sucks this year. We say goodbye to 24, Lost, and Law & Order-- three of my favorite shows. And they're not going out gracefully. 24 has given us a full season of moles, women making bad life decisions and Freddie Prinze Jr. Lost has made me yearn for the streamlined straight-ahead feel of 24. And L&O's plug gets pulled without even a farewell episode-- I mean who wouldn't watch Jack McCoy's retirement party? The only other shows on network TV I'm readily into have been sagging as well. How I Met Your Mother forced a Barney-Robin duo that was tough to stomach... and then broke the pair up as soon as I bought the two of them together. The highlight was the faux movie "The Wedding Bride" (please Youtube the trailer)... funnier than the actual TV show it appears in. Meanwhile, The Office has given us a baby... and in Andy's pursuit of Erin a rehash of Jim's courting of Pam. Thanks for getting me back into reading, idiot-box.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Nine for '09....
Happy 2010...and farewell to what was an extremely intriguing 2009 on many levels. What stories resonated... which ones made me sit back-- what made this past year memorable for me?
Here are nine for '09...
Lakers, Heels and Yankees...Oh my!-- blue-bloods reigned in the NBA, NCAA's and MLB... the only thing that would have made last year worse is if the Cowboys, Notre Dame and Duke had won titles. Lost in the shuffle of Kobe's first post-Shaq title was the fact his supporting cast was just as good if not better than the last few Shaq teams. More depressing was the fact it seemed as though uber-talented UNC was getting by with just enough to get things done. Finally, Alex Rodriguez' journey from steroid-user to bubblegum sweater wearer to Kate Hudson boytoy to champion was exhausting.
Super Bowl brings butter bars... chicken wing dip and another thriller... Believe it or not, this used to be a mid-winter bore. Scores like 55-10. 52-17. 49-26. For the fifth time in eight years, pro football's championship was decided by less than a touchdown; six such games existed in the first 35 Super Bowls. From 99 yard returns to last-minute touchdowns, from Bruce at halftime to the various food options-- SB LXIII gets an A+.
Six overtimes! Six overtimes!
Six overtimes! Six overtimes!
Six overtimes! Six overtimes!
Syracuse faced Connecticut in the Big East Quarterfinals--an instant and extended classic. I didn't know it then but this was the beginning of the end of Jonny Flynn's days in Orange (34 points and 11 assists in 67 minutes). I spent the marathon game in three locations: after attending a friend and fellow SU alum's birthday happy hour... I stumbled over to the my alumni group's gamewatching location at halftime. Like many on the MSG floor, I started to hit the wall during the first overtime and went to my bench in the form of McDonald's. Although the M Street location had run out of Shamrock Shakes, i was refueled and ready to watch the 4th, 5th and 6th OT's. SU would beat West Virginia in overtime the following night before losing to Louisville in the finals. Tacked on with the Orange's OT regular season finale win over Marquette the previous Saturday, SU had played the equivalent of 6 games in 8 days. It's not often March Madness' signature moment takes place before the NCAA Tournament.
Long Nationals Nightmare far from over-- 2009 was not kind to DC's baseball team... starting in February when one of the team's Dominican prospects was actually four years older than initially reported and General Manager Jim Bowden was being investigated for skimming signing bonuses. April saw a flammable bullpen get roasted with regularity as the Nats fell out of contention well before Mother's Day... but it was various off the field incidents that made '09 a year that will remain in infamy. It began with the discovery of several uniforms having the team name spelled "Natinals". Innocent enough. Added into the mix was bobblehead doll packaging spelling our 26th president's name as "Teddy Rosevelt". But that was merely prelude to spraying unsuspecting fans with shotgun pellet size pieces of sausage... having shot sausage sandwiches wrapped inside T-shirts as a promotion. I always thought baseball executives weren't rocket scientists. Now I had proof.
Watson's elementary flaw-- for four days in July, Tom Watson owned the world of golf-- and until he missed a putt on the 72nd hole Sunday, the eight-time major champion looked like he was turning back the clock to the early 80's when he was in the midst of five British Open titles over nine years. Instead Watson dialed back the clock to the late 80's, when poor putting prevented him from winning anywhere on tour. This robbed golf of a signature moment in a year where there were none--2009's majors were more about who didn't win them as opposed to who did.
Here are nine for '09...
Lakers, Heels and Yankees...Oh my!-- blue-bloods reigned in the NBA, NCAA's and MLB... the only thing that would have made last year worse is if the Cowboys, Notre Dame and Duke had won titles. Lost in the shuffle of Kobe's first post-Shaq title was the fact his supporting cast was just as good if not better than the last few Shaq teams. More depressing was the fact it seemed as though uber-talented UNC was getting by with just enough to get things done. Finally, Alex Rodriguez' journey from steroid-user to bubblegum sweater wearer to Kate Hudson boytoy to champion was exhausting.
Super Bowl brings butter bars... chicken wing dip and another thriller... Believe it or not, this used to be a mid-winter bore. Scores like 55-10. 52-17. 49-26. For the fifth time in eight years, pro football's championship was decided by less than a touchdown; six such games existed in the first 35 Super Bowls. From 99 yard returns to last-minute touchdowns, from Bruce at halftime to the various food options-- SB LXIII gets an A+.
Six overtimes! Six overtimes!
Six overtimes! Six overtimes!
Six overtimes! Six overtimes!
Syracuse faced Connecticut in the Big East Quarterfinals--an instant and extended classic. I didn't know it then but this was the beginning of the end of Jonny Flynn's days in Orange (34 points and 11 assists in 67 minutes). I spent the marathon game in three locations: after attending a friend and fellow SU alum's birthday happy hour... I stumbled over to the my alumni group's gamewatching location at halftime. Like many on the MSG floor, I started to hit the wall during the first overtime and went to my bench in the form of McDonald's. Although the M Street location had run out of Shamrock Shakes, i was refueled and ready to watch the 4th, 5th and 6th OT's. SU would beat West Virginia in overtime the following night before losing to Louisville in the finals. Tacked on with the Orange's OT regular season finale win over Marquette the previous Saturday, SU had played the equivalent of 6 games in 8 days. It's not often March Madness' signature moment takes place before the NCAA Tournament.
Long Nationals Nightmare far from over-- 2009 was not kind to DC's baseball team... starting in February when one of the team's Dominican prospects was actually four years older than initially reported and General Manager Jim Bowden was being investigated for skimming signing bonuses. April saw a flammable bullpen get roasted with regularity as the Nats fell out of contention well before Mother's Day... but it was various off the field incidents that made '09 a year that will remain in infamy. It began with the discovery of several uniforms having the team name spelled "Natinals". Innocent enough. Added into the mix was bobblehead doll packaging spelling our 26th president's name as "Teddy Rosevelt". But that was merely prelude to spraying unsuspecting fans with shotgun pellet size pieces of sausage... having shot sausage sandwiches wrapped inside T-shirts as a promotion. I always thought baseball executives weren't rocket scientists. Now I had proof.
Watson's elementary flaw-- for four days in July, Tom Watson owned the world of golf-- and until he missed a putt on the 72nd hole Sunday, the eight-time major champion looked like he was turning back the clock to the early 80's when he was in the midst of five British Open titles over nine years. Instead Watson dialed back the clock to the late 80's, when poor putting prevented him from winning anywhere on tour. This robbed golf of a signature moment in a year where there were none--2009's majors were more about who didn't win them as opposed to who did.
Federer at Fifteen-- Not only did Roger Federer tie and break Pete Sampras' record of 14 singles championships... he did so on the one surface that Sampras couldn't conquer--the red clay of Roland Garros. Although it would have been sweeter to defeat Rafael Nadal at the French Open, Federer and Andy Roddick gave fans a Wimbledon to remember with a marathon match for the ages.
Gridiron Groans-- Virginia Tech entered this past fall with national title hopes, while Maryland and Virginia had postseason hopes. All were dashed for by mid-October; and while the Hokies settled for another double-digit win season the Terps and Cavaliers suffered legendarily horrific campaigns (2-10 and 3-9). This coming in what could be easily termed as another down season for the ACC. While Ralph Friedgen survived to prowl the sidelines at least one more season the bell finally tolled for Al Groh... complete with poem in his final press conference. Say what you will about Groh's tenure in Charlottesville-- he had a unique style that will be missed in today's cookie-cutter soundbyte era.
Skinsationalism-- from the team's romancing of quarterback replacements to hiring a bingo leader as its offensive playcaller, the Redskins did more than their part to stay in the spotlight. Sometimes frustrating, often mindboggling, always eye-catching-- Redskins Nation had another banner year--albeit one that didn't yield a banner of any sort.
Tiger's tumble-- safe to say few saw this story unraveling... what began as a curious piece of ice in the water (too much Turkey on Thanksgiving?) turned into the iceberg that sunk the S.S. Reputation. Tiger had spent more than a decade cultivating a persona-- and behind the fortress walls there was a world he preferred we rather not see. Regardless of whether or not his marriage survives, his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus now has the subtext of that phone message, the texting, a broken fire hydrant and a golf club shattering a car's window.
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