What?!

Ok, I know we all love Lebron and want him to succeed. Did anyone see this coming?! The Heat are 8-7 and have lost three straight. Thats not what anyone anyone expected. Lebron is incredible, one of the best players in the game, and he is playing with one of the other great players in the game, Dwyane Wade. They look bad on the court. They have barely any fans. The Clippers are 2-13 and have more fans at the games. They have some plays that look great, but it doesn't matter if they don't win. This is all so disappointing and I don't see any signs of improvement.

Will Pat Riley step in? Would that even help?
They will make the playoffs(easy to do in the east), but would they win a single game against Boston?
Did Lebron make the right choice?
Will the season turn around for the Heat?

Ryan Smyth and Kings

I know that the NHL does not get as much national attention as others sports that are featured on this blog. And that is basically because hockey is not quite as popular as other sports in this country. But that doesn't mean we are not going to cover it.

The NHL has been off to a great start. Some of the normals like Detroit and Philly are up in the top as usual, but also teams like Tampa Bay and St. Louis are off to great starts. One team that had a great year last year and is set up to be a contender this year, is the Kings.

The Kings have all the tools to make a run at the Cup. And I will show you why. First off lets start with the forwards. And none better to start off with than Ryan Smyth. A couple nights ago he played his 1000 game in the National Hockey League and also scored a goal on that night. He is what you need in the playoffs. He has grit and skill and will be a big asset for the Kings late in the season. The captain Dustin Brown is also a gritty, smart player and those type of players shine in the playoffs. There is also tons of skill in Kopitar.

Now from the D, we have the likes of Willie Mitchell and Rob Scuderi, which brings experience. The playoffs are all about experience and keeping your composure. Then you have two of the best young defensemen in league, with Jack Johnson and Drew Doughty. Doughty already has contributed to a Olympic Gold medal and he is under 23 years old.

Now everyone knows that goaltending is always the final factor. If your goalie gets hot in the playoffs, then you have a reall good shot at going far. Quick is best young goalie in the league and has the potential to definitely get hot in the playoffs.

The Kings are not the most fancy team in the world, but they work hard and are physical. The play solid defense and have a great goalie. Those attributes are a must for a team to go far in the playoffs. Like any other team designed for the playoffs, they must stay healthy. Look for the Kings to make a run this year.

Cinderella

In 2008 The New York Red Bulls made the playoffs as the eight seed and lost in the Finals. In 2009 Real Salt Lake made the playoffs as the eight seed and won the MLS Cup. This year, the San Jose Earthquakes made the playoffs as the eight seed and as of tonight eliminated the biggest beast in their way to the MLS Cup FInal.

The New York Red Bulls were up one goal on aggregate going into tonight's game and ended up playing like rubbish. Henry came into the game late to "save his team" but was too late. No offense to San Jose, but the game was given to them on a plate by the New York defense. Marques was terrible, Henry was obviously healthy but couldn't finish an easy header for his team, and Angel finally scored but was playing injured.

3-2 San Jose on aggregate scoring. Sad day for the Red Bulls, they were destined for the Finals, but rested Henry at the wrong time, and gave the year away on silly play defensively. New York has all the right pieces, but it takes more than individuals to win in the Beautiful Game. It takes heart and will and unity. The Earthquakes are the Cinderella this year and are a worthy team to beat anyone left standing in the playoffs. Thats why I love this game. You never know.

Oh Poor Donovan....

Most people saw Donovan McNabb get benched in his game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Many people are asking, why did Shanahan do this? Why did he pull out a guy who has attended the pro bowl 6 times? He has even taken his team to the NFC championship 5 times. Shanahan has suggested it is because he is not in the proper shape due to injuries or maybe even it is because his practice habits are awful. But the even more fascinating part of this story is that McNabb didn't lash back.
McNabb has never fought back. Terrel Owens talked trash on McNabb and he didn't say anything. McNabb was traded by Andy Reid to rival Washington Redskins. McNabb just went. Why is it that this guys just keep taking these back lashings, but doesn't do anything about it.
One phrase kind of sums up how we feel about McNabb, he's just one of those guys people "Love to Hate". And why doesn't he try and come back and make verbal statement? Well for one I do think McNabb has always carried himself in a classy manor, but maybe he knows that their is truth to a lot of the opinions that are being spoken out about him. I mean common his passer rating is a 76.0. This is lower than Brian Cambell, Chad Henne, and Shaun Hill. He is notorious for being a terrible practice player, where he will make passes and everyone will just kind of shake their heads. And not being in shape, that is in your control.
McNabb is just one of those guys, that you kind of feel sorry for because people are always giving him a hard time, but you don't really want to say anything because the things being spoken are true.

Ducks in Tux

The Anaheim Ducks beat the number one team in the NHL tonight, the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ryan Getzlaf (on the left) scored the game winner in overtime, assisted by Hall of Famer Teemu Selanne. Huge home win for the Ducks, who will undoubtedly struggle this year because they "got no defense."

Monday night I had dinner served to me by Ryan at a Ducks sponsored charity. Tonight he wins the game for Anaheim. We chatted for a little while at the event and I would say he might recognize me if he saw me again, but please dont think I had anything to do with his great playing tonight.

KG calls Villanueva, 'cancer patient'

So, the Boston Celtics pounded the Detroit Pistons Tuesday night. After the game Charlie Villanueva tweeted that Garnett made it personal by calling him, "a cancer patient". Everyone knows that Garnett is notorious for his trash talking. So this is not surprising. ESPNBoston.com reports that one of the tweets says: "KG called me a cancer patient, I'm pissed because, u know how many people died from cancer, and he's tossing lie it's a joke."

Now here were Garnett's comments back, "My comment to Charlie Villanueva was in fact 'You are cancerous to your team and our league,'" Garnett said. "I would never be insensitive to the brave struggle that cancer patients endure. I have lost loved ones to this deadly disease and have a family member currently undergoing treatment. I would never say anything that distasteful. The game of life is far bigger than the game of basketball."

Now my comments to Kg are, "Hey bud when a guy suffers from alopecia universalis, a medical condition that results in hair loss, just leave the cancer chirps alone. He cannot grow hair because of this condition and so whether you said he has cancer or is cancerous to the league, probably not the best move."

Well just another trash talking moment from the one and only, Kevin Garnett. Well until next time folks, post your favorite KG moments in the comments section of the blog and let us enjoy.

Ranger Pursuit

Finally, a Rangers team your not afraid to been seen in public with! New ownership a Texan can be proud of lead by The Express Nolan Ryan, who is out to put a nookie on the the American league. Certainly the addition of Cliff Les gave the team that boost of confidence it needed, but like Mike Tyson they didn't know what to do when their Ace got punched in the face by Hollyfield aka the Giants causing him to loose both world series games that he pitched. Even after the 1-4 world series showing from now on they will be cursed with higher expectations.

Top off season priorities... Can they sign Cliff Lee? Losing two world series games might just have taken his next contract down from $150 million to $120 million tiff tiff. Rangers or Yankees, let the Lee sweepstakes begin! Side note, Mrs. Lee was none to pleased with the way the Yankee fans treated her or her husband. Looks like possibly more shopping trips to The Boot Barn. Will Vlad the Impaler get an encore, he's 36 and a classic DH. The battery... Molina could be done and they need more depth in the bullpen. Joshua has the sweetest swing in MLB and should win the AL MVP...= a long term contract???

Karma?

Rajon Rondo breaks NBA all time assist record of the first four games of the season by dishing out 67 assists.

Now, being a Lakers fan, I have noticed the incredible talent of Rondo, while also realizing a simple lack of respect for "The Logo" (Jerry West) as he wears his headband upside down. I understand Rondo's statement. He is a Celtic. They hate the Lakers. I get it. But, wearing the headband upside down his whole career has, I think, put a bad spell on himself. Jerry West, "The Logo" has, because of his play, passion, attitude and sportsmanship, represented the Lakers organization and League well enough to be an example and the NBA symbol.

In Rondo's first four games, he has not worn a headband. Good for him. Now, he may have a chance at beating the Lakers in the Finals, assuming he is not cursed at the free throw line. The C's definatly would have won the Finals last year had Rondo been able to make even 50% of his attempts at the line.

Am I reading too much into this?!?

Bye Bye Randy Moss

What has happened to Randy Moss this year? I don't think anybody could have predicted New England trading him at the start of the season. Then he gets to Minnesota and four weeks later is released. Remember, this is a wide receiver who, just 3 seasons ago, set the NFL receiving TD record with 23. What was it that led to the release by the Vikings? Well, the apparent lack of hustle, the post game press conference after the Patriots game, and his embarrassing behavior at a restaurant (where while referring to the food said "I wouldn't feed this to my F@#$ing dog!") might have had something to do with it.

We know however, as much as I hate to admit it, that when it comes to professional sports in America all that matters is winning. If a team thinks a guy will help them win then they will usually sign him. I mean look at Terrell Owens, he still has a team to play for...surprisingly.

So, who is going to pick up Randy Moss now? Buffalo has first dibs followed by the Panthers, Cowboys, 49ers and Broncos. But rumor has it that he most likely may end up with the Rams, who lost 3 receivers due to injury and are currently in the running for the NFC west with a 4-4 record. If they take him I hope it works out for them, for Sam Bradford's sake...good luck Sam.

John Wall Pre-Game

Haha, this is awesome...he's obviously been practicing.

Pretty stellar game too... (29 PTS, 13 AST, 9 STL) in their win over the 76ers. Not bad for a rookie in his third game.

Straight Chucking

Division and pennant series are offence driven, due to the hitters have faced the pitchers many times through out the season. The more AB's the hitter's get the pitchers lose the advantage. Thus the opposite in the World Series... which is where amazing pitching almost always beats amazing hitting. Due to most of the hitters have had none to very few AB's in the past...against the likes of Tiny Tim, Cain, Bumgarner and Dirty Sanchez (Zito...highest paid cheer leader of all time) and The Beard to close things up. The rotation that took down the Philly's starters ..wow! Which is what the Vegas odds makers forgot to take into account. They saw what I saw... San Fran pitchers not getting a break when facing the Texas sluggers... Young, Joshua, Vlad the Impaler, Nelli and Kinsler.

Seriously, you can't tell me the Giant's have been an offensive juggernaut this year. Really... without The 15 year old (Posey's) hitting showing up the Giant's would not have even made the Playoffs...Final.. cause we all know Kung-Fu Panda was not getting it done.

Buster is a huge corner stone to build the San Fran offense around. The rotation is obviously squared away, but they will have to strap on one more power threat if they want to repeat.

Who might that be?

Please check this BCS article out!

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=5755060

Champions at Last

Last night the San Francisco Giants beat the Texas Rangers in game 5 of the World Series in Arlington Texas. San Francisco has been waiting since 1954 to see their team come home as champions. They got within 7 outs of the title in 2002 only to lose to the Anaheim Angels. JT Snow, Jeff Kent and Barry Bonds couldn't finish their run the way they wanted in San Fran. Cody Ross, Buster Posey, Edgar Renteria, Madison Bumgarner, and Brian Wilson on the other hand managed to do the impossible. Not exactly house-hold names that came up big for the Giants this post season (other than Lincecum). Rookie Buster Posey played like a veteran, Cody Ross was on fire for all three post-season series and virtually carried their offense, and Edgar Renteria's heroic 3 run home-run in the 7th is what secured the Giants 4th win of the series and eventually won him the World Series MVP. The under the radar Giants pulled it off. The Rangers had their ACE going last night and had to feel good about their chances with him on the mound. Cliff Lee looked to avenge his game one loss, but Lincecum was just too good. Once again the 26 year old, that looks 17, out dueled the master of the post season and handed the Rangers their final loss of 2010.

So what will happen next year? Will the Giants be contenders? And which team that nobody expects to contend has the best shot at going all the way?

Backs Against the Wall

The Giants lead the Rangers in the World Series 3 games to 1 going into game 5. Tonight could be the night that San Fransisco locks up their first ever World Series title. There is however one little obstacle standing in their way. That little obstacle is possibly one of the greatest post season pitchers ever...Cliff Lee. While he didn't have a Lee-like performance in his last start (4.2 I.P., 8 H, 6 ER) I have a feeling that he will come up big when his team needs him most. Lee will face one of the other top pitchers in the majors tonight, two time Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum. Can the Rangers extend it to a game 6? Or will the Giants finish off the Rangers in 5? Texas has to get their bats going if they want a change to finish their season with a win.