Undying Hatred = Bandwagon Hornets Fans

On Tuesday night, the playoff hopes of the Phoenix Suns, and the hopes of NBA playoffs fans spanning 49 states, died. The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Suns in game five of their first round series in the Western Conference playoffs.

I haven't seen this much hatred towards a particular team since the Yankees were actually good. Wait a minute, people still hate the Yankees. No matter, the Spurs flipped the 'most despised team in the NBA' switch after the win tonight. Polls coast to coast of sports fans have suddenly become enormous Chris Paul fans, and who can blame them? It's not hard to like a team lead by the great Byron Scott, who knows exactly what its like to make a push through the playoffs and win an NBA title.

Something that will definitely start to be talked about, is the Tony Parker vs. CP3 matchup. Third to King James and Kobe 'I've decided to change my number' Bryant, Parker is right in the thick of things when it comes to points per game. Whoopity Do. Now that Nowitzki is gone, Paul is in the top five as well. All the more reason for him to step up on defense and shut down Mr. Eva Longoria.

The Spurs and Hornets will hit the hardwood and start their semi-final series to get to the Western Conference Championship. I think it's pretty clear who the nation is rooting for. But my question to you is who will win it, and in how many games?

On another note: There are two possible game seven's lurking. Detroit leads Philadelphia three games to two, but game six is in Philly, and my boy Iggy is heating up for the Sixers. I like this series going to a game seven. The other is the refusing to say die Houston Rockets vs. the Utah Jazz. Utah leads the series, and game six heads back to Utah. I like Utah closing out the series back in SLC.

One more note: a city softball team in Alameda, CA called "Boom Goes The Dynamite" is playing Thursday night, hoping to get a win streak going, after coming back last week in the top of the seventh inning to beat Otaez 9-7. Wish them luck.

Here comes the...Nope.

So far, for the most part, the NBA playoffs have been better than expected. There's been some games that show some heart: the 76'ers up two games to one on the Pistons and the Raptors refusing to get thrown around by the Magic. And there's been the series of no surprise: the Celtics up two games to none on the Hawks, and the Lakers up two games to none on the Nuggets. Then to the series that just sits deep in your stomach like bad chinese food that you can't take back eating:

The matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and the Phoenix Suns.



I don't even know where to begin. Maybe it's Tim Duncan's lack of personality and whiny attitude when it comes to being fouled. Maybe it's the fact that they "hack Shaq" so that they send the worst free-throw shooter in history to the line every .2 seconds. Or maybe it's the fact that Manu Ginobli's field goal percentage is higher than that perfect score I got on my test last week. Spurs fans obviously are happy, but for those of us who don't live in Texas (thank the man upstairs) we can't stand it.

Question is, can the Suns come back from being down three games to none? NBA Playoff history will tell you that accomplishing the feat is highly unlikely. What do you think?

Cason Point

With the NFL Draft coming up on Saturday, it makes me think about which teams the players you have seen play at the college level will go to, and if they will be successful at the NFL level. Now that the number one pick has been chosen, (Jake Long, OL/T Michigan) it will be interesting to see who will step up in the draft and who will fall.

I am most interested in where this guy is going to go. Antoine Cason, (#5 in the red jersey) had a stellar career at the University of Arizona. He finished with 15 career interceptions, and averaged just over 23 yards per interception return, which set a new school record. Cason didn't leave the NFL combine with scouts very happy though, finishing with a 40-yard dash time of 4.52. The top time for defensive backs was 4.31. Speed is important as a defensive back, and some scouts don't think Cason can compete with the speed of players at the next level. Nevertheless, #5 did walk away with a prestigious award this year:

The Jim Thrope Award. It goes to the best defensive back in the nation. Cason played a big role in the Arizona vs. #2 Oregon game where the Wildcats upset the Ducks 34-24. Cason finished the game with 2 TD's, one an interception 42-yard return, and the other a 56-yard punt return. The game was on a national stage, and I don't think there was any doubt that Cason was the player of the game. Best of luck Antoine in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Hoping For a Miracle On Ice

Part of being a journalist is to write to your audience. Although most of you that read this blog are nowhere near the bay area, indulge me on this one. The San Jose Sharks are heading to a deciding game 7 against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night in the Western Conference playoffs in the NHL.

San Jose had a stellar season to obtain the (2) seed in the playoff bracket, and is matched up the (7) seed Flames. Game 7 heads back to San Jose (about 15 minutes south of me). If fans like the ones below show up to the game, I'm calling the Sharks to win. The west coast doesn't have a strong following when it comes to the NHL. But that doesn't mean the game isn't popular. I still remember when the Kings were the team to beat. Mostly because of Gretzky and the hype of "the great one" but lately the attention is drawn to Pittsburgh's young gun center Sidney Crosby.

Fans here love the Sharks. They weren't too shabby when the Kings were the team on top of the Western Conference. It may be just me, but NHL playoff games seem to always go to a game 7. At least game 6. Bay area sports are just so-so, with the Warriors failing to make the playoffs, the Giants without Bonds, and the A's completely up and down. Who knows what will happen when the NFL draft shows us which players will join the 49ers and Raiders squads.

The Sharks are what's hot right now. People know the Cup (as in Stanley) is up for grabs now that defending champion Anaheim Ducks are knocked out of contention. Could the Cup end up in the city of San Jose? To tell you the truth, I don't have enough knowledge to back up any sort of argument that it is a possibility. But to see guys like this, that's just awesome.

No Game Clock in MLB

This post may lose it's validity after I post it, but currently, the Padres and the Rockies are deadlocked in a 1-1 tie heading into the bottom of the 21st inning.

The first runs of the game weren't scored until the 14th.

This made me get to thinking about the longest documented games that have been played in major league baseball. Here's what I found.

1. On April 18, 1981, a 33 inning game played between the Rochester Red Wings and the Pawtucket Red Sox who play in the triple-A International league. The game took 8 hours and 25 minutes to play over 2 days. The game was halted at 4:09 a.m. by the league's president.

2. On May 1, 1920, the Brooklyn Dodgers and Boston Braves played a 26 inning game that was eventually called due to darkness.

3. On May 9, 1984, the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers played a 25 inning game that took 8 hours and six minutes that finally ended with a White Sox win 7-6.

Then it got me to thinking, what has to happen for the game to be suspended? Here's your answer.

According to the rules of major league baseball, the game can be suspended for a number of reasons:
1. A curfew imposed by law
2. A time limit permissible under league rules
3. Light failure or malfunction
4. Darkness, when a law prevents the lights from being turned on
5. Weather, if the bottom half of the inning can't be played
6. It is a regulation game, called with the score tied

These answers come straight from the rule book of major league baseball.

During my post, the game between the Rockies and Padres was completed in the 22nd inning, with a double to deep left center on his eighth at bat of the game by Troy Tulowitzki, scoring Willy Taveras. The Padres didn't respond in the bottom of the inning, and the Rockies won 2-1. The game took 6 hours and 16 minutes to play.

Now, put yourself in the seat of a loyal Padres fan. You come out to the game merely hoping for a Padres win, decked out in all the gear you can find in your closet. You witness nine long scoreless innings, and don't see any real action until the opposing team puts up one in the top of the 14th. Luckily, a score gets knocked in in the bottom of the inning to tie the game once again, and the winning run is on 3rd base. But he never reaches home. You wait another 8 innings to see the Rockies score once again, and witness the Padres put up a 0 in the bottom of the 22nd. That is one long drive home.

The last game that went more than 20 innings was played in 1993. What teams were involved?

Fiery Felix

I'm really pullin' for the M's this year. Signing Bedard will hopefully complete the rotation. But this post is dedicated to Felix. He's off to a great start.

He picked up his second win of the season tonight against Oakland. Currently, Oakland is off to the best start in the A.L. West, so every win against a team in the division is crucial.

Here's his stats: (2-0) 30.2 IP, 1.47 ERA, 24Ks

Felix is only 22 years old and this has been his best start since the M's brought him up 3 years ago. He struggled with injuries the last couple years, and this year he looks as fresh as ever. The great thing is that he can be a nine inning guy. He showed that tonight against the A's throwing a CG and only 115 pitches. That's what manager John McLaren likes to see.

Of course behind every good pitcher there has to be stellar defense, as well as a powerful offense. Luckily, both are picking up, and they can put something together to get the win. The wonderful word momentum comes back again. The M's are on a 2 game win streak with momentum going their way. It should be an interesting week. The M's face Oakland again tomorrow, then head south to face the other divisional leader, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Now That's Fast

1000 words

Speedtest

Playoffs Here We Come

I said it earlier, but the NBA has done a great job this year at getting viewers and making the sport more exciting to the average sports enthusiast.

With a win last night, the Lakers clinched the #1 seed in the West. A remarkable job, seeing as the conference was absolutely ridiculous. That puts them up against Denver (not the Warriors), and unless something goes terribly wrong, the Lakers should be on their way to the Western Conference Finals.

The Eastern Conference is led by Boston. It was thought in the pre-season that they would have broken the win record set by the '95-'96 bulls at 72-10. They currently 7 wins short with one game to play. If they are healthy and can get the performance that they are capable of from their star players (Garnett, Allen, Pierce) they should be the team to beat in the Eastern Conference playoffs bracket. Detroit can certainly put up a fight however.

The playoffs start on Sunday with the 76ers at Detroit, and the Raptors at the Magic in their game 1's. It's the start of a long playoff run for one 2008 NBA Team. I don't want to make a prediction until later in the week, but how sweet would it be to see the Lakers vs. Celtics in the NBA Finals? Brings back sweet, sweet memories of Larry and Magic.

Question of the week is: Can Howard Schultz keep the Sonics in Seattle?

Immel's the Man

A busy week has come and gone. 2 NCAA Basketball Champions decided, and a new Master's champion. His name: Trevor Immelman.

My hat goes off to him because he was the one that got around the golf course in the least amount of shots. Did Tiger have a chance? Most certainly. Golf scores are mostly determined on the green. Tiger didn't hit his putts. That's all there is to it. He had three chances within 10 feet in the last 6 holes for birdie. He missed them all.

I really am happy to see Immelman win it. It sounds like he has overcome some serious illnesses the last couple of years. There is only one thing I have against the win. Two weeks prior, Immelman, Ian Poulter, and Justin Rose played two practice rounds at Augusta National. This is legal because it is not the week of the tournament. I just have an ethical issue with this. Golfer's come out and are given two days to play the course the week of the tournament. These three played it two more times than everyone else in the field. Advantage? You'd have to be absolutely obtuse not to think so. Opening round scores verify this point. Look at the top three players after day one. You'll find your answer.

As a golfer, I am torn about how I feel about them playing 2 weeks before. I guess you could say that it is as close to cheating as you can get in golf. They have a look at the course in almost optimal condition, and they can hit numerous shots from numerous places.

I'm open to suggestion about what you all think. I tip my cap as he slides on the green jacket. But in the back of my head, I'm thinking about those 2 practice rounds that he played. If you want to win a tournament, do you go and play the course as many times as you can until you get it right? What he did is fully within the rules. So I'm leaving it alone. A tradition like no other.

How The Tables Can Turn

Imagine. After day one of the Master's tournament, you are tied for the lead. You make it through 14 holes of the 2nd round and you are two under par (that's pretty good). You head into the 15th, a 530 yard par 5, and hit one right down the gut. You decide to play it safe and lay up, giving you a nice sand wedge over the water and onto the green. Practice swing feels good, you have a decent lie, then the bad mojo starts to unravel. You catch one fat, and dunk it into the water. Two more feet and you were safe.

Well, shake it off. Take your drop and chip it close to get up and down for bogey. Or not. You hit it about 20 yards over the green, almost into the water that walks along 16. Now you're lying five, and you chip it up barely onto the green leaving you with a 30 foot down hill left to right putt that is so dangerous, that if you hit it just a touch harder than you need to, you could hit it right back into the water that you got into in the first place. Breathe easy and just 'tap it in'. The crowd gives the anxious sigh because you hit it a tad too hard and just barely stay on the green. Well to cap off the par 5 you hit your 7th shot to within 5 feet and make your putt for an 8. Folks in the business like to call it a snowman. You've just relinquished your under par round and you are now sitting at +1.

Heading into 16 you hope to get one back with a birdie. But the mojo has already set in and you walk away from the par 3 with a bogey four. You start the day two under, and finish the day two over. You've just dropped nearly 20 spots in a matter of 2 holes. Man, wouldn't that just be the worst? I mean how do you come out day 3 and make a move to put you in contention for Sunday?

Just ask Justin Rose.


This happened to him today in the second round of the Master's. I TiVo'd it, and watched it later in the day and I just felt sick watching this happen. This is a great argument how Golf is most assuredly a sport. This little thing people like to call 'momentum' shows up on the golf course, just as much as it does in a college basketball game, MLB game, or another professional sport for that matter. Justin Rose lost momentum today and instead the golf course took over. It's probably one of the weirdest funk's to be in. Nothing goes right, shots get worse and worse, and you can't put the ball in the hole. Ask any professional or amateur and they'll tell you this definitely happens.

Well we head into day 3 of the Master's tomorrow and Tiger is 7 strokes back. But I just gave an example of how one player lost 4 shots in 2 holes. It is very possible that Tiger can make up the shots. The leader, Trevor Immelman, fired two 68's back to back. Pretty good for a guy who came out 2 weeks prior to the tournament and played a few practice rounds. I mean, jeez, the guy should feel like a member playing the course that much in a span of 2 weeks.

Enjoy the weekend fellow golfers because it is a weekend that we all love. Can Tiger pull off a victory? We shall see. I'm just sad to see Fred Couples' streak of 23 cuts made at the Master's end. He's made the cut every single year he's played since 1983. Wow.

Suggestions

1. Watch the Master's this week. Preferably in high definition.

2. Pull for the Mariner's to get on a win streak.

3. Watch the Master's this week. Preferably in high definition.

Put Out The Torch!

If you have been following the news this week, you know that the 2008 Olympic Games Torch is making it's stop on it's way to Beijing in San Francisco tomorrow. The problem is, it's already been extinguished once a couple of days ago en route from Paris. The protesters are increasing and it may stop the long trip that the Torch has yet to make altogether. Many people have asked President Bush to boycott the opening ceremonies because of China's power and influence over many of the other countries in the east. After making the only U.S. stop in San Francisco, the Olympic Committee is going to evaluate if the torch should be extinguished to prevent future riots. Will it make the whole scheduled trip?

Quick Sports:
-Tiger refuses the invitation to play in the Master's Par 3 Tournament: Good idea?
-The Detroit Tigers dropped the 7th straight. Where are the bats? Especially Ordonez?
-The Golden State Warriors and The Denver Nuggets are tied for the 8th spot in the Western Conference playoff race. They play each other on Thursday. Can the Warriors prevail and win out their season to make the playoffs?
-The Lady Cardinal loses big time in the NCAA Championship game to the Vols out of Tennessee...aint that a shame

That's Why They're Free

Free throws are the easiest way to score a point in the game of basketball. There's no one in your face, you are stationary, and you practice them countless times in practice. Add the intensity of a championship game, screaming fans, sweaty palms, and about 4 million thoughts running through your head at the same time, it's real easy to miss.

Memphis showed that tonight in the NCAA Championship. They had the opportunity to win the game. Throw all the other shots made aside and take a trip to the line where Chris Douglas-Roberts and Derrick Rose missed 4 of Memphis' 5 final trips to the line. That's five free points. Of course if you missed the game, it was 63-60 with 9 seconds left and Mario Chalmers pulled off a miraculous shot to tie the game at 63 and send the game into overtime.



It's said that an object in motion stays in motion. Kansas was in motion and rode out the momentum to win the 2008 NCAA Championship. And another poor pick on my part, but it's clear that if the FREE throws were made, the game could have been won by Memphis. Coach Calipari had this to say:

"And I sat there and I looked up and I said, 'Lord, if he makes this, these two, we're supposed to be national champs.' And if that's your will, I'm fine. And if he misses them and we're not, I'm fine with that, too.'

Looks like Jesus is a Jayhawks fan.

I'm just hoping that the Arizona Baseball team can get momentum. The Cats lost 2 of 3 against the Washington Huskies last weekend. Preseason #1, and now not even in the top 25 with a horrible 15-11 record. The Cats are at San Diego State on Tuesday and Wednesday before taking on Indiana State in Tucson this weekend. They need to walk away this week 5-0. Errors and poor appearances at the plate are what's costing wins.

Question: Detroit has started the season 0-6. Will they still win the ALCS and become World Champs?
Speculation: The Tucson Citizen is reporting that Rivlas.com has said that Chase Budinger will declare for the draft as well. I'm waiting to hear the official statement to make sure this isn't hear-say. If it is true, that's not good for the Wildcat basketball team.

Bye Bye Bayless/Bracket Busted

Ladies and gentlemen. The University of Arizona announced today that it's best player this year has declared for the NBA Draft. The thing is that he will go, and in the top 10 as a lottery pick. Here's my thoughts.

The NBA teaches college basketball players how to sell out on their college teams. Besides the rare Carmello Anthony case, if the team they decided to play college for doesn't win a national championship the first season they play, they just go to the NBA. Bayless, Durant, Oden, most likely Love, and the list goes on. I find this absolutely ridiculous. The only bad thing about the NBA is they over pay their players and turn them into money hungry players who now taint the beauty (don't laugh) of the game. Basketball is no longer a sport. I just declared it. We (and by we I mean owners), just throw money at these guys. So, in Bayless' case, he says, do I try and play college again? Or sign a contract that guarantees me a $1 million signing bonus? Hmm?? Stupidest thing out there. The NBA should only be allowed to give players $40-50 thousand a years to guys right out of college. That's plenty. I could go for days on how overpaid basketball players are. So I'll just stop there.

A guy who won't be entering the draft and also won't be playing in the national championship game is Tyler Hansborough. Tough luck, but my hat still goes off to the kid. Kansas stomped on UNC and Memphis man-handled the Bruins out of UCLA. There was talk that this is the worst tournament in terms of games, because SO many games have been decided by more than 20 points or thereabouts. Not many buzzer beaters, not much excitement. Just angry fans who are yelling at the TV for their team to clear a 19-point deficit in 1:20. My bracket got busted by the cops and taken to jail for life. North Carolina and UCLA will play in an imaginary game on Monday night before the championship game starts. UCLA wins so that my bracket stays intact. Not many people thought this was the way it would end, but it should still be a great game nonetheless. My prediction: Memphis beats Kansas 81-75. What's yours?

I'm On Steroids

I've decided to plug a book that I am currently reading. It's called Game of Shadows and the tag line is "Barry Bonds, BALCO, and the Steriods Scandal that Rocked Professional Sports." Here's my suggestion to those who may decide to read this book: It helps to have a general sense of the steroids issue that has encompassed both Major League Baseball (especially recently) and the Olympic games. Sports minded people may have a better appreciation for the book, because steroids truly has transformed the sport of professional baseball the last 20 years. This book clues you in on what exactly happened, and maybe even why it happened in baseball. It used to be just an Olympian thing to do, but found its way to the baseball diamond. The reason why I enjoy it and why you may as well, is that the guys who wrote it are not sportswriters. They are ultimately outsiders to the professional baseball. These are just two great investigative journalists that write for the San Francisco Chronicle who found a great story. The reason they had an edge is because of the location of BALCO ( Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative), literally 5-10 minutes from my house. So today's post, read a book and make yourself smarter. It's a beautiful thing.

Wild Wild West (not starring Will Smith)

Yes, I'm fully aware at what's on the line this weekend. The Final Four head to San Antonio and battle it out to see who gets to play for the National Championship. I've posted before but I'll say it again, North Carolina Beats Kansas, UCLA beats Memphis (I had Texas but they didn't show up in their home state) and lo and behold, we've got a Hansborough vs. Love matchup that will be one for the books. I'm serious.

But that can wait. The NBA has been under a lot of scrutiny the last couple of years with fights, suspensions, double-technicals and referees betting on games. It has been said that because of the showing at this years All-Star game of "The Superman" it catapulted the NBA into a new era and limelight. But who said they needed it? If you follow the NBA you already know that the race to make the playoffs in the West is the closest it has been in the last 10 years. One or two great teams will not make the playoffs this year. I heard one of them is Seattle (funny but not really). The East is already locked up as usual (how about the Hawks getting in the 8 spot?), but 6 1/2 games is currently the differential for the West. There's 2 weeks left in the season. This will be the make or break 2 weeks for most teams.

How about Byron Scott leading the New Orleans Hornets to the top of the West? Of course it's led on the court by Chris Paul out of Wake Forest, and they are turning a lot of heads. Don't start reminiscing about the Grandma-ma Larry Johnson years just yet though. San Antonio is currently only 1/2 a game back, and the "The Lake Show" is only 1.5. It's who will get that 8 spot that's the question. Will the Bay Area get another thrill and see their Warriors head into the post-season? Or will Denver and Dallas keep winning so that they will have no chance? I put it to you. I'd like to see the beard of Baron Davis make another trip to the playoffs.


In case anyone even knew, Seattle has won 17 games this year and look like a team that should be in Oklahoma City. Breaking news is that the state House committee passed a tax incentive package that could get the Sonics to OK City sooner. This of course makes owner Clay Bennett very happy. Here's my advice for the sonics: Before Kevin Durant came along you had VERY good picks in the NBA Draft. What did you do? You went overseas and drafted some of the worst foreign players that couldn't hang in the NBA. It's not the location. It's the front office. Seattle wants to support a good team, you just won't give them one. And come on, they've got the best mascot in the game. Who doesn't think that the "wookie" look alike Squatch is awesome? Goodnight.

A Tradition Like No Other

Ladies and gentlemen, the hiatus is over. It's amazing how not having an internet connection can slow you down in today's technological world. Nevertheless, it's time to get back into full swing, and truly no better way to do it then to talk about the greatest golf tournament known to man: The Masters. We're one week away.

The mystique that is Augusta National is as storied as the Constitution. Every first full week in April, Augusta, Georgia, is filled with out-of-towners. Sometimes WAY out of town. Tickets go for thousands of dollars. To say you have walked the grounds of Augusta National is every golfer's dream, both amateur and professional. The invitation to the tournament is extremely strict. This is NOT your average golf tournament. Here's what it takes to get an invite to play at Augusta:

1. Masters Tournament Champions (Lifetime)
2. US Open Champions (Honorary, non-competing after 5 years)
3. British Open Champions (Honorary, non-competing after 5 years)
4. PGA Champions (Honorary, non-competing after 5 years)
5. Winners of The Players Championship (Three years)
6. Current US Amateur Champion (6-A) (Honorary, non-competing after 1 year) and the runner-up (6-B) to the current US Amateur Champion
7. Current British Amateur Champion (Honorary, non-competing after 1 year)
8. Current US Amateur Public Links Champion
9. Current US Mid-Amateur Champion
10. The first 16 players, including ties, in the 2007 Masters Tournament
11. The first 8 players, including ties, in the 2007 US Open Championship
12. The first 4 players, including ties, in the 2007 British Open Championship
13. The first 4 players, including ties, in the 2007 PGA Championship
14. The 30 leaders on the Final Official PGA Tour Money List for 2007
15. Winners of PGA Tour events that award a full-point allocation for the season-ending Tour Championship, from previous Masters to current Masters
16. Those qualifying for the season-ending 2007 Tour Championship
17. The 50 leaders on the Final Official World Golf Ranking for 2007
18. The 50 leaders on the Official World Golf Ranking published during the week prior to the 2008 Masters

No sponsor exemptions, no exceptions. Numbers 6,7, 8 and 9 wet their pants every year because they get the invite. You are selected to play in this tournament because you have shown that you are good enough to play the game of golf. Interesting concept.

It all started in 1934 when Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts wanted to sponsor a tournament. It was originally called Augusta National Invitation Tournament, but was changed in 1939 to The Masters. Much better. Every year on Wednesday a Par-3 tournament is held. There's a 9-hole course inside the grounds that spans 1,060 yards. The course record is 20. The tourney begins Thursday and always ends Sunday with two happy arms waiting to slip into the exquisite green jacket. The tournament begins next week and guess who's playing? That's right, the 1997, 2001, 2002, and 2005 champion: Tiger Woods.

So who will Zach Johnson put the jacket on this year? I think everyone wants to see Tiger because the win would be 1 down in his quest for 4 in one year. That would truly be a feat.

Who will win the 2008 Master's? I put it to you. If you're a betting man, it never hurts to bet on a guy by the name of Fred Couples. You never know.