L.A. Pride is a true sports enthusiast.  A former youth, and division II assistant basketball coach, who studied the martial arts, he enjoys and follows all sports, even hockey.  His quick wit and insight brings a fresh view to the world of sports. You may not always agree with him, but you will enjoy his highly opinionated thoughts.

Is it me…

Or is Super Bowl XLVIII going to be okay after all?  Super Bowl XLVII was won by Baltimore Ravens, 34-31, over the San Francisco 49’ers.  The game was ‘marred’ by a  30-minute plus delay in the third quarter, due to a partial blackout in the stadium.  Up to the blackout, the Ravens were blowing out the 49’ers and threatening to run away with the game.  Fortunately, there was a dimming of the lights that allowed the 49’ers to regroup, see the light, and score 17 points, making it a game again.  Baltimore was able to answer and squeeze out a win.

Ray Lewis, linebacker, Ravens, retires a champion,  Quarterback Joe Flacco was the game’s Most Valuable Player, and Coach Harbaugh wins the big one.

The fact that the game survived a delay, and actually becomes a competitive game after it, proves that it is bigger than the elements surrounding the game.  Next year’s Super Bowl is being played in New Jersey, a cold weather site.  There has been a lot of concern about playing the Super Bowl there given the potential for poor weather.  But as the most recent game showed, it will rise above the elements and uncontrollable events that may impact the game.  The players will play and adjust accordingly, and the game will speak for itself.  The biggest issue for Super Bowl XLVIII may be the selection of the half-time performer.  (I know there is a rumor out there that they are going to skip the half-time show because of the cold; but that is nonsense; someone will be shaking their butt in the cold.)   (Beyonce’, performed the half-time show  this year, and was excellent.  Congrats to Mrs. Jay-Z.)

Lastly, given all the controversy regarding holding on pass routes, you would think they were still using the replacement referees!

NFL teams continue to adjust and shape their rosters;

A list of current NFL transactions can be found at

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/transactions/

Is it me…

Or should we be congratulating the 2013 inductees into the Professional Football Hall of Fame?  February 2, 2013, Bill Parcells, Cris Carter, Larry Allen, Jonathan Ogden and Warren Sapp were voted into Pro Football Hall of Fame.
 The class of 2013 also included a pair of senior selections, Curley Culp and Dave Robinson (.
Five players failed to get in on the final vote: Jerome Bettis, Charles Haley, Andre Reed, Michael Strahan and Aeneas Williams.)

Congrats to the newest members of the Hall.  It is a well-deserved honor.  And best wishes for next year to those who didn’t make it.

Is it me…

Or should we ban Metta World Peace from playing basketball in Detroit?

Lakers forward Metta World Peace tends to find himself in a little bit of trouble when he plays in The Palace at Auburn Hills.

He had the infamous scuffle with former Detroit Pistons big man Ben Wallace that quickly turned into an all-out brawl when he had a cup of liquid thrown on him and went into the stands to retaliate. In a much calmer incident Sunday, he found himself tangled up with Pistons guard Brandon Knight.  World Peace appeared to throw a punch, but was not penalized for it.  All we are saying , is give Peace a chance.

NBA teams are adjusting their rosters.  Please follow this link for the latest information on your team:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/teams/?eref=sinav

Is it me…

Or did the number 1 ranking jinx raise its head again this  past weekend?  Michigan was ranked #1 in men’s college basketball this weekend, as they played Indiana.  They (Michigan) lost!  Once again the top team was unable to survive the weekend.  The jinx has added new meaning to the phrase ‘one and done’.  And Kansas, the number 2 team (two and through) also lost.  It appears that just being near the number one ranking is enough to cause a lost.

It is amazing that no team wants to hold onto the top spot. (Indiana is the new number 1.)  It is going to make for an interesting March.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/rankings

Is it me…

Or is it with deep regret we note the passing of Caleb Moore?

Moore, a creative freestyle snowmobile rider,  who was hurt in a crash at the Winter X Games in Colorado, died Thursday morning. He was 26.

Moore had been undergoing care at a hospital in Grand Junction since the Jan. 24 crash. Family spokeswoman Chelsea Lawson confirmed his death, the first in the 18-year history of the X Games (ESPN).

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Edited by D. Pride.