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Random Sports Thoughts By L.A. Pride

19 Wednesday Dec 2012

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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 Rex Ryan carrying this loyalty thing a bit too far?  Ryan, the head coach of the NY Jets stuck with Mark Sanchez at quarterback all season and the Jets are now eliminated from the playoffs.  (The one game Rex removed Sanchez from is the game, they won.)  It was obvious to everyone, except Ryan, that Sanchez could not do the job, and now it may cost him his job.  Oh well, live by the quarterback, die by the quarterback.

The NFC east is locked in a three-way tie with two games left.  The Giants blew a lead and now must fight it out with the Cowboys and Redskins.  The Redskins are hot and might just scalp the other two and win this thing.

Current NFL standings may be found at:

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

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 did Jeremy Lin save his best game of the season for his homecoming?  Linsanity was alive and well at the Garden Monday night.  Unfortunately he was wearing a Houston Rockets’ jersey, as he and the Rockets handed the Knicks their first home defeat.  Lin outplayed his Knick replacement, Ray Felton, and got the last laugh on the Knicks who they have beaten twice this season.

Speaking of the Knicks,  Amar’e Stoudemire has gotten an okay to practice.  He’s back!!!!  Now we will find out if the Knicks are prospects or suspects.  Can they play together or will Coach Woodson begin pulling out his scalp?

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 R.A. Dickey win the Cy Young award last season?  Dickey who won the award for being the best pitcher in the National League was traded by the Mets to the Toronto Blue Jays.  WHY?   Only the Mets would do this.  And we wonder why they are lousy each year.

Is it me…

Or  is it time to congratulate Jim Boeheim on his 900th victory?  Syracuse head basketball coach Jim Boeheim , 68 and in his 37th year at his alma mater, is 900-304 and joined an elite fraternity.  Mike Krzyzewski (936) and Bob Knight (902) are the only other men’s Division I coaches to win that many games.  Boeheim won all 900 games at Syracuse University, the Oranngemen.  Congrats Coach!  Have a glass of orange juice on me.

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

Is it me…

Or is it time to take a minute to remember the 26 victims of the Newtown, Connecticut massacre? This senseless tragedy is beyond comprehension.  Twenty children, ages 6 and 7 , and six adults were gunned down by a crazed gunman armed with an assault  rifle and  two semiautomatic handguns at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Once again the issue of gun control surfaces.  Hunters and gun enthusiast, argue that guns don’t kill, people do.   Nonsense!!!!!  People with guns kill and do so at an alarming rate in the United States.  Name one other industrialized country where this happens.   If you must hunt and need to go out and kill Bambi, you can do so without an assault weapon or a large magazine clip.  (personally I think it would be a lot fairer if we gave the animals weapons and let them shoot back).

They also point out that they have a constitutional right to bear arms.  Yes a document written in the 18th century before we had supermarkets and freezers; A different time , with a different life style.

Jack Pinto the first of twenty children to be buried was a huge NY Giant fan.  His favorite player was Victor Cruz.  Cruz honored Jack by writing his name on his football cleats.  He also met with the family and gave them the shoes.  Class!

As a Martial Artist I was extremely proud of the little boy who offered to lead his classmates to safety.  He told his teacher he would go first because he knows karate.  OSS!!!

Please keep the victims and their families in your prayers and thoughts.

Edited by D. Pride.

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Random Sports Thoughts By L.A. Pride

04 Wednesday Jul 2012

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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 Tiger playing with us? One day after spectators were barred from the golf course because of debris from a violent storm.  They were treated to a real whirlwind named Tiger Woods.

Woods spent 2010 and 2011 trying to rebound from personal upheaval, injury and a major swing change. He looked like a very old 36 as this season began, but over the last four months he’s won tournaments hosted by Arnold Palmer (Bay Hill) and Nicklaus (Memorial), and now Woods has again won the AT&T, the tournament that he hosts and brought to D.C. He’s healthy; he’s practicing; he’s winning.

Woods, who at one point, went 41 holes without a bogey to win the Congressional Golf Tournament in Maryland.  It was  isthird win of the season and 74th. overall, moving pass Jack Nickaluus into 2nd place , 8 behind San Snead for  overall PGA wins.

Is this the REAL tiger or  the FAKE Tiger?  We won’t know until his next tournament.   He sure knows how to make golf exciting, one way or the other.  Granted none of his wins this season have been majors, but who else has won three tournaments?

Tiger is ___________________!  (you fill in the word(s).

Is it me …

Or is the NFL a bit quiet this week?

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/

The NFL has decided to relax the blackout rule, which is good news for the average fan in an NFL town.  According to the league, teams now have the option to sell 85 percent in order to avoid a blackout, as opposed to needing a full-blown sellout in order to avoid the blackout.  In other words a team, which has sold 85% of its tickets, may show the game on local TV.  Good news for the fan that can’t afford tickets.   (Please note that this is optional and the team has the right to show or not show the game.)

The arbitrator has ruled in favor of Drew Brees in his grievance with the Saints over franchise-tag designation.  Show Drew the money!

Is it me…

Or is Dwight Howard’s house up for sale?  Dwight Howard has reportedly told the Orlando Magic that he will only sign a long-term extension with one team- The Brooklyn Nets.

Howard who said he was ‘blackmailed’ into signing last year with the Magic, was quite firm in his decision to be traded to the Nets, in spite of being linked to trade talks with the Lakers or Mavericks.  Additionally, the Nets have reportedly made a deal with the Atlanta Hawks for Joe Johnson, which would severely limit the Nets ability to pay Howard, unless they gut their remaining roster.

Howard still has a year left on his commitment to the Magic.  However, if the Magic do not trade him this upcoming season, they risk losing him for nothing to free agency.  (We all remember how well that worked for the Magic when they let Shaq walk away.)

Did I miss something in Orlando, It seemed like a nice place to live?

The Boston Celtics have signed Kevin Garnett to an extension, 3 years.  Garnett played extremely well during the playoffs and at times carried Boston.

Ray Allen, a free agent formerly with Celtics,  and the Heat are in discussions regarding Allen opting to bring his talent to South Beach.  Boston has not given up on re-signing Ray and appears ready to bring everyone back for one more run at another title.

Jeremy Lin back to the Knicks may not be the lock it appears to be.  Another team may offer Lin a back loaded contract offering a huge amount of money in the last years of the contract.  If the Knicks were to match such a contract they would have several players (Chandler, Anthony, Stoudemire, and Lin) with big pay days in the final year(s) of their contracts coming up, this would easily push them above the salary cap.   Note, that the new collective bargaining agreement is extremely harsh on those teams above the cap.

The Knicks have to think about what is best for the franchise now and in the future.  These poison-pill contracts can  jam up the salary cap of a team for years and years.  It took the Knicks a long  time to get out from under the salary cap curse.

Toronto Raptors have offered Steve Nash, a Canadian, the keys to the northern kingdom if he so desires.  He won’t win a championship, but he’ll have plenty of Canadian dollars to spend in the underground mall.  Steve, please wait a day or two, a contender will call!

UH-oh department: New Orleans power forward Anthony Davis, the No. 1 pick in last week’s NBA draft, suffered a sprained ankle in a Hornets workout Saturday that may eliminate him from consideration for the Summer Olympics in London. The Hornets confirmed Davis’ injury in a statement, saying he was day to day.  Please don’t catch the Greg Odon injury disease.

Speaking of Odom, Lamar is thrilled at being able to return to L.A., albeit the Clippers. The Mavericks were able to arrange a deal which allowed the ‘Candy-Man’ to return to LA LA land.

NBA teams are moving into the free agency period and 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 Major League Baseball make a mistake letting a retired manager, La Russa manage the 2012 All-Star game?    Apparently La Russa still harbors grudges against certain players and teams and is exacting revenge by snubbing players who deserve to be all-stars.  In the other major sports this would not be so damaging, as the all-star game is  a ‘meaningless’ exhibition game.  However, in baseball, the game determines who has home field in the World Series.

What were they thinking?

Is it me…

Or did U.S.A. Track and Field get slapped in the face?   Tarmoh and Felix were ruled to have finished in a tie for third place in the women’s 100 meters final.  A runoff was scheduled between them to secure the final spot for the100 meters team.

Jeneba Tarmoh conceded the final Olympic spot in the 100 meters rather than race against training partner Allyson Felix.

Tarmoh notified USA Track and Field on Monday of her decision. Her agent, Kimberly Holland, already made it known that Tarmoh would not participate in a runoff Monday night to settle a third-place tie at the U.S. track trials.

In an email sent through her agent to USATF, Tarmoh said: “I understand that with this decision I am no longer running the 100m dash in the Olympic Games and will be an alternate for the event.”

Tarmoh, who felt all along she had won the race on June 23, did not specify in her statement why she was giving up a chance to possibly run the 100 in London.

USATF president Stephanie Hightower said the organization was “disappointed” Tarmoh had a change of heart.

Usain Bolt, ’the world’s fastest human ‘, was defeated twice by his training partner, Yohan Blake, in the 100 and 200 meters sprints in the Jamaican Olympics trials.

Edited by D. Pride.

Random Sports Thoughts By L.A. Pride

16 Wednesday May 2012

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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.

QUICK THOUGHTS

Is it me …

Or is Tiger Woods spending more time explaining his poor play rather than practicing to fix it?  He finished tied for 40th place in his last tournament.  Should he change his first name to ‘Kitten’?

Or is Allen Iverson planning a major comeback in the Chinese professional league?  How do you say, “ I can’t make practice” in Chinese?

Or was World Peace (Ron Artest) too much for the Denver Nuggets?  Not only did World Peace play shut down defense he scored and helped the Lakers win a seventh game and advance to the second round.

Or if Kobe is going to win a sixth ring it will be because of World Peace?

Or did the Chicago Bulls suffer the injury bug at the worse possible time? Chicago’s Rose, Deng, and Noah were injured during the playoffs and were unable to play in several different games. (Philadelphia, the bottom seed, defeated the Bulls, the top seed.)

Or is Josh Hamilton playing great baseball for the Texas Rangers? Hamilton has some serious personal issues and addresses them each day; playing baseball is not one of them.

Or were the Jets smart in training down a spot on Hard Knocks?  An inside look at the Jets would be a disaster at this time given the turmoil from last season, and the controversy that is sure to develop between Tebow and Sanchez (Quarterbacks).

Or are the NY Rangers the cardiac kids?  They advanced in the National Hockey League playoffs by winning another seventh game.  Additionally it was, once again, a one-goal win.

Or do the NY Rangers get E-Z Pass credit instead of meal money when they play the NJ Devils in Newark? They are not really traveling to an away game.  Then again hockey players have no teeth, why do they need meal money?

Or do we want to look at the NBA playoffs?

Western Conference

L.A. Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs*

L.A. Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder  -Thunder lead the series 1-0 after a stunning beat down on the Lakers.

Imagine if the L.A. teams win, it puts a new meaning to the phrase, home and home series.  (They play in the same arena.)

Eastern Conference

Philadelphia 76’ers vs. Boston Celtics – Series tied at 1-1.   Philadelphia managed to get one in Boston.  Pierce played poorly in the loss to Philly.

Indianapolis Pacers vs. Miami Heat * Miami leads series 1-0,  but may have lost Bosh for the series with an abdominal strain.

* Played Tuesday night after we went to press.

The NBA Playoff picture; Follow this link to the match-ups:

http://www.nba.com/playoffs/2012/series/index.html

 Or do we want to look at adjustments by NFL teams?

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/

Or did the NY Knicks overdo it by releasing streamers for winning ONE playoff game against the Miami Heat?

Or is mixed martial arts just a street fight with someone already there, the ref, to break it up?

Or would the NY Knicks have sill lost to Miami if they had brought back Jeremy Lin for the series?

Or can someone tell me on what channel they show the NHL playoff games?

Or is Serena Williams rounding back into shape?  Serena won her 41st title, the Madrid Open and looks ready.

Or will World Peace, Lakers, get thrown out of the playoffs again for unnecessary roughness?

Or did the condensed NBA season lead to additional injuries during the NBA playoffs?

Or did the world exhale after Albert Pujols hit  his first home run as an Angel?

Or does Floyd Mayweather need investment counseling?  Floyd bought his fiancee two pairs of shoes for $11,000, and he lost an $80,00 betting slip.  He spends money like a banker, as if it is not his.

Edited by D. Pride.

Random Sports Thoughts By L.A. Pride

04 Wednesday Apr 2012

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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 did the Knicks pull a fast one regarding Lin’s knee?  The Knicks waited until the deadline for buying playoff tickets passed before announcing that Jeremy Lin was going to be out for six weeks due to a knee injury.  Lin, the Knicks’ most popular player, had sat out several games and was listed as day to day right up until the deadline.  The Knicks, who denied any hanky-panky, could not explain why Lin’s injury was so hard to diagnose, but Stoudemire, who is also out, was immediately diagnosed and sat down.  Let’s see who sells more souvenirs and puts fans in the seat?   Are we “Lining” toward a con job by MSG and Cablevision?

Speaking of the Knicks, they have done well under new coach Mike Woodson.  He has them playing both ends of the floor, as they drive for a payoff spot.  What may hurt Coach Woodson is an early exit from the playoffs and a big name coach who is not working, like a Phil Jackson.

 

Who’s hot?

 

Boston

New York

San Antonio

Oklahoma City

L.A. Clippers

 

Who’s not?

 

Cleveland

Charlotte

New Orleans

Minnesota

Golden State

 

NBA teams continue to adjust and shape their rosters;

A list of current NBA transactions can be found at:

 

http://www.nba.com/news/transactions/2011_12/

 

Is it me…

Or are the Jets completely out of their minds?  The Jets have put the word out that they would consider appearing on HBO’s reality football show “Hard Knocks” again.  Let’s see, they just traded for Tim Tebow, gave existing quarterback Sanchez a huge raise, have no idea what offense they plan to run, the locker room is a mess, with players out of control, and lastly they would let Coach Ryan appear in front of an open microphone.  Is this a formula for disaster, or do they just want to sell seats and appear in the newspaper?  Granted the Jets were a big hit on the show the last time they appeared but this would be a bit over the top.  Not only would the show their dirty laundry, they would be highlighting the stains.

 The New Orleans Saints are honestly appealing the penalties they were given for putting bounties out on players.  Their defense appears to be we knew it was bad, that’s why we lied about it.  Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don’t believe the Saints should be allowed to bring in any new coaches.  Some penalty if your replacement coach is a hall of fame coach.  They should make do with whoever is not suspended.  They shouldn’t gain from this mess.  Yeah, I said it,  NO Parcells as coach.

NFL draft –number one pick versus the best player.  Is Luck of Stanford the best player or the preordained number one pick?

Check out the NFL’s new uniforms.

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 did the Baylor Women’s Basketball team send a message  this past weekend?    Britteny Griner led Baylor to an impressive win over Stanford.  Baylor had an opportunity to set a record last night by beating Notre Dame and getting 40 wins in a  single season.  (We went to press before the game ended).

Congrats to the men’s champion,  Kentucky with an impressive win over Kansas.  Coach Calipari, Kentucky,  proved you can win the whole thing with a bunch of freshmen. One and dones, who leave after one year for the pros.  It makes recruiting very interesting, do you look to get the very best for one year and go for it, or do you look to build a foundation with kids who are going to be around for  a couple of years?  The talented player who stays in school is viewed as flawed. or why didn’t he leave.  We, force the kids to take the money and run.

In fairness, to basketball, many other sports let the kids turn pro early also, for example golf and tennis.  No one is asking about Tiger’s degree.

Is it me …

Or does golf need Tiger?  I found myself watching Tiger win a tournament a couple of weeks ago.  I can’t remember the last time I watched a golf tournament.  But Tiger was in the lead and I wanted to see him win Palmer’s tournament, which he did.  I am not saying he will win the Master’s in Georgia, but Tiger looked good and appeared confident, a winning combination.  Good Luck Tiger.

 

Is it me…

Or is baseball about to start?  Wake me up in time for the World Series-BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Edited by D. Pride.

Random Sports Thoughts By L.A. Pride

29 Wednesday Feb 2012

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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 did someone forget to tell Dwayne Wade the NBA All-Star game is an exhibition game with no defense played?  Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat committed a hard foul on Kobe Bryant during the All-Star game bloodying Kobe’s nose.  To his credit Kobe did not respond or retaliate, and in the process of playing the game became the All-Star scoring leader surpassing Michael Jordan.  (It appears that Kobe’s nose was broken and he suffered a ‘mild’ concussion.)

The West won the game, and Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder was the Most Valuable Player.  LeBron James passed on the game winning shot and caused a turnover.  Hmmm!

Years ago the dunk contest was a featured attraction of All-Star weekend.  Now it is difficult to get people to compete in it.  The defending champion B. Griffin did not compete this year, nor did any other big names.  Jeremy Evans, Utah Jazz, won the contest.  Kevin Love of the Timberwolves took the three point shooting contest and Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs, won the skills challenge.

The intriguing stories for the second half of the NBA concern the Knicks and the Lakers.   Will the Knicks and Jeremy Lin grow and develop in to a playoff contender or will they continue  to be pretenders and beat a few good teams, now and then but repeatedly disappoint when it really counts? (Note to the Knicks, please keep J.R. Smith’s sister away from older people in the stands.  While her brother was in China, she got into several fights with the local fans.  The Chinese viewed her as the ugly American and let it slide, NYPD may feel differently if she assaults a senior citizen over a basketball game.) (Another note: The Knicks are 31 – 32 since acquiring Carmelo Anthony.  HMMM!)

The Lakers need to pull it together and decide if they are going to play as is or make a move involving P. Gasol.  Gasol, seems to be affected by these trade rumors and is playing poorly.  Either boot him or suit him, but do something.  The Lakers are not the favorite in the west, Oklahoma City is, but given Kobe’s desire and the right supporting cast they can be a real threat to upset the favorites and get in the finals.  I am not saying Gasol needs to be traded for this to happen, but he does need a little love if he’s staying.

Once again a franchise has blackmailed the taxpayers.   The Sacramento Kings had threatened to leave Sacramento if the city did not build a new arena.  Well Mayor Kevin Johnson, a former NBA player, announced at a press conference that a new arena will be built, with partial financing from the city, $200 to $250 million dollars of the projected $367 million.  The average fan won’t be able to afford a ticket to a game in a stadium he/she has paid for.

Latest NBA power ratings:

http://www.nba.com/powerrankings/

NBA teams continue to adjust and shape their rosters;

A list of current NBA transactions can be found at:

http://www.nba.com/news/transactions/2011_12/

Is it me…

Or does the NFL combine provide a lot of information about players that proves useless?   The NFL combine held in Indianapolis is opportunity for teams to “poke and prod” players before the draft.  The players who participate run the 40 yard dash, jump, and do agility drills.  They also take test and answer silly questions which have nothing to do with their ability to play football.  It amazes me that so much emphasis is put on something that means and shows so little.  These kids have for the most part played college level football for three to four years, a bad showing in the broad jump shouldn’t take away from their success on the football field.  Most quarterbacks that show up to the combine don’t throw the football… HELLO.  If you want to evaluate anything about a quarterback it would be his ability to throw the ball.

The Peyton Manning watch is still on.  The Colts still have some time to decide if they are keeping or cutting Manning.  Both Luck and RG III said all the right things about being drafted by the Colts.  They would compete for the starting job but would consider it an honor to back up and learn from Peyton.

It’s just a gut feeling, but I believe the Colts are going to release Manning and draft Luck, out of Stanford.  Which means several teams will have to decide whether to go after Manning or attempt to draft RG III of Baylor.

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 is time to peek at where the conference tournaments are being played in Men’s college basketball?

Automatic bids to the NCAA tournament are handed out to 30 conference tournament champions. The Ivy League does not hold a conference tournament. Its regular-season champion earns the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
Click conference name to view standings

2012 conference tournaments
Conference Tournament site Dates
ACC Atlanta March 8-11
America East Hartford, Conn. March 1-3, 9
Atlantic Sun Macon, Ga. Feb. 29-March 3
Atlantic 10 Atlantic City, N.J. March 6, 9-11
Big East New York March 6-10
Big Sky TBD — regular-season champion March 3, 6-7
Big South Campus sites (higher seeds) Feb. 27, March 1, 3
Big Ten Indianapolis March 8-11
Big 12 Kansas City, Mo. March 7-10
Big West Anaheim, Calif. March 8-10
Colonial Richmond, Va. March 2-5
Conference USA Memphis, Tenn. March 7-10
Horizon Campus sites (higher seeds) Feb. 28-29, March 5-6
Ivy League No Tournament
MAAC Springfield, Mass. March 2-5
MAC Cleveland March 5, 7-10
MEAC Winston-Salem, N.C. March 6-10
Missouri Valley St. Louis March 1-4
Mountain West Las Vegas March 8-10
Northeast Campus sites (higher seeds) March 1, 4, 7
Ohio Valley Nashville, Tenn. Feb. 29, March 1-3
Pac-12 Los Angeles March 7-10
Patriot Campus sites (higher seeds) Feb. 29, March 3, 7
SEC New Orleans March 8-11
Southern Asheville, N.C. March 2-5
Southland Katy, Texas March 6-10
Summit Sioux Falls, S.D. March 3-6
Sun Belt Hot Springs, Ark. March 3-6
SWAC Garland, Texas March 7-10
WAC Las Vegas March 7-10
West Coast Las Vegas Feb. 29-March 5

The latest rankings in Men’s Basketball are as follows:

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/rankings/top25

Is it me…

Or did the players just report to spring training and we have our first steroid story?    Ryan Braun, of the Milwaukee Brewers, and the reigning National League Most Valuable Player, has won an appeal case regarding his positive test for the use of a performance enhancing drug. He was scheduled to serve a 50 game suspension.

Braun and his lawyers successfully argued that the chain of custody was violated with the urine sample that showed an extraordinary amount testosterone.  Federal Express, also known as  “Dead Ex’  did not deliver the sample to the lab in a timely fashion.  Thus causing questions as to who handled it and why.  The three judge arbitration panel felt there were enough questions to overturn the ruling by major league baseball.  This was the first time a suspension has been reversed. (A second urine sample was negative).

Braun who has proclaimed his innocence from the start was visibly touched by the out pour of support he received from fans and supporters.

Is it me …

Or do the fans need to know a little something about the rules?  Baylor (30-0, 17-0 Big 12) led by one point in a women’s basketball game against Texas A and M before going on a 6-0 run that was aided unintentionally by an official.   The ball was knocked off a Baylor player and headed out of bounds, however it hit the official and remained in bounds leading to a layup for Baylor.  Both teams agreed that the play with the official was pivotal in the game.  The Lady Bears, Baylor, said they just did what they were taught, play until you hear a whistle.

The rules clearly state that the officials are PART OF THE COURT!  The Texas A and M fans were visibly upset and booed Baylor and refs unmercifully.

Is it me …

Or is it time to give a big Congrats to Eastside High School?  My beloved ghosts won the Passaic County Boys Basketball title this past weekend.  Good Job Eastside.

Also a  special congratulations to Coach Ron Williams and the Lady Bulldogs of Passaic County Technical Institute for winning the Passaic County Girls Basketball championship.  Coach Williams is one of only three to win a county championship as a player and coach at the same school.

 

Edited by D. Pride.

Random Sports Thoughts By L.A. Pride

15 Wednesday Feb 2012

Posted by in Uncategorized

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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 Jeremy Lin the Victor Cruz of the NBA?  Lin of the New York Knicks has taken the basketball world by storm this past week.  Averaging 26.8 points and eight assists in his first five games of significant NBA action has set Lin and the Knicks on fire, with five straight wins. Lin-sanity is officially here.

You have to wonder what were the scouts and recruiters looking at when they watched this kid.  He played high school ball in California and wasn’t offered a scholarship.   He went to Harvard, where there are no athletic scholarships, and played four years there.  He wasn’t drafted out of college.  ‘Played’ for  Golden State Warriors 2010-2011 but rarely left the bench, was sent down to the d-league during the lockout and was cut by the Warriors and the Houston Rockets early this season.  Signed with the Knicks and sent back to the d-league, where he had a triple double, which must have opened some eyes.  Jeremy was then brought back to the Knicks where he sat for seven games before he made history.  So much for judging talent.

The Knicks for once are catching a break, they are playing some very beatable teams over the next couple of days and this will allow Lin to do his thing.  Additionally, they will be able to figure out howto integrate Carmelo and Amar’e back in to the lineup without losing Lin’s positive impact.  Lin is the perfect guard for Coach D’Antoni’s  system, sees the court, plays pick and roll, runs well, and is energetic.  If D’Antoni figures this out the Knicks may just become contenders again.  And Coach D. will save his job.  (Or does this make the Knicks even more attractive to the coach in waiting, Phil Jackson?)

Just think the NBA season is nearly 40% over and teams are still trying to find themselves.  And injuries continue to mount, as players are pushing their bodies.

Who’s Hot:

 

Philadelphia

Boston

New York

Chicago

Miami

San Antonio

Dallas

Oklahoma City

L.A. Clippers

Who’s Not:

Toronto

Cleveland

Detroit

Charlotte

Washington

New Orleans

New Jersey

Latest NBA power ratings:

http://www.nba.com/powerrankings/

NBA teams continue to adjust and shape their rosters;

A list of current NBA transactions can be found at:

http://www.nba.com/news/transactions/2011_12/

Is it me…

Or is Floyd Mayweather determined to pick a fight with a person of Asian descent?  Mayweather rarely hesitates to air racially charged opinions, either in person or on twitter.

Mayweather posted on Monday: “Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he’s Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don’t get the same praise.”

He has repeatedly insulted boxing rival Manny Pacquiao, including an online video in 2010 in which he used racial and homophobic slurs against the Filipino congressman.

Floyd would probably agree to fight Lin without blood testing.

Is it me…

Or did the NFL have a great season?  Congrats to the champions-The New York Giants.  Pay Cruz!!!!!!!!!! (enough said.)

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 is men’s college basketball a victim of its own success?  March Madness looms over the entire basketball season.  Every game is an attempt by coaches to place their teams in a better position for the NCAA tournament –MARCH MADNESS.  We often criticize teachers who ‘teach for the test’.  But what about coaches who coach for the tournament, and are focused on very little else?  Even rivalry week matchups were all viewed with an eye to how this helps or hurts teams in the tournament.

Don’t get me wrong, I think March Madness is the greatest thing since sliced bread.  But it really does diminish the value of the regular season.  One and done in the tournament makes for pure excitement, but it doesn’t guarantee that the best team is crowned the champion.  The team that gets hot at the right time is the horse you want to ride.  For example, Kentucky is the best college team I have seen play this year and I would bet the house on them in a best of seven series.  But in a one game matchup anything can happen and usually does.  Let the games begin!!!

The latest rankings in Men’s Basketball are as follows:

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/rankings/top25

Is it me …

Or do the Passaic County Boys Basketball coaches need to take off their hoods and robes so they can see what is best for the kids?  Every year the Passaic County Coaches seed (rank the teams) the boys’ basketball program so the schools from Paterson or Passaic (Passaic, Eastside, and Kennedy) or the school with a large population of Patersonians (Passaic County Technical Inst.) meet each other early in the county tournament to assure that they don’t dominate the tournament.  The seeding ALWAYS has these schools knocking each other out early and not letting the best teams get in to the semi-finals and finals.  The kids deserve better.  If they are one of the best teams they have a right to play for the championship and not be victims of unconscious or conscious racism.

Is it me…

Or is with great sadness we note the death of Whitney Houston?  Houston is dead at 48 years old.  She was found and pronounced dead at the Beverly Hilton on Saturday afternoon; thus far, no cause of death has been revealed. In recent years, she struggled with drug abuse.

Whitney’s rendition of the national anthem paid tribute to America at more sporting events than we can possibly count.  It was the perfect song to demonstrate her range and vocal talent, and she did just that, causing goose bumps on all.

  R.I.P  Whitney

Edited by D. Pride.

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