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Random Sports Thoughts By L.A. Pride

24 Wednesday Apr 2013

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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 NY Jets make a mistake trading Darrelle Revis?  The NY Jets, who won Super Bowl 3, and haven’t been back since, traded D. Revis their best player, and arguably the best cornerback in the league to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  The Jets received draft picks for this year and next.

Revis, who is rehabbing a torn ACL (knee) signed a non-guaranteed 96 million dollar contract with Tampa Bay.  It is a unique contract that requires Darrelle to play and perform.  The Jets appear to be in a rebuilding mode and have two early first round draft picks.  (The draft is upcoming but is void of any big time names.  Go ahead name the projected number one draft pick.)

The Jets who were not willing to pay Revis ‘the big bucks’ rolled the dice and gambled that they are going to be okay without Revis.  Rex Ryan head coach of the Jets, claims that they will still be a defensive team.  Hmmmm!  It remains to be seen.  With Revis the Jets could overload at different spots knowing that Revis would shut down his side of the field single handedly, like a man on a deserted island.  They will have to adjust their defensive schemes and they may not have the troops.  Revis’ island in NY has now become a tourist attraction with a lot of receivers making reservations.

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 are the Giants playing with fire by not signing Victor Cruz to a long-term contract?  Victor Cruz, wide receiver, NY Giants met with John Mara, owner of the NY Giants at a charity event Monday night.  Cruz was being honored for his community service work.

Cruz who is seeking a long-term deal currently has a one-year deal on the table worth 2.8 million dollars.  Given the current market value of wide receivers, Victor is being low-balled and deserves more for a longer period of time.

The public relation hit alone the Giants stand to take if Cruz gets away next year would be disastrous, not to mention what his absence would do to their offense (he can really play).

It makes you wonder if the NY football teams have a clue to what they are doing.

Is it me…

Or does the NBA playoff format have a hitch or two?  The NBA plays the best of seven in all rounds of the playoffs.  This really favors the better team because the more you play the greater the opportunity for the better team to succeed, thus making upsets rare.  If they really want to make it interesting play best of five in the opening round, giving the underdog a puncher’s chance.   If they get hot and steal a game, who knows…

The favorite has a disadvantage in that they only get one additional home game.  If it goes seven games, then the final game is played at the favorites home court.  However, if they lose a home game early in the process, they lose home court advantage.  In the NBA they play 82 games to get the home court and can lose it in one playoff game unfair.  It makes the regular season seem useless.  How about the underdog getting one home game in the best of five or two in the best of seven?  It would really put pressure on teams to do well during the season.  Unfortunately it would cost some owners money and we know what that means …

The NBA playoffs began last weekend and the favorites all held serve and won.   Round two started Monday, with the Brooklyn Nets losing the game and home court to Chicago.  The Clippers beat Memphis and went up two to nothing.  (Tuesday night games ended after we went to press.)

Congrats to the Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony on winning the scoring title, and J.R. Smith for winning the sixth man award.  Will Coach Woodson (Knicks) win the much-deserved Coach of the Year award?

Follow this link to the latest news in the NBA:

http://www.nba.com/

Is it me…

Or is Mike Tyson giving a knockout performance in his one man show about his life?  Iron Mike has been knocking them dead with his performance as he tours the country.  Break a leg Mike (not literally).

Edited by D. Pride.

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Random Sports Thoughts By L.A. Pride

20 Wednesday Feb 2013

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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 do athletes need to think before they speak?  Kevin Youkillis, the NY Yankees third baseman was quoted as saying his heart will always be in Boston.  Well, that is were his butt belongs except they traded him last year.

Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls guard, said he was prepared to sit out this entire season rather than return too soon.  Derrick, the Bulls have been extremely cooperative as you take your sweet time getting back. You need to man up and get back with the team.

 

Is it me…

Or was Evander Holyfield living dangerously this weekend?  Evander was in Chicago promoting his barbeque sauce when Mike Tyson showed up with knife and fork in hand and was staring at Holyfield’s ear.  With or without sauce Mike? Ouch!!!!!!

Is it me…

Or is it time to dunk the Slam Dunk contest at the NBA all-Star weekend?   The contest draws no big names, the dunks are repetitive, and using spectators as props is dangerous.

In the ‘old’ days the stars of the NBA would participate in the dunk contest and that would add some excitement to the event.  Nowadays you don’t know who the competitors are (name this years winner).  They take forever to complete the dunk, with more misses than makes, and the dunks look so similar.  Lastly, jumping over people can be dangerous as the dunkers are prone to miss the first couple of times.  Just what the league needs a kid getting kicked in the face with a size thirteen Jordan.

It is time to put the contest down for a couple of years and let the public and players miss it.  Hopefully it will rebound.

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

Trade deadline is approaching, will Dwight be a Laker at the end of the week?  Who will be in Boston next week?

Is it me…

Or is Danica Patrick in a no-win situation?  Patrick had the fastest qualifying time this weekend and won NASCAR’s Daytona ‘s 500-pole position (the top spot).  The first women racecar driver to do so, qualifying at over 196 miles per hour.

The downside is that the pole winner rarely wins this race.  And Danica admits it would be a minor miracle for her to win the biggest race in NASCAR.  She is going to be criticized heavily if she doesn’t win because the pole position makes her the favorite, in theory, and an easy target.  Unfortunately, as much as the other drivers claim she is just another driver, they don’t treat her that way.  No one is willing to work with her on the track, and let her draft, or use some of the other techniques necessary to be competitive.  She still has to convince the other drivers that she is worthy and this is risky because if she wrecks the car in practice she moves to the back in a replacement car.  She can’t win. They act as if she’s a woman driver!!!!!

Is it me…

Or has Indiana University survived the #1 jinx in men’s college basketball?  Indiana remains the #1 team, surviving the week/weekend without a defeat.

(They beat instate rival Purdue easily).  Indiana did lose its best defender, Victor Oladipo, due to an ankle injury.  He remains a day-to-day decision, until the next big game.    (IU played Michigan State, the number 4 team, last night after we went to press.  I bet he played.)

The Big Ten conference appears to be the hot basketball conference, right now.  Several of the top ranked teams are from the Big Ten, e.g. Indiana, Michigan State, and Michigan.  And we thought they only played football in that conference.

University of Miami moved into second place, replacing Duke who lost to Maryland, a non-ranked team.  March Madness is starting already with all the upsets.  The current rankings can be found at the following link:

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

It has been a while since the women’s team at Baylor University faced a challenge.  They passed one Monday night defeating UConn in Connecticut.  Brittney Griner led a second half charge to overtake UConn and win a close game 76-70.  Baylor maintains its number 1 ranking in the polls.  Additionally, Griner reached the 3000-point mark for her college career.  Congrats Britney.

Is it me…

Or is it with deep regret we note the passing of Dr. Jerry Buss, the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers.  He was 80 years old.

 

Buss had been in the intensive care unit at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center with cancer, according to a report last week from the Los Angeles Times, and he had been visited before All-Star Weekend by several current and former Lakers players, including Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson.

A former aerospace engineer and real-estate developer, Buss has been a prominent name in American sports since he bought the Lakers, the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, The Forum arena in Inglewood, Calif., and a 13,000-acre Southern California ranch from Jack Kent Cooke in 1979 for $67 million.

Buss, a self-styled playboy, immediately transformed the Lakers into the NBA’s most glamorous franchise, winning 10 NBA championships under his watch.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Edited by D. Pride.

Jeff Staple Meets Mike Tyson

07 Monday Jan 2013

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This is the 16th installment in the “1-2-1 w/jeffstaple” Series. Each segment, jeffstaple, Founder and Creative Director of Staple Design & Reed Space, talks to someone one-to-one. Direct. Intimate. No BS.
For this very special subject, we deviate off the norm and will be creating a series of small episodes to document the amazing time we spent with the former heavyweight champion of the world—Michael Gerard Tyson, better known as Iron Mike.

Random Sports Thoughts By L.A. Pride

22 Wednesday Aug 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 the NFL walking a dangerously tight rope?  The NFL insists on playing four preseason games, putting its stars and players at risk.  Football is a collision sport with several violent hits per game.  The chances of being injured in a football game appear to be higher than any other professional sports.

Take a minute and look at how they begin a game.  Each team lines up on opposite sides of the field, the receiving team is spread out over forty or so yards ready to catch the ball or block for the teammate who does catch the ball.  Usually, the kick returner is down near the goal line when he catches the ball and begins running at full speed with blockers in front of him.  The team kicking off begins running at full speed with the purpose of tackling the receiver and/or knocking the ball out of his hands.  They have several yards to run and build up speed before colliding into one another.  The kickoff is usually a violent beginning to a violent activity, football.

After the kickoff, regular play begins.  Eleven larger than average men line up against one another prepared to hit each other as hard as they can with their bodies.

It is controlled / organized violence that feeds the public’s appetite for mayhem.  You have quarterbacks who are standing there with their arms cocked in a statue like pose just waiting to be struck by men who outweigh them by 50 to 60 pounds.  Punters, who are balancing on one leg as huge lineman come charging at them , trying to block a kick.  And, of course, receivers who come across the middle of the field, or jump to catch a ball, leaving themselves particularly vulnerable to a hit.  My favorite offensive players are the running backs, who are handed the ball and asked to run into a wall of ‘meat’,  huge linemen who want to put a good hit on a back.  Lastly, on offense we have the offensive linemen who are required to protect the quarterbacks and kickers.   They are also asked to open ‘holes’ for running backs to run through.  All this against agile huge defensive players, whose job is to tackle and discourage the offense from being successful.

It is amazing that players are not hurt on every play.  Wait a minute, they usually are.  Football, the number one sport in America, controlled violence, you gotta love it.

All this with replacement referees,  a multimillion-dollar product in the hands of amateurs.  Come on NFL get the real refs back before someone is seriously hurt or a game is ruined due to an error.  And eliminate some preseason games,  too many hits are dangerous.

Where is Victor Cruz?  A very quiet preseason for the talented Patersonian, but then again that’s how the Giants handle their business.  Stay off the back pages until the season starts.  Victor who is making the veterans minimum should have a breakout season and hopefully gets paid next year.  Go School #21!!!!!!!!

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 has NIKE lost its mind?   The new LeBron sneakers will cost $315.  Only NBA players and stars in the entertainment industry will be able to afford them.  The normal working guy will need four years or until the next Olympics to buy a pair of these.

At $315 these sneakers are for show and will never see the  blacktop of a playground.  What ever happened to sneakers for playing ball?

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 does Mike Tyson deserve a Tony?  His one man play was a stunning success and Tyson did a great job putting his life on display to the world.  Bravo!!!!!  Go Brooklyn!

Is it me…

Or is it kind of sad that it took this long?  The world’s most famous golf course, Augusta National, made “history” this week when it accepted its first female members, Condolezza Rice and Daria Moore.  Is it really 2012 and we still have a ‘first’ of this nature?

Edited by D. Pride.

Random Sports Thoughts By L.A. Pride

08 Wednesday Aug 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 does it seem silly to praise the United States for winning the most medals in the Olympics-we sent one of the largest teams. The U.S. is expected to win a great deal.

NBC is doing an okay job broadcasting the events.  But they need to show more of the off center sports, i.e., Track Cycling, Judo (the U.S. won a gold medal, so there was some publicity for Judo), sailing, etc.  Show the sports that only get a pinch of publicity during Olympic years.

Now that Gabby Douglas, overall ladies gymnastics champ, is a superstar, do you think she will keep that adorable smile and “beaming” personality?  I do, she seems like a real sweetheart..  Congrats to the first African-American overall Olympic Gymnastics Champ!

Speaking of champs,  bravo to Serena and Venus Williams for taking the gold medal in the ladies double event, and to Serena for the singles championship.  “You done good”.

“The nap team”, U.S. men’s’ Olympic basketball is still undefeated and on course for the gold medal.  In spite of their recent accomplishments, margin of victory, Carmelo becoming one game scoring champ, they owe” The  Dream Team” an apology for even thinking they can play with them.

 Track and Field has been exciting at the games, even if Bolt and the usual players keep winning.

Too much to cover regarding the Olympics:  Follow this link for latest stories and news:

 http://www.cbssports.com/olympics

Is it me…

 Or did the N. Y. Giants (NFL) win a championship last year?  I can’t recall a Super Bowl  champ getting as little press as the Giants are this season.  The Jets seem to, once again, dominate the back cover of the daily papers.  Yes, we do see the Manning brothers in commercials, but not because of Eli (the Giant’s quarterback).  I am totally amazed at the way the Jets have grabbed all the NY football headlines.  Maybe that was the plan, bring TimTebow in strictly for his publicity value and let the media go into frenzy.  Oh well, the Jets are even getting press for an offensive team versus defensive team altercation.  Come on, every team has one of these during training camp.

Terrell Owens has agreed to non-binding terms with the Seattle Seahawks.  The Seahawks who have 13 wide receivers in camp were impressed with T.O.’s workout and would like to see more.  The larger issue is if Owen’s makes the team.  How long before he has a tantrum about not ‘seeing’ the ball enough or how Coach Carroll is ‘using’ him.  Owens who last played in the NFL in 2010 , has been a handful in the past.  We can only hope he has his popcorn and is ready to behave and play hard.

The latest on Bounty Gate, N O. Saints; suspended Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma’s currently suing the NFL and, separately, Commissioner Roger Goodell. The league doesn’t like that and it’s possible that a settlement of the lawsuits could result in a reduction of Vilma’s suspension. A report that emerged late Sunday night indicates that the league has made an offer to do just that.

 Just goes to show, if you don’t like the rules or the decision handed against you, hire a lawyer and sue.  In fairness to Vilma, he was punished more harshly than the other players, although he may have had more involvement than others.  The NFL denies any deal is in place or being developed, which means something is going on.  They don’t deny, if they are giving it a try!

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 does Mike Tyson have a future on Broadway?

(AP) – Pounding out the details of his personal life on a Broadway stage doesn’t seem to faze Mike Tyson. The former heavyweight champ says that’s what he’s used to doing, “and at least now I don’t have to go to hospital every time.”

The 46-year old Tyson is appearing in the one-man show, “Mike Tyson Undisputed Truth.” Directed by Spike Lee, the nearly two-hour show chronicles Tyson’s life from childhood and his early boxing career to his public divorce from Robin Givens and his time spent in prison. He even talks about an incident with Brad Pitt.

While Tyson’s life has been rocky at times, the boxer says he can deal with telling intimate details to a room full of strangers simply because “it’s a job to be done.”

“Even though it’s real, it’s not real. It’s an illusion,” Tyson says.

 Is it me…

 Or is  it with deep regret we note the death Garrett Reid.?  (AP) Garrett Reid, the oldest child of Eagles head coach Andy Reid, was found dead Sunday morning in his dorm room at the team’s Lehigh University training camp.

Reid, 29, had been assisting the team’s strength and conditioning staff during the off-season and in training camp. A cause of death isn’t known yet. Ed Schupp, the Lehigh University police chief, said there was “no suspicious activity.”

Reid, 29, had struggled in the past with heroin addiction. In 2008, he was sentenced to 23 months in jail for smashing up another motorist’s car while on heroin.

“We are conducting an investigation with the cooperation of the Lehigh campus police department,” Northhampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek said. “I personally pronounced Mr. Reid deceased at the scene.

“The investigation is ongoing.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Edited by D. Pride

Random Sports Thoughts By L.A. Pride

20 Wednesday Jun 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 Woods still pawing with us?  After two fairly good rounds at the U.S. Open and within striking distance of the lead, Tiger lost his edge.  Starting five strokes back Sunday, Woods played the first six holes, in 6 over par, and shot a 73 for the day and was never a factor as he finished six strokes back, tied for 21st.

 

 Congrats to Webb Simpson, who shot a +1 (68) to win his first career major tournament.  Yes, a +1 over par won the tournament.  The course was cruel, ask Tiger.  Stay positive Tiger.  (It amazes me that Tiger is always the story at any tournament he is competing in.  It doesn’t matter how he is doing. If he is playing, he is the story.)

Is it me …

Or should we look in on the NBA Playoffs?

Finals

Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City Thunder*

The Heat lead 2-1, as they continue to ride LeBron’s back during the finals.  LeBron has decided HE will not lose to the Thunder in this year’s finals and has single-handedly carried the Heat, offensively and defensively.

 Kobe Bryant holds the record for the most 30 plus point games in the playoffs.  LeBron is one game behind him, with at least two games to play.  It will be interesting to see if LeBron ties or takes the record.

LeBron has an excellent shot at winning the playoff’s MVP.

Courtside seat for last night’s  game went for +  $14,000 and it doesn’t include popcorn!

* Played Tuesday night after we went to press.

The NBA Playoff picture; Follow this link to the match-ups and most current stats:

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

Is it me…

Or does Michael Jordan know something we don’t? The Charlotte Bobcats reportedly have a new coach, and he wasn’t even one of their three finalists.

The Charlotte Observer reports that the Bobcats have hired St. John’s assistant coach Mike Dunlap to replace former coach Paul Silas, who was let go by the Bobcats back in April.

Dunlap a former assistant coach with the Denver Nuggets is thought of very highly around the NBA and coaching community.

Ohio State basketball forward Jared Sullinger has become the first big name of the Class of 2012 to find himself dropping down in the draft.

Sullinger, who is projected to be a lottery pick in the 2012 NBA draft, underwent a series of medical tests at the NBA draft combine a week ago. According to sources, the doctors who looked at Sullinger were concerned with his back.

A number of NBA team doctors have reviewed the information from the NBA and have told their front office staff that Sullinger’s back issues could shorten his NBA career and some have advised their teams not to draft him in the first round.

Jared has already dropped down to #20 on several mock drafts and may fall further as the draft approaches.

 Is it me…

Or is Ladanian Tomlison doing the right thing retiring as a Charger?  LT signed  a contract with the Chargers and announced his retirement.  Therefore, when elected into the Hall of Fame, and he will be, he will go in as a Charger ( sorry Jets).

Tomlinson was drafted fifth overall by the Chargers in the 2001 NFL Draft and instantly became one of the highest-impact players in the NFL. He rushed for 1,236 yards in his rookie season and that was his lowest total until he rushed for 1,110 yards in 2008. He’s currently fifth all-time in rushing yards, behind only Curtis Martin, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton and Emmitt Smith.

LT will always be thought of as a Charger.  He had a couple of good years with the Jets, but had some GREAT years with the  San Diego Chargers.

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 Spike Lee  ‘biting ‘ off more than Mike Tyson can chew?

Spike lee is reportedly working with Mike Tyson on a one-man play starring Tyson as himself.  I am sure it will be an earful.

Is it me…

Or did Bradley still lose the fight on the replay to Jacquie?  The boxing community is so ‘outraged’ at this decision that one of the many sanctioning organizations (WBO) is reviewing the fight film to make a recommendation.   Well, unless they figure out a way to get rid of subjective judging, we will continue to have strange decisions.

Angles, and attitude create different opinions .  And unless boxing can see to it that judges see the same thing at the same time, we will have varying opinions.  At least it is keeping boxing in the headlines.

Is it me…

Or is Floyd Mayweather reconsidering his decision to cop a plea and accept jail time?  Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s request that he be released from jail because the low-quality food and water have threatened his health was denied by a Las Vegas judge who says he should eat and drink what is being given to him behind bars.

Justice of the Peace Melissa Saragosa wrote in her late Wednesday decision that water has been made available to Mayweather around the clock and the only reason he isn’t eating properly is because he refuses to eat the provided meals. Saragosa said Mayweather’s complaints that he is unable to exercise in jail are also unfounded.

“While the physical training areas and times provided  (to Mayweather) may not be consistent with his prior regimen, he is indeed provided sufficient space and time for physical activity if he so chooses,” Saragosa wrote.

Ten days after Mayweather turned himself in to begin his three-month sentence, his legal team filed an emergency motion asking the court to put him under house arrest or move him into the general jail population – something that jail officials had avoided to protect Floyd. The motion claimed the undefeated champion might never fight again because he was getting out of shape in solitary confinement.  (a subtle threat to the city of Las Vegas.  Mayweather fills the City’s coffers whenever he fights there.)

Mayweather lawyer said earlier this week that he was not seeking special treatment for the 35-year-old fighter.   He just wants a better training facility and food while serving his time.

By the way, Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather was the highest paid athlete last year (Pacquiao, was second) and where is  “Money” ,  in the county jail.   You gotta love boxing and boxers.

Is it me…

Or did Roger Clemens close the door on the steroid error?  Roger Clemens was acquitted of all six charges against him.  Roger, who was on trial for perjury, handed federal prosecutors a stunning defeat and may have ended any further involvement by the government in the use of  performance enhancing drugs.

Ultimately, it is the fan who will vindicate or condemn Clemens, Bonds, and the host of other players who have been suspected of ‘juicing’.  But for now it seems to be a dead issue with little interest in who cheated and who didn’t.  As always, if it is your guy, he’s innocent.

The Yankees had a 10 game winning streak going into last night, all against National League teams.  I am sure if George was alive, he would be campaigning for the Yankees to switch leagues under the guise of competitive balance.

R.A. Dickey, of the N,Y. Mets, is the first pitcher since 1988 to pitch consecutive one-hitters.  (In the strange world of baseball the Mets are trying to have the hit charged against Dickey changed into an error, thus giving him a no-hitter.)   Dickey, who has amazing control of a knuckleball, is probably the most dominant pitcher in baseball today.

Edited by D. Pride.

Random Sports Thoughts By L.A. Pride

15 Wednesday Jun 2011

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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 we at least get the number of games correct?  We picked the Miami Heat in six games, it was the Dallas Mavericks, however, who needed only six games to win the NBA championship.  Congrats to Dirk Nowitzki, the series MVP, who was outstanding, and the rest of the Mavericks.

Dallas was the better team and showed it throughout the series.  They responded to every adjustment made by Miami.  The Dallas players accepted their roles and put forth maximum effort in those roles.  They played a team sport as a team and won the ultimate prize, a ring.  (I am assuming Cuban was joking about not getting the Mavericks rings.  He feels that championship rings are passé and they deserve better.  Maybe championship crowns?  In the old days when you conquered a city you would take the King’s crown and present it to your King.  Watch out King James, you may lose your Kangol.)

I won’t pretend to be a psychologist, but Miami had real problems in the fourth quarter, especially LeBron.  It was as if they “checked” out at the end of several games.  While Dallas was just the opposite, becoming mentally tougher and focused in the fourth quarter.

LeBron tweeted that it was God’s decision, keeping him from winning this year.  I wasn’t aware that God was a Maverick’s fan.   LeBron stand up and take responsibility for the loss, you played poorly!!!!  It was a bad day, all around for LeBron, he wanted to buy a bottle of water from the vending machine, but didn’t have a “fourth quarter”.

 Is it me…

Or  is Mike Tyson becoming a likable person?  Mike Tyson was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.  For those of us who follow boxing, we thought for   sure Tyson would be indicted way before an induction.  Tyson was very humble in accepting the honor and seemed genuinely different as a person.  The once proclaimed “baddest man on the planet” had difficulty speaking due to emotion.  Sylvester Stallone was also inducted for his “Rocky” movie series.

Is it me…

Or is Mayweather getting ready to fight Pacquiao?  Floyd Mayweather has agreed to fight Victor Ortiz whose style would help Mayweather prepare for Pacquiao.  Ortiz and Pacquiao are both fast, high-volume punchers who tend to press the action. They are also southpaws, and Mayweather — who will be ending a 16-month layoff when he steps into the ring Sept. 17 — has rarely fought left-handed opponents during his undefeated career.  Mayweather has had problems with southpaws, e.g. Zab Judah, who was doing well against Floyd until he (Judah) faded.

Ortiz is young, strong, and aggressive.  Mayweather needs to be careful, tune-ups can end up getting you tuned-out!

Is it me…

Or is Baseball still just plodding along?  Baseball takes forever to get interesting.  Hopefully after the all-star break we will have a few interesting story lines.  If not we can always watch the grass grow in the outfield, or watch some idiot fan drop his daughter trying to catch a baseball.

Is it me…

Or is there an NFL?  No news is _______news.  You fill in the blank.  The Millionaires and Billionaires  are really playing hardball.  They keep bumping heads over the $9,000,000,000 pot, they are going to have to be checked for concussions.  Trust me on this, when and if they reach an agreement, it’s the fan and the little guy who will pay for it.  NFL employees have had their salaries trimmed by 12 percent since April, and seven teams have instituted pay cuts or furloughs of workers outside the huddle since the owners’ lockout of players began March 12.

 Is it me…

Or is it good to see the Williams sisters playing tennis again?    The Williams sisters will be playing at the Eastbourne International Tournament.  Eastbourne, a warm-up for Wimbledon, will mark their return to the circuit.  Serena has been away for nearly a year and Venus for four months.   Their absence was due to injuries.  Like it or not, there is not much interest in women’s tennis without the Williams.  Welcome back, and good luck ladies.

Is it me…

Or are they still playing Hockey?  The NHL has managed to find a way to drag out their season.  Didn’t  they start their season before the NBA?   The Vancouver Canucks and the Boston Bruins are still playing.   The series is tied  3-3, with the final game of the season tonight in Vancouver, just in time to melt the ice and go swimming.  Road team finally wins one and the Bruins take Lord Stanley’s Cup.

Edited  by D. Pride

Random Sports Thoughts By L.A. Pride

18 Wednesday May 2011

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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 Scottie Pippen show up at Yankee Stadium this weekend?  In May of 1994, a playoff game versus the Knicks, Scottie Pippen refused to go into a game because Coach Jackson designed a last second play for another player.  (Jordan was playing professional baseball and Pippen assumed he was the man.) Fortunately, for the Bulls, Kukoc hit the last second shot and the Bulls won.  This weekend Jorge Posada, the Yankees designated hitter, who is batting below .200, well below, pulled himself from the Yankee lineup after learning he had been dropped in the Yankee batting order to the ninth spot.  (Batting ninth is usually reserved for the weakest hitter in your lineup, which in this case is Jorge.)

Derek Jeter, Posada’s longtime teammate and friend, supported Posada’s action.  Jeter said, that as captain if he felt Posada had done something wrong he would have told him.

I am not sure why Derek didn’t speak up.  But Posada quit on the team and even asked to leave the Yankees.  This was not wrong Derek?   Are you worried that you may be next, given your poor performance so far this season, or are you still angry with management for leaking information regarding your contract negotiations?

Jorge has since apologized for his actions, but the damage is done.  Jorge wake up and look at the stats, and baseball has a zillion, you are at the bottom of the league when it comes to batting average for starting players.  You are not getting the job done.  The manager, Girardi, has been carrying you and allowing you the privilege of playing.  Yes it is a privilege! How many baseball players would give anything to bat ninth for the New York Yankees?

Is it me…

Or do aging athletes stay too long?  It always amazes me that athletes are the last to see their skills fade.  How often do we see an athlete embarrass himself by trying to play that “one” extra season.   Very few have the good sense to leave in a timely fashion.  Michael Jordan could have left with the winning shot in an NBA championship game as his last NBA shot.  He chose to come back and was a shell of himself.

Almost every great boxer (except Rocky Marciano) has fought one too many fights; and has suffered for it, either physically, Muhammad Ali, or with a loss on their record, Joe Louis, Mike Tyson, Ray Robinson.  Great quarterbacks, Unitas, Namath, Montana, playing for new teams, well after their skills have eroded.  Willie Mays trying to play center field for the Mets.

I imagine it is what made them great athletes in the first place that keeps them from seeing the truth, EGO.  Great Egos never retire.

Is it me…

Or does the NBA have a couple of pretty good conference finals matchups?     The Dallas Mavericks versus the OKC Thunder in the west and Chicago Bulls versus the Miami Heat in the east.  The Mavericks and Thunder played game one last night (we went to press before the game ended).  The Mavericks swept the Lakers and have been off for several days.  The rust versus rest issue again.  They are playing a very young team, the Thunder, so the rest can only help.  The Thunder are coming off a grueling seven game series against Memphis, with one day off.  But they are young, dumb and want some, so they will be ready to go.  I will make a prediction after watching game one in this series.

Chicago and Miami had their first game Sunday.  A fairly even game the first half.  Chicago dominated the second half, with smothering TEAM defense and rebounding, and got the win.  Deng, of the Bulls, with help from his teammates, did an excellent job on LeBron, holding him to under twenty points.  Wade was also under twenty, and the victim of a monster dunk.  It is going to be a long series for Miami unless they figure out the size issue.  Chicago is long and athletic, which creates matchup problems, plus they have a bench (and the MVP D. Rose).  Miami’s bench is just not productive.  (Can you name a player coming off the bench for the Heat or their other two starters?)  Chicago in Six!

 Is it me…

Or did the NFL owners get a big victory Monday night?  The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that it is okay to keep the lockout in place.  A major win for the billionaires!!!!  This same court will revisit the issue early June, bad news for the millionaires (players).   (The Court will be hard pressed to reverse itself and open the camps, given its conservative nature.)  The longer the lockout is in place, the better it is for the billionaires.  The millionaires do not receive paychecks during the offseason, so they have not felt any pressure yet.  They are missing the mandatory camps and sessions that they didn’t want to attend in the first place.  However, if the lockout remains in place for a lengthy period and the millionaires start missing paychecks …hmm.   Will we still see a united labor front?????

Edited by D. Pride

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