Epic Fail

So, there was a 121-63 game in the NBA last night; In the playoffs. That's right, a "playoff team" lost a game by 58. No, the Oklahoma City Thunder did not somehow sneak into the arena. In fact the league's worst team biggest loss this year was 42 points away from their home court.
The New Orleans Hornets were that flop of a team last night. The man who placed second in the MVP voting last year, Chris Paul had a line of 4 points, 6 assists, and 6 turnovers. Keep in mind this was in front of their home crowd. That is, until that home crowd decided they would rather watch baby seals be clubbed, because it was more merciful.
The Hornets weren't alone on the court, the Denver Nuggets also had a hand in the trashing. 7 players scored in double-digits, including Linas Kleiza, who outperformed Chris Paul (reread that statement again).
So what was it? Did the Hornets decide they had to find a way to motivate themselves for the rest series? And what better way then to lose by 58? Or were the lives Nuggets threatened? How else could a team that no one noticed during the regular season do this? Were the talents of the Celtics and Cavs stolen, ala Space Jam? Who knows.
I for one, don't like this. Aren't basketball games, no matter what the score with 5 minutes left, supposed to be down to the wire?
Lastly I would like to thank NBA TV for broadcasting this game instead of TNT or ESPN. I was spared. To bad the folks in New Orleans weren't.

2008: Pennsylvania Sportsman of the Year

After reading SI Sportsman of the Year story on Michael Phelps I started wondering who would be the SOTY in the two states that I follow. This is the first entry: PA.

Lets start in Pittsburgh. The Pirates stink, Sidney and Malkin had a incredible year, but ultimately fell short, and the Steelers were underwhelming. In the college rounds, Pitt was bust-worthy, and PSU couldn't seem to stop the mighty Trojans of USC. Besides all of those teams, the Sixers, Flyers, and Eagles were no good. The Phillies brought the only major title to the state. So in my mind that was where the SOTY would hail from. But who?
Charlie Manuel? Who's mother died during the World Series, but he continued to coach the Phils to a ring? Or is it Cole Hammels who had his coming out party during the playoffs and took home the MVP of the WS? But the award is for the Sportsman of the YEAR, not just October. Therefore I had to give the award to Jimmy Rollins.
His stats may not be the best in the league (not even on his own team), but he was the hearts of the Philadelphia Phillies. His statement that the Phils were the team to beat ruffled some feathers, but his team pounced when the Mets went down not once, but two years in a row. You could say others had a better season, but no one got their team pumped up like J-Roll.


1. Jimmy Rollins
2. Evgeni Malkin
3. Daryll Clark
4. Charlie Manuel
5. Ryan Howard
6. Cole Hammels
7. Joe Paterno