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

The Circle of a Philly Athlete's Career

He entered the Philadelphia sports scene with boo's when he was drafted, and left Sunday's game against the Ravens with the same sentiment from the fans. But Donovan McNabb's career in Philly is not over yet (he will be playing this Thursday).

But is that the right choice? McNabb has gotten progressively worse since the first week, which led to him being benched in favor of Kevin Kolb in the second half on Sunday.

Let's face it, before the season, nobody (except the boo birds) where calling for Donovan's head. He still is a good QB. But the Eagles have to think of next year, since the Eagles are all but out of the playoffs. Will he be a solid quarterback in the upcoming year?

Starting Kolb (if McNabb's career in Philly is over), is the best choice. Not all young QB's start off good. Kolb had an especially rough day against the Ravens. But if you're concerned, look at Matt Cassel. Everyone figured the Patriots were done without Brady, and Cassel didn't look too great the first couple of weeks. But, unlike McNabb, he has gotten progressivly better, leading up to his monster game on Sunday.

The bottom line is Andy Reid needs to make a decision for the rest of the year. Quarterback controversys are never a good thing. So if McNabb or Kolb is the starter after Thursday's game, they should continue to start the rest of the season.

1980-2008

In 1980:
HP released its first personal computer

The US hockey team defeated the Soviet Union

Jimmy Carter was President

CNN began

The Sixers lost to the Lakers in the Finals

The Flyers lost to the Islanders in the Finals

John Lennon died

And the Phillies were the best team in baseball

Switching Bandwagons

Allow me at this time to jump off of the Trail Blazers wagon, and promptly jump on the Toronto Raptors. Sure the Blazers will still be a decent team (look what they did in the first half last year without Oden), and after Oden comes back they will be better.
But I have seen the light in Toronto. After Chris Bosh's time in Beijing, and acquiring Jermaine O'Neal, the Raptors are ready to roll this year. Bosh started the year off right with 27 points and 11 rebounds while the healthy O'Neal chipped in 17 and 8.
People keep forgetting that O'Neal is only 30, and Bosh is still morphing into one of the leagues best. The only direction for this team is up, and it looks like that's where they're heading.

Congrats Philadelphia

Celebrate Phillies fans, for you are no longer the team that lost to Joe Carter in '93. You are no longer the team that can produce MVP after MVP, but do nothing in the playoffs. You are simply the best team in baseball.

Talib > Jenkins=The Right Decision (So Far)

As a Bucs fan, I was hoping South Florida's CB Mike Jenkins would be the one chosen with the 20th pick in last years draft. After building the core of the '02 Championship team through alumnus from Florida, FSU, and Miami, I was hoping they would select the player that played at Raymond James through his collegiate career.

Thankfully, Tampa ignored my thoughts, and chose Aqib Talib, from Kansas, with the 20th selection. The hated Cowboys snatched up Jenkins five spots later at the 25 slot.
And now, almost halfway through the season, Talib seems to be doing well compared to Jenkins. While Mike has a couple more tackles, Aqib has piled up 3 interceptions to Jenkins doughnut.

I am so excited for Talib's early NFL sucess, especially after last years top pick, Gaines Adams, started off extremly slow. Hopefully this early sucess will continue through the rest off his young career.

Finally...

For the first time I can remember, not one, but two of teams I root for (Twins, Rays, Phillies, in that order) is in the World Series. Everyone and their mother seems to be picking the Rays in 6 or 7, which is odd, because just a few days ago, they were claiming the Rays were dead with a 3-2 lead in the ALCS.
Now, Crawford, Price, Longoria, the Flying Hawaiian, and Cole will meet the nation. As for my prediction, Rays in 7. Any team with 3 possible MVP's in their lineup will not go down without a brawl.

The Face Of OKC

Is there a better player to be on a team searching for a identity, than this man? Oklahoma City Thunder meet Joe Smith. Match made in heaven.

My, Times are Changing

As of 4:50 on Sunday, the Miami Dolphins have the same number of wins as the New England Patriots. Yes, let that sink in...

Ronnie Brown is Back!