Justin Verlander is ready to do it all over again - with one big difference. He wants that elusive World Series title.
The ace right-hander tuned up for opening day with a crisp outing in his final spring start and the Detroit Tigers beat the Atlanta Braves 2-1 on Saturday in a game called after six innings due to rain.
Verlander went 24-5 with a 2.40 ERA last season. He won the AL Cy Young Award and was voted MVP, making for a whirlwind winter. But he's ready to move on.
''I appreciated it a lot,'' he said. ''It is something I can look back on, but I won't change my work ethic or anything because of it. It doesn't change my desire to be the best.''
Verlander allowed four hits in six innings against Atlanta, finishing the spring with a 2.02 ERA. He struck out five and walked none.
''I didn't have anything to work on today,'' said Verlander, who will face the Boston Red Sox on Thursday. ''There's nothing more I can do. I'm just trying to pitch and treat it like it's the regular season.''
Verlander's first pitch against the Braves registered 96 mph on the radar gun. That might be nice in July, but it showed he was a little amped up for a meaningless exhibition game.
''That was an accident,'' he laughed. ''It came out a little hot.''
Still, Verlander said he isn't satisfied. He said his curveball has been good but not great, and he did some more throwing in the bullpen after the game was called following a seven-minute rain delay.
''Curveball wasn't great,'' he said. ''Everything else was all right. Fastball control got a little bit better. Changeup was pretty good. Slider got a little better.''
Tommy Hanson also pitched six innings for the Braves, yielding five hits. He's also slated to start on opening day on Thursday against the New York Mets.
Atlanta closer Craig Kimbrel came in for the seventh but that's when the game was called after a seven-minute delay.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez had already seen enough by the time the game was called.
''Tommy Hanson was great,'' Gonzalez said. ''He got his work in and he threw strikes. He's lined up to start the opener and he's looking great.''
Miguel Cabrera went 1 for 3 with an RBI and moved his spring average to .444, and Clete Thomas homered for the Tigers. Dan Uggla went 1 for 2 with an RBI for the Braves.
NOTES: Tigers manager Jim Leyland said he might not bring five starters north for opening day. Detroit doesn't a fifth starter for the first homestand and that would allow the potential fifth starter to open at Triple-A Toledo. It also might need an extra position player early on because C Gerald Laird (knee) and 2B Brandon Inge (groin) are day to day. ... Tigers RHP Doug Fister is scheduled to make his final spring start on Sunday against Houston in Lakeland. Leyland said he might have to mix up the other pitchers who were scheduled due to Saturday's rain-shortened game. ... Gonzalez said he saw some positive swings from 2B Josh Wilson and OF Eric Hinske off Verlander. ... Gonzalez already announced that Hanson will start the season opener, but added that RHP Jair Jurrjens will start the home opener on April 13 against the Milwaukee Brewers.
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Saturday, March 31, 2012
Operation Spring Training: Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres Light It Up.
Baseball in Arizona is like nothing else. I had never been to Spring Training before and had always wanted to see what the fuss was about. If you really want to see baseball as it was meant to be played, go to Spring Training. Stadiums are wonderful. They are like amusement parks for baseball, but they are not intimate.
You’re not a part of the action, unless you’re afforded the financial ability to be able to purchase exorbitant season tickets. I have never been one of those people. Spring Training, however, is an experience.
To read the rest of this article please click the link below.
You’re not a part of the action, unless you’re afforded the financial ability to be able to purchase exorbitant season tickets. I have never been one of those people. Spring Training, however, is an experience.
To read the rest of this article please click the link below.
Moyer, 49, makes Rockies ? and history
Jamie Moyer showed up in spring training convinced he could make the Colorado Rockies rotation.
He spent the last six weeks proving his point.
The Rockies announced Friday that the 49-year-old Moyer will make the team and will start the second game of the regular season, April 8, at Houston. Moyer becomes the oldest starting pitcher to make an Opening Day roster.
The announcement came on the 20th anniversary of Moyer being released by the Chicago Cubs. That was the third year in a row he had been released, having been sent packing the two previous years by St. Louis and Texas.
"A lot has happened," he said with a smile.
And now he has a chance to make even more happen.
"I look at this as an opportunity, a great opportunity to run with," he said. "I don't look at each start as my last start, but I have learned to appreciate things more. I'm not too sentimental, but I am aware."
Hoyt Wilhelm was 49 when he opened the 1972 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he pitched strictly in relief, appearing in 16 games and compiling a 2.84 ERA. Jack Quinn was used as a reliever at the age of 49 in 1932 and 50 in 1933.
Satchel Paige is the oldest pitcher to appear in a game, making a start and working three shutout innings for the Kansas City Athletics at age 57 on Sept. 25, 1965. Paige had been out of baseball, but was signed by A's owner Charlie Finley so he could qualify for a pension.
Moyer will be 49 years, 4 months and 21 days old when he makes the start against Houston. Quinn won three games in 1932, the last coming on Sept. 13, 1932 at the age of 49 years, 5 months, 26 days, which means Moyer could break that record with a win after May 4.
"I intend to win more than one game," he said. "If age had a bearing on my decision I wouldn't be doing this."
Moyer's motivation extends past personal accomplishments.
"This is an opportunity that I have and now it's up to me to run with it," he said.
"I want to contribute here, that's what it is all about. I want to contribute on the field and in the clubhouse. This is about pitching for a team and putting forth the best effort I can along with 24 other players to make the team successful."
Rockies manager Jim Tracy said the decision was made after seeing how well Moyer responded the day after a 92-pitch, four-inning effort against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.
"I wanted to make sure physically he is in the right place, and I am confident he is," said Tracy.
Moyer, who missed the 2011 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, is 267-204 in his big-league career. He has won 233 games since turning 30, sixth on the all-time list for a pitcher after his 30th birthday, two behind Randy Johnson. Cy Young is the all-time leader with 316 wins after 30.
Moyer's 103 wins since turning 40 are second-most in baseball history, 18 behind Phil Niekro.
Moyer has a chance to add a few more wins to his totals.
He spent the last six weeks proving his point.
The Rockies announced Friday that the 49-year-old Moyer will make the team and will start the second game of the regular season, April 8, at Houston. Moyer becomes the oldest starting pitcher to make an Opening Day roster.
The announcement came on the 20th anniversary of Moyer being released by the Chicago Cubs. That was the third year in a row he had been released, having been sent packing the two previous years by St. Louis and Texas.
"A lot has happened," he said with a smile.
And now he has a chance to make even more happen.
"I look at this as an opportunity, a great opportunity to run with," he said. "I don't look at each start as my last start, but I have learned to appreciate things more. I'm not too sentimental, but I am aware."
Hoyt Wilhelm was 49 when he opened the 1972 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he pitched strictly in relief, appearing in 16 games and compiling a 2.84 ERA. Jack Quinn was used as a reliever at the age of 49 in 1932 and 50 in 1933.
Satchel Paige is the oldest pitcher to appear in a game, making a start and working three shutout innings for the Kansas City Athletics at age 57 on Sept. 25, 1965. Paige had been out of baseball, but was signed by A's owner Charlie Finley so he could qualify for a pension.
Moyer will be 49 years, 4 months and 21 days old when he makes the start against Houston. Quinn won three games in 1932, the last coming on Sept. 13, 1932 at the age of 49 years, 5 months, 26 days, which means Moyer could break that record with a win after May 4.
"I intend to win more than one game," he said. "If age had a bearing on my decision I wouldn't be doing this."
Moyer's motivation extends past personal accomplishments.
"This is an opportunity that I have and now it's up to me to run with it," he said.
"I want to contribute here, that's what it is all about. I want to contribute on the field and in the clubhouse. This is about pitching for a team and putting forth the best effort I can along with 24 other players to make the team successful."
Rockies manager Jim Tracy said the decision was made after seeing how well Moyer responded the day after a 92-pitch, four-inning effort against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.
"I wanted to make sure physically he is in the right place, and I am confident he is," said Tracy.
Moyer, who missed the 2011 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, is 267-204 in his big-league career. He has won 233 games since turning 30, sixth on the all-time list for a pitcher after his 30th birthday, two behind Randy Johnson. Cy Young is the all-time leader with 316 wins after 30.
Moyer's 103 wins since turning 40 are second-most in baseball history, 18 behind Phil Niekro.
Moyer has a chance to add a few more wins to his totals.
Braun homers to lead Brewers over Dodgers
Chris Capuano pitched six innings in his final preparation for his new spot as the Dodgers' No. 3 starter and caused a stir by throwing behind Ryan Braun in a Los Angeles split squad's 9-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said before the game starter Ted Lilly will start the season on the disabled list. Slowed by a stiff neck, Lilly pitched a bullpen session for the first time since March 21.
Capuano threw 83 pitches, including one in the top of the sixth that went behind Braun. First-base umpire Bill Miller acted quickly to prevent any chance of a confrontation. Miller alerted home-plate umpire Michael Lusky who warned both dugouts.
Braun hit a towering home run in the first.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said before the game starter Ted Lilly will start the season on the disabled list. Slowed by a stiff neck, Lilly pitched a bullpen session for the first time since March 21.
Capuano threw 83 pitches, including one in the top of the sixth that went behind Braun. First-base umpire Bill Miller acted quickly to prevent any chance of a confrontation. Miller alerted home-plate umpire Michael Lusky who warned both dugouts.
Braun hit a towering home run in the first.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Shumpert`s Double Alley-Oop Leads the Top 10 Assists of the Week
 | The best dime droppers in the game showcase their skills in this week`s Top 10 assists. Visit www.nba.com for more highlights. | From: NBA Views: 275  11 ratings |
| Time: 02:43 | More in Sports |
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub9VIWeFZzI&feature=youtube_gdata
Venus shows she still has long way to go
In what is becoming an unfortunate pattern at the Sony Ericsson Open, Venus Williams ran out of steam.
By the time she lost to the hard-hitting Pole, Agnieszka Radwanska, Venus basically couldn't run anymore and went out of the quarterfinals 6-4, 6-1.
Like her sister, Serena, and Andy Roddick -- the only American Grand Slam winners through the past decade -- Venus has been battling injury and illness and came into this tournament just happy to be able to play. So it was a plus for her to get as far as she did. But she was still frustrated.
Although she is suffering from Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease, Venus was vehement in insisting she did not have a conditioning problem. "I don't have a condition problem," she said. "Let's get that straight."
Then she repeated those two sentences just so we would understand she meant it. But a few moments later she was saying, "It's disappointing not being able to feel my best today. I was able to keep it close in the first set and try different strategies, but it was definitely a mental battle, and I didn't conquer the mental part of it."
Well, OK, so she is saying she was mentally fatigued after not playing many matches, which can certainly be a factor. But another fact is this -- at the end she could hardly raise a gallop.
So there is a long way to go before she can string together the kind of stunning performance she produced to beat the Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in the second round. Everyone who admires her courage and her talent will hope that, by the time Wimbledon comes around, she will be able to resemble the real Venus again.
The rest of a hot afternoon was taken up by a fascinating battle between No. 4 seed Andy Murray and the ninth-ranked Serb, Janko Tipsarevic. Murray got away to a routine first-set lead of 4-2 and then, excuse me, he started to burp. If it is possible to be drunk without consuming alcohol, he was drunk.
"I have this thing which tests how hydrated you are, which I used before the match, and I was very hydrated," said Murray who eventually lifted his game to earn an impressive 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory.
"So I don't know if I drunk too much, but the stomach was filled with liquid. Each time I took a sip I wanted to burp, basically."
Murray was smiling as he recounted the moments when he had to call a doctor on court to give him some pills to settle his stomach and, given the eventual outcome, he had every reason to be pleased to reach the semifinals of a tournament he won in 2009.
"Today's match was really important for me after being a break down a few times in the second set," he said. "At the end of the third set when I was up a break, he had a break point in a tight game, and I came up with some big serves and served my way out of trouble, which is important."
It certainly was because Murray had not been serving well early on and was facing a fierce competitor who, according to coach Darren Cahill, has the best serve of any player standing 6 feet or less on the tour.
"Tipsarevic is really tough," said Cahill who has worked with Murray on a part-time basis over the past year. "He has this great backhand down the line and is a real competitor."
While Murray was having his stomach problems, he lost six straight games to go a set and 2-0 down but after a series of service breaks, he came out on top in that set, breaking in the eighth game after he had turned on the after burners to reach a Tipsarevic drop shot. He had just come up with three great drop shots of his own in the previous game and, as the third set unfolded, the crowd was offered more exciting stroke play as the Serb tried in vain to stem the turning tide.
He came close when he reached that break back point at 3-4, but Murray came up with a terrific 130-mph ace that caught the outside line and ended up a deserving winner.
By the time she lost to the hard-hitting Pole, Agnieszka Radwanska, Venus basically couldn't run anymore and went out of the quarterfinals 6-4, 6-1.
Like her sister, Serena, and Andy Roddick -- the only American Grand Slam winners through the past decade -- Venus has been battling injury and illness and came into this tournament just happy to be able to play. So it was a plus for her to get as far as she did. But she was still frustrated.
Although she is suffering from Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease, Venus was vehement in insisting she did not have a conditioning problem. "I don't have a condition problem," she said. "Let's get that straight."
Then she repeated those two sentences just so we would understand she meant it. But a few moments later she was saying, "It's disappointing not being able to feel my best today. I was able to keep it close in the first set and try different strategies, but it was definitely a mental battle, and I didn't conquer the mental part of it."
Well, OK, so she is saying she was mentally fatigued after not playing many matches, which can certainly be a factor. But another fact is this -- at the end she could hardly raise a gallop.
So there is a long way to go before she can string together the kind of stunning performance she produced to beat the Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in the second round. Everyone who admires her courage and her talent will hope that, by the time Wimbledon comes around, she will be able to resemble the real Venus again.
The rest of a hot afternoon was taken up by a fascinating battle between No. 4 seed Andy Murray and the ninth-ranked Serb, Janko Tipsarevic. Murray got away to a routine first-set lead of 4-2 and then, excuse me, he started to burp. If it is possible to be drunk without consuming alcohol, he was drunk.
"I have this thing which tests how hydrated you are, which I used before the match, and I was very hydrated," said Murray who eventually lifted his game to earn an impressive 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory.
"So I don't know if I drunk too much, but the stomach was filled with liquid. Each time I took a sip I wanted to burp, basically."
Murray was smiling as he recounted the moments when he had to call a doctor on court to give him some pills to settle his stomach and, given the eventual outcome, he had every reason to be pleased to reach the semifinals of a tournament he won in 2009.
"Today's match was really important for me after being a break down a few times in the second set," he said. "At the end of the third set when I was up a break, he had a break point in a tight game, and I came up with some big serves and served my way out of trouble, which is important."
It certainly was because Murray had not been serving well early on and was facing a fierce competitor who, according to coach Darren Cahill, has the best serve of any player standing 6 feet or less on the tour.
"Tipsarevic is really tough," said Cahill who has worked with Murray on a part-time basis over the past year. "He has this great backhand down the line and is a real competitor."
While Murray was having his stomach problems, he lost six straight games to go a set and 2-0 down but after a series of service breaks, he came out on top in that set, breaking in the eighth game after he had turned on the after burners to reach a Tipsarevic drop shot. He had just come up with three great drop shots of his own in the previous game and, as the third set unfolded, the crowd was offered more exciting stroke play as the Serb tried in vain to stem the turning tide.
He came close when he reached that break back point at 3-4, but Murray came up with a terrific 130-mph ace that caught the outside line and ended up a deserving winner.
Player wanted father removed
Bernard Tomic was put in an unusual professional circumstance this past Saturday during the second-round of the the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. Tomic?s father was in the stands watching his son play and was a little overbearing, to say the least. He continually tried to get Bernard?s attention and was clearly an annoyance, so much so that Bernard went to the line judge to have him removed from the match:
Sports Illustrated explains in detail:
?He?s annoying me,? Tomic is heard telling Mourier. ?I know he?s my father, but he?s annoying me. I want him to leave, but how is that possible??
?And if you tell him to leave, what?s going to happen?? Mourier responded.
?It?s not going to happen,? Tomic said. ?If you see him [coaching], tell him to be quiet.?
?He knows already,? Mourier said. ?I caught him [coaching] already.?
Mourier then issued a warning to Bernard about illegal coaching and the player thanked him.
Click here to view the embedded v...
Sports Illustrated explains in detail:
?He?s annoying me,? Tomic is heard telling Mourier. ?I know he?s my father, but he?s annoying me. I want him to leave, but how is that possible??
?And if you tell him to leave, what?s going to happen?? Mourier responded.
?It?s not going to happen,? Tomic said. ?If you see him [coaching], tell him to be quiet.?
?He knows already,? Mourier said. ?I caught him [coaching] already.?
Mourier then issued a warning to Bernard about illegal coaching and the player thanked him.
Click here to view the embedded v...
Report: Angels trying to trade Abreu to Indians
The Los Angeles Angels are trying to put together a trade that would send outfielder Bobby Abreu to the Cleveland Indians, CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman reported Thursday. Abreu's playing time probably would be limited with the Angels because of the many outfielders and designated hitters on the roster. But the Indians need an outfielder with Grady Sizemore probably out until May with a back injury. In addition, Michael Brantley is scheduled to be the Indians everyday center fielder, but he is having problems with his hamstring.Abreu, 38, hit .253 with eight home runs last season.Abreu is scheduled to earn 9 million this season, so the Angels may help pay his 2012 salary if the trade is made.
Omri Casspi Somehow Sinks the Shot
 | Omri Casspi goes inside and makes an impossible no-look over-the-head bucket plus the foul. | From: NBA Views: 35328  190 ratings |
| Time: 00:36 | More in Sports |
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K93ZQ01dNYs&feature=youtube_gdata
Thursday, March 29, 2012
NBA: Predicting the Major Story Lines for the Upcoming Offseason
A wise man once said, "There's never a better time than now to starting thinking about the future."
Okay, a wise man never said that. It's just something that I wrote down, but it's still true and it certainly applies to the world of professional sports, and especially the NBA.
Through free agency and the NBA Draft, teams are able to transition from being below-average in their conference to being a legitimate playoff contender overnight. That only happens, though, when teams take advantage of the talent available during the offseason, in free agency and in the draft.
This upcoming offseason will be no different, as it will be filled with free-agent veterans and a wealth of young talent available in both free agency and in the draft.
It will be exciting to see what story lines develop this offseason, and while there will undoubtedly be ones that pop up out of nowhere, there are a few that are certainly going to find their way into the headlines.
Let's start with the soap opera known as "The D12 Saga."
Dwight Howard's Future in Orlando
While Dwight Howard shocked the world by deciding to not opt-out of his contract with the Magic at the end of the season, that doesn't necessarily mean that he will be playing for the Magic next season.
Howard could easily decide that he doesn't like his situation in Orlando and ask for a trade, much like he did at the beginning of this current season. The only person that knows exactly what Dwight Howard is going to want next year is himself, and even that's a stretch, as he seems to change his mind on a consistent basis.
If the Magic front office isn't able to bring in the kind of talent that D12 wants, there's a high likelihood that we could see the Dwight Howard saga continue well into the 2012-13 season, and that will certainly be something for NBA fans to keep their eyes on.
Prediction—Dwight Howard won't be wearing a Magic jersey to start next season, and that's mainly because the Magic front office is inept at bringing in real talent that would make Howard want to stay.
Danny Ainge Dismantling Boston's Big Three
The Boston Celtics will have a completely different look next season. The Celtics only have six players on contract for next year, and none of those players are named Kevin Garnett or Ray Allen.
Two of the Celtics most valuable players, Garnett and Allen, are in the final year contracts, and Danny Ainge would be insane to bring both of those players back if they're looking to make near the same money they did this year—$21.2 million and $10 million, respectively.
If Garnett and Allen are willing to take significant pay cuts to stay in Boston, Ainge should jump on that possibility, but in all reality, both players will be looking to take their talents to high-paying teams that are ready to win an NBA Title.
Prediction—Celtics will let both Garnett and Allen go, which will give them an entirely different look as a team heading into the 2012-13 season. If Garnett and Allen do indeed leave Boston, it will be interesting to see where they land. Allen to Miami, and Garnett to OKC, maybe?
Steve Nash and Deron Williams Taking Their Talents Elsewhere
Nash made it absolutely clear that if the Suns aren't willing to add talent around him, then he is ready to take his talents to a team with more championship potential. Even more so than Nash, Nets' point guard Deron Williams is ready to test the waters of free agency and see which team is the best fit for his All-Star talents.
Both Nash and Williams are smart to take their talents away from Phoenix and New Jersey, as both of those teams are going nowhere fast. For Nash and Williams, their best bet is to sign with teams that are championship-ready, in hopes that they can each win their first NBA title.
Teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Lakers will be interesting in signing Williams or Nash. One thing is for sure, and that is that it will be exciting to watch and see where both Williams and Nash are playing next season.
Prediction—Deron Williams will be playing with D12 in Orlando, and Steve Nash will be playing beside Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles.
Drama and Trouble in South Beach with the Heatles
This prediction is based off my belief that the Heat won't win the 2012 NBA Title. I'm a Heat fan, but I realize that if the Heat don't enter the playoffs with home-court advantage throughout, they will have a difficult time winning the title, much like they did last year.
It's championship or bust in Miami, and when LeBron and company are sent home from the 2012 playoffs without a ring, South Beach is going to be flipped upside down. Fans will be calling for the Heat to trade one of the Big Three, and the pressure will be placed on Pat Riley to make drastic changes to both the coaching staff and the roster.
As a Heat fan, it won't be enjoyable to watch the Heat fall apart, but it will certainly be entertaining to see how the players and the front office handle their inability to bring NBA championships to South Beach.
Prediction—Head coach Erik Spoelstra will be fired, and Chris Bosh (among other players) will be placed on the trade block by Pat Riley.
The 2012 offseason will be interesting and exciting to say the least. Weigh in with your predicted story lines of the upcoming off-season in the comment section below.
Detroit Tigers near d-day with 3 major roster decisions
The Detroit Tigers have solved virtually nothing regarding their tough roster decisions as the final cut downs loom. This is probably a good thing as it leads one to believe that the competition is stiff enough to require as many looks as possible by management before levying a decision.
Left field is still up for grabs, Brandon Inge is still confusing things at 2nd base, and a 5th starter has yet to be determined. When you?re a writer, you get the easy job. You get to say what should happen based on the things we see, which certainly isn?t the whole puzzle.
Here?s my stance on which way these 3 debates should finish up:
Andy Dirks
Left Field goes to Andy Dirks. I like Clete Thomas and his upside but the strikeouts are a concern, and when you factor in that Austin Jackson might need someone to fill his spot at leadoff on occasion, Dirks seems like the better fit. Thomas? defense isn?t enough to overcome the certainly that Dirks? bat brings to the equation.
In a similar amount of spr...
Left field is still up for grabs, Brandon Inge is still confusing things at 2nd base, and a 5th starter has yet to be determined. When you?re a writer, you get the easy job. You get to say what should happen based on the things we see, which certainly isn?t the whole puzzle.
Here?s my stance on which way these 3 debates should finish up:
Andy Dirks
Left Field goes to Andy Dirks. I like Clete Thomas and his upside but the strikeouts are a concern, and when you factor in that Austin Jackson might need someone to fill his spot at leadoff on occasion, Dirks seems like the better fit. Thomas? defense isn?t enough to overcome the certainly that Dirks? bat brings to the equation.
In a similar amount of spr...
UK, UL fans fight at dialysis clinic
Most people who know basketball know that the in-state rivalry between the Kentucky Wildcats and Louisville Cardinals is pretty intense, and with the two teams meeting in Saturday?s National Semifinal with a trip to the National Championship game on the line, the antagonism between the warring fanbases is ramping up.� But there has to be a limit to how far UK and UofL fans are willing to take their dislike for each other, and I think fighting while receiving dialysis treatment may just be that limit.
On Monday police had to be called to a Georgetown Dialysis Clinic after a a UK fan was punched by a UofL fan when the two disagreed over who would win the Battle for the Bluegrass redux on Saturday.� Why didn?t the Wildcats fan, one Ed Wilson, punch Cards fan Charles Taylor after Taylor hit him in the face?� Well, he would have, except he was hooked up to his dialysis machine at the time.
I?ll take ?Things You Don?t See Everyday at a Dialysis Clinic? for $400, Alex.
From ...
On Monday police had to be called to a Georgetown Dialysis Clinic after a a UK fan was punched by a UofL fan when the two disagreed over who would win the Battle for the Bluegrass redux on Saturday.� Why didn?t the Wildcats fan, one Ed Wilson, punch Cards fan Charles Taylor after Taylor hit him in the face?� Well, he would have, except he was hooked up to his dialysis machine at the time.
I?ll take ?Things You Don?t See Everyday at a Dialysis Clinic? for $400, Alex.
From ...
Kings shut out Flames 3-0
Jonathan Quick stopped 19 shots and the Los Angeles Kings beat the Calgary Flames 3-0 on Wednesday to move into the eighth place in the Western conference.
Willie Mitchell, Dustin Brown and Justin Williams scored for the Kings (38-27-12), who snapped a two-game losing streak. Anze Kopitar had two assists.
Quick recorded his ninth shutout of the season to break the previous club record of eight that he shared with Rogatien Vachon, who set the mark in the 1976-77 season.
The Kings blanked their opponents for the 10th time this season to tie another club record set in 2000-01.
Miikka Kiprusoff stopped 27-of-30 shots he faced in the Calgary net.
Willie Mitchell, Dustin Brown and Justin Williams scored for the Kings (38-27-12), who snapped a two-game losing streak. Anze Kopitar had two assists.
Quick recorded his ninth shutout of the season to break the previous club record of eight that he shared with Rogatien Vachon, who set the mark in the 1976-77 season.
The Kings blanked their opponents for the 10th time this season to tie another club record set in 2000-01.
Miikka Kiprusoff stopped 27-of-30 shots he faced in the Calgary net.
Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/kings_shut_out_flames_3_0/10425658
Mariners Beat A?s in 11 innings, But No One Watched Because it Wasn?t Televised Live [UPDATE]
![Mariners Beat A’s in 11 innings, But No One Watched Because it Wasn’t Televised Live [UPDATE]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vnl92q2cMLgMoCQWTx8n99Sbo5R3tTW_BjLHB_tFRivJ2p1bMVCIL7zwO8rff9iH4sBcM1Ay4KikVOWzrFYfYTidejqKB7n_N9RkOF5E9ch5r9UHugeV_sNTu43wLzz7Phd-qAShcZTxD7t2_BTF4iDFEdg9qQz07D9ih-GeYtnvtSWwIl1uLLVJhyBGTRd8Q6pxd7U_kuolVsTC1obyERr9v0zv3RZns1FsOYVs35ubhAYBMWsxcELc1sVcZWG50Y=s0-d "Mariners Beat A’s in 11 innings, But No One Watched Because it Wasn’t Televised Live [UPDATE]")
Major League Baseball opened its season with a game on tape delay. Seriously.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Will anyone stop Pittsburgh?s quest for a fourth title?
Most of the hockey world would agree that, as of now, the Pittsburgh Penguins are the team to beat with the playoffs a mere two weeks away. So I pose this question: Will anyone get in the Penguins? way of the franchise?s fourth Stanley Cup title?There hasn?t been a better team in the NHL in the second half than the Penguins. Despite Tuesday?s loss to the lottery-bound New York Islanders, Dan Bylsma?s team is 26-6-2 since mid-January. They have out-scored opponents by a score of 132-88 en route to this dominant 34-game stretch.Perhaps what has stood out the most in these last 34 games is the fact that Sidney Crosby remained sidelined (until Mar. 15) and top blue-liner Kris Letang was in-and-out of the lineup. Granted, the Penguins have grown accustomed to playing without key players over the last couple years. But to maintain this level of play, thanks in large part to Evgeni Malkin?s shoulders, has been impressive.If they continue on this pace in their final six games, they cou...
Penguins regroup after shaky loss to Islanders
The Pittsburgh Penguins know it's easy to roll through the regular season by simply outscoring opponents. The New York Islanders provided a reminder it helps if you outplay them too.
New York's 5-3 win on Tuesday night provided the streaking Penguins with a reality check two weeks before the playoffs start.
Pittsburgh allowed eight goals in a loss to Ottawa last weekend and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury was left vulnerable against the Islanders due to what coach Dan Bylsma termed a lack of discipline.
Bylsma delivered a stern speech to his team on Wednesday about ''playing the right way.'' Pittsburgh now trails the New York Rangers by three points in the race for the top spot in the Eastern Conference with six games remaining in the regular season.
New York's 5-3 win on Tuesday night provided the streaking Penguins with a reality check two weeks before the playoffs start.
Pittsburgh allowed eight goals in a loss to Ottawa last weekend and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury was left vulnerable against the Islanders due to what coach Dan Bylsma termed a lack of discipline.
Bylsma delivered a stern speech to his team on Wednesday about ''playing the right way.'' Pittsburgh now trails the New York Rangers by three points in the race for the top spot in the Eastern Conference with six games remaining in the regular season.
Wall finishes off the alley-oop!
 | Check out this great play from Jordan Crawford and John Wall as they hook up for the nice alley-oop play, finished off by Wall with the two-handed flush! | From: NBA Views: 20530 147 ratings |
| Time: 00:19 | More in Sports |
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSz5xvd2dY4&feature=youtube_gdata
Self's triangle-and-2 defense helps Kansas win
ST. LOUIS It was as if somebody had reached over and put dad-gum gum in Roy Williams' hair.
Sometimes in Bracketville, it comes down to a tweak. At the 11:52 mark of the second half of the NCAA tournament's Midwest Regional final, North Carolina hit the under-12-minute media timeout with 61 points. Over the previous eight minutes, they'd scored 14 points. In the eight minutes before that, they'd scored 16. The Tar Heels were in their comfort zone, setting the tempo, on pace for a game in the 80s, dragging Kansas a team almost as swift as Carolina but not nearly as deep into a track meet.
That is, until Bill Self reached into his bag of tricks. He dumped the straight-up man-to-man look, and pulled out a junk defense, one the Jayhawks hadn't used since they'd escaped Purdue in Omaha: The triangle-and-2. In layman's terms, it meant two guys playing man-to-man and the other three in a zone.
"And they just didn't know what to do with it," Kansas guard Conner Teahan said after the Jayhawks stunned the top-seeded Heels, 80-67, advancing to the program's first Final Four since 2008. "And we were a little more focused."
Focused? Brother, Kansas defenders could smell fresh blood in the water. Carolina's players, who'd been running up and down most of the evening, looked positively flabbergasted.
Even open shots were released hesitantly. And whenever the Heels would find a gap in the zone, they'd find Jayhawk center Jeff Withey who netted 15 points and outplayed Carolina's more-celebrated big man, Tyler Zeller waiting for them, arms at the ready.
When assistant coach Joe Dooley pointed out that the switch in defenses had limited the Heels to just five points over their last 12 possessions, Tyshawn Taylor's eyes lit up.
"So we were like, 'All right, we got to turn it up now,'" Taylor recalled.
Between the under-12 media timeout and the under-4 media timeout, the Heels scored just five points. Over the final 3:58 of the ball game, they managed only one more. Kansas closed the game on a 12-0 run.
"We panicked a little bit out there," Williams, Carolina's coach, admitted later. "And I think that's when Withey blocked one shot in the middle, and then may have blocked Stilman (White)'s shot as well."
The triangle-and-2 isn't flawless it's especially vulnerable to cutters through the lane. But White, for all his moxie, doesn't have the jets of Kendall Marshall, the man he'd replaced. And shooting guard Reggie Bullock, who'd bailed Carolina out Friday against Ohio, was held scoreless in the second half, missing all three of his attempts from beyond the arc.
The Heels' starting wing players, Bullock and small forward Harrison Barnes, were a combined 7-for-20 from the floor, 1-for-10 from beyond the arc, with five turnovers. Ballgame.
"They got some open looks fortunately, they didn't knock them down," Self said. "And sometimes when you get an open look, you don't knock it down, you think a little bit, and that's kind of what it does. But we were able to keep the ball out of their bigs' hands and take away their two shooters. And the thing about it is, you've got to rebound out of it. And you know, they're a great rebounding team, but I thought we rebounded the ball as well as we have in a long time tonight."
By the time the nets were down and the dust had settled at the Edward Jones Dome Sunday, there were too many stars and not enough game balls to go around. But it started with Self and his staff they coached circles around Williams, his predecessor in Lawrence. The former is now 3-1 against the latter, and 2-0 in head-to-head meetings between the Jayhawks and Heels.
"I think that's probably pretty big for Kansas fans," Teahan said. "But you know what? It means a lot. Winning games like this means a lot, period, to Kansas fans. And Coach Self has been able to prove that he's a great coach."
Even the big man's gambles paid off. When Withey picked up his fourth foul with 3:58 left in the contest, a lot of coaches might've pulled him for a few minutes, just to be safe. Self kept him in, and he responded with two huge blocks in the final two minutes.
"If we had a four-point lead, I may have taken him out for a possession or two," Self said. "But in a tight game like that, I was going to let it ride."
Sometimes, it's just your night. Hell, sometimes, it's just your tournament.
You can follow Sean Keeler on Twitter @seankeeler or email him at seanmkeeler@gmail.com
Sometimes in Bracketville, it comes down to a tweak. At the 11:52 mark of the second half of the NCAA tournament's Midwest Regional final, North Carolina hit the under-12-minute media timeout with 61 points. Over the previous eight minutes, they'd scored 14 points. In the eight minutes before that, they'd scored 16. The Tar Heels were in their comfort zone, setting the tempo, on pace for a game in the 80s, dragging Kansas a team almost as swift as Carolina but not nearly as deep into a track meet.
That is, until Bill Self reached into his bag of tricks. He dumped the straight-up man-to-man look, and pulled out a junk defense, one the Jayhawks hadn't used since they'd escaped Purdue in Omaha: The triangle-and-2. In layman's terms, it meant two guys playing man-to-man and the other three in a zone.
"And they just didn't know what to do with it," Kansas guard Conner Teahan said after the Jayhawks stunned the top-seeded Heels, 80-67, advancing to the program's first Final Four since 2008. "And we were a little more focused."
Focused? Brother, Kansas defenders could smell fresh blood in the water. Carolina's players, who'd been running up and down most of the evening, looked positively flabbergasted.
Even open shots were released hesitantly. And whenever the Heels would find a gap in the zone, they'd find Jayhawk center Jeff Withey who netted 15 points and outplayed Carolina's more-celebrated big man, Tyler Zeller waiting for them, arms at the ready.
When assistant coach Joe Dooley pointed out that the switch in defenses had limited the Heels to just five points over their last 12 possessions, Tyshawn Taylor's eyes lit up.
"So we were like, 'All right, we got to turn it up now,'" Taylor recalled.
Between the under-12 media timeout and the under-4 media timeout, the Heels scored just five points. Over the final 3:58 of the ball game, they managed only one more. Kansas closed the game on a 12-0 run.
"We panicked a little bit out there," Williams, Carolina's coach, admitted later. "And I think that's when Withey blocked one shot in the middle, and then may have blocked Stilman (White)'s shot as well."
The triangle-and-2 isn't flawless it's especially vulnerable to cutters through the lane. But White, for all his moxie, doesn't have the jets of Kendall Marshall, the man he'd replaced. And shooting guard Reggie Bullock, who'd bailed Carolina out Friday against Ohio, was held scoreless in the second half, missing all three of his attempts from beyond the arc.
The Heels' starting wing players, Bullock and small forward Harrison Barnes, were a combined 7-for-20 from the floor, 1-for-10 from beyond the arc, with five turnovers. Ballgame.
"They got some open looks fortunately, they didn't knock them down," Self said. "And sometimes when you get an open look, you don't knock it down, you think a little bit, and that's kind of what it does. But we were able to keep the ball out of their bigs' hands and take away their two shooters. And the thing about it is, you've got to rebound out of it. And you know, they're a great rebounding team, but I thought we rebounded the ball as well as we have in a long time tonight."
By the time the nets were down and the dust had settled at the Edward Jones Dome Sunday, there were too many stars and not enough game balls to go around. But it started with Self and his staff they coached circles around Williams, his predecessor in Lawrence. The former is now 3-1 against the latter, and 2-0 in head-to-head meetings between the Jayhawks and Heels.
"I think that's probably pretty big for Kansas fans," Teahan said. "But you know what? It means a lot. Winning games like this means a lot, period, to Kansas fans. And Coach Self has been able to prove that he's a great coach."
Even the big man's gambles paid off. When Withey picked up his fourth foul with 3:58 left in the contest, a lot of coaches might've pulled him for a few minutes, just to be safe. Self kept him in, and he responded with two huge blocks in the final two minutes.
"If we had a four-point lead, I may have taken him out for a possession or two," Self said. "But in a tight game like that, I was going to let it ride."
Sometimes, it's just your night. Hell, sometimes, it's just your tournament.
You can follow Sean Keeler on Twitter @seankeeler or email him at seanmkeeler@gmail.com
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Kentucky, Louisville, Kansas and Ohio State are a Historic Final Four Quartet
Every team in the Final Four this year has played in at least 9 Final Fours in their history.
Taylor's Kansas legacy on the line against UNC
ST. LOUIS Loving her with all your heart does not necessarily mean that she'll love you back. March is funny like that. Some years, she returns Bill Self's calls. Some years, she doesn't. You dial anyway.
Consider the curious case of Tyshawn Taylor. In a dozen career NCAA tournament appearances, Kansas' point guard has averaged 7.8 points, shot 40 percent from the floor, made less than 10 percent of his treys (3-for-32, .094), hit on 63 percent of his free throws and committed almost as many turnovers (39) as assists (44). A career 38 percent shooter from beyond the arc, he's 0-for-12 from long distance during this year's Big Dance. As the stadiums get bigger, his game has gotten curiously smaller.
"I don't know what it is, man," offered Taylor, who'll lead the 31-6 Jayhawks against top-seeded North Carolina Sunday in the NCAA's Midwest regional final. "I don't know what it is. I'm going to keep shooting it confidently. I feel like that they're good when they leave my hand, and so I'm going to keep shooting it."
The Hoboken, N.J. native was in a reflective mood Saturday. That happens in Bracketville, sometimes, when you're a senior. You can smell the end. You don't want it to end. Desperation sets in. The memories rush back. So do the regrets.
And over the past four years, Taylor has experienced more than his share of both. As a sophomore, he was part of a brawl with a bunch of Kansas football players, injuring his finger in the process. He was suspended for violating team rules as a junior and again as a senior. In January, he lashed out at his critics via his Twitter account, informing the haters that "if you can go out there and lace 'em up ... I'll accept the constructive criticism ... but since y'all cant well ... yeah."
Also, he's won four straight Big 12 titles and played in two Elite Eights. Since 2008, his teams have averaged 31.5 victories a season. When asked this past winter to become a scorer, the guy responded by nearly doubling his previous average, from 9.7 points per game to 16.6. Sometimes, you take the good with the bad.
"Everybody watched him mature," forward Thomas Robinson said of his friend and teammate, "right in front of your eyes."
Still, when it comes to Taylor, the emotions in Lawrence rarely run lukewarm, do they? Although the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. So, for now, does the legacy.
"I think it crosses my mind, from time to time, because I've been one of those players who has been criticized," Taylor said. "A lot of fans love me, they hate me, (that) kind of thing. I think about (it) from time to time, and being in a situation where you've come behind so many great players that people remember and show so much love to.
"You want to be one of those guys. And I think that, as far as my work on the court, I think I could possibly be one of those guys. And I think (Sunday's) game is a step in that right direction."
To many fans, Taylor sits on the fence now, teetering back and forth; infamy on one side, immortality on the other. A win over the Tar Heels a win over Roy Williams and a berth in the Final Four would push him onto the latter column in one fell swoop.
Other than that, man, no pressure.
"Offensively, I haven't been playing too well," said Taylor, who missed 12 of 14 shots late Friday night in a victory over North Carolina State, committed five turnovers, and generally drove the Jayhawk faithful bonkers. "And I don't want to put extra pressure on myself, but I just know that I can't play too much worse offensively.
"So I'm actually looking forward to playing. I think a win could mean so much to my legacy at Kansas and life in the future."
Which Tyshawn will it be, though?
The one who missed two of three massive free throws against Missouri in Columbia? Or the one who drained seven of eight from the charity stripe against those same Tigers just a few weeks later? Is he a money player or a reckless riverboat gambler? A legend or a goat?
"He tries to make plays, and (in) trying to make them, there's going to be mistakes," teammate Travis Releford said. "He knows he's got to play through them for us to win."
They go as he goes, more or less. In the Jayhawks' 31 victories, Taylor's averaged 4.5 assists and 3.2 turnovers. In Kansas' six losses, it's 4.8 assists and 4.5 turnovers. When the senior gives the ball away four times or fewer, the Jayhawks are 25-3.
"Freshman or Sophomore Tyshawn would've hung my head, been kind of mad," said Taylor, who also whiffed on three of five free-throw attempts against the Wolfpack.
"I'm a senior now. I've been through it so many times that it's just you know, we still can win whether I make that free throw or not. We've just gotta think, 'Next play.' That's what Coach (Bill Self) always says: 'Think next play,' and that's just what I did."
The trick now for Taylor now is not thinking about the Final Four, now just one game away, almost close enough to touch. He got into a discussion actually, it turned into an argument on that very topic earlier Saturday with Robinson, during Kansas' team breakfast. The big man reminded Taylor that if you find yourself staring too long and hard at New Orleans in the distance, you might wind up getting blindsided in St. Louis.
"I was like, 'Dang, man, if we just get past this,'" Taylor recalled. "And he was like, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa, relax, bro, relax. Take it easy.'
"And that's how you've got to think, man. Because I think in the past, we've been in this Elite Eight situation before and we were thinking 'Final Four' before we even got in the Elite Eight game. So we can't do that, man. Carolina is a great team, man. It's a little easier not to look past them because you understand they're a great team."
A great team with flaws, though, as Ohio University proved in pushing the Heels to overtime on Friday night. A great team with a freckled freshman playing point guard. A great team that just got scared out of its baby blue wits.
By the same token, the law of averages says there's probably no way Carolina star Harrison Barnes shoots as poorly as he did against the Bobcats (3-for-16), nor that the Heels will throw the ball away 24 times again. The Jayhawks don't need to be perfect, but it wouldn't hurt to be close. Two-for-14 from Taylor again means Rock Chalk is heading home.
You can follow Sean Keeler on Twitter @seankeeler or email him at seanmkeeler@gmail.com
Consider the curious case of Tyshawn Taylor. In a dozen career NCAA tournament appearances, Kansas' point guard has averaged 7.8 points, shot 40 percent from the floor, made less than 10 percent of his treys (3-for-32, .094), hit on 63 percent of his free throws and committed almost as many turnovers (39) as assists (44). A career 38 percent shooter from beyond the arc, he's 0-for-12 from long distance during this year's Big Dance. As the stadiums get bigger, his game has gotten curiously smaller.
"I don't know what it is, man," offered Taylor, who'll lead the 31-6 Jayhawks against top-seeded North Carolina Sunday in the NCAA's Midwest regional final. "I don't know what it is. I'm going to keep shooting it confidently. I feel like that they're good when they leave my hand, and so I'm going to keep shooting it."
The Hoboken, N.J. native was in a reflective mood Saturday. That happens in Bracketville, sometimes, when you're a senior. You can smell the end. You don't want it to end. Desperation sets in. The memories rush back. So do the regrets.
And over the past four years, Taylor has experienced more than his share of both. As a sophomore, he was part of a brawl with a bunch of Kansas football players, injuring his finger in the process. He was suspended for violating team rules as a junior and again as a senior. In January, he lashed out at his critics via his Twitter account, informing the haters that "if you can go out there and lace 'em up ... I'll accept the constructive criticism ... but since y'all cant well ... yeah."
Also, he's won four straight Big 12 titles and played in two Elite Eights. Since 2008, his teams have averaged 31.5 victories a season. When asked this past winter to become a scorer, the guy responded by nearly doubling his previous average, from 9.7 points per game to 16.6. Sometimes, you take the good with the bad.
"Everybody watched him mature," forward Thomas Robinson said of his friend and teammate, "right in front of your eyes."
Still, when it comes to Taylor, the emotions in Lawrence rarely run lukewarm, do they? Although the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. So, for now, does the legacy.
"I think it crosses my mind, from time to time, because I've been one of those players who has been criticized," Taylor said. "A lot of fans love me, they hate me, (that) kind of thing. I think about (it) from time to time, and being in a situation where you've come behind so many great players that people remember and show so much love to.
"You want to be one of those guys. And I think that, as far as my work on the court, I think I could possibly be one of those guys. And I think (Sunday's) game is a step in that right direction."
To many fans, Taylor sits on the fence now, teetering back and forth; infamy on one side, immortality on the other. A win over the Tar Heels a win over Roy Williams and a berth in the Final Four would push him onto the latter column in one fell swoop.
Other than that, man, no pressure.
"Offensively, I haven't been playing too well," said Taylor, who missed 12 of 14 shots late Friday night in a victory over North Carolina State, committed five turnovers, and generally drove the Jayhawk faithful bonkers. "And I don't want to put extra pressure on myself, but I just know that I can't play too much worse offensively.
"So I'm actually looking forward to playing. I think a win could mean so much to my legacy at Kansas and life in the future."
Which Tyshawn will it be, though?
The one who missed two of three massive free throws against Missouri in Columbia? Or the one who drained seven of eight from the charity stripe against those same Tigers just a few weeks later? Is he a money player or a reckless riverboat gambler? A legend or a goat?
"He tries to make plays, and (in) trying to make them, there's going to be mistakes," teammate Travis Releford said. "He knows he's got to play through them for us to win."
They go as he goes, more or less. In the Jayhawks' 31 victories, Taylor's averaged 4.5 assists and 3.2 turnovers. In Kansas' six losses, it's 4.8 assists and 4.5 turnovers. When the senior gives the ball away four times or fewer, the Jayhawks are 25-3.
"Freshman or Sophomore Tyshawn would've hung my head, been kind of mad," said Taylor, who also whiffed on three of five free-throw attempts against the Wolfpack.
"I'm a senior now. I've been through it so many times that it's just you know, we still can win whether I make that free throw or not. We've just gotta think, 'Next play.' That's what Coach (Bill Self) always says: 'Think next play,' and that's just what I did."
The trick now for Taylor now is not thinking about the Final Four, now just one game away, almost close enough to touch. He got into a discussion actually, it turned into an argument on that very topic earlier Saturday with Robinson, during Kansas' team breakfast. The big man reminded Taylor that if you find yourself staring too long and hard at New Orleans in the distance, you might wind up getting blindsided in St. Louis.
"I was like, 'Dang, man, if we just get past this,'" Taylor recalled. "And he was like, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa, relax, bro, relax. Take it easy.'
"And that's how you've got to think, man. Because I think in the past, we've been in this Elite Eight situation before and we were thinking 'Final Four' before we even got in the Elite Eight game. So we can't do that, man. Carolina is a great team, man. It's a little easier not to look past them because you understand they're a great team."
A great team with flaws, though, as Ohio University proved in pushing the Heels to overtime on Friday night. A great team with a freckled freshman playing point guard. A great team that just got scared out of its baby blue wits.
By the same token, the law of averages says there's probably no way Carolina star Harrison Barnes shoots as poorly as he did against the Bobcats (3-for-16), nor that the Heels will throw the ball away 24 times again. The Jayhawks don't need to be perfect, but it wouldn't hurt to be close. Two-for-14 from Taylor again means Rock Chalk is heading home.
You can follow Sean Keeler on Twitter @seankeeler or email him at seanmkeeler@gmail.com
Taylor's Kansas legacy on the line against UNC
ST. LOUIS Loving her with all your heart does not necessarily mean that she'll love you back. March is funny like that. Some years, she returns Bill Self's calls. Some years, she doesn't. You dial anyway.
Consider the curious case of Tyshawn Taylor. In a dozen career NCAA tournament appearances, Kansas' point guard has averaged 7.8 points, shot 40 percent from the floor, made less than 10 percent of his treys (3-for-32, .094), hit on 63 percent of his free throws and committed almost as many turnovers (39) as assists (44). A career 38 percent shooter from beyond the arc, he's 0-for-12 from long distance during this year's Big Dance. As the stadiums get bigger, his game has gotten curiously smaller.
"I don't know what it is, man," offered Taylor, who'll lead the 31-6 Jayhawks against top-seeded North Carolina Sunday in the NCAA's Midwest regional final. "I don't know what it is. I'm going to keep shooting it confidently. I feel like that they're good when they leave my hand, and so I'm going to keep shooting it."
The Hoboken, N.J. native was in a reflective mood Saturday. That happens in Bracketville, sometimes, when you're a senior. You can smell the end. You don't want it to end. Desperation sets in. The memories rush back. So do the regrets.
And over the past four years, Taylor has experienced more than his share of both. As a sophomore, he was part of a brawl with a bunch of Kansas football players, injuring his finger in the process. He was suspended for violating team rules as a junior and again as a senior. In January, he lashed out at his critics via his Twitter account, informing the haters that "if you can go out there and lace 'em up ... I'll accept the constructive criticism ... but since y'all cant well ... yeah."
Also, he's won four straight Big 12 titles and played in two Elite Eights. Since 2008, his teams have averaged 31.5 victories a season. When asked this past winter to become a scorer, the guy responded by nearly doubling his previous average, from 9.7 points per game to 16.6. Sometimes, you take the good with the bad.
"Everybody watched him mature," forward Thomas Robinson said of his friend and teammate, "right in front of your eyes."
Still, when it comes to Taylor, the emotions in Lawrence rarely run lukewarm, do they? Although the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. So, for now, does the legacy.
"I think it crosses my mind, from time to time, because I've been one of those players who has been criticized," Taylor said. "A lot of fans love me, they hate me, (that) kind of thing. I think about (it) from time to time, and being in a situation where you've come behind so many great players that people remember and show so much love to.
"You want to be one of those guys. And I think that, as far as my work on the court, I think I could possibly be one of those guys. And I think (Sunday's) game is a step in that right direction."
To many fans, Taylor sits on the fence now, teetering back and forth; infamy on one side, immortality on the other. A win over the Tar Heels a win over Roy Williams and a berth in the Final Four would push him onto the latter column in one fell swoop.
Other than that, man, no pressure.
"Offensively, I haven't been playing too well," said Taylor, who missed 12 of 14 shots late Friday night in a victory over North Carolina State, committed five turnovers, and generally drove the Jayhawk faithful bonkers. "And I don't want to put extra pressure on myself, but I just know that I can't play too much worse offensively.
"So I'm actually looking forward to playing. I think a win could mean so much to my legacy at Kansas and life in the future."
Which Tyshawn will it be, though?
The one who missed two of three massive free throws against Missouri in Columbia? Or the one who drained seven of eight from the charity stripe against those same Tigers just a few weeks later? Is he a money player or a reckless riverboat gambler? A legend or a goat?
"He tries to make plays, and (in) trying to make them, there's going to be mistakes," teammate Travis Releford said. "He knows he's got to play through them for us to win."
They go as he goes, more or less. In the Jayhawks' 31 victories, Taylor's averaged 4.5 assists and 3.2 turnovers. In Kansas' six losses, it's 4.8 assists and 4.5 turnovers. When the senior gives the ball away four times or fewer, the Jayhawks are 25-3.
"Freshman or Sophomore Tyshawn would've hung my head, been kind of mad," said Taylor, who also whiffed on three of five free-throw attempts against the Wolfpack.
"I'm a senior now. I've been through it so many times that it's just you know, we still can win whether I make that free throw or not. We've just gotta think, 'Next play.' That's what Coach (Bill Self) always says: 'Think next play,' and that's just what I did."
The trick now for Taylor now is not thinking about the Final Four, now just one game away, almost close enough to touch. He got into a discussion actually, it turned into an argument on that very topic earlier Saturday with Robinson, during Kansas' team breakfast. The big man reminded Taylor that if you find yourself staring too long and hard at New Orleans in the distance, you might wind up getting blindsided in St. Louis.
"I was like, 'Dang, man, if we just get past this,'" Taylor recalled. "And he was like, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa, relax, bro, relax. Take it easy.'
"And that's how you've got to think, man. Because I think in the past, we've been in this Elite Eight situation before and we were thinking 'Final Four' before we even got in the Elite Eight game. So we can't do that, man. Carolina is a great team, man. It's a little easier not to look past them because you understand they're a great team."
A great team with flaws, though, as Ohio University proved in pushing the Heels to overtime on Friday night. A great team with a freckled freshman playing point guard. A great team that just got scared out of its baby blue wits.
By the same token, the law of averages says there's probably no way Carolina star Harrison Barnes shoots as poorly as he did against the Bobcats (3-for-16), nor that the Heels will throw the ball away 24 times again. The Jayhawks don't need to be perfect, but it wouldn't hurt to be close. Two-for-14 from Taylor again means Rock Chalk is heading home.
You can follow Sean Keeler on Twitter @seankeeler or email him at seanmkeeler@gmail.com
Consider the curious case of Tyshawn Taylor. In a dozen career NCAA tournament appearances, Kansas' point guard has averaged 7.8 points, shot 40 percent from the floor, made less than 10 percent of his treys (3-for-32, .094), hit on 63 percent of his free throws and committed almost as many turnovers (39) as assists (44). A career 38 percent shooter from beyond the arc, he's 0-for-12 from long distance during this year's Big Dance. As the stadiums get bigger, his game has gotten curiously smaller.
"I don't know what it is, man," offered Taylor, who'll lead the 31-6 Jayhawks against top-seeded North Carolina Sunday in the NCAA's Midwest regional final. "I don't know what it is. I'm going to keep shooting it confidently. I feel like that they're good when they leave my hand, and so I'm going to keep shooting it."
The Hoboken, N.J. native was in a reflective mood Saturday. That happens in Bracketville, sometimes, when you're a senior. You can smell the end. You don't want it to end. Desperation sets in. The memories rush back. So do the regrets.
And over the past four years, Taylor has experienced more than his share of both. As a sophomore, he was part of a brawl with a bunch of Kansas football players, injuring his finger in the process. He was suspended for violating team rules as a junior and again as a senior. In January, he lashed out at his critics via his Twitter account, informing the haters that "if you can go out there and lace 'em up ... I'll accept the constructive criticism ... but since y'all cant well ... yeah."
Also, he's won four straight Big 12 titles and played in two Elite Eights. Since 2008, his teams have averaged 31.5 victories a season. When asked this past winter to become a scorer, the guy responded by nearly doubling his previous average, from 9.7 points per game to 16.6. Sometimes, you take the good with the bad.
"Everybody watched him mature," forward Thomas Robinson said of his friend and teammate, "right in front of your eyes."
Still, when it comes to Taylor, the emotions in Lawrence rarely run lukewarm, do they? Although the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. So, for now, does the legacy.
"I think it crosses my mind, from time to time, because I've been one of those players who has been criticized," Taylor said. "A lot of fans love me, they hate me, (that) kind of thing. I think about (it) from time to time, and being in a situation where you've come behind so many great players that people remember and show so much love to.
"You want to be one of those guys. And I think that, as far as my work on the court, I think I could possibly be one of those guys. And I think (Sunday's) game is a step in that right direction."
To many fans, Taylor sits on the fence now, teetering back and forth; infamy on one side, immortality on the other. A win over the Tar Heels a win over Roy Williams and a berth in the Final Four would push him onto the latter column in one fell swoop.
Other than that, man, no pressure.
"Offensively, I haven't been playing too well," said Taylor, who missed 12 of 14 shots late Friday night in a victory over North Carolina State, committed five turnovers, and generally drove the Jayhawk faithful bonkers. "And I don't want to put extra pressure on myself, but I just know that I can't play too much worse offensively.
"So I'm actually looking forward to playing. I think a win could mean so much to my legacy at Kansas and life in the future."
Which Tyshawn will it be, though?
The one who missed two of three massive free throws against Missouri in Columbia? Or the one who drained seven of eight from the charity stripe against those same Tigers just a few weeks later? Is he a money player or a reckless riverboat gambler? A legend or a goat?
"He tries to make plays, and (in) trying to make them, there's going to be mistakes," teammate Travis Releford said. "He knows he's got to play through them for us to win."
They go as he goes, more or less. In the Jayhawks' 31 victories, Taylor's averaged 4.5 assists and 3.2 turnovers. In Kansas' six losses, it's 4.8 assists and 4.5 turnovers. When the senior gives the ball away four times or fewer, the Jayhawks are 25-3.
"Freshman or Sophomore Tyshawn would've hung my head, been kind of mad," said Taylor, who also whiffed on three of five free-throw attempts against the Wolfpack.
"I'm a senior now. I've been through it so many times that it's just you know, we still can win whether I make that free throw or not. We've just gotta think, 'Next play.' That's what Coach (Bill Self) always says: 'Think next play,' and that's just what I did."
The trick now for Taylor now is not thinking about the Final Four, now just one game away, almost close enough to touch. He got into a discussion actually, it turned into an argument on that very topic earlier Saturday with Robinson, during Kansas' team breakfast. The big man reminded Taylor that if you find yourself staring too long and hard at New Orleans in the distance, you might wind up getting blindsided in St. Louis.
"I was like, 'Dang, man, if we just get past this,'" Taylor recalled. "And he was like, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa, relax, bro, relax. Take it easy.'
"And that's how you've got to think, man. Because I think in the past, we've been in this Elite Eight situation before and we were thinking 'Final Four' before we even got in the Elite Eight game. So we can't do that, man. Carolina is a great team, man. It's a little easier not to look past them because you understand they're a great team."
A great team with flaws, though, as Ohio University proved in pushing the Heels to overtime on Friday night. A great team with a freckled freshman playing point guard. A great team that just got scared out of its baby blue wits.
By the same token, the law of averages says there's probably no way Carolina star Harrison Barnes shoots as poorly as he did against the Bobcats (3-for-16), nor that the Heels will throw the ball away 24 times again. The Jayhawks don't need to be perfect, but it wouldn't hurt to be close. Two-for-14 from Taylor again means Rock Chalk is heading home.
You can follow Sean Keeler on Twitter @seankeeler or email him at seanmkeeler@gmail.com
Monday, March 26, 2012
Ballin?: Mike Brown Benched Kobe During the Lakers Loss to Memphis
Also, highlights from the Thunder's easy win over the Heat, including a near altercation between D Wade and Kendrick Perkins.
Foul play? No, just bad luck in Madson injury
The Ryan Madson affair isnt a case of crying over spilled milk for the Cincinnati Reds, it is a case of crying over spoiled milk.
It is if somebody paid for a half gallon of milk in a convenience store and when they opened it for consumption it was spoiled.
On a much larger scale, the Reds paid free agent Ryan Madson 8.5 million for one year to be their closer in 2012. But when he tried to throw in spring training, something was wrong, desperately wrong.
They nursed his ouchy elbow for nearly five weeks, giving him treatment and backing him down on his throwing program.
Just when it seemed he was ready to go, after telling people all spring that this was something normal, something he has gone through before in his career, Madson broke down again.
He was sent to Cincinnati for a full examination by team physician Dr. Tim Kremchek and an MRI revealed the ligament was torn from the bone.
To repair it, Tommy John ligament replacement surgery is necessary and it takes a miminum of a year, usually longer, for a pitcher to recover.
The Reds do not have insurance on Madson because they routinely do not insure one-year contracts, so they are out 8.5 million. There is an 11 million mutual option for next year, an option the Reds arent likely to pick up for a pitcher coming off major surgery and still rehabilitating the arm.
Fans are reacting negatively already, wondering why the torn ligament wasnt discovered before the Reds signed Madson on January 20.
Thats because the ligament wasnt damaged then. He underwent a full examination before the contract was signed and passed. He underwent a full examination before spring training began and again passed.
Fans wonder how a pitcher can tear a ligament without ever throwing a pitch in a game. It can happen playing catch on the side. It can happen doing PFP pitchers fielding practice. It can happen picking up an equipment bag.
Nobody knows how it happened. But it happened.
And some fans wonder if the Philadelphia Phillies dumped damaged goods on the Reds. Thats not true, either.
The Phillies didnt push Madson on the Reds. In fact, they offered him a multi-year contract, but when Madson balked the Phillies went elsewhere and signed free agent Jonathon Papelbon. So, there was no trade involved, no skullduggery, the Phillies wouldnt have offered him a long-term deal if they knew something was wrong with his arm.
It was just one of those unfortunate things that happen every year to every baseball team, a hazard of the game.
And crying over spoiled milk doesnt solve anything. The Reds do have options.
As manager Dusty Baker says, I dont dwell on the negative. I dont worry about what happens. You look to how you fix it and move on. There is nothing you can do about it, so you dont fret over it.
Fortunately, the Reds traded for lefthander Sean Marshall, a guy with some closing experience with the Chicago Cubs and a guy who wants to be a closer.
The Reds traded lefthander starter Travis Wood and rookie outfielder Dave Sappelt for Marshall with a plan to make him the teams premier lefthanded set-up guy.
Nick Masset and Bill Bray are other alternatives. Both had early-spring arm problems, but both appear healthy and ready to do what is necessary, if the Reds prefer to leave Marshall in the set-up role.
But Marshall appears to be the best alternative. And Bray can move into Marshalls lefthanded set-up role.
Thats why I say you never have enough pitching, said Baker. You have to have contingencies. We saw this last year when we lost two starters at the end of spring training Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey. We thought we had too much pitching, but you never have too much.
As far as the extra spot in the bullpen vacated by Madson, there is still the chance Aroldis Chapman could land there. Or maybe Homer Bailey.
All spring, Bailey and Chapman have pitched on the same day, competing for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. Based on numbers, Chapman is far in front 1-0, 1.50 ERA, two walks, 12 strikeouts to Baileys 1-2, 7.93 ERA, seven walks, six strikeouts.
Bailey is out of options, so it isnt likely theyll risk losing him by trying to send him back to the minors. He could land in the bullpen.
Thats what spring training is for, to find out things, said Baker. We still have time to make adjustments.
It is if somebody paid for a half gallon of milk in a convenience store and when they opened it for consumption it was spoiled.
On a much larger scale, the Reds paid free agent Ryan Madson 8.5 million for one year to be their closer in 2012. But when he tried to throw in spring training, something was wrong, desperately wrong.
They nursed his ouchy elbow for nearly five weeks, giving him treatment and backing him down on his throwing program.
Just when it seemed he was ready to go, after telling people all spring that this was something normal, something he has gone through before in his career, Madson broke down again.
He was sent to Cincinnati for a full examination by team physician Dr. Tim Kremchek and an MRI revealed the ligament was torn from the bone.
To repair it, Tommy John ligament replacement surgery is necessary and it takes a miminum of a year, usually longer, for a pitcher to recover.
The Reds do not have insurance on Madson because they routinely do not insure one-year contracts, so they are out 8.5 million. There is an 11 million mutual option for next year, an option the Reds arent likely to pick up for a pitcher coming off major surgery and still rehabilitating the arm.
Fans are reacting negatively already, wondering why the torn ligament wasnt discovered before the Reds signed Madson on January 20.
Thats because the ligament wasnt damaged then. He underwent a full examination before the contract was signed and passed. He underwent a full examination before spring training began and again passed.
Fans wonder how a pitcher can tear a ligament without ever throwing a pitch in a game. It can happen playing catch on the side. It can happen doing PFP pitchers fielding practice. It can happen picking up an equipment bag.
Nobody knows how it happened. But it happened.
And some fans wonder if the Philadelphia Phillies dumped damaged goods on the Reds. Thats not true, either.
The Phillies didnt push Madson on the Reds. In fact, they offered him a multi-year contract, but when Madson balked the Phillies went elsewhere and signed free agent Jonathon Papelbon. So, there was no trade involved, no skullduggery, the Phillies wouldnt have offered him a long-term deal if they knew something was wrong with his arm.
It was just one of those unfortunate things that happen every year to every baseball team, a hazard of the game.
And crying over spoiled milk doesnt solve anything. The Reds do have options.
As manager Dusty Baker says, I dont dwell on the negative. I dont worry about what happens. You look to how you fix it and move on. There is nothing you can do about it, so you dont fret over it.
Fortunately, the Reds traded for lefthander Sean Marshall, a guy with some closing experience with the Chicago Cubs and a guy who wants to be a closer.
The Reds traded lefthander starter Travis Wood and rookie outfielder Dave Sappelt for Marshall with a plan to make him the teams premier lefthanded set-up guy.
Nick Masset and Bill Bray are other alternatives. Both had early-spring arm problems, but both appear healthy and ready to do what is necessary, if the Reds prefer to leave Marshall in the set-up role.
But Marshall appears to be the best alternative. And Bray can move into Marshalls lefthanded set-up role.
Thats why I say you never have enough pitching, said Baker. You have to have contingencies. We saw this last year when we lost two starters at the end of spring training Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey. We thought we had too much pitching, but you never have too much.
As far as the extra spot in the bullpen vacated by Madson, there is still the chance Aroldis Chapman could land there. Or maybe Homer Bailey.
All spring, Bailey and Chapman have pitched on the same day, competing for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. Based on numbers, Chapman is far in front 1-0, 1.50 ERA, two walks, 12 strikeouts to Baileys 1-2, 7.93 ERA, seven walks, six strikeouts.
Bailey is out of options, so it isnt likely theyll risk losing him by trying to send him back to the minors. He could land in the bullpen.
Thats what spring training is for, to find out things, said Baker. We still have time to make adjustments.
MLB Prospects: Jackson, Rizzo, Arenado, and Gose Cut as the Season Nears
And the cuts keep coming.
As every team continues to whittle down their respective spring training roster to 25 players, more top-ranked prospects have been re-assigned to various Minor League levels.
This past weekend, there was another slew of prospects cut from their respective organization's big-league camp:
No. 9 Trevor Bauer
Appearing in four spring training contests, Bauer posted a 3.50 ERA with a 9-to-1 K/BB rate in 10 innings. However, the hard-throwing right-hander was sent to Double-A Mobile on Saturday, where he will work on his command.
No. 21 Nolan Arenado
Everyone knew that Arenado breaking camp with the Rockies was a long shot, especially after hitting .192 with four doubles and five RBI in 12 Spring Training games. Although it’s unknown to which level the third baseman has been assigned, it’s likely he’ll begin the 2012 season at Double-A.
No. 48 Brett Jackson
Despite Jackson’s strong spring training performance, he was optioned to Triple-A on Saturday. Blocked by Alfonso Soriano, Marlon Byrd and David DeJesus, Jackson had no clear path to regular playing time—something the Cubs want when he’s ultimately recalled. He finished the spring with a .276 average with two home runs, seven RBI, and a 10-to-6 K/BB rate.
Anthony Rizzo
The other notable Cubs’ player cut on Saturday was first baseman Anthony Rizzo, the team’s No. 3 prospect, who was also sent to Triple-A.
As with Jackson, the Cubs want Rizzo to receive at-bats everyday while in the Major Leagues, something that would be impossible after they named Bryan LaHair their Opening Day first baseman. This spring, Rizzo batted .364 with two home runs, five RBI and nine strikeouts in 33 at-bats.
Anthony Gose
The Blue Jays No. 4 prospect, Gose is one of the more toolsy prospects in all of baseball. After batting .259 with a double, triple, and three stolen bases this spring, Gose was assigned to Double-A along with the organization’s No. 1 prospect, catcher Travis d’Arnaud.
In order to reach the Major Leagues in 2012, Gose will need to vastly improve his plate discipline. In 27 at-bats this spring, the left-handed hitter struck out nine times.
Christian Bethancourt
The Braves cut catching prospect Christian Bethancourt on Friday, as they assigned him to Double-A on Friday afternoon. The Braves’ No. 5 prospect, Bethancourt was impressive in limited action this spring, as he posted a .400 spring batting average (6-for-15) with a double, home run, and three RBI. Perhaps what was most impressive about the 20-year-old was his top-notch defense, as he registered multiple 1.84-second pop times.
Mike Olt
The Rangers cut No. 3 prospect Mike Olt from Major League camp on Saturday. After batting .200 (6-for-30) with two doubles and a triple this spring, Old was re-assigned to Triple-A, where he will once again be the team’s everyday third baseman.
With Adrian Beltre blocking his path to the Show, Olt will need an injury to the incumbent third baseman in order to make his big-league debut in 2012. Otherwise, he might have to wait until September for a long-overdue call-up—that is unless he can demonstrate value as a designated hitter or first baseman in an already potent Rangers offense.
Video: Tiger shanks tee shot into yard
Tiger has had some of the most amazing golf shots you and I have ever seen. He has also had his fair share of “what the heck was that” moments. Today at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, it was definitely the latter on the 15th hole
Yes, that is someones backyard that the ball ended up in. Though he double-bogeyed the hole and created a huge divot in the process, Tiger still shot a -1 71 and still holds a 1-stroke lead going in the final round as he seeks his first PGA title in nearly 2 years.
But the important thing to remember that even though “these guys are good”, they still screw up just like you and me.
H/T Devil Ball Golf
Yes, that is someones backyard that the ball ended up in. Though he double-bogeyed the hole and created a huge divot in the process, Tiger still shot a -1 71 and still holds a 1-stroke lead going in the final round as he seeks his first PGA title in nearly 2 years.
But the important thing to remember that even though “these guys are good”, they still screw up just like you and me.
H/T Devil Ball Golf
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Gallery: Cheerleaders of the Sweet 16
It?s crazy to think that after only 4 days, there have been 48 college basketball games and 48 teams eliminated. I guess that?s why it?s called March Madness. While it?s... [[ Read More ]]
Practice Report: Spring Week One
The University of Alabama football team has completed its first week of the 2012 spring practice period. The Tide has finished five of its allotted 15 practices, with the final one set to be A-Day on April 14.
Here's what you need to know:
Bama is healthy. During the spring period, typically no news is good news. With no game on the horizon, the vast majority of the work being done is on fundamentals, and that simply doesn't equate to a lot of news coming out of the camp. When there is news, its typically that someone has been injured. As of yet, the luck there has been good.
Eddie Lacy (toe) and Arie Kouandjio (knee) are still limited after having surgery, but all of the other Tide players who had procedures done have been cleared. C.J. Mosley, Cyrus Kouandjio, and A.J. McCarron are the three most prominent guys on that list, and all three are practicing without medical limitation.
Prior to the opening of the period Coach Saban announced that Tyler Love an...
Here's what you need to know:
Bama is healthy. During the spring period, typically no news is good news. With no game on the horizon, the vast majority of the work being done is on fundamentals, and that simply doesn't equate to a lot of news coming out of the camp. When there is news, its typically that someone has been injured. As of yet, the luck there has been good.
Eddie Lacy (toe) and Arie Kouandjio (knee) are still limited after having surgery, but all of the other Tide players who had procedures done have been cleared. C.J. Mosley, Cyrus Kouandjio, and A.J. McCarron are the three most prominent guys on that list, and all three are practicing without medical limitation.
Prior to the opening of the period Coach Saban announced that Tyler Love an...
Suns hope to finish road trip on high note
Steve Nash matched a season high in assists during the Phoenix Suns' last game, leading his team to a much-needed win.
The scuffling Cleveland Cavaliers may want to take a lesson from the Suns' eight-time All-Star.
Phoenix looks to carry that momentum into the finale of a four-game road trip Sunday against Cleveland, loser of five of six.
After opening this trek with back-to-back losses at Miami and Orlando, the Suns (24-24) bounced back with Friday's 113-111 win at Indiana. Marcin Gortat and Grant Hill combined for 45 points while Nash scored 12 and had 17 assists.
"It would have been real tough to go 0-for-4 on this trip or go into the Cleveland game 0-and-3 and put all that pressure on ourselves," said Nash, who leads the league with 11.2 assists per game. "We got some good feelings back. Got some confidence back. So we've got a big game in Cleveland we've got to win."
Phoenix is tied for the second-best record in the league since the All-Star break, going 10-4 to become a factor in the Western Conference playoff race.
The Cavaliers (17-28), in contrast, appear to be headed in the opposite direction. Cleveland was handed its 11th loss in 15 games Friday, falling 93-80 at Orlando.
The Cavaliers trailed by 15 at the break, and despite cutting the deficit to seven late in the third quarter, couldn't get any closer.
"It was one of those games guys, where I thought; it's not Wall Street. It's not the stock market. You can't have the lulls we had. When we started off, we didn't play hard," coach Byron Scott said. "Then we started playing real hard. Then we went down again. We just can't do that. We're not good enough to afford ourselves that luxury of trying to play that way, especially against a good team."
Though shooting just 37.8 percent certainly didn't help, some of Cleveland's struggles Friday can be attributed to posting a season-low 10 assists. The Cavaliers are 4-20 when recording 20 assists or fewer and 13-8 when compiling at least 21.
"I just feel like we have to make regular basketball plays. When we are making plays for each other, it opens up opportunities for others on our team," said rookie point guard Kyrie Irving, who had 13 points and six assists. "There were times we became stagnate (Friday), but it happens. We just have to go back to the lab and work on getting better offensively and defensively. It is just about peaks and valleys right now. We have to have a consistent effort."
Irving had one of his better games when the teams met Jan. 12, scoring 26 points to go along with six assists as Cleveland overcame 16 points and 15 assists from Nash in a 101-90 road win. Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao, currently out with a broken wrist, had 17 rebounds in that game while Antawn Jamison scored 23 points.
Daniel Gibson, who had 10 points in the first meeting, is uncertain to be available after missing Cleveland's last two contests with a sprained ankle.
The Cavaliers have been limited to 40.8 percent shooting in dropping six of seven at Quicken Loans Arena.
The Suns have lost five of seven in the series, with both wins coming in a two-game sweep last season.
The scuffling Cleveland Cavaliers may want to take a lesson from the Suns' eight-time All-Star.
Phoenix looks to carry that momentum into the finale of a four-game road trip Sunday against Cleveland, loser of five of six.
After opening this trek with back-to-back losses at Miami and Orlando, the Suns (24-24) bounced back with Friday's 113-111 win at Indiana. Marcin Gortat and Grant Hill combined for 45 points while Nash scored 12 and had 17 assists.
"It would have been real tough to go 0-for-4 on this trip or go into the Cleveland game 0-and-3 and put all that pressure on ourselves," said Nash, who leads the league with 11.2 assists per game. "We got some good feelings back. Got some confidence back. So we've got a big game in Cleveland we've got to win."
Phoenix is tied for the second-best record in the league since the All-Star break, going 10-4 to become a factor in the Western Conference playoff race.
The Cavaliers (17-28), in contrast, appear to be headed in the opposite direction. Cleveland was handed its 11th loss in 15 games Friday, falling 93-80 at Orlando.
The Cavaliers trailed by 15 at the break, and despite cutting the deficit to seven late in the third quarter, couldn't get any closer.
"It was one of those games guys, where I thought; it's not Wall Street. It's not the stock market. You can't have the lulls we had. When we started off, we didn't play hard," coach Byron Scott said. "Then we started playing real hard. Then we went down again. We just can't do that. We're not good enough to afford ourselves that luxury of trying to play that way, especially against a good team."
Though shooting just 37.8 percent certainly didn't help, some of Cleveland's struggles Friday can be attributed to posting a season-low 10 assists. The Cavaliers are 4-20 when recording 20 assists or fewer and 13-8 when compiling at least 21.
"I just feel like we have to make regular basketball plays. When we are making plays for each other, it opens up opportunities for others on our team," said rookie point guard Kyrie Irving, who had 13 points and six assists. "There were times we became stagnate (Friday), but it happens. We just have to go back to the lab and work on getting better offensively and defensively. It is just about peaks and valleys right now. We have to have a consistent effort."
Irving had one of his better games when the teams met Jan. 12, scoring 26 points to go along with six assists as Cleveland overcame 16 points and 15 assists from Nash in a 101-90 road win. Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao, currently out with a broken wrist, had 17 rebounds in that game while Antawn Jamison scored 23 points.
Daniel Gibson, who had 10 points in the first meeting, is uncertain to be available after missing Cleveland's last two contests with a sprained ankle.
The Cavaliers have been limited to 40.8 percent shooting in dropping six of seven at Quicken Loans Arena.
The Suns have lost five of seven in the series, with both wins coming in a two-game sweep last season.
Brewer shines in Texas Tech spring game
Louis Ojeda, Jr.
FOXSportsSouthwest.com
Texas Tech fans saw something they haven't seen in a long time -- a little bit of defense.
The Red Raiders were first in the Big 12 to kickoff spring football as the Black team outscored the Red 25-19 Saturday afternoon.
After suffering their first losing season in 20 years, does this team look good enough to get back in a bowl?
QUARTERBACK CONTROVERSY?
Senior quarterback Seth Doege will likely keep his starting job in 2012, but redshirt freshman Michael Brewer was impressive in his starting spring debut.
The highly recruited quarterback out of Austin Lake Travis caught fire early in the second half, leading the Black team to back-to-back touchdown drives. Despite playing against the second-team defense, he showcased his big playmaking ability. He finished 21 of 28 for 297 with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
With the departures of former backups Scotty Young and Jacob Karam, it's clear Brewer is the Tech quarterback of the future. Expect to see him sporadically this fall as head coach Tommy Tuberville will likely take advantage of his ability to run.
Doege led the first-team offense on a six-play scoring drive on the opening possession. He finished 25 of 39 for 217 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception and a rushing score.
STILL THROWING
Tuberville still wants a more balanced attack, but the offenses continued to put plenty of passes in the air.
Marcus Kennard hauled in an 18-yard touchdown from Doege on the opening drive for the first of his two scores. The explosive play of the day was a 62-yard screen pass from Brewer to Javon Bell that set up the Black team in the red zone. Jordan Davis also had a 52-yard reception and Aaron Fisher caught a 10-yard fade from Brewer in the second half.
Riverside, Calif. C.C transfer SaDale Foster was the leading rusher with 70 yards, but Ronnie Daniels was the only running back to get in the end zone.
SOMETHING NEW
Another year and another new defense in Lubbock. The Red Raiders tried the 3-4 and 4-2-5 but now it's the 4-3. After finishing near the bottom in every category last season, Tuberville wanted some familiarity to turn things around and hired his former Ole Miss defensive coordinator Art Kaufman.
The defensive star of the afternoon was another Riverside, Calif. C.C. transfer -- linebacker Will Smith. He picked off Doege in the first half and finished with a team-high six tackles.
The defense also tallied nine total (touch) sacks - five on Doege, three on Brewer and one on walkon Brant Costilla.
SITTING OUT
The spring game offense will not be the same as the one that will take the field in the fall.
Wide receivers Alex Torres, Eric Ward and running back DeAndre Washington were out with injuries. Running back Kenny Williams and tight end Jace Amaro did not participate due to off the field issues.
Running back Eric Stephens was on the sidelines still recovering from a dislocated knee suffered against Texas A&M last season and no word if he will return this fall. Stephens was on-pace to become Tech's first 1,000-yard rusher since 1998 before the injury.
NEW KICKS
Texas Tech kickers Ryan Bustin and Kramer Fyfe stepped up to the plate for the first time. Bustin was 3 for 4 on field goal attempts, while Fyfe had issues with extra points with three failed tries-- two misses and one bad snap.
FOXSportsSouthwest.com
Texas Tech fans saw something they haven't seen in a long time -- a little bit of defense.
The Red Raiders were first in the Big 12 to kickoff spring football as the Black team outscored the Red 25-19 Saturday afternoon.
After suffering their first losing season in 20 years, does this team look good enough to get back in a bowl?
QUARTERBACK CONTROVERSY?
Senior quarterback Seth Doege will likely keep his starting job in 2012, but redshirt freshman Michael Brewer was impressive in his starting spring debut.
The highly recruited quarterback out of Austin Lake Travis caught fire early in the second half, leading the Black team to back-to-back touchdown drives. Despite playing against the second-team defense, he showcased his big playmaking ability. He finished 21 of 28 for 297 with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
With the departures of former backups Scotty Young and Jacob Karam, it's clear Brewer is the Tech quarterback of the future. Expect to see him sporadically this fall as head coach Tommy Tuberville will likely take advantage of his ability to run.
Doege led the first-team offense on a six-play scoring drive on the opening possession. He finished 25 of 39 for 217 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception and a rushing score.
STILL THROWING
Tuberville still wants a more balanced attack, but the offenses continued to put plenty of passes in the air.
Marcus Kennard hauled in an 18-yard touchdown from Doege on the opening drive for the first of his two scores. The explosive play of the day was a 62-yard screen pass from Brewer to Javon Bell that set up the Black team in the red zone. Jordan Davis also had a 52-yard reception and Aaron Fisher caught a 10-yard fade from Brewer in the second half.
Riverside, Calif. C.C transfer SaDale Foster was the leading rusher with 70 yards, but Ronnie Daniels was the only running back to get in the end zone.
SOMETHING NEW
Another year and another new defense in Lubbock. The Red Raiders tried the 3-4 and 4-2-5 but now it's the 4-3. After finishing near the bottom in every category last season, Tuberville wanted some familiarity to turn things around and hired his former Ole Miss defensive coordinator Art Kaufman.
The defensive star of the afternoon was another Riverside, Calif. C.C. transfer -- linebacker Will Smith. He picked off Doege in the first half and finished with a team-high six tackles.
The defense also tallied nine total (touch) sacks - five on Doege, three on Brewer and one on walkon Brant Costilla.
SITTING OUT
The spring game offense will not be the same as the one that will take the field in the fall.
Wide receivers Alex Torres, Eric Ward and running back DeAndre Washington were out with injuries. Running back Kenny Williams and tight end Jace Amaro did not participate due to off the field issues.
Running back Eric Stephens was on the sidelines still recovering from a dislocated knee suffered against Texas A&M last season and no word if he will return this fall. Stephens was on-pace to become Tech's first 1,000-yard rusher since 1998 before the injury.
NEW KICKS
Texas Tech kickers Ryan Bustin and Kramer Fyfe stepped up to the plate for the first time. Bustin was 3 for 4 on field goal attempts, while Fyfe had issues with extra points with three failed tries-- two misses and one bad snap.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Rinne makes 24 saves in Preds' win over Jets
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Pekka Rinne made 24 saves to lead the Nashville Predators to a 3-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night.
Matt Halischuk, Gabriel Bourque and Shea Weber scored for Nashville, which snapped a two-game losing streak.
Tim Stapleton had the lone goal for the Jets, who have lost three of their last four. One night after rallying back from a three goal-deficit and winning in overtime in Washington, the Jets lost their 21st road game of the season.
Halischuk scored the game's first goal at 2:56 of the second period, and Bourque made it 2-0 midway through the frame.
Matt Halischuk, Gabriel Bourque and Shea Weber scored for Nashville, which snapped a two-game losing streak.
Tim Stapleton had the lone goal for the Jets, who have lost three of their last four. One night after rallying back from a three goal-deficit and winning in overtime in Washington, the Jets lost their 21st road game of the season.
Halischuk scored the game's first goal at 2:56 of the second period, and Bourque made it 2-0 midway through the frame.
Tiger Woods Holds a 36-Hole Lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational
The sixth straight day on the golf course for Tiger Woods turned out to be his best on Friday, as golf?s greatest superstar surged to the top of the leaderboard in the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a second-round 65. However, Woods was adamant that as solid of a round as he played this afternoon, it could have been better.
He was right.
Tiger found 17-of-18 greens in regulation, and the one green he ?missed? was merely inches off the official putting surface. However, Tiger?s ball-striking wasn?t as crisp as the number would indicate.
Woods was able to stack up a round full of ?good? misses that left him with lengthy birdie putts, and Woods tempo was solid with the putter all day. Four of his seven birdies came on Par 5?s, and three of those four birdies were cleanup putts after eagle opportunities. It was the sort of round where the scoreboard simply didn?t indicate the fact that Woods left strokes on the course.
However, that...
He was right.
Tiger found 17-of-18 greens in regulation, and the one green he ?missed? was merely inches off the official putting surface. However, Tiger?s ball-striking wasn?t as crisp as the number would indicate.
Woods was able to stack up a round full of ?good? misses that left him with lengthy birdie putts, and Woods tempo was solid with the putter all day. Four of his seven birdies came on Par 5?s, and three of those four birdies were cleanup putts after eagle opportunities. It was the sort of round where the scoreboard simply didn?t indicate the fact that Woods left strokes on the course.
However, that...
Chelsea's Terry dismisses boss claims
John Terry has attempted to end once and for all speculation he has a say over first-team affairs at Chelsea .
Blues captain Terry last week branded suggestions he and other senior players ran the dressing room at Stamford Bridge as "complete nonsense".
Twenty-four hours later, during Wednesday night's historic Champions League win over Napoli , the defender was pictured barking orders from the bench after hobbling off the field.
That sparked fresh rumours the 31-year-old was exceeding his authority, but he has denied this, insisting caretaker boss Roberto Di Matteo is the only man in charge.
He said in the Evening Standard: "In response to comments suggesting that I think I'm the manager, I'd like to say Robbie has stepped up and been immense.
"I am Chelsea through and through, whether I am on the pitch or off it.
"Had I still been on the pitch, I would have been saying the same things that I was from the bench.
"That is my role as captain of this club.
"Just because I have come off the pitch, it doesn't mean to say my mentality changes.
"People might see it in the wrong way, but I care about this football club - we all do - and Robbie and his backroom staff deserve full credit."
Terry is set to return from injury in Saturdays crunch Barclays Premier League clash with Tottenham .
The defender has faced Spurs countless times but one man who is a relative novice when it comes to the derby fixture is winger Juan Mata.
The 23-year-old, whose first taste of the fixture came at White Hart Lane in December, said: "I knew that they were rivals, but I didn't know that they were rivals with such intensity.
"From the game at White Hart Lane, the other players and the fans, I quickly found out what a passionate game it is."
Di Matteo has admitted Chelsea's bid to finish in the top four would be all but over if they lost on Saturday.
Mata said: "We find ourselves in a position in the league which we want to improve, and therefore we need points.
"We have to strive to get third place in order to qualify for the Champions League next season."
Blues captain Terry last week branded suggestions he and other senior players ran the dressing room at Stamford Bridge as "complete nonsense".
Twenty-four hours later, during Wednesday night's historic Champions League win over Napoli , the defender was pictured barking orders from the bench after hobbling off the field.
That sparked fresh rumours the 31-year-old was exceeding his authority, but he has denied this, insisting caretaker boss Roberto Di Matteo is the only man in charge.
He said in the Evening Standard: "In response to comments suggesting that I think I'm the manager, I'd like to say Robbie has stepped up and been immense.
"I am Chelsea through and through, whether I am on the pitch or off it.
"Had I still been on the pitch, I would have been saying the same things that I was from the bench.
"That is my role as captain of this club.
"Just because I have come off the pitch, it doesn't mean to say my mentality changes.
"People might see it in the wrong way, but I care about this football club - we all do - and Robbie and his backroom staff deserve full credit."
Terry is set to return from injury in Saturdays crunch Barclays Premier League clash with Tottenham .
The defender has faced Spurs countless times but one man who is a relative novice when it comes to the derby fixture is winger Juan Mata.
The 23-year-old, whose first taste of the fixture came at White Hart Lane in December, said: "I knew that they were rivals, but I didn't know that they were rivals with such intensity.
"From the game at White Hart Lane, the other players and the fans, I quickly found out what a passionate game it is."
Di Matteo has admitted Chelsea's bid to finish in the top four would be all but over if they lost on Saturday.
Mata said: "We find ourselves in a position in the league which we want to improve, and therefore we need points.
"We have to strive to get third place in order to qualify for the Champions League next season."
Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/soccer/article_external/chelseas_terry_dismisses_boss_claims/10385269
Healthy Morales gives Angels offensive influx
TEMPE, Az. For the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim this spring, the hype has been about Albert Pujols.
The hope, for the Angels, has been for Kendrys Morales.
So far, so good.
And it got even better on Thursday afternoon.
Morales, out since fracturing his lower left leg in a home late celebration of a May 29, 2010 walk-off grand slam against Seattle, faced big-league pitching in a game for the first time in 661 days, and passed every test he was given, including showing no hesitation to run the bases and slide.
"This was a real step I wanted to take today," Morales, a Cuban defector, said through an interpreter.
Pujols continued to do what the Angels want him to do after giving him a 10-year, 240 million free-agent contract to lure him from St. Louis to provide a major offensive influx, doubling home a run in a four-run second of the 7-4 victory against Kansas City, leaving his average at .364.
And Morales started to do what the Angels hope he can once again do. After suffering a leg injury severe enough that a second operation was performed last May, he went 2-for-3 with two singles in his return, including one that led off the four-run second.
"The lineup with (Morales) is different," Pujols said. "Let's see how it goes. We just wish him good health."
The Angles certainly hope so. They felt all along they had the rotation to knock off two-time defending AL pennant winner Texas in the AL West, but the offense has been suspect, particularly the last two years.
Pujols has a rsum that creates Hall of Fame expectations. He is a three-time NL MVP, having finished in the top five in the NL MVP voting in 10 of his 11 seasons with St. Louis, having to settle for ninth place in 2007. He's never hit fewer than 32 home runs in those 11 seasons, and the 99 runs he drove in last year with the Cardinals was the fewest of his career.
Morales has some potential, too, which is why the Angels are so anxious to get this season started.
"The last couple of years we have been a pitching-oriented organization," said right-hander Jered Weaver. "Now we bring in Kendrys and Pujols. It looks good on paper. Now we have to make it work on the field."
The number crunching tells the story.
In 2009, when Morales played his one full season in the big leagues, and finished fifth in AL MVP Voting, he hit .366 with 34 home runs and 108 RBI. The Angels won the AL West and finished second to the Yankees in runs scored with 883.
With Morales appearing in only 51 games before his injury in 2010 kept him sidelined all the way through 2011, the Angels finished second to the Rangers both times, and the offense was offensive. They finished ninth in the AL with 681 runs scored in 2010, and 10th with 667 runs in 2011.
This year, with Pujols hitting third and the switch-hitting Morales hitting cleanup?
"I don't know if I will make that big of a difference," Morales said. "I am part of the group. Together we can all work to make the team good."
The work, however, is easier with the addition of Pujols and return of Morales.
"It gives us a different look," said manager Mike Scioscia.
There was certainly a different feel around the Angles clubhouse on Thursday, even if it was only an exhibition game.
"The guys are excited," said Scioscia. "He's one of those guys that I think a lot of guys on our team rally around. He's one of the most popular guys in the clubhouse, so guys are excited. But we're going to be excited if it's April 6 that he's in the lineup."
That was apparent when Morales got his first at-bat, in the second inning.
"The guys (on the bench) screamed a couple things at me, but they were in Spanish things that we cannot say in public," Morales said with a big smile.
He did not drive the ball like he expects to against the Royals, but that's the least of his concerns.
I have played with him since the High-A (level of the minor leagues)," said Weaver, "and he is a see ball, hit ball kind of guy. It doesn't take him long to figure it out."
Morales shook his head in agreement with that assessment.
"I think it will take me five or six games and I'll be fine," he said.
The big concern was answered quickly. It was how Morales would react when he had to run hard and slide. In the second inning, after his single, he went first to third on a Bobby Abreu double, sliding into third without hesitation. And in the fifth inning, after he singled to center, he had to slide into second on Abreu's fielder's choice ground ball.
"Everybody was waiting for me to play a big-league game, and I did that today," he said. "It had been (nearly) two years. I will be ready opening day and I will be happy about that."
The Angels couldn't agree more.
The hope, for the Angels, has been for Kendrys Morales.
So far, so good.
And it got even better on Thursday afternoon.
Morales, out since fracturing his lower left leg in a home late celebration of a May 29, 2010 walk-off grand slam against Seattle, faced big-league pitching in a game for the first time in 661 days, and passed every test he was given, including showing no hesitation to run the bases and slide.
"This was a real step I wanted to take today," Morales, a Cuban defector, said through an interpreter.
Pujols continued to do what the Angels want him to do after giving him a 10-year, 240 million free-agent contract to lure him from St. Louis to provide a major offensive influx, doubling home a run in a four-run second of the 7-4 victory against Kansas City, leaving his average at .364.
And Morales started to do what the Angels hope he can once again do. After suffering a leg injury severe enough that a second operation was performed last May, he went 2-for-3 with two singles in his return, including one that led off the four-run second.
"The lineup with (Morales) is different," Pujols said. "Let's see how it goes. We just wish him good health."
The Angles certainly hope so. They felt all along they had the rotation to knock off two-time defending AL pennant winner Texas in the AL West, but the offense has been suspect, particularly the last two years.
Pujols has a rsum that creates Hall of Fame expectations. He is a three-time NL MVP, having finished in the top five in the NL MVP voting in 10 of his 11 seasons with St. Louis, having to settle for ninth place in 2007. He's never hit fewer than 32 home runs in those 11 seasons, and the 99 runs he drove in last year with the Cardinals was the fewest of his career.
Morales has some potential, too, which is why the Angels are so anxious to get this season started.
"The last couple of years we have been a pitching-oriented organization," said right-hander Jered Weaver. "Now we bring in Kendrys and Pujols. It looks good on paper. Now we have to make it work on the field."
The number crunching tells the story.
In 2009, when Morales played his one full season in the big leagues, and finished fifth in AL MVP Voting, he hit .366 with 34 home runs and 108 RBI. The Angels won the AL West and finished second to the Yankees in runs scored with 883.
With Morales appearing in only 51 games before his injury in 2010 kept him sidelined all the way through 2011, the Angels finished second to the Rangers both times, and the offense was offensive. They finished ninth in the AL with 681 runs scored in 2010, and 10th with 667 runs in 2011.
This year, with Pujols hitting third and the switch-hitting Morales hitting cleanup?
"I don't know if I will make that big of a difference," Morales said. "I am part of the group. Together we can all work to make the team good."
The work, however, is easier with the addition of Pujols and return of Morales.
"It gives us a different look," said manager Mike Scioscia.
There was certainly a different feel around the Angles clubhouse on Thursday, even if it was only an exhibition game.
"The guys are excited," said Scioscia. "He's one of those guys that I think a lot of guys on our team rally around. He's one of the most popular guys in the clubhouse, so guys are excited. But we're going to be excited if it's April 6 that he's in the lineup."
That was apparent when Morales got his first at-bat, in the second inning.
"The guys (on the bench) screamed a couple things at me, but they were in Spanish things that we cannot say in public," Morales said with a big smile.
He did not drive the ball like he expects to against the Royals, but that's the least of his concerns.
I have played with him since the High-A (level of the minor leagues)," said Weaver, "and he is a see ball, hit ball kind of guy. It doesn't take him long to figure it out."
Morales shook his head in agreement with that assessment.
"I think it will take me five or six games and I'll be fine," he said.
The big concern was answered quickly. It was how Morales would react when he had to run hard and slide. In the second inning, after his single, he went first to third on a Bobby Abreu double, sliding into third without hesitation. And in the fifth inning, after he singled to center, he had to slide into second on Abreu's fielder's choice ground ball.
"Everybody was waiting for me to play a big-league game, and I did that today," he said. "It had been (nearly) two years. I will be ready opening day and I will be happy about that."
The Angels couldn't agree more.
Friday, March 23, 2012
IMPACT Wrestling Quick Thoughts for March 22, 2012: Help Wanted!
Victory Road has passed and TNA is looking forward to Lockdown on April 15.
We’re officially on the road to one of my favorite pay-per-views, Lockdown. LOCKDOWN!
Let’s just jump right into this.
- Dixie Carter is a better actress than Eve Torres.
- I’m not so sure about Sting’s decision to become a full-time wrestler again. C’mon Stinger, you’re 50 somewhat years old and you’ve been the best authority figure since Jim Cornette. TNA doesn’t need Sting, the wrestler, they need Sting, the general manager
- Sting shows signs of his concussion and head injuries by recommending Hulk freaking Hogan as the general manager.
- At least Dixie isn’t sure. It’d be stupid for her to be sold on the idea within 5 seconds.
- The X Division looked good tonight. High-flying action, risk-taking spots and even TNA’s classic Tower of Doom!
- Joseph Parks may not have found his brother, but I think he did find Anthony Nese, Kid Kash and Hernandez. Why’d he find Anarquia, though?
- Bully Ray turns out to be a bigger buzzkill than Buzz Killington.
- Tony Nese took to Twitter by saying he wants a rematch, one where nobody can interfere! Lockdown? Please do.
- Buzz Kill Ray may have kicked Austin Aries into a face turn.
- Anarquia doesn’t make his car payments. He should switch to Direct, they saved Kurt Angle $600 a year!
- Anarquia is just comedic relief. There’s no way anyone, and I mean anyone, can take that guy seriously. Even some of the TNA wrestlers refer to him on Twitter as “#TheOtherGuy.”
- Anarquia is funny. He actually believes he and Hernandez are going to beat Samoa Joe and Magnus.
- Sarita is the hottest Knockout in IMPACT Wrestling. Back off, it’s my opinion.
- Does anyone else think Eric Young should just stop wearing pants? What’s the point if he takes them off every match?
- TNA Knockouts fall for EY and his shaggy, disgusting beard. If that beard attracts girls like Sarita and Rosita, I’m gonna stop shaving immediately.
- We still never heard what EY did with his engagement ring. ODB asked him, then just made out with him.
- How come their wedding has to be on the final show before Lockdown? Seriously? They could plan a wedding within a month?
- Matt Morgan’s Direct Auto commercials will launch him to superstardom in Hollywood. TNA knows this, which is why they keep him so busy between IMPACT and Ring Ka King. They don’t want to lose their Blueprint.
- Crimson is pretty awesome as a heel. When my new Crimson t-shirt comes in the mail, I’m going to spear the hell out of the delivery guy for taking too long.
- Crimson proposed a match against Morgan? What?! A heel actually challenging a face to a wrestling match?! That’s unheard of!
- Is it me, or did TNA really beef up their security squad? Is Murphy reading this? He must be, since I said their security is weak.
- Kurt Angle hates Jeff Hardy for having hair. Jeff Hardy hates Kurt Angle for being a cheater. That’s as simple as it can get.
- Joseph Parks is still walking the halls of the IMPACT Zone. How ’bout Joey Parks becomes IMPACT General Manager?
- Bobby Roode’s legal advisor was OVW wrestler and TNA prospect Shane Haste. Haste and his tag partner, Mikey Nicholls, worked the dark match on IMPACT. Google ‘em.
- James Storm’s Last Call superkick is illegal in six states and all of Canada. That is one deadly kick.
- With Bobby Roode’s legal advisor murdered by James Storm, he has no choice but to hire Joseph Parks or David Otunga.
- Why was Garett Bischoff so nearby when Angle was talking with the cameras? That was weird.
- Since Angle couldn’t beat Garett in a five-minute challenge, the next logical thing would be a three-minute challenge. Wait, what?
- Why’s Kurt Angle wasting his time with Garett Bischoff in the first place?
- Kurt Angle wasted a full minute just smiling at Garett. That’s one full minute of a possible “Garett Bischoff beatdown” we were cheated out of.
- OK, let’s have this talentless kid beat up on a former multi-time world champion and Olympic gold-medalist. Is Garett going into a world title match or feud? No. So why is he beating on Angle?
- Garett Bischoff’s finishing move looks like a version of The Stroke done by Jeff Jarrett. Are you sure Hogan was the one that trained Garett?
- Anarquia flat-out sucks. Give Hernandez a new tag partner, please. Maybe then he’ll have a believable shot at championship belts again.
- Repo man Josh Lewis took Anarquia’s car. Sarita and Rosita also ditched Hernandez and Anarquia for having no car and/or money. Hernandez and Anarquia may be done for! YES! The end of Mexican America!
- Where could Josh, Sarita and Rosita possibly be walking to in the middle of the night and in an empty parking lot?
- James Storm went 3-for-3 with Last Call superkicks tonight.
- Yes. After Hulk Hogan stole TNA from Dixie Carter and dragged it through a horrible year, let’s just hand TNA over to him this time. It’s easier and saves the paperwork.
- If Hogan becomes General Manager, expect to see guys like Jeff Hardy and Garett Bischoff as TNA world champions.
- I would rather see Hogan in his porn video than as IMPACT General Manager.
- IMPACT this week was pretty fun. Worst part was seeing Anarquia again. No one I hate more than that guy.
- And we should all expect Hogan to accept the job because he and his ego are hungry. The porn situation burnt out, so Hogan needs something to stay relevant.
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