Sports Blog - football, basketball, and baseball

Trash Talking In Horse Racing? I’m Loving It

Dave — Thu, 22 May 2008 19:04:25 +0000

It’s not often that horse racing brings out the best of trash talking, but Big Brown, who’s as dominant a horse I’ve seen since (and given I’ve watched about 10 races in my life, he’s with some small company) and his/her owner are popping off, saying that Casino Drive, who’s thought to be a threat, has “no chance.”

“He’s got no chance of beating our horse,” Dutrow told reporters Wednesday. “I’ll be in the winner’s circle when they get to the quarter pole. That’s how I feel. I don’t see that this horse can beat him.”

It’s hard to take anything like this too seriously, but it is nice to see some passion from something other than the horse that’s being beaten in the backside while it’s running its ass off.

Some Soccer

Dave — Thu, 22 May 2008 16:13:22 +0000

Don’t look for this to happen too often. I’m hardly a soccer fan, but I do like Xbox 360’s version of FIFA, which means I’ll make an occasional post here. And since yesterday was apparently a really, really big game, I’ll post it, even if those really, really big games end in penalty kicks, which would be like determining a winner over a free throw compeitition. Kinda weak.

How Do You Blow A 20 Point Lead? Just Ask The Spurs

Dave — Thu, 22 May 2008 16:11:28 +0000

There’s a lot of people who don’t want the Spurs in the playoffs because they feel they’re “boring” and not very fun to watch, but I’m probably one of the few out there that think their contribution is a good thing — they play fundamental ball, it’s almost impossible to really blow them out, and they’re the one team that everyone in the West would say, “Damn, I didn’t wanna play these guys.”

All those accolades awarded, I didn’t think the Spurs, given a 20 point second half lead, could ever blow it. Ever. To me, once the Spurs get a lead, I feel it’s pretty safe; Tony Parker will dribble and drive, Robert Horry will hit some big shots, every time a team attempts a come back Tim Duncan goes And 1 on ‘em and drains their emotion.

It looked that way last night, at least up until six minutes remained in the third quarter, where the Spurs started watching a 20 point lead fall to 15, to 10, to 5 and, before you know it, to a 4 point deficit.

Kobe Bryant had 27 points for the Lakers, but 25 of those came in the second half when Kobe decided he was going to stop passing the ball and start shooting it. Pau Gasol contributed with 19 points, but it was the Lakers second half defense that really brought them back in this one. Tim Duncan had 30 points but struggled down the stretch, and Manu Ginobli, who needs to come up big in this series, was MIA, shooting 3-13 from the field and finishing with 10 points.

The Lakers go up 1-0 in the series, and Game 2 will be Friday in LA.

NBA Mock Draft

Dave — Thu, 22 May 2008 00:37:11 +0000

I don’t know enough about players who were in college for one year, so I won’t attempt to make a mock draft that will only belittle my sports knowledge. But I will link you here, where ESPN has their 2008 NBA Mock Draft.

While I won’t make my own list, I will ask a couple of questions about this one.

First and foremost, how in the hell do the Bulls have the No. 1 overall pick? There’s been conspiracy talk for years, and my God, just let us see the freaking ping pong balls drawn. That way, when a team that was supposed get No. 9 actually gets No. 1, we don’t feel like we’re being Tim Donaghy’ed.
That said, the Bulls have to take Michael Beasley. Derrick Rose will probably be the best player, but they just re-signed Kirk Heinrich to a five year deal.
Which means, in short, the Heat won, because they’re going to take Rose, and he and Dwyane Wade — barring the guy can stay healthy for a year — will be totally sick.
No. 3 pick, Brook Lopez. Say hello to Darko Milicic.
OJ Mayo to Minnesota? The guy will be the worst pick in the NBA Draft. He’s got no sense of what a team is, and he’s one of those guys that will never realize that athleticism will only carry you all the way in high school.
If the LA Clippers get Russell Westbrook with the seventh pick, they’ll get the steal of the draft.
Kevin Love to the Bobcats: Charlotte just keeps wanting to add to their list of big name college players that just don’t pan out. Sean May got fat. Love already is fat. May not be the best selection.
DJ Augustin to the Pacers would fit nicely with Jermaine O’Neal.
Roy Hibbert to Utah makes more sense than anything, given that Utah plays slow and, well, Roy Hibbert is really slow.

Spurs/Lakers, Bound To Be More Entertaining Than Pistons/Celtics

Dave — Wed, 21 May 2008 22:18:36 +0000

Sorry, but I just don’t get very excited over the Eastern Conference games. Truth be told, I got more pumped up for the Suns/Spurs games than I did for last night’s Pistons/Cavs games. There’s something about the East that just screams “second place,” and I can’t get hard over two teams that like to have a nice, methodical, slow tempo in their winning attempt.

That said, I do enjoy the Spurs and Lakers, because even if the teams are completely different — well, LA, anyway — there seems to be some kind of rivalry there, and it’s the type of series where either team could win on the road and actually surprise you.

Tonight’s game tips off at 9:00 EST, and though I won’t be awake until the end, I did go and check the line, which has the Lakers a startling 7 point favorite. I know they’re at home, I know the Spurs didn’t sleep the other night, but seven points? In the playoffs? Against the Spurs?

As much as I want to say “Take the Spurs! You gotta take those points!” I know when something smells fishy in Vegas, then somebody knows something in Vegas. And that somebody is almost always right over me.

I’d love to see the Spurs pull a win on the road. Unfortunately, I don’t see it tonight. Take the Lakers and the seven. Enjoy.

(Sorry about the clip, Spurs fans, but I had to).

Everyone All Upset Over Some Rookie Deals

Dave — Wed, 21 May 2008 22:11:46 +0000

Matt Ryan just recently signed a contract with the Falcons that’s worth, like, a trillion dollars, and at least $36 million of it is guaranteed (if I’m Matt Ryan — and keep in mind I’m lazy — I blow my leg out now, sit on the money, and retire at the age of 22). The rest of the NFL is getting a little angry about the rookie salaries, and Kevin Mawae, who’s been in the league longer than I can remember, is voicing his opinion.

“As a guy who has been in the league for 14 now going on 15 years and being around other veteran guys, for a young guy to get paid that kind of money and never steps foot on an NFL football field, it’s a little disheartening to think of,” Mawae said. “It makes it tough for a guy who’s proven himself to say ‘I want that kind of money’ when the owners, all they’re going to say is, ‘Well, you weren’t a first-round pick.’

“And I know there is sentiment around the league amongst the players like, ‘Let’s do something to control these salaries and control these signing bonuses’ and things like that, and I know that’s something that the owners are talking about and I’m sure that’s going to play into this round of negotiations for this collective bargaining agreement,” he said.

To his credit, he’s got a point — the guys coming in haven’t done anything yet. That said, the last time the Falcons spent a trillion dollars on a quarterback, the investment worked out quite nicely. A two year jail stint isn’t really that bad. C’mon.

Jason Taylor Upset About Not Winning, Boycotting Practices

Dave — Wed, 21 May 2008 22:05:19 +0000

According to Tony Sparano, new Dolphins head coach, Jason Taylor, the star defensive end and best player on his team, has decided to boycott the remainder of camps held this spring/summer.

“This is my reaction with the Jason Taylor situation, and I’m going to answer this question one time. I’m not going to answer another question about the Jason Taylor situation after I answer this,” Sparano began.

“Here’s what I know: What I know is that Jason Taylor — and I’m glad we’ve gotten the information; that’s important — I know that Jason is not going to be at any OTAs [organized team activities]. I know that Jason is not going to be at any minicamps, and I know that right now, that Jason is not going to be at training camp.

“That being said, we need to discuss the current players on our team right now that have been busting their butt for nine weeks here.”

My guess is he’s still pretty upset at the crushing defeat on Dancing with the Stars.

And if you’re upset over a loss, the best way to overcome this feeling of rejection and losing probably isn’t playing for the Miami Dolphins, given their recent seasons.

The Boston Celtics Bad On The Road, Indestructable at Home

Dave — Wed, 21 May 2008 22:00:06 +0000

After last night’s 88-79 beating of the Pistons, one has to start wondering if the Celtics are going to lose at home. I mean, sure, they’ve had to back-to-back seven-game series, and sure, Detroit has pretty much coasted through Philly and Orlando, but the result when a game is in Boston is still the same, and that’s bad news for the Pistons — even if they do win three at home, they’ve still gotta play four in Boston, if they’re unable to steal one.

The Celtics didn’t look tired at all from their seventh game against the Cavs in which Paul Pierce and LeBron James put on a demonstration of how to exchange punches. Pierce had 22 points in this one, but it was KG who carried the way, leading all Celtics with 26 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks. Ray Allen continued his I’m-In-The-Playoffs-And-Can’t-Shoot woes, going 3-10 from the field, scoring 9 points, with not a single three-pointer throughout the contest.

Tayshaun Prince led the Pistons with 16 points, but Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, and Rasheed Wallace were virtually invisible in this one, combining for just 35 points on 11-31 shooting.

Game 2 will be Thursday, in Boston, which means it’s pretty much a foregone conclusion: Boston up 2-0, Detroit to tie it at 2, Boston to take a 3-2 lead, Detroit to tie it at 3, Boston to win the series in seven. Feels like I’ve seen this before.

Jason Taylor’s Mr. Twinkle Toes

Dave — Tue, 20 May 2008 23:23:45 +0000

I don’t watch the show, but since one of the best defensive players in the NFL is on it, I s’pose it’s worth posting.

Charles Barkley Pays Debt, Will Never Gamble Again

Dave — Tue, 20 May 2008 23:22:03 +0000

Charles Barkley has paid his $400,000 debt. The check arrived today, though he’s still due to owe the casino another $40k for processing fees.

This is good for Barkley, who surely had to have been humiliated by being a high profile athlete whose check bounced. The man says this has been a blessing to him, and that he’s done gambling forever. Read my statement in the post below, because I’m going to say it again: 10:1 odds says that man’s got a pair of dice in his hands by the end of the month.