Laker Domination

Kobe beef is the finest grade of beef you can get. It costs more, but it is worth the price. Oddly enough, the finest grade player in the NBA is aptly named Kobe Bryant. The Lakers put away the Suns in Game 6 on the road, punching their ticket to the NBA Finals. Kobe Bryant scored over 30 points, and Los Angeles was able to fend off a comeback-minded Phoenix team. After watching the Blackhawks game (thrilling), I tuned in expecting the Lakers to be up by about 15, which was the case the last time I had checked. Rather, though, I saw Phoenix on a run and within 5 of the Lakers. Then Kobe took over. He made a jumper between two defenders, and then a fadeaway over a well-positioned defender, closing out the Suns. Both were inside 2 minutes, and both inside 5 seconds on the shot clock. I could only shake my head in amazement and wonder how Kobe keeps doing it. Then, as I got to thinking, I might have been wrong in one of my previous blogs when I said that Lebron was better than Kobe. After all, it is Kobe Bryant who has led his team to the Finals for now three straight years, who has won four championship rings, and is considered in the same class as Jordan and Magic Johnson by many. Lebron is a great player, but it is Kobe who has the success that defines a world-class player.

Interleague, Part 2

Note: This is a follow-up article to "Interleague Anyone?"

After the first weekend of interleague play, where only the Braves and Pirates (both NL) did not partake, the National League edged the American League in games, 22-20. This is surprising to many, including me, who expected the normal one-sided affair. If my theory that I presented earlier is true, then the National League has proven a better league so far in the season. Come late June and early July, however, interleague will start up again for a longer period, and the true champion will be crowned.

Here are some interesting things about the first weekend of play:
-The Mets surprisingly won the Subway series against the Yankees, 2-1.
-Roy Halladay, who has been mowing down batters in the NL, was roughed up for his worst start of the season against the Red Sox.
-The Rays, with the best record in baseball, won their series against the Astros (very expected).
-The Red Sox beat the Phillies, arguably the best team in the NL.
-Ubaldo Jiminez, the best pitcher in all of baseball this year, did not pitch in interleague play, but did shut out Arizona in their next series, and decreased his league-leading ERA to 0.88.

A Nor'easter Brewing

Well, it has happened: the New York-New Jersey area has landed the Super Bowl. The 48th big game in 2014 will be played in cold weather, outside, as New York beat out South Florida and Tampa for the bid. Personally, I am thrilled to see it move up to the new Giants/Jets stadium. It seems like we have had a cycle of Florida super bowls, with the occasional one in Arizona, recently. I am ready for a change! New York will provide an incredible atmosphere for and leading up to the Super Bowl. The nightlife and attractions of New York are the most abundant of any city in the United States (last time I checked, a lot of people lived there). And, speaking of people, why would there be any concern about filling the stadium due to the cold? If you want to complain that you don't want to be cold when you watch the game, it's simple: DON'T GO! I'm sure out of 8 million people just locally, we can find 70,000 that would love to go. As for the players, many are concerned that it won't be as enjoyable for them if it's frigid or snowing. If I'm not mistaken, the players make millions of dollars to face ADVERSITY. There is nothing in their contracts specifying "If you make it to the Super Bowl, you must be comfortable with the weather." Maybe if you want to complain about it being cold for a game, you shouldn't be playing.

In recap, I hope this starts a trend of moving toward other cities. Football's biggest game shouldn't be played where the rich people will feel comfortable, it should be played where the true football fans can have their chance to go.

The Real Deal

On Sunday, the Chicago Blackhawks beat the San Jose Sharks 4-2, solidifying a spot in the Stanley Cup Final. With one of the best fan bases in the NHL, the Blackhawks will host the winner of the Eastern Conference finals at United Center. What does this mean? The Blackhawks have given a drought-plagued city a chance at a rare championship. The Cubs haven't won a World Series since 1908, and the Blackhawks haven't won a Stanley Cup since 1961, the longest drought in the NHL. Getting there wasn't an accident either. In my opinion, the Blackhawks are the best team in the NHL this year. Net-minder Antti Niemi has proven to be as outstanding in the postseason as in the regular season. No matter how good the other team is, he is just a little bit better. Meanwhile, in front of opposing goalies stands human wall Dustin Byfuglien. He scored 3 game winners in the series against the Sharks, and has scored 8 this postseason. He acts as a screen to block the vision of opposing goaltenders, allowing stoppable pucks to turn into scores. Also, defenseman Duncan Keith has shown his incredible effort night after night. With the most ice time of anyone, Keith took a puck to the face in Game 4 against the Sharks, knocking out 4 teeth. What did he do? Pick them out and keep playing. If one moment could define the Chicago season, it would be this. As for the Eastern Conference winner, well, good luck.

Interleague Anyone?

Colorado Rockies pitcher Ubaldo Jiminez is seemingly unhittable. 8-1, with an ERA of 0.99, Jiminez is dominating the NL this year. He has thrown a no-hitter, and has baffled hitters around the league. Now, as the season of interleague play rolls around, the dominant NL pitchers like Jiminez can square off against their AL counterparts. This will determine the true league power. The USA Today ran an article last month highlighting the remarkable and obvious difference between the difficulty of the AL versus that of the NL. They showed several examples of former NL aces and their struggles in the AL, while average former AL pitchers had begun to put up stellar numbers on the NL. Now, you might say, let the All-Star Game decide which league is superior, but remember that it's the stars of both teams, limited in play, not putting forth full effort, and trying not to get hurt. In interleague play, every facet of each team is pitted against that of the opposing league, and neither team wants to lose. Thus shall the true superior league be crowned in the next few months, in the glorious form of interleague play.

Celtics Big Four?

Remember many years back, when the Celtics were the doormat of the NBA? They could only wish for a season like Larry Bird used to give them. Then, they acquired some blockbuster names. To go along with star Paul Pierce, they added Timberwolves' Kevin Garnett, and the SuperSonics' Ray Allen. They meshed about as good as they could, winning a championship in 2008. Well, after last year's exit provided by Orlando, they have come back with a vengeance this year. After ousting the Cavaliers in impressive fashion, they have taken a 2-0 series lead against Orlando. The big three (Pierce, Allen, Garnett) have played superbly, but it hasn't been one of them that has made the most difference. Rajon Rondo, the star-in-the-making, has provided the necessary spark to go above and beyond this postseason. The remarkable thing, however, is how the big three have allowed themselves to take a back seat to Rondo without any second guessing. This shows the complete selflessness and unity on the Celtics team, which has brought them to new levels this postseason. Forget the big three, how about the big four?

An Obsession With Money

I am a Tennessee Titans fan. I am also a Washington Redskins fan through my parents. Ironically enough, one player for each team is in the "holdout" situation (the players would prefer if I use the euphemism "sitting out until life is fair again"). Albert Haynesworth for the Redskins and Chris Johnson of the Titans are currently skipping the voluntary workouts for each team, which are usually attended as a respect for the team. For Johnson, it is the money that is the issue. Rushing for over 2,000 yards last season, he is only contracted to receive just over $500K this year. He feels he should be paid more, justifiably so if I say so myself. But, he has sat out too long for my comfort level to still be okay. He is missing crucial time with the team that could possibly mean a decrease in performance, and he needs to end this holdout. Unfortunately, Marshall Faulk is telling him to keep holding out and show them! Marshall Faulk, do you have no respect for a team?! Come on, don't encourage a bad thing like this. Meanwhile, for Haynesworth, money isn't the issue. He has a guaranteed $100 million coming in over the next few years, with $30 million already collected. Hey fat Albert: show up or stay home. With your inconsistent play, I don't think Shanahan would care to see you leave.

With all this said, I can't stand the arrogant and egotistical behavior that professional sports athletes show. Can't you settle for something like $5 million per year? Why do you have to make $100 million per year? How much money can you spend per year? It's ridiculous to hear former NBA player Latrell Sprewell demand a new contract because he couldn't feed his family with the $14.6 million he was scheduled to make. What do you eat?! Pro players are making way too much money, and with a possible uncapped year for the NFL, it will only get worse.

A Lack of Effort

In the last couple of days, a new situation has appeared: the Hanley Ramirez debate. In a game against the Diamondbacks, Ramirez went after a shallow fly ball in the outfield, missed the catch and accidentally kicked the ball further out into the outfield. That's not where the fun starts, though. The bases were loaded, and Ramirez simply jogged, then walked, out to the ball and lazily threw it into the cutoff man. Then, after he was scolded by his manager Freddi Gonzalez, he gave a statement to the press saying that Gonzalez never played in the MLB and thus knew nothing of what he was feeling. First of all, Hanley, you are the highest paid person on the Marlins team. Second, you are the star of the Marlins team. So, maybe you should act like one and show some effort. It's been evident when I've watched you over the past few years: you are lazy. Talent is not enough, you have to show some effort. Therefore, you have no right to discredit your manager, who always fields a team of new players and leads them to a way better season than expected. That he has never played, well he has: 5 years catching in the minors. So, Hanley, you need to show your teammates that you are the leader of that team, or else, you better get a day job.

Which One Doesn't Belong?

The road to the Stanley Cup is almost over, and only four teams remain: San Jose, Chicago, Philadelphia, Montreal. Which one doesn't belong? Surprise: it's San Jose! To see the Stanley Cup go to the Sharks would break my heart in two. For me, the Stanley Cup is the reward for that city who has to live through freezing winters where all they play is hockey, NOT the team that can go outside after a game in December with shorts and a t-shirt on. That's right: just imagine the Stanley Cup being passed around to people in Hawaiian shirts smoking cigars. Not right, right? Well, then Chicago better step up and knock out those Sharks, because I sure don't want to see them get it. To further my point, I'm not sure what sharks are doing in ice. Don't they like the warm or mild water? So, my message, is simply this: swim back to your beach-front properties and let the real hockey cities win a Stanley Cup.

The Comeback Kids

The Philadelphia Flyers have done it: they have come back from down 3-0 to the Boston Bruins and forced game 7 (tonight). How did they do it, and why is what they have done so rare in the NHL? Well, they turned their act around with their goaltending. Boston doesn't score that many goals, ranked dead last in the NHL in the regular season, so goaltending has to be weak for the Bruins to outscore the opponent. Brian Boucher was average at best in the three losses, two of them on the road. Then Michael Leighton stepped in for relief in Game 5, and started Game 6, and shut down the Bruins offense, leading to 2 of the 3 wins. Also, the offense has stepped up, with star players like Mike Richards and Simon Gagne scoring in games 4-6. Why what the Flyers have accomplished is so rare? Even if you overcome the drastic emotional obstacle, you still have to play at least one, maybe two, games on the road. The intensity of the crowd fuels the home team, making it all that harder to win. As for tonight, Philadelphia has a chance to join only two teams to overcome a 3-0 deficit to win a best-of-seven series. Or, will the Bruins follow the Celtics' lead and give Boston a series win? It looks like it will be the NHL fan's dream: a FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT to the finish!

Supporting Cast

A team needs a supporting cast. Just ask Lebron James. After another pounding by the Celtics last night, it seems that the lack of production from James, if anything, will cause the Cavaliers postseason demise. That has become the trend in Cleveland for the past several years: fizzling out after a stellar regular season. The question continues to be asked: do the Cavs need a bigger supporting cast for Lebron? Well, the answer is YES. It was yes when Lebron showed up and it is still yes now. The addition of Shaq was supposed to boost Lebron, but he has sat out with an injury most of the season, and is merely average when on the court. Now, with Lebron hindered with a shoulder injury, the obvious inconsistency of Mo Williams and other supporting players showed up like a shiny cold sore. And as Bruce Dickinson once said, the only prescription is MORE SUPPORTING PLAYERS! Well, something like that.

Arizona Trouble

Arizona has seemed to be the hotspot for trouble in sports recently. Last year, the city was so close to losing their hockey team when they went bankrupt. The lack of care fans seemed to place in the future of the Coyotes was alarming, and if they hadn't made the playoffs this year, the future might have been even bleaker. Now, the city finds itself in more trouble. The Arizona governor has passed a stringent immigration law that, effective in August, will target illegal immigrants from Mexico and give police the right to ask any latin american for immigration papers without probable cause. This has led to an outrage among citizens, sports fans included. Many high-ranking officials in the BCS have threatened to pull the BCS National Championship Game in 2011 (next season) out of Arizona in favor of another venue. Likewise, MLB has threatened to remove the All Star Game from Phoenix if this law is passed. This could not end well for both sides. I don't know what the sports leagues are trying to prove by this, as they are not the lawmakers of the country and should have little say in what they do, however controversial it is. Also, for the state of Arizona, if these events do happen, the loss of revenue would be devastating to an already struggling economy. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns of the NBA recently wore their "los Suns" jerseys to pay tribute to their neighbors and fellow immigrants. Well, Arizona, looks like you: fouled out; struck out; are facing 4th and 10. Pick your poison.

The Dynamic Duo

Three years straight now have proven that the Pittsburgh Penguins knew what they were doing when they acquired Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. It seems that every night is another outstanding night for them, getting goals or assists like it was elementary. However, what makes Malkin and Crosby great is their differences. Dan Bylsma, head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, keeps Crosby and Malkin on two different shifts, so as to always have that star potential out on the ice. Crosby is productive for one shift, comes off to the bench, and Malkin continues where Crosby left off. Then, in the crucial moment of the game, perhaps a late power play or an empty net situation, Bylsma puts both out on the ice, which for the other team, is double trouble. Also, when Crosby has an off night, it seems Malkin does well, or vice versa. Each supports the other, and that's what makes the team great. I listened to Evgeni Malkin's postgame interview after the Game 3 win over Montreal and it went something like this: "We play good get puck in net Marc Andre do good win us game." Well said Evgeni, well said. But, it is to the point, and the Pittsburgh Penguins aren't known for monkey play.

Extreme Makeover: Big XII

Despite the uncertainty of the upcoming college football season still in the air, one thing is for sure: the Big XII is going to have some new faces next year. With departures of the league's marquis players, it will be a league of youth next year. Sam Bradford, the first overall pick to the Rams, leaves Oklahoma with questionable at best Landry Jones. Colt McCoy leaves Garrett Gilbert as head of the Longhorns, while Mark Mangino and Mike Leach highlight the coaches leaving the Big XII. Landry Jones has some experience, filling in for most of last season with Bradford out with a shoulder injury. He led Oklahoma to an average year, winning the Brut Sun Bowl. However, he was unpredictable, having unbelievable and terrible games. Garrett Gilbert proved himself when Colt McCoy went down with an injury in the National Championship, but he still doesn't have enough experience to be called ready for action. Meanwhile, Tommy Tubberville and his defensive minded SEC style coaching replaces Mike Leach's run-n-gun offense. Kansas lost both their quarterback and coach and seem to be falling back to the mediocre team they were several years back, portended by their 1-6 end to the 2009-2010 season. Nebraska seems to be the only team with a similar team, less Ndamukong Suh. With coach Bo Pelini and quarterback Zach Lee, they could be major contenders. As for Texas A&M, Baylor, Colorado, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Iowa State, and Missouri, predictions look average to mediocre. The race for Dallas is on and it looks to be open season again in the Midwest.

King James Rules Again

This week, the NBA awarded Lebron James his second consecutive MVP award, putting the proverbial cherry on top of his absolute domination of the sport. To me, he is without argument the best player in the league, no hard feelings Kobe. He can make any defender look like a pee-wee player on a breakaway situation with the flashy dunks he slams down seemingly night after night. If he wants to, he can hit a pull-up jumper from basically anywhere inside the arc, and did I mention he can hit threes in his sleep? He is the ultimate all-around player in the NBA. Of course, the dream matchup is Lebron vs. Kobe. Nike commercials hinted toward the mass press it would receive last year, and you can't deny Commissioner Stern would disagree. A Finals series between the two teams would once and for all end the debate of who is the better player. As for Kobe Bryant, he is a stellar player as well, but for now my vote, and 116 out of 123 official votes, go to Lebron.

Good vs. Bad, Hockey Style

I went to the Nashville Predators game 6 hockey game against Chicago last Monday and saw perhaps one of the most agonizing games of hockey ever. I watched the Preds blow a game that they could have easily won, and until this weekend, was trying to understand how. This led me to discover the true difference between good and bad hockey. Watching the San Jose Sharks play the Detroit Red Wings defined my definition of good hockey: precise defensemen, aggressive forwards, and outstanding goalies. The Preds lack these three items. Pekka Rinne is okay at best, shining only at times. I can't call him good after I saw him misread a puck sent in from the red line by Patrick Kane, going to the side of the net to play it and then watching it blow right into the net. Although Ryan Suter and Shea Webber are high-end defensemen, they are inconsistent in accuracy. If you watch Brian Rafalski and Nick Lidstrom, you will see two flawless defensemen who rarely ever miss the net with a slapshot. Finally, it was agonizing to see pass after pass after pass by the Preds' forwards, most of which kept getting intercepted. San Jose's Joe Pavelski and Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk are agressive, and although sometimes guess wrong, score way more often than pass-happy Steve Sullivan. Also, when San Jose's goalie gave up a rebound, there were about 3 Sharks there to slap it away from a second chance opportunity. The Preds were plagued by second chance opportunities, and it was commonplace to see 3 Blackhawks in front of Rinne rather than Preds. Hockey played at an imperfect level will get teams like the Preds eaten up, and it was a miracle that they challenged the Blackhawks like they did.

Derby Domination

On Saturday, Calvin Borel showed his dominance of Churchill Downs once again. In the wide open race, he amazed everyone at his skill of getting to the rail for the entire race. First on Street Sense in 2007, then last year on the 50-1 horse Mine That Bird, and now with Super Saver, Borel continues to stupefy fans. He makes the most desirable move in horse racing look like eating a piece of pie, as he only had to pass one horse to get to his famed winning position. Watching him race to his third victory, I couldn't help but wonder if this is the year that we will have another Triple Crown winner. Horse racing is a dying sport, especially with the TV audiences, decreasing again this year in ratings, and the sport needs a Triple Crown winner to boost it back into popularity. Borel is riding Super Saver again in the Preakness, giving horse racing fans that glimmer of hope that this year might be the year. One thing, however, is for sure: if Super Saver wins the Triple Crown, he will indeed be the super saver of the sport.

Tiger Remiss on Promise

Tiger Woods faced the media, back in February and, among other things, promised us that his temper would not be the same as it was before. Well, he was right. Now that we've seen Woods in the Masters and Quail Hollow, we know his temper and frustration has reached an all time high. In these two tournaments, it was commonplace to see him drop his club in his follow-through in frustration and anger, along with many choice words. I was excited for Woods' return to golf, but I am shocked to see him disgracing his fans like this. It was extremely disheartening to see Tiger at Quail Hollow on Friday, where on 15, he walked 100 yards in front of his playing partners, hitting a shot without care, and four putting from lack of effort. We fans gave him another chance, and he is blowing it right in front of our eyes. At the Masters, it seemed that he was just as bionic as always, ignoring the tantrums and focusing on his score. This week at Quail Hollow, when he was way over par, you couldn't help but notice Tiger's lack of respect for the game, other players, and fans. Woods said that the rehab center wants to fix this, but you have to wonder whether they have gotten around to it yet.