News Drought

I hate when no new sporting news is out. When I watch SportsCenter in the mornings where this is the case, I watch pointless interviews about rumors and speculation. To me, it's quite boring. I watched the show SportsNation the other day on ESPN, and partially due to the complete lack of interesting news, it was the most boring show ever. I watched as they debated over a new rookie in the NFL would make a bigger splash than a new soap opera show. You can surely tell it was utterly fascinating.

Here's a piece of news you probably won't hear about: Carl Pettersson won the RBC Canadian Open today, thanks to a 60 (-10) in the third round. Pettersson is a burly man, and it is good to see someone not as fit winning a championship like this. I tried out for the golf team, and in 100 degree heat index, it is not easy AT ALL to walk 18 holes. Congratulations, Carl.
Pettersson is building momentum for himself by playing most all tournaments, and with his win today earns himself a spot in the PGA Championship this year, along with the Masters next year. Meanwhile, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are doing the opposite. By sitting out most tournaments, they are leaving their struggles for the big tournaments. Tiger Woods should be playing every tournament possible to fix his kinky swing. If he thinks he can use the range for preparation for the most difficult tournaments of the year, he is mistaken. It's the same thing with Phil. His struggles might not be so mighty in the majors if he would play more routine tournaments.
So, at the PGA Championship, I'm cheering for a regular on the European or PGA Tour. Forget the pros that forget the small tournaments.

British Open Season

Louis Oosthuizen is now in possession of the Clarett Jug, the most famed and sought-after trophy in golf. He finished at -16, seven shots ahead of addicted-to-second-place Lee Westwood. Possibly the game's toughest test, St. Andrews proved to be a brute again this week. Oosthuizen was the only golfer to finish in double digits, as the rest of the field got blown away, literally. The wind, like most times in Open Championship golf, was the "great equalizer" again. However, Oosthuizen handled it like an old pro, which he is ironically not. Here's some insight on Louis.

I first was introduced to Louis Oosthuizen on the European Tour stop at the Qatar Masters early in 2009. He and Alvaro Quiros, the long-hitting Spaniard, were dueling for the lead through the last round, with Quiros prevailing. However, I was impressed with Oosthuizen's game, and I would look for him on the leaderboard from then on. It wasn't hard to find him, as he was in contention of many events when I tuned in to the European Tour. Naturally, when I heard his name in major championships, I would laugh at the commentator's lack of knowledge of who he was. Earlier this year at the Masters, he won the par three competition on Wednesday that I never miss, and I knew that he would break through this year. Turns out I was right, as he won a European tour stop in Spain, and I was not surprised to see him in second after round one of the British Open. In the Open, he took advantage of the first day when the wind did not blow hard, and then followed it up with a great round on a rainy Friday morning. Step one: take advantage of the course when it's possible; check. On Saturday, he played solidly, and increased his margin to four. Also, through the tournament, he was number one in driving accuracy. Step two: put yourself in a spot to win by hitting fairways and greens; check. Finally on Sunday, he played consistently and took advantage of what he could, and otherwise played for par. His consistency and unwavering confidence allowed him to make par when he wanted to. Step three: play like an old pro; check.

These three steps allowed Oosthuizen to win the Open Championship. Interestingly, the first American player was Nick Watney at -6. It makes you think that the European Tour players have the advantage in the British Open because they play constantly in the wind and bad conditions. No matter the case, though, Louis Oosthuizen has many reasons to celebrate his new major championship.

An Erie Feeling

Nestled on the shores of Lake Erie, Cleveland is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Browns, and the Cavaliers. Outside of Quicken Loans Arena, home of the Cavaliers, one might have seen a huge Nike poster of Lebron James, the face of the franchise. But that was yesterday. Now you have to travel to South Beach to see anything advertising Lebron, as he is the newest member of the Miami Heat. In a one hour special yesterday, James announced he would join Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade for a superteam in Miami. Later, sources reported that the Heat would be trading Michael Beasley, the former second overall draft pick. As for the new big three, or to celebrate the Spanish flare of Miami, "Los Tres Grandes," they will each sign a smaller contract than anywhere else. This, however, is a small price to pay when a dynasty could be built with these three great players.

Back in Cleveland, though, they have a big poster space to fill. Byron Scott, the newly introduced head coach, insists the team will move on without Lebron, but the owner had some stronger words to say. He openly assaulted Lebron's decision in a letter to Cavaliers fans, saying that he guarantees a championship in Cleveland before Lebron gets his first. He should have looked at his roster first. Their star player now is Shaquille O'Neal, who is way past his best times, and oh by the way, a free agent. So who are they going to win a championship with? Mo Williams? Delonte West? Anderson Varejao? Yeah right.

I think Cleveland fans forgot that the professional sports leagues are a business now, and Lebron's situation was no different. Even if Lebron wanted to stay, he had no incentive. He wanted to win a championship (how can you blame him) and it was proven in his seven year time with Cleveland that it could not and would not be done. Cleveland fans have no right to feel betrayed. I had a conversation with friend and former Ohio native Marie Alford about the situation, and she agrees with me. "[SportsCenter] says Lebron has now become the second most hated man in Cleveland, next to Art Modell of course, but I just don't think that should be said. if Cleveland fans really cared, they would know what's best for him, not make him feel unwelcome in his own city." It is time for Cleveland fans to be mature and move on.

Courting the King

The Summer of 2010 has turned into the Summer of the Free Agents. Hyped to be possibly the best free agent market in history in the NBA, it has lived up to nothing less. Free agents like Dirk Novitzki, Carlos Boozer, Chris Bosh, Paul Pierce, Dwyane Wade, and of course LeBron James draw lines of teams outside each one's door. Here is my take on the topic I most want gone:

LeBron James is good, and I have said all along that he needs a supporting cast. Why didn't anyone else see the possibility of he and Dirk Novitzki playing together? Dirk has been said to be the best "number two" guy, and LeBron is the best number one out there. Sounds like a no-brainer to me! If I can see something like that, it's a wonder why every single person getting payed to see it doesn't. Next, in the "courting" of James, I think everyone but the Cavaliers did a good job. The Cavs did what those Scottrade commercials portray: they joked around and said "Hey! It's us! You've been with us for your whole career. Sure the other teams actually have made moves to help you win championships, but come on, we go back!" If I was LeBron, I would be saying, "What have you done for me? Where are my championships? And what WILL you do for me?" Answer: they have made you lead a crap team, you have no championships, and they have not made a SINGLE move to get any supporting players. If he stays with Cleveland, he will move from best player to biggest free agent idiot. Miami is his best option, joining Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade on a team that will surely win championships. Chicago, with Carlos Boozer and the existing talent that led them to the playoffs this year, would be my second choice, and New York and Amare Stoudemire third.

Meanwhile, outside of LeBron's mighty decision, the free agency has been a bust. Everyone was waiting for LeBron to make their move based off of him, and most decided not to wait any longer. Paul Pierce, Dirk Novitzki and Joe Johnson highlighted the list of star players who just decided to stay put and try try again with their current teams. As for the other new team signees, well, they were overshadowed by the crown of the king.