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.