ABC has decided to remove Scottie Pippen from the network’s studio show for the NBA playoffs. Someone apparently figured out that the ability to speak English should be a requirement for television commentators.
What’s next – hiring Sammy Sosa to provide commentary for baseball broadcasts?
After the Texans’ miserable 2005 season and their controversial number one pick, Charley Casserly will step down as general manager of the team. Casserly took a lot of heat for passing on Reggie Bush and Vince Young, taking DE Mario Williams instead. He will officially resign June 1 and possibly pursue a job in the NFL’s front office.
“I have an interest in doing other things right now,” he said. “This was not an easy decision, but it was a decision I felt I had to make at this point in time.”
Casserly really screwed the franchise and the city over. Not only would taking Reggie Bush have been the right decision, it would have woken up a city that has witnessed the Texans sitting in the league’s cellar for most of its five year existence. Their fans finally would have someone to cheer for in Bush and would get a player that would make it worthwhile coming to the stadium. However, Casserly chose to go defense in Williams. Consequently, the fans and media have been outraged and they now find out they are losing their GM, which puts pressure on team president Bob McNair to find a replacement. Passing on Bush? Losing their GM? Sounds like they are headed in the right direction.
ESPN’s Daily Dime has issued a list of the Top 10 point guards of all time. SI.com has their own list. Both sites have Magic Johnson #1.
My NBA memory only goes back as far as the ’80s, so I don’t feel comfortable comparing players from vastly different eras. The game has changed so much, even in the last 25 years, that it takes a degree in math to correctly compare Magic to Steve Nash. Throw in John Stockton, Isiah Thomas (the point guard, NOT the GM), Jason Kidd and even Gary Payton – who has sullied his reputation some by lingering a bit too long – and you have the makings of a good modern-era list. Some other names that should be mentioned are Tim Hardaway, Mark Price, Chauncey Billups, Tony Parker and Terry Porter. And here’s a name that you can add to this list in a few years: Chris Paul. Who am I missing?
Note: I consider Allen Iverson and Dwayne Wade to be shooting guards.
Miami 111, New Jersey 89 (series tied, 1-1)
I wonder what the win % is for a home team in Game 2 of a seven-game series, after losing Game 1. I’d suspect it’s pretty high. The road team goes into the game feeling like they’ve already stolen home court advantage while the home team – usually the favorite in the series – puts forth supreme effort in order to avoid leaving home down 0-2. Such was the case with the Heat, who continue to look awful one game and terrific the next. Miami jumped out to a 41-19 lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back. Dwayne Wade led the way for Miami with 31 points (on 12-19 shooting), six assists and five rebounds. Shaquille O’Neal stayed out of foul trouble and was able to post 21 points and six boards in just 29 minutes. Once the game got out of hand, Nets coach Lawrence Frank should have pulled Richard Jefferson, who was questionable for Game 2 with a bruised ankle. Why Frank played him 36 minutes, I do not know.
L.A. Clippers 122, Phoenix 97 (series tied, 1-1)
This is what the Lakers wanted to do, only they didn’t have the personnel to do it. Are Elton Brand and Chris Kaman an upgrade over Lamar Odom and Kwame Brown? You bet. The Clippers’ inside duo dominated the Suns to the tune of a combined 41 points and 26 boards, including 10 offensive rebounds. In fact, here’s a shocking stat: Clippers as a team had 19 offensive rebounds, which was only two fewer than the Suns’ defensive rebound total. Phoenix should be worried – L.A. ate them up inside, and that’s not an easy thing to fix. The Clippers have the advantage in the series, and if they focus on rebounding and taking good shots, they’ll advance.
Delmon Young was suspended 50 games without pay for tossing a bat at a (replacement) umpire earlier in the season after being called out on strikes. This will cost him about $145,000, according to ESPN.
Personally, I think the sentencing is just right. That’s a huge chunk of the season, and he needs to learn that his actions have consequences, not only to himself but to those around him. If the Durham D-Rays spiral as a result of this (though if they’re anything like the parent club, they’re already spiraling), he’s going to be a lonely man in the clubhouse. Worse, this act certainly caught the eye of the major league umps, who will have a very short fuse when dealing with him, much like they appear to have with Milton Bradley.
The only thing I will say in Delmon’s defense is: did you see the pitch? He was right, that wasn’t anywhere near the strike zone.
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