Month: January 2008 (Page 17 of 25)

      “We want ta-cos!”

      January 13, 2008 /

      I attended the Lakers/Bucks game at the Staples Center Friday night. I grew up in Wisconsin, so I have been a longtime Bucks fan since the days of Sidney Moncrief and Bob Lanier. I went with JC, a friend of mine who is a diehard Laker fan. Tickets are expensive, but we try to make the Lakers/Bucks game every season. Last year, I was treated to a 109-105 win when Michael Redd scored 45 points (18 in the fourth quarter) to upset the Lakers, breaking a 10-game string of dominance by L.A.

      As of Friday night, the Bucks had won three straight against the Lakers, but Kobe and Co. were playing well, so I wasn’t optimistic about Milwaukee’s chances.

      And I was right. The Bucks trailed the entire game, but kept it close enough that they were in scramble mode late in the fourth quarter.

      Then the chant started.

      “We want ta-cos!”

      “We want ta-cos!”

      Apparently, if the Lakers hold their opponents under 100 points, those that attend the game can get free tacos at Jack in the Box, a local fast food joint.

      Already irritated by the inevitable outcome of the game, this grating chant annoyed me even more. It wasn’t enough that the Lakers are playing well and that they snapped a three-game losing streak against the Bucks, these front running Laker fans had to have their tacos, too.

      So, after rookie Yi Jianlian hit a fadeaway jumper with 0:16 to play, the Bucks had 99 points. Michael Redd immediately fouled to stop the clock, and since Milwaukee was down 10 (and, of course, since it hurt their chances of getting their tacos), the Laker fans started to boo. The chant started up again.

      “We want ta-cos!”

      “We want ta-cos!”

      The Bucks got the ball back and Charlie Bell made a three-pointer with 0:11 to put the Bucks over the top.

      The Lakers fans booed even louder.

      I cheered, knowing that my beloved Bucks came through in the end. They didn’t win the game, but they might have won the war.

      No tacos tonight, kids.

      NBA

      Chad Johnson’s feelings hurt

      January 11, 2008 /

      On Mike and Mike in the Morning, Bengals’ receiver Chad Johnson hinted at a trade demand after a turbulent season.

      “I was labeled selfish and a cancer, and it hurt,” he said. “Fingers were pointed at me this year. If the team and the organization wants to further itself (make the playoffs), I think you need to get rid of the problem.

      “It hurt me. To do me that way and not to have my back. Things were said, and nobody came to my defense.”

      Johnson is a great talent, but for some reason the chemistry in Cincinnati has been incredibly off since they lost to the Steelers in the 2005 playoffs. Maybe trading Johnson would be beneficial for everyone; either way, things have to change for the Bengals, because they’re a mess.

      NFL

      CAN THEY RUN THE TABLE

      January 11, 2008 /

      Five teams are left without a blemish on their record. No one has been able to run the table since the 1976 Indiana Hoosiers did it. Here is a breakdown of the five left and their chances.

      North Carolina– They have depth and play very aggressive on every possession. The key will be that Tyler Hansborough stays healthy and out of foul trouble in every game. I don’t believe they can pull it off due to the number of true rivals they face in this league. I think Duke will pull it off at least once.

      Washington State— A big win over USC last night, but the true test comes this weekend against UCLA. If they can get by UCLA than it is a possibility. All the media talks about how balanced they are which is code for no NBA players. However, I think they have at least one in their starting lineup. Due to travel and the tradition of UCLA I don’t think they have a chance to run the table.

      Vanderbuilt– Kevin Stallings has done a wonderful job, but with trips to Florida and Alabama on the horizon I don’t believe it will happen. What is more startling is that they are playing at Kentucky this weekend and they are the favorites. Yes, you heard that right. I guess Tubby Smith wasn’t that bad. Look for Gillespie to get his first good win as the Kentucky coach and knock the Commodores from the ranks of the unbeatens.

      Kansas— The Jayhawks are deep in the backcourt and the frontline play of Arthur and Jackson has been very good. If that continues you’re looking at a repeat of 1988. I believe that the Jayhawks have the second best chance of running the table. They have leadership in Russell Robinson and experience at every position. Also, outside of Texas and Texas A & M the Big 12 is not very good. I think they will run the regular season table.

      Memphis— John Calipari has done what only Jerry Tarkanian was able to do at UNLV. He has recruited above the level of his conference. Give him credit. He could sell ice to eskimos. His team is so deep that his second string could start at most schools in the league. Also, Conference USA is the weakest of the leagues to compete against. Only one team in the league could give him a scare and that is Houston. If they play the perfect game they can beat the Tigers. I don’t see that happening. They are going to run the table in the league. Mark it down!

      College Basketball

      ST. LOUIS SETS NEW LOW

      January 11, 2008 /

      49-20!! That was the score of the St. Louis-George Washington game yesterday. No, not the halftime score! The Final Score!!The 20 points scored by St. Louis is the fewest points scored in the NCAA since the arrival of the shot clock. Here are the stats from last night:
      7-49 from the floor
      1-19 from the 3 pt. line
      14 turnovers (not too bad)
      Tommie Liddel–1-12
      Kevin Lisch– 1-9

      Those numbers are astounding. What is even more amazing is the fact that Rick Majerus has coached this team to 9 wins in 15 games. I had an opportunity to watch them practice early in the year and thought if they could win ten games that would be a heckuva coaching job. They have no inside threat to speak of and their point guard is average at best. Kevin Lisch is a good shooter, but streaky and Tommie Liddell for all his hype is just an athlete who is still learning to play the game.

      Coach Majerus has tried to slow the game down and play possession basketball. This is a tough thing to do when you don’t have an insider threat and a good point guard. I am sure there are writers and critics out there who will say Majerus doesn’t know what he is doing. Those are the guys who have never laced them up or called a time out in their lives. Afterall, the Billikens have beaten S. Illinois and Summit League leader IUPUI this season.

      On Saturday the Billikens will face nationally ranked Dayton. Look for a tight game and if Lisch and Liddell play up to their preseason hype then St. Louis will not only score more than 20 points, but pull off the upset as well.

      College Basketball

      Favre has no plans on hanging them up

      January 11, 2008 /

      For the past couple years, the hot topic around NFL circles was when Brett Favre would officially retire. However, after a fantastic 2007 regular season at age 38, Favre is showing every indication that he’ll return for an 18th season in Green Bay.

      “Each week, I bring more stress on myself wondering if this is too good to be true,” Favre told the Sun Herald. “I want to continue the streak and winning. When I talk about the streak, it’s not the (consecutive) starts; it’s the hot streak we are on. Then, I ask what can I do better?

      “I am trying to enjoy it because this could be my last game in Green Bay. For the first time in three years, I haven’t thought this could be my last game. I would like to continue longer.”

      Amazing what winning will do for a player; good for Favre. Retiring should be his decision and his decision alone – not the media’s. Obviously he can still play at a high level and after this year, nobody should question whether or not the game has passed him by. You tell us when it’s your last game, Brett.

      NFL

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