Month: January 2009 (Page 47 of 61)

      What’s wrong with the Celtics?

      January 7, 2009 /

      The Christmas Day loss to the Lakers was understandable. And maybe even the next night’s loss to the Warriors was forgivable, since it the second of back-to-back games and Oakland is always a tough place to play. But what about consecutive losses to the Knicks and the Bobcats, each with a day’s rest beforehand? After racing out to the best start in league history, the Celtics are now 2-5 in their last seven, and have lost back-to-back games to teams with a combined record of 26-42. Ouch.

      It’s tough to be the defending champs, because every night you’re going to get your opponent’s maximum effort. It’s also important to note that all five of those losses were road games, and it can be tough to win on the road in the NBA, especially when you have a big bull’s eye painted on your back.

      A quick look at the Celtics’ season stats reveals a few things:

      1. Other than Eddie House, they don’t have a legitimate three-point threat on their bench. This is an area where they miss James Posey (along with what he brought to the table defensively).

      2. Glen Davis is shooting 37% from the field, which is absolutely dreadful for a power forward. Despite bigger minutes, his points and rebounds are down. Not good.

      3. Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins are holding up to their end of the deal. Rondo is averaging 11.1 points, 7.6 assists and 4.9 rebounds a game, and he’s fourth in the league in steals. He is quickly developing into one of the best all-around point guards in the league. Perkins hasn’t made as big of a leap, but he’s a few minutes away from averaging a double-double. Right now he’s at 8.9 points and 8.5 rebounds per contest.

      Given how important James Posey was to the Celtics’ title run, we knew heading into the season that it was a big risk to let the Hornets sign him away. He brought solid defense and good three-point shooting, which are two things that are lacking on the Boston bench right now. The C’s are toying with the idea of bringing Stephon Marbury in for a trial run (if he ever agrees to a buyout with the Knicks), and he would provide some long-range punch off the bench. I don’t see a lot of other options for the Celtics, considering they don’t have a substantial expiring contract or tradeable players. Garnett and Pierce are untouchable, and the team can’t do without Ray Ray’s outside shooting. Rondo is too good and he would leave a gaping hole at point guard, and the same goes for Perkins in the middle. What are the C’s going to get for House, Tony Allen or Glen Davis? Leon Powe would be good trade bait, but the Celtics need his toughness and rebounding off the bench. Besides, it’s doubtful that Danny Ainge would make any major changes to this group since it got them to the Promised Land last season.

      I don’t think this 2-5 stretch is a sign that the Celtics aren’t for real. They are. The NBA season is a grind and they’ll be there at the end. It’s going to be interesting to see how they play at home tonight against a good Houston team and then on Friday at Cleveland.

      Thursday (1/8) Update: The Rockets did indeed beat the Celtics in Boston.

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA

      Sergio Garcia, prima donna

      January 7, 2009 /

      garciaAfter losing three consecutive times at golf’s biennial Ryder Cup, the United States finally creamed their European opponents last year.

      Apparently, skill was not the deciding factor. According to The Mirror, Sergio Garcia blames it on a host of other issues.

      The 28-year-old Spaniard failed to win any of his four matches in Valhalla as Paul Azinger’s team were victorious for the first time since 1999.

      “The US team played their cards well,” he said. “They knew where the pins were going to be and the tees and we didn’t. The locker-room we had was really, really small and uncomfortable. I wish it had been even half the size of theirs. We had two showers, one next to a toilet.

      “At the opening ceremony they played my anthem twice, once when the Spanish flag was raised and once when the Swedish flag was raised.”

      Garcia claimed captain Nick Faldo’s speech at the opening ceremony had been “too long” and said Europe had needed more than one vice-captain.

      But he added: “The defeat was not Faldo’s fault. Nick Faldo was not the best captain we have ever had, but I don’t think he was the worst.”

      And he also acknowledged he has little in common with Irishman Harrington.

      “He is not my best friend,” he said. “It’d probably not be good for us to be paired together.”

      Dude, Tiger Woods wins majors standing on one leg. You can complain next time when you’ve dislocated nine of your fingers.

      This is how second-tier sports such as golf remain popular in America. For one, we have the sport’s best player in Tiger Woods. However, our country’s best players can band together as a team to win these international events. When fussy Europeans complain about the “unfair” conditions while playing over here, it only strengthens the passion in the American golf fan. I’m not saying we should all subscribe to the Golf Channel — I’m just suggesting this is the same type of drama professional tennis needs. If Americans Andy Roddick and James Blake could win a Grand Slam every now and then, their countrymen would show their support, just like we did with Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi.

      And since when did you have to play with your best friend to win a golf match?

      Golf

      Michael Vick…in a Bears uniform?

      January 7, 2009 /

      Carol Slezak of the Chicago Sun-Times likes the idea of the Bears possibly showing interest in Michael Vick once he gets done sporting an orange jumpsuit.

      Michael VickBefore his hidden life became public knowledge, Vick was the most exciting player in the NFL and one of its most popular players, as well. The former No. 1 overall pick is a three-time Pro Bowl selection and took the Falcons to the playoffs twice. And while he wasn’t a great passer, his running ability made him a constant threat. Defenses had to respect him, and they did.

      No, we don’t know what kind of shape he’ll be in after nearly two years in prison. But Vick always has been a remarkable athlete, and he’s only 28. Good quarterbacks are tough to develop and tough to find on the open market. The position has been a particular challenge for the Bears throughout franchise history. Not that I’m ruling Kyle Orton out of the picture, mind you. But Angelo has made his priorities clear. If nothing else, he wants to see competition at the position. Vick would do the trick.

      Let’s assume he will leave federal prison rehabilitated in every way. Let’s assume he has learned the serious nature of his crimes and is repentant. Let’s assume he is drug-free. Let’s assume that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reinstates him. Under these circumstances, is there any reason why the Bears shouldn’t be interested in him?

      When considering Vick’s future, let’s not pretend the NFL is filled with perfect citizens. For every all-around good guy like Mike Brown, there’s another Plaxico Burress or Pacman Jones or Tank Johnson waiting to be found out. Vick deserves a chance to resume his career. There will be strings attached, of course. Morals clauses and counseling sessions and whatever else the league or a team might ask for to cover its risk. But in all likelihood, Vick will get another chance somewhere. Why not here?

      Talent has never been the issue with Vick. But what Carol seems to forget is that Vick was a distraction before he was ever labeled a dog-fighter. He allegedly gave a woman the herp, he allegedly used a trick water bottle to hide marijuana, he gave the double-fingered salute to the Georgia Dome crowd…and then he was busted for killing innocent animals. (While traveling with Vick early in his career, one of his friends also stole a watch from an airport employee, which the Falcons successfully swept under the rug.)

      And that’s just his off-field accomplishments. Let’s not forget that he has trouble hitting receivers — which the Bears don’t have, by the way — on a consistent basis, often carries the ball like a loaf of bread and has been labeled an athlete that would rather rely more on his God-given talent than his brain.

      The Bears should pass; they’re better off with Kyle Orton. Unless prison has made him a new man (highly doubtful), than Vick’s more trouble than he’s worth for Chicago. I believe that everyone deserves a second chance, but Vick was well past his second chance when the dog-fighting story came to light.

      NFL

      Ladies and gentlemen, your…Toronto Tarantulas?

      January 7, 2009 /

      A city’s reaction to becoming the permanent home of a professional sports expansion franchise isn’t all that different than that of a married couple that learns of an impending pregnancy – nervous excitement.

      At the press conference, political leaders will slap each other on their back for their efforts in securing the franchise and take on the role of grandparents to the city’s newest acquisition. Oh, they promise to be there every step in the development of the franchise, but in reality, they will only show up at events covered by the media (i.e. opening night, first playoff appearance, and the celebration ceremony of a championship, etc.). And they will remind everyone within an ear’s distance about their role in giving the franchise life and an opportunity to succeed.

      The owner and the fans take on the role of the expecting parents. Each will have a significant role in choosing team colors, mascot, and most importantly – the team’s nickname. A great article posted on mentalfloss.com list the top ten runner-up names of existing franchises.

      Here is an example of a team’s name that fans almost cheered for:
      The Toronto Tarantulas
      Few team names seem quite as dated as the Toronto Raptors’. The team started play in 1995 with a mascot that was obviously a nod to Jurassic Park, which had destroyed box-office records a couple of years earlier. However, looking at the list of names the Toronto franchise could have chosen, the Raptors seems like a terrific choice. The other nine finalists were the Tarantulas, Beavers, Bobcats, Dragons, Grizzlies, Hogs, Scorpions, T-Rex, and Terriers. “The Hogs” makes sense since Toronto’s historic nickname is Hogtown, but it lacks a certain menace and would have been catastrophic when the team picked Oliver Miller in the expansion draft. The rest of the finalists, however, look largely like they were culled from a list of things 13-year-old boys think are awesome, so kudos on picking the Raptors name. (This decision might mark the last time a franchise under Isiah Thomas’ direction made a wise choice.)

      The article reminded me of a time when my brother and I attended the NFL Experience at the 2003 Super Bowl in San Diego. A booth was selling t-shirts used in the football movie Any Given Sunday starring Al Pacino and Cameron Diaz. One shirt that caught my eye had George Washington as the mascot of the fictitious D.C. team. He had an intense, crazed look on his face that would have made Junior Seau cringe on the field. Well a purchase had to be made, and a revelation came to me after wearing the shirt in public a few times…a team’s name and their mascot must be attractive to the public for a franchise to be successful. People went ga-ga over my shirt even though it was completely fictitious and ridiculous, but it’s still better than wearing a tarantula on your chest.

      General Sports

      USC linebacker sorry he faked getting busy with Erin Andrews

      January 7, 2009 /

      By now most of you have seen the video of USC linebacker Rey Maualuga dancing behind Erin Andrews following the Trojans’ victory over Penn State in the Rose Bowl.

      According to SPORTSbyBROOKS.com, Maualuga is now sorry for the dance.

      Why was the “apology” necessary? Because, as USA TODAY says, certain women’s groups are still upset with his barbaric behavior:

      But Donna Lopiano, former CEO of the Women’s Sports Foundation, called Maualuga “my first-round pick for ‘offensive’ player of the year” and his dance behind Andrews “another example of a narcissistic, high-profile athlete believing that any behavior, no matter how inappropriate, is acceptable because of his status.

      “For those who would laugh off, celebrate or enable this behavior, think twice. Ms. Andrews could be your sister, daughter or wife.”

      Yes, because if someone dared do a white boy dance for all of two seconds behind my sister…well, let’s just say that it would be like the “curbing” scene from “American History X,” except not as family-friendly.

      Again, to make sure we’re clear about this: Maualuga never touched Andrews, didn’t lay a finger on her. He merely danced behind her for about two seconds while she wasn’t looking in order to crack up a few Trojan fans who were watching. Let’s face it, Bruce Pearl was way more handsy with Andrews than Maualuga ever got.

      Would Maualuga have done the same thing if it was, say, Todd Harris working the sidelines instead of Erin Andrews? Probably not. But in terms of actions that degrade women, this seems pretty mild. Plus, Andrews should consider herself lucky. When Maualuga parties, he has a history of being a bit more physical.

      Agreed. I don’t think you can go into this situation too deep and say, “Maualuga did this because he’s a football player and knows he can get away with anything.” I think he was just trying to be funny.

      College Football

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