Category: External Sports (Page 265 of 821)

Blake Griffin wins the Sprite Slam Dunk [video]

Here are the highlights:

JaVale McGee, DeMar DeRozan and Serge Ibaka also put on a good show, but McGee wasn’t going to beat Griffin in a fan vote in the finals. McGee’s two-ball and three-ball dunks were impressive, but it took him a while to make them, which lessened their impact, at least with the fans.

I think this will be the ‘forgotten dunk’ of this contest since DeRozan didn’t make the finals and the dunk (somehow) didn’t make the NBA highlight:

Jim Gray should learn to report the story – not become it

For the second time since August, Jim Gray has found himself in the center of controversy involving professional golf.

In August of 2010, he got into a heated exchange with last year’s U.S. Ryder Cup team captain Corey Pavin, calling him a lair after he insisted that Pavin had told him Tiger Woods would be a shoe-in to make the team. Pavin refuted Gray’s report and the two exchanged words, at which point Gray shouted, “You’re going down!”

His most recent incident came at this weekend’s Northern Trust Open. Golfer Dustin Johnson was assessed a two-stroke penalty but avoided disqualification after he was late for his tee time on Thursday morning. Johnson’s caddy, Bobby Brown, took responsibility for the mistake and then became enraged when Gray decided to question Johnson during live action. After the round was complete, Brown and Gray reportedly got into a heated, profanity-laced argument.

Now, some will say that Gray was just doing his job but he could have waited to question Johnson until after the round was over. The penalty had been assessed and the round had already started, so most journalists would have probably waited before questioning the golfer about what happened.

Not wanting him or the situation to become a further distraction, the Golf Channel removed Gray from this weekend’s coverage. It was a smart move considering that Gray has taken it upon himself (whether purposely or not) to become the story. When you’re getting into multiple incidents with the people you’re supposed to be covering, that’s a problem.

Gray has been around long enough to know that he shouldn’t be a nuisance and yet that’s what he’s become.

2011 NFL Draft Needs: NFC North

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (C) and teammate Clay Matthews (L) celebrate their win over the Pittsburgh Steelers after the NFL’s Super Bowl XLV football game in Arlington, Texas, February 6, 2011. Rodgers was voted MVP of the game. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

2011 NFL Draft Needs: AFC East | AFC North | NFC East | NFC North

No. 12 Minnesota Vikings
Team Needs: QB, DT, DE, S, LB
Leslie Frazier has plenty of holes to fill in his first draft as head coach of the Vikings, perhaps none bigger than at quarterback. Brett Favre won’t be back and if Tarvaris Jackson is re-signed (which is a big “if”), he certainly won’t be handed the starting job. If Ryan Mallett or Cam Newton slips to Minnesota at No. 12, they’re definite possibilities to land in the Twin Cities. Defensively, Pat Williams probably won’t be back and it’s doubtful the Vikes see either Jimmy Kennedy or Letroy Guion as potential starters alongside Kevin Williams next year. On the outside, free agent Ray Edwards racked up eight sacks in 2010 but his production has dropped and thus, the Vikings have a reason not to break the bank to retain him this offseason. Everson Griffen and Jayme Mitchell have flashed their potenital, but can either be counted on as a starter opposite Jared Allen? At safety, Madieu Williams isn’t likely to be brought back and the Vikes could use a ballhawk to go along with either Husain Abdullah or Tyrell Johnson. The recently released O.J. Atowge might be a possibility via free agency.
First Round Possibilities: Cam Newton (Auburn), Ryan Mallett (Arkansas), Akeem Ayers (UCLA), Robert Quinn (North Carolina), Marcell Dareus (Alabama), Cameron Jordan (Cal), Aldon Smith (Missouri), Von Miller (Texas A&M).

No. 13 Detroit Lions
Team Needs: CB, OT
The Lions acquired Chris Houston and Alphonso Smith last year but seeing as how they play in a division that features two explosive passing attacks in Green Bay and Chicago, Detroit needs to continue to add pieces to its secondary. They should have a chance to land one of the top 3 corners (Patrick Peterson, Prince Amukamara, Brandon Harris) at No. 13 and if someone like Amukamara falls in their lap, I can’t see the Lions passing on such a highly touted prospect. Staying on the defensive side of the ball, this team needs more playmakers at the linebacker position. The Lions have already told Julian Peterson that he won’t be back and while the team may re-sign Bobby Carpenter, he’s best served as a backup. On the other side, Landon Johnson is unlikely to return as well after being placed on I.R. in late December. It seems like Detroit usually enters drafts needing to target linebackers and this year is no exception. Offensively, the line is improving and isn’t a pressing need but the team could stand to add depth.
First Round Possibilities: Patrick Peterson (LSU), Prince Amukamara (Nebraska), Brandon Harris (Miami), Jimmy Smith (Colorado), Nate Solder (Colorado), Greg Jones (Michigan State), Akeem Ayers (UCLA), Von Miller (Texas A&M), Bruce Carter (North Carolina), Mike Pouncey (Florida), Derek Sherrod (Mississippi State), Anthony Castonzo (Boston College).

Continue reading »

« Older posts Newer posts »