Rope-a-Dopes

14 Years in the Making

2007-10-02T17:47:00.000-04:00

Not a whole lot to say here. I was too nervous to write anything during that roller coaster ride at the end of the season that ended with the Phils as NL East Champs (fuck the METS). Now they should be ready to face Colorado, who had an equally impressive ride to get in. The game times suck (I thought national audiences would like the Phils, and two top offenses going at it), but be ready for the City to shut down early the next couple days and cheer on the Phightin's. Colorado makes me nervous but if our starters (namely Hamels and Kendrick) can get things done, the Phils have a great shot.

I've been waiting a while to watch post season baseball in Philadelphia, lets make the most of the shot. Go Phillies

The Phils Make Me Want To Drink Excessively

2007-09-05T22:44:00.000-04:00

With a win today, the Phillies would have been 4 out in the division, 2 out in the wild card, and taken the series from the Braves.

Now disregard regard everything you just read. If you were listening to the game today, you probably thought the Phillies had this one wrapped up, like me, when I got out of my car with the Phils up 8 to 2. However, you, like me, are extremely naive and have no idea about how Flash and Brett 'Lights Out' Meyers really feel about 6 run leads. As it turns out, they really don't like them. Sure there were some bloop hits, broken-bat infield singles, and shoddy fielding (see Roberson) but there were also wild pitches, hard hit doubles, and worse yet, bases-loaded walks.

For me, this has to be one of the most frustrating losses of the year. This is September and the Phils are shitting the bed. The only guy who could be called dependable in our bullpen just doesn't have the juice half the time.

I've been quoted as saying, "Sometimes I think the more I drink the better the chances the Phillies have of winning."

But now its, "the more I drink the better the chances are that I won't remember what baseball is when I wake up."

What If He Was Ya Boy?

2007-07-26T00:12:00.000-04:00

Gone for Good?

Tuesday night I was sitting at Flat Rocks Saloon with some buddies watching the Phillies, having a beer, and waiting for my wings when a guy in a Michael Vick jersey walked through the door. He walked down the length of restaurant, turned around and came back towards the front of the bar, then left. Watching him walk in and then back out of the bar I couldn't help, but notice other people's eyes following him closely, half shocked, half disgusted. He wasn't looking for trouble though, he just wanted a place to enjoy some wings and have a cold one with his girl. He never looked at anyone and his demeanor was calm--he genuinely looked like a nice guy. When he stepped out we all turned to each other and laid into him.

"I mean you have to be sick to wear that man!"
"Yeah I mean wuddya doin?!"
"It is like saying hey look at me, I support abusing and murdering helpless animals."

It reminded me of guys wearing Duke lax jerseys last spring at college when the rape allegations came out. I saw them as as despicable and I just didn't understand it. What are you saying wearing that jersey? Do you support rape? Do you think you are funny? Are you looking for attention? We all learned a lesson from that case though...

Sitting there dumbfounded that this guy would have the gall to wear that jersey I got to thinking. Well did this guy really support dogfighting and abuse?

No. Of course he didn't, but then why did he wear the jersey knowing that he would be getting death stares from everyone who knew who Michael Vick was and had a heart in their chest.

It got us talking and got me thinking.

Theo, I see you baby!

What if Allen Iverson was being indicted by the FBI for dogfighting? Would I stand up for my man despite him being linked to something so terrible and heartless? After reflecting for a day, and then another day I honestly don't know. I have always had dogs and have 2 chocolate labs who I love dearly. I love Allen Iverson too. I grew up with him--hell, we grew up together! He is the underdog with the heart of a champion and keeps it so goddam real it hurts sometimes. He represents a culture misunderstood by mainstream America and it makes me love him even more. I have defended and argued for him endless times. I even used to carry Rick Reilly's article from 2001 in my wallet so I could just show it to people and tell them to stop hating, to get past the tattoos and the cornrows.

"Ohh Mike...."

Wearing the jersey isn't about taking sides between a favorite athlete and man's best friend though. It can't be. Maybe it was his solemn walk or his passive expression, but the guy at the bar was more of a 'dead man walking,' a martyr, a last shimmer of love for Michael Vick before they close the door on him. Let's be honest, he was arguably the most exciting football player of the decade. He did things that could only be done in Madden when your friend didn't know what the tackle button was yet. I never thought he was a top QB in the league, but you would watch the Falcons when you got the chance, thats for damn sure. There was no one like him and there may never be again. His tarnished legacy will be the kid from Bad Newz, VA with all the talent in the world who was so close to turning the corner to greatness, whose electrifying career was cut short by his inability to separate himself from his boys and a disgusting hobby that eventually led to his demise. But his game and highlights will certainly never be forgotten.

More than anything I feel bad for the guy wearing the Vick jersey and all the people who wear the Vick jersey. They didn't know it would turn out like this. They just loved him and lined up to support him every Sunday for the past 6 years. Vick might go to jail, they are saying he probably will never play again, but he will be fine and retire with millions of dollars and probably live a happy life in the long run. So who does all of this really hurt? My man wearing the jersey.

I hear your pain.

Iverson was interviewed last weekend at his annual Summer Classic Weekend after a celebrity game of flag football. In response to a question about cutting ties with old friends Iverson said this.

"You know, I don't think it's fair to say, 'Stay away from the people you grew up with,'" he said. "It's hard to have a relationship with people once you're already rich. You have to have a relationship with the same people you grew up with.

"But at the same time, you've got to make sure the guys are not hurting you. You've got to be smart enough to know when they're hurting you and when they're helping you."

I am just glad it wasn't me wearing an Iverson jersey Tuesday night, feeling everyone glare at me in disgust because...well why? Don't hate on him, he just lost his boy.

Transformers: Dumbed Down to Double their Dollars

2007-07-17T15:31:00.000-04:00

Prime

When I was a kid my favorite cartoons were G.I. Joe, Thundercats, and Transformers. They were action packed, complex, and totally bad ass. So last winter when I saw a preview for Transformers I was pretty elated. I went back and watched a few episodes on the web just to get myself back in the swing of things. It is funny how much you remember from the hours spent watching them when you were a kid and how much more there is to these cartoons than what you could grasp as a child. The Transformers cartoon full length movie had Optimus Prime sacrificing himself to save the galaxy. Megatron was killed and then usurped by Starscream who has always had an inferiority complex to Megatron and a lust for power that is seen from the first cartoon in the series. Megatron is reformed in the movie and returns with venegeance to overthrow Starscream and take back the reigns of the Decepticons. This is only what I remember having not seen the movie in probably 14 years (it is on my Netflix queue though), but it was complex, edgy, and certainly challenged the comprehension of an 8 year old.

"You got the touch!...You got the Power!!!"

The new Transformers movie was well, as expected. It was visually incredible (including Megan Fox), action packed, funny, and had a happy ending that setup hopefully many more movies to come. Despite enjoying almost every minute of the movie it just wasn't a good movie. It was corny, soft, and full of endorsements. I can get over all the Autobots being GM brand cars, I guess, and every Michael Bay movie is going to have some cheesy humor in it, but what really got me was how the movie was dumbed down. We didn't get to meet the Transformers and their unique characters. We barely got to see them interact with each other. The focus was on the humans instead of the Transformers and this was probably the biggest difference between the cartoon and the movie.

The hardest scene to watch was when Sam (Shia LaBeouf) was looking for his grandfather's glasses while simultaneously trying to get rid of his parents and hide the Autobots in his yard. While it was great to see the Autobots up close, they were lowered to clumsy dummies, helpless to this goofball kid who was wasting time trying to convince his mom that he wasn't playing with himself. The fate of the galaxy is on the line here, man! Another tough scene to watch was when Capt. Lennox (Josh Duhamel) had to use a credit card to telephone the Pentagon while in the middle of being attacked. I mean come on... Lastly, Agent Simmons (John Turturro) was a terrible character who was a far stretch from being a leader in a government organization that was so top secret that the Secretary of Defense didn't even know about it. Again, his character was created for a few extra laughs, but what was sacrificed was any remaining integrity the movie could have had.

Wish I was rockin' these back in the day...not so much now though

Leaving the movie I was thoroughly entertained, but I kept asking myself why the producers felt such a need to create a movie that was so hollow. The obvious answer is viewers would enjoy a movie that focused on the humans and had humorous elements even if they strayed far from the feeling of the original cartoon. Here is the thing though: would fans not have enjoyed a film that was much darker, focused more on the Transformers, and lacked the excesses? Would they not have understood a deeper interplay between the characters and more complex story line that as 6 and 10 year-olds we loved so much? Of course they would have! They still could have created a movie that was PG-13, but made it so much better. Batman Begins is the first of the new superhero movies to do this and it was great (the X-Men movies were good too)! It made millions of dollars and managed to actually be a good movie too.

Look at the success of the Star Wars movies and the Lord of the Rings series. These are great movies that are not just visually stimulating, but they are so good because they completely immerse the viewer in the worlds they depict. Why doesn't anyone try to recreate this type of epic movie with these superhero stories?

Megan Fox. The name says it all.

I will never understand why movie producers create such fluff movies out of all these wonderful cartoon and comic book characters. By underestimating public comprehension and letting the marketing and money change the scope of the movie--if this is in fact their reasoning--they turn gold into garbage almost every time. The only hope for the Tranformers is that the producers and directors wise up and aim to capture the full potential of these movies. All hope is not yet lost.

The Phillies at the Break

2007-07-11T23:22:00.000-04:00

We are halfway through a baseball season people. The Phillies are a .500 ballclub, leaving them 4.5 out in the NL east and 4.5 out of the wildcard. Thats right, I'm talking playoffs. An event unattended by the Phillies since 1993.

Love Him, the original fat man.

Making a comeback in '07

Ah the memories...

If you saw the paper today, Steven A. thinks we are going nowhere. I think Steven A. is a jerk who should generally stick to basketball columns.

Why does this guy insist that the Phillies don't have it?

I'm not trying to suggest that the Phillies are a great team or that they are playoff bound. However, we sit in better shape now than we did this time last year. We have a great young core (as mentioned by Screamin' A.) who proved they could turn it on in the second half last year. The offense leads the league in runs. Oh but wait, the pitching.

Lets talk pitching for a while. Right now the Phillies are carrying 8 bullpen pitchers. Can you name them all? Here is a quick rundown with some stats:

Jose Mesa - 8.28 ERA, he is used up, there is no excuse for him being in our lineup. In 25 innings he has given up 23 earned runs, 28 total, as well as 6 homers and an almost even K/BB ratio of 13/12. Why is he here?
J.C. Romero - 2 hits and 0 runs in 3 innings pitched
Alfonseca - not too bad for a fat guy. he has held it down while Meyers and Gordon are out but still just 6 for 9 in save opportunities
JD Durbin - Has his ERA down to 14 after starting his big league career with a 94.5 ERA performance
Ryan Madson - 3.66 ERA including some tough situations, not bad
Brain Sanches - In 10.2 innings: 4.22 era, 5/9 K/BB, 2 HR

Mike Zagurski - In 15.1 innings: 4.7, 14/7, 2 HR. Manchild, love him even when he struggles

Anderson Garcia - 1 appearance for 2/3 of an inning giving up 1 run for a 13.5 era

Looking at those stats is no wonder we own the worst team era in the NL and 3rd worst overall. There are some guys in there who have potential and might help in the future, and there are some guys who aren't good anymore or never were. There are serious needs here. But, a trade and the return of Gordon/Meyers could totally turn this thing around.

I think our starting pitching has been decent: Cole is great, Moyer has battled valiantly, Kendrick could be a decent player in the league, and Eaton has underachieved, but not by Pat Burrel standards. However, four starters won't get you into the playoffs, so, like the bullpen, we need help from a trade.

Gillick must do something. There are a couple guys in the minor league system who have potential but probably not this year. Namely Carrasco and Outman. However, they are not ready and the rest of the minor league system sucks. Look no further than C.J. Henry, the gem of the Abreu trade, who is looking to quit baseball for basketball.

Did you see J-Roll rocking the pants rolled up last Sunday on Colorado? Expect some more of it in the second half. And how about that tarp business? What a bunch of character guys these Phillies are. Real Rolemodels.

I don't know about you but I am ready for the second half to begin. What Phillies team will we see out there? Will Pat Gillick pull the trigger on a big move? Will the team even let Meyers come back if he can return? Will old Coolerpants Manuel keep his job? How many teams have ever finished the season with the most runs but the worst pitching?

I leave you with this advice from the Manchild on Monday night: "If you can't win, then get drunk"...

NBA Draft '07

2007-06-29T14:14:00.000-04:00

Winners

Portland Trailblazers
Greg Oden gives the Trailblazers a dominant center who impacts the game on both sides of the floor and will be the premiere center in the league for the next 10 years. The Blazers didn't stop here. By getting rid of Zach Randolph and bringing in Channing Frye along with drafting two European standouts (Rudy Fernandez and Petteri Koponen), they have changed the mindset and image of the team.

Note: Josh McRoberts is a bum and his drop all the way to #37 is a testament to this. With that said, he is apparently good friends with Oden and a decent pick up at #37. I am just thankful the Billy King didn't take him.

Seattle SuperSonics
Durant will be great, but picking up Jeff Green to play alongside him was great. Green's pass first mentality is perfect for Durant and his solid defense, bball IQ, and strong character will go a long way in the league. Getting rid of Ray Allen signifies a new era for the Sonics (like the Blazers) and gives the reigns to Durant. Despite taking on Wally's contract from Boston, they can still offer Rashard Lewis a big contract which they are expected to pursue after ridding themselves of Ray Allen's contract.

Goldenstate Warriors
They replaced Jason Richardson with versatile and athletic Brandon Wright from UNC. Wright has a high-ceiling for improvement and will thrive in Nellie's system. Moving Richardson also open up $10 million to sign-free agents or for trades. Marco Bellini is another high-tempo guy who has proved himself in the Italian league. He looks like Manu in the few highlights I have seen.

New York Knicks
As predicted, Isiah made major moves in the off-season once again. For once they seem to be the right moves. Bringing in Randolph to play the 4 along side Curry at the 5, and supported by David Lee they arguably have the best front court in the East, at least on paper. Chemistry problems could ensue, but that is for Isiah to deal with. Getting rid of Francis and his contract was a near miracle as well. If New York can play even close to their potential they will certainly make the playoffs this year--that is a big 'if' though.

Spike believes in Isiah

Losers

Boston Celtics
I just don't understand anything this team does. They trade a #5 pick and a solid young point guard for a 32 year old sharpshooter who is past his prime. Pierce, Allen, and Big Al appear to be a strong 3, especially in the East, but how is this offense going to work? Allen and Pierce play the same role, jump-shooter. They don't have a penetrate and dish point guard (Rondo could emerge over time) and while Big Al's numbers are increasingly impressive since entering the league are teams really going to leave Pierce or Allen open to double him in the post? I just don't see that happening and I just don't get it. Stay young and build around an already solid core of young talent. The Bulls started doing this 3 years ago and look where they are and where they are heading. The C's pushed back any chance they have of becoming very good down the road and for what? A playoff birth and a probable first round exit. Ainge loves making big moves every off-season so their roster could still change a bit before the season starts.

Miami Heat
It isn't that I don't like Daequon Cook I just don't understand the pick. He is athletic, but raw and therefore won't see very much playing time this year under Riles. They have a shallow bench filled with injured-ridden veterans, yet their only pick got them a guy who won't play very much.

In other news I caught an episode of "Shaq's Big Challenge" on ABC. Shaq takes a group of overweight kids and is tries to get them to lose weight by exercising and eating healthy. He s also educating America about the importance of living a healthy life.

Shaq helping the kids

Sacramento Kings
This is another team on the decline who only had one pick and used it on a guy that doesn't seem to make sense for their team. Spencer Hawes is a versatile center who has a decent outside shot, but don't they already have Brad Miller doing this? They aren't going to play both of them at the same time.

The bigger issue is that they need to move Artest and why not move him on draft day to get a pick or two, any pick or two?

To Be Determined...

Philadelphia 76ers
It would have been nice if they took Thornton with their first pick, but everything I have heard about Thaddeus Young has been good. Jason Smith is a tall, versatile big man who can run the court and hit open jump shots. He was even predicted to be a lottery pick at one point and his game has been compared to that of Yi Jianlian's. Derrick Byars is a solid ball player and should fit in well with Philadelphia's young, athletic, and defensive minded team. Herbert Hill is a bruiser who should also make the team--and hopefully kick Shavlik Randolph off the team.

More than anything Billy King showed me something by staying young and letting his players develop (and by not picking McRoberts). The Sixers look like the baby Bulls of 2 years ago.

Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers
Both teams are in limbo this off-season. Both teams are on the decline with superstars who are in their prime and unhappy with the direction of the team. KG going to LA would be exciting, but the logistics of it just don't work. There was talk of KG going to Phoenix for Amare and other considerations, but this doesn't make sense. Neither team did very much with the draft as far as acquiring prospects or making trades. It will be interesting to see how both these teams end up by the time the season starts. As a fan I can only hope that something happens here.

Phoenix Suns
The Suns traded away the 24th pick (second year in a row they traded away a first round pick) for cash. This is 4 years in a row that they have traded away a first round pick. They are a very successful team and were robbed of a chance to compete in the West finals this year, but I don't understand trading away first round draft picks year after year and in this case only for cash. I can't imagine that they really need the few million dollars the pick got them.

As far as their draft picks I like both players a lot. I can see Alando Tucker emerging into a Mo Peterson type player and DJ Strawberry has the potential to be a lock down defender and has a proven work ethic. People have knocked the picks because they won't fit in well with the run and gun style the Suns play because neither is an effective perimeter shooter, but with so many other perimeter scorers on the team they don't need to be, yet. Raja Bell didn't have a jumper in 2001 on the Sixers, but was able to develop one over time. I can see the athletic Tucker and Strawberry doing the same.

Top 10 Sandwiches for Men

2007-06-06T12:31:00.001-04:00

After extensive research and endless round table discussions here is the ultimate list of sandwiches for men.

10) Ham & Cheese
In it's purest form, white bread, ham, American cheese (preferably orange craft singles), and maybe some mustard. If you really want to make it special grill it in a pan.

The basic sandwich for a man. It thrives off of its simplicity and availability. Known to stick to the top of your mouth and best had with a glass of milk and 2 Advil.

9) Sloppy Joe
Ground beef mixed with special tomato sauce, slopped onto a kaiser.

You probably last had this one back in high school when Thursday was Sloppy Joe's!!. Thought to contain ground beef, but who really knows...

8)Pulled Pork Sandwich
Slow cooked pork loin 'pulled' off the bone to create the shredded texture, lathered in BBQ sauce, and placed on a Kaiser. Usually served with a side of slaw and corn on the cob.

A sleeper pick and undeniable when done right.

7) Sausage, Peppers, and Onions
Hot or Sweet Italian sausage, roasted peppers, caramelized onions, on a hearty Italian long roll.

Whether it is at Aunt Maria's cookout or at the ball game, this classic is undeniable.

6)Hot Roast Beef
Roast Beef on a Kaiser with a side of au jus and horseradish.

Don't be scared by the au jus, this is a mean sandwich. Bread and beef, period. Great with a flavorful beer.

5)Sausage, Egg, and Cheese
Fried egg, breakfast sausage, and American cheese.

If we could eat them every morning we would.

4) The Italian
Ham, Salami, Provolone, lettuce, onions, oil, mayo, and tomatoes are the basics. Pepperoni, Soppressata, Capicola, hot, sweet, or roasted red peppers, parmesan cheese and oregano are other additions to this Godfather of all sandwiches.

Call it a sub, a hoagie, or a grinder this behemoth can come in many shapes and sizes, a classic go to move at any deli.

3)Meatball Sub
Meatballs (preferably mom's homemade), tomato sauce, provolone, parmesan, and oregano on a long roll.

You can get it anywhere and it is hard to screw this one up.

2)Cheesesteak
Sliced rib-eye grilled with provolone, American, or the famous Whiz. Onions, mushrooms, peppers, and even brocolli rabe are all possible additions.

From the city of Brotherly Love comes this beautiful baby. Whether you are at Dalessandro's, Pat's, Jim's, Geno's, Tony Luke's or your local pizza place everyone does it differently and everyone has their opinion. We can all agree that it is just about the manliest around.

1)Bacon Cheeseburger
Classic. We all know it, love it, and have our own variations.

Feed Him to the Dogs

2007-05-29T10:31:00.000-04:00

So long Mike Vick. You went from being the most exciting and promising player in the NFL, to overrated and incapable of having a passing game to compliment your legs, to now being an absolute disgrace. You are officially my least favorite player in the league. If you haven't heard, Vick is under investigation for breeding and hosting dogfights on his property in Virginia. His cousin lives/runs the property, but the property is under Vick's name. Earlier this week a 'witness' came forward claiming that Vick not only bred and fought dogs, but was a 'heavyweight' in the dogfighting scene. The 'witness' appears to be a reliable source having been involved in dogfighting for 30 years and describes fighting (and winning) against Vick.

Right back at you Mike.

I tried to watch the Outside the Lines story about dogfighting, but after 15 second of the intro which depicted the dogs mauling each other to the death I had to turn away. I don't have a weak stomach, but I admittedly have soft spot for dogs having them since I was born and animal abuse infuriates me like few other things. People compare dogfighting to UFC fighting. This is an absurd notion. People choose to fight in the Octagon. Dogs have no sense of what they are doing. Their instincts take over when thrown in the ring with another dog and it is kill or be killed. It is organized murder for senseless entertainment.

Natural Born Killer? Come on...

Humans have always bred, trained, and used animals for their betterment. From oxen pulling ploughs to genetically altered mice studied and sacrificed for medical research, animals are a useful tool for humans. Some would say dogfighting is similar to both of these examples; the animal is bred for a purpose, used for that purpose, and then killed when they are no longer needed. Nope, no way. It is the context that matters. These dogs are bred and trained to kill, simply a tool used for entertainment, nothing more. Their lives are used to facilitate the exchange of money through bets and the rush of watching them kill each other.

Gotta love playing as Vick in Madden.

It looks like Mike Vick will be suspended for a good long while if this 'witness' and others who are stepping forward turn out to be legit. If Pacman got a year for being a goofball and 'making it rain' among other things without any convictions, Mike Vick should at the absolute least expect to sit out a year. I feel bad for Mike Vick fans and the Atlanta Falcons organization. Trading Matt Schaub was a huge mistake in hindsight.

After Mike Vick is excoriated for his disgusting hobby and for blowing his chance at being a NFL legend--a unique player who could have changed his position like Lawrence Taylor and Tony Gonzalez did--there just might be some positives to come out of all this. Often is the case when celebrities stumble; their flaws are brought into the public spotlight and positives changes ensue. In the wake of Don Imus' comments that got him fired, other offensive radio personalities were fired or suspended for racial insensitivity. It is no longer acceptable to make such remarks. Andre Waters suicide and Oakland Raider's center Barret Robbins battle with depression (he was unable to play in the Superbowl because of an episode) have once again highlighted depression as a serious disease and for football players a side effect of concussions. Other experiences like Derek Fischer's daughter's battle with retina blastoma or Alonzo Mourning's recovery from kidney failure have helped raise awareness about these diseases and will save lives in the future.

The same should happen with Mike Vick's story because really, it isn't Mike Vick's story. He is just another dog breeder and dog fighter, one of 20,000-40,000 in the United States according to ESPN. Clinton Portis pointed this out, though his comments were insensitive and certainly didn't help Vick's case. Dogfighting is a multiBILLION dollar industry in the United States. It is extremely private and unknown to the public. My hope is that the backlash of this story will open the door to this gruesome and heartless industry. Dog lover's will be moved to speak up about it and hopefully things will change. Vick will certainly be booed more than ever if and when he returns to the NFL. When searching for pictures of Mike Vick on Google bloodied and emaciated pitbulls show up next to pictures of the quarterback playing football. Maybe some how, some way he will realize his hobby for what it is, change, and work to fight against it. I doubt it, but only then will I see him as more than an animal abusing, low-life dog.

No, not a dog, that is an insult.

50 games in...

2007-05-28T12:40:00.000-04:00

The Phightin's are fifty games into the 2007 season (thats about 31% of the way through for any amateurs out there) and they sit in 3rd place in the NL East, 6.5 back of the absurdly annoying Mets but only 2 behind the second place Braves, who the Phils crushed this weekend. That being said, the team is struggling to find consistency amidst injuries, bull-pen questions, a manager from Buena Vista (you'd know if you've been there...), etc. At least Ryan Howard (aka Powered Howard, Rhino, Blue Hurt) looked good this weekend...

What excites me about the Phillies right now is the production we are seeing (even in limited playing time) from the bench. Specifically, Greg Dobbs.
The guy has been killing it since Spring Training, he is this years Chris Coste, he needs to play as much possible. The "Phillies Notes" today's Inqy give some idea of Dobbs' dominance:

The Phillies are 13-2 when Greg Dobbs starts. Coincidence? "I'm not about being superstitious, but shoot," lefthander Cole Hamels said. Dobbs went 2 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs yesterday. Andruw Jones robbed him of a second homer in the third inning when he made a spectacular leaping catch at the wall in center field. Dobbs played second base in the eighth and ninth innings - the first time in his life he had played there.

Playing out of position, crushing balls like AJ Feely crushes Heather's box, what more can you ask from the guy? Plus his name rolls off the tongue so well. Try the "Lets go Greg Dobbs" chant the next time you head to the Bank, it might just catch on.

Another guys who needs to see a little more playing time: Michael Bourn. Even though his average sucks he is a menace on the base paths. Remember that time he ran for Burrell (see below), stole second and third, then scored on a ground ball with the infield in? Also from today's Inqy:

Michael Bourn started for the third time in five games. He played yesterday in place of leftfielder Pat Burrell, who is hitless in his last 17 at-bats. Bourn went 2 for 10 with one RBI, two walks, two steals and three runs in those starts.

Bourn might be the opposite of Pat, Speed VS. Power, but he has proven effective at scoring runs. Pat has given us this:

One last name to mention is recent call-up Mike Zagurski. This guy looks like he belongs on a couch more than on the mound, but starting your major league career with 2.1 innings of scoreless, one-hit ball isn't too shabby. Maybe he can be the left handed arm out of the pen that Phils have lacked all year. By the way, his nickname is Bronko according to this interesting article on phillies.com.

In their first fifty games the Phillies have provided plenty of entertainment, but also disappointment. Looking at past performances I'm not surprised the Phils are where they are, lets just hope they get hot in time to make a run at the post-season. Hopefully, getting over .500 for the first time in six chances over the weekend will be just what the Phils needed to get them rolling. Come down to the ballpark tonight to see the Phils take on the Diamondbacks. Remember not to eat anything all day as it is a DDN. Look for me in 137, the guy with the mustard on his shirt sitting next a man with red hair, who's not to be trusted.

I leave you with an image of two players from the Northwestern women's lax team, who just three-peated the NCAA's this weekend in Philly. I always thought female laxers were kinda hot but...

Starting Five 5/21/07

2007-05-21T10:33:00.000-04:00

It has been a minute, but I'm back. Let's get back into things with a my starting five for the week.

1) Booo NBA Playoffs-
It appears the NBA playoffs peaked in the first round with the Warriors beating the Mavericks with their wild style and the Jazz and Rockets taking their series to seven games. I also enjoyed watching the Nuggets and Iverson, despite quick departure. The Second round presented one intriguing series between the Suns and Spurs, which was tainted by the dirty play of the Spurs and the inability of the league to interpret a terrible rule, which handed the series to the Spurs. I like David Stern and I am not surprised that he just went by the book here, but come on, you really blew it for everyone and you know it. Steve Nash finally won me over too.

Now we have to look forward to LeBron passing too much and missing free throws down the stretch as he falls to the Pistons again and the Spurs and Jazz boring the hell out of us. Oh well, maybe next year.

2)Hooray Yanks and Sox-
Every year brings new intrigue with this rivalry and this year is no exception. After winning 9 division titles in a row the tables have turned for the Yankees as they are playing catch up to the hot Red Sox who are the best team is baseball so far. This week presents an extra special series because of the dire situation the Yanks have put themselves in. The Sox coming to town may be just what they need to get their season back on track. The Sox could put the Yanks further into their hole by taking the series based in New York. I'll be watching.

Don't count the Yankees out. Wang, Mussina, Pettite, Clemens, and Hughes sounds pretty good to me and you know they will start hitting more consistently. Plus, they are the Yankees, come on! For more, check this out.

3) Leave McNabb Alone!!-
Has there ever been a player that was picked on more for no reason that Donovan? The guy has been the cornerstone of the Eagles most successful era in franchise history leading them to 4 NFC championship games and a SuperBowl as well as being a 5 time Pro Bowler and a model citizen on and off the field. Was it Donovan or Andy Reid's overly conservative and poor playing calling down the stretch that lead to Philly's inability to win a title? Do people really think AJ Feeley, Kelly Holcomb or the controversial rookie Kolb can replace a Hall of Fame quarterback? Either way, the Philadelphia media, the national media, and just plain haters like Rush Limbaugh, can't give this guy a break. In Saturday's Inquirer there was an article referring to a Chicago rumor about a possible Lance Briggs for Donovan McNabb trade that could happen before the start of the season. The article even posed the question, "What Eagles fans are probably asking is why would the Bears want to do this trade?" Are you kidding me!? I swear journalists will write anything to be heard.

4)NBA Lottery Drawing- Tuesday is the most anticipated day for Celtics fans in years. The numbers are with them with a 40% chance of getting a a top two pick, but karma is against them after shamelessly tanking their season. It will be fun to watch what Billy King does with 3 first round picks and 1 second round pick. And how about this guy.

Why don't they bring back original format of the draft where all the teams that don't make the playoffs have an equal chance of getting the top pick.? This would get rid of the tanking phenomenon and encourage teams to put more into developing their players. The league is so concerned about its players acting appropriately, how about the franchises and management following suit?

5) Thank you Warriors- They were the most exciting thing to happen to the NBA this year and maybe in quite a few years. Their style was wild and their passion was raw and refreshing. They were probably just a flash in the pan, but man was it fun. The juxtaposition (yeah, I said it) between Stephen Jackon, Baron Davis, JRich, Matt Barnes and the like, with Nellie's laid back, let 'em run attitude (not to mention getting in trouble for bringing a beer to a press conference) was something special.

Baron is still a bad, bad man.

I'll beat him with my blackness

2007-05-06T00:41:00.000-04:00

Like most things boxing, the most hyped fight of the 21st century failed to live up to its billing. Or did it? If you see boxing in the classical sense, two fighters in a ring by themselves, squaring off until the death, then by all means, this fight fell in line with many other flops.

However, if boxing is the event, the hype, the marketing, the money, then De La Hoya-Mayweather 1 (I say 1, because we know that 2 will be announced once there are no other fights to promote) perhaps has just revolutionized the world of sports. HBO and Golden Boy Promotions commoditized racial stereotypes in a way that has never been done before. Sure, Holmes-Cooney may have been more anticipated yet it relied on racial tension to push the fight, rather than create them to make the fight.

Oscar De La Hoya is a Mexican-American. He is not white as in Gerry Cooney or Jim Jeffries white. Yet America, which to be fair has always embraced Oscar, has never pulled harder for a fighter since Cooney took the ring across Larry Holmes. He became the model of family values with his wife sitting ringside and his two children's name across his shorts. He was polite. He was respectful. He became white America.

At the same time, Floyd Mayweather Jr. became everything this country is, but rejects in its typical hypocritical manner. He is brash. He is arrogant, cocky, and rude. He donned the Mexican colors to mock De La Hoya's heritage. 50 Cent brought him into the ring with "Straight To The Bank" (fitting for many reasons) blasting to a crowd where all in the arena have commas in their bank accounts and all watching on television contributed 50 Dollar.

And as expected, the fight was a complete domination (how the fight was a split decision is beyond me). Mayweather used his quick hands to exploit De La Hoya, poking jab after jab with the precision of a marksman. Yet the irony of the fight is that Mayweather in the ring isn't flashy. He is smart. He uses his speed, yes, but it was his superior boxing intelligence that won the fight. He outwitted De La Hoya just like Jack Johnson and Muhammad Ali made routine. The Pretty Boy sat back and picked away and the "wows" and "yeahs" that roared from the crowd when De La Hoya came at Mayweather in a flurry of ineffective punches were nothing compared to the "oohs" the came after each Mayweather carefully delivered blow to De La Hoya's head.

Is this the end of boxing? Of course it's not, because with technology making pay-per-viewing on plasma TVs a reality for many, boxing will continue its marketing domination. What presents a more frightening situation is that as the entire world of sports begins to realize the money that can be made by proffiting off of this country's racial tension, we may be entering a world when Don Imus may just find himself employed again very soon.

In the meantime, who else is looking forward to watching Golden State and Utah play?

The Family Sits Down to Watch AI in the Playoffs

2007-04-28T23:55:00.000-04:00

Sitting down to watch the game, I thought, if Mr. Simmons can do it so can I. So I gave it a shot.

8:02 Here we go and Bill Walton is on board!
Mom, “Those uniforms are pretty.”

8:13 It’s ridiculous how many shots Camby has already taken. Always a bad sign. His shot is more ridiculous than Aaron McKie’s. He does it because he thinks it looks sweet, I swear.

8:15 Nene with the baseline spin and the beautiful lay-in. Hakeem Jr. As Magic said before game 1, he is the key to this series because the Spurs have no answer for him. Foul trouble will be his kryptonite.

8:19 Walton, “AND A 3-SECOND VIOLATION!!” Oh yeah, he is warming up.

8:20 “It is amazing to me how many people don’t realize the connection between nutritious eating and health.” Really Bill?

8:25 Just saw a commercial for the 11:00 news featuring a story about the underground Philadelphia porn industry. “Rich and compelling.”

8:28 George Karl got a T for being out of the coach’s box. When was the last time they called that one? I feel a slight favoritism for the Spurs. We shall see…

8:29 JR with the alley-oop!! Good to see him getting some burn here after very little in the first 2 games.

8:31 Mark Jones (Who!?) just said something about a “Melo man march” during the highlights before the commercials. He may challenge Bill for awesome comments tonight.

8:35 Allen just told Jacque Vaughn to get the hell off him without saying a word. Maybe Allen will step over Jacque after hitting one from the corner a la Tyrone Lue, game 1 ’01 Finals. Definitely one of the top 5 days of my life.

8:37 The Spurs just had a huddle at the free throw line a la the Dukies. Makes me sick. Hakeem Jr. spins baseline pump fake to get Oberto in the air, draws the foul, to the line for two. Lets go!

8:42 Slowski’s!! Mom, “I love these commercials! They should make a show out of them.” I agree mother.

8:45 AI finally gets to the line. And-1. Lets go!

8:48 Dad, “Well they have missed 11/12 and are still up one.” Agreed. Nuggets have fallen into one of their 5-10 minute funks where they take bad shots, miss lay-ups and stop driving to the basket. Where are you George Karl? Do you just coach before and after the games?

8:51 Tim Duncan with a block on JR. “That’s a goal-line stand on draft day!” Sorry Mark Jones (Who?! Who?! No really, who?), not buying that one.

8:58 Nuggets have 11 points in the quarter with 2+ minutes to go. They are narcoleptic the way their offense just shuts down. San Antonio plays the best D in the league, but come on fellas!

At least there are already commercials for Madden ’08. After the Sox won the World Series there is no stronger curse than the Madden curse. It will be interesting to see if Vince Young’s magic can overcome it. I am going with Madden on this one.

Halftime Analysis

It makes no sense that the Nuggets are only down 3 points. They were completely out played the entire second quarter. From giving up offensive boards to the Spurs, to taking bad shots and being stagnant on offense, they look unfocused and lazy. Melo is 3/7 from the line and missed his last 3 FTs looking like a head case. Iverson can’t get to the line and they have gone away from Nene (again!) after another strong first quarter. If the Spurs shot a little better this game wouldn’t be close.

All that said, it is a 3-point game.

Chubby Hubby is a great halftime treat. Pretzels and peanut butter in ice cream!? They would never come up with this stuff if they weren’t in Vermont.

9:27
Nice little commentary as we begin the half about Iverson’s kids making friends at their new school. Great to hear it. AI to the line for 2. Next possession, a pull up jumper in the lane, count it. LETS GO!

9:28 Another jumper from Ivey. 6 straight points! Those baby blue Question 1’s are on my birthday wish list. Kiddin’ me!? My brother got a youth large Iverson Nugget jersey because you can’t find the real ones anywhere.

9:34 Back-to-back emphatic blocks by Elson on Iverson and then Camby on Parker! Things are picking up here.

“THIS IS OURRR COUNTRYYY” F!#% you John Cougar, F!#% youuuu!!

9:38 Announcers mention that Iverson said he ran a 4:20 mile (Sure it wasn’t a 4:19 or a 4:21? Coincidence? I think not) when he was in Philadelphia and has 5% body fat. Mom didn’t like that they called him a freak either. I had to explain it was a complement. She loves Allen.

9:41 Nene with the up and under. Hakeem Jr. Get him the damn ball! And where is Bill with his thunderous “Throw it doooown big man”? He has been pretty mellow tonight.

9:50 In response to JR’s erratic drive to the basket that ended up in a turnover:
“These guys are out of control. Honestly, they have no focus. Set up a play or something. I could tell them what to do better, really! All these hyper-active ADHD guys.” Get ‘em Ma!

9:54 “I like the Nuggets. They have a lot of glamor clothes. Those yellow shawls (towels) and the baby blue. Very fashionable.” She stays killin’.

10:03 It’s all falling apart here. Where did the offense go? Why haven’t they gone to Nene down low? Where is the help inside on D from the defensive player of the year? Even the isolations for Melo have disappeared. They look lost, I don’t understand.

Little fact here from Mark Jones (Who!?) just mentioned. Najera is the third highest endorsed athlete—and only Hispanic player in the league—on the Nuggets. What about Arroyo? I wonder what Najera’s endorsement ranking is the entire league.

10:14 Blake hits a deep 2! “Oh my! Where did they get this pale child?”
“Steve Blake, he has been playing the whole game.”
“Really? He looks like he is from Hare Krishna.” I had to look up that reference. Good stuff mom!

10:15 Tony Parker has taken over. He might have surpassed Iverson as quickest in the league. And then there is Eva. And again, why not.

Melo just hit a 3-pointer. 5-point game with 2 minutes left. I have no idea how. I think the scorekeeper is cheating.

10:24 Parker drives the lane, again! Camby and Nene don’t slide over to help and just swat at his shot. Lazy and selfish.

10:28 Big Shot Bob hits a fade-away from the corner, again. Game over. Walton remarks that Horry has never missed the playoffs in his entire career. Impressive.

10:30 Timmy D just skipped down the court after a turnover. The most emotion he has shown since laughing at Joey Crawford a few weeks ago.

10:32 “Here is this guy again. I feel sorry for him. He has no features. No contrast. Looks like a white little alien.”

“They say pressure makes diamonds and pressure breaks pipes. The San Antonio Spurs were 14K gold…” I have no idea what that means. Mark Who?! Mark Who!? Mark Jooooones! I didn’t even know this guy’s name before tonight. Who?! Ok I am done with that.

Recap- The Spurs defense knocked the wheels off the Nuggets’ offense for the second game in a row. Where were George Karl’s adjustments during the game to get his team’s offense working again? And where is the help D. Marcus Camby is a strong defensive player, but just because you lead the league in blocks doesn’t mean you win the award. Bruce Bowen was robbed once again and the tonight’s results are the proof in the pudding (did I use that saying correctly?). Next game is a must win for the Nuggets, but all signs are pointing to a loss. The Spurs have enforced their style of play and the Nuggets are not able to run and gun the way they like to. The Nuggets are clearly the more talented team, but can they get their flow back, help on D, hit lay-ups and get to the line?

5 things I don't like this weekend

2007-04-28T12:35:00.000-04:00

1. The Eastern Conference Playoffs. Cleveland 2-0. Detroit 3-0. Chicago 3-0. Jersey 2-1. Ughhh. The only mildly entertaining series has been Chicago vs. Miami and it will be over by Sunday. Apparently, everyone forgot that the Heat only have two good players and one of them is playing with a dislocated shoulder.

2. LeBron. Ok, maybe this is too harsh. Perhaps it is because they are playing in the least exciting of the first round matchups. And I know Bron Bron is averaging 25 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 7 assists a game. But he is shooting an Eric Snow-like percentage right now and has done nothing remarkable thus far. Let's go Chosen One. Time to wake up. MJ was dropping 63 in the Garden right about now.

3. The NFL Draft. 15 minutes per pick!? You kidding me with that? Do you realize that the first round will take 480 minutes to finish! That is 8 hours. Rex Grossman lost the Super Bowl almost 2 and a half months ago, meaning that nearly all of these teams have 3 months to prepare for the draft. Please explain to me why they still need 15 minutes to decide who they want.

4. Julian Tavarez pitching in Yankee Stadium on Sunday. If the Sox had a fifth pitcher, Joe Torre might be out of a job on Monday. That being said, he was part of one of the funniest moments of the season thus far.

5. Michael Vick. Listen, Mike. Michael. Superman. Ron Mexico. You are 27 years old. You have played in the NFL for 6 seasons now. Your career QB rating is among the worst for all starting QBs. Your backup is now Joey Harrington, another colassal bust (and one of the corniest QBs in the league. You came in the league and you were supposed to revolutionize the league. Now, you're just the guy who is the news for neglecting dogs and carrying James-Bond like water bottle containers (pretty cool idea, actually). But most importanly Tom Brady, who by the way was selected with 198 picks after you a year earlier, has won more Super Bowls than you have playoff games.

And 5 things I do like this weekend

2007-04-28T11:46:00.000-04:00

1. The Western Conference playoffs. Every one of these matchups is incredibly compelling (I may be pushing it wth the Houston-Utah series, but both of the teams still happen to have be very good teams). The Warriors and Nuggets are making us happy that the first-round was expanded to 7 because this may be the first year that the number 1 and 2 seeds need all seven just to advance. The only bad thing is that the best player in the universe may not advance to the second round, which would be a shame (Hey Lakers, go out and get KG. We get it, Kobe can't win by himself. Now get him some help.)

2. The Red Sox. OK, I know that the standings in April mean as much as a one-run lead with Mariano Rivera in the game right now, but this is fun. The Sawx have the most wins in the league. The Yankees have the second fewest And the Bombers have blown four straight leads in baseball's version of the Peloponnesian war. I am enjoying every minute of this and eagerly looking forward to when Steinbrenner goes Jerry Jones on us.

3. The NFL Draft. Yes, despite how long the draft is, it fills us with plenty to talk about. JaMarcus Russell in silver and black. Tony Kornheiser letting us know how miserable he is sitting there. The Patriots adding to their already-chamionship-caliber squad. This classic video (too bad the J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS wised up and took a playbook from the Pats by hiring Belichick's protege or else that video would have needed a 2007 upgrade). And probably my new favorite... the annual which WR are the Detroit Lions going to take with their first round pick (by the way, as I write this, Calvin Johnson is just finding out he is being selected by the, surprise, surprise Detroit Lions. Is Matt Millen the George Bush of NFL GM's or vice versa? I don't know). And on that topic, two final thoughts.

3b. This gem of a clip deserves its own topic. Welcome USC Strength Coach Chuck Berry and his "unorthodox" teaching methods..

4. JaMarcus Russell vs. Brady Quinn. Add this one to the Bledsoe-Mirer, Manning-Leaf, Carr-Harrington (Ok, forgot the last one) QB battles. And this one may be the most intriguing one for so many different reasons. This is the ultimate battle: pretty-boy vs. African-American quarterback. We will hear about Quinn's intelligence and smarts while Russell is pigeonholed into the stereotypical role of the black quarterback (ironic since if anyone watched the Sugar Bowl, it was Russell who made good decision after good decision, while Quinn floundered). I actually think both are going to be pretty good, but then again, I also thought Joe Don't-Forget-The-Y Harrington was also going to be a great.

5. Mel Kiper Jr. This guy is a classic and should be forced to analyze everything from politics to movies. Are you telling me he wouldn't immediately make any telecast that much more exciting. He should even be hired to analyze individual people. You could make a fortune analyzing everything in the world Mel, why limit yourself?

Shawn Kemp Slamma Jamma In Your Mug

2007-04-25T09:24:00.000-04:00

Remember when this guy was the most unstoppable player in the league? Me too.

Starting Five

2007-04-23T09:44:00.000-04:00

1. Yanks and Sox- Best rivalry in sports right now, period. Pete: "I think Papelbon might be an evil robot." Me: "Yeah, I don't know if I should cry or laugh with that death stare of his."

2. AI+Melo=Killaduo- They looked pretty strong in their game 1 victory and they are definitely the more talented team. We shall see if they can keep their composure. Magic took the Nuggets in this series and Charles said if they played together all season they probably would be a 2 or 3 seed. I don't know about that, but I like it Charles.

3. B. Diddy is back!- I watched the second half of the Warriors-Mavs game and it was nuts! The Warriors have a extra small line up with 6'9" Al Harrington playing center and they just run. They play a similar style to the Suns, but wilder. Baron Davis looks like he did a few years ago with his vicious cross-overs and powerful drives to the basket. He is also rocking the realest beard since Freeway. They probably won't upset the Mavs, but it will be fun to watch them try.

4. Timing is Everything- In looking over the box scores from the NBA games this weekend, New Jersey and Chicago were the only teams to win and have more than 7 players with more than 10 minutes. Washington was the only team to lose and play 7 players for more than 10 minutes. With the spaced out scheduling of the playoffs shallower teams can run their top players longer and harder.

5. Summertime- It is waterice season. There is no better hot weather treat. Mango and Strawberry lemonade gelati please.

It's the dynasty as promised

2007-04-20T20:37:00.000-04:00

From 1956 to 1969, the Boston Celtics won 24 of 26 playoff series. The NBA's equivalent to the Corleone family later touted a 24-10 record in the playoffs from 1979 to1992 during some of the pinnacle years of basketball talent and entertainment.

Alas injuries, tragedy, and inept management crumbled the empire as quickly as it was built. In the Post-Bird years, the Celtics have made the playoffs only six times, triumphant in just three playoff series and endured four first-round exits. Even more depressing is the now 12 of 16 seasons that the once proud franchise have failed to finish above .500.

For years, the late Red Auerbach took advantage of NBA owners and general managers, who were in such awe and fear of the Celtics' President that they cowered in his presence and succumbed to his tactics.

Oct. 14, 1951: Trades for the rights to Bill Sharman, who most teams thought would play baseball, from Detroit. Sharman quits baseball and signs with the Celtics.
April 29, 1956: Trades Ed Macauley and Cliff Hagan to St. Louis for a first-round draft pick, used to draft Bill Russell.
March 26, 1962: Drafts John Havlicek with the ninth pick in the first-round.
June 9 1978: Drafts Larry Bird through a loophole that allowed the Celtics to select him if they could sign him before the 1979 draft. Bird signed on June 8, 1979.
June 9, 1980: Sends the 1st and 13th overall picks in the draft to Golden State for center Robert Parish and the 3rd overall pick. With the third pick, Auerbach selected Kevin McHale.
June 27, 1983: Deals Rick Robey to Phoenix for Dennis Johnson.
Sept. 6, 1985: Trades Cedric Maxwell to the LA Clippers for Bill Walton.

As Red's role in the Celtics diminished, the team failed to replace him anyone remotely capable of bringing in as much talent as he was able to. Much of this is due to a salary cap that was designed to create parity, yet individuals such as Jan Volk, Dave Gavitt, M.L. Carr, Don Gaston, Rick Pitino, and Chris Wallace were what truly destroyed this team. What irony that an organization that thrived on preying on inadequate basketball minds would be victimized by the same fate that many others suffered.

4 years ago, Danny Ainge came to save the team and it seemed to be a match made in heaven. He was the heir apparent. It was always a first name basis between Danny and Celtic fans. The red-haired guard, famous for his daring shots that always seemed to be poor decisions but routinely fell through the net as if he knew exactly what he was doing, was going to re-build the franchise and we embraced him then as we did during the years he wore the green and white jersey. Gone was the slow and plodding pace that was in place from Coach Obie. Gone were the defensive-minded, offensively-limited veterans. Gone was Employee #8. In was uptempo basketball with athletic young basketball players.

And thus Celtic nation began a torturous period of time where Ainge has toyed with the roster, failed to develop a set plan, yet continued to bring talent that somehow would slip through the cracks of the league. 2006-07 was supposed to be the year it all came together. A healthy Paul Pierce coming off his best season in years. A Bob McAdoo-clone in Al Jefferson. Three young point guards, including two with gamebreaking speed. Depth at the wings.

And just 24 wins later, the 06-07 season ended just as so many others in recent history have. Yet this year left a strange taste in the mouths of many. Bizarre injuries. Strange coaching decisions. The Celtics suddenly reverted back to the ML Carr days, playing not for victories, but for a draft pick. And strangely enough, the fans didn't abandon the team. Attendance barely changed and the team actually became more relevant in both the local and national media. The reason for which the Celtic fans didn't start donning paper bags for hats and holding signs demanding a scapegoat was because we somehow agreed with what was going on the TD Banknorth Garden. We watched the highlights and the clips of a 7'0'' throwback center and a 6'9'' do-it-all kid, and we realized that for the greater good of the franchise, we HAD to sacrifice the season.

Why? Because the Celtics are not supposed to mediocre. For years, they haven't been bad. They have suffered a fate even worse; they were irrelevant. The NBA was built upon rivalries between the Celtics and teams like the Lakers, the Knicks, and 76ers. The Celtics had to somehow abandon the mediocrity and embrace futility for the hopes of greatness. They recognized that simply bringing in young under appreciated players in the draft and mixing them with a couple veterans wasn't working. Other teams have caught up and no longer were tricked by superior management (although Isiah Thomas, Kevin McHale, Billy King, and Billy Knight, to name a few may disprove that statement). Boston no longer was a enviable destination for free agents and under the current rules, few quality free agents ever leave their own organization.

The Celtics are resting the fate of the franchise on a 40% chance. Cite divine intervention, the luck of the Irish, the watchful spirit of Red Auerbach if you will, but if the Celtics are smiling on May 22nd, it will simply because of the a number that is the same as Sebastian Telfair's career shooting percentage (slightly depresssing considering that he is about the last player you would want to hit a jumper to save the franchise).

Tanking? Sure, call it what you may. But had the Celtics won 35, 36 games, heck, even if they made the playoffs, the goal of winning a championship would remain light years away. Now, all it will simply take is a few ping pong balls bouncing the right way and the dynasty will be restored. Yes, the organization that was built brick by brick will now rely on the odds.

Now, it may not play out this way. The Celtics could end up with the third, or fourth, or fifth pick (which may not be a terrible thing by the way- three years ago, every team was praying for a high schooler named LeBron. Now, a Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and Chris Bosh later, the situation hardly seems as dire), and the entire season will seem a waste. But Celtic fans will never abandon the team and the re-building process will just have to take a little longer.

But in the meantime, we still can enjoy imagining either Greg Oden or Kevin Durant donning Celtic green and restoring the relevancy of this once-proud franchise. And that is why neither I, nor any member of the Celtic organization, have any regrets about what happened this season.

Did the Sixers Really Blow It?

2007-04-19T22:59:00.000-04:00

Well, they blew it. Or so it appears. After trading away their superstar in November and then releasing their washed up, yet semi-effective-has-been, the Sixers put themselves in perfect position to tank and capitalize on a blown year. So why didn't they? What did they accomplish by winning so many games in the second half of the season besides ruining a great opportunity to draft a sure superstar?

From Iguodala to Louis Williams this team has improved and more importantly they have gained confidence in themselves. As much as I love Allen Iverson, his style of play and presence can be difficult for players to mesh with. Pure scorers like Kyle Korver and Willie Green--who dropped 37 last night in the season finale--emerged this year because they finally got the opportunity to find a rhythm on the court without wondering if they should really be shooting instead of Allen every time they heaved up a shot. Iggy got the opportunity to show us all, and more importantly prove to himself that he can take over late in the fourth. A probable All-Star next season Andre emerged from a high flying dunker to an impressive all around player at both ends of the court. The Sixers established their niches on the court and found positive chemistry in the locker room. There is no substitute for confidence and chemistry on a team.

This may be the old Iggy, but I still love it.

I don’t think Billy King deserves to still have his job, but I tip my hat for not putting restraints on his team’s growth this season. So much emphasis has been put on getting a top two pick in the draft this year, but nothing is guaranteed in the draft. 14 0f 24 All-Stars this year were selected 9th or higher. This doesn’t mean that Oden and Durant won’t be great, but there are certainly other All-Stars-to-be out there. With three first round picks and one second round pick, even with Billy King calling the shots the odds are still good to land a few ballers in this deep draft (there is also a good chance that King will take McRoberts with one of these four picks. McRoberts and Randolph on the same team will be hard for me to deal with to say the least).

I just know he is going to take another Dukie...

My first instinct for this post was to discuss how tanking is morally wrong when it is done in a shameless, overt manner. Tanking can damage fan relations and it may be tough for a father to explain to his 9 year old son why the better players aren't playing in the fourth quarter, which can lead to tough questions like 'But don't they want to win?'. 'Well son...' Yet, those damages can be repaired and true fans are stuck with the teams they have. The real harm in tanking games is the damage it does to the players, especially young players. Just look at one young player's frustration with his team. Tanking is completely understandable, but in the case of the Sixers it wasn't the best move for the team. I was rooting for the Sixers to lose after Iverson left, but after watching the team transform they won me over. They will go into next season with confidence, positive chemistry, free of the expectations that will come with a top 2 pick, and ok, I’ll say it, karma on their side.

We shall see how the lottery balls fall on May 22nd.

Now onto my first round Playoff picks.

The East:

Miami over Chicago 4-2
Chicago ended their season when they gave up the #2 seed with a loss to NJ in the last game of the regular season. They will now have to go through Miami and Detroit just to make it to the Conference Finals.

Toronto over New Jersey 4-2
I am not buying that NJ can just turn it on because of their star power and experience. Toronto is legit and Bosh is ready to put himself on the map with his draft mates.

Cleveland over Washington 4-1
This would have been a great series between Gilbert and Bron Bron. No chance for the Wiz.

Detroit over Orlando 4-1
Maybe Jameer will hit a game winner.

The West:

Houston over Utah 4-3
This should be a dandy between two well balanced teams.

Phoenix over Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
I want to pick Kobe here, but they have just been too cold the past month.

Denver over San Antonio 4-3
Yes, this is probably a pure passion pick. Yeah it is. Doesn’t mean it can’t happen.

Dallas over Golden State 4-2
This will be closer than anticipated, but not that close. Golden State is hot and Nelly knows his old team well. That is enough for two wins. On a side note Dirk should be the MVP this year.

Who wins?

2007-04-19T18:06:00.000-04:00

vs.

10 things the NBA needs to bring back

2007-04-18T13:46:00.000-04:00

1. Glasses and goggles. You telling me that this and this wouldn't make the league more enjoyable to watch?

2. #00. Greatest number ever.

3. Everday throwback jerseys. I like the moves by teams like Golden State and Cleveland by bringing back their old jerseys as alternates as much as anyone but shouldn't we able to see Denver, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia playing with these jerseys everyday?

4. The Charlotte Hornets. You can move the Hornets back to Charlotte and combine the Grizzlies with the Bobcats and more the Grizzlycats to Las Vegas. Kill two birds with one stone.

5. The Bullets. Change Washington Wizards back to the Washington Bullets. Removing the "violent" name didn't change that much in the city.

7. Five game series in the first round.

8. Big cities having great teams. It is a sad day when Boston, New York, and Philadelphia are sitting outside the Eastern Conference playoffs and the Lakers are just one game ahead of their sister team Clippers. Trust me, when the finals is between Cleveland and San Antonio, you will agree too.

9. This guy. Look how young he looks. That was just a few years ago. Larry Legend looks like he hasn't slept in months. Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson have destroyed not only the Pacers, but Legend as well. Get him off of the team, promote him to some special role in the NBA. And on that note...

10. Not this commercial. According to this story, the commerical is going to feature D-Wade and Bron Bron matching shot for shot to re-create the classic Bird vs. MJ duel. Unless the commerical ends with Larry Legend or MJ coming off of nowhere to make shots that the young kids can't make, I won't watch it.

Those Roping Dopes

2007-04-18T13:04:00.000-04:00

It’s going on now. Right now, before our eyes, athletes all around the world are hiding their true talents so that we think they are human after all. Some of the finest athletes of our generation are waiting for the perfect time to show they can fly, spit fire or just straight up take over the world. Here’s a few:

LeBron James
Did you see him go through the regular season? Yeah, he’s started 77 games so far this year, but that doesn’t mean he’s played in all those games. LeBron coasted through much of the regular season, but just wait until the playoffs when you’re watching him body up against an exhausted Tayshaun Prince. It happened last year, except now the guy’s all rested up after shooting his threes flat-footed all season.

The New York Yankees
They do it every fucking year. Steinbrenner starts yelling about Torre and then their left fielder gets injured. They bring up Shane Spencer from AAA and he starts his career better than Babe Ruth. By the time he’s cooled off, Hideki Matsui is back and the Yankees have won 8 of 10 and just slipped past everyone. This is not to say I like the Yankees.

Jay-Z
Not sports, I know, but we’ve all heard Kingdom Come and you can’t tell me next album he’s not gonna talk about how he Ali’d all of us a year ago. Just wait. That’s what great ones do.

Chris Webber
I’m sure one night Chris sat down with Jimmy King for dinner one night, and King started going off on this great idea that had been brewing in his head. “Chris,” he said. “Chris, just take fadaway fifteen footers all game. Rebounds? Who needs ‘em. Before you know it they’ll dump you and send you someone in need of a steady big guy.” Fool proof plan. Rope the dope.

Shaq
I’m telling you, in June when Shaq’s on the line with a chance to extend the finals another night he’s gonna make those foul shots. Swish. Swish. Like clockwork.

Why Sports?

2007-04-14T01:11:00.000-04:00

Be not afraid of greatness; some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.
-Shakespeare

"A-Rod is one of the greatest players to ever play the game. By the time he retires his stats will stand alone." '
"No way! He isn't a winner. He flops every post-season. He just isn't one of the greatest."

It is an age old argument. What makes a player great? What makes a player one of the greatest? It is a combination of statistics, style of play, character, and how they perform when it matters most. There is no set formula for determining how great a player is and every player is different, which makes this whole thing so goddamn fun. Alex Rodriguez is on pace to be the best baseball player ever, but one can argue that until he shows he can win when it matters he just isn't one of the greatest because what else really matters? Robert Horry aka Big Shot Bob--thank you Timmy D, your nicknames are even boring--has innumerable clutch shots that were essential to winning numerous championships, but he was never a dominant player or All-Star. Yet, he has 6 rings more than 99% of players ever. Check this out: Steve Kerr, another stud in the clutch, were apart of every NBA championship from '93-'94 to '02-0'3 without ever playing on the same team. Winning doesn't mean anything if you can't do it when it counts. These two were not the cornerstones or superstars on any of their championship teams, yet one could argue that they were great players because of their timely heroics and essential roles in each of their teams' championships.

The real question is what is greatness? How do we define it? Can we? The answer comes from each individuals values and how this translates into how they perceive a player or maybe more accurately, how they want to perceive a player. We all have different values so how will we ever reach an agreement?

Allen Iverson is one of the greatest players to ever play basketball, but people would disagree with me for numerous reasons. Growing up in Philadelphia AI I saw him play every night through middle school and high school. The Sixers' run to the Finals in 2001 was the most exciting event ever to happen to me as a sports fan at the time. I will never forget running down South street after they won game 1 against the Lakers. People were insane running in traffic, high fiving passengers and drivers who were honking their horns and screaming in pure jubilation. Philadelphia is still very, very hungry, but that topic is for another day. To me AI is one of the greatest ever because of all this and beyond. I love his image and I even love how people don't understand him and what that reveals about who they are as people.

Larry Bird is the greatest ever for Celtics fans and his aura pervades through generations. I understand all of this, but I just can't get past Bird's corniness, boringness, ok fine, even though it is a little weird saying it, his whiteness. To me his greatness is exacerbated by playing in Boston, the perfect market for him, as well as playing on championship teams with currently 3 other Hall of Famers. Likewise, many people can't stand Iverson, they even hate him. They can't get past his cornrows, tattoos, and hardness. My dislike for Bird is rooted in superficial observations I developed as a kid, I admit this, but it's sports and it's fun to argue with a Larry Bird fan. Likewise, I love telling people how great Allen Iverson is, what he stands for, and why.

This is the beauty of sports. Our deepest opinions, values, dreams, biases, and passions are revealed through following sports and our reactions to it. You can watch one game with a stranger and know if you are going to like them as a person. Sports is that revealing and reflective of us and that alone is enough to follow along.