A Friendly Beating

The Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field are just perfect for a night of baseball. I mean it's been asked a million times before but is there a better ballpark in the Majors? Probably not.

You have a the great seats, the old school park, the hot dogs and the clear, crisp Chicago sky. Then to top it off, your team slams the Atlanta Braves for seven runs before the fourth inning is over!

The Cubs are looking lethal against Atlanta today and it's hard to argue that they won't figure in some October activity. Could this, their 100th year, really be the season that breaks the drought?

Well with Ryan Dempster well in control with 39 strikes from 63 pitches at the fifth inning mark, things are looking very good right now.

New crowd favourite, Ana Ivanovic

Pro Tennis' lastest crowd pleaser is 20-year old Serbian Ana Ivanovic. The No. 2-seed at the 2008 French Open and the runner-up at Roland Garros last year, returned to the quarterfinals with a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Petra Cetkovska last weekend.

"It was much tougher than it probably looked," Ivanovic said after the match. But I don't think the men in the crowd were pondering the dynamics of the contest at all.

No matter, Ana has reignited the womens tour with her sizzling play and is quickly filling the void of other Annas - I mean players - who've come and gone in recent years.

Lakers should beat Spurs, they must

The Lakers used to be my team. But once Magic Johnson retired I lost interest. Showtime was gone and what did we have to look forward to? Sedale Threatt?

Hey I'm not knocking Sedale but he was no Earvin Magic, nor was he Byron Scott for that matter. The Lakers plodded along, Kobe came onto the scene, then Shaq, and basically the wheels fell off if you ask me. Yeh they won a few championships but it never inspired me the way the 1980s Lakers did.

I moved on, sometimes supporting random teams, mostly cheering for good West Coast basketball such as that played by the current Golden State Warriors or the now busted up Phoenix Suns.

To my delight, however, the Lakers are back. They're in the Western Conference Finals and dare I say it, their basketball is attractive - perhaps even inspirational at times. Kobe is finally sharing - big change. The role players are fulfilling expectations and it's almost as if Jack Nicholson's unwavering loyalty is starting to pay off. Good for you Jack.

But unfortunately, the Lakers lost to the Spurs in Game 3 today and I'm starting to wonder whether it's all a sham. It might just be a whole lot of hocus pocus - Kobe style - in which a team that looks positively brilliant could unhinge at any time. I don't know what to think anymore. I'm not back on the L.A. bandwagon by any means, but more than ever we need the purple and gold to knock off the most boring team in basketball. Don't we?

God speed to you Lakers. This is your series...for old times sake.

Celtics win series but have no time to relax

With the Celtics dramatic Game 7 win over the Cavs, it's time to turn our attention to the upcoming Conference Finals.

Here are the facts:

The Cs needed a monster effort from Paul Pierce to conquer a sub-par Cavs team.

Ray Allen was absent in this past series, culminating in his four points in Game 7.

The Pistons will have a week's rest and Chauncy Billups' leg injury will be ready.

Here is the prediction:

Billups will control the series.

Rip Hamilton will score in bundles because who's going to stay with him?

Rasheed Wallace will step up and nullify The Big Ticket.

Here's the summary:

The Big Three are up the creek!

The Utah Jazz are money

The Utah Jazz are pushing the Western Conference favourites and it's startling. The L.A. Lakers should be winning and winning everything comfortably in my view. They have the game's best player in Kobe Bryant, fantastic backcourt support in Derek Fisher, Sasha Vujacic and Jordan Farmar, as well as the most versatile big man in the game, Pau Gasol. Throw in one of the NBA's greatest ever coaches (plus the world's most popular pro hoops dance team) and well, what excuse is there to lose?

None. Now it's 2-2 in the series.

The Lakers are stunning to watch when it all works; when they feed Gasol and he then returns the ball to Kobe who drives and kicks it to Fish for a three. As Chick Hearn used to say, "That's Laker - Showtime - basketball."

But there's a feeling one gets, kind of like that unsettling rumble in your stomach after a bad Vindaloo, that perhaps these Lakers can be rattled - that when push comes to shove, the tougher, more bruising Jazz have L.A.'s number. They are just such a well-rounded unit, highly underrated, and their execution is superb.

Carlos Boozer, for instance, rampages through the lane like a grizzly in the Wasatch Mountains. And when he's active on the boards you wonder if the defense can cope with his size. He's swatting loose balls with his giant paws. He's like a big bear man...with fangs. He's so money and he doesn't even know it.

Sure Boozer can fade in and out of games but he's a menace when he wants to be. Teamed with point guard sensation Deron Williams, the Jazz are a force to be reckoned with. Yes, Williams scores masses of points but look at his assists (14 in Game 4). People in Salt Lake are starting to ask John who?

There's every chance this Utah squad can take down the Lakers. It's going to be hard work in L.A. but then whoever said making it in Hollywood was easy? It certainly seems achievable this time.

Is this the best sports
cover ever or what?

Atlanta looking peachy

Ray Allen has always been one of my favourite basketball players...BUT...I can't help but jump onto the Atlanta Hawks bandwagon right now. Those guys are awesome and Game 7 in Boston will go off no matter what happens. This could be the biggest upset in NBA history.

Let's go Hawks!

Cubs for sale?

The Cubbies crushed the Brewers today 19-5...it was brutal. But more disturbing than Milwaukee's pitching was seeing Dallas Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban in the stands wearing a Cubs jacket and assessing the prospect of Chicago ownership.

Say it isn't so. Cuban Baseball? In Chicago? At Wrigley? Why? What about the Mavs buddy? The team just got bounced in the first round of the playoffs and "parted ways" with coach Avery Johnson. I think there's more work to be done in Texas. Surely.

But then again, with great payers like Reed Johnson in the Cubs line-up it'd be hard for any millionaire not to reach into his back pocket and make an offer. I mean check out Reed's socks for crying out loud!

Old school cool. Why did Toronto ever let him go?

Draft doctors

So the NFL draft has been and gone...and are you happy?

I know I am - my New York Jets took defensive end Vernon Gholston with the 6th pick overall. Then they landed tight-end Dustin Keller with the 30th pick via a deal with the Packers. That's "quality" as my good friend Marc from Jersey always says. Gholston is the prototype pass-rusher, the experts say, and Keller has great speed and athleticism. What more could you want?

I find it interesting, however, that no matter who the pick, everyone has a unwavering opinion of draft selections. There are more differing points of view on draft day than in a global warming summit or a presidential campaign. Everyone's an expert. Everyone's a scout. And just about everyone - except you and me of course - becomes nonsensical in their assessment of these young athletes.

I mean, sure, make a judgment - predict the board - but let's do away with the 'that guy will never amount to anything' talk. Seriously. The number of times I've read in the mainstream media over the last few days that certain players don't have heart or are not ready for the mental side of the NFL is just ludicrous. Who can really make this type of prediction accurately? Suddenly all sports writers are Dr. Phil with their psycho-babble.

Half the hot air lost over the draft is about players that should never have been picked. So-called experts are always clamouring on about how "needs" weren't fulfilled - that players should be drafted to challenge those current roster players who are suspect. Come on. If you're the Kansas City Chiefs and you have a decent QB in Brodie Croyle or you're the 49ers and think Alex Smith still deserves a shot with some decent blockers in front of him, why would you draft a 50-50 QB? Other than Matt Ryan, the QBs available didn't exactly light my fire, and I'm certain some of the early drafters weren't overly-impressed either. So in these instances you really have to say, "screw needs, we need a good player!"

The same goes for the Jets, who grabbed Gholston as the next best player on the board. All this jibberish about the kid not having heart is going to come back and haunt the doubters. You can just feel it. I can't wait for the season to start.

Magic Bullets...er Wizards...

The Washington Wizards made quite a statement in their Game 3 thumping of the Cleveland Cavaliers yesterday. Not only was the 36-point margin the Cavs worst loss in playoff history and a wake-up call to the rest of the Eastern Conference, but the Wiz's defensive effort was superb.

Lebron James, taunted by D.C. fans with chants of "overrated", coughed-up 4 turnovers. Delonte West and Daniel Gibson each had four too and the Cavs committed 23 altogether (fifteen of them in the first half alone!).

Meanwhile, Washington played a team game, shared the ball and the scoring. DeShawn Stevenson posted 19, Roger Mason 18 and an energetic Caron Butler dropped in 16. This wasn't even the Wizards - it was old school - more like the Bullets. D.C. fans have a squad they can care about again, outside of the Redksins cheerleaders that is.

O's look way better than Yanks

The Yankees are being worked by the Orioles...I must be dreaming. Baltimore hasn't had a winning season in a decade for crying out loud!

Today's game at Camden Yards has the O's up 8-2 at the bottom of the seventh, with the Yankees looking pretty shakey at the plate.

The YES network commentators are now trying to deflect attention away from the poor Yanks outing by discussing the new hotel being built behind right field. Nice try fellas but looks like the AL East is gong to be a little tougher this season.

You have to like the O's - they're kind of cool as underdogs. But I think they should bring back the old school cartoon bird logo. That was particularly cool and suited the club's personality more.

Charles in Charge

Rumor has it that Charles Barkley is set to enter the political world by running for mayor of Leeds, Alabama. Hey, I can think of worse people in government.

Sir Charles - above all else - is honest. And that's a trait not often found in today's political landscape (or any era's political landscape really). I'd vote for the Round Mound of Rebound simply because he's a good guy and someone who has the potential to be a great role model. Sure he occasionally yelled at opposition fans, maybe tossed a courtside computer or two but he also played with passion. You don't get that much in local councils do you?

I say, VOTE CHUCK.

Isn't the orginal still the best?

I'm watching a Padres - Rockies game that might never end. It's the top of the 11th and Tulowitzki is up with one out. No score.

Ground out into double play - hot damn - I've seen more hits on a Billy Ray Cyrus record. This could go all night.

Meanwhile, I watched Star Wars before the game and may have to reconsider my 'original' trilogy rankings. I mean the obvious call is that The Empire Strikes Back is the best of the three. It has the stunning opening sequence on the planet Hoth, the Jedi training scenes with Yoda, the introduction of Lando, the romance between Han and Leah, and of course, the brilliant showdown of Luke and Darth. I agree, it's hard to beat.

But I think all too often fans and commentators alike forget the wonder of the original. In A New Hope we fall in love with the characters, we learn their backgorunds, we best witness Luke's innocence and Han's bravado, and we get the comedy of 3-PO and R-2. In addition, I can't look past that middle act inside the Death Star; it's just a thrill to watch our heroes on the run within the enemy camp.

I might just bump this film to the top of my trilogy list - for now anyway.

PS. The game has since moved onto the 13th inning...

Nuggets beat Rockets....hmmmmmm

This eighth Western Conference playoff spot just won't rest...but to paraphrase Chris Rock, something ain't right.

Denver just grounded the Rockets with 17-point thumping today, when only two days ago, Houston absolutely blitzed the mighty Phoenix Suns. That's one hell of a turn around.

Hey, call me a conspiracy theorist but i'm still searching for an explanation on this. Even NBA.com reporters are scratching their heads. And i quote from the game report:

"This was a surprisingly easy win for the Nuggets, who pulled away with a 10-0 run sparked by consecutive 3-pointers from Smith spanning the first and second quarters."

Now if Denver beat Memphis they're in. But if they lose, the Warriors must win their final two games. This is more complicated than a Presidential election.

Golden State could become the first team ever to get 50 wins and still miss the playoffs.

The competition is Royally screwed

Just how good are the Kansas City Royals?

Well they've gone from laughing stock of the majors to the 2008 cinderella team - and practically overnight!

Currently at 7-5, the Royals are atop the AL Central division and not looking like slowing down. And the real indication that they're a legitimate pennant contender? They bounced back to trounce the Minnesota Twins 5-1 after dropping three in a row. That type of resilience goes a long way when August rolls around.

The Royal's Brian Bannister pitched the second complete game of his career and did it in a frigid 29 degrees. Hey look, it's hard enough getting your shorts on in that type of cold let alone pelting a fastball. Bannister gave up only one walk and one unearned run, and struck out three. Yes, this is not a dream...the Royals are a good team.

Over the Top!

The Denver Nuggets and the Golden State Warriors are in the midst of a thrilling dual for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot this week. Two games remain and only one team will go through. I just can't take the pressure...

The truth is that the Warriors play an exciting, fast-break, free-flowing style of basketball and as a result are capable of knocking-off anyone on their best day. By contrast, the Nuggets play a brand of hoops that can only be labelled "junk ball"; the rock crosses halfway, possibly touches one other pair of hands and then is carried to the basket in a selfish, blinkers-on drive that either clanks off the rim or happens to drop. When it drops, the team inevitably wins. So if Carmello and AI can successfully repeat this move over the next two fixtures, the Nuggies will surely qualify.

On the flip side, when the Warriors adopt the me-first game plan they usually lose. Baron Davis needs to share the ball and the other guards work better when they attack the basket via passes.

Whoever makes the eight will certainly challenge the Lakers in the first round. But as a bandwagon supporter of the exciting GSW squad, I'm rooting for the west coasters. They remind me of basketball during the mid-1980s, when fancy passes and last minute shots were the norm on highlight reels, and at the same time unprecedented. It was an exciting time and rarely relived in today's NBA, mainly because we've seen it all already.

C'mon Warriors, remember what Sly said..."over da top!".

Where'd the cheese go? (I know exactly where)




What can you say about Kansas University that hasn't already been said (especially by those two hack commentators Brad Sham and Fran Fraschilla)?

A superb effort by the Jayhawks, particulalry on the defensive end, kept the Memphis Tigers at bay yesterday.

Mario Chalmers and Sherron Collins displayed outstanding hustle and shot sharply when it mattered most. The pair led Kansas to a resilient 75-68 win that won't soon be forgotten.

On the flip side, I personally thought Memphis' main man Derrick Rose played out of control. You can point to the stat sheet all you want but Rose is being incredibly overhyped by hoops commentators at the moment. Apparently it only takes a couple of reverse lay-ups pulled out of the backside of your shorts and you're suddenly the No.1 player in the country! I'm sorry, I don't buy it.

I'm not saying Rose won't play in the NBA but the fact is that he's a freshman, raw on talent and short of NBA type decision making. And if you're adamant about reeling off stats consider these: Rose was 7-17 from the field in the final, 1-6 from downtown and committed a whopping 5 turnovers.

These types of numbers don't matter to Sham or his offsider, who are so intent on predicting every play and providing us with lame inner monologues of the officials to even worry about the real facts. I believe the votes have been counted - Sham and Fraschilla are officially the cheesiest announcers in basketball.

Dick Enberg, where are you when we need you?

We Believe! Well at least I do...



It's that time of year again when your team either packs their high tops and jerseys for a playoff road trip or board shorts and sunblock for summer in Baha.

I think if I was a player, spending May and June on the beach would be fairly tempting after six months of being pummeled in the paint. You could hardly be blamed for tanking the season could you? Plus your club gets the added bonus of a lottery pick. Not a bad deal really.

But then I'd probably come to my senses and remember the atmosphere inside the Oracle Center last year, when the Warriors and their fans recreated the Great Western Forum from 1987. That was playoff basketball at its best. Warriors 4 - Mavericks 2: and all because we believed.

Can they do it again? Here's hoping. The last five games of the regular season will play out this week with the Warriors still stuck in 9th. I think if they can take down the ridiculously overachieving Denver Nuggets we may just be treated to some high octane Golden State playoff basketball once again.

Bracket Buster: 78-63 Memphis

What a disappointing performance by UCLA! Touted as the best team in the nation by, well, every so-called expert in the nation, the Bruins looked absolutely pedestrian against Memphis today. (A special thanks to the experts for screwing up everybody's brackets this year).

In the final fifteen minutes particularly, UCLA couldn't produce any rhythm or consistency whatsoever. I found myself asking, 'why so much hype for these guys?' Not only were they out-rebounded and out-hustled by the Tigers but their trigger happy shooters forced ill-advised jumpers like they were worth extra points or something. Hey fellas, unbalanced-leaning-forward-hand-in-your-face-early-in-the-shot-clock-16-footers are still only worth two points! Maybe coach didn't tell you that.

Memphis deserved the game because they wanted it more and were far more direct in their attack. It'll be hard to beat them in the final.

Golden State Worry... er...

It was just awful to watch the Warriors be dismantled by the Mavs yesterday. I never expected it and I don't think the blue and gold did either.

Dallas was red hot with Jason Kidd in particular playing like one of those movie stuntman set alight. He was running around uncontrollably and none of the Golden State players could douse the flames. It was frustrating - if you wanted the Warriors to win that is. They shot just 38% from the field to Dallas' 48%. And that's just the start.

What made it worse was that the Mavs - often sluggish in a half court set that's anchored by a seven footer with no lateral movement whatsoever - beat the Warriors at their own game. Yes, they out ran them!

Baron Davis might have scored 20 points but he was not distributing like we've seen him do all year. Where were you Diddy? Where was the hustle and flow? Where was the run and gun? Dammit, where was the showtime? It was no where to be seen in Texas on Wednesday, that's for sure.

Hey, I still believe. I still think Golden State can grab that eight seed in the west but it's going to take a better effort over the next week and a hell of a lot more passing. All up Golden State had 10 assists. Dallas had 35. You do the math. Geez Louise, Jason Kidd had 17 assists himself! Something stinks in the state of gold when the highest scoring team in the league can't string a few pases together doesn't it?