Categories
NBA General

NBA comes down hard on Melo for MSG brawl

It didn’t take long for David Stern to hand out his fines and suspensions for the brawl that took place on Sat night between the Nuggets and the Knicks. In case you missed it, 10 players were tossed from the game after a hard foul from the Nugget’s Mardy Collins on JR Smith sparked a crazy brawl. Here’s the video of it. You can see the Carmelo does the most damage during the fight.

Stern gave Melo a 15 game suspension for sucker punching Mardy Collins. Here’s the rest of the suspensions:

  • Nate Robinson and J.R. Smith: 10 games
  • Mardy Collins: 6 games
  • Jared Jeffries: 4 games
  • Jerome James and Nene: 1 game for leaving the bench

The Knicks and Nuggets organizations were both fined $500,000 each for putting a black eye on the NBA.

Meanwhile, Isiah Thomas is coming under heat because he appears to tell Carmelo Anthony prior to the flagrant foul by Collins, “Hey, don’t go to the basket right now. It wouldn’t be a good idea. Just letting you know.” They didn’t get Anthony but maybe that’s why he was so heated during the brawl. Zeke told him he was going to come after someone and the Knicks did. Anthony confired that’s what Isiah said to him and reported it to league officials. However, Stern said that he had no definitive information about what Isiah said when handing out punishments. Still, there’s no question that Isiah meant it as a threat. Isiah is a terrible coach and a punk. He always has been. In his playing days, he’d hide behing Bill Lambeer but now he gets to hide behind a suit.

Links:
[Yahoo]: Anthony suspended 15 games, no suspension for Thomas

Categories
NBA General

Around the Rim: Purple and Gold vs. Black and Gold



Uglier than the Sabres uni?

1. Must Be the New Uni’s
Washington guard Gilbert Arenas has been extremely flammable this season and last night he decided to torch the Los Angeles Lakers by scoring a franchise record 60 points. The Wizards have now won eight out of their last ten games. Last night was the fifth time this season that Arenas has scored at least 40 points and it only took him a half to do it. He had 43 points after halftime, including the overtime. Arenas had been struggling to score on the road, but in his last three road games he has averaged 43.3 points. And Arenas wasn’t the only hot player on the court as Kobe Bryant went off for 45 points, including 7 of 11 from behind the arc.

2. Cheap Shot
Carmelo Anthony recently donated $1 million to a recreation center in downtown Baltimore. The facility’s goal is to help kids find a healthy alternative to the criminal element that plagues the area. While the center has a gym and offers sports and recreational activities, it is unknown if there is a ring set up where children can practice throwing sucker punches just like their hero. Maybe they offer classes in how to back peddle as the league’s leading scorer has been doing since his pathetic behavior in the Garden. After watching the video, it’s obvious why Anthony is in the NBA and not a pro boxer. He’s a flyer, not a fighter.

3. Back on Top
It took a while for somebody to catch the Jazz who started off the season so hot, but the league has a new best team. San Antonio has been consistently winning and now owns the NBA’s best record at 19-6. With the best road record in the league, the Spurs have been able to hold on to the Southwest Division’s top spot for the entire season despite impressive winning streaks from both Houston and Dallas. San Antonio has the best defense as they only give up 90.6 points per game and, unlike other seasons; the Spurs are averaging over 100 points a night. The Spurs have a solid core that has been together for several years and they have a ton of playoff experience together. Throw in the teams trademark defensive capabilities and they are a team that will be hard to beat in the postseason. Injuries could be the only things to slow this team down in 2006-07.

Sunday’s Player of the Day: Gilbert Arenas @ Los Angeles Lakers 49 min, 60 pts (FG: 17-32, 3FG: 5-12, FT: 21-27), 8 reb, 8 ast, 2 stl

Monday’s Game to Watch: Dallas (17-7) @ Sacramento (10-12) This match-up might not have the intensity that it use to, but it is still a great rivalry. The Kings have been sporadic this season and you can never be sure which team will show up, but when they play at their best they can hang with any team in the league. Dallas is building on new winning streak after struggling for a bit after they won 12 in a row. The Mavericks’ role players have been the ones to excel recently as Josh Howard and Jason Terry have picked up their scoring.

Buzzer Beater: Pau Gasol is finally back and while his numbers aren’t up to his old standards, he is showing why he is so important to his team. Gasol is one of the most complete seven-footers in the league. The only column this guy doesn’t fill up on a stat sheet is three-pointers. Gasol can single handedly make Memphis a playoff team again. Obviously, this season is out of the question but if he can be 100 percent for next year then Memphis will be back on the NBA map.

Categories
Miami Dolphins

Dec 18 in Sports History: Dolphins go undefeated


In 1972: With a 16-0 shutout of the Baltimore Colts, the Miami Dolphins (14-0) clinched the first-ever undefeated, untied regular season in NFL history. The ’72 Dolphins are not considered by many to be the most dominant team in history, although they did lead the league in scoring (385 pts) and gave up the fewest (171) behind the “No-Name Defense.” They won despite the fact that starting quarterback Bob Griese went down in the fifth game with an injury and did not return until the AFC Championship game. Earl Morrall, who was 38 years old by then, quietly took the reins and led the league in passing efficiency. Running backs Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris became the first teammates to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. Of course, the Dolphins won three straight in the postseason to finish 17-0; and now it’s just annoying when they annually pop the champagne when the last undefeated team in the NFL loses a game.

In 1973: Exactly 21 years, six months and 12 days before his ex-wife and her friend were found murdered, OJ Simpson ran a sweep left against the New York Jets for a short gain. That run on the cold, muddy Shea Stadium turf helped Simpson become the first ever NFL player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season. He finished with 2,003 yards, won the league MVP and led the usually moribund Buffalo Bills to a winning record and almost a playoff berth. Other than that, nothing else ever happened in Simpson’s life and he plays golf all the time now.

Categories
Atlanta Falcons

Jim Mora Jr is not smart



Insert foot

On a Seattle radio show this morning, Jim Mora Jr. told the interviewer that he’d pack up his stuff from Atlanta and take the University of Washington job if it were available in a heartbeat.


I’d do it, I promise you that. Now, I want to see Ty succeed, and I want to see that program succeed. But if he decides at some point that he’s ready to move on and they want me, I will be there. I don’t care if we’re in the middle of a playoff run, I’m packing my stuff and coming back to Seattle… That’s the job I want. [Host: You’d leave the Falcons for that job?] Absolutely.

Junior immediately issued an apology as soon as the comments spread around the web and sports radio.

First and foremost, I’m sorry. Despite my off-the-cuff intentions, what I said was not appropriate for my players, the Falcons organization and our fans, and Tyrone Willingham. I got too relaxed with the radio talk show host who is a former college roommate, and I got carried away with the banter.

I want every fan in Atlanta to know that my heart and passion are right here with the Falcons and winning our game this weekend.

Hmmm… that’s smart. Piss off the fans of a town that is struggling as a sports town by “joking” that you’d take a college job over their Falcons at the drop of a hat. And on top of that, every player will have to answer the question of whether their coach would quit on them… right before an important matchup against the Cowboys that has huge playoff implications. That Cowboys -3 line is looking better and better.

Here’s an mp3 of the clip where Mora discusses wanting the Huskie job courtesy of KJR radio in Seattle.

Links:
[Sportable]: Jim Mora should probably shut up

[Atlanta Journal Constitution]: Mora says he’d love to coach at U. Wash

Categories
Miami Dolphins

Marcus Vick sued for sexual battery

…but I LOVE you

A 17-year-old is suing Marcus Vick for $6.3 million accusing him of sexual battery upon a minor, fraud, and other chargers (too slow in the 40?).  According to the lawsuit, the girl started a two year sexual relationship with Vick when she was only 15 and he was at Va Tech.   Does she (and her grandma) want Marcus thrown in jail for statutory rape?  Nope, they want cash for “psychological trauma associated with the child sexual abuse perpetrated by defendant Marcus Vick.”

First off, while it’s illegal and reprehensible for Vick to take advantage of a high school girl, this lawsuit smells of a  shakedown.  Second, why does this surprise anyone?  Remember, before the 2004 season, Vick was arrested for providing underaged girls with marijuana, liquor,  and pornography.  You gotta figure he got around to nailing them.  It’s a simple  equation folks, marijuana + underaged girls + pornography = sex.  Or at least that’s what R. Kelly says.  The girl filing the lawsuit is one of the girls in the 2004 incident.  At the time, she invoked the 5th Amendment Rights at the trial  Now, she just understands it’s time to get paid.

She also accuses Vick of fraud because he told her her loved her to get her to have sex with him.  Holy Christ!  If she wins that argument, any man who’s lied to get laid (and that’s just about every man who’s gotten laid) is in serious trouble.

Links:
[Yahoo]: Girl suing former Virginia Tech QB for $6.3 million

Categories
NBA General

Around the Rim: Starter Watch ’07

Rock the Vote

1.  All-Stars  
The first batch of returns from the All-Star balloting are in and the fans have spoken.  In the East, it’s Allen Iverson, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Shaquille O’Neal.  The West leaders are Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan and Yao Ming.  Oddly enough, if Iverson gets traded to a Western Conference team he won’t make the starting five.  A.I. is sitting pretty in the East as the number one guard with 595,200 votes, about 8,500 votes ahead of Wade.  However, in the West he would be well behind both Bryant and McGrady.  In fact, Iverson would be almost 73,000 votes behind McGrady.  There’s no doubt that Iverson would make the team in the West, but it would be the first time in a long time that he didn’t start in the game.  But don’t worry A.I. fans; you still have until January 21 to stuff the ballot box full of votes for The Answer.

2.  Big Bullies
Since the news of Allen Iverson demanding a trade broke, the story has dominated the headlines.  During the entire hubbub, it seems that the Ben Wallace vs. Scott Skiles feud has cooled a bit.  Big Ben has stepped up his play and proven that he’s more than just a headband.  In the Bulls last game, Wallace had 15 points, 20 rebounds and five blocks.  That sounds more like the Ben we all know and love.  The Bulls are rallying around their high-dollar, off-season acquisition and have won nine out of their last ten games; pulling to within two games of division leaders Detroit and Cleveland.  With Wallace focused on defense and Ben Gordon providing some serious firepower off the bench, Chicago is finally beginning to look like the team that many projected to win their division and possibly their conference.

3.  Deflated Balls
Having trouble handling that slick ball?  Are you hand’s bleeding from cuts received while dribbling?  Well, you’ve probably been using the microfiber ball that the league is currently using.  Now that the league has decided to return to the old, leather ball, you can too.  That’s because Spalding, the maker of the composite ball, is giving refunds for returns of the ball.  You can get $115 for sending back the ball that NBA players love to hate.  So, if you wasted your money, like David Stern did, here’s you chance for redemption.  And in the future, don’t forget, leather is better.

Thursday’s Player of the Day:  Yao Ming @ Golden State 41 min, 38 pts (FG: 15-32, 3FG: 0-1, FT: 8-8), 18 reb, 3 ast, 2 blk

Friday’s Game to Watch:  Houston (14-8) @ Los Angeles Lakers (15-7) Houston lost to the Lakers on Tuesday after making an incredible comeback to make things interesting, but it wasn’t enough as L.A. won, 102-94, in Houston.  Now, the teams get to do it again in Los Angeles.  The Lakers are 12-3 at home this year, but will be missing a key piece as Lamar Odom sits for a month.  That means Kobe Bryant has to pick up the scoring load, and that is always fun to watch.  Tracy McGrady is questionable for the game but if he manages to play, this game could be become a shootout between the two stars.

Buzzer Beater:  Baron Davis has been stepping up in a big way for Golden State all season long.  Last night against Houston was no different as Davis went off for 34 points and eight assists.  He also drained the winning three-pointer in Shane Battier’s face with one second left in the game. Despite having one of his best seasons as a pro, Davis is currently tenth in All-Star voting for Western Conference guards.  NBA fans, you should be ashamed of yourselves.

Categories
NFL General

TO’s got problems

From the Wiki entry for Paranoid Personality Disorder:

1. suspects, without sufficient basis, that others are exploiting, harming, or deceiving him or her
2. is preoccupied with unjustified doubts about the loyalty or trustworthiness of friends or associates
3. is reluctant to confide in others because of unwarranted fear that the information will be used maliciously against him or her
4. reads hidden demeaning or threatening meanings into benign remarks or events
5. persistently bears grudges, i.e., is unforgiving of insults, injuries, or slights
6. perceives attacks on his or her character or reputation that are not apparent to others and is quick to react angrily or to counterattack
7. has recurrent suspicions, without justification, regarding fidelity of spouse or sexual partner.

Check check check check check check and uh… maybe check.

Here’s the latest from Little T’s Paranoid Mind:

Owens remains upset that someone within the organization has been airing his dirty laundry… Although T.O. has a good idea of who is snitching — “This is not a situation where someone is hiding out in the bushes,” he said — he won’t confront the suspect until ‘the time is right.’
 

We can’t hardly wait.

Links:
[MSNBC]: A snitch among Cowboys, accuses Owens

Categories
Boston Red Sox

Is Daisuke Matsuzaka worth $103M?


Well folks, it’s official. Matsuzaka and his puffy furry coat have signed with the Red Sox for $52M for six years. Add that in to the $51M they paid the Seibu Lions for his rights and you have a whopping $103M contract for 6 years or over $17M per. While it’s a pretty big number, it’s still doesn’t break A-Rod’s per year deal.

CBS4 in Boston is also reporting that two 17-year-old girls greeted Matsuzaka with a sign that said “WELCOME HOME DAISUKE”. Let’s just hope this wasn’t like the recruiting trip that Jesus Shuttlesworth took when he visited Rick Fox.

Check out the links below for reaction from around the blogosphere. Oh by the way, “Dice-K” seems to be the nickname of choice.

Links:
[CBS4 Boston]: Daisuke Matsuzaka Officially Signs With Red Sox

[Red Sox Talk]: Matsuzaka deal finally inked
[Baseballistic]: Matsuzaka’s Deal is a Win-Win-Win-Win
[Boston Sports Media Watch]: Sox Get It Done
[Call of the Green Monster]: After Losing Battle on Matsuzaka Contract, Boras Plans to Stop Christmas from Coming
[Red Sox Times]: Good Things Come…

Categories
Boxing

Dec 14 in Sports History: The first black heavyweight champion


In 1908: Jack Johnson became the first black world heavyweight champion in boxing by knocking out Tommy Burns (who had to be paid $30,000 because he initially refused to fight a black man) in Sidney, Australia. Accounts from the fight say that Johnson literally knocked the much lighter Burns out while Burns was still on his feet and the fight had to be stopped. Johnson had a career record of 79-8 with 46 knockouts, 12 draws and 14 no decisions (which some believed were attributed to biased judges). Interestingly, he would become a fugitive for several years (while still champion) for transporting a white woman across state lines “for immoral purposes.” He was charged in court by Judge Kennesaw Mountain Landis, the future first commissioner of baseball. His story is documented on a PBS special called “Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson”.

In 1988: The Miami Heat, much like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, set a standard for expansion futility when they lost their first 17 games in the NBA. The got off the schneid by beating the equally pathetic Los Angeles Clippers 89-88. The Heat were built to suck that year, as they featured a starting lineup anchored by Rony Seikaly and Pat Cummings; and no player made more than $650,000. They finished 15-67. A little trivia: which division did the Heat play in that first year?

In 1984: ABC’s “Monday Night Football” became a lot less controversial, but also a lot less interesting as commentator Howard Cosell retired. Whether fans loved him or hated the former New York lawyer, they always tuned in to watch him. Many believe that MNF went downhill after Cosell left because a good replacement was never found (simply because there was only one Cosell). Cosell always had to “tell it like it is“, whether raging about the “jockocracy,” or calling a player an idiot. His most memorable moments during MNF were suddenly announcing the murder of John Lennon during a game and calling Redskins receiver Alvin Garrett a “little monkey.” Cosell died in 1995. A few other interesting facts about Cosell: he never announced a Super Bowl and he once hosted an episode of “Saturday Night Live.”

Categories
NBA General

Where will Iverson end up?



Looks good

The question on everyone’s mind is: where will Iverson end up? Well, here are the latest rumors and conjectures from around the league:

Philly Inquirer: “A source indicated last night that Denver was willing to part with center Nene as part of a package for Iverson and that George Karl had expressed no problems with coaching Iverson…The Nuggets would also be willing to deal injured forward Kenyon Martin, but the Sixers have no interest in the surgically susceptible forward. Martin is out for the year following a second microfracture knee surgery in November and still is due $59.75 million after this season.”

NY Daily News: “One of the deals King was strongly considering is with Golden State, for point guard Baron Davis, center Andris Biedrins and a third unidentified player. In addition to Iverson, the Warriors would get backup center Steven Hunter. While a source close to one of the players involved called the deal “done,” the Sixers remain quiet about where they will be sending Iverson.”

Golden State of Mind: “One of our sources in close touch with an Eastern Conference scout said that the last thing they heard was that the Warriors upped their offer to Baron Davis, Monta Ellis, Ike Diogu and a 1st rounder for Allen Iverson and presumably some other 76ers players. It’s not clear whether this heavy offer was made before or after Bucher’s earlier TV report that the Warriors were out of the running.”

Boston Globe: “With the asking price for Allen Iverson too high, the Celtics‘ interest in the former NBA MVP may have cooled, according to league sources. Boston knows what Philadelphia wants, but is reluctant to put certain players, and possibly draft picks, on the table. Gerald Green and Paul Pierce are off limits. And Al Jefferson may have joined Green and Pierce as players executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge will not deal.”

Detroit News: “Minnesota: The Timberwolves appear to have fallen to the end of the line. Randy Foye has some value to the Sixers, but apparently that’s where the intrigue ends for King.”