Listen up all you guys with wives and girlfriends. With new episodes of American Idol and The Real World running tonight, you’re going to have to be pretty clever to pry the remote control out of your ol’ lady’s hands. Let’s face it, you know you want to watch the pair of Game 5’s in the NBA tonight and you know you want to watch them on the big screen. So, if you need a blueprint for how to get the tube to yourself then just watch this.
1. Pressure? What pressure?
Just when it looked like the pressures of inexperience were finally catching up with the playoff green New Orleans Hornets, they stepped up again against the veteran defending champs. The Spurs owned a three-point advantage at halftime, just like in Games 1 and 2, but promptly had their socks blown off in the third period, just like in Games 1 and 2, when David West helped led his team on a 28-11 run in the quarter. By the time the final buzzer sounded, New Orleans had a 101-79 victory and a 3-2 lead in the series. The Spurs had no answer for West who recorded playoff career-highs with 38 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks on the same night San Antonio reserve Robert Horry played in his 238th postseason game, the most in league history. The Spurs philosophy of shutting down Peja Stojakovic (3-8 FG, 9 pts) offensively with Bruce Bowen worked once again, but, once again, they had no such luck against West or Chris Paul who finished with a 22-point, 14-assist double-double. Tim Duncan could not find his range, missing 13 of his 18 shots, but still posted 23 rebounds while Manu Ginobili erred his way to a team-high 20 points on 5-of-15 shooting. Game 6 is on Thursday in San Antonio where it will be do-or-die time for the home team.
2. It’s over!
In the final seconds of the game, Hedo Turkoglu went for a dunk that would have brought Orlando within a point of the Pistons. But Tayshaun Prince swooped in to make a game-changing block, forcing the Magic to foul and Detroit strolled into the Eastern Conference Finals with a 91-86 win. The Pistons are playing in their sixth consecutive conference finals, tying them with three other teams for the third most in NBA history after defeating Orlando in five games. Despite playing without Chauncey Billups for the final two contests, the Pistons were still the superior team, led by the starters who combined for all but four of the team’s points in the series closer. Richard Hamilton was perfect from the free-throw line, hitting all 16 of his attempts en route to a game-high 31 points and Antonio McDyess was outstanding with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Hamilton also became the franchise’s all-time leader in postseason points with 2,282 in 110 career games. For the Magic, it’s another disappointing to finish to an impressive season. They continue to take baby steps or in Dwight Howard’s case, man-child steps forward, but until Howard truly becomes the unstoppable offensive threat he is capable of being then these early exits will continue to occur.
3. Pain in the back
Going into Game 5 of the Lakers/Jazz series on Wednesday night, there’s really only one question that matters: How’s Kobe’s back? The MVP was in obvious pain during Game 4, but he still managed to almost record a triple-double in the loss, scoring 33 points to go with eight rebounds and 10 assists. So, in order to make sure their star was as close to 100 percent as possible, the Lakers rested Bryant during practice on Tuesday. Bryant said he would be “fine” for the momentum swinging game tonight which will give the winner a 3-2 advantage. We’re expecting a big game out of Bryant tonight; after all, if he can play with the weight of a sexual-assault trial on his back then a little tweak should be no problem at all.
Tuesday’s Player of the Day: David West vs. San Antonio 44 min, 38 pts (FG: 16-25, FT: 6-7), 14 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl, 5 blk
Buzzer Beater: After carrying bags and bringing in the doughnuts for an entire season, it’s time to give the NBA’s rookies a little love. The league’s All-Rookie teams were announced yesterday and the Hawks Al Horford was the only unanimous selection on the first squad. Surprisingly, the NBA Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant received only 57 of a possible 58 votes. Joining the hands-down best rooks in the game was Luis Scola from Houston, Al Thornton with the Clippers and Durant’s teammate Jeff Green. Second teamers included Jamario Moon (Tor), Juan Carlos Navarro (Mem), Thaddeus Young (Phi), Rodney Stuckey (Det) and Carl Landry (Hou).
We all know that Snoop D-O-double-G is about the purple and gold and this season he’s got a whole lot to be happy about. Kobe Bryant is the MVP, Pau Gasol is turning out to be the best pickup since Kevin Garnett went to Beantown and the Western Conference Finals are within reach for the first time since 2004. But why are we telling what Snoopy has to be thankful for? We’ll let him do that himself since he’s dedicated an entire rap to the Lakers latest postseason campaign.
Who would have ever predicted in a million years that Jordan Farmar would be getting shout-outs from the Doggfather in a song! Probably the same people who picked Atlanta would push Boston to the brink.
Links:
[Sportaphile.com]: Snoop Dogg & Kurupt Record “L.A. Lakers Theme” For 2008 Playoffs
Spygate is the story that just won’t die. Months after the story first surfaced, it’s still a hot topic with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell taking to a podium on Monday afternoon in order to spill the beans concerning Matt Walsh, former New England video assistant. Goodell basically said no new information came from the interview with Walsh, meaning this story could actually reach the end of its lifespan after all. Of course, if you ask Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, it wouldn’t have ever been a topic of conversation if it wasn’t for that damn ESPN and all their muscle-headed analysts.
Appearing on the Boston radio station WEEI, Brady suggested that the reason Patriotgate has stayed in the news is that the media in general and ESPN specifically are looking to fabricate a controversy.
“I think it’s a way to really sell newspapers, and all the ESPN stations, they’ve got to fill the air, too,” Brady said.
When it was pointed out to Brady that many of the ex-NFL players who work at ESPN were harshly critical of the Patriots and suggested that they gained a huge advantage from stealing signals, Brady said, “It’s just kind of the environment right now, though. I think that’s the way that guys make it. They just say the craziest things. That’s what ESPN has become. ESPN, to me, is like MTV without the videos, ESPN is without the highlights.”
C’mon Tom, give ESPN a little more credit than that. They don’t just fabricate stories and say outlandish things. After all, you remember the high level of dignity and class they displayed during the Sean Taylor tragedy, don’t you?
By the way, MTV used to have videos?!?
Links:
[BostonHerald.com]: Tom Brady: Ordeal remains `dead issue’
[FanHouse]: Tom Brady Rips ESPN
Tony Romo joined the ever-growing list of Chicago’s infamous vocal villains when he attempted to sing “Take Me Out To the Ball Game” at a Cubs game. Fortunately, for the eardrums of those in attendance, unlike Ozzy Osborne, Eddie Vedder and William Hung (not in Chicago, but still equally gut-wrenching), Romo pretty much gave up after “Take me out to the crowd.”
Wonder if maybe the choke job had something to do with his warm reception from the Cubbies faithful. Considering he’s dating Jessica Simpson, you’d figure her kid sister would have given him some pointers about performing in front of a brutally honest crowd. Remember the Orange Bowl?
Life is good for Reggie Bush. After getting blindsided in the National Championship against Texas in 2006, the Heisman winner has put together a nice career for himself in New Orleans and appears poised to become one of the fiercest all-around weapons of mass destruction in the entire NFL. And speaking of weapons of mass destruction, quite possibly Bush’s greatest achievement since going pro was hooking up with the well-endowed Kim Kardashian. Not only is she a sex queen, a Playboy model and the envy of flat-assed white girls the world over, but she does stuff like this for her man.
God bless you Kim Kardashian, God bless you.
Links:
[SI.com]: `Bush And The Tush’ Update
[411Mania.com]: Kim Kardashian Gets Ass Treatment, New Calendar Photos
What the hell is going on American ball parks these days. First, they drop the legal drinking age to six months and now dads are catching home run balls with one hand while cradling junior in the other! What’s next? Are women are going to start delivering babies in the right field bleachers just to immediately have them signed by the Yankees?!?
Surely, by now you’ve seen the clip of Danica Patrick bowling over a member of an opposing pit crew. But if you haven’t then here’s your chance. It’s pretty painful to watch. Charles Buckman is still in the hospital after suffering a fractured skull and experiencing brain hemorrhaging, but he is expected to recover.
We know that the Indy Racing League released Patrick of all responsibility in the incident, but now is the perfect opportunity for you to insert your favorite “women are bad drivers” joke.
1. Jazz jump on Kobe’s back
Utah came roaring back on their home floor over the weekend, winning both games to tie their series against the Lakers after getting punked-out on the road. Despite having a bad back for most of the game, Kobe Bryant poured in 33 points and 10 assists, helping the Lakers force overtime where they fell to the Jazz 123-115. It’s difficult to say a team that gave up 115 points played good defense, but Utah did. Jerry Sloan’s boys forced 12 turnovers, blocked 10 shots and stole the ball seven times during the 53-minute grudge match. Deron Williams paced the Jazz with 29 points and 14 assists while Carlos Boozer (14 pts, 12 reb) and Mehmet Okur (18 pts, 11 reb) posted double-doubles. Game 5 should be a doozie back in L.A. on Wednesday. If the Jazz want to win this series, they are going to have to take a game on the road at some point.
2. Champs have new life
San Antonio came roaring back on their home floor over the weekend, winning both games to tie their series against the Hornets after getting punked-out on the road. (Hmmmm, this sounds familiar.) The Spurs finally looked like the defending champions against New Orleans on Sunday, pounding the Hornets 100-80 in a contest that was all but finished in the second quarter. San Antonio led by 2 points after one, 13 at the half and 24 by the end of the third quarter, tying the series at two games apiece. Tim Duncan was solid with 22 points, 15 boards and four swats while Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili chipped in a combined 36 points, 10 rebounds and 16 assists. San Antonio allowed Chris Paul (23 pts, 5 ast) to get his by design, choosing instead to limit his teammates. Bruce Bowen kept Peja Stojakovic out of synch, limiting the sharpshooter to just six points on 3-of-9 shooting. David West was well below average as well, missing 11 of his 15 attempts. Game 5 should be a doozie back in N.O. on Tuesday. If the Spurs want to win this series, they are going to have to take a game on the road at some point. (Hmmmm, this sounds familiar.)
3. Rick Carlisle heads to Texas
The Mavericks have a new head coach and his name is Rick Carlisle. The former Pacers and Pistons big cheese now heads to Big D where he hopes to change the fortunes of the franchise after a pair of brutal first round exits and one monumental Finals collapse. The news conference is set for Wednesday and the parties appear to be looking at a contract of four years worth a guaranteed $17.5 million. Carlisle has experienced similar disappointments in the postseason with a 30-32 combined record, but the guy was good when he had solid talent around him. With Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Josh Howard and Jason Terry to play with, we expect Carlisle to lead the Mavs back to respectability after finishing seventh in the West this season. The mystery remains if he can get the soft Mavericks to show some guts in the postseason.
Sunday’s Player of the Day: Deron Williams vs. Los Angeles Lakers 44 min, 29 pts (FG: 9-13, 3FG: 3-4, FT: 8-8), 3 reb, 14 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk
Buzzer Beater:
“We’re going to win this game in Detroit.”
Now that we’re a good ways into the NBA playoffs, those damn split-screen commercials with a pair of All-Stars yapping about the importance of winning it all are really getting annoying. But they’re still better than some of the others ads athletes have taken part in and we’ve found a list of The Top 25 Hilarious Bad Athlete Commercials to prove it.
Here are our personal favorites:
Our one complaint with the list is, where the hell is the Peyton vs. Eli lick-off?!?
Links:
[The Angry T]: The Top 25 Hilarious Bad Athlete Commercials
