Tag: NBA

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Chicago Bulls

June 16 in Sports History: Jordan comes back to lead the Bulls

In 1996: The Chicago Bulls won their fourth NBA championship in six years by defeating the Seattle Supersonics 87-75 to win the series 4-2. Jordan won his record fourth Finals MVP (he would capture all six) on a bittersweet day. The game was played on Father’s Day, and Jordan’s father James had been murdered in North Carolina three years earlier. The most memorable scene was Jordan collapsing to the locker room, overcome with emotion.

The 1995-96 Bulls were considered one of the greatest teams in NBA history. In Jordan’s first full season back since his first retirement (he played less than half of the ‘95 season), Chicago finished with a 72-10 regular season record followed by a 15-3 playoff record. They swept the Heat in the first round, knocked off the Knicks in five games, swept the Magic in the conference finals and took out the Sonics in six. (nba.com)

In 1974: Hale Irwin won the U.S. Open at Winged Foot, the site of this year’s tournament. Irwin took the Open with a seven over par 287, which was the second highest winning score of the last half of the century. The course was brutal, and many believed it was the hardest U.S. Open ever. Some even called it the “Massacre at Winged Foot.” Jay Haas was the “low” amateur at a mind-boggling +28. The course played 6,961 yards in 1974; it is over 7,200 this year, so look out for some high scores. (golfchannel.com)

Categories
College Basketball

Odds and Ends (06.14.06): More bad news for JJ Redick

On top of his DUI charge, there is a report that Redick failed a physical in Orlando and might need surgery and will be out for an extended period because of a back problem. His agent, Arm Tellem refused to comment on the report and instead issued a statement that Redick will be taken anywhere from 7 to 14 in the draft.

In other news…

[Can’t Stop the Bleeding]: This guy is kidding right?

[ESPN]: Roethlisberger was warned in writing last year that he might jeopardize portions of his contract, and could suffer financial implications if he continued to ride a motorcycle.

[AZ Central]: Police arrested 40 Polish fans ahead of Wednesday’s World Cup match between Germany and Poland

[CNN]: Two Thai fans killed for cheering too loudly while watching World Cup game

[MLB.com]: Wrigley Bullpen goes wireless so pitchers can get up to the minute updates on how far out of first they are

[mbotrell.com]: Active Players In R.B.I Baseball, Tecmo Bowl, & Tecmo Super Bowl

Categories
Chicago Bulls

June 12 in sports history: Bulls first stop on the dynasty

[This Date in Sports History is a new feature on the blog. If you have a historical sports event that you’d like us to cover, please email us.]

In 1991 – Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls wrap up their first NBA title with a 108-101 victory over the Lakers in Los Angeles at the Great Western Forum. The Bulls won the series 4-1. It was the first of six titles in the 1990s for Jordan, who would also be named MVP of the finals a record six times.

In 1997 – The first interleague game in MLB history took place. Proving that he didn’t quite get it right back then either, acting commissioner Bud Selig pits the San Francisco Giants versus the Texas Rangers, with the Giants winning 4-3. Useless Trivia Alert: The Giants Stan Javier hits the first ever interleague home run off the Rangers Darren Oliver. (baseballalmanac.com)

In 1981 – The third ever MLB Player’s strike begins and lasts for 60 days. The central issue was free-agent compensation. George Brett, showing his compassion for the fans, said “If anyone stays away (after the strike), my response is this – those people had no right to ever come to the park, because they aren’t true baseball fans.” Major League owners decided to split the 1981 season into two halves, with the first-place teams from each half in each division meeting in a best-of-five divisional playoff series. As a result, the Oakland A’s, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers were guaranteed playoff spots as first-half division champions. (baseballalmanac.com)

Categories
Washington Wizards

Gilbert Arenas’ street name is "Zero Hero"



Our Hero

Gilbert Arenas might be the coolest cat in the NBA. (Except when LeBron whispers in his ear about free throws…) On Monday, it was reported that Arenas was arrested for “resisting without violence” on Miami Beach. And upon being arrested, he said, “You can’t arrest me. I’m a basketball player. I play for the Washington Wizards.”

In today’s Washington Post column by Michael Wilbon, Gilbert defends himself.


I was told it was for resisting arrest without violence.
I still don’t understand what for. I was in a limousine, stuck in really bad traffic going to this restaurant, Ago, when I decided to step out of the car. The limo driver said, ‘The guy who just got out is being arrested.’ I looked over and saw seven police officers arresting Storey. . . .

I didn’t have the chance to say anything; an officer put cuffs on me from behind. . . . When I was taken in, I said, ‘I don’t mean to be rude, but can I talk to the officer who arrested me?’ And the officer says, ‘You were being nosy.’ And I said, ‘Are you putting that in your official police report, that I was being nosy?’ And then he keeps asking me questions:

“‘Do you have tattoos?’ I said, ‘Yes, I have three.’ And then, ‘What is your street name?’ I laughed. Of course I laughed. My street name? What? Okay, it’s Zero Hero. [Arenas wears “0” on his Wizards jersey.]

” ‘And he says, ‘Oh, everything is funny to you, huh?’

Gilbert claims he never said he couldn’t be arrested because he was a basketball player then made a reference to Anchorman and how ludicrous the whole situation was. After the whole ordeal, Arenas is selling his condo in Miami. “They can have their nice beach. They’ve convinced me I do not belong.” Somehow because this is Gilbert Arenas, we’re buying the selling your expensive real estate as social commentary move.

Links:
[Washington Post]: Arenas Bummed by the Beach

Categories
General Sports

The Weekly Sports Roundup Podcast for May 17 2006

Welcome to another episode of the Sportscolumn podcast. If you’d like to be a guest on the podcast (which is recorded Tuesday nights) or you want to suggest a topic, drop me a line at [email protected].

You can download this week’s podcast directly (running time 40 mins) or subscribe to the feed.  

If you use iTunes, just click here and then click subscribe and iTunes will take care of the rest.

This week’s topics include:

  • NBA playoffs
  • Sharks blow it
  • waaaay too early NFL discussion
  • college hazing
  • American League discussion

Hope you guys enjoy the podcast.  If you did enjoy it, please give us a good rating below so we can rise up in the rankings. If you didn’t, send us an email ([email protected]) and give us some suggestions. Thanks for listening.

Categories
New York Knicks

Larry Brown is smarter than James Dolan


Larry Brown’s agent said that LB is not going anywhere and that he will either coach the Knicks or be fired. It might seem foolish to turn down a $25M buyout but why settle for $25M when you can get fired and get the whole $40M?

In Brown’s world, it’s better to be fired than to be thought of as a quitter. Either way, there will be a few GMs lining up to hire Brown as their next coach but if he’s fired, it’s the stupidity of the Knicks management, not because he quit on his team. He’ll just tell the next GM that it’s not until the second year of his plan, after he’s torn the team down, that the players start buying into his system and he can rebuild it back up.

Larry will end up getting 3 paychecks for 1 job. Man that guy is a genius. Everyone knows Larry’s M.O. yet they fall for it every time. Larry is all about Larry. The money, the accolades, the ego. It turns out Larry Brown is the T.O. of the NBA. Sure he’ll get you results but you’ll end up with a ton of grief dealing with his crap.

Links:
[NY Post]: BYE BUYOUT
[NY Daily News]: Knicks a real horror show

Categories
NBA General

This is why the NBA kicks the NHL’s ass

You just have to watch this video medley of various Ali G NBA commercials to understand why the NBA playoffs are watched by everyone and OLN gets less ratings than reruns of Night Court. Listening to Denis Leary or Keifer Sutherland’s voice-over work for “my Stanley Cup” somehow doesn’t make us want to watch more NHL. But Ali G? Genius.

Categories
New York Knicks

Just when you thought Team Titanic couldn’t get worse



Who’s the sucker?

MSG Chairman James Dolan is reportedly going to buy out Larry Brown’s $50M contract and have Isiah Thomas coach the team. If the 2005-2006 season (23-59) for the New York Knicks was like hitting the iceberg, then this news is like a meteor striking the ship while capsized.

We laugh at the Yankees for paying about $2M per win but if Brown gets bought out for the entire amount, that works out to about $2.2M per win just to pay the coach. Money, meet toilet.

Let’s talk about Isiah Thomas first. Here’s a guy who couldn’t coach a talented Indian Pacers team out of the first round of the playoffs, who got dismissed by the Pacers, and who bankrupted and destroyed an entire league. Now Dolan wants to get rid of his hall of fame coach so that Zeke can get even less out of the league’s highest payroll? If Isiah Thomas gets the job, it’s only a matter of time before Steve Francis and Stephon Marbury fight each other to the death to decide who runs the asylum. The rest of the Atlantic division must be rejoicing at this news.

Now, let’s talk about Larry Brown. Has anyone else in the league been able to get paid by more people for doing less? He got Detroit to pay him $7M to leave and now he’s going to get NY to pay him up to $40M to take a job elsewhere. Here’s a note to the kids everywhere. Your goal in life is not to make a lot of money. Your goal in life is to get such a good reputation that you can screw over franchise after franchise and still have people lining up to hire you. Sacramento, you’re next up.

[NY Post]: KNICKS HOPE TO CLOSE BROWN ERA BY NEXT WEEK
[NY Daily News]: Money must grow
in Dolan’s Garden

Categories
Detroit Pistons

Sheed guarantees game 4 victory

Quick you degenerate gamblers, the line is at Detroit -275 (!) but go ahead and bet the farm on the Pistons tonight. Rasheed Wallace has guaranteed victory.


I know we’re going to win. I know we’re going to bust their ass tomorrow night. It’s the last game in this building for this year. Ya’ll can quote me, put it back page, front page, whatever.

Now, if this was Tayshaun Prince guaranteeing victory, run, don’t walk, away from your bookie. But remember, Sheed has guaranteed victory twice before in the playoffs. Once against Indiana in 2004 and once this year against the Bucks. Both times, the Pistons have delivered. We’re on board with this and have put our $5 on the Pistons tonight.

Links:
[Detroit Free Press]: ‘SHEED OPEN WIDE: Rash statements? He talks the talk

Categories
General Sports

The Weekly Sports Roundup Podcast for May 9 2006

Welcome to another episode of the Sportscolumn podcast. If you’d like to be a guest on the podcast (which is recorded Tuesday nights) or you want to suggest a topic, drop me a line at [email protected].

You can download this week’s podcast directly (running time 35 mins) or subscribe to the feed.  

If you use iTunes, just click here and then click subscribe and iTunes will take care of the rest.

This week’s topics include:

  • NBA playoff picks
  • NHL Playoffs
  • the hometown discount
  • selling your team loyalty

Hope you guys enjoy the podcast.  If you did enjoy it, please give us a good rating below so we can rise up in the rankings. If you didn’t, send us an email ([email protected]) and give us some suggestions. Thanks for listening.