Categories
NBA General

Around the Rim: Rocky Mountain High


1. Scoring King
Thanks to six straight games of at least 30 points, the NBA has a new scoring leader. Carmelo Anthony has been torching his opponents all year long and now boasts a league high 31 point per game average, seven-tenths of a point ahead of Milwaukee’s Michael Redd. Anthony struggled in the opening game of the season and managed to net only 15 points on six of 13 shooting. Since that game, Melo has been shooting 49.4 percent from the field and has put together an impressive string of scoring: 28 vs. Minnesota, 37 vs. New York, 31 @ Philadelphia, 36 @ Charlotte, 33 @ Miami, 34 @ Orlando and 34 vs. Toronto. Anthony has been able to increase his scoring average, in part, due to his ability to get to the line, shooting 70 of 81 in his eight games this season. With Kenyon Martin gone for the rest of the season, expect Anthony’s attempts from the field to grow even further. Andre Miller and J.R. Smith will see their numbers improve, as well, because of the injury to Martin but there is no doubt who shoulders the scoring load in Denver.

2. Wardrobe Change
On Saturday night, the NBA revealed a new line of alternate road uniforms for the Jazz, Nets, Bobcats and Wizards. For Utah, Charlotte and New Jersey, the changes were minimal. The Nets’ uniforms looked very similar to their normal gear except that they were red. Charlotte replaced its normal red road jersey with a slate blue one and Utah donned a baby blue uniform with navy and white stripes going down along the sides. However, the award for the biggest fashion break-out goes to the Washington Wizards who changed from a blue road uniform to a gold and black set with stars along the sides. Washington became the first team since the 1946 Chicago Stags to wear a uniform that consisted of different colored shorts and jerseys. The predominately black shorts contrasted with a bright gold jersey. The uniforms didn’t guarantee the teams victories on the road however. The four teams went 2-2 with Washington winning easily and Utah snatching a three point victory in overtime at Phoenix, while Charlotte and New Jersey both proceeded to lose by double digits in their new attire.

3. Blood, No Foul
On Friday, Houston Rockets’ head coach Jeff Van Gundy was fined $25,000 for publicly criticizing the officials in charge during the game last week between Houston and Miami. The game pitted the leagues two most dominant big men, Shaquille O’Neal and Yao Ming, in a physical battle. Yao left the game with a large gash on his arm from contact with O’Neal which lead to comments by Van Gundy. “It just irritated me,” said Van Gundy. “The whole game irritated me the way he was officiated. ‘There was no contact,’ (officials said) yet there was blood streaming down his arm.” This isn’t the first time that Van Gundy has paid a fine over what he felt was poor treatment of his star center. He was forced to fork over $100,000 in May after stating that an official not involved in the playoffs told Van Gundy that Mark Cuban had convinced the referees to unfairly target Yao.

4. Wade Un’Shaq’led
Shaquille O’Neal is expected to miss between four and six weeks thanks to surgery meant to repair torn cartilage in his knee. While the team is going to miss having the big man in the center, Dwyane Wade fans will be happy to see their hero begin a true MVP run. Miami is 2-3 without Shaq but Wade’s numbers are outstanding during those games. Wade is averaging 25 points, five rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game with O’Neal in the lineup. Without Shaq Daddy, Wade has increased his numbers to 29 points, five rebounds, 8.6 assists and two steals per game. The long term absence of Shaq will give Pat Riley added incentive to keep the ball in Wade’s hands, thus increasing his scoring and assists. While Wade’s numbers will most likely see an upward spike, the team, currently 8th in the eastern conference, could be struggling to remain in playoff contention by the time their post presence returns.

Sunday’s Player of the Day: Tim Duncan @ Sacramento 31 min, 35 pts (FG: 13-17, FT: 9-11), 14 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk

Monday’s Game to Watch: San Antonio (8-2) @ Portland (5-6) The Spurs are off to a franchise best 5-0 on the road this season after a win over Sacramento on Sunday. San Antonio would love to continue their recent road success but Portland is proving to be a tougher team than most people expected. The Trail Blazers currently have a record of 5-6 but they have been especially competitive in Portland where they are 3-1. Both teams possess potential power forward MVP’s in Tim Duncan and Zach Randolph. It should be a battle all-night in the post as these two double-double artists perform their magic in the paint.

Categories
Chicago Bears

Nov 20 in Sports History: Sweetness breaks the killer’s single game rushing record


In 1977: Walter Payton broke O.J. Simpson’s single-game NFL rushing record with 275 yards on 40 carries in a 10-7 win over the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Simpson had set the record a year earlier with 273. “Sweetness’” performance sparked a run to the playoffs for the struggling Bears, who made the postseason for the first time in 14 years. Payton’s record stood for 23 years, until it was broken by Corey Dillon of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2000 and again by Jamal Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens in 2003. Payton also set a record for most rushing attempts that season with 339 (which he broke a few years later). (The ESPN Pro Football Encyclopedia)

In 1962: Mickey Mantle tied an American League record by winning his third AL MVP award. Mantle shares the record with fellow Yankee greats Joe Dimaggio and Yogi Berra. Mantle won the award despite playing in only 123 games due to nagging injuries, hitting .321 with 30 homers and 89 RBI. Along with the three Yankees, only three other players have won three MVP awards (Roy Campanella, Stan Musial and Mike Schmidt). Barry Bonds (unfortunately) has won the award seven times. (baseball library.com)

Categories
Indiana Pacers

Odds and Ends: What not to say to Ben Wallace

According to the Smoking Gun, the phrase that fanned the flames at the Malace in the Palace was “You can suck my balls”. In an interview by NBA Security investigating the incident, Matt Dobek, the Pistons VP of Public relations stated that’s what he heard Artest say to Ben Wallace as he lay on the scorer’s table. In related news, the fan who threw the cup of beer at Artest has been banned for life from Pistons games. Oh for old times’ sake, let’s take a look at the video again.

In other news…

[AP]: Report: NBA union OKs supplement deal

[Elephant’s In Oakland]: A’s hire Geren as manager

[NY Daily News]: Giants Should have passed on Eli

[Yahoo]: Even though nobody watches the series, Cards get record $20M split

[The Wizard of Odds]: hating on Michigan

[Post-Gazette]: A Texas high school team has started doing the haka (minus the handbags)

Categories
College Basketball

Legendary Michigan coach Bo Schembechler dies


Bo Schembechler was on the WXYZ studio set before a taping of the “Big Ten Ticket” television show when he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital and died.

Last month, Schembechler had a pacemaker inserted to help regulate his heartbeat. He had previously had two heart attacks and two quadruple heart bypass operations.

We can’t help but think whether this will have a Wellington Mara effect on the Wolverines as they go into Columbus tomorrow for the showdown with Ohio State.

Links:
[WXYZ]: Breaking News: Bo Schembechler has Died

Categories
NBA General

Around the Rim: Celtic Pride


1. Mr. Everything
Boston is tied for the second worst record in the league at 2-6, including a pair of three game losing streaks. But it’s not due to a lack of effort from the team’s lone superstar. Paul Pierce is averaging 26.4 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists. Pierce is the only player in the league to lead his team in total points, rebounds and assists. He also leads his team in minutes, defensive rebounds and steals, and his field goal and three point percentages are higher than his career averages. Unfortunately, Pierce can’t beat teams by himself. Wally Szczerbiak gives the team a good complimentary scorer but it is not enough to compensate for a team that lacks depth, defense and overall talent. Boston is currently very, very far away from competing for a championship and it’s a shame to see a guy give his all, just to keep racking up the loses. At least Pierce is acting like a professional and playing hard for his money despite the situation; many veterans of his caliber would be demanding for a trade in the same circumstance.

2. Gimme a Break!
The players are already sick of the all the changes’ going on in the league right now and it’s not just about the new composite ball. In addition to the crackdown on whining and reactions to official’s calls, the league has brought in a whole new set of officials to oversee the lesser noticed violations that go on during games. These officials oversee the players and issue disciplinary consequences for infractions such as, players removing their jersey from their shorts when going to the bench or having their name printed on a wristband they are wearing. They also make sure that the players remain still and do not chew gum during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Furthermore, the fashion police strictly prohibit the wearing of wrist bands on a player’s bicep. The breaking of these and about 12 other absurd rules can get players slapped with a fine from David Stern. Stern is still trying to repair the image of the league after the ugly incident in Detroit two years ago, but he is doing so at the expense of his work forces’ satisfaction. The players aren’t happy with the strict enforcement of these rules and, frankly, who can blame them. They are quite trivial. However, NBAers need to be prepared to pay the fines for any violations because Stern’s watchdogs are out in full force.

3. Inside, Inside the NBA

Now that world has been shocked by the dancing prowess of NFL legends Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith, who’s going to be the next athlete to show off their twinkle toes on primetime television? Could it be TNT’s own, Charles Barkley? On Thursday’s episode of Pardon the Interruption, the question of participating on the program was asked of Barkley. Sir Charles responded by saying he would go on Dancing With the Stars if the PTI’s host, Tony Kornheiser, would stop wearing a hideous, bright red jacket he sports from time to time. Last night on Inside the NBA, in quite possibly the funniest moment in the history of the show, everybody got a preview of what could be as the crew played a tape of Smith’s body with the Chuckster’s head attached as he performed the samba in a shiny, bright green shirt. It was played repeatedly until the end of the show while Barkley’s colleagues hysterically laughed to the point of tears. Barkley’s only comment during the footage was “That’s better than peanut butter and jelly.”

Thursday’s Player of the Day: Baron Davis vs. Sacramento 44 min, 36 pts (FG: 12-20, 3FG: 2-5, FT: 10-10), 8 reb, 18 ast, 3 stl

Friday’s Game to Watch: Utah (7-1) @ Seattle (4-5) Utah has the best record in the NBA and is riding a three game winning streak, including a win over the Clippers without the injured Andrei Kirilenko. Carlos Boozer is getting some early MVP consideration and Deron Williams is shaping into the point guard Utah has lacked since the retirement of John Stockton. Seattle had a three game winning streak snapped at home versus Philadelphia on Wednesday and will look to the combo scoring of Ray Allen (25.1 points per game) and Rashard Lewis (23.7) to begin a new winning streak at the expense of the league’s best team.

Categories
Philadelphia 76ers

Chris Webber wants out of Philly


According to the Sacramento Bee (way to get the scoop Philly newspapers…), Chris Webber wants to be traded since his new offensive role this year involves sitting during 4th quarters of tight games.


I’m not going to keep playing like this,” Webber told the Bee after scoring six points in 23 minutes Wednesday as the Sixers beat Seattle, 96-90. “I don’t like this role. So you can take that however you want.

So basically, one of the two untradable players under Billy King’s stewardship wants to be traded. Webber is slated to make $20.7M this season and $22.3M next year.

But wait… this is the NBA so that means by the trade deadline in February, he will be tradable because GMs will be willing to take on $30M of salary because Webber goes off the books after the 2007-2008 season. The NBA salary cap rules are almost as silly as Major League Baseball’s lack of a salary cap. Then of course, there’s always the the retarded GM willing to sign huge stiffs to long term contracts. (Hello Chris Mullin, Isiah Thomas, Danny Ainge, Kiki Vandeweghe…etc…etc…)

Links:
[Sacramento Bee]: With a reduced role, Webber wants trade

Categories
New York Yankees

You can’t cheat death

Just a quick follow up to the Corey Lidle tragedy here. We certainly aren’t making light of it but this is like Final Destination 6 or something:

A 68-year-old man who almost accompanied Cory Lidle on his fatal flight in New York City last month died in a plane crash in California on Tuesday.
…
According to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Bob Cartwright, whose friend and personal pilot died in the plane crash that also killed the New York Yankees pitcher, and two other men died when their private plane crashed into the shoreline of Big Bear Lake, near Cartwright’s mountain home in Sugarloaf, Calif.

Talk about bad luck.

Links:
[MSNBC]: Man skips Lidle flight, dies in later plane crash

Categories
All Other Sports

Odds and Ends: Around the Blogosphere


Two great stories in the blogosphere today. The first from There’s Your Karma, Ripe as Peaches: “I couldn’t wrap my brain around the possibility that a person I once revered as more than a man could get in a dancing competition and proceed to out-gay Mario Lopez…”

The second is from Can’t Stop the Bleeding. We don’t know what the story is actually about but he managed to make a reference to Roland Przybylewski AND use the word effect as a verb correctly. Well done, sir.

In other news…

[CNN Money]: Why I hate Monday Night Football

[ESPN]: Here’s an idea – how about Bonds just leaves baseball period?

[USA Today]: Average college coaches salary up to $950k a year

[ESPN]: LPGA to start drug testing… cause you know, everyone was so up in arms about steroids in womens golf

[The Offside]: The High Cost of being a WAG

[Awful Announcing]: Dissecting Jemele Hill’s first ESPN Page 2 Column

Categories
Philadelphia 76ers

Iverson is a good guy


There are so many negative stories involving athletes that it’s good to point out these good guy stories every once in a while. Even though we make fun of Allen Iverson a lot (the practice?! video is really funny), he is one of our favorite athletes. Sure he’ll get arrested over a trumped up charge and his boy will get fined for parking his Bentley in a handicap spot, but then he’ll turn around and do something like this:


Allen Iverson will pay for the funeral of a man who died three years after he was shot in southwest Philadelphia because he refused to hand over his Iverson jersey to a group of teens.
…
The shooting left Johnson paralyzed, in a wheelchair and eventually on a ventilator. Last week, the ventilator failed, and Johnson suffered irreparable brain damage. The family chose to take him off it.
…
“If they were that serious about that jersey I would have given them 100 jerseys if they wanted it,” Iverson said. “It was just tough, just to see somebody die for something senseless like that, over a jersey, over something material.

Links:
[Philly.com]: Iverson offers to pay for funeral

Categories
New York Yankees

Why must Derek Jeter ruin Jessica Biel?


If you took a poll of 1000 random men, 995 of them would have Jessica Biel somewhere in their top 5. (Those that don’t are likely… how do you say mens who go bang bang bang in another men’s anus?) In any case, Jessica Biel is definitely a woman we love and the rumors linking her to Derek Jeter are definitely disheartening. (We thought we had a chance!)

From Page Six:


DEREK Jeter has a new babe. The Yankee shortstop went out in L.A. Tuesday night with his new squeeze, Jessica Biel . According to our spy, the couple were huddled in a corner of hot club Hyde, “laughing and giggling together.” At one point, Jessica, voted Esquire’s “sexiest woman alive” in 2005, went to the restroom and three girls quickly scurried over to chat with Jeter. But as soon as Biel returned, he put all his attention on her. The two left together. A Biel rep didn’t return calls.

Well, all things considered, Derek Jeter nailing Jessica Biel isn’t as bad as when Tom Cruise absolutely ruined Katie Holmes, even if he does play for the hated Yankees. After all, Scarlett Johannson came out relatively unscatched. Still, we hate Derek Jeter. But this is much better than the Tony Romo – JoeJessica Simpson rumors.