The Brick House Sports

Bigger, Faster, Stronger

2009-08-16T18:34:00.004-04:00

The world's fastest man ensured he won't lose the title any time soon!

Today Jamican sprinter Usain Bolt, running at the World Track and Field Championships in Berlin, set a new World Record in the 100m sprint, breaking his old record time of 9.69 seconds that he made at the Beijing Olympics.

He shaved more than a tenth of a second off his time, making the new mark 9.58 seconds. Nothing short of a freak of nature!

Each event he runs at he seems to up himself, and the most amazing part is that he still hasn't hit his prime yet! (only 22 years old, apparently sprinters are best between the ages of 23-26).

The height of Bolt, at 6'5", helps him greatly - generally sprinters don't come that tall. But what is maybe even more impressive than his stride (which is measured at around 9 to 10 feet when he's in full sprint apparently) is his attitude. Not only does he make it look effortless but he's actually having a good time, joking around all the time.

Even those moments when you'd expect nerves to take over the man remains at ease.

It was nothing short of incredible, we are watching an athlete that comes around once in a generation at best right now! My suggestion? If Bolt is running, take the opportunity to watch it - you'll likely not be disappointed! (and you can watch it by clicking here)

Bolt lowers 100-metre mark to 9.58 (ESPN)

Flawed

2009-08-12T15:49:00.002-04:00

It's becoming quite evidently clear that Professional Athletes are people too!

Yes this statement is quite ridiculous, of course they're regular people. But there have been some very clear signs in the sports world recently that show, even though they are millionaires with much more favourable lives as our own, they too have their own flaws.

More to come...

Sports v. Twitter

2009-08-12T14:57:00.004-04:00

The increased relevance of Twitter may be thanks in part to the sporting world!

Becoming a noteworthy service, a social network of common discussion, may not have come about thanks to ESPN's Twitter ban on its employees. Or the NFL's similar ban and some coaches (Philadelphia Eagles Andy Reid and his war with the media in general, for instance). It also may not have gained credibility thanks to the way the NBA has embraced the marketing possibilities.

But it's paved a road which society will have to acknowledge Twitter as a part of our daily lives.

Laying down rules and guidelines is a clear statement that this is no longer a fad but something more. Many workplaces have blocked Facebook and MSN Messenger so that employees do not socialize on the Internet all day long rather than work. While smartphones do defeat the actions taken by employers it's still a sign that these sort of actions are frowned upon, and by placing 'do not use' rules it's a complete objection.

Obviously this is an issue since athletes are celebrities, people follow their lives far closer than they do a stock broker or lawyer. So it's not really that surprising that it was the sports world that helped to usher in the importance of the Twitter revolution, with the ease to post comments online secrets of the sporting world can spread within seconds.

Just ask J.R. Smith or Antonio Cromartie about what trouble one can find themselves in with regards to Twitter.

This is the reason why ESPN put a ban on its employees in regards to Twitter, regulating what can be said online...well that and they want their services to remain relevant, as now even online media sources try to keep up and avoid the pinch of the Online Revolution (ironically enough...)

In the same week that ESPN and the NFL banned its employees from using Twitter the Army also joined in with keeping secret information...well, secret. It's becoming clear that more and more facets of life are being touched upon by Tweeps.

And who says the sports world is nothing but a distraction, a way to escape the everyday world and just relax. Right now it's helping to usher in a whole new era. Man, this shit is getting serious!

Hardline Twitter Memo Makes ESPN Employees Hilariously Paranoid (Deadspin)
ESPN Twitter Memo: The Remix (Deadspin)
Banning Twitter: Bloggers take on military, NFL and ESPN rules on social networking (Jersey blogs)

Michael Vick's road to redemption

2009-07-31T09:39:00.003-04:00

Michael Vick is set to make his return to the world of NFL Football.

In an interview with Michael Landsberg on TSN's Off The Record this past Monday Joe Theismann, former NFL and for a time CFL Quarterback, spoke in favour of Vick's return. Theisman believed that the man had served his time and as a result was due to enter back into the football fraternity that he was once a member.

This statement by Theisman stands somewhat in opposition to his feelings on Ricky Williams suspension which landed the Running Back in the CFL for a season while under suspension from the NFL.

"I don't ever want to be mentioned in the same breath as Ricky Williams as a football player. He's a disgrace to the game. The man doesn't deserve to play football. He should go on with his life and treat his drug addictions or go do whatever he wants to do. He's been suspended from the National Football League on multiple occasions. Doesn't anybody have any class anywhere? For gosh sakes, let the kid go do what he wants to do. He doesn't want to play football."

Now yes, these ARE different scenarios - Vick was found guilty in relation to a dog fighting ring out of his home, only a couple months after being suspended for trying to smuggle marijuana onto a plane in a water bottle, whereas Williams tested positive for smoking marijuana and was suspended for a season, at which point his reinstatement would be reviewed.

There were no rules stating that players, even under suspension in the NFL, could not enter the CFL so Williams joined the Toronto Argonauts for a season. This disgusted Theisman so greatly that he basically denounced ever being part of the Argos football club, he wished his history erased because this player was a dope head who was suspended and should receive no grace. Williams does have social anxiety problems, causing him to self medicate every time the media turned up the heat with their questions, but that's neither here nor there apparently. After a year however Williams was reinstated to the League.

Vick ended up serving a sentence of a couple for his crimes against dogs in prison, crimes which were funded directly by the money he received as a professional football player. The NFL has since looked into it and has given Vick, for all his grievances, and multiple suspensions of their own, and given a 5 game ban of their own.

Not even a third of the season before he must return. Since he served jail time already, many feel that's enough and he should be allowed to play starting as of Game 1, and are disputing the any additional ban.

My initial thought to all of this was how much of a hypocrite Theisman was for speaking out so harshly against Williams, while so easily coming to the defence of Vick's rehabilitation. However many seem to agree with that line of thinking, at least in the media, which one can only assume is thanks to the firm belief in the power of the American prisons reforming their tenants.

The one good thing about this story is the Anti-Vick list, which has grown to more than half the league. What's disappointing, though not surprising, is that reports have already surfaced about Vick re-signing with an NFL club desperate to improve their pivot position, and likely within the next week or so.

There's work life and then there's one's social life, and they don't always mix. They shouldn't always mix as well. In the opinion of this writer this is a case where they should both be examined. Once again a member of the minority on the situation (save those such as PETA and people in favour of animal rights), since many believe its time he is given a second chance.

I'm just surprised by the uneven distribution of suspensions, and personally am not sure that Vick deserves that second chance just yet.

The Evolution of Swimming

2009-07-24T15:44:00.005-04:00

A regular metaphor for those afraid to make change and advancements is to compare them to the dinosaur, that notion that a fear of progress will lead to an ultimate demise and eventual extinction.

Enter competitive swimming.

There were new advancements in swimsuit technology introduced in 2008 that lead to 108 world records set last year and what is closing in on 30 new world records so far this year.

There are those involved with swimming who find it hard to gauge the actual speed of their swimmers since the new suits come with an added buoyancy that allows the swimmer to stay closer to the surface and therefore swim faster.

As a result FINA (Federation Internationale de Natation) has banned certain swimsuits made from the textiles in question.

There were similar advancements in speed skating a few years back and world records began to fall there as well. The advancement have been embraced in spped skating however, not retracted. The cletes that track athletes use are always experiencing new advancements and the same applies to countless other sport as well. As time moves forward there are new technologies in training, equipment - it's evolution baby!

But these suits, to many in swim circles, pose a problem as they are deemed an unfair advantage over what swimmers wore in the past.

One could make the argument, going along this line of thinking, that certain exercise equipment should be banned from swimmers since the swimmers in the past never had the same opportunity with lesser equipment. Or that diets and legal supplements also give an edge not previously known to the sport.

But obviously that's ridiculous since that's just working with the human body and not what is worn on the body itself. An advanced swimsuit, even though it can be worn by all the swimmers in the same race, is an advancement that goes over the line.

The ban will not apply before the World Swim Championships on July 30 so there are concerns that even more rfecords will fall at that meet. It is believed that once the suits are changed back to the old style it will take a long time before world records begin to fall once again, the advantage was that drastic.

Will these new records be viewed in a positive light, or tainted much like recent records in Major League Baseball? With the reactions from many involved with FINA they may be looked down upon, even though the athletes were never guilty of anything but allowing for the natural evolution that every sport experiences. There is no steroid era or anything immoral, simply new swimsuits that scare the old guard of the swim world.

A fear of evolution, as history has shown, can have significant ramifications. The excitement that came along with watching world records fall in Beijing will likely not be realized for some time to come, so how will it cost the sport of swimming? Will the attention gained at the Beijing Games be undone - especially if this is made into a big ordeal?

There have been worthy sports scandals in the recent past, however this would not appear to be one of those. And just like the dinosaur, swimming will now have to wait and see how this refusal to allow for change in their sports affects their fate.

FINA takes charge in swimwear debate (cbcsports.ca)

Reshaping Toronto

2009-07-21T14:44:00.006-04:00

Bryan Colangelo: consummate professional, competitive businessman, an asset for the city of Toronto.

As the GM Colangelo commented during the press conference today the Raptors Organization is about promoting that family aspect. The recent signings have been clear moves to reinforce that notion, and make Toronto more attractive as a nasketball destination not just a location.

First it was the Hedo Turkoglu press conference, downplaying earlier media comments about the Turkish community in TO and lavishing praise on the great chemistry he should have with his new teammates.

With Jarrett Jack obviously the questions instantly went to his relationship with Chris Bosh as the two were former teammates back in college at Georgia Tech. Colangelo will likely be unapologetic about any move he makes to keep Bosh in town however, he didn't stray from signing European based players a few years back and that lead to success. He must do the same in all his efforts to keep Bosh.

Bosh himself actually came and joined in at the end of the press conference and joked around himself, passing on stories about Jack getting kicked out of practice in college for being too aggressive and getting into a playful argument about who will be the best dressed throughout the season.

For a location that has been less than favourable for NBA players over its history the TO sales job is in full effect, following down a path that GM Bryan Colangelo has been restructing since his arrival. Entering phase two of the Make Toronto Primetime (if you will) Colangelo has once again set Toronto up in a favourable position.

At first it was working with the cultural dynamic of the city. It's well known that Europeans enjoy the cosmopolitan nature of Toronto, and initially Colangelo took advantage of that asset. It lead to the playoffs and even a divisional championship, however that well has dried a little.

In downplaying that aspect of the city Turkoglu kept the attention on the American ballers, showing that this wasn't simply another European joining the team. This is now a competitive location, the team is worth it, this is a team oriented destination not just a city with lots of ethnic neighbourhoods and an exciting Caribana celebration.

Should Bosh resign with TO that image may be cemented.

Toronto will be marketed as a prime sports destination in basketball, just like hockey, if Colangelo has his way. There are no longer any limitations in play for the new gameplan, to compete Colangelo knows that means marquee players and at any cost. That is phase two: bring the best into town, keep the team on the march forward.

"Why here? If you're not guaranteed a starting spot why would you come here?", says Bryan Colangelo. "It's about team and it's about success and it's about winning."

Asked about his opinion of the team Bosh was non-committal but honest in his assessment.

"I was a little nervous at the end of the season with all the moves we had to make", said Bosh, "But so far things are going well."

The more optimistic that statement becomes the more successful phase two will be. Toronto is becoming more and more attractive under Colangelo's watch and while the Raptors Organization may have dropped the ball in becoming the main attention of the city last season, they should not fall into obscurity this coming year. It's likely the GM would not have it any other way.

Raptors make a deal, send a message: we won't go away quietly

2009-07-09T18:19:00.003-04:00

The deal is done and Raptor Nation is buzzing! It's a high that has failed to diminish just yet.

The offseason moves looked promising in signing a fundamental part of the Orlando Magic's run to the NBA Finals in Hedo Turkoglu but there were questions and doubts; yes, the star player would improve the starting roster no question but it was coming at a heavy price.

There would be no return possible for popular Raptor Anthony Parker, no possible return of ex-Raptor Carlos Delfino either. There was not much money left to sign anyone to help improve the bench and while the starters looked promising, the rest looked questionable.

Then the trade went down, a trade that would alleviate many of the concerns the fans were experiencing, eliminate some questions and some doubt.

There had been a group of fans calling for the head of GM Bryan Colangelo, the team he put together sputtered out and failed last season and this offseason wasn't showing enough promise to secure Chsi Bosh thru the impending 2010 Freen Agent frenzy.

Those fans have been relatively silent since the news broke, with the occasional quip here and there but vastly outnumbered. The masses have been satisfied today.

This deal is a sign on many levels. First off it's a sign that Bryan Colangelo is an aggressive GM in the league, always trying to improve his team. It's also a sign that the Raptors as an organization are committed to winning and not falling off the playoff map, and it's a sign that players looking to compete in the League can trust they'll be provided that chance in Toronto.

Yes it will take time to see who fits where, who starts where, who gets the MLE money and who rounds out the final three roster spots that remain vacant on the team. The honeymoon phase with this deal is still firmly in tact and once it clears there will be more critcal judgment that will surface to dissect this trade and more importantly the make-up of next years club.

But even then, what cannot be doubted is the effort put forth by Colangelo and his organization. There's a reason the fans are excited about this move and it's far less to do with the players involved (with the possible exception of Turkoglu) and much more to do with the fact that a Raptors GM is actually doing something, anything to improve the team.

The Toronto Raptors completed a four team trade today that brought in 3 new players and returned the Mid-Level Exception to the books of the organization. And the people rejoiced!

BREAKING NEWS! RAPTORS

2009-07-09T11:54:00.004-04:00

Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo is in the midst of working on a 4 team blockbuster deal that would essentially keep the Mid-Level Exemption (MLE), a salary exemption the Raps were about to lose. Plus they retain the rights to sign one of either Anthony Parker or Carlos Delfino back in Toronto next season!

Nothing's official yet, however should this mega trade go down then not only will it be blue skies for the club heading forward but Bryan Colangelo will cement his legacy as the best General Manager is team history!

Stay tuned for more....

Ode de Bargs

2009-07-08T16:20:00.003-04:00

Andrea Bargnani has signed a contract extension with the Toronto Raptors to the tune of 5 years at $5 million dollars. The young Italian Centre, entering his fourth year in the NBA, bounced back from a dismal sophmore season in the league to finish strong when finally given starters minutes.

While all the talk has been surrounding the future of Chris Bosh as of late the development of Bargnani's game, both on the offensive side of the ball (his scoring became consistent) and especially defensively (averaged 1.1 blocks per game this past season) has made him a far more attractive product.

Some will argue that this contract is overpaying the jewel in GM Bryan Colangelo's eye and the former numer 1 overall draft pick. However considering the offence has arrived and the defence has now arguably surpassed that of team leader Bosh, it's hard to argue that Bargnani isn't a crucial element to this team.

Big men are in high demand in the NBA and hard to come by, while not a traditional big in NBA terms it may still be that Bargnani develops into a Top 5 big man in the conference sooner rather than later. In my opinion failing to lock up Andrea, who has constantly been involved in any and all trade talks with the Raps the past few seasons, would be foolish.

Bargs, great to see you'll be sticking around!

Colangelo Press Conference Recap

2009-04-20T16:39:00.004-04:00

The Toronto Raptors season has come to a close, and it doesn’t take an expert to see that this years 33-49 campaign was a disappointment. As the players cleaned out their lockers late last week, apparently nursing some hangovers from the night prior, questions circled the team like never before with the Bryan Colangelo as GM era.

Today, a rather important Press Conference was held in which many of the rumours were addressed head on by the GM. But first, to recap what questions many curious minds want to know!

First off the questions about the marquee Raptors players, the superstars, and in particular what uniforms they will wear next year. The final game of the season was a showcase of those two biggest question mark players: Chris Bosh, who collected 21 pts and 19 rebounds in the season ending win over Chicago, and Shawn Marion, who poured in a season high 34 points and grabbed 11 boards himself as well.

Both of their contracts and their rather large contracts have already had their futures debated ad naseum in Raptors Fans circles, especially since both need to be resigned (Marion this season). The collective opinion for some time has been that both are moving out of town, so things have circled around who would make the best return.

However Colangelo came out and at least refuted the Bosh rumour mill, trying his best to dispel any ideas that Bosh was being shopped around the league.

"You're talking about a guy who is arguably a top 10 player in this league...I think it would be foolish to just simply decide today that today is the day we're going to trade him because there's a possibility that he might leave a year from now. Chris is still the best player on this team and thus will remain the cornerstone of the franchise until some other time when that decision is made. And if a decision is made to move him, there will be a lot of careful thought put into that and there will be sound reasoning behind moving him."

"But, it remains the intention of this organization to keep Chris as a part of this entity and to remain a fixture here at the ACC."

Whether this is posturing to make a deal and secure the greatest return or the truth, which it very well could be, is up for debate as it remains to be seen.

Injuries and chemistry ravaged the season for this unit. Coming into the season it was clear that this was the opportunity for basketball to take a hold in Hogtown as the Leafs were promised to have a down year (promised and delivered, might I add). The Raptors finished 10th overall in average/total attendance this year however it should be noted that figure is mainly thanks to tickets bought preseason. As many teams around the NBA struggle with season ticket renewals thanks to the uncertainty caused by the Recession, a lacklustre season surely won’t help Toronto maintain that Top 10 ranking in the coming year.

Apparently Colangelo is addressing season ticket holders personally leading into next season, where consumers in a time of economic uncertainty ponder buying tickets for a team in a cloud of uncertainty themselves. Will be interesting to see how that conversation turns out in the end.

It’s one of those crossroads situations Colangelo and the Raps are left to face right now, what direction do you take this team? Choose a superstar to build the team around (Bosh vs. Andrea Bargnani) and start relatively from scratch, or acquire talent to push the team over the top? Or, as Bosh mentioned in the post-game interview following the season ending win, not to play around with things, to allow this team to see if their strong finish is indicative of what might be yet to come if they can stay together, gel and grow together.

Mind you the push cited so often, winning 6 of their last 9, did come during the pivotal part of their season where the schedule favoured the team and allowed them a late opportunity at a playoff push. A push which they still managed to let slip away thanks to two blowout losses to the Charlotte Bobcats. So whether the spin on the winning streak as the season came to a close is accepted is another point of debate, adding to the many questions at hand.

Head Coach Jay Triano is the other big offseason question. While praise has been heaped upon the first ever Canadian-born NBA Head Coach, Colangelo has never actually come out and said that Triano will be back for certain. The coaching well is not too deep at the moment around the Association, while there are prospects out there sure nothing that would knock Triano out of his position without question from all appearances. Odds are looking better and better that Triano gets his first full season at the helm. The GM did speak highly of the Interim Head Coach however today:

"I think it's safe to say, coming out of all of the player exit interviews, that to a man the players have a lot of respect for Jay, they respect his basketball acumen, they respect his professionalism, they respect his means of communication and they respect generally the way he leads this team."

"As much digging as I tried to do, I couldn't find anything negative about Jay and the job that he did and their feelings towards him. That says a lot, those characteristics that I just mentioned are obviously positive attributes of a coach and certainly would lend favourably towards Jay as a coach that has a very good shot at keeping the job."

Other side questions will arise: how will the development of Roko Ukic play out(is he the next Jose Calderon?), late season contract signees (can Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Quincy Douby find a place on this team?), a possible return of Carlos Delfino (a big wish of many in the Raptors circles), and is this team really destined to always remain soft (post-Charles Oakley has been soft times, even Jermaine O’Neal couldn’t help change things as drastically as many had hoped). In the Press Conference in fact Colangelo addressed the “nice” attitude of the team:

"We are too nice, we are too nice as a group, collectively, the group is too nice," (Colangelo) said. "That's not to say you've got to out and get bad guys, (but) when you step on the court, you better have some fight. I think some of the guys were saying you better have some dog in you."

"We have to find some of that."

Questions will remain the theme of the offseason; the media, the fans, and even the organization itself will search high and low for answers. Bryan Colangelo, in an interview with Elliot Freidman of CBC Sports a few weeks back, promised “bold strokes” during the offseason. Today he seemed quite optimistic about the future of this team. Whatever the optimism ultimately means one thing is for certain, and that is that the future of the Toronto Raptors, for some time down the road, rests in the outcome of this offseason!

Triano a good bet to stay on, Raptors GM says (Toronto Star)

The Amazing Technicolour Saturday!!

2009-04-04T20:42:00.003-04:00

As long as it's reasonable and can be accomodated I wear the jersey of the teams I support while they're playing a game. Obviously if I'm working or away at an event that doesn't allow for that sort of thing I don't, but if I can I'm wearing the jersey - even if I'm not at the stadium or not even in front of a television watching them play, I will do it.

It's just one of those things that I've acquired as a loyal sports fan over time. But it's not like it's a superstition I'm not superstitious, if I don't wear it one time it won't phase me. I actually stopped believing in sports superstitions back in High School while playing football. Once I was unable to find my belt, the one I had worn for every game of that season, and therefore resorted to wearing a different one - and for a rather important football game too! (pretty sure it was a playoff tilt, so this really was playing with fire!). I actually wondered, while getting suited up, whether I was putting a curse upon myself that day. In the end though I was fine, I didn't play a poor game to any extent and we won, and any inclination of superstitions were removed from my mind!

Now I do try and keep things the same while playing a sport, I'll admit I do prefer it. But it doesn't throw me off if things change. Many sports psychologists have studied the role of superstition within the sports world and many have noted that it plays a rather significant role for an athletes pysche. At times, even the athletes performance. Since I once identified myself as an athlete, and still stay quite active, maybe even though superstition doesn't wreak havoc on my life there is something still left kicking around. I mean let's be honest, I've changed 4x today so far while doing chores and other business around the house while my teams were playing!

When I woke up this morning I caught my English football team Chelsea clinch a 2-0 win over Newcastle, throwing on my Chelsea jersey while half awake and relaxing in bed....scarf did not join me, but it's always on display around my place.

After that it was onto the Raptors game, so a quick change into a t-shirt and my Raps jersey accompanied watching Toronto extend their winning streak to 6 straight.

The next game that followed was the Toronto FC home opener so on came my TFC jersey, pulled out my scarf too! Unfortunatetly that was a rather disappointing home opener, but I'm hoping that when I catch the game live at BMO Field next weekend against Dallas FC the result is different.

And right now I've donned my Leafs jersey, although they too are facing some difficulties against the Canadiens (to my dismay). Flipped over to NCAA basketball as it's the Final Four right now, those games are much better than the dismal showing at the ACC tonight - don't have any NCAA jerseys though, so the Leafs remain on.

(Sidenote: could've been 5 jerseys today as the Jays were playing preseason spring training ball but I'll wait until the season starts to pull out that one!)

While it may be obvious to all reading by now, I do own at least one jersey for every team I follow (except my University as they don't sell their jerseys...yet). I don't drop a lot of money on jerseys however, in case this is coming off sounding that way. And I don't buy a new jersey every year (in fact my Chelsea jersey is quite outdated at this point).

As a sports fan however I do appreciate supporting "my team", no matter how that may be. For now, it's donning the kit. Hey, it's just my thing, to each their own! And for all those wondering, that's how my Saturday has been

Dana White, UFC President, in all his glory!

2009-04-03T14:04:00.007-04:00

"... You know what? The thing that sucks is that video rant, the feedback I got was not negative," White said. "It was overwhelmingly positive from our fans. It was, 'Yeah, you go, Dana. You're the man.'

"At the end of the day, the worst thing for me is that I don't want anybody thinking that it's cool to say that word especially now that I know the word "faggot" is as powerful as the n-word. I don't want these kids out there watching me and thinking it's cool. I don't want that."

Dana White, UFC President, responding to a tirade he had launched on his video blog against a reporter, one Loretta Hunt from Sherdog.com, an ESPN affiliate site that covers Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). That response is where he apparently for the first time found out about a word that he did not realize might hurt the feelings of some, that word being "faggot". He only meant to hurt the feelings of a reporter that simply annoyed him.

White used an anti-gay slur in the video blog. He also called Hunt, who writes for Sherdog.com (a partner of ESPN.com which covers mixed martial arts), a "[expletive] bitch" and called her story on backstage credentialing issues "absolutely [expletive] retarded."

White, in response to his comments (oh and just so you know the word "retarded" does not register as disparaging in his opinion, he's only apologized to the Gay and Lesbian community to date from all reports...classy!):

"I went on the attack and I ended up attacking someone I didn't mean to," White said. "I absolutely, positively meant to attack the reporter, Loretta Hunt from Sherdog. Absolutely."

Nice one Dana, well played! Certainly helps to paint a better picture of yourself there! This isn't the first time that White has gotten into trouble over disparaging comments, in the past he mocked the name of an Asian Fighter due to a poor performance they put forward.

Loretta Hunt did have a response to the Associated Press:

"I stand by the story, it's accurate," she said. "His reaction, I think it's more of a distraction from the actual story about the UFC and the managers and what's going on with them. Me, personally, I don't want to get involved in this.

"I'm a journalist, and journalists, sometimes you do stories that people don't like," Hunt said.

For those who are interested, here is the story that brought about the counterattack on White's part - it is in regards to what Hunt claims is UFC trying to effectively put an end to managers and agents for Fighters and taking control of that aspect themselves. Clearly, based on the reaction above, White does not agree (to say the least).

Some Managers, Agents Lose Backstage Pass (Sherdog.com)

Dana White, proving to all that it's more than just "meatheads" and wanna-be tough guy's who enjoy watching and attending UFC...man, what a role model and face for an emerging sport!

White blasts reporter in profanity-laced web video (CBS Sports)
White sorry for anti-gay slur (ESPN.com)
Tactless tirade shows UFC's White just terrible tyrant (CBS Sports)

There's no need for a ratings push, it's already March Madness!!!

2009-03-30T15:25:00.004-04:00

Deadspin MAY be crude but they can also get their point across, and their "picture of the day" that just came thru yesterday definitely made me both laugh, and think...hmmm....

ENJOY!

Your Network for Cheerleader Crotch (Deadspin)

Hockey Day in Canada

2009-02-24T11:29:00.002-05:00

This past weekend was Hockey Day here in Canada, and in the spirit of the day we Canadians did what we do best and tried to use it to get another day off of work!

Well, one person did anyways, that person being NDP MP Linda Duncan, the trailblazing non-Tory MP from Edmonton, Alberta (where non-Tory MP is a BIG deal!). She put forth a proposal that would see a statutory holiday across the country to celebrate Hockey.

I’m actually wholeheartedly in favour of removing Family Day and replacing it with a celebration of Hockey because it actually means something! As I stated just recently I cannot get over the tacked on Family aspect to a holiday celebrated in only 4 provinces right now. Naturally if something like this proposal were to actually go thru (likely won’t however just saying if it does) then the other holiday would be removed from the calendar no doubt and while I don’t see Alberta, Ontario or Saskatchewan minding Manitoba might – it IS named Louis Riel Day out there and that’s truly a cause worth taking the time to appreciate.

Is it too cliché, having a holiday for hockey? Sure it is! But it has meaning to it, and to me that’s an improvement. Hockey Day will surely not become a national holiday but I applaud the effort – soon enough there WILL be a stat holiday in February, it’ll be interesting to see the decision on the final outcome.

My vote is still for Wayne Gretzky Day :)

Edmonton politician to propose National Hockey Day (cbc.ca)

Conference Championship Picks

2009-01-18T12:26:00.002-05:00

Alright...presently sitting at 3-5, time to work my way back up!

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Pittsburgh Steelers over Baltimore Ravens
-Plain and simple: these are two of the best Defences in the League (#1 and #3), this WILL come down to the offence. Joe Flacco, who has received a lot of....well, flack from me (almost said flacco, couldn't do it though!), will be exposed today in my opinion. However this is the third matchup between these two divisional opponents, both of the previous ones were very close, so this could go either way, likely will come right down to the wire. But my gut tells me Big Ben will lead the Steelers thru to the Super Bowl today.

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Philadelphia Eagles over Arizona Cardinals
-Just like the weeks prior there is NO way I can reasonably choose the Cardinals, so we'll see if they surprise me once more. The Eagles are rolling, their Offence is more potent all around than Arizona (especially in the run department) and Philly also will be the toughest Defence that Arizona will have faced thus far in the playoffs. I am predicting a Battle of Pennsylvania Super Bowl, I believe that the Eagles will make short work of the Cardinals down in Arizona (first time the Cardinals franchise has ever been in a Conference Championship game let alone hosted one, so that is a nice story there).

Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia for the Super Bowl, that's my prediction for the games this week. Here's hoping I score it right on both!

Divisional Playoff Recap

2009-01-14T10:36:00.004-05:00

Sow how did I fare? Well, at least this week I came away even with a .500 record...

AFC

Baltimore Ravens 13
Tennessee Titans 10
-now this game was too close to call since both teams were very evenly matched, and while I did end up getting this one wrong in the end I think it was still the right choice. The Ravens Offence was inexistent the Titans outgained them with 391 Total Yards to Baltimore's 211 (the Ravens were actually held to less than 100 yards in the first half!). Tennessee led in every statistical category but unfortunately that included penalties (89 yards) and turnovers (5 fumbles, 2 of them lost, and both within Baltimore's 10 yard line). To add insult to injury the key play in the Ravens game winning drive came a good 2 seconds after the game clock had expired - should have been a Delay of Game penalty, instead it became a talking point for Titans Coach Jeff Fisher afterwards. So I got it wrong but in the end I still believe I got it right, the Titans just blew it!

San Diego Chargers 24
Pittsburgh Steelers 35
-As expected the best Defence in the NFL shut down San Diego, while the game was close to start 21 unanswered points ensured that would not be the case. The Offensive Line of the Steelers held up and allowed Ben Roethlisburger time and more importantly following his concussion the ability to stay on his feet more often than not. The Steelers have a slightly better Defence than Baltimore but also bring along with them an Offence, and that's what makes them deadly! The Chargers did rack up some points late to make this game appear more respectable but that was after everything had been decided. And I'm glad to say, as was the case with both Sunday games, I got this one right! Pittsburgh now goes on to host the Baltimore Ravens for the AFC Championship this coming weekend, the third meeting of these two bitter rivals this season (Steelers have won both of the previous meetings but with the way the last one came about, you gotta wonder if they can make it a straight sweep!)

NFC

Arizona Cardinals 33
Carolina Panthers 13
-When you're a team that has clinched the second seed in the conference, mainly due to a perfect 8-0 record at home, facing off against a team that has struggled on the East Coast and...well, in general (with the exception of last weekend), you're instant favourites. Did the Panthers realize this a little TOO much? Maybe just Jake Delhomme? After 6 turnovers to take the blame for directly Delhomme apologized to his team apparently, and then to the media. It's hard NOT to win a game like that and the Cardinals did take advantage of the golden egg laid before them. It's funny I met up with a friend at a bar to watch the game but with concens about the 8:30 game running too late I reassured my friend that it would be fine as the game would likely be decided by halftime. Oh it was, just not with the Cardinals running away with a laugher! Everyone - and I mean EVERYONE - picked this to go the way of the Panthers so I have no problem with getting this one wrong. What is hard to fathom is that the NFC Championship Game will go thru Arizona....really? I guess there's a first for everything! (and this actually IS a first!)

Philadelphia Eagles 23
New York Giants 11
-My upset special was in fact a very good call as the Eagles dismantled the Giants in a very close, contested battle in the rubber match for these two divisional rivals. Both Defences put in great efforts however it was Philly who was the most well rounded squad on the day. Firing on all cylinders for a few weeks now the Eagles, who needed significant help to even make the playoffs, are now the big time favourites even though they are heading on the road for the NFC Championship. Donovan McNabb did take things up a notch when, after being forced out of bounds into the Giants bench, he picked up the phone and pretended to talk with the person on the other end. McNabb said he probably should've known better but he was just excited, and the penalty that came after that key first down that essentially helped ice the game became worth it apparently. It's hard to blame him for the excitement though, everyone in Philly has to be feeling pretty good about their Eagles right now!

So 2-2 on the week and 3-5 on the season- clearly only a matter of time before I regain the status of 'awesome' in terms of pigskin prognostication! (even if there is only 3 games left to decide I WILL return to and surpass the .500 mark just you watch!

NFL Divisional Playoffs

2009-01-10T17:54:00.002-05:00

Alright let's see if I can have any better luck this week

AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS
Tennessee over Baltimore
-This is a VERY hard game to call as both teams are very similar; stifling Defences and strong run games that allow them to control the clock. The Titans had a bye week and rested up some key players on their Defence, and they are also playing at home which plays into their favour as well. However the Ravens looked VERY good last week in shutting down Miami and came in to Tenessee in 2000 and stole the show, also coming from a Wild Card position (and from news reports this week apparently it's something that has haunted Tennessee fans from some time now!

However what I believe will decide the game in the end is the QB's - the wily veteran Kerry Collins has done more than just an admirable job taking over for Vince Young early on in the season. On the flip side the Ravens have a rookie QB in Joe Flacco, who did a pretty good job last week against the Dolphins but when there was pressure he made me question whether he's ready for the playoff test. This weekend against the Titans he will receive a LOT more pressure, and I believe that will be what sets these two apart.

This has classic in the making written ALL over it though, should be an amazing game and it kicks off the action this weekend

Pittsburgh over San Diego
-The other host team in the AFC Pittsburgh Steelers, with the best Defence in the entire NFL, will be enjoying the frigid temperatures and snowy weather as they face the warm weather and injury depleted San Diego Chargers. The loss of Ladanian Tomlinson will not be as significant since Sproles had such an amazing weekend against the Colts last week. The potential loss of Gates, who also saw limited at best practice time this week, will be quite significant. The last time these teams met this season it was a narrow, highly disputed 1 point Steelers win (the call heard 'round the gambling world), it should've been an 8 point win as that Polomalu interception for a touchdown should have stood. However that doesn't mean that these two teams don't match up well, and won't push themselves once again.

The big question mark to deciding this game is the health of Ben Rothlisberger, who suffered a concussion in the final game of the season. Had they played last weekend and not had a bye apparently Big Ben may not have played, but now he's good to go? The weakness of the Steelers is their Offensive Line so how Rothlisberger handles the hits will likely determine the end result. But with a banged up list of important Offensive threats and the League's best D on the other side of the field I can't give this one to San Diego.

NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS
Carolina over Arizona
-Alright so the Cardinals caught me off guard last week, finding a run game and exploiting a young QB. Now they're heading East, where they've struggled mightily this season, and facing Carolina, the only team to go undefeated at home this season. And to top that off star receive Anquan Bolden is nursing a hamstring injury and likely will not play this week. Carolina is rested and will not be caught off guard by the improvements to the run game the same way that the Falcons were last week.

I was surprised by the performance of Arizona last weekend but honestly cannot see a way that they put together an effort to overcome everything presently stacked against them. The Panthers use this game to roll into the Championship game.

Philadelphia over New York
-This one will be short and sweet because as much reasoning as you can put into this one the game could STILL go either way. So I'm calling the upset here, Eagles looked good last week and down the stretch and so I feel they'll take this one over the Giants. I changed this prediction a few times before I finalized this, as this really should be a game that goes right down to the wire. This is the rubber match for the regular season match up for these two divisional opponents. The Giants haven't looked the same since their turmoil down the stretch with the losses of Plaxico Burress, and even despite a very strong outing against the Panthers in Week 16 to claim the Conference title, I feel that if there's a game the Giants can slip up it's this one.

This one really could go either way, so flipping a coin may be equally as good in determining this outcome. But to make one upset pick this week I'm going with the Eagles claiming a narrow victory in the Big Apple this weekend.

So my picks for the Divisional Playoff weekend as as follows:
TITANS
STEELERS
PANTHERS
EAGLES

Enjoy the action!

Wild Card Day 2 update

2009-01-04T23:36:00.002-05:00

So after both home teams defended their turf yesterday, the visitors spoiled the parties in both games today. Silence can be deafening, as was the case on Sunday...

Baltimore 27
Miami 9
-It's true, the Defence of the Ravens was simply too much for Miami to handle. Despite setting a record for fewest turnovers in a season Chad Pennington threw 4 INT's today - one returned for a TD the other way - and the Dolphins lost another ball as well. Now all this being said the 'Phins STILL had a chance at making a game of it but they kept shooting themselves in the foot when they were given the opportunity. So end of the day my Miami teams bows out, as many had expected they would...I never lost hope, but hey can't win them all! They had one hell of a turnaround season and they'll be back, there's a good nucleus on this team and now they're hungry too! And in regards to Baltimore rookie QB Joe Flacco got lucky in not having to throw too often but he wasn't the model of consistency out there, so the Ravens better hope that next week against the Tennessee Titans their Defence can prop up their run game like they did today.

Philadelphia 26
Minnesota 14
-A defensive battle thru and thru, in the end it was apparent though that the Eagles were better rounded as they came closer time and time again. The Vikings, try as they might to get arguably the best RB in the entire game in Adrian Peterson off and running, were just shut down too often and their Defence eventually buckled (as does happen from time to time). The lack of Offence was too much for the Vikes to overcome since the other side of the ball didn't produce positive points. This was the ONE game I got right this weekend, so I can hold my head high knowing that at least I say this one coming! haha The Eagles will have their hands full next week facing the Giants but they match up well against them, and after fending off such a stifling Defence in Minnesota the Eagles have got to have won over some confidence heading into Giants Stadium next weekend.

1-for-4 on the weekend...batting .240% Alright so it doesn't look like a good start in any way but I was an OT loss away from going .500 and really, the Cardinals suddenly establishing a ground game?? Did ANYONE see that one coming?? Everyone picked the Eagles and picked against the Dolphins, but being my team obviously I can't really be faulted there. I don't think I fared too poorly this weekend, and next weekend I'll be back to put myself back in the winnings :)

Hope you enjoyed Wild Card Weekend!

Wild Card Day 1 update

2009-01-03T23:33:00.003-05:00

Batting 1.000% right now!! Well...my picks were all correct in that they were all incorrect, looks like I've got the luck of the Lions since I've started off pitching imperfection here!

Atlanta 24
Arizona 30
-Matt Ryan came out with arguably the more well rounded team in the Falcons, clearly the better back and run game, with a team playing hot facing a team who stumbled (at best) to the finish line this season. However the Arizona team that showed up....well, it was nothing like the team that had played throughout the regular season! They ran the ball well, played tough D and owned the game! And Matt Ryan did something not really apparently during the regular season either and that was to look like a rookie QB, twice he made mistakes himself that came back to bite him in the end. Considering that Miami is playing a rookie QB tomorrow in their match-up against Baltimore, I hope the rookie choke syndrome becomes a theme for this Wild Card weekend! :)

Indianapolis 17
San Diego 23 (OT)
-A back and forth game that really DID come down to the last possession to win (my distaste of the NFL Overtime format and the Ol' Boys Club who refuse to entertain any ideas to change it will only be mentioned in this little blurb right here). This game was an all out battle, no question there! At various times throughout the game either team could have won this thing (except OT of course, where only one team held possession, but I digress once more...). The Chargers were the underdog hosts and came up big to win - once again here's hoping Miami can do the same tomorrow :)

So I doubted BOTH home teams and weaker Division Champions and both times they proved me wrong today....whoops! REALLY hoping for better luck tomorrow (most specifically with regards to the first game being played tomorrow!)

WOW!

2009-01-03T23:19:00.004-05:00

Just witnessed an instant classic tonight in the Canada-Russia World Junior Hockey semi-final game live from Ottawa tonight. After a highly contested match going back and forth all game long Russia had forced the Canadians to the brink with a late Third Period goal. However with the extra attacker on, and 5.4 seconds left, the dream for 5 stayed alive...

The Overtime Period WAS back and forth but decidedly Canadian, so it was only suiting that Team Canada came out on top in the shootout as that would have just been highway robbery.

While a part of me will never admit to wanting to see Canada bow out of the Gold Medal game to see someone different in there so the rest of the world, y'know, actually sees some point to attending this tournament - in this case with Russia (winner of 15 WJC's) or Canada (winner of 14 WJC's) there's no new names so obviously GO CANADA GO!

I would like to see some more teams filter throughout the Gold Medal match so when Canada faces Sweden on Monday it'll be a nice sight to see (even though yes, these two met for last year's title game, there's a long ways to go before it becomes a regular thing seeing Sweden in the final or even for Canada to grow a rivalry with the Swedes either!).

This tournament is so obviously lopsided, although the favourites will always be favourites it'd be nice if, like the World Cup in Footy, there'd be more than just really 2 teams always competing for the crown - let's see a couple years where Sweden and Finland and even bring the Czech back into serious contention, right now they take turns getting better and worse but rarely stay too ultra competitive. It was great to see the Slovaks make a serious run, it's too bad they couldn't oust Sweden in the other semi-final match-up (although they came plenty close!)

But I should stop before it sounds like I'm complaining a bit too much after one of the most dramatic hockey games I've seen in some time! Congrats to all the Canadian kids out there who laid it all on the line and came up back as a result, you made the country proud and wore those jerseys with respect - best of luck against Sweden!

Running at 2/3's steam

2009-01-02T20:52:00.003-05:00

Recovering from a very bad case of bronchitis I developed right around Christmas, I don't take these latest moves by the Toronto Raptors as flattery but rather

With Jermaine O'Neal already out due to a bruised knee the Toronto Raptors have apparently suffered another big blow as Jose Calderon left the game with a strained hamstring with 8:07 left in the second quarter. I'd give you more of a recap but you know I live in Toronto, and therefore don't have TSN2...

The Canadian Press, among many other sources as well, has already reported this so I take it as concerning - generally a player walking off the court doesn't get mentioned until post-game, not IN game! The Raptors have not been having the best of seasons but the talk has always been about what if and when the big three tandem Toronto touts does turn things around this team can still be scary good! But while O'Neal has held his own so far considering the injuries and long breaks he endured before landing in Toronto, Calderon's injury was not forseen and is far more troubling for the team as well considering their lack of depth at the point.

Well anyways, to all interested Jose is hurt - yet I'm feeling better? One of these days we'll get it right, stay tuned for more about the impact that Calderon's absence leaves should he be missing from some time...

Raptors' guard Jose Calderon leaves game with hamstring strain (Toronto Star)

Wild Card Weekend Preview

2009-01-02T10:18:00.004-05:00

The NFL Playoffs begin this weekend with the Wild Card playoffs (for those who haven't been paying attention anyways, the regular season ended last week). Thankfully my favourite team the Miami Dolphins returned to the playoffs for the first time in 7 seasons thanks to the greatest turnaround in NFL history (10 more wins than last season, moving from 1-15 in 2007 to 11-5 in 2008).

But anyways personal feelings aside here are my picks for the first weekend of playoffs:
AFC Wild Card
Indianapolis Colts (12-4) over San Diego Chargers (8-8)
-both of these teams have been playing hot, although that can be said about every team in the AFC playoffs right now (save Pittsburgh who now has concerns regarding their QB Ben Rothlisberger after he suffered a concussion in his final game of the season). However, with Peyton Manning at the healm - the TRUE all star Quarterback of our time and the main man in the pivot position in the NFL today - it's VERY hard to count out the Colts.

On top of that, the Chargers D is weak in the areas in which Manning could have a field day. While the Chargers had a very up and down year, they did end it off with a bang and finally won the AFC West Division as many had predicted they would all along...however they still finish with the worst record of all AFC playoff teams. Even though they're playing in San Diego due to the messed up playoff format of the NFL (Divisional leaders always host the games), it's not like San Diego has the extreme weather that many Eastern and especially Northern teams do, so it won't be that big of an advantage as many other places are this time of the year.

My prediction: the Colts could end up in the Super Bowl they way they're going right now and it all starts with a win this weekend.

Miami Dolphins (11-5) over Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
-Now, this will likely seem as a total bias in prediction, however when the Dolphins made it into the playoffs my first reaction was that they were toast against the Ravens. Not only had Baltimore won their previous meeting 27-13 also in Miami but the Ravens are hot, looking like world beaters themselves down the stretch! But the Dolphins turned things around after that game winning 9 of 10 match-ups in a row and consistently doing what they had to do (even if they didn't do it in a consistent manner, keeping tough teams scoring low and allowing bad teams to score high).

But see to me this has never been an issue with sports - young teams are like this, and the Miami Dolphins are just that a young team! Young teams have a very well known history of playing to the level of their competition, they get excited for the big games and have struggle finding that inspiration for the lowly opponents.

The Ravens are favourites by most and with the number 2 defence in the League on top of a rookie QB who's playing better week in week out it's easy to see why. However Chad Pennington, recent recipient of the NFL Comeback Player of the Year and the main reason why the Dolphins just set a record for fewest turnovers in a season at 13 (a +17 turnover ratio which is absurd in the NFL!). That game against the Ravens earlier in the year a costly Pennington INT returned for a touchdown really changed the momentum of the game, but Chad knows his receivers better and there's a chance this one comes right down to the wire.

If the Dolphins can establish the Wildcat Offence to its full extent and connect the Ravens ARE a team susceptible to trickery, and that could be the difference. While the underdogs the Dolphins are revelling in hosting this game as underdogs and could very well continue this Cinderella story one week longer!

NFC Wildcard
Atlanta Falcons (11-5) over Arizona Cardinals (9-7)
-Both teams here are tremendous stories, Kurt Warner found himself once more rekindling his career in the twilight while Matt Ryan has proven to be one of the best QB's in the entire league in his rookie season, and helped to turn around a team absolutely decimated by Michael Vick last season to the point where they lost really their entire administration.

The Cardinals won their lowly Division weeks ago and have struggled to find their way since, and most notably are the most one dimensional team in these playoffs relying almost completely on Kurt Warner's arm as they lack a run game. The Falcons have a running back in Michael Turner who rushed for just under 1700 yards and their young QB Matt Ryan who can get it done thru the air, as he's proven time and time again.

In the playoffs it's all about time of possession, who holds onto the balls longer, and the Falcons have the edge here for obvious reasons - they can run where the Cards cannot, and Arizona can't really stop it all too well. I believe that Atlanta moves on, continuing the story of rookie Head Coaches around the NFL leading their teams to tremendous results.

Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1) over Minnesota Vikings (10-6)
-As if the Vikings needed any more trouble than what they've endured the past few weeks trying to get themselves into the NFL playoffs, on top of an irratic young QB who has never lived up to potential, but they're having a lot of trouble selling tickets in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area meaning that a local television blackout is a REAL possibility!

The Philadelphia Eagles finally looked balance again after serious concerns surrounding Andy Reid's play calling - way too pass heavy, not at all interested in the run. Last week that was resolved in their trouncing of the Dallas Cowboys (personally quite glad that team/circus is no longer around, they've gone past annoying to me at this point!). This week, since Minnesota owns the best run D in the NFL that might be a bit more difficult to do so, which could lead to some negative tendancies that came up previously.

But to me the Vikings have NOT been impressive this season, they snuck into the playoffs as Adrian Peterson aside (he IS a freak of nature running the ball!) I don't really see them as all too deserving to be in the Division Leader position (lucked out that they too played in a very poor division). This game should be another toss up but I feel that Donovan McNabb and his experience will pull this game out over Tavaris Jackson and his lacklustre work at the pivot.

So to recap, here are my picks:
INDIANPOLIS COLTS
MIAMI DOLPHINS
ATLANTA FALCONS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Hope everyone enjoys the games this weekend! :)

A touching yet odd story for the day

2008-12-23T16:11:00.006-05:00

There is a little girl in Asia who years back got into a car accident, back when she was just three years old. She lost both her legs in the accident but she survived and her life has really turned into a touching - yet bizarre - story.

Qian Hongyan, the little girl who lost both of her legs, is a hardworker both with her studies and training in the pool. She hopes to make it to the Paralympics in London for 2012. The odd thing about her though is that after the initial accident, with her family unable to afford a proper pair of prosthetic legs, they put the lower half of her body in half of a basketball instead....seriously no joke, because honestly you can't make this stuff up!

Since then she has received prosthetic legs, so she is living a more normal life (thankfully, one can only imagine the comments directed her way!). But in the pool she still prefers the basketball occasionally as it allows easier access getting in and out of the pool.

Like I said, a touching yet bizarre story, but an uplifting one as well. Makes many appreciate their own lives a little more, and definitely respect this little girl for her amazing spirit! There have been blogs that have made light of this - obviously sports blogs, it's hella easy to make a basketball joke here - but I for one hope that Qian makes it to the Paralympics. At that point the story will return and the jokes will gain steam once again, but this little Chinese girl will also become a hero no doubt! (apparently she's already inspired millions, it's easy to see why)

“Qian Hongyan studies hard. She never grouches in training although she was confronted with many difficulties at the beginning, ” her coach said.

Chinese Girl has Basketball for a Body (Weird Asian News)

Battling for Airtime: oh, what a weekend!

2008-12-23T16:09:00.001-05:00

This weekend was made of the stuff that sports fans dream of, the entire weekend was a case study in why sports compels so many!

In Junior Hockey the Canadian squad started off strong in exhibition play all weekend long, providing excitement to the masses eagerly anticipating the start up of the tournament in just a matter of days.

This weekend's Football ticket was nothing short of intriguing, confusing and exciting all at the same time as the playoff picture become nothing short of muddier - the perfect compliment for the action that began the night before. Saturday night, the historic last game played at Texas Stadium, provided both a defensive showdown early with an offensive explosion in the final quarter, coming virtually right down to the wire to decide the outcome and close down the hallowed field.

While on the ice the professional ranks shone on Saturday night with two Canadian teams winning in dramatic fashion in OT, while another played the uncommon role this season of a dominant winning side for a change! There was also some Curling thrown into the mix as well as North America squared off against a World team, which was broadcast throughout the weekend (for those interested, I came back to it from time to time).

And in the world of Footy the FIFA World Club Championship (for those following) came to a close with Manchester United on top while an undermanned Arsenal drew Liverpool, once again giving Chelsea a chance to move atop the EPL - whether they take the bait or not is another issue altogether...

Suffice it to say, it isn't hard to assume that basketball was pushed to the side this weekend by many, even before Friday night's rather embarrassing Raptors loss to the worst team in the Association (well, those with TSN2 had that choice on Friday night anyways).

The Toronto Raptors may not have been the sports fan subject of choice on Saturday night, but if that is the case it's rather unfortunate because if one had been flipping back and forth they would've seen a flawed (yes) but spirited effort on the part of Toronto facing off against perennial giants the San Antonio Spurs. Yes, the holes were still apparent, but the desire was also apparent too - something missing the night before. An effort like that would have earned them a win on Friday night in Oklahoma City. Once again the team continues along on its common theme of the season thus far: hope is rekindled that the team can put it together after a more inspired effort against a top flight team, but then of course that one last point still lingers on - the game was still another loss.

Overall, a sports fan couldn't have asked for a better weekend - well for the most part, of course for the Raptors fans out there things could have been better! As football winds down and hockey picks up twofold it's likely basketball will take a seat over the next little while for many Canadian sports fans. Every once and a while though try and throw some hoops into the mix, you never know you may actually get a good game out of it!

(crossposted at OOLF)

Rekindling the Fire: Jermaine O'Neal's impact on the Raptors

2008-12-03T12:12:00.003-05:00

No recap of the game today but just a combination of quotes, the kind that you want to see following an effort like the one that the Toronto Raptors put forth last night. The kind you wouldn't have seen last season either - because, well, the team didn't have a fire like Jermaine O'Neal around:

"As professionals, we should be ashamed of ourselves," said Jermaine O'Neal, the veteran centre who returned after a three-game absence.

"The game was what it was – it was embarrassing and it was embarrassing not only for us but for people who represent the Toronto Raptor organization, the city, the country."

"That should never happen. This is a business. We get paid a heck of a lot of money to play a certain way and if we think we can turn it on and off like that then we are fooling ourselves."

"We've got to really sit down as players," said O'Neal. "We have to go back to the hotel and figure out exactly what we want to do as a team, come to a conclusion of what they think, what I think, what all 13 guys on the roster think and address it as a team."

The one thing that appeared to be missing was that player to ignite the team, it's come up frequently over the past few seasons from Raptors fans about where our new Charles Oakley was - a player who will light a fire in the locker room and on the court with tough play, one who can get the players worked up thru their words and physical play as well. It appears with O'Neal in town the Raptors do have a return to that passion, and Sam Mitchell needs the players to take ownership he can't just do all the screaming himself.

After a reported private players session following last night's 132-93 loss to Denver there is news from the Toronto Star's Doug Smith reported that there was a change in plans for today, a players owner weightlifting session has been scheduled after the game last night instead of their original practice plans. Whether it's just being put out in public more or if there is actual serious change, it certainly appears that the players are taking more ownership this season - and that is most definitely a good sign for this squad! And a great reason to have brought Jermaine O'Neal into town as well.

Rocky Mountain Low (Globe & Mail)
Nuggets Demolish Raptors (Toronto Star)

(cross-posted over at OOLF)

CIS Showcase - Vanier Cup 2008

2008-11-25T18:37:00.002-05:00

I had a great time at the Vanier Cup weekend back home in Hamilton.

Vanier Cup Pre-Party at Slainte:
Friday night was great entertainment, they had a band The Mahones playing upstairs who rocked out with some Celtic music (I suddenly discovered something I had not realized, an attractive girl with an accordian can apparently knock my socks off!). It was great to meet up with some hardcore CIS Football fans as well as some All Canadian players, and staff from schools kickin' around as well (also met up with some friends from back home because let's be honest, it's Hamilton, happens every time I go back!)

Tailgate Party:
The tailgate was fun, hung out with the Laval crowd - started later than it would have in Quebec City (10am), we showed up later than we would have as well (10:30am), but that didn't diminish it one bit! It was quite noticable that Western was not there early on, with only a small gathering off in the corner, but as the game grew near more and more Londoners made themselves known - apparently there was a LOT of snow London way (as evident by a man actually climbing up on top of his RV cleaning off a good foot of snow!) and that snow had delayed 25 bus loads of people heading up for the game. So for the most part took in yet another Laval tailgate, this one transplanted naturally. Although it was considerably smaller than their usual it was still lively, was still a pretty good size too, and definitely a lot of fun!

Vanier Cup Game:
The one big surprise was a flyover by the Snowbirds, I was unaware of this coming (as where many others at the game as well). I realized I've never been at a game where they had a flyover, I generally always rolled my eyes whenever I saw that but taking it in I actually found it kind of impressive! (no doubt since this was the first Vanier Cup broadcast down south, they had to make sure that it appeared like a very big deal).

The rest of the game however was what was expected heading in - the Laval Rouge et Or won which was inevitable. The Western Mustangs put up a good fight but they were simply not strong enough to topple Laval. On both sides of the ball Laval was superior however the 'Stangs did not say die, went for the 1st down on 3rd downs where they could have easily kicked for a Field Goal late in the game to keep trying to narrow the gap. The one thing that does boggle the mind is that Western wasn't even getting stopped on the run but they just refused to do it altogether! While Michael Faulds is a great passing Quarterback at Western's disposal, a run game is necessary! (you can win only running, just ask the Waterloo Warriors, but not only passing).

In the end it was Laval 44 - Western 21, as the Rouge et Or claim their 5th title since becoming a program in 1996.

Atmosphere at the game:
-Sitting in front of the Laval bench with their rowdy contingent right behind was a lot of fun, the stands started off empty but filled up to a decent size (13, 741 was the final tally, a little beneath expectations but still a good crowd)
-towards the end of the 3rd quarter it began to snow those big far, snow falling snowflakes that cascade down towards the ground, left a dusting on the ground and a beautiful image while taking in the game
-Western fans remained in good spirits even though they were losing, still chirping playfully even when they were being soundly beaten on the field
-went out onto the field after the game (quickest way out of there anyways), while it was lacking a bit of the emotion from the last time I was on the Ivor Wynne turf following a Vanier Cup (2005 Laurier last second FG win) it was a nice celebration for the Laval team with all their family

All in all it was a great experience and after taking in my third Vanier Cup in the past 4 years, I'm glad to have caught the game live. I highly recommend attending the next Vanier Cup game (if it's possible) to anyone who has ever thought or considered it in the past.

Vanier Cup 2008

2008-11-21T14:26:00.003-05:00

Tonight I head back to Steeltown as tomorrow I'll be catching the Vanier Cup finale between the favoured Laval Rouge et Or and the underdog Western Mustangs. With my background - yeah, not the biggest fan of Western (to say the least), but as the OUA rep I am hoping that they'll keep things close and rather interesting as well.

Will provide updates on the game and my thoughts of everything that went down upon my return. If you have the chance check it out, the game will be broadcast on The Score tomorrow, Saturday, November 22nd, starting at 2pm.

To Live and Die in the Blogosphere

2008-11-21T13:40:00.004-05:00

Both Sporting Madness (Andrew) and Out Of Left Field (Neate) have composed good posts about the fate of one of the most prominent sports blogs out there, Deadspin.

Any day of the week you can visit that site and you'll find good coverage of the sporting world and definitely an enjoyable read - offcolour though, as a heads up (if a heads up is necessary). However as with everything in this world it's coming down to the "Al-ighty...Ollar?"Advertising revenues at parent company Gawker Media were of a big concern, it has been reported that there was a deal struck to help alleviate some of these concerns but whether that means Deadspin is out of the woods yet is another matter altogether.

Whether blogs in general will suffer the same fate as movies and television shows have thanks to the onset of the internet and box DVD sales is a matter that will have to be discussed at a later date, after more information comes in. Blogs do play a valuable place within our newsworld nowadays but in some ways - as in the business world ways - they aren't exactly heavy hitters, and therefore they may never be allowed the true support they need to develop. However with moves such as this, where The Score secured well known blogs to link thru their website as part of their blog network (here I'd like to make a special shout out to everyone over at The CIS Blog for getting picked up, congrats guys!), there has got to be hope that everything will work out afterall. Guess we'll find out soon enough if supporting blogs on behalf of business is a recession proof industry.

The blogging debate always seems to be a contentious issue, as bloggers want to feel respected while journalists don't want to feel disrespected by being told that there credentials aren't that important anymore since people can now post their thoughts online. Most bloggers just watch the games, journalists are there - another issue of debate. But one thing is certain, regardless of everything else, and that is that this world has a place for both, and should have both firmly in place. So hopefully the reports that Deadspin, one of the industry leaders in sports blogging, may be in trouble is nothing short of easily forgotten in the near future.

Rev up the Engine - the Argos Coaching hunt gains speed!

2008-11-20T17:32:00.005-05:00

A major NFL Coach to land in the CFL? It may come down to the decision of working for a Pinball (Mike "Pinball" Clemens, CEO Toronto Argonauts) or being rejected by a total Oddball (Al Davis, eccentric owner of the Oakland Raiders). The odds are stacked against the likelihood, but is there a chance...? (***SPOILER ALERT*** when the reporter breaking the story leads with a former CFL QB in the headline instead of the unemployed NFL Coach, I think you can figure out which direction this is going...)

Perry Leftko over at Sportsnet reported that Jim Fassel, former Head Coach of the New York Giants, is being actively pursued by the Argos who are looking to fill their vacant Head Coach position. The news reports have been going around now, and it just received a segment on Around the Horn (where the CFL did receive a bit of a rough ride, took some shots - with the notable exception of Woody Paige, sports columnist for The Denver Post and loudmouth cynic who actually surprised me with his knowledge of the CFL and the Argos). In the Fassel discussion there was no talk of the CFL, merely just the Raiders vacancy.

Now the Argos hunt is on and dropping big names like a hipster at TIFF. There are a number of high profile targets the Boatmen are hoping to land for next season, which include Green Bay Packers QB Coach and former CFL QB Tom Clements, as well fas ormer Argos Quarterbacks Doug Flutie and Damon Allen. While this is just nothing more than a hunt at this point in time, it is raising a lot of interest and press as well. At this point, nothing more than talk so maybe it's not worth covering. But the fact that it is even remotely a possibility is interesting, with Ricky Williams up north on his "vacation" from the NFL he said plenty of nice things about the League.

So, is there a chance? I'm sure there is, but I doubt that Fassel lands here, highly unlikely! I believe that he stays somewhere in the NFL - but man, it'd be one hell of a steal for the CFL! While it's true that Marc Trestman came up North to take charge of the Alouettes this season, landing a well travelled positional Coach is NOT landing a Head Honcho!

You can't rule out anything but at the same time you can say what's hype, and this sounds more like attention started by the Argos rather than a realistic opportunity. But hey, weirder things have taken place!

Argos eye Flutie as possible Coach

LET THE HYSTERIA BEGIN!!

2008-11-12T15:54:00.002-05:00

Alright, so since the announcement was made today that Brian Burke is stepping down as GM of the Anaheim Ducks, and will be able to move around as he so chooses (currently remaining with the club in an advisory role for the time being). Here is a likely rather accurate list of events that may occur here in the City of Toronto within the next...oh...45 mins - 3 hours:

1 out of every 6 hockey fanatics in Toronto will buy a new Leafs jersey with "Burke" on the back, and either 08 or 09 as the number (depending on how enthusiastic the fan may be)
Every news radio station - and in particular sports radio stations - will burst into flames due to the furry of activity surrounding Burke's inevitable relocation to Hogtown
Mats Sundin's recently evacuated house will be bought by MLSE and the lavish neighbourhood of Forrest Hill, where the house is located, will be renamed "New Burkeland" in preparation for the house to be claimed by Brian upon his arrival
The CN Tower, which is lit up at night with an array of changing colours, will now rotate between images of Burke and the phrases "Welcome home Brian!", "We love you Brian, oh yes we do!" and "We stand on guard for B"

Alright so maybe it's a bit too easy to come up with fanatical reactions that Leafs fans may partake in due to this announcement, but on a more serious note I will say that bringing Burke into town would be a great step in the right direction! Cliff Fletcher did well eventually in gutting the team as best as he could, the hiring of Ron Wilson as Coach has already appeared as a pretty good decision, so with a movement towards Burke the Leafs may truly, for once in my lifetime anyways, build a team from the bottom up the way a true contender should! (and perform the way a franchise with their history most definitely should!)

Matts puts his home on the housing market while Brian puts himself on the GM market - sunrise, sunset

The beautiful game just got that much prettier

2008-11-10T10:31:00.006-05:00

When I was a kid playing Mosquito soccer (gotta love the friendly sounding soccer classifications, even if mosquitoes suck ass - and of course blood too! - it just doesn't have a really fierce sounding nature to it), there was a kid amazing in net who also had one hell of an arm for throw in's. He eventually moved on to play Rep ball but for that season with us in house league he was a key component in our Championship winning season.

There's something magical about watching a ball just travel from the sidelines into a favourable position for your team while out on the pitch, it really opens up so many new opportunities! At the age of 10 my teammate was easily throwing the 18 yard box, and to us that just blew our minds!

Sadly, James (the name of my teammate) NEVER had anything like the arm this guy has! Meet Rory Delap, a meber of newly delegated Stoke City in the English Premiere League. He may not have any churches spring up in his honour, but he certainly is a pleasure to watch! And he's been receiving many compliments along the way, beyond being called a "human sling" by some managers in the EPL players and former players alike agree he's a menace to deal with out there: “Delap’s are fired in like a free-kick – but even more dangerous.”

It may not be surprising to learn that Ireland, his home nation, is now actually trying to recruit him to throw javelin in the Olympics - can you honestly blame them??

Found over at Deadspin originally from this Daily Star article: Throwing for Gold

The dizzying highs, frightening lows and creamy middles of Life as a Dolphins fan!

2008-11-09T12:59:00.005-05:00

Last year was....well, just awful. There's no other way to put it. As a Dolphins fan there's no way to sugarcoat that campaign.

This season? Well they DO say that the sun will come out tomorrow, and man they weren't kidding!

That feeling is back in Miami and I'm loving the surprising, resurgent Miami Dolphins this season! Any Dolphins fan would tell you the same though, already 4-4 and with the easiest schedule in the NFL for the rest of the season there's reason for optimism. It honestly has even rekindled that whole, dangerous "P" word, but the way this season has been going (should be 5-3 as that loss to Houston never should have happened), it's not just absurd fandom.

I love having Sunday Ticket, I can follow the 'Fins wherever they go now. Hopefully today against a Seattle squad that has looked less than impressive, they move over .500 and the talk really does get serious! I'm hooked on a feelin', and I like it! :)

The League and The Law

2008-11-06T13:52:00.003-05:00

I had a huge problem with the treatment that Ricky Williams received in the NFL - he was booted out of the League for an entire season because he loved to smoke the marijuana. It seemed that in a league riddled with convicted felons they were picking on a weed smoking, who did it (I'm sure more than partially) because he liked it but also because he had social anxiety issues, while letting many others (even some implicated in murder wraps) off too lightly. There's actually a long list of players who are playing that have past records far worse than smoking a joint, but then again the war on drugs down south focuses so hard on weed that it's not too surprising this happened.

But what really grinds my gears/almost straight out pisses me off is that Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Matt Jones was caught red handed with cocaine AND marijuana and he only received a 3 game suspension...Joey Porter, the outspoken Linebacker for the Miami Dolphins, wonders out loud (as he always does, he was fined $20,000 earlier this season by the NFL for criticizing Officials after one game) how Jones was given such a slap on the wrist and I completely agree!

"If I knew the answers, I'd still have 20 more thousand dollars," said Porter, who was fined $20,000 last month for criticizing referee Ed Hochuli after a loss to Houston. "But I'm still trying to figure out how a guy gets caught with cocaine in his car and still plays the game and nothing happens.

"He got caught with cocaine and Matt Jones is still playing football. How does he get away with that? And then you fine people $20,000 for making comments to the media about the refs. The guy got caught with cocaine."

Well...alright, some of his statement is self-serving, trying to find answers regarding his own fine. But really, there's a lot of merit to this! In certain ways the NFL makes no sense with regards to its punishments, and it seems when it comes down to it your reputation has FAR more to do with judgment than does the offence itself!

Just rekindled some of the Ricky Williams ire within me, I forgot about this story I'll be honest (or else I would've written about it earlier) but it really does show some disparity in the world's biggest, most powerful sports league. A league, most definitely, doing its best to supress any scandals in the making...

related site: NFLcrimes.com

Toronto Raptors lose to Detroit but can learn along the way

2008-11-06T13:32:00.000-05:00

All good things must come to an end, and thus did the Toronto Raptors undefeated start to the season. But in a humbling defeat to the Detroit Pistons, the Toronto squad can now move forward, looking to make the necessary improvements to challenge the perennial contenders in the Eastern Conference.

Last night the Raptors lost their first game of the season to a patchwork, balanced Detroit team (as Allen Iverson was still left awaiting clearance to play). The fast break out to start the season was great to see but it did have to come to an end, and against a tough, talented team like Detroit, it doesn't seem quite as bad. It's a loss, which is never good, but considering it was a hard fought loss, it's also a lot easier to absorb.

Good - Chris Bosh (26 pts, 13 reb) and Jose Calderon (24 pts, 8 ast) played VERY well once again, truly establishing themselves as legitimate stars in the Association (NOT just stars on this team). And once again Andrea Bargnani (12 pts, 4 reb) continued his "home sweet home" theme of the season by playing a well rounded game, posting double digit scoring and continuing to show he has improved his game over the offseason.

Not So Good - the Pistons even admitted to using their time tested formula of allowing the stars (Bosh, Calderon) to score while focusing on shutting down the rest of the Toronto team. This exposed the lack of depth the Raptors have at the moment, but I consider this a wash as that's already a known issue (nothing groundbreaking there). Maybe a bigger problem is that Jermaine O'Neal (8 pts, 3 reb) was once again completely absent on offence - his presence is there on defence, but hopefully the offence rounds out soon enough because.

There's not that much new learned from last nights game though really in the end, except maybe that Detroit has a strong future with the contributions from the youth off their bench. With regards to Toronto's bench, well from time to time it's going to happen this season that they get exploited. For the most part as long as the starters can put in strong efforts Toronto does have the talent to pull through and win those games more often than not.

The Raps should look at tonight and try to ensure players like Anthony Parker, Jason Kapono, Bargnani and O'Neal can still get opportunities even in the face of strong defensive pressure. Andrea fought thru the best he could and had a decent outing, but the rest of the team seemed to have more troubles and struggled. This was a good test against a solid team and Toronto kept fighting right to the end, bringing a 16 point third quarter deficit down to a 1 point a few times in the fourth quarter - there's a lot of heart and drive on this team and that alone will bring positive results.

It's still early, just as it's too early to plan the parade route it's too early to freak out and question everybody on every aspect of the game. While a loss there is a silver lining, it's good that a game like this happened this early to allow the team to make the necessary adjustments. The basketball season is a long journey and the Toronto Raptors are still in a very comfortable position along that trial.

(originally posted over at OOLF)

What a difference a blog can make!

2008-11-05T15:22:00.006-05:00

There are most definitely changes in the way the world works thanks to blogs, and here's another prime example: thanks to a story reported by the highly popular sporting blog Deadspin a New Englands Patriots cheerleader was fired by her employer, the...well, New England Patriots. The picture has the cheerleader, alongside a friend, posing above a drunk and passed out (I'm assuming) fellow companion at a party. You can see that there are many a penis apparent on drunk and passed out person's sharpied body - pretty much a tradition - but what got her in trouble was the fact that there was also swastikas clearly visible too.

The cheerleader is presently pissed at the blog, has apparently sworn revenge as well, and one just has to hope that it doesn't amount to anything really serious. But it is a friendly reminder to all of us who write on blogs that this really is a WORLD wide web! Writing over at OOLF we have had stories picked up by media sources, my videos of the UofT victory celebration this year - just taken with my digital camera - were actually swooped up by CTV (Newsnet and Sportsnet) since the Rogers camera man bolted early and missed the dramatic and historic come-from-behind win.

So we really DO have an impact, and that cannot be forgotten. I keep that in mind but I feel that there may be others who do not. The world of reporting will soon rely more and more heavily on blogs as traditional journalism appears...well not on its way out, the mainstream media will always exist! But I feel that it's about to become even more of a dog-eat-dog freelance free for all with many, many participants involved (not just a couple columnists here and there). I know that papers are beginning to allow more and more freelance stories into the paper, so it is a sign of what's to come.

That's just my opinion, and while I'm predicting a war it's a war I'm eagerly going to jump into, headlong right into the fray! But until then, just have to remember to keep my bearings and my head on straight - something I write may have significant ramifications should my audience pick up on something I write.

The Patriots Dole Out Their Swift, Kraftian Justice, Thus Ending The Short Career Of One Cheerleader (Deadspin)

Leafs Fans speak out!

2008-10-31T14:25:00.004-04:00

Over at OOLF Neate has posted an article on an open letter written by angry Leafs fan that's worth a read - a reporter from the FAN 590 by the name of Howard Berger has continued on with the longstanding mantra of Toronto reporters making fun of the Maple Leafs Stanley Cup futility. However this time it went a bit further when he called Leafs fans "losers" for following the team despite losing.

As a result of this an open letter was posted on the blog Pension Plan Puppets urging the Leafs faithful to turn away from the mainstream media and follow the blogs instead for their news on the team, as clearly the main stream outfits no longer cared about the Toronto fan. You can find the letter here.

As the discussion has been raised I do agree with those who say that reporters are necessary to get in there into the locker rooms, behind closed doors, the places that fans sitting at the game or in front of the TV will never be granted access to. But it IS also quite telling that this response has come about, the fans are NOT pleased and when displeasure enters the realm that's when changes come about. What kinds of changes? Yet to be determined, but I'm getting the feeling that the line has finally been drawn by many fans around this city.

You can't go and insult someone for cheering on their team it's just not kosher, and considering that really every article on the Toronto Maple Leafs for...man, god knows how long!...has basically been one carbon copy of the next - if you studied them for plagiarism there would be red flags EVERYWHERE - it's likely time to change the tune of the song. Yes, the Leafs haven't won since '67 we get it, but the Chicago Cubs have it far worse - the Red Sox had it worse too - and really the entire city of Philadelphia has basically sucked a large one forever sportswise! While this years World Series win certainly helps, as a whole they've been a pretty unfortunate bunch of sports fans - maybe that's why they booed Santa? Anyways, these outlets aren't as self-deprecating as Toronto seems to be towards their beloved hockey team.

I'm not saying stop promoting the local papers, but maybe it is time to send out a little message that enough is enough. So personally I'm applauding the attempt being made here, which is being a termed a "Blogolution" (cute...a bit nerdy too sure, but cute haha). Honestly we have heard the same tale far too many times, I thought writers were creative try something new!

We do deserve a bit more consideration in our coverage, and a bit more variety in the articles being written, but hey that's just my humble opinion I only write on a blog right now :)

Most Valuable Losers Once Again by Howard Berger HockeyBuzz.com

Sports Almanac

2008-10-30T20:10:00.000-04:00

Like I always say there's 2 times a year that sports fans are in heaven - right about now, and about half a year earlier :)

The spring and fall, with leagues starting up and others transitioning into playoff mode, is quite an exciting time - I've never been to Vegas (it's a shame I know!) but I'm sure it's kind of like that, bright flashing lights something going on around every corner.

Last night a bit of the lustre was lost from the season as the World Series came to an end, once again the underdog favourites lost (last year it was Colorado, this year Tampa Bay), however I don't think either winning team (Boston last year, Philadelphia this) was a bad story! The whole 2 day delay to finish off the rain delayed game was a bit much, the bottom half of the game wasn't the most exciting but it did alright, held its own.

I'll admit I was kind of in heaven as the Raptors opened up their season last night to a win in Philadelphia of all places, so any lost entertainment value was certainly not noticed on my part. But as each season comes to a close...I dunno, it just does something to me. As a kid I used to wake up real early and, well after watching Hercules ("Herc, watch out! They're coming to get you!") I'd tune into SportsDesk to catch up on all the games I missed from the night before. Yeah what can I say, I'm a bit of a nerd!

But with each passing season, there's a nostalgic quality to it, takes me back to sitting in front of the screen post-Hercules, waiting for the scores and highlights. Doesn't make me feel old that, if some think that's the direction I'm taking this, it actually makes me feel happy! Brings back that awesome childhood time where I used to jump up and down around the living room, really regardless of who won - just much harder when it was my team, of course :)

I'm interested in sports, I can break it down on different plains, explain why it's popular, but at its most basic level I think I still enjoy sports because it reminds me of my youth. Going off to my soccer, basketball or football practice, heading off to a game at Ivor Wynne or the SkyDome, or just watching in front of the TV with my Dad. Every sports fan loves this time of the year, and right now I'm a pretty happy guy myself :)

My love affair with the Toronto Raptors (and my total lack of understanding basketball in this area...)

2008-10-21T18:47:00.005-04:00

I posted an entry over at OOLF today in regards to my concerns about the Raptors after this exhibition season has been less than impressive, you can check it out here.

My main thing is understanding why Toronto sports fans can't embrace basketball when it's so common in the area - growing up I could quite confidently say that in Hamilton, both football and basketball surpassed the popularity of hockey in that town. And while Toronto is different, there's still a large interest in both sports, much more than many other Canadian cities.

I hope that Chris Bosh takes the sports limelight, becomes the face of the Toronto sports scene, I truly hope that happens this season! But until then I'll try and calm my frustration...a breakout season by the Raps, and Rogers picking up TSN2, would both be a good start in helping to remedy the situation...

Bills game this past weekend

2008-10-21T18:43:00.003-04:00

Alright so I kinda stopped with the posting of Top 10's here....was going to post it on another blog got around to it, and...yeah...alright this blog is getting a little neglected, but here's a post about my weekend in Buffalo anyways (and more posts will come soon, I know this is a VERY redundant message around here but I swear it's gonna happen):

Alright so I've been M.I.A for a while but I am back, and thankfully have been catching enough sporting events (Raptors preseason tilts, CIS and NFL games) to provide some content around the site. The first thing to touch upon however is quite a unique experience that I experienced this past weekend.

As everyone knows by now balloons got the best of the Buffalo Bills this past weekend. I heard that the television coverage was very spotty, I was fortunately there at the game so luckily I didn't miss a snap. And while there were a couple short delays, for the most part the Buffalo-San Diego game was just played for the most part with a bipolar scoreboard. Well, they also lacked a game clock for a period in time as well - there was a couple bursts of anger from Phillip Rivers, the Chargers QB, on a few Delay of Game calls when they was no clock countdown but rather just the ref yelling, "5...4...3...2...1...", which was obviously drowned out by the fans (rather easily too).

It wasn't really that bad though - well, alright, having the lights go out in an overpacked washroom TWICE was less than favourable, but beyond that the overall game experience was not really hampered too much. But what struck me was that this happened at an NFL game, and while it's unavoidable and out of their control does it not seem unacceptable for something as large as an NFL game? It was for this reason I was very excited to be in attendance!For starters It DID make me feel a lot better about a gaffe during a playoff game at University Stadium a few years back in the playoffs, where Laurier's scoreboard went on the fritz for the entire second half. I shook my head thinking "man, this is so bush league!", but you know what we DID have a working time clock, so we were instantly one better than an NFL franchise!

I am fully aware that this isn't the first time a power outage has come into play, although it is more suited to arena sports - which is, yes, far more troublesome since there's no option of playing at that point in time period! But I did enjoy the setback because it made even the most powerful and successful sports league in the world seem a bit more human. While outages happen every now and then in the NBA and NHL, they NEVER happen in a football stadium really. So in celebration of the momentus event I instantly went and bought an overly priced beer in celebration of my new found companionship with the National Football League! (sadly that overly priced beer was still better priced than the ACC, but that's another matter altogether...)

It was a great game on the field, the Bills re-establishing themselves as AFC contenders, and Trent Edwards reaffirming his MVP contending status. It was also exciting to partake in such an odd and random happenstance as that of an on-again, off-again football stadium. And as long as the guy peeing in the corner missed your shoes as you exited the washroom, an overall fun experience not to be forgotten soon!

.ORG 2008 Preseason Top 10

2008-08-29T20:18:00.003-04:00

The initial Top 10 of the 2008 season has been released!

The .ORG Preseason Top 10, the voting system of the fans of Canadian Interuniversity Sports Football, was conducted via the cisfootball.org community. This committee was comprised of 34 members, with participating members from each conference, helping to project an insight into fans from Coast to Coast.

Claiming the first top ranking of the season is a program familiar with the role, Laval Rouge et Or (#1). The Uteck Bowl finalists return this year and many hold the belief their defense of the Quebec conference, and push for yet another Vanier Cup appearance this decade is almost inevitable.

After that pole position things get rather interesting…it is clear that there is a consensus belief of who belongs in the Top 5 as per voting results, however positions 2 thru 5 were hotly contested in this poll.

The preseason runner-up are the Ottawa Gee Gee’s (#2), as many believe they are the class of the OUA this upcoming season. Returning to the pivot position is Hec Creighton nominee Josh Sacobie, and not only is Sacobie joined by a veteran cast and a strong recruiting/transfer class but he also welcomes former Hec Creighton nominee Ivan Birungi. The Acadia graduate returns for his final year of eligibility after testing the CFL waters.

Vanier Cup Runner-up’s the St. Mary’s Huskies (#3) narrowly edge out the Victors in the rankings; the Manitoba Bisons (#4) finish a mere vote behind the Huskies. Both contestants of the recent Vanier Cup are expected to perform well once more, and compete seriously to book a return trip to the ‘Big Show’ in November.

Rounding out the Top 5 is the Saskatchewan Huskies (#5), who impressed many in their exhibition game versus the Concordia Stingers, and appear to yet again have a strong team entering the season. Many believe that Brian Towriss and his ‘Prairie Dogs’ are still legitimate threats, despite an unusually early playoff exit in 2007.

On an island around the middle of the pack sits the Western Mustangs (#6), last seasons Cinderella Yates Cup Champions and Mitchell Bowl finalists. A strong recruiting class, and key transfers, highlights a squad once again in the hands of high profile Quarterback Michael Faulds, and Coached by the much publicized former Mustang, Greg Marshall.

The Regina Rams (#7) have improved with each passing season lately and look to finally take that final step over the top and into National contention. The Hardy Cup finalists look to build upon the success of their previous campaign with the return of their highly touted Quarterback - an early Hec Creighton favourite - Teale Orban.

Rounding out the final positions are the Calgary Dinosaurs (#8), Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (#9), and the Concordia Stingers (#10). It appears these teams are on the bubble with the voters. After tallying the votes the Montreal Carabins are the team knocking at the door of the Top 10 as the season commences.

There are a few marquee match-ups already this early in the season, with some playoff rematches adding interest to the as more teams open up their campaigns. The Hardy Cup rematch happens early in 2008 as #4 Manitoba welcomes #7 Regina back to Winnipeg. And #9 Wilfrid Laurier seeks vengeance for an upset playoff win by hosting the Guelph to kick off the year. The #8 Calgary team, coming into the season with high expectations for improvement, are put to the test as they travel to visit #5 Saskatchewan. And lastly one of the most anticipated games of the entire OUA season takes place in London as #6 Western hosts #2 Ottawa.

TOP 10 VOTING BREAKDOWN (First Place votes in parentheses):
1. Laval Rouge et Or - 311 votes (19)
2. Ottawa Gee Gee’s - 227 votes (1)
3. St. Mary’s Huskies - 225 votes (4)
4. Manitoba Bisons - 224 votes (7)
5. Saskatchewan Huskies - 221 votes (1)
6. Western Mustangs - 151 votes (1)
7. Regina Rams - 112 votes
8. Calgary Dinosaurs - 98 votes
9. Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks - 90 votes
10. Concordia Stingers - 89 votes

There were 10 other programs that received votes while the members attempted to decipher who fell where, and they rank as follows: Montreal Carabins (60 votes), Simon Fraser Clan (22 votes), Bishop’s Gaiters (14 votes), Guelph Gryphons (10 votes), Queen’s Golden Gaels (6 votes), St. Francis Xavier X Men (5 votes), Alberta Golden Bears (3 votes), University of Toronto Blues (2 votes), Sherbrooke Vert et Or (1 vote), Acadia Axeman (1 vote)

There were 34 participating members, the Conference breakdown as follows:
Q: 8
OUA: 12
CanWest: 8
AUS: 6

SCHEDULE:
Fri Aug 29 7:00pm (#8)Calgary vs (#5)Saskatchewan
Sat Aug 30 1:00pm (#7)Regina vs (#4)Manitoba
Sat Aug 30 1:00pm Simon Fraser vs Alberta
Mon Sept 1 1:00pm Guelph vs (#9) Wilfrid Laurier
Mon Sept 1 2:00pm McMaster vs Queen’s
Mon Sept 1 7:00pm (#2)Ottawa vs (#6)Western
Mon Sept 1 7:00pm Waterloo vs Toronto

Debating the All Star Game

2008-07-16T01:21:00.005-04:00

Well...the All Star game is approaching record length while I write this, which to be totally honest is suiting for a location like Yankee Stadium. The hallowed grounds of that stadium, in its last season, and last All Star Game EVER, deserves something ridiculous and crazy!

But personally I'm less excited about the end of this game and more excited about seeing which players from the field themselves are called in as there only appears to be one person left in the bullpen for either team! Teams will be furious should their closers get too much work/possibly even injure themselves because of this never-ending match-up, so it should be interesting.

...and actually right now Fox Sports is commenting on how the present picture - Scott Kazmir of the Rays - who was never intended to pitch in the game because the Rays wanted to use him as a pitcher this weekend, has been going for a few innings now. And thus begins a brand new debate, never really presented much before in terms of professional sports, but is present since the MLB announced the winner of the Midsummers' Classic would claim Home Field advantage during the World Series. And while it was quite inevitable to become something worthy of discussion, it's something that should be brought up and examined!

I'm wondering what extent a Club will eventually go to in order to ensure their players are still ready in game shape following the All Star Game. And will Baseball Clubs eventually start disallowing their star players from competing in the contest for such a reason, even if that means they could hamper themselves by losing Home Field Advantage in the World Series? (if they make it that far). Considering the importance the League places on this event, would the Commissioner step in with a ruling about this matter? How ugly could this potentially get??

I've heard comments for the team with the better winning percentage to have Home Field in the World Series much like the NHL does - but that decreases interest in the All Star Game amongst fans...of all the All Star Games out there it seems that the NBA and MLB care the most about turning a profit (yes, they all significantly care, it's just these two seem to be far more interested than the rest). And there of course there's this, which states it quite well:

It is, of course, absurd to allow a mere exhibition tilt to determine which outfit gets something as potentially significant as home-field advantage in the World Series.
No, wait. It's embarrassing.

Ryan Ludwick of the St. Louis Cardinals of the just made an outstanding diving catch in the outfield in the bottom of the 15th, an absolutely amazing play!...in deep, deep extra innings of an All Star Game! If that doesn't tell you this game is a serious matter for these players, nothing will! All Star Games, as a rule, never produce such efforts because, as a rule, they don't mean anything!

The increased importance remains all well and good as it makes the game that much more interesting, but considering the nature of how these teams are selected it's really not fair to the American or National League Champions in the end. At this point tonight it's really coming down to the last few positions remaining to decide a crucially important postseason decision. And that's why this game tonight especially has convinced me of how unfair this whole ordeal is - not that I didn't kind of realize it before.

Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins just tagged up on a sac fly, beat out the throw at home and provided actually quite the exciting end to this game (Not only a Canadian but also one hell of a likable player, so I was glad to see that). 4 hours and 15 minutes long, 15 full innings later, the crowd didn't really let out a cheer more of one singular sigh of relief. And thus the American League once again claims the Home Field claim - that makes 5 straight wins, and actually every win since this new ruling was instated.

In my opinion, 5 Home Field Advantages that never should have been awarded. A great comment on the matter was stated recently on the Bleacher Report:

The only logical approach for a fan of a team in contention for the World Series should be to vote for the best players from the league of the fan's favorite team and the worst players from the opposing league.

When put that way, apparently there's more than one dilemma - this is actually quite the strategic quagmire that could truly alter All Star Games from this day forward! Maybe there's no clear, concise answer of how to manage the MLB All Star Game - maybe there's no better way to fairly decide Home Field in the World Series due to the differences in Leagues (I mean it'd be CRAZY to add any importance to that whole "Interleague Play" stuff...) - or maybe I'm just cranky from staying up so late, but whatever it is, it's a matter that needs to be resolved before it gets even worse.....in my opinion.....

The Golden Child 2008 OR Some Like It Hype!

2008-07-16T01:17:00.002-04:00

Another post from last week at OOLF - this one last Thursday - on my general distaste of a LITTLE too much hype!

I'm not a terribly huge fan of the critics choice...EVER! And this is quite thoroughly evident when it comes down to sports. I detest that moment when everyone sides with one athlete, one team, before anything has been decided - it seems almost insulting. And yet it always happens. It's for this reason I feel that I won't be a big fan of the Sixers this season, despite cheering for them down the stretch of last year to squeak out a playoff spot and was hoping for an upset First Round series win.

I've got a history of this too: I mean even though I've always respected Kevin Garnett and easily felt he was the more deserving player to win this years NBA Championships over Kobe Bryant, I chose the Lakers to win instead of Boston simply because of the hype the Celtics had received with their blockbusters trades that previous summer. So many people chose Boston to win this time last year just based on trades alone before the season had begun, so much so that I refused to accept anything redeeming that headed my way about that team for some time. In retrospect, I am very glad that Boston trio was able to claim long-awaited titles, and to an extent that Kobe lost as well, but that doesn't change my feelings on the uber-hyped favourites nor my likelihood to distance myself entirely from their existence.

Beyond the fact that I am a Miami Dolphins fan I was rooting against history in the form of the New England Patriots for the same reason, but then again that was also right square in the midst of my "The City of Boston must be stopped!" phase. This of course came about because of the rampant Celtics pre-season predictions, the Red Sox World Series win, and the perfect season destiny the Pats were in the midst of fulfilling...I think even the Bruins were making a bit of a run as well at that point in the season.

I quite often question the motives of Yankee and Manchester United fans (in many ways no different in my opinion), since I've run into many casual fans for both who only buy the gear out of fashion, or just follow the names because it's the cool thing to do. I can accept the hype, I just dislike the ramifications that come along with it. And with the acquisition of Elton Brand from the Los Angeles Clippers today, Philadelphia took over that media darling preseason spotlight the Celtics occupied the prior year.

All in all I guess I'm a bit of a purist in the sense that I want some justification to following a team, and "bandwagon" may not always be the right answer to satisfy my thirst as a diehard sports fan. It's funny because in many other parts of my life statements like "why not" and "whatever!" are not only quite readily accepted as viable answers, they're more commonly my motives!! And of course this is not completely accurate even in terms of sports as I'll choose a sports team to follow should my team be out of the playoffs, one that has caught my fancy/might be is playing a team I would rather not advance. Even during the seasons I'll find some player or team to root for alongside my own squad because I like the cut of their jib. So to say I'm not flawed in my reasoning is foolish, because I definitely know that I am!

But that still doesn't mean something like this is that much easier to stomach. My universal statement of "let's wait and see first" is never truly accepted at times like these, it's really hard to slow down the hype machine when it gets rolling! The Sixers are certainly going to improve with this signing, you're foolish if you think it won't I believe it'll place them within the 4th-6th position in the conference. This move also helps to turn the Atlantic Division from the "Titanic" into "Titans" in a mere 2 seasons! (no more leading the division a quarter of the way thru the season with a sub-.500 record!). But that doesn't mean I'm going to enjoy hearing about the revitalized Philly squad every day for the next few months, nor accept the love in that Philly will also receive. I just find that at times articles are written a little too easily about a teams future success after the trade/signing, especially of a chronic injured player...

I've always enjoyed the phrase "Shock the World!" over "Believe the Hype!", and that likely won't change anytime soon. The Sixers just moved from the former to the latter with this acquisition.

Colangelo brings the Aussie Shaq to Canada

2008-07-16T01:09:00.003-04:00

I posted this last Friday at OOLF, thanks to the never-ending All Star game it's given me time to do some housework over here - enjoy!

Announced last night in Australia - since they are a day ahead - it took some time to make it here, but nonetheless it's now official: Nathan Jawai, formerly of the Cairns Taipans of the National Basketball League (NBL) in Australia, called the "Australian Shaq" Jawai has signed a 2 year deal with the Toronto Raptors.

There were many questions surrounding the 41st pick, whether he was bound for the D League (NBDL) or was off to play in Europe - however Bryan Colangelo has put his faith in the player he sent scouts to visit midseason last year. Once again Colangelo is trying out a project, and once again it has left people undecided about how to react. Just like Andrea Bargnani, this is another foreign player that is not well known at all in North American circles. And just like Jamario Moon, this is a player brought in with the expectations of filling out the bench, with the hopes of becoming a far bigger impact player in the end.

The 21 year-old, 6'10" Forward-Centre with a 7'5" wingspan certainly makes one salivate when thinking of the possibilities if he is another diamond in the rough, playing alongside Moon and Bargnani off the bench - the towering height and shot blocking may never stop for the Raps next season!

The bar is set low, but I think in reality it's quite high, for this young player.

Celebration of Sport

2008-07-10T00:45:00.003-04:00

It is truly magnificent in these modern days, bogged down with countless concerns outside the game itself, that a match can just be great because of what has transpired on the field of play.

As this week has progressed I couldn’t shake my mind off the Wimbledon Finals. I thought it had a lot to due with the instant classic I witnessed on Sunday, but then thinking it over I actually feel it was because this was nothing short of a shining beacon of light in an otherwise predictable and redundant world of sports. There was no perfect domination by the most dominant player, no Cinderella Story win in dramatic fashion, and beyond a slight mid-match injury no heroic return to claim victory either. Just two elite athletes in an epic showdown, and for that reason it was something truly fantastic to watch.

There’s been a lot of talk of how this match may have single-handedly resurrected the game in far off distant lands where the game is not truly embraced like…North America. But the reason for this is resurrection is why this is so great, because the celebration is thanks to really nothing more than sport in its purest form: the performance of its athletes. And debate what you will over that performance - some have mentioned the conditions in favour of Nadal, and of course that whole matter of whether or not either player could even see the ball at the end of the match. Regardless, it was still the play on the court, the amazing rallies and fantastic shots each player produced, that intrigued the world, and that caught everyone’s attention.

There were interesting storylines, suiting of a Final held at the hallowed All England Club. The Williams sisters brought back the carnival that surrounds them every time they play together in a Major finale, and obviously the continuation of the Roger Federer-Raphael Nadal saga. But in the end the stories played second fiddle to the action that unfolded on the courts – even the Williams sisters behaved, that match appearing to be more of a contest between two athletes than a rigged family Sunday rally.

I see this as one of the more important sporting events in quite a while because it’s a display of sport as just that and nothing more, and making headways in a time where something else is ALWAYS necessary to grab the interest of fans. There was no cultural significance drawing attention here, no feel good sappy story that people followed, nothing more than a clash of the world’s best. And for once a marquee sporting event that finally surpassed all the high expectations that came along with it; in this “hyper-promoted” world of sport this was a Championship worthy of the title.

It’s resurrecting the interest in sport simply through a superior performance prevailing over any and all other factors on that day. Wimbledon was something special this past weekend. The debate is already on over whether or not this was the greatest Tennis match of all time, but it should also be mentioned that this appears to have been a moment where sport could just be enjoyed for nothing more than the game itself, for a welcome change. It just feels right to celebrate such an event, because they don’t come around all too often.

So then keyboard has to be pretty mighty itself...

2008-07-02T22:53:00.004-04:00

Yeah so I'll admit it, I'm writing a lot more sport articles at OOLF right now then here, and giving other blogs the grounds to comment on certain things while not covering them myself all too closely (great example being the Euro cup, I had comments just saw so many others doing it I held up).

Well...this is about to change! Writing is writing and I needs to do more of it, so I will! My July resolution (my birthday month, so I guess resolutions can be made?) is to comment freely on everything! And therefore there will be much more activity in an around these parts starting immediately!!

Sweet!

Cursed?

2008-06-21T18:07:00.007-04:00

Germany beat Portugal handily 3-1 in the first quarterfinal game...
Croatia tied Turkey 1-1, both goals in Extra Time, to go on and lose in Penalty Kicks...
going into Extra Time deadlocked 1-1, Russia scored twice to oust the team who looked stronger than any other thus far in the Euro Cup 3-1...

Now, ALL 3 of these squads had rested large numbers of their players for their final pool games, so that may have something to do with this. Maybe the mindset of these teams were not where they should be, like they were all thinking ahead (the announcer of the Germany-Portugal game had said how the Portugese side had reserved their hotels for the entire Euro Cup run already during the game they lost to the Germans).

At the same time, it could just be said that this tournament is just a lot tighter than previously thought by the analysts.

Coming out of the Round Robin Group matches I thought Spain looked the weakest of the Division winners however they presently stand as the only team who won their Group to move on to the Semi-Finals.

The Italian fans must be jumping for joy the way things have played out thus far...will the 31 seeds remain apparently cursed in the Quarterfinal round? Tomorrow we find that answer!

Back to the Future!

2008-06-21T17:52:00.005-04:00

Flashback Friday's really WAS a blast from the past this week, as John Gibbons was fired as a Manager only to be hired back by...wait for it...CITO GASTON!!!

A move was necessary at the Manager position, the Jays should be performing far better than they have been thus far this season. The players seem to be an untapped resource, the bats aren't firing and the pitching, while for the most part the foundation of this years squad, has not been properly managed (and then AJ Burnett...well, that's an entirely different matter altogether!).

The rumour mill has started up in regards to the future of JP Riccardi, whether he will last the year - even the week - or if he will return for the next season.

While I'll keep an eye on all of that, I think I'm still just ecstatic that the Manager who lead the Jays thru my childhood days of following back-to-back World Championships has returned! While it does not guarantee any renewed success - much the same way returning Cliff Fletcher to the Leafs doesn't mean much either - Gaston had stuck around with the Jays organization, has received a PR friendly response from the fanbase over the past day or so, and if he can muster up anything like the magic provided in the late 80's/early 90's he will be even further embedded in the Toronto Sports Psyche has a legend!

Now if they bring back the old version of "Ok Blue Jays" I'll be satisfied (remix sucks!). Oh, and we don't really need "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" played during our 7th inning stretch either, nobody sings it when it plays anyways (never really been that successful since instituted here again).

The Art of an Attitude

2008-06-21T17:48:00.004-04:00

Confidence is a trait that can either aid or hinder a performance. The unfortunate reality for the Croatian National Football team is that it has generally proven to be their tragic flaw on the International stage. While the Euro Cup appeared to be a time where that mentality was shifting the favourites were still ousted by the underdog Turkey side, and for a Croatian fan watching his team lose a heartbreaker in the worst manner ever (via Penalty Kicks), there’s nothing but time left to evaluate what might have been, along with what lies ahead.

The Croatian side has always had a strong belief in themselves and their ability, most of the time they head onto the field they believe they are the best team out there — even when they’re clearly outmatched the desire to prove the critics wrong prevails, rather than “just being happy to be there." This mindset has served them well in past tournaments, the small Balkan country that only hit the field in 1990 has done quite well for themselves on the international stage.

This year it appeared the team was on the verge of letting the world in on what they already knew, a youthful Croatian side cruising to an impressive result in their Pool. They applied that confidence well, it was not nearly as arrogant as it had been at times in the past, this year it was far more of a motivation than anything. Suddenly they went from the darkhorse favourites to legitimate contenders, and were becoming a big part of the tournament conversation. However reading over pre-game comments on match day, it was clear they were aware of this as well, and once again I began to worry if the team was looking too far ahead yet again:

" 'Turkey got a little bit lucky not to concede goals when they went on an all out offensive,' (Coach Slaven) Bilic said yesterday. 'Our advantage is that we are not naive and that we are a better team than Turkey.' "

"The three victories in the group stage give us confidence that we can go through to the semi-finals," Croatia defender Vedran Corluka said. "Turkey is good, but we are better."

While it’s essential to have that air of confidence, the Croatian side has proven to let their hubristic nature come back and haunt them in the past. At the 2006 World Cup a strong Croatia tied Japan 0-0 in a game where they played as if they didn’t even need to step foot on the field to win the game, the Croats were the far better team but both the result AND the effort on the field did not represent that. They went on to tie a tough Australian side and missed advancing thanks to a tiebreaker in the group with the aforementioned Aussies.

This time in Euro 2008 at least they came to play, and even had the opportunities to win, controlling much of the game and definitely getting the chances necessary to put a goal or 2 or 4 in before the final minute of Extra Time. However, when playing a team as depleted as Turkey was, due to injury and suspensions, the Croats who saw themselves contenders for the Championship this year must turn those chances into results.

This is not to take away from the game put in by the Turks, overcoming many odds to claim the upset win in Penalty Kicks, it was a truly inspired effort as the cliché goes. It’s just that it likely should never have gotten to that point in the first place, and one has to wonder if the Croatians — despite a much better effort — still felt this game belong them alone, and lacked that sense of urgency necessary when playing in an Euro Cup quarterfinal match.

It’s far from doom and gloom for this Croatian, lacking their best striker they still put in a tremendous effort and do posses a young team playing prominently in the best leagues around Europe. The Croat team has never really faded from competition they’re becoming staples for International tourneys at this point, and there’s nothing to suggest this reality will cease any time soon. After the game their young coach kept it all in perspective for any potentially distraught members of the community out there:

"This certainly isn't easy to forget, this isn't simply a match you play every week. But of course on the other hand we have to move on, we have a young team,' said Bilic…'The World Cup qualifies are imminent, tomorrow is a new day, the sun will rise, we will probably weep for a few more days, but such is life, things like this have happened before.

" 'But my players have strong characters and will come back stronger.' "

While this is a tough defeat to swallow for the fans, hopefully the result helps these young players moving forward. As tough as it was to witness, there are positives to take away from their tournament. And even if it will take some time to truly believe those words, I do have that Croatian confidence on my side, and it tells me that everything will be alright!

Office Buzz

2008-06-21T17:40:00.003-04:00

It's a pretty well known, completely embraced fact that every sports fan around these parts is in heaven twice a year – the spring and the fall. Seasons are ending, others just beginning ... For those who love the discussion and debate that surrounds sports just as much as the games themselves, generally the offseason rumour mill provides plenty of intrigue and excitement to carry them through the summer months.

This summer there may not be much better dialogue than what the NBA will provide, with a great deal of it seemingly focused squarely around the father and son GM tandem of the Colangelos.

Now that these NBA Finals have come to an end one thing is clear: Trades equal success! It's fair to say that neither the Celtics nor the Lakers would have made it as far without blockbuster trades. This doesn't mean that every team is about to mortgage their future, but with a significant increase in major trades this past season, it would not at all be surprising to see quite a few teams hoping to go the instant gratification route.

For those who are loyal to both the Toronto Raptors and enjoy plenty of offseason player movement, this year may be your lucky break! his from the New York Post could be considered a good sign of what may lie ahead for this Toronto franchise:

With the NBA Draft one week away, there's still a debate whether the Knicks will use the sixth pick or trade down… Sources have indicated Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo, who picks 17th and is looking to move up, has been most active.

It's shaping up to be a busy summer for Bryan Colangelo. He has already made one move in buying out the unfortunately stubborn Jorge Garbajosa, and while he has yet to solve the point guard situation (Jose Calderon or T.J. Ford) there are hints at activity to come with a number of the expiring contracts at his disposal (one of the most coveted of options in the Association, or so it seems).

The other major basketball story revolves around the elder Jerry Colangelo as he tries to return USA Basketball back to their rightful place at the top of the basketball world.

The U.S. hasn't finished better than second in the past 3 international tournaments, including sixth at the 2002 Worlds. On Monday, the team that's intended to return the U.S. to the top will be announced. Colangelo has already made it clear this will not be as star-studded as some may think; he’s far more interested in putting together a compatible team with the ability to function as a whole, rather than just banking on a number of superstars to pull out a win. The quote below from Jerry Colangelo gives credence to this notion:

"We're going to stay true to what we said. It's not an all-star team. It's a team of different components."

While this week we have found out that Amare Stoudamire and Chauncey Billups are out, and a whole slew of others are on board, early next week they have said they will finalize the Olympic Dream Team. The NBA Draft takes place later that week.

Imagine the NHL having its draft and naming the Canadian Olympic team at the same time.There’s truly no better time for speculation and debate.

Do I really have to watch the end of this game???

2008-06-17T23:30:00.007-04:00

The Celtics are presently dismantling the Lakers in really one of the most humiliating manners - they're actually on the verge of making a new record for greatest margin of victory (they're only a few points away...)

With 7:06 left in the 4th qtr it's Boston 106 L.A. 72...it's almost suiting for a series that failed to live up to the hype that surrounded it, for a final game to be a boring, absolutely one-sided blowout. Last game I thought they were going to award a tie because neither team played well enough to win - seriously, although the Lakers won, did it not seem like they were trying to lose that one down the stretch and Boston just failed to close the gap? I was awaiting David Stern to walk out and make the statement: "This game will be called a draw, an 8th game - if necessary - will be played to determine the Champion" (hey, worked in '72 in the Summit Series!)

Maybe they wanted to do it on Home Court....with just a few minutes left, I think it's safe to say "Mission Accomplished!"

Urgh...alright, back to watching this ugly Championship finale...I guess it's alright seeing the much deserving Celtic players being subbed off to a huge ovation each time. That'll keep my attention anyways

HRVATSKA!!

2008-06-16T16:36:00.004-04:00

Croatia has swept thru the opening round with a 1-0 win over Poland today! I may have been even more impressed by the Croats today since they subbed in 9 new players and yet still played a dominant game in this meaningless match, controlling the play for really the entire match and easily claiming victory. As of today Croatia is the only undefeated side since Portugal fell in their meaningless match yesterday.

I was disappointed the way the Croatians took Japan so lightly in the '06 World Cup, that cost them from moving on as they drew a tough Australian side the next game. Croatians play with a lot of confidence and a lot of pride, and while that can be their greatest strength it also hurts them at times. So far in this years tournament, it has yet to prove a hindrance.

The next match will be Croatia going up against a depleated Turkey side (due to suspension), the 2nd place team from Group A. I strongly doubt the Croatians will look past this Turkey team thanks to their surprising come-from-behind miraculous win over the Czech Republic yesterday. Right now the ball is in their court, and if they keep playing this well there's a very good shot at making it straight thru to the finale.

This guys' got his fingers crossed anyways. A great start to Euro Cup '08, that much is for certain!

State of the Franchise

2008-06-16T16:14:00.005-04:00

Sometimes the most casual, unintentional of comments can sum everything up perfectly.

At halftime of Game 5 last night, in what looked more like an attempt at holding back negative criticism, Bill Walton stated the Lakers would pull out the win because it was a solid franchise that wouldn’t let this one slip away. You could tell Walton didn’t even really believe it himself when he said it, but who knows maybe the Father’s Day spirit got to him and he decided not to bash his son’s team.

That 19 point First Quarter lead that HAD slipped away, just like the 24 point lead they lost late the previous game, became irrelevant when Walton reassured everyone a franchise like the Lakers were better than that. I have never been a fan of the franchise tag in basing outcomes; to me it’s the players in the game at that time, not encompassing that organization’s past accomplishments that dictates success. Never stops the facts from being presented though: Team A has never lost at home versus Team B in the playoffs over the history of the franchise, and while they haven’t met in the playoffs over the past decade this still clearly puts Team B at a disadvantage heading in!

And especially since neither of these groups of players have had much history together before this season, it’s really quite useless to point to the franchise past as support for either of these teams in any game. But everything has turned that way, almost as if it was always meant to. Beginning with the pre-series hype and further enforced with each game moving forward, the teams are taking priority over the highly recognized players.

Marketing-wise the Face-Off/Highlander ads the Association has run throughout the Playoffs, which once taught fans the proper person to cheer for/against on each respective team, turned the franchise angle by pairing up Bird with Magic. And this team-first theory is being further reinforced on the court too. The inconsistent play of the star players has meant each win has come thanks to a tandem of players contributing over one doing it on their own.

As ESPN's J.A Adande points out, although it was the stars who got these teams to this point it’s the supporting cast that has now taken over. The stars importance aren’t grabbing the headlines, the teams as a whole have been - which is kind of ironic when you consider it was blockbuster trades for a handful of players that allowed these two opponents to meet up here.

Doc Rivers made a comment at the end of Game 4 reinforced the idea, an idea I personally thought was dead in the NBA; “This is a player’s game. It always will be, and it really should be.” And as Adande further emphasizes; “As much as we fixate on the stars in the NBA, basketball remains a sport where the collective means more than the individual.”

It’s almost as if you get the feeling that this series was never supposed to be about anything BUT the franchises! And to that extent it may be possible that the only person anywhere near as happy as David Stern right now would have to be Chuck Klosterman (Chuck, if for whatever reason you're reading this blog PLEASE get a spot either on halftime or pregame or whatever to tell everyone what they're feeling this series - not only would I LOVE to see this but it'd likely help book sales too!)

It’s true the state of the franchise has nothing to do with the Lakers holding off another late surge by the Celtics, the banners in L.A.’s rafters had nothing to do with Boston’s all around poor performance last night. But it’s just a lot easier to see the teams over the stars right now; it almost makes sense to recognize the whole, which is rarely the case in the NBA these days.

Bill Walton’s analysis did little to sell me on the merits of the Lakers holding onto their narrow halftime lead, but he likely summarized the entire series in that one awkwardly stated comment. A series with a plethora of superstars has become an examination of the teams, not specific players, for a pleasant change. NBA basketball has returned from the brink of superstar oblivion, if only for a moment, for one championship series.

Euro Cup moment

2008-06-13T18:51:00.003-04:00

Are the Dutch for real this tournament? Or is the heralded "Group of Death" not all that deadly?

With a 3-0 win over the Italians in their tournament opener followed up by a 4-1 victory over France today, the Netherlands have clinched the group (Italy tied Romania 1-1 earlier in the day).

I think the outcome which should have been realized at the World Cup in '98 may occur, with Croatia and the Netherlands meeting for the EuroCup '08 Finals! (or at least I'd love to see it!)

Oh and btw, I'm still most definitely on cloud 9 after yesterday's 2-1 win for Croatia over consensus favourites to win the entire tournament Germany! Having claimed the group thanks to the Poland-Austria tie, I'm pumped to see what's coming next! :)

going...going...

2008-06-13T18:47:00.003-04:00

If you want to catch some basketball before next fall make sure you start tuning back into the NBA Finals, actually completing the 24 point comeback the Celtics are posed to take down the Lakers, and the Big 3 for Boston are about ready to claim those elusive rings they've failed to realize thus far in their careers!

I've always hated the overwhelming favourites and the Celtics have most certainly been that this season! I've always had something against the teams who just make large trades and suddenly go from the basement to the hands down top rung team! (which also describes the Celtics this season!). However it's hard to deny that they haven't deserved it thus far, the way they've been playing anyways.

I know I look kind of foolish but thus far the Celtics have proven me wrong, and although I may be passionate as all hell, I certainly never said I'm always right! :)

Preserve the CFL: Legal Edition

2008-06-13T18:44:00.004-04:00

So after terminating their decade long agreement with the NFL, the CFL has taken things one step further. In hopes of negating any possibility of the Buffalo Bills relocation to Toronto (which I still see as highly unlikely with the persistent desire to return an NFL franchise to Los Angeles), Bill S-238 is being put forth by Senator Larry Campbell, stating that "no person owning or operating a football team within a foreign league shall require or permit that team to play football in Canada." This is with obvious hopes of keeping the Toronto market in tact, as everyone in the League believes that without Hogtown, the CFL will inevitably fail.

The League could have gone one of two ways - embrace the NFL even further, turn it into something like NFL Europe by allowing teams to draft players and sure put their respective team logos on their helmets, but allow the players to still get some playing experience by sending them up north first - OR - cut all ties with the giant down south thereby becoming an autonomous organization, negate any concerns a player may take off in the Option Year of their contract (as it had been with the previous contract with the NFL), and take a shot at running their own ship all on their own, with no ties or assistance from anyone else.

Obviously clear they chose the latter, and while this is all well and good in preserving the Canadian game, I get the feeling this is one of those things that could dramatically help or severely harm the Game. And unless things change in a hurry, harm may be the unfortunate reality.

The issue I have is with the way the CFL appears completely content to operate like a minor league product - or maybe just a Senior Men's League? How many washed-up/exiled NFL players are going to make their way up here to spend the twilight days of their playing career? And how long are we fans going to remain content with this practice?

For the CFL to succeed completely on its own the mindset has to change within the league, it needs to reintroduce that "Radically Canadian" perspective, reignite the Canadian public in THEIR game! I have the feeling the mess surrounding the Hockey Theme has created far more of a backlash with the Canadian public then a CFL folding ever would, and I hate to think that way but it's likely true. This bill before the Senate is one dramatic leap that needs to be followed by at least one more, if not a series of moves to restore the Canadian game, and restore interest from the Canadian public.

Yes the League still needs to go South for talent as well, but butting head-to-head against the NFL will rarely lead to a CFL win in recruiting. I hope is a sign that the League, no longer willing to pander to the NFL, will also start acting as a professional product as well. That aggressive moves show they're not just going to take the scraps anymore. Even if this bill does not pass, I hope this is a sign that the CFL is about get serious. I hope so anyways...

Trophy Scare 2008 Pt. 2 OR "Some Like It Broke!"

2008-06-09T18:10:00.004-04:00

What is it with trophy abuse this year? I guess it's just really hockey trophies, but first you have the Memorial Cup broken in 'twine during the presentation, and now there are reports that the Detroit Red Wings have dented the holy grail, the Stanley Cup??

Hey Detroit, when I go to see the ACTUAL cup when it's returned to the hockey hall of fame early next season, I better be able to read all those names, no trying to figure out who's name is hidden in the cavern of a Cup dent thank you!

Rafael Nadal: A True Clay Assassin

2008-06-09T17:41:00.007-04:00

Not sure how many readers may be tennis fans, but the battle between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal is worth at least doing a little background check, if not catching a match. These two players have had legendary matches, most commonly at the championship level, most specifically at the French Open. Federer excels and generally gets the best of Nadal on most surfaces...but not on clay!

And herein lies the problem: The French Open is hosted on clay, Nadal's bread and butter! This weekend history would be made, either Roger Federer would become only the sixth player in history to win all 4 Major Open Tournaments, or Rafael Nadal would tie all time tennis great Bjorn Borg with his 4th straight French Open title.

And so now we present the comparisons between Nadal and Borg in terms of their French Open supremecy:

Bjorg <-> Nadal

FRENCH OPEN WINS: 4 ('78-'81) <-> 4 ('05-'08)
CONSECUTIVE GAMES WON: 28 <-> 28
SETS (W-L): 84-5 <-> 83-7

Roger Federer has yet to claim the grand slam in tennis, all 4 major tennis tournaments (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbeldon, US Open), because of this one player in Nadal. And it's easy to think that were it not for Nadal, this would've happened for Federer a while back!

After yesterday's match, where the no. 1 seed Roger Federer fell easily in straight sets 6-1, 6-3, 6-0, Nadal actually went as far as apologizing, saying, "Roger, I'm sorry!" It was in earnest though, anyone watching an interview with Rafael Nadal is fully aware this is a soft spoke, well mannered individual, so easy, so likable. But when posting a clay court record of 115-2 since 2005, Rafael really has nothing to apologize for - Federer should've known better!

Although it's getting predictable that a Major title will end with a Federer-Nadal final (they now have 5 Open championships where they have squared off in the past 4 years), so in that regards maybe it makes Men's Tennis a little bit boring for casual/non-fans. But just like Agassi-Samprus from years back these are the match-ups you should not pass up!

2008-06-08T14:46:00.000-04:00

The Beautiful Game

2008-06-08T13:50:00.002-04:00

I absolutely LOVE international futbol tournaments! Whether you're aware of it or not Euro Cup 2008 has just begun this weekend, and naturally as expected footy fans everywhere are as happy as they come!

The sport has certainly been growing in popularity in Canada - or I've just been in Southern Ontario too long, either or really! With the massive turnout for TFC games, I guess it's pretty obvious that people here in the area are willing to embrace the beautiful game full on.

I'm all about exposing myself to the environment as much as I possibly can, in regards to whatever sport it is that I'm taking in. Fortunately I've had some great opportunities to take in soccer matches in various settings that have really made me appreciate what it means to be a fan.

In 2005 on my trip down to Mexico, staying in the Lake Chapala region, naturally everyone was cheering on the nearby Chivas de Guadalajara in their Copa Toyota Libertadores run. They were playing the second leg of the semi-finals, I wasn't able to get tickets but I did go to a bar nearby and watched the game with the locals. While they lost 2-1 and lost out on the aggregate, I loved being there, the people were nice to us and glad we were cheering on their side. All in all amazing time!

In 2002 I woke up early to head out to a bar with some fellow Croatians to watch them down the Italians - and Hamilton being pretty much an Italian city, that made things quite interesting!

And yesterday, living in a neighbourhood in Toronto on the outskirts of Little Portugal, I went to a bar across the street to take in the game. The ages varied from young to old, everyone in a jersey or with a flag drapped over them/made into a dress, the kids were also sporting the same national gear. I missed the first half but caught the second half, when the goals were scored, which is good because the jumping, cheering, and dancing that came with each goal reminded me why I love watching these tournaments.

The fans just want their teams to win each game they play - there's no "well make it at least this far", there's no baggage about ownership it's just pure, unbridled passion to see their country score a victory! While yes, fans can and will criticize certain players who have been selected, they care most about the win, and moving on in the tournament. And as Greece proved with the last Euro Cup, even if you're sporting 100-1 odds of winning the tournament, that doesn't count you out!

It's unfortunate that the Croatian contingent in Toronto is actually located in Streetsville (Mississauga), but maybe I'll make the trip out there for one of the games. I'll definitely do it if my side, being picked as the potential darkhorse this year, goes deep this tournament.

I encourage anyone who will be watching this tournament, if they have the possibility, to take in a game in a neighbourhood that's playing. Go to the Danforth for Greece games, Little Italy for the Italian games, Dundas West for Portugal, and so on and so forth. The beautiful game just seems all the more attractive when you see it from a full 360 degree perspective - the match, the fans, everything!

The Euro Cup is back, and I'll be making my best attempt to catch games all over town. It won't always happen, not expecting to spend that much time out, but I do hope to be there for another awesome experience (more than likely later on in the tournament). If anyone is interested and wants to join me, there's always room for more company!

2008-06-06T12:26:00.000-04:00

Deciphering 'The Truth'

2008-06-06T12:12:00.001-04:00

Paul Pierce made a heroic return to the court, nothing short of a Hollywood ending as Pierce returned from a knee injury and instantly knocked down two straight 3 pointers, helping Boston regain the lead they had just momentarily lost en route to a Game 1 victory, 98-88.

Pierce had his teammate come down on his leg while both contested a rebound, and Pierce went down holding his knee immediately afterwards. He was carried off the court, then put in a wheelchair in the tunnel, and taken to the back. Pierce left the game at 6:52 left in the 3rd quarter....

...Pierce returned to the court at 5:04 in the 3rd to the Rocky theme being blared over the loudspeakers!

While yes, NBA time doesn't actually translate well over to real time, that's still only a matter of a couple minutes from wheelchair hobbled to NBA game ready.

The natural skeptic in me thought this appeared to be nothing more than an awful football (soccer) flop, the kind that so many who dislike the game continuously quote as a reason the sport is not for them. It actually took me coming home and reading postgame reports on Pierce walking around the arena to believe that he was actually injured at all.

After the game, Pierce was walking with a pronounced limp as he exited the postgame interview room and headed back to the locker room, but some 45 minutes later the injury was clearly bothering him more.
As he walked to his car, Pierce was still wearing his warm-ups. The snaps along the right side were hanging open, revealing a wrapping of several ace bandages from the bottom of his calf to the top of his thigh, an additional layer of white tape wrapped around the lower half of his hamstring, ending just above his knee.
Pierce's feet moved no more than 12 inches with each step, and as you watched him begin to navigate the four flights of stairs from the locker room level to the players' parking lot, you couldn't help but wonder exactly how much adrenalin had fueled his comeback. The knee injury could also keep him out of Game 2 or, at the very least, reduce his effectiveness.

courtesy espn.com

This is the huge news heading into Game 2, which luckily comes with an extra days break. However although I'm sure adrenaline had most of the reasoning for Pierce's quick return, the desire to play every minute he can for his team (very admirable), I have a feeling this injury may not be quite as bad as initially thought.

Might miss Game 2 but doubt it, will be back by Game 3 - I'm just playing armchair doctor here, but if you can return to play out a game it's not that bad in my opinion to keep you out for an entire series. What WILL be most interesting though is how his play continues over the series, because the Celtics certainly need his offensive spark and all around intensity to claim victory this series (Kobe will stay cold for only so long!)

Another highly newsworthy angle has just entered the already massively hyped series -man, you just gotta love this years NBA Finals!

It begins...

2008-06-06T12:00:00.001-04:00

The first game of the NBA Finals did not disappoint! With plenty of drama and intensity Game 1 ushered in what promises to be a very closely fought, back and forth series that I feel shows plenty of signs pushing it to 7 games!

Boston was victorious at home in a 98-88, pulling away in the end of a game where both teams swapped leads, but never drew more than a 7 point cushion max over their opponent. The score also has something to do with the fact that, if my count was correct anyways, the Lakers missed their last 13 shots - and while some of them were contested, most of them were "gimme's" that should have fallen.

Paul Pierce played a solid game for the Celtics, even despite an apparent injury. Sam Cassel also surprised with some offensive output, and Perkins and Garnett did a great job in limiting one of the Lakers prime scoring options in Pau Gasol (15 pts, 8 rebs - not bad, but not great).

For the Lakers their bench, supposedly an advantage coming, were outplayed by the Celtics (outscored 17-15, out-rebounded 16-7). The big news is that Kobe ONLY put up a line of 24 pts and 6 assists on 9-26 shooting, however when Kobe puts up 24 pts on an off night, that can't sit all too well with Boston.

The Celtics D came up huge, and that's important - but I can't help but think the Lakers still have enough left in the tank to win the next one, whether or not Paul Pierce is playing. I'm ready to buckle down for a long series, and I'm pretty sure it's going to be one hell of an enjoyable one too!

Believe the Hype!

2008-06-05T20:23:00.002-04:00

So much has been said, nothing more needs to be written - the NBA Finals are starting tonight! Personally I'm not so much up on the fact that it's the storied franchises of the Celtics versus the Lakers, reuniting a very historic rivalry - although honestly, I do appreciate that whole backstory. I have a feeling that these 2 teams are going to put on a tremendous show, as the high powered offence of the Lakers battles one of the stingiest defences in NBA history in the Boston Celtics.

Alright so the game FINALLY starts shortly (that break just about killed me, thank god for the Stanley Cup!). Although I'm very excited to see how this series, guess I should make a prediction, so if I have to...

Kobe prevails, LA takes one on the road and both at home - Lakers in 6, winning it all on home court

2008-06-05T20:21:00.000-04:00

Detroit Rock City!

2008-06-05T20:16:00.001-04:00

The Detroit Red Wings have NEVER received the proper credit for their recent success by me - I'll admit it, I look at their division, and with 8 games a year each against Chicago, Nashville, Columbus and St. Louis, it's easy to say that you can downplay winning the Presidents' trophy - and if not, certainly being up near the top - year in year out. However this Stanley Cup Final series, the Red Wings proved that they most definitely deserved their championship!

Congrats to the Detroit Red Wings, 2007-2008 Stanley Cup Champions! I have an entry coming soon, have to go and watch myself some basketball tonight though!

2008-06-05T20:15:00.000-04:00

Night of the Wounded Penguin

2008-06-05T20:12:00.000-04:00

Hockey for me is not the same without the man they call ‘Grapes’

For the most part Don Cherry provides great entertainment value - that’s obvious, that’s what he’s paid the big bucks for! It’d be foolish to think otherwise, sure he’s there to comment on hockey as an expert, but he also fully realizes he’s there to entertain the masses as well.

Cherry has biting commentary, hard-hitting points (whether hockey relevant or not, certainly hard hitting), and very opinionated views that are apparently 7 second delay worthy. And then yes, on top of that many moments that leave the audience scratching, shaking, or even tilting their heads back in laughter.

But despite all the comical moments Cherry has delivered over the years, he also gets it right quite a few times as well. So what caught my attention is how he went a step beyond pure analysis, or playful amusement, and delivered a solid line at the start of Game 5: “Beware the wounded penguin.”

It’s a line that really could have captured so many aspects of the game so well – the Pens fighting with their backs against the wall, even losing players due to injury mid game; the bad luck that plagued the Red Wings throughout the entire contest; Gonchar’s assist on the game winning goal, his first shift returning to the ice following a very hard collision into the boards in the Third.

As the game went on, truthfully I was hoping it would be realized too, that the Curse of the Penguin™ would come to fruition! It was just too good to pass up, too tantalizing a phrase, especially when coming from Grapes! (always a great source to quote, for a variety of reasons!). Don Cherry as soothsayer, that all knowing wise old man integral to the success of the hero on his quest. And in the end that line is a pretty good way to sum up everything that happened in that Triple OT thriller – really there’s few ways to explain the game beyond some bizarre curse coming down on Joe Louis Arena upon that night.

The only drawback, well for me anyways, was that this line was gold until Cherry kept plugging it, time and time and time and time and time again! Yes Don we get it, you had a clever line, relevant too – but there IS such a thing as overkill! Unfortunately he had found a new pet, and got so excited that in the end he ended up killing it for me in the end.

So what’s the point? Don’t tell Grapes when he gets a good one, because he just won’t quit? I don’t know, certainly not trying to be mean here, it was kind of fun seeing Don playing with his one liner – but there's still something to say about lines being 'played out'!

Posts of the Past...

2008-06-05T20:06:00.001-04:00

I was posting all these sports stories on my personal blog, I've scrapped that and have brought the most recent ones over here. I've just uploaded them on here with the original posting dates and times for your reading pleasure. Go ahead and take a look back at some other articles I've pumped out so far!

It's over...FINALLY over!!

2008-06-05T20:04:00.000-04:00

In the 3rd Overtime period of Game 5 the Pittsburgh Penguins finally scored a power play goal, on their 3rd power play of Overtime. The Red Wings and Penguins had battled it out for 89 minutes and 57 seconds before Petr Sykora kept the Pens playoff hopes alive.

What a game...what a game! The recap is coming tomorrow, I gotta get up for work in a little while

(originally posted on Tuesday, June 3 at 12:47am)

Why Are We Waiting?

2008-06-05T20:02:00.000-04:00

So the NBA gets their dream matchup, the Boston Celtics will face off against the Los Angeles Lakers. Star studded lineups will do battle in what will be hammered home as a return to form for 2 of the most storied franchises in basketball history.

And this will start up...a week after the last Conference Final Game....a week....

While Boston enjoys a 7 day break, Los Angeles will actually have an 8 day break! Considering the NBA has changed its regular season schedule in the past to ensure the best match-ups during prime viewing times, I'm sure this is once again all based on viewership! And to be honest, they're not the only league to follow this practise, it's pretty common amongst the major sports leagues here in North America...

Every League has been known to give extended periods of time off leading up to their pinnacle finale, the last battle between the top 2 teams of that year, for marketing purposes alone. I just don't believe in its merit is all, ESPECIALLY in the case of a sport like basketball. A week and more??

Some argue the Super Bowl should be played after just 1 week (in a sport that demands at least one week to rest and prepare), and we saw just last year how an 8 day break completely disrupted the momentum gained from 21 wins in 22 games that the Colorado Rockies were enjoying. However at least in Colorado's situation it's because they had swept their opponents and were waiting for their next one to be decided, in this instance one day after the Western Conference was deciding the East was clinched.

When you look back at "This Day in History" moments in regards to sports, it's quite clear that leagues are going on later and later, longer and longer, and in many ways it's not always that necessary to have it work out this way, to run this long. An extra week onto the NBA postseason? In a sport like basketball, where a team could easily play on back-to-back days were it necessary, this kind of break is just playoff overkill.

(originally posted on Sunday, June 1 at 5:54pm)

Can't make stuff like this up!

2008-06-05T19:59:00.000-04:00

Alright, so the question being posed here is what's worse...

A) Being a pitcher on the Calgary Vipers minor league baseball team traded to another team for 10 baseball bats (although I must say they ARE Canadian Maple bats, considered better bats by many players but also bats currently under investigation by the MLB since they break and splinter, possibly causing a hazard to players and fans).

I can only imagine the meeting they had with the player, "Well you see, these are really good bats! - I mean, REALLY good!" (the player actually had immigration issues and couldn't get into the country, but still, 10 bats?? C'MON!)

-OR-

B) Being a Romanian soccer player traded for 15kgs of meat...best/worst part of this story is the traded player retired and pursued a career in, get this, agriculture OR construction rather than reporting to his new team. That's right, this guy left professional futbol to job hunt??? Why this sucks so bad is the team that sent the meat literally got nothing in return! Here's a quote from a rep for the team on the losing side of this trade:

"'We are upset because we lost twice -- firstly because we lost a good player and secondly because we lost our team's food for a whole week', a Regal Horia official was quoted as saying by the daily in its electronic edition."

They broke the Memorial Cup in 'twine!!

Yes, after winning the pinnacle of Canadian Minor Hockey, the Memorial Cup being the crowning achievement of the CHL, the Spokane Chiefs dropped the trophy, with the top part of it where the Cup itself rests actually breaking off! I must admit though, their reactions are priceless, they all instantly turn into kids again afraid and unsure of what to do next! :)

(originally posted on Wednesday, May 28 at 7:11pm)

"NO FOUL"

2008-06-05T19:56:00.000-04:00

Silence CAN be deafening, and it certainly was tonight!

A smirk emerged on Kobe's face as the question was being posed by TNT's Craig Sager, there was no doubt it was coming. Despite the fact that there was clearly some contact made by Derek Fisher on Brent Barry's long 3 point attempt as time expired, there was only one answer Kobe could possibly deliver.

"No foul", a stone faced Bryant said. A few seconds later Kobe shook his head and reiterated, "No foul". A short but sweet interview that will be contained within the debate that seems about primed to explode.

Even if you're only a casual sports fan and you aren't following the NBA playoffs, you're going to hear about this one over, well...let's be honest, this one ain't going anywhere! I've been shaking my heads about the refs all post-season long, but this isn't like all the favourable calls the home teams have been receiving thus far, seems like those just do not match up to what happened tonight!

Yes, Kobe is right, the official ruling is that there was no foul. And just like that, the Lakers take a 3-1 stranglehold lead back to Staples Arena...while everyone else sits around and talks about the contact the refs missed.

edit: This entry was uploaded just minutes after the final shot at the buzzer, however the post-game reaction seems to be quite interesting and sides with the refs - from both camps too, even the Spurs agree!?!?:

"That's not going to get called in the Western Conference finals," Barry said. "Maybe in the regular season. But that call shouldn't be called in the Western Conference finals."

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said: "If I was the official I wouldn't have called that a foul."

Fisher said he "never thought they would blow a whistle."
"I think we met simultaneously, and there was contact for sure," Fisher said. "But I don't think I ran through him."

As Fisher states it's very clear that contact was made, so...chalk this up to an acceptable game deciding non-call? Still likely that we'll find out a lot of opinions about this over the next 48 hrs or so

(originally posted on Wednesday, May 28 at 12:00am)

Sorry for that brief interruption...

2008-06-05T19:49:00.000-04:00

Two blips on the radar, back-to-back unexpected losses, have been corrected. The only question now is whether Detroit and Boston have returned to form and will carry on the way they've played the first few rounds, or whether there's some more fireworks in store.

On Monday night the Boston Celtics certainly returned back to their typical road selves, shooting just 31% from the field as the Pistons tied the series at 2 games a piece with a 94-75 result. I’d like to see a changing at the guard, even if I tend to cheer against the ridiculously heavy favourites the majority of the time, seeing the Celtics make it thru would be a nice change of pace from the heavy Detroit representation of recent playoff seasons. However, Boston's impressive regular season record has been vastly diminished by what can really be called almost amateur play on the road this postseason, certainly far from the domination exhibited throughout the season.

Despite all this the Celtics are still on the path to the Eastern Conference crown, as should everything remain the norm Boston will win Game 5 at home, the Pistons will respond with a home win in Game 6, and a hard fought Game 7 will result in a Celtics conference title.

But the question posed to you is not how do you think this series will turn out, but who would you rather see in the NBA Championship from the East? Who deserves it in your opinion? PLACE YOUR BETS, NOW!

(originally posted on Tuesday, May 27 at 10:56pm)

Penguins Can't Fly...

2008-06-05T19:43:00.000-04:00

It’s funny what six periods of shutout hockey can do to change the opinions on a series.

There was never a debate surrounding the teams playing for the Stanley Cup this year, it appeared as this season both conferences sent the proper representatives to the game. The talk leading up to this series was how great a match-up this would be, how Sidney Crosby stood on the plateau of greatness with the potential to save the NHL, how this could be a full seven game series fight to the finish.

After the completion of the second game, the answers to those 3 questions respectively are: not happening, not looking too likely, and, well, once again, rather unlikely.

There’s always a chance for Pittsburgh, so before going any further let me state that right now, this Detroit team has just defended home ice, and that’s all! And…well, alright, so while that’s true, maybe there is more to the story. Detroit defended home ice by shutting out the Penguins in both games, outscored them 7-0, and essentially played ‘KEEP AWAY’ for the majority of those 2 games as well, exhibiting phenomenal puck control. So there may be a call more than just simply home ice defence.

For the Pittsburgh Penguins, at this point in time things must be looking up – or at least they better be, because there’s no going any further down. The young squad is presently on their way home, and I can only imagine how excited they will be to all sleep in their own beds, rather than getting the boot from their hotel beds. For a young team, fresh to the Stanley Cup environment, a return to the friendly confines of their non-octopus infested Mellon Arena must certainly be greeted with optimism. Now is the time to recover lost ground, to write off that whole long weekend in Detroit and start anew.

Maybe if the Penguins had been able to chip away at the Red Wings armor this statement might be a little easier to digest…

Watching the game on Saturday night with some friends one turned to me and commented on how this series looked eerily similar to last years Cup Final, recounting that even the Ottawa Senators’ best could only match up to the lower tier of Anaheim in that series. It didn’t matter their talent going in, they were simply outmatched by the Ducks.

It’s sound reasoning to expect the Penguins to at least take one game back home, that their talent will rise from the ashes they currently reside within once they make their way back home, to win even just one game for the home crowd.

But oh how just one goal would help me believe that were to be true…

(originally posted on Tuesday, May 27 at 1:38pm)

The Hard Way

2008-06-05T19:41:00.000-04:00

It was a weekend of firsts this postseason, a weekend that might be considered surprising or significant…were it any other year than 2008 in these NBA playoffs.

After Detroit accomplished the unthinkable, becoming the first opponent to beat the Celtics at TD Banknorth Garden, Boston was forced to respond with a first of their own – winning a game on the road. And of course this time around it was not just at any old arena but The Palace, home of the third best home record in the regular season, and an impressive 5 straight postseason wins as well.

The Celtics answer to this challenge was to ride the coattails of their captain Kevin Garnett, who again proved he’s not only there for an emotional boost but can take over a game as well scoring 22 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, on the way to their first road victory. And so another issue heading into this series gets answered: can Boston ever win a game on the road? Yes, yes they can! Apparently they were just waiting for a tougher challenge than the Hawks or Cavaliers, Detroit was more in their range of difficulty apparently.

Out West questions mounted surrounding the Spurs ability to cope with this resurgent Lakers team, and doubts began to form about whether age was finally starting to catch up with San Antonio’s veteran cast of all stars. After trailing from tip off to the final buzzer that ended in a 30 point demolition, the Spurs worst loss of this postseason, the naysayers came out in droves.

San Antonio however silenced the talk, if only momentarily, as following some much needed rest to return the favour to Los Angeles. Just as Garnett had lead the Celtics to a key victory, the Spurs emotional spark plug, super-sub All Star Manu Ginobli set the pace with a 22 point first half, on way to handing the Lakers their worst loss of the postseason, a 19 point defeat, 103-84, on Sunday night.

And for good measure, Michael Finley popped a three pointer with under 20 seconds remaining in the game, answering the Lakers who had been criticized for running up the score at the end of Game 2.

Apparently the one thing in common is that all of these teams do not wish to do things the easy way. But then again, with such an hard fought regular season, these playoffs shouldn't be all too surprising. With only one sweep in the 14 series played thus far in the postseason, it’s only fair that the Conference Finals continues the trend of two competitors beating themselves senseless. At this point anything short of 6 games would be cheating the fans out of the price of admission, really.

It should be plenty entertaining to see what other hardships these teams inflict upon themselves before the champion is crowned.

(originally posted on Monday, May 26 at 12:42am)

In Another More ACCURATE Theory...

2008-06-05T19:38:00.001-04:00

The lights went out seconds before tip off of Game 2 at the Staples Centre last night, and I’m not sure there’s a more fitting analogy to the Spurs thus far in this series. After a blackout in the fourth quarter of Game 1, the Spurs have yet to re-energize and turn the lights back on.

While the two NBA Conference Final opening games appeared to mirror each other, it turns out the second game were polar opposites. The San Antonio Spurs were mirroring nothing more than their start to their last series against the New Orleans Hornets, and in retrospect the Lakers just had some rust to shake off from sitting around for a few days waiting for their opponent in the series opener. Consider the Lakers now rust proof.

In handing the Spurs their most lopsided defeat this postseason at a whopping 30 points, claiming a 101-71 victory, once again all the talk of the Spurs looking “old and tired” has renewed. In the NBA playoffs thus far the Home Teams have done a formidable job protecting their house to date, so before the Spurs can be written off entirely maybe Game 3 should first be taken into account. Many, myself included, expected the Hornets to walk on by the Spurs last round after their ferocious start right out of the gate, but 7 games later myself and many other critics were proven otherwise.

However, with frustration mounting in the camp of the defending champs, it’s getting a bit more difficult to picture another miraculous come from behind series victory this time around.

Drawing parallels in prognostication is not a refined science by any means, however people will always look for patterns. Hey it’s a long series, rather than wait it out why not try and beat it to the punch? After the first game the talk on PTI between Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon was on whether or not the Lakers come from behind win could be compared to the Spurs Game 1 victory over Phoenix, a triple OT thriller in the opening game of that opening round series. That Spurs victory was extremely deflating for the Suns, who let their certain victory slip away multiple times before eventually settling on the loss. The toll it had on Phoenix afterwards was quite evident.

Wilbon dismissed the notion as there were enough variables coming into play with this one: the Spurs just finished a tough 7 game series, slept on a plane the night before, a fourth quarter collapse could be dismissed. But perhaps it really was quite a deflating loss after all. Has karma now come into play and snapped the Spurs in the butt for stealing a triple-OT thriller away from Phoenix?

If this NBA playoff season has proven anything it’s that game in, game out, the match-ups have been fiercely contested. And in many instances each series has also been going, or getting close to going, the distance. The Spurs have definitely been on the favourable end of these dogfights to date, but one has to wonder how much fuel is left in the tank for another run against this very talented Lakers squad.

(originally posted on Saturday, May 24 at 1:00pm)

2008-06-05T19:35:00.000-04:00

Crossing Sidney

2008-06-05T19:31:00.000-04:00

Crossover star, words that send my thoughts racing back to good ol’ Bo Jackson, which then inevitably leads me to Pro Stars! Oh Pro Stars, best cereal/cartoon combination of the 1980’s! (sorry Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but green milk never appealed to me!). Bo was a star on that show – well, in cartoon form anyways – and Bo knew lots too! But apparently Bo didn’t know full recovery from severe hip surgery! (yiee! seriously though, that guy was one amazing natural athlete in everything he did!)

There’s been lots of talk about the weight being placed on the shoulders of Sid the Kid™ (that’s Crosby to you, fool!), and I think it’s very understandable why the League wants a new Gretzky to latch onto to help recover lost fans and return interest in the NHL product down south. But right now what I’m having the most trouble understanding is, why the term ‘Crossover Star’ specifically? He’s clearly no Bo Jackson - although he does have Bo in likely the one place Bo doesn’t know (at least according to Wayne!). Yes this is all about bringing back over fans who had left for NASCAR, Arena Football, etc., due to the ’04 Lockout. But with that in mind I got to thinking there has to be better terms that can be used to label Sidney. Crossover Star is so misleading, he’s not the crossover people we’re talking about you! So anyways the following is a short list I have compiled, submitted here for your approval:

“The Next One”: it’s not like this hasn’t been stated about Crosby in the past, why abandon it now? People always love the next big thing, the “next one” – look at the NBA, every year the “Air apparent” is thoroughly discussed! I feel this marketing campaign still has some juice left in it, and it also puts more emphasis on the fans to know Sid then for the Kid to meet the fans.

American Hockey Idol: c’mon, time to piggyback NHL! The Cup Finals are starting the SAME WEEK as this latest seasons’ finale?? Feed off that shows ridiculously enormous popularity and snag those still yearning for more Idol! Besides, the Stanley Cup Finals ARE as reality as Reality TV gets!

Corrective Advertising Tool: alright, so this one clearly lacks all the sex appeal of any possible term imaginable, but is this not what Crosby is? “Don’t forget hockey people we still rule! Now look at how amazing this guy is!!!” That’s right Sid, it’s your job to reshape ill-gotten misinterpretations of what the NHL can be. But watch out! - as corrective advertising the Federal Trade Commission CAN regulate you, so you better be on your best behaviour and score many a highlight reel goal.

The Stanley Cup Finals start up tomorrow, and with it the Crosby marketing plan is entering a new and important phase. It’s time to see how well progress has been made.

(originally posted Friday, May 23 at 6:32pm)

Coming Down The Stretch...

2008-06-05T19:27:00.000-04:00

The first major blow was delivered last night in the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals, which may either set up an exciting climax – or a disappointing end result – leading into the NBA Finals, really all depends on your point of view.

The Detroit Pistons reminded basketball fans everywhere why they consistently remain near the top of the standings with a 6 point victory over the Boston Celtics, and in Beantown too! And with their victory last night, the Pistons put to rest a few debates in one fail swoop: can the Celtics be beaten at home, thereby forcing the NBA’s best team during the regular season to finally win a game on the road (where they have been horrendous, to say the VERY least, so far this postseason). And can a team conceivably win a Championship by only winning games at home. Obviously we now have the answers to both – yes and no, respectively.

Sure, the Spurs still have to prove they can beat the Lakers, but Game 1 of each conference final has somewhat mirrored the other. Considering San Antonio had L.A. down in the first half of the game, only to allow Kobe to put in an MVP performance in the second half to lead his team to a come-from-behind victory in the final quarter, it does seem likely they can bounce back the way Detroit did and claim a victory tonight. The Spurs didn’t really look like themselves Game 1 anyways with that late game collapse, but at least if the Spurs have to blame it on something, they can blame it on the plane!

But before everyone turns to questioning the pros and cons of another Spurs-Pistons match up, as compared to the far more media friendly Celtics-Lakers dream finale, the second game out West does have to be played tonight. And even though it is only Game 2, I’m thinking this games result may play a big role in how this series as a whole plays out!

(originally posted Friday, May 23rd at 6:29pm ET)

Welcome to The Brick House Sports blog!

2008-06-05T19:00:00.000-04:00

Let's Get This One Going!!!!

This is a blog dedicated to sports: a passionate, enthusiastic, unabashed look into all aspects of the sporting world! There will be attempts to cover as many sports as possible, delve into both the major issues at hand in the sporting world, while also checking out some of the lesser known events transpiring.

What's with the name "Brick House"?

I have recently adopted a new outlook on things, based on the fable "The 3 Little Pigs" .
Essentially, out of the 3 pigs in that tale, only one had built their home on a solid structure, a house that was bound to withstand the onslaught of the Big Bad Wolf. The other 2 pigs had homes they thought were stable but it was merely a perception, not fact - what they saw around them was not a foundation of which to base anything upon, and as a result their homes crumbled and all was lost.

This relates to sports because the world of sport, the nature of sport, the culture behind it, all of this does hold great importance within our society, and in human nature as well. However to succeed - whether it be as an athlete, a team, an organizing body, or even a sport itself - there must be a solid foundation to build upon! This blog will try and find a stability in the sporting world. And this blog will most certainly bring to light instances that deserve to be called out, the 'mere perceptions' that are sticking out like sore thumbs in the sports world.

What kind of articles will be on here?

Presently Editorial, I'm not out doing any reporting, however the hope is that will change with time - and hopefully, soon as well (the sooner the better as far as I'm concerned!). So for the most part, please understand this is mainly my opinion, based upon what I have watched, read, and heard from the sporting world.

All are encouraged to participate!

I am open to all comments, discussions, and even suggestions. If you feel that I'm doing something you don't like, saying something you disagree with, definitely feel free to say something! As I always say, "Go Hard or Go Home!", and the same applies to visiting this blog; make sure you get your money's worth when you're reading articles around these parts.

Thanks for visiting The Brick House Sports - feel free to keep your shoes on, grab yourself a cold one, and just enjoy your stay!