Tomorrow night, live on ESPN, the NBA's worst teams will be represented, hoping that they magically get their named called last, meaning they get the #1 pick in the NBA Draft. They would be able to draft Super-Teen (and Super-Eyebrow) Anthony Davis of Kentucky. Yes, in the NBA's Time Square Studios (unfortunately not in Secaucus, NJ) we will get to see the Draft Lottery.
It is foolish, really. One would imagine that the worst team should get the #1 pick each year, to make sure there is some kind of competitive balance. But no. Instead, the Charlotte Bobcats, who won a whopping 7 games this season, may end up at #3. My terrible, terrible Wizards, who finished as the 2nd worst team despite winning their final 6 games, could end up outside of the top 3. So it is a crapshoot to determine who gets Davis' services.
Beyond the Eyebrow, there is no consensus as to who should go 2nd. In fact, some analysts have said that there is no other star in the draft. ESPN's Chad Ford stated the only sure-fire star is Davis, but that Syracuse 2-guard Dion Waiters has the potential to be just as good. Waiters, meanwhile, isn't projected to go in the Top 5, though some scouts have compared him favorably to Tyreke Evans and... wait for it... Dwyane Wade!
A quick side note- Not that I doubt Mr. Ford's judgement at all... But he stated that former Syracuse center and full time moron Fab Melo was not only in the best shape of his life in workouts, but also consistantly hitting 18-foot jump shots. I watched all of my alma mater's games last year. Never, NEVER, did I see Fab hit an 18-foot jump shot. What kind of madness is this!? Sigh... Moving on...
So, tomorrow at 8pm, we will find out who wins the Davis sweepstakes, and who will have to settle for Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Andre Drummond, Harrison Barnes, Waiters, or a number of other prospects who aren't "sure things". All this, of course, while the NBA Conference Finals are still going on. Hope springs eternal for perennial loser franchises. Will Michael Jordan's bad luck finally turn around? Will the fix be in and the Brooklyn Nets finagle the top pick under dubious circumstances? Will John Wall get a real running mate here in DC? We'll see where the ping-pong balls fall Wednesday at 8.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Poll: The Top 10 Sports Movies
So, I have been curious as to what you, my faithful readers, think are the greatest sports movies of all time. I am hoping that enough people reply or post a comment voting so that I can list them next time. Here are the nominees:
A League of Their Own
Major League (franchise)
Rookie of the Year
Field of Dreams
The Sandlot
Little Big League
The Pride of the Yankees
Bull Durham
The Bad News Bears
Eight Men Out
The Natural
Hoosiers
Slap Shot
Miracle
The Might Ducks (franchise)
Rudy
The Express
Brian's Song
Remember the Titans
Any Given Sunday
Caddyshack
Jerry McGuire
Seabiscuit
Secretariat
Chariots of Fire
Rocky (franchise)
Raging Bull
The Cutting Edge
Blades of Glory
Cool Runnings
So, vote away! Tell me your top 10. You can add in any other films you want, though I have the right to veto. Hopefully within a week, I will have enough votes to post the list. In the meantime, see all of these films!
A League of Their Own
Major League (franchise)
Rookie of the Year
Field of Dreams
The Sandlot
Little Big League
The Pride of the Yankees
Bull Durham
The Bad News Bears
Eight Men Out
The Natural
Hoosiers
Slap Shot
Miracle
The Might Ducks (franchise)
Rudy
The Express
Brian's Song
Remember the Titans
Any Given Sunday
Caddyshack
Jerry McGuire
Seabiscuit
Secretariat
Chariots of Fire
Rocky (franchise)
Raging Bull
The Cutting Edge
Blades of Glory
Cool Runnings
So, vote away! Tell me your top 10. You can add in any other films you want, though I have the right to veto. Hopefully within a week, I will have enough votes to post the list. In the meantime, see all of these films!
Lord, It Has Been A While
So, I went MIA for a little bit there, didn't I? No worries! I am back and ready to write for you. What have I missed?
- The Stanley Cup Playoffs is down to the Western Conference Champion LA Kings, led by Johnathan Quick, vs the winner of the Devils/Rangers. The Devils won tonight, and will have a chance to close out the series in Game 6.
- The NBA playoffs are almost onto the Conference finals. The West is set between the young Oklahoma City Thunder and the veteran San Antonio Spurs. The East? Still waiting. I am pulling for the Pacers to somehow make it out, but the Heat will probably pull it out. Does anyone really think LeBron and D-Wade are going to get eliminated this early?
- Lots of good baseball going on in the DMV (That's DC/Maryland/Virginia, for the tragically un-hip). The Nats and O's are both still in first place at the quarter poll of the season. I like what I see.
- Josh Hamilton is back to his insane ways. Bryce Harper is playing well, as is Yu Darvish. Matt Kemp's injury has let the pack gain ground in the MVP race. Is it too early to be thinking awards?
- Kentucky Derby winner I'll Have Another had... another... big race win at the Preakness. He will be trying to take the Belmont and the Triple Crown in June. I would love it if he did... I don't think he will. It'd be too amazing.
- The Avengers! No, it has nothing to do with sports at all. But it is an amazing film. Seen it in IMAX 3-D twice already. Just fantastic. Go see it! Now!
Ok, just like that I am caught up. I'll write more soon.
- The Stanley Cup Playoffs is down to the Western Conference Champion LA Kings, led by Johnathan Quick, vs the winner of the Devils/Rangers. The Devils won tonight, and will have a chance to close out the series in Game 6.
- The NBA playoffs are almost onto the Conference finals. The West is set between the young Oklahoma City Thunder and the veteran San Antonio Spurs. The East? Still waiting. I am pulling for the Pacers to somehow make it out, but the Heat will probably pull it out. Does anyone really think LeBron and D-Wade are going to get eliminated this early?
- Lots of good baseball going on in the DMV (That's DC/Maryland/Virginia, for the tragically un-hip). The Nats and O's are both still in first place at the quarter poll of the season. I like what I see.
- Josh Hamilton is back to his insane ways. Bryce Harper is playing well, as is Yu Darvish. Matt Kemp's injury has let the pack gain ground in the MVP race. Is it too early to be thinking awards?
- Kentucky Derby winner I'll Have Another had... another... big race win at the Preakness. He will be trying to take the Belmont and the Triple Crown in June. I would love it if he did... I don't think he will. It'd be too amazing.
- The Avengers! No, it has nothing to do with sports at all. But it is an amazing film. Seen it in IMAX 3-D twice already. Just fantastic. Go see it! Now!
Ok, just like that I am caught up. I'll write more soon.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
And They're Off! JFLANland Kentucky Derby Preview
Ah, the first weekend in May is almost upon us. Considering I will be busy tomorrow seeing Avengers and watching the Nats play the Phillies, today is the day to bring you my official Kentucky Derby preview. The Run for the Roses will be held at Churchill Downs this Saturday at 6. So, get your big hat ready, whip up your mint julep, and relearn the words to My Old Kentucky Home, because we're off!
The Favorites:
The morning line favorite is Bodemeister, trained by Hall of Famer (and sunglasses connoisseur) Bob Baffert. Bodemeister won the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby by an astonishing 9 1/2 lengths, leading the entire time. He is one hell of a horse, and ridden by Kentucky Derby winning jockey Mike Smith. Smith's most recent triumphs have been on the back of super-horse Zenyatta, but now he will bring the morning line 4-1 favorite into Churchill Downs and post position 6.
Behind Bodemeister are Union Rags, Gemologist and Dullahan. Union Rags (9-2 Morning Line: Post 4) is coming off a disappointing 3rd place in the Florida Derby and will look to bounce back against the huge field. Gemologist (6-1: 15) is a perfect 5-5 in his racing career, including a strong win at the G1 Wood Memorial (see below), stalking from just off the pace and holding off Derby contender Alpha at the line. Dullahan (8-1: 6) took first in the G1 Bluegrass Stakes and is ridden by 3-time Derby champ Kent Desormeaux.
The Mid-Money Contenders:
G1 Santa Anita Derby winner I'll Have Another (12-1: 19) and runner-up Creative Cause (12-1: 8) had a fantastic race in California. They'll try to triumph away from California's fast track.
Hansen (10-1: 14), winner of the G1 Breeders Cup Juvinille and Bluegrass runner-up, and G1 Florida Derby winner Take Charge Indy (15-1: 3) are also solid bets to contend on Saturday. Take Charge Indy is ridden by 3-time winner Calvin Borel. Have to like that Mr. Bo-rail is on the inside.
My Sentimental Pick:
Of all the people I have met in my life, no one knew more about horse racing than my father. He loved the sport, and passed on a bit of that to his kids. So, my sentimental pick is Daddy Nose Best (15-1: 10). The name is appropriate, and it'd be nice if he won. The horse doesn't have the best pedigree or racing history, but I feel like Garret Gomez is due for a Derby win. Daddy Nose Best is a classic stretch run horse, coming from off the pace and overtaking the leaders. Here is what Washington Post writer Andrew Beyer said of the horse:
"Of the stretch-running threats in the 138th Derby, the most credible may be Daddy Nose Best. He never attracted much attention as a Derby candidate because he spent the majority of his career running on the turf. But when he finally got the chance to run beyond a mile on dirt, he rallied to win the Sunland Park Derby in New Mexico. Although this was a relatively minor prep race with a relatively weak field, he earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 100, the best last-race number in the field except for Bodemeister. With the right style, a solid foundation of experience and one of the nation’s leading trainers in Steve Asmussen, the 15-to-1 shot is a strong contender."
Good enough for me.
The Field:
1. Daddy Long Legs 30-1
2. Optimizer 50-1
3. Take Charge Indy 15-1
4. Union Rags 9-2
5. Dullahan 8-1
6. Bodemeister 4-1
7. Rousing Sermon 50-1
8. Creative Cause 12-1
9. Trinniberg 50-1
10. Daddy Nose Best 15-1
11. Alpha 15-1
12. Prospective 30-1
13. Went the Day Well 20-1
14. Hansen 10-1
15. Gemologist 6-1
16. El Padrino 20-1
17. Done Talking 50-1
18. SabreCat 30-1
19. I'll Have Another 12-1
20. Liaison 50-1
Enjoy the race!
The Favorites:
The morning line favorite is Bodemeister, trained by Hall of Famer (and sunglasses connoisseur) Bob Baffert. Bodemeister won the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby by an astonishing 9 1/2 lengths, leading the entire time. He is one hell of a horse, and ridden by Kentucky Derby winning jockey Mike Smith. Smith's most recent triumphs have been on the back of super-horse Zenyatta, but now he will bring the morning line 4-1 favorite into Churchill Downs and post position 6.
Behind Bodemeister are Union Rags, Gemologist and Dullahan. Union Rags (9-2 Morning Line: Post 4) is coming off a disappointing 3rd place in the Florida Derby and will look to bounce back against the huge field. Gemologist (6-1: 15) is a perfect 5-5 in his racing career, including a strong win at the G1 Wood Memorial (see below), stalking from just off the pace and holding off Derby contender Alpha at the line. Dullahan (8-1: 6) took first in the G1 Bluegrass Stakes and is ridden by 3-time Derby champ Kent Desormeaux.
The Mid-Money Contenders:
G1 Santa Anita Derby winner I'll Have Another (12-1: 19) and runner-up Creative Cause (12-1: 8) had a fantastic race in California. They'll try to triumph away from California's fast track.
Hansen (10-1: 14), winner of the G1 Breeders Cup Juvinille and Bluegrass runner-up, and G1 Florida Derby winner Take Charge Indy (15-1: 3) are also solid bets to contend on Saturday. Take Charge Indy is ridden by 3-time winner Calvin Borel. Have to like that Mr. Bo-rail is on the inside.
My Sentimental Pick:
Of all the people I have met in my life, no one knew more about horse racing than my father. He loved the sport, and passed on a bit of that to his kids. So, my sentimental pick is Daddy Nose Best (15-1: 10). The name is appropriate, and it'd be nice if he won. The horse doesn't have the best pedigree or racing history, but I feel like Garret Gomez is due for a Derby win. Daddy Nose Best is a classic stretch run horse, coming from off the pace and overtaking the leaders. Here is what Washington Post writer Andrew Beyer said of the horse:
"Of the stretch-running threats in the 138th Derby, the most credible may be Daddy Nose Best. He never attracted much attention as a Derby candidate because he spent the majority of his career running on the turf. But when he finally got the chance to run beyond a mile on dirt, he rallied to win the Sunland Park Derby in New Mexico. Although this was a relatively minor prep race with a relatively weak field, he earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 100, the best last-race number in the field except for Bodemeister. With the right style, a solid foundation of experience and one of the nation’s leading trainers in Steve Asmussen, the 15-to-1 shot is a strong contender."
Good enough for me.
The Field:
1. Daddy Long Legs 30-1
2. Optimizer 50-1
3. Take Charge Indy 15-1
4. Union Rags 9-2
5. Dullahan 8-1
6. Bodemeister 4-1
7. Rousing Sermon 50-1
8. Creative Cause 12-1
9. Trinniberg 50-1
10. Daddy Nose Best 15-1
11. Alpha 15-1
12. Prospective 30-1
13. Went the Day Well 20-1
14. Hansen 10-1
15. Gemologist 6-1
16. El Padrino 20-1
17. Done Talking 50-1
18. SabreCat 30-1
19. I'll Have Another 12-1
20. Liaison 50-1
Enjoy the race!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Remembering Junior Seau
There are some images you see in sports so often when you are growing up that they become almost commonplace. You expect them to always see those images there, and occasionally may take them for granted because a player can make these extraordinary plays a regular occurrence. It can be something as simple as like seeing Cal Ripken Jr run out of the dugout every game, to expecting Michael Jordon to always make that buzzer beater. One of those things for me was watching Junior Seau play football. He made so many great defensive plays that for him to do anything else was unexpected. I can't remember ever seeing him miss a tackle, have a running back juke him out of his shoes, or see an offensive lineman pancake him. It was a joy to watch him play. And that might be why it is equally as sad to hear that he passed away today at age 43, apparently from a self-inflicted gun shot wound to the chest.
Seau was a member of the 1990s All-Decade team, and will undoubtedly be a first ballot Hall of Fame selection in 2015. It is tragic that he will not be there to celebrate with his children, teammates, and all of the football fans, from San Diego, Miami, New England and around the league, that loved his passion and mastery of his position.
His death, it seems, will always be linked to the new concern for player safety, the penalties for the New Orleans Saints' Bounty scandal (also released today), and a paradigm shift for the way football intensity is viewed. I think it is more than just speculation that he shot himself in the chest so that his brain could be examined postmortem. The fire with which Seau played the game led to strong, vicious tackles. These hits may have lead to debilitating brain trauma, which has been seen in others who have committed suicide or, in the case of former wrestler Chris Benoit, to murder his family and then himself.
This is a terrible tragedy and unfortunate occurrence. It may not help the sadness go away, but having a chance to watch some of Seau's highlights and reform that appreciation for his ability is a good way to remember him. He was a consummate pro, a true Hall of Famer, and one of the greatest defensive players of all time.
RIP Junior Seau. You will be missed.
Seau was a member of the 1990s All-Decade team, and will undoubtedly be a first ballot Hall of Fame selection in 2015. It is tragic that he will not be there to celebrate with his children, teammates, and all of the football fans, from San Diego, Miami, New England and around the league, that loved his passion and mastery of his position.
His death, it seems, will always be linked to the new concern for player safety, the penalties for the New Orleans Saints' Bounty scandal (also released today), and a paradigm shift for the way football intensity is viewed. I think it is more than just speculation that he shot himself in the chest so that his brain could be examined postmortem. The fire with which Seau played the game led to strong, vicious tackles. These hits may have lead to debilitating brain trauma, which has been seen in others who have committed suicide or, in the case of former wrestler Chris Benoit, to murder his family and then himself.
This is a terrible tragedy and unfortunate occurrence. It may not help the sadness go away, but having a chance to watch some of Seau's highlights and reform that appreciation for his ability is a good way to remember him. He was a consummate pro, a true Hall of Famer, and one of the greatest defensive players of all time.
RIP Junior Seau. You will be missed.
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