Ball

this is my answer to all questions from now on
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Gilbert Suspended Indefinitely

Gilbert Arenas shot himself in the leg at a night club last night and has been suspended. Wait a second...Is that the right story? Whatever. Kids, keep the guns out of the locker room. If you do bring your guns to the locker room, David Stern will suspend you the day after he lets you beat the 76ers.

It seems like David Stern almost didn't care that he pulled a gun in the locker room. He cared that he mocked the situation during the Sixers game. Stern remains high on DW's hate list. hmmm - post idea

Tim Donaghy sets the over/under at 30 games.
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Buzzer Beater

Kobe drains another buzzer beater...(after a push off)

I'll beat R.H. to the punch. F Kobe

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Kobe's Game Winner

Down 2 with 3.2 left, Kobe puts up a prayer.
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Holiday Weekend NBA Rant

Here is a Holiday weekend rant from friend of DirtyWudders, RH.

Looks like the Pistons are really changing their team. Gordon and Villanueva in, 'Sheed and Iverson out. Not bad, although they still don't really have a point guard. Gordon will eventually take over for Rip Hamilton, in the meantime, one of them can be instant offense off the bench. I'll admit I don't see him much, but I kind of like Villanueva and was surprised the Bucks just gave up on him. I had my doubts about him coming into the league out of UConn--he seemed like an underachieving Odom-type that would drift through games and eat Kit-Kats on the bench. . Plus he was hatched out of an alien pod. But he's shown he can play. Doesn't hurt to be 6 F'n 11 either. Rasheed is a shell of a shell. Although it'd be intriguing to see the Spurs get him. I swear, them and the Patriots can take any malcontent and make them a team player. I think they must administer lobotomies. Even Dante Stallworth didn't smoke or snort anything or drive anyone over his one year in New England. If Laimbeer gets the Pistons job, he's gonna freak out when he sees Villanueva and shoot him with a high-powered ray gun, then ship his remains back to the planet Nebulon for replanting..

Anyway, how bout Iverson? Fascinating how this guy might not get picked up by anyone in the league. He really ruined things for himself in Detroit. If he would've came off the bench and been a team player (novel concept to him) which, um, he said he would, he'd be getting offers from several teams this year. But no, if he didn't start he sulked, then got phantom injuries, ruined chemistry and was basically told to go away. His selfishness will be his undoing. He thinks he's worth so much more than he is, like Spreewell, who was basically blackballed from the league and now landscapes to "feed his family". The crazy thing is, Iverson still thinks he can be the man on a good team. Ludicrous. He's an old 33, and has never taken care of himself. Taco diets and staying out all night will catch up with you (believe me). If he ever put his ego aside, he could be a key part of a team coming off the bench as 6th man, instant offense, and average like 15-20 a game. I don't know who would gamble on him at this point, maybe that kook Larry Brown. If I'm a good to very good team with alot of veterans, I don't want him (see: Detroit). If I'm a team with alot of young guys building for the future, I don't want him either. He'd just come in, dominate the ball, and infect everyone around him.

As for the Sixers.....meh. Wake me up in 2031 when two of Iguodala's illegitimate kids are clanging jumpers so I can wake up and kill myself. Good times. Shawn Kemp's record is safe....for now.
I love Andre Miller, but I doubt I'd give him the 3 years and 30 mill. he's asking. I'd be surprised if they do it too, since I guess they're building for the future with this Holiday pick, a guy that needs ALOT of time. I heard some rumor of Dalembert to the Rockets for McGrady. Apparently their contracts match up, and Houston may need a center with Yao's injury. Some downgrade. Even if McGrady (notorious dog) never played a game for the Sixers, I'd do it. His monstrous contract will come off the books at the end of next year. Not sure why Houston would do it though. I swear, people around the league think Dalembert is better than he really is. They seem to remember the one our of every 6 games where he has a pulse and not the other 5 where he's utterly useless. Kind of like how other teams used to always overrate Bobby Abreu. Great numbers, but then he's on your team and reality hits you in the face. The Yanks couldn't get rid of him fast enough. Although I really miss listening to the Yankees fans on the FAN complain about his being afraid of the wall, yearning for a walk to leave it up to the next guy, and his general laziness.

Surprised it looks like the Lakers aren't gonna resign Ariza. He was their best player besides Kobe (grinding my teeth) in the Finals. What's this now? Phil Jackson will only coach home games on Thursdays and Sundays? And only with a cot behind the bench for naps? He can use Nicholson's belly as a pillow. I think Kurt Rambis had to throw a cup of water on his face to wake him up in the closing seconds of the clinching game. Nah, anyone that can get Kobe to at least think about being a team player (a little bit) has to know something. Kobe now knows the names of 7 of his teammates.
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Detroit Scores Early

The Detroit Pistons strike early and grab Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva on the first day of free agency. Joe Dumars has been a busy man in recent days, firing Michael Curry after only one year on Tuesday.

Quickly becoming UCONN Central, Gordon and Villanueva join Rip Hamilton as former University of Connecticut players on Detroit. Gordon signed a 5 yr $55 Million deal and Villanueva signed a 5 yr deal, expected to be about $35 million.
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Miller "probably" headed to Portland.

The New York Daily News is reporting that Andre Miller is probably headed to Portland in a sign and trade, with the Sixers recieving Steve Blake. Nothing has been confired at this point.

On the surface, this looks like a pretty bad deal for the 76ers but Blake will be heading into the last year of his contract. The Sixers are clearly not winning anything this year so I would be fine with it.
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Jrue

Ty Lawson was still available. So was Eric Maynor, Jeff Teague and Darren Collison. Each of these guys would have helped the 76ers reach the NBA playoffs next year as a # 6 or # 7 seed, you know NBA Purgatory. Each of these guy’s, the Sixers, more or less would have known what they were getting, solid players but not necessarily difference makers.

Instead they took a chance on a guy’s upside. Jrue Holiday could very well turn out to be a bust but he also has the potential to develop into a top PG in the league. It is tough to get better when drafting at #17 but the Sixers picked with an eye to the future, took a chance, and hopefully will be rewarded down the road.
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Lunch Time Draft Rant

Luch Time draft rant from friend of DirtyWudders R.H....
On the surface, the Magic trading for Vince Carter seems like a good move. I guess they're thinking Turkoglu leaving is a foregone conclusion. But why would a team that just went to the Finals and seemed to have pretty good chemistry bring in Carter? A me-first malcontent that has admitted to quitting on teams. Unless he changes his stripes, no team with him on it will ever win it all (he's like Iverson and McNabb that way). I would've overpaid Turkoglu if I was them.


Anywho, onto the draft, since I can't talk about the Phils right now without banging my head on the keyboard. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't like the Sixers pick, although I am naming my next kid, boy or girl, Jrue. Granted, they weren't gonna get a star at 17. But I would've taken Lawson or Maynor, both experienced and proven, over this guy. First, is he even a point guard? He couldn't play over Collison at UCLA (who I also would've taken). He played it in high school I guess ('08 high school player of the year!.....dunking on 5'11 white kids I assume). I'll admit, I didn't see many UCLA games last years, but when I did see them, I don't even remember Holiday, which can't be good. I don't know, I put more stock in how guys actually played in college than in "potential" and "upside". He averaged 8 points a game and more TO's than assists. Christ. They say he can play the 2 as well? At 6'3 in today's NBA? And don't we already have a shooting guard that can't shoot? At least you know Lawson and Maynor are point guards. And this guy will now learn how to play the point on the job in the NBA from.....Lou Williams? Princeton offense with these two braniacs? Ugh. Again, I hope I'm wrong.

Don't like Harden at #3 at all. Only saw Arizona St. once--against Temple in the tournament, and he was thoroughly unimpressive. Reminds me of a fat, crafty older guy that would clean up in a 3-on-3 halfcourt game, but not in the NBA.
Looking forward to watching Rubio play--him and Love on the same team is intriguing. Two great passers. Don't understand the T-Wolves then taking Johnny Flynn at all. Even if they both turn out to be really good, they can't co-exist. You're telling me Johnny Flynn isn't going to be sulking if he's not starting?? Would've taken Curry. Him and Rubio together would've been fascinating. Flynn's barely 6'0. Only freaks like Iverson can be really good at that height. Seems like a backup PG to me.
Curry would've fit in great for the Knicks and D'Antoni's style, too bad they were one pick late and ended up with Jordan Hill (black Frederick Weis). I love when the NY crowd hellaciously boos and David Stern stands there awkwardly.

After that it was pretty uneventful--lots of point guards and foreigners. I fough to stay awake during the Larry Brown interview. He's gonna teach Gerald Henderson how to "play the right way" (blah-freakin'-blah). Brown and a cocky ex-Dukie? They may be my new least favorite team!

How about Dante Cunningham going before Blair and Sam Young?? I love how they said they talked to Jamie Dixon by phone and he was "shocked" neither went in the first round. Whiny homo. You just knew the Spurs were gonna gobble up Blair, and you know he'll play really well for them. Cunningham was kind of like the first pick in essence for the Blazers too---their first round pick was a foreigner that's a few years away. I think he could be a decent role player.

Kenny (King of) Payne
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The Morning After

Rays 7 Phillies 1: A pitchers duel through 7+ innings, the Rays opened the game up when Jimmy Rollins made a rare defensive mistake missing trying for a tough force out at second when Pat Burrell was running to first. Joe Blanton pitched very well only to be outdueled by Matt Garza. Pat Burrell had 3 RBI's including a 2-run homer, only his second as a Ray. Jimmy Rollins has zero base hits since Thursday. It is time for Chalie to send him a message. The NL East is tightening as the Mets and Marlins both won.

LSU 11 Texas 4: LSU wins the 2009 CWS! It is their 6th National Title, tied with Texas for second most of all-time. LSU took a 4 run lead with the help of Jared Mitchell's 3 run home run but Texas quickley tied it up. LSU scored 5 in the sixth to wrap it up. Mitchell, the CWS MOP and a first round pick of the Chi Sox, adds to his 2007 NCAA Football title. Congratulations to LSU!

U.S. 2 Spain 0: The US advance to its first men's FIFA Final since starting play in 1916. Spain, a -1100 favorite (cough...whatever that means..cough), was the European champion and had won 15 straight international games, the most since Brazil won 35 straight betwenn '93 and '96 (was that the Baggio days?). Spain had not lost since November '06. Jozy Altidore scored the first goal in the 27th minute and Clint Dempsey put it away in the 74th. Hopefully we have soccer readers that can comment on this game because I am not doing the win justice.

NFL: Julius Peppers signed a 1 yr, $16.7 million tender with the Carolina Panthers.5 months ago Peppers made it clear that he would not sign a long term deal with Carolina but after he signed a 1 yr deal which will give him over 1 million per GAME, he seems willing to sign long term.

Flyers: Sources say that the Flyers will accept an invitation to play the Boston Bruins on New Years day at Fenway Park. Very cool, though I would still like to see a Flyers v Penguins game at State College.

Wimbledon: 2004 Champ Maria Sharapova loses 6-2,3-6,6-4, to Gisela Dulko in the second round. Damn it!

NBA: The Cavs acquired Shaq O'Neal from the Suns for a couple of expensive basketballs and a late draft pick. Read More

Weekend Outlook

What you'll be watching this weekend... maybe....

Game 7, Penguins @ Detroit: Nothing like a Game 7, especially in the NHL. I'm sure it will be exciting as hell, but will anyone be watching. I'll be rooting for Detroit.

Game 5, Orlando @ LA: Congratulations, Kobe. You finally won a championship without Shaq. Now can you please stop walking around with that scowl on you face, tough guy. You are not tough - you are not from the streets - you went to Lower Merion HS. Act normal, loser.

Mets @ Yankees: The Mets make their first trip to new Yankee Stadium this weekend. Adding to the Mets injury problems, John Maine was put on th 15-day DL, making 47 players on the DL for the Mets. The Yanks were just swept by the Red Sox to make it 8 straight losses vs. Boston. Subway Series!!!! Yawn.

Red Sox @ Phillies: Hell. Yes. I'll be there Sunday with Sec202, in Section202 coincidentally. If you're a Boston fan, do not come near our seats - unless you want to hear all about your mother. Read More

Recap

Mets 6 Phillies 5: The Phillies hit 4 home runs off of Johan Santana but the bullpen could not hold a 4-3 lead, on the way to a 6-5 loss. The Phillies are now 1-5 aginst the Mets and 0-3 at Tax payer Field. Before the game, the Phillies announced that they put Closer Brad Lidge on the 15 day DL. Ryan Madsen will take over closer responsibilities while Lidge is out. Phils called up AA catcher Paul Bako.

Magic 108 Lakers 104: The Orlando Magic won game 3 of the NBA Finals Tuesday. Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis each scored 21 to pace the Magic. Orlando shot an NBA Finals record 75% from the field in the Second Quarter on their way to their first ever NBA Finals Win. Kobe had a chance to tie the game late in the 4th but had the ball stolen from him. In 76ers news: The 76ers acquired sharp-shooter Jason Kapono from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Reggie Evans. Jason Kapono struggled mightily in the Raptors system because he is not capable of creating his own shot but the Sixers hope he will fit in to Eddie Jordans motion offense where he will be able to run off screens, catch and shoot. I play better defense then this guy though.

Penguins 2 Red Wings 1: The Pittsburgh Penguins jumped out to a 2-0 lead and held off a late Wings barrage to lock up the series at 3 heading to Game 7 on Friday night. Nothing better than a Game 7. Might break out the good beer for this one.

Minors: Kyle Drabek gave up 2 runs in 5 innings but also walked 5 in a 5-4 Win over Trenton. Drabek moves to 2-0 at Reading. Carlos Carrasco gave up 6 runs in 3 innings in a 7-4 loss to Louisville, to drop to 1-7 for the Iron Pigs.

Amateur Draft: The Phillies drafted outfielder/1B Kelly Dugan and outfielder Kyrell Hudson with their 2nd and 3rd round picks. Both figure to be future bums in the eyes of Sec202. The Phillies forfeited their first round pick when they signed Raul Ibanez. Dugan has signed with Pepperdine and Hudson has signed on with Oregon State to play baseball and football. Both will have to decide to either forgo college or sign with the Phillies. The draft resumes today at noon. The Phillies next pick is in the fourth rd 137, overall. Read More

Weekend Recap

Here are some notes on a very good sports weekend:

MEMORIAL: Tiger Woods won the Memorial on Sunday with a 7 under 65 after trailing by 4 going into the day. Woods iced it on 18 with a 183 foot 7 iron that he put a foot from the hole. I guess there are some who would be happy with that shot. This is the 4th time he has won the Memorial at Muirfield Village. The US Open is in 2 weeks at Bethpage Black where Woods will look to defend his title. If Tiger plays anywhere near what he played today, you might as well wrap it up.

STANLEY CUP: The Detroit Red Wings are 1 win away from their 5th Stanley Cup in the past 12 years. Red Wings star Pavel Datsyuk returned for game 5 and made his presence known right away, leveling Evgeni Malkin early in the 1st period and assisting on the first (soft) goal of the game. Detroit outclassed Pittsburgh in the 5-0 W. Its too bad people just don't care about hockey. Its amazing how Detroit has stayed dominant through the years. After the strike, there was a salary cap implemented and the game completely changed on the ice, yet the Wings keep winning as if they have Yzerman, Fedorov, Dino Ciccarelli, Paul Coffey and Nicklaus Lindstom...Ok maybe I still play NHL '94 a little too much... I take that back, no such thing as too much

BELMONT: Summer Bird knocked off favorite Mine that Bird and held off Dunkirk to win the Belmont on Saturday afternoon. Larry Bird and former Phil, Paul Byrd failed to make it out of the gate. Big Bird and Tweety Bird could not be reached for comment. A $2 trifecta paid out $295

NBA FINALS: The Orlando Magic had their chance to knock off the Lakers on Sunday night after Courtney Lee beat Kobe on a back screen but he cheesed a last second alley oop layup at the end of regulation. DirtyWudders enemy JJ Redick hit a big 3 to tie up the game late in the 4th. The Lakers won the OT 13-8 to take a commanding 2 games to nothing lead as the series shifts to Orlando.

FRENCH OPEN: Roger Federer defeated Robin Soderling on Sunday to capture his first French Open Title and 14th major title. The French Open completes the Career Grand Slam for Federer.

PHILS: The 2 best teams in baseball collided in L.A. this weekend and ended up with a 2/2 split. The Phils had their chances but 2 blown saves by Brad Lidge cost them 2 W's. The Phillies defense has been one of the tops in baseball this season but a couple of gaffes by Bruntlett and Feliz hurt them on Friday night (Saturday am), and I don't know if its just me but I think Jayson Werth could have had that shot by Furcal on Saturday. Regardless, something has to give with Lidge. It looked like he was starting to come around a little bit until these most recent BS's. Read More

Jordan and other NBA thoughts

It's interesting that a better part of a week has gone by here without the mention of new Sixers head coach Eddie Jordan. I'm a Sixers fan, but I just cannot get excited about this news. I remember him as a highly touted assistant on the Jersey teams that were losing to the Lakers in the Finals years back but he didn't do too much in Washington when given a chance. 4 playoff berths and subsequent quick exits don't create excitetment in the Eastern Conference. I guess my problem is that while the Sixers keep shuffling coaches year in and year out they are going to have to realize that maybe coaching isn't thhe problem. The Sixers are stuck in NBA purgatory - not bad enough to get good thru the draft and not good enough to advance the way they are. I think we will be seeing #6 or #7 seeds and 1st round eliminations until something gives. That may be good enough in Jersey or DC but not Philly.

Very nice to see Jameer Nelson returning to play in game 1 of the NBA Finals. I don't think Orlando can rely on him too much but he could serve as a sparkplug behind 'Skip to my Lou'... I think the Magic can hang with the Lakers and may knock them off if Howard can stay out of foul trouble. That being said, they were hanging with them until a questionable offensive foul on Howard forced him out of the game and the Lakers jumped to a 10 point half time lead.

Do you think the Magic players rip assistant coach Patrick Ewing for his ridiculously terrible Snickers commercial? Patrick Chewing? Horrible Read More