Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Oh Roy, Oh Roy. Are You The Answer

With the bidding reaching stimulus proportions for Toronto pitcher Roy Halliday...just one thing that hasn't been talked about. We know he's a great pitcher in the regular season. But what if he's not one in the post season? Lots of Hall of Famers couldn't duplicate their success in the post season.

Not saying he would be a bust. But there is no way to tell if he is one of those who raises his game along with everyone else. He's never pitched in the post season. And being the star pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays is practically baseball's equivilent of the witness protection program. What if a team mortgages the future for "Doc" and it turns out he doesn't flourish under the microscope of the big games?

Just wondering.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Remember The Alamo (City)

While the eyes of the Lakers Nation have been soley fixed on the Lamar Odom-Lakers impassee, the Spurs have been quietly putting together a team for one last hurrah. They did make some news with the trade for free agent small forward Richard Jefferson. He's a multi talented, inside-outside threat. Althought he made more news for leaving his fiancee at the altar on their wedding day. But he is a significant upgrade on a team that still boasts three superstars...when healthy. (Just get him to the game on time).

They did have to give up two back up big men and Bruce Bowen, a guard who has given Kobe Bryant more problems than most. But in the last few weeks, they have acquired Antonio McDyess and Theo Ratliff. No longer elite big men but still an upgrade that can counter the Lakers' depth with Lamar. Without him...they are better. And the word is the Bucks will cut Bowen in training camp in a salary cap move and he will be back in San Antone. Throw in Roger Mason who was acquired last year. And who turned out to be instant offense off the bench..(something the Lakers thought they had in Sasha Vujacic but didn't) and the Spurs only worry is the health of Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobli. With word Lamar is leaning toward the Heat and Lakers owner Jerry Buss stubornly refuses to negotiate with Odom beause he dared to examine other offers... and the Lakers new dynasty could be one and done.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Ooops

One of the most dramatic home runs in Dodgers' history. But a lot of TV viewers apparently missed it. Reports that the Time Warner broadcast on the West Side and in the Valley had a major glitch. With Manny Ramirez coming to plate to pinch hit in the sixth....bases loaded....2-2 tie with the Reds....the picture froze. They cut to commercial. And came back for the celebration of Manny's grand slam home run.

We are efforting a reaction from the cable company.

They said they would call us back sometime today between nine and five. But we have to stay right by the phone.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Welcome Back

Mark Madsen... a popular Laker earlier in this decade...is coming home. But to the Clippers. Madsen one of three Minnesota players sent to the Clips for guard Quentin Richardson.
But look on the bright side, Mark. You'll never have to worry about embarrassing your self again in a championship celebration with a goofy dance.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Couple of Notes

Today's nominee for minor league baseball promotion of the year; The Brooklyn Cyclones offered...a Lamaze class in centerfield before last night's game; part of "Bellies and Baseball: A Salute to Pregnancy." Lots of other activities for the Moms-to-be... including throwing out the first pitch. But the best was "Craving Station"...with free pickles, ice cream and pizza.

All they missed was renaming time outs a "Pregnant pause."

81-year old Hershel McGriff became the oldest driver to compete in a NASCAR event. When he came in 13th in a race in the Camping World West Series in Portland.
Now it would be easy to say his only problem was keeping his left turn signal on the whole race...but I won't stoop that low.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Manny Mania

Manny Ramirez seems to have suffered no ill effects from his 50 game suspension for using a female fertility drug known to mask steroid use.

Though team mates say he has been reading a lot of Harlequin Romance books lately.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Don't Get Me To The Church On Time

The newest member of the San Antonio Spurs may have commitment issues.

Forward Richard Jefferson left his fiance at the altar. Literally. I mean, a lot of friends were already at the church for the two million dollar wedding.... when they looked around... and no Richard.

One possible reason; his fiance refused to ask one of her girl friends to join them in playing the triangle offense.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

About Two Years Too Late

It looks like Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and (sort of) singer-actress Jessica Simpson are splitsville. And it was Tony's idea.

So their relationship started with great promise but he dropped her in the end. Just like he plays football.

But as a Cowboys fan....I'M NOT BITTER!!!!!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Lamar Will Still Be A Laker*

*Hey. You gotta leave yourself some wiggle room. The only "Unless"....unless one side or the other makes an emotional decision. And I'm not just talking the player here. Front offices and ownership are vulnerable to this. It's the nature of sports. Barring that....

There is no team out there willing to sign Lamar Odom to a 7-8 million dollar deal. In fact, very few capable with the lower salary cap. He would have to take the mid level exception. 5.8 million. And the Lakers will go higher than that. Just not the ten million he's asking for. They are over the cap. Every dollar they give to Lamar, they have to pay a dollar Luxury tax. A 10-million dollar deal automatically becomes a 20-million dollar package. And Jerry Buss is rich by your or my standards. But he's still a single owner versus a large corporation.

It will happen eventually. Lamar's only leverage is time. But he is indespensible as a versitle key to the triangle and a steadying influence in the locker room...especially to boyhood friend and potential chemistry buster Ron Artest. If Lamar waits...the Lakers might be willing to throw in an extra million or so...just to avoid the distraction as training camp nears.

But it will get done. If everyone keeps their head. (Otherwise, this post will disappear in 10 seconds.)

Friday, July 3, 2009

Why The Lakers Had To Get Better

Lost in the hoopla of the Shack to Cleveland, Vince Carter to Orlando ....was the Spurs trade for Richard Jefferson; a superior small forward. And rebounding terror DeJuan Butler of Pitt falling to them in the second round of the draft. Lots of ifs (Ginbolli's ankle, Duncan's age, Jefferson's attitude, Butler's past knee problems) but if there is a last hurrah in the old guys and health for the new guys...the Spurs were as good if not better than any team in the NBA.

And then there is the imminent signing by Portland of Hedo Turkolu. The Blazers with their young talent, who have the Lakers' number on their home court and can give them a tussle at Staples...add a veteran who proved in the playoffs he can take over a game in crunch time.

And let's not forget a pesky Denver team that should be a lot better next season. Best record in the West will be a season long duel. So the Lakers had to think about now. And Artest can give them the defense, and that ever popular "toughness" to hold off the barbarians at their championship gate.

But it does add one more reason to hate the long, long NBA regular season. Shouldn't Lakers fans still be basking in the glow of a title...instead of already thinking about training camps opening in just a little over two months?

Thursday, July 2, 2009

The Post Game Interviews Will Be More Interesting

As far as human beings go, give me Trevor Ariza over Ron Artest any day. But on the court, not even close. Artest is among the elite players in the league and a raruty; a physically imposing small forward that can make life miserable for the other team's best perimeter players. Which also means that Kobe won't have to. (Remember how he compared guarding Carmello Anthony to wrestling with a bear? Remember his hands on his knees during one post game interview?) Now Ron can do the dirty work.

Another factor. The Lakers know they cannot count on Andrew Bynum avoiding injury. He might. But they can't count on it. He was supposed to give them the muscle inside they lacked against Boston. Though Arest wouldn't be guarding the same people...the Lakers are more physical if Artest is playing beside Pau and Lamar.

Locker room chemistry? Winning makes for great chemistry. The Bulls had Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan to keep Dennis Rodman in line and it worked. The Lakers have Phil and Kobe. Artest is a whacko. Rodman was a WHACKO!!!!!!

As for Trevor...he's going to make 5.6-million a year at least for a while; he got to win a championship and ride in the victory parade in his home town. He is no longer an NBA journeyman. Would have loved to see him stay here because of his character. But again...it's about talent.

Last arguement. Age. Trevor is 24. Arest turns 30 in November. But in all pro sports these days you have to go for your titles NOW. Kobe will be 31 in August. And he has logged a lot of minutes. The Lakers could be looking at a three year window to get as many trophies as possible. Yeah, at that point Trevor Ariza might...might.... be as good as a 33 year old Ron Artest. But between now and then... again. No contest.

And during those long boring dog days of the season... while we're just waiting for the playoffs.. Ron is going to say something that will spice up a lot of sportscasts. (Just say outlandish things, Ron. Don't do them.)