Hawks/Cavs, Mavs/Nuggets, etc.

Obviously I go to the Highlight Factory...

• Lebron James is good at basketball.... 47 points, 12 boards, 8 dimes, 5 3-pt fg, only 2 fouls.... Typical night for the King...he's absolutely unstoppable...we all know this...but when he gets every call on both ends? Even scarier...add in that he was shooting the jumper as well as he can possibly shoot it?....recipe for disaster...The fact that Cleveland got 7 points from their ENTIRE bench...and the Hawks lost by 15 at home...should tell you all you need to know...Joe Johnson was average, Josh Smith was typically dreadful with flashes of competency, Mike Bibby can't handle the ball, run a team, or defend at the level of an NBA point guard anymore, Zaza Pachulia got ejected for reasons unknown to the announcers, players, coaches, or fans, Marvin Williams only played 13 minutes even though he seemed completely healthy and was effective on both ends....I could go on for days.... I'm frustrated...this is the high point of any fan's frustration with a team.....
• And I can't compare to how Mavs fans must feel...really? You TRY to commit a foul and they won't give one to you? In a game where there were 60+ fouls committed? and then Melo hits the dagger...game over, series over...3-0 lead for Denver....done and done...I will say this...I respect the effort from Dirk tonight...33 and 16 is nothing to sneeze at for anyone....
• Yao Ming out for the year....a shame for the Rockets who really came together late....you can turn the lights out on that series now...
• Zach Greinke threw 8 IP of 1 ER baseball...and lost.... I've never seen a weirder stat line than 6-1 with a 0.51 ERA...that's almost impossible....but he's still been incredible.... 53 IP, 3 ER, 59 K, 8 BB, 0 HR allowed....speaks for itself

That's all for now...Climbing off the ledge...

Chuck Daly Passes, NBA Playoffs, etc...

Leading today is the passing of Chuck Daly at age 78... He is best known for coaching the Bad Boy Pistons to back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990 and coaching the Dream Team in 1992... Definitely an innovator and one of the best coaches ever....RIP sir....

On to less relevant things...

• Orlando beats up on Boston... If Orlando is going to get 52 points from Lewis and Turkoglu AND a monster (though foul-ridden) effort from Howard....they'll likely win... Anthony Johnson was better than I've ever seen him (and I'd know) and the bench contributed in a solid way... For Boston? Eddie House continues to be absolutely unconscious....but him only taking 7 shots in that state doesn't help quite as much...Pierce was great in the 2nd half... but the Celtics can't afford below-average games from Allen, Rondo, Perkins, and Davis all at once....not without KG to help.... Not taking too much from this...I still think Boston can steal Game 4 and even things....
• LA pulls away... All 5 starters in double figures for the Lake Show headlined by Kobe's 33...but Jordan Farmar was big...no he wasn't outstanding...but he doesn't have to be...he's a better defender than Derek Fisher at this point...he's quicker... and all he has to do is take care of the ball and be at least adequate jump shooting...he did that... and Lamar Odom was the "good Odom" putting in 16 and 13.....I need more touches from Yao....they can't stop him when he catches within 8 feet of the rim...so get him the ball...more entry passes...come on Brooks, Lowry, Wafer....Speaking of Wafer...no conscious at all...but you should've known that...same for Artest who went through a dry spell in the 3rd that not-so-coincidentally led to the Lakers winning the quarter by 10 (b/c he kept jacking)....man, I love Carl Landry's game....
• Oh you thought Brett Favre was over? hahahahaha
• MLB Roundup: A-Rod bombs in his first plate appearance....meh.... the bigger story there (by far)? CC Sabathia snapping into form with a CG shutout victory...huge stabilization for their staff.... Justin Verlander followed CC's footsteps and is officially back to his former Cy Young form... I, for once, am ecstatic about this but the effort wouldn't have happened without a LUDICROUS catch by Curtis Granderson to rob Grady Sizemore of a walk-off 2 run HR in the 9th...big-ups.... JoJo Reyes vs. Cole Hamels... I can't think of a less entertaining matchup for a Braves fan...and it went according to plan...for the Phils... Good news for Twins fans.... the 2nd most disappointing starter in the Bigs this year (behind sir Chien-Meng Wang obviously) has been Scott Baker...but Mr. Baker bounced back with 7 shutout innings....
• I've been purposefully avoided Stephen Strasburg's name... but I can't do it when throws a no-hitter with 1 walk and strikes out 17....while throwing 102 mph fastballs....the lock #1 overall pick in the MLB draft may reportedly be called up this year...no really...this year....that doesn't happen...

Big day for me....Hawks/Cavs Game 3... The only chance to make this series not SO ridiculous...the pick? Cavs by 9...

A Non-competitive Playoff Game, Manny, Bob Melvin fired, etc.

To the obvious lead...

• I can't decide of there was a bigger gap in this Cleveland/Atlanta game last night or in the payroll disparity of Major League Baseball.... Let me throw this at you....At one point, in non-garbage time even, the Hawks trotted out the lineup of: Solomon Jones, Zaza Pachulia, Mo Evans, Flip Murray, Mario West....I wish I was kidding....this was in the 1st half... Now...there are excuses (Horford and Marvin in street clothes, Joe writhing in pain)....but that doesn't account for the fact that 1) Acie Law is better than Mario West and Solomon Jones....2) Mario West isn't an NBA basketball player....3) Mike Woodson's insertion of West in the "2 seconds left" defensive role is possibly the dumbest running subplot in the playoffs...and that's not as bad as playing him in regular minutes..... In addition to the simple personnel, factor in that Wally Szczerbiak scored 17 points on 9 shots...without hitting a 3...the Cavs shot 54%, Delonte West looked like a profilic scorer whenever he wanted to, and Anderson Varejao routinely did whatever he wanted on the block (without remembering he can't score)....let's just say it was a pathetic defensive effort...and that doesn't even get into the putrid offensive sets/plays/player movement/ball movement/ball handling/crispness/open jump shooting/finishing/et al of the other end of the floor...So all of that to say.... Cleveland by 30....Will the Hawks win a game at home now? Well, if you're gonna tell me Joe Johnson, Al Horford, and Marvin Williams will all be 80% or less, Acie Law won't play until after Thomas Gardner, and Mike Woodson will stand there with his arms crossed...I'm going to say no....okay? Okay.

Sorry for the rant....You thought I was leading with Manny huh? Okay...

• Manny Ramirez suspended 50 games...There is some question here...b/c the banned substance he was suspended for isn't exactly a steroid...now, the suspension is warranted simply b/c this drug is in the by-laws....done.... But, there's the "legacy" issue...if they never prove he was on steroids....I don't know if you can keep him out of the Hall of Fame on this alone....I heard the McGwire argument (from a legit source I normally listen to), and I didn't buy it...Manny is in a different class of baseball player than McGwire...he's the best right-handed hitter I've ever seen (Pujols will likely pass him, but I digress)... but the shock about this? I'm right there with you...he's about the last power hitter (other than Griffey) I would suspect doing this....
• Bob Melvin fired in Arizona...this is just a knee-jerk reaction...they've played 30 games....I can't get behind a guy being fired unless they are like 4-26....Yes, they are underachieving, but the lack I don't see about these early exit baseball firings is... what is Bob Melvin's role in making Chris Young hit .170? Did Bob Melvin injure Stephen Drew and his Cy Young winner Brandon Webb? Is it his fault Conor Jackson is a trainwreck at the plate? No, no, and definitely no.....so why fire him?
• Kobe not suspended, Fisher and Alston are.....this is what I thought would happen...the Kobe ruling...meh...not surprising...b/c they found an actual justification, and once they do that, you know they won't suspend him....Alston and Fisher were slam dunks to me to get canned for a game....no outrage....just slight disappointment about Kobe
• Brett Favre stays retired....ho-hum
• Jared Weaver throws a complete game 3-hitter...well, that's positively huge for the Angels, Weaver and Saunders are the only guys with a Major League pulse pitching for LA right now....
• Name that Molina....BENGIE!!! 2 bombs for the eldest Molina.... 
• .368 BA, 10 HR, 38 RBI....sounds Pujols-like right? How bout Rays young stud Evan Longoria? This kid may be scary...the 23-year-old has played 150 games TOTAL in his MLB career...and he's probably the best non-steroid-induced-A-Rod 3rd basemen in the league already (and no, I didn't forget David Wright)...More love for him please....

That'll play, that'll play...

LA/Houston, Boston/Orlando, etc.

Greetings...

• LA evens it up behind Kobe's 40....a pretty wild game to have a 13-point margin....LA came out of the gate smoking only to see their lead disappear by halftime...and then they broke it up again thanks to Kobe, some fireworks (and a hilarious Ron Artest blowup), and the utter vanishment of Yao Ming.... Yao only took 4 shots in the game....4! Yes, he was in foul trouble and only played 26 minutes...but I'm fairly certain I could get 4 shots up in 26 minutes and I'm 6'1, 155....he's the most unguardable post player in the league and possesses (at least) 6 inches on anyone guarding him on the Lakers... Did anyone notice a correlation between Derek Fisher and the Lakers Production? D-Fish had a solid game, 12 points, 4-7 FG, 3-3 threes....steady...that's all they need....
• Boston lights up Orlando...not a whole lot to this one....Boston pretty much throttled them from the tip... The big play? Rafer Alston smacking Eddie House on the back of the head...will he get suspended? Meh, I really have no idea anymore from Stu Jackson...but Orlando better hope not...their other options? Anthony Johnson and Tyronn Lue....the immortal Hawks PG tandem.... I, for one, can first hand say that they don't want any part of that.... Rondo's 15-11-18 triple double is utterly absurd and he's making more and more money by the game... Eddie House had 31...in 28 minutes...off the bench...think he was hot? lol.... The bright spot for Orlando? The big-time play from Mickael Pietrus....
• Really Pat Riley? Dwyane Wade is your main offseason goal? Oh? 
• The Braves scored 8 runs...and it wasn't an exhibition game or anything! lol... 
• Johan Santana is still the best pitcher in all of the land...apologies to Zach Greinke (who has been utterly incredible)...wouldn't you still rather have Johan? 7 innings, 10 k's, 0 ER, and now an ERA under 1 for the year...
• Carlos Pena has 12 HR through 30 games....that's 65+ pace....start the media tour! He's catching Maris! (Notice I said Maris....think about it...has anyone gotten there clean? No...)

That's all for now...slowed by sickness still..

Epic Fail...

Bad night to be an Atlanta sports fan....again....

• The Hawks get run out of the building... a 27 point loss in a game that most people thought was their best chance at sneaking a road win? Hmm...seems predictable for this team... The funny thing is...the 2 guys that showed up (for the most part) were Mike Bibby and Josh Smith...probably my 2 least favorite players on this team (until you get to the 8-12 guys but yea)....Bibby shot the ball well and wasn't absolutely destroyed defensively (still subpar, but not destroyed)...and Smith attacked the rim....now, don't get me wrong...Mr. Smith still had me screaming at the TV during some of his "jab-step, jab-step, 18-footer" routines....I can't talk about it.... lol... 34 and 10 for Lebron....what do you do?
• The Braves have lost 14 of their last 20... and are honestly a chore to watch....even for me... let that sink in...I have trouble watching this team...That's how consistently bad the offense is... Casey Kotchman couldn't hit 4th for a AAA team.. Greg Norton is the worst "professional pinch hitter" in the majors.... Garret Anderson was an abysmal free agent signing...Jeff Franceour doesn't walk still (although he hasn't been terrible at all), and the 2nd best hitter can't see the ball.... Gonna be a long season....

To non-ATL things...

• Denver goes up 2-0...I'll be the first to say Denver has impressed me...I thought Dallas would steal one... Josh Howard's early exit didn't help things for Dallas last night... but anytime Denver can get 46 points from NeNe and JR Smith...you aren't beating them in Denver...it's not going to happen... I'm still wary of this team (mostly b/c they're coached by George Karl)....but I'm liking them more and more...Billups has been there...Carmelo is one of the most efficient late-game scorers in the league (look it up) AND he pretty much carried a college team like no one had since Danny and the Miracles...so he's capable... and I love how NeNe, Kenyon Martin (defensive stopper all the sudden), and the Birdman fit into their roles....
• My god Brett Favre...go away....but if you DO comeback...Minnesota is the only place that makes any semblance of sense....and it still doesn't to me...you don't need a gunslinger when you have Adrian Peterson...
• Panic in the Bronx...the Yanks got swept...AGAIN by Boston...I'm eagerly awaiting the next Sports Guy/Jack-O exchange....
• The Dodgers win their record 12th straight at home to open the year....if they get pitching like they have....they'll win the NL...that's the best lineup on the Senior Circuit...
• Dave Bing is the mayor of Detroit...only fitting...for those of you who don't know...he's a hall of fame Guard from the Pistons...I'm hoping dearly he won b/c of his political ideals and not because he's a hall of fame basketball player...b/c that city needs quality decision making...best of luck sir

That'll do it

Houston Steals 1, Zach Greinke...

Forgive my extended absence...battling a terribly sore throat and traveling at the same time will do that...

• Houston takes Game 1 in LA....100-92....I, for one, am surprised by this...I won't say shocked b/c if you're gonna steal one, it's game 1...but the way they did it was impressive...Yao was huge (and he MUST be for them to win)...but the difference to me? Aaron Brooks and Kyle Lowry combined to absolutely smash the LA point guards (Fisher, Brown, Farmar)... and that's the big weakness for LA...and it isn't going away....and for LA also...you'll need more than 23 combined points from Odom and Gasol....In the end, Houston can make this interesting b/c they flat-out will defend and keep games close....
• Orlando wins a road game as well....This one doesn't surprise me at all simply b/c of the magnitude of effort Boston had to put forth to win that last series...they were visibly dead...and just ran out of gas after making the huge comeback....4-24 from Rondo and Allen doesn't help either... Umm...when did Kendrick Perkins become Wes Unseld? He seems to have 16 boards a night...of course...he's no Dwight Howard (16 and 22)...who led the Magic's ridiculously balanced offensive attack last night....when am I going to hear about how well JJ Redick is playing?...Interested to see if Courtney Lee can make it back for Game 3 too...
• Zach Greinke threw a shutout last night...his ERA is 0.40....he has 6 wins....umm....that's pretty...darn....impressive I must say...
• The Big 10 commissioner makes no sense...really? You want to leave it at 11 teams huh? That's symmetric....get outta here.....

And finally....

• The Cleveland Lebrons take on my Hawks in Game 1 this evening...led by the newly crowned MVP...Do I think Atlanta has a chance in the series? Not even remotely...do I think they have a shot tonight? I did...until Houston beat LA yesterday...now Cleveland has seen what can happen...they'll be ready.... Cleveland wins Games 1,2, 4, and 5....Atlanta steals game 3....Cleveland 4-1

Hawks get run...

Blogging from the road...excuse the brevity...

• The Hawks got blasted in Miami....Now am I shocked? am I even surprised? Not in the slightest....The franchise lays eggs like this...oh, did I mention Jermaine O'Neal didn't play? Or that Michael Beasley is suddenly a 22/15 guy? I can't even talk about Josh Smith.... and the refereeing (though terrible and shady) should be expected...to the point that getting 4 Technical fouls is inexcusable.... And no, I will not pick them in Game 7....against Dwyane Wade? I can't do it...I want to...I can't....
• Floyd Mayweather is coming back...the baddest man on the planet is in the building once again....please save boxing.....
• I can't wait for Celtics/Bulls Game 7... That may be the most fun first-round series I can remember...in fact, it certainly  is... but let me dispel the talk of KG pulling a Willis Reed in Game 7....that would be the STUPIDEST thing imaginable for the Celtics franchise...they are on the hook for 3 years/60 million to a guy with a balky knee already...think about that....