07.18.08
Posted in Basketball, Baron Davis at 3:02 pm by addisport
It’s about time Baron Davis is removed from the “Favorite Ballers” page. Basically, he hurt my feelings and I’m not sure if I’m ever gonna recover. Seriously.
I don’t care what the situation is. It’s over. So in the interest of moving on, I’m going with the next best thing/Warrior (above): Monta Ellis. This is a bad dude. Can you say 20.2 points per game, 5 rebounds and 3.9 assists? That’s right.
This quiet, unassuming future all-star is being moved onto the favorite ballers page because he, along with Stephen Jackson, is the man, and I have a feeling Chris Mullin and the gang see their future tied to his abilities.
There’s one thing though that I have to ask of him: Find your swag. I’m not talking about walking around Oracle Arena like you’re a pimp with Warrior girls on your arm. I’m not talking about getting spiffy with Don Nelson because he’s not giving you the ball enough. I’m not talking about acting like your the team diva and therefore you can do no wrong. NO.
I’m talking about (rather writing about) how you, Mr. Monta Ellis, need to take over games and not only act like you know what’s going to happen, but predict it as well. I need you to take ridiculous shots (only every now and then) and make them — just to solidify your baller status. I need you to mean mug every single opposing player that thinks they can D you up, and then follow by breaking their ankles.
Look, there’s a lot of responsibility being put on your shoulders Monta, now that you’re a favorite baller and all. Can you live up to the hype? I suspect so. I wouldn’t put you on the page otherwise.
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07.17.08
Posted in Football at 8:38 pm by addisport
This is the time of year when I go from being Mr. Friendly to the not-so welcome loan shark. And at the same time, I’m being hounded to join some league or another, to complete the 16-field requirement for a friend’s ultimate fantasy football league in which every single transaction and thought has a fee to it.
Right now, I’m in two leagues and I’m waffling on a third. One is a free (something I demand I do every year) and the other two are paid for leagues, with the fees ranging from $25 to $100. I run the $25 league — yes, I am keeping it cheap for my friends and I with “journalism money” to work with.
Then there is my coworker’s league (ad rep I might add) and it’s $100 to enter, including a fee for every transaction and trade you can think of (maybe that too). Anyways, he’s hounding me to join up to complete his uber cool league and then we can make some real money … or lose a lot of this monopoly currency he thinks I have.
I’m not sure if I fully understand the reasoning behind charging people for every transaction — to put a greater emphasis on the draft?!?!? Isn’t fantasy all about making the managerial decisions you want at the time you want, so long as some idiot is willing to trade? I wouldn’t give that up like my birthright to the Rockefeller fortune.
This year is going to be juicier than others. Not only is there the general excitement of the newbies, rookies and free agents, but I’ve got an inkling that a certain number of returning stars and championship caliber teams have something to prove…. eh hum … New England.
Here’s a quick look at each division:
NFC East: Why is there no one giving the N.Y. Giants, defending Superbowl champions, this division? I’ll tell you why: Because the Cowboys look like they can kick their ass any day of the week and when they did lose last year they looked like they were uncharacteristically off. The hope is that the ‘Boys will figure it out and next time play accordingly. They still have more talent, and the Giants now have less. Everyone is else is hogwash.
AFC East: This is the most lopsided division in football. I should end this entry with just Patriots. Sorta reminds me of the scene in Fun with Dick and Jane, as Jim Carrey finds out he’s being indicted, he runs around and out of the house yelling, “INDICTED …. INDICTED…. INDIIIIIIICTED!!!” The Dolphins, Jets and Bills could just scream Patriots for two whole weeks of the year and no one would think them crazy.
NFC West: This is the weakest division of the NFL. It has been now for more than three years. Every time we think it’s getting better, it gets worse. The only thing more depressing than the revamped Arizona Cardinals and fledgling St. Louis Rams is (no surprise) the San Francisco 49ers, who continue to be the laughing stock of pro football in their can’t-pass, can’t-run offensive quagmire.
Luckily, things are turning around for each division team, in a sense that they will be more than competitive. This is also the one division that is more wide open than any other, although I see Seattle pulling ranks sooner rather than later. Keep your eyes on who is behind center for the red and gold. It could determine a lot.
AFC West: I wonder, every night before I go to sleep, can LaDanian Tomlinson do it by himself? Matter-of-fact, he might have to because the San Diego Chargers aren’t going to get any more help on offense and they aren’t going to be the running team they should be. But even then, I still think the bolts have an upper hand over the Chiefs and Raiders easily. The Broncos may be more competition than is expected, but the division is still the Chargers to lose. And it all falls on the knees of Mr. Tomlinson.
NFC North: Brett Favre … BRETT FAVRE… FAVRRREEEE!!!
AFC North: I thought the Baltimore Ravens could’ve beaten the New England Patriots last season if it weren’t for some very favorable calls for the Pats. On the other hand, that doesn’t mean they are a top to bottom better team than the Bengals or Steelers. The Bengals have bungled their 2005 success and Marvin Lewis may find himself on the hot seat (sorry, not the Budweiser one). This all while the Steelers continue to be the solid force and rock in the division. I shouldn’t disregard Cleveland either but they always find a way to screw things up, whether it be with a timely injury or an interestingly ridiculous draft choice. This one is in the tank for the Steelers though — hands down.
NFC South: Goodbye Michael Vick and hello Matt Ryan, alleged savior of the Atlanta Falcons and the salary cap … errr … the economy. With $30 million guaranteed, I almost feel like Ryan should be able to snap the ball to himself and toss the football 90 yards while dodging Julius Peppers and Mario Williams and serving ice cream cones to little kids in the stands. Sadly, he won’t make a dent in this division.
If anything, the NFC South is owned by Tampa Bay Buccanneers who will be fending off an erratic New Orleans team (they’re always up and down). Jon Gruden seems to always pull out the best football team from nothing. This year should be no different.
AFC South: Marvin Harrison will come back with a vengence. I see it in his eyes. When he like was half way accused of shooting a guy, I couldn’t help but think to myself, “that must be all that pent up rage after losing to the Patriots.” A fully healed Harrison is the equalizer in the entire AFC, but it also puts Peyton Manning and the boys right back in the division lead. Watch for David Garrard to be killer though as the Jags remain a threat. I’ll give Houston a couple of more years before I take them seriously.
Why is it that the Tennessee Titans don’t deserve any credit? One name: Vince Young. I don’t trust him. He hasn’t adjusted well and I’m still waiting for him to have some real faith in his teammates. Here’s hoping for him to learn to pass first, run second.
More NFL coverage coming, with specific profiles on Hot teams. That’s right, the Dolphins get no space on this blog. Holla.
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07.16.08
Posted in Culture, Football at 9:02 pm by addisport
Can’t say I remember a time when somebody flashed the Crips signs or threw up them Blood fingers in an NFL game, but that’s the worry these days: Some ghetto boy who can’t leave the ‘hood behind him is going to be dumb enough to flash a “gang” symbol. Now, the NFL is making it a priority to look into it, hiring investigators.
How dumb. Not on the part of the NFL that is, but on the players for provoking this. Apparently Paul Pierce (pictured above) was the inspiration after being fined $25,000 for making threatening gestures at an opposing bench. It was an eye-opener said Mike Pereira, the NFL’s vice president of officiating.
“We were always suspicious that [gang-related hand signals] might be happening,” Pereira said. “But the Paul Pierce thing is what brought it to light. When he was fined … that’s when we said we need to take a look at it and see if we need to be aware of it.”
All I can think of is a cheesy soap line: These are the days of our lives…
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Posted in Culture, Media, Steroids, Baseball, Morality, Roger Clemens, O.J. Simpson at 6:03 pm by addisport
The New York Daily News’ I-team is reporting that Kirk Radomski … the Kirk Radomski … has found his shipping receipts for packages of steroids he’s sent to Cheater No. 2 (aka Roger Clemens) to help solidify the case against him.
This is what I like to call a slow death. Everything is unraveling for this former great. His wife is accused of injecting steroids. He’s charged with perjury. His son is badgered with questions. Shoot, the I-team is working so hard they have a list of women they’ve found to be connected to the ex-power pitcher.
I wonder, does he ever think he can just hide and it will all go away? It certainly doesn’t work for O.J., Michael Jackson, Barry Bonds and every other disgraced star we once idolized.
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07.15.08
Posted in Golden State Warriors, Basketball, Baron Davis at 11:52 pm by addisport
There’s a rumor in the Golden State Warriors organization that the brass weren’t trying to re-sign coveted point guard Baron Davis in the first place. In fact, from what’s being said, the Warriors only wanted to go after the Washington Wizards’ Gilbert Arenas. I’m guessing they still miss him like I do.
The rumor also reveals why Baron Davis had no loyalty to the Warriors, a team which was his team. Apparently, when the Warriors management was getting ready for the free agent market to open, they expressed interest in Arenas, who told the team he would come aboard if Davis stayed. Some of this was partially reported in the SF Chronicle. But the Warriors weren’t interested in the both of them, they just wanted Arenas. In the following days, Davis opted out and Arenas reconsidered his deal with the Wizards. He’s still currently on the market.
I’m guessing this is about the time Elton Brand and Davis starting having these alleged conversations, but it makes no difference. Davis was already miffed about the situation with Arenas and felt like it was time to move on, pointing a very large finger of blame back at Warriors management.
I happen to think this rumor is more fact than fiction because it gives a better motive than what has currently been presented as Davis’ reason to return to his hometown of Hollywood. I mean, how many careers have been buried under the bright lights of Clipper-dom? So yeah, this gives room for pause on two different levels. 1) Why can’t the Warriors management keep the team’s favorite players (a la Jason Richardson, Antawn Jamison, Arenas, Chris Webber, Tim Hardaway, etc.)? 2) Why did Warriors management consider Davis expendable?
Is there any trust or truth in this whole mess?
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07.09.08
Posted in Oakland A's, Baseball at 11:32 pm by addisport
I can’t stand it when big trades go down and they always favor the “other” team. So when Billy Beane traded away Rich Harden for two bags of wheat and some cornflower, I had to sound off.
Check out my column in The Union.
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07.07.08
Posted in Culture, Media at 1:31 am by addisport
I must have stopped about 10 to 15 times in the last three months and wondered when I was going to sit down here and blog again. I’ve been a busy man, but that is no excuse.
You know those lame New Year’s Resolutions everybody gives themselves, knowing that they break them within the first two months. It took me a little longer than that, but I broke mine. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to be proud or if I should continue to punch myself every time I get my StatCounter report. Either way, opening up my browser every day to see a worthless blog is about as inspiring as a dog licking peanut butter.
I was supposed to be blogging at least twice a day for five days of the week. (Shit, even bloggers need days off.) But I ran into a scheduling conflict.
I was named the “online community manager” at my newspaper in about March and started the job on the fly mid April. What that basically means is I ceased having free time to deal with my Web site and have had to attend to demands of the beast, as I like to call it. Some days, I feel like Captain Ahab. But that’s another story.
What’s an “online community manager” you ask? Basically, I deal with all things Web related in an editorial sense. I make sure the stories look nice and pretty when they’re loaded and I promote features on the site. In addition, I do quite a bit of moderating. If you’re aware of the volume of visitors small newspapers receive, it’s a bit of task (much unknown to Addisports.com). But nonetheless, it’s a task I’ve taken up heartily and have sees some success with. A big part of my job is creating dialogue.
If you’re ever bored or just interested in small town politics, visit the Web site. You might get a kick out of the letters to the editor. They’re always a good source of laughs and/or anger. I generally find myself cursing under my breath and wondering how I ended up in such a town. And then I realize I cover sports and the idiot disease can’t touch me there.
That’s right, sports is my bubble. Generally speaking, people who participate in sports are generally cooler than folks that don’t. They’re much more easy going and a lot less stressed. I wrote in my column recently that the best part about Nevada County is the people. I should probably clarify that I mean the good folks that make it such a vibrant sports scene, are the best part of Nevada County. I need those good nature people in my life. I guess that’s why I don’t mind doing this dual job, being the “online community manager” and sports writer all at the same time. It keeps me balanced but at the same time it’s killing this blog.
At the end of the day, I can continue to make renewed promises to write here more and more, but I know it’s not going to be the same. It definitely won’t be five days a week with multiple entries. But I’m sure as hell gonna try. More than anything, this is venting for me. There’s so much crap that goes on in sports, particularly with celebrity athletes, that I can’t help but chime in.
So while the blogoshpere is run by more interested men and women, that is not my objective (yet). Nope, I just want to bang out a couple of random thoughts and rip wannabes and crybabies. Isn’t that what every sports writer wants to do?
Wait and see on this one. I’ve got something coming and you won’t want to miss it.
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06.27.08
Posted in Sacramento Kings, Basketball at 1:10 pm by tim
Normally I think it’s a little ridiculous to grade a draft five minutes after it ends. The true value of a team’s draft probably won’t be known for years. But who can wait years?! Besides, I need to kill some time at work, so here we go…
Why an A? Why an extra +? Cause I’m being optimistic. That doubles as my optimism grade. Plus, as of today, none of the three players the Sacramento Kings drafted have pissed me off. I’ll leave the booing to New York, the ultimate pack of morons. How much did it cost you to get in there and boo your team’s future? Do you even wait to hear the name anymore?
It could’ve been better I’ll admit. It seemed like Arizona point guard Jerryd Bayless would drop to the Kings and be a huge steal at No. 12, but of course the Pacers took him at No. 11 and ruined my life. I was also hoping Memphis guard Chris Douglas-Roberts would fall into the Kings’ laps at No. 42, but guess what? Gone at No. 40.
Instead the Kings get power forward Jason Thompson from Rider in the first round. Never heard of him. Never even heard of his school. Frankly they both sound made up. But I trust GM Geoff Petrie, who’s first round draft history includes Peja Stojakovic (14th), Jason Williams (7th, uhh, turned into Mike Bibby), Hedo Turkoglu (16th), Gerald Wallace (25th), Kevin Martin (26th, Western Carolina), Francisco Garcia (23rd) and two guys I’m hopeful for - Quincy Douby (19th) and Spencer Hawes (10th). Pretty much nobody but Petrie and the Kings scouts liked this year’s pick.
“He is a 6-11 power forward with some three skills who averages 20 points, 12 rebounds, three assists per game and is a tremendous all-around player for a big guy,” Petrie said of Thompson. “What really impressed us was his ability to dribble the ball, pass the ball and run the floor with his size. We think again that he will be a multi-dimensional type player for us.”
Head coach Reggie Theus pointed out that Thompson began his high school career as a guard before outgrowing the position as another positive.
“The fact that he grew slowly (means) he handles the ball for a big guy extremely well,” Theus said. “(It also) means that after he can rebound the ball he can also become a ballhandler on the break. He runs the floor really well, and just gives us some size and athleticism around the basket, which we really need.”
So there. It’s a scientific fact. In the second round, Sac grabbed Virginia guard Sean Singletary, who I’ll assume is the next Chris Paul, and Georgetown bench warmer/towel boy Patrick Ewing, Jr. I’ve seen Ewing play and … he seemed kind of crappy. But when you look at his stats … they’re pretty crappy too: 6.1 points, 4.2 rebounds in 21.7 minutes. But hey, that’s in the past. Let’s hope he turns into his dad and the Kings hit on all three draft picks.
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06.12.08
Posted in Sacramento Kings, Basketball, Morality at 5:05 pm by tim
I dedicate this to everybody who called Kings fans, Kings players and Kings coaches crybabies or whiners in 2002. Former NBA ref Tim Donaghy, who has admitted to betting on games, including ones he worked, has now alleged in court papers that the Kings - Lakers series of 2002 was tampered with. The document, submitted by his lawyer, reads:
“Referees A, F and G were officiating a playoff series between Teams 5 and 6 in May of 2002. It was the sixth game of a seven-game series, and a Team 5 victory that night would have ended the series. However, Tim learned from Referee A that Referees A and F wanted to extend the series to seven games. Tim knew referees A and F to be ‘company men,’ always acting in the interest of the NBA, and that night, it was in the NBA’s interest to add another game to the series. Referees A and F heavily favored Team 6. Personal fouls [resulting in obviously injured players] were ignored even when they occurred in full view of the referees. Conversely, the referees called made-up fouls on Team 5 in order to give additional free throw opportunities for Team 6. Their foul-calling also led to the ejection of two Team 5 players. The referees’ favoring of Team 6 led to that team’s victory that night, and Team 6 came back from behind to win that series.”
Team 5 is the Kings, Team 6 is the Lakers, and Douchebags A, F and G are Dick Bavetta, Bob Delaney and Ted Bernhardt. The three allowed L.A. to take 27 free throws in the fourth quarter alone. They scored 16 of their last 18 points at the line, while centers Vlade Divac and Scot Pollard both fouled out trying not to breathe on Shaq.
“My first thought [upon hearing Donaghy’s allegation] was: I knew it,” Pollard said Tuesday night. “I’m not going to say there was a conspiracy. I just think something wasn’t right. It was unfair. We didn’t have a chance to win that game.”
“This is a hard one to swallow,” Pollard said. “If it’s ever proven, the league owes me a ring. I guess I can’t really say that, because it doesn’t change much. It just breaks your heart.”
Anyone who watched the game, including honest Lakers fans, knows that should’ve been the end of the series. Instead, the Lakers won game seven and the championship over a weak New Jersey team.
NBA Commissioner David Stern had his chance to respond to the allegations, and basically said that Donaghy was a felon with no credibility and that his claims were “baseless.”
How can he be so sure? How can he dismiss the idea so quickly? The felon and cheater was employed by the NBA for 13 years, and Stern had no idea.
He might be right, but he needs to wipe that smirk off his face while he answers, cause I’m not laughing. I don’t think it’s funny, I don’t think it’s ridiculous, and I’m not satisfied with his answer. If anyone wants to argue that there wasn’t a conspiracy, then they have to offer an explanation for the officiating. How could it be so bad? It was more than the volume of calls that came just when the Lakers needed them, it was the calls themselves (e.g. Bibby’s bloody face fouling Kobe’s sharp elbow).
Stern also acted like this was old news. Apparently the NBA launched a $1 million investigation after Donaghy got caught. But I don’t know how thorough it was because Delaney said nobody has tried to contact him about the game. You would think you’d be interested in talking to the refs involved in this game.
I’m still not convinced there was an explicit conspiracy, but I have to think the league wanted a game seven and the refs knew it. Most importantly, perception is reality. Nobody trusted NBA refs before Tim Donaghy. Stern’s casual brush-off isn’t acceptable. Kings fans have never gotten over that series, and especially game six. Saying “Don’t worry about it” isn’t good enough.
As crazy as it sounds, Donaghy getting caught might be the best thing that could’ve happened. The NBA needs a revolution in the reffing department. Get rid of all of them and start over fresh. Right now, people are convinced that corrupt or just plain bad refs are costing their teams games, series’ and championships. Referees robbed the Kings of a championship in 2002, and I’m just one of the many who are pissed off about it.
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05.30.08
Posted in Basketball, Morality at 8:51 am by tim
Finally, the NBA (National Free Throw Association) is doing something about the flopping trend. ESPN is reporting that the league will impose fines for “clear cases of flopping.” They still haven’t worked out most, or any, of the details, but this is the best move David Stern has made since … submitting his resume to be commissioner of the NBA. Manu Ginobili, you’re working for free next year!
Hopefully this is just the first step. Suspensions should be coming for repeat offenders. I’m not opposed to fining the refs who reward the most obvious flops. Some are going to argue that determining what is or isn’t a flop is too subjective, and they’re partially right. But nearly every call in an NBA game is subjective. There are times when we just know they’re flopping. It’s common sense and a simple calculation of player size - like when Tony Parker was whistled for knocking over Pau Gasol last night. There’s a simple test to use to see if a player just flopped - if he goes down and I say, “What a bitch,” fine him! Playoff notes:
- I wonder if Paul Gasau smells as bad as he looks like he does.
- For as excited as I was for this year’s playoffs, especially in the West, most of the games haven’t been all that exciting.
- They should just have each team shoot, say 150 free throws, and see who wins. At least that way I won’t be expecting a basketball game.
- The NBA refs are still the worst in sports, by far.
- That said, it was a great no-call when Derek Fisher jumped on Brent Barry’s head at the end of game four. I don’t want a game decided like that.
- Sasha Vooyachitch has a girl’s name, girl’s hair, a girl’s headband holding down his girl hair, and we can only assume, a vagina.
- I wish Kobe wasn’t such a baby and didn’t complain every time he missed a shot. He’s also the only player allowed to cuss at the refs and swing his arms at them without getting a technical.
- I hate the Lakers.
- That said, I think this Lakers team is much better than the team that won three straight championships. I still say much of that team’s success was based on big fat Shaq being able to do whatever he wanted, elbow whoever he wanted out of his way, while nobody could graze his jersey. As much as I hate the 2008 Lakers, they’ve got talent all over the place.
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