RIP Fellas

Today, I want to state, it’s been a great season. One filled with surprises and unexpected greatness. Yet, on this Father’s Day, my dad would have enjoyed the events which are about to unfold in the Los Angeles Staples Center in a few hours. No, this is not a salute to him, but to the hometown Lakers who are about to break the hearts of millions of fans and bring to an end a season which went well beyond anyone’s expectations. It’s the unexpected winners of the NBA Western Conference who are about to walk out on the court for the last time this year to mercifully bow down to a powerful Boston Celtics team and hand them yet another championship.

My father would love the irony. His adult son and diehard Lakers fan dealing with the angst of Lakers fans during his early to mid 20’s when each summer it seemed, the two teams would do battle. Each time, my Lakers would come out on the short end of a Bill Russell led Celtics team. He was the one he reminded me it was a long seven game series in the mid 80’s when the two basketball titans renewed their rivalry. My early celebrations or dejected looks after series openers have given way to a semi-ambivalence to early games in a series.

It’s with that, I watched this team walk into Boston and contend with fast whistles from refs and cold shooting to lose. No panic, this was not my team playing at it’s best. Game two I had hoped might be a steal, but again early whistles seemed to hamper their play early on. A fast and furious comeback allowed them to save a little face and head back to LA with some hope. Their best basketball was yet to be played.

Game 3. The announcers say it, the Analysts say it, the old man used to always tell me Game 3 is the make or break game in a series (actually he said 3&4, but I am being dramatic here). Indeed these Lakers came out and.. squeaked out a win. Then Game 4 and the real Western Conference Champs appeared… for all of the first 20 minutes of the game. With a foot on the throat of the Celtics and finally some even calls, I recall tuning out of the recording I made of the game thinking it was over and was off to bed. It was a click on to the Washington Post’s website which sent me spiraling. They f*n lost??? WHAT?? Indeed, this last four minutes of the first half I believe showed why Boston won (aside from the momentum changing fraudulent blocking foul on Bryant against Pierce in the closing minutes).

1) The G-Force : Garnett became the number one option when the Celtics went into their half court set. Guarded by either Gasol, Turiaf or Odom, KG abused his defender and got to the basket or found the open man on a slow double team by the Lakers defense. I suspect tonight will be much more of the same as the Lakers only hope to stopping this…

2) Bynum: Has FINALLY had surgery on his knee. I am not sure what the trainers/medical staff for LA has been doing the past few months, but to wait until the playoffs to diagnose the true severity of Bynum’s injury is nothing short of amazing. The ONE person this team has who is young enough, talented enough to keep KG at bay is sitting on the bench in street clothes. And…

3) Gasol: Has shrunk from being a solid number two option in the Western Conference playoffs to a matador. His lack of speed shows as he can no longer get open anymore and unable to rebound. Not sure but this sounds a lot like…

4) Odom: who like the above mentioned Gasol, has turned into a big pumpkin before our eyes. Saddled often with fouls due to his reckless ways when driving to the basket and lowered scoring production… is it just me or does the man just not want to dunk the ball?? His flipping the ball in is the most frustrating things.. noo.. I take that back… the MOST frustrating part of this team is…

5) Jumpshot-itis: against an opponent that does not give hard fouls and is consistently collapsing down on Kobe, this team finds it faaar more rewarding to settle for a 20 plus foot jump shot or unnecessary three pointer attempt than to drive in for the easy basket. Lacking the rebounding presence of the foul plagued and star struck Gasol and Odom, this team continues to shoot up miss after miss after miss. Against a slower Celtics team, these Lakers seem content to stay as far away from the basket as possible. Sure Jordan Farmar and Kobe drive to the hole with success. But others seem far more concerned with chipping a nail or getting bumped around. The more you drive, the more likely you are to get calls as you initiate contact with the defender. Also, just as the old man tried to teach and Shaq & Bynum love to show off, the closer you get, the higher you percentage of shooting is.

All I can say is… it has been quite the season. I look forward to watching KG or Pierce being named Finals MVP tonight after two very long and distinguished careers. Kobe will get his gold medal this summer completing two thirds of Michael Jordan’s league MVP, Finals Championship/MVP and gold medal season. Bynum will hopefully recover in time for the start of the season and this team will start the new season as favorites to win it all. However, tonight… the Celtics will dance.

Fellas, get your fishing hats ready.

Rick, Felix and the Lakers

So Lenway put out her wish list. It's months later and.. well hell, there's nothing different. Oh, the Boyz did sign Zack Thomas... great free agent pick up . Look, if Parcells didn't want to keep the scrappy All Pro middle linebacker from Texas Tech why should we make a play for him? Oooh, and to make up for handing us a concussion plagued linebacker, we hand over a starting linebacker and back-up tight end to the Dolphins as well. Huh? What spell does Parcells have on you Jerry??

The draft has brought a little relief. What I am reading about Felix Jones and Marcellus Bennett have my eyes open. Jones has some speed and size. I saw replays of his punt/kickoff returns... umm.. I don't think he will be the one handling those duties for very long. As far as playing a back to back up Marion Barber, I like it. Barber showed in the final games of the year (especially the playoff game against the Giants) he is not a 25+ carry back. At least not just yet. And why make him one? Lengthen his playing career by giving him a reliable back-up (something Emmitt Smith nor Tony Dorsett ever had). Bennett is supposedly going to make me forget we didn't go out and get a reliable compliment for TO. Terry Glenn? maybe a couple of years ago. Last year exposed us, our need for someone on the other side to take away the triple coverage. Patrick Craytron wasn't that guy. Bennett is supposed to be. It was a rookie mini camp that garnered all the attention.. we shall see.

I am not supposed to do this... however... as I live in the Great State of Confusion, I am wondering... what was the thought process behind getting a White version of the Little General? Rick Carlisle?? The man who couldn't get the Pistons over the top (Larry Brown did that the next year), the man who took a strong Pacers teams and allowed them to fall to the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Seriously, Mav fans should be yelling for refunds.

Nice ditch and run Pat... real nice.

Stan Van Gundy... tell your guys not to fret. You will get them there someday soon. Rashard Lewis was a step in the right direction last year. I did not get to watch much of the series with Pistons, but I am willing to wager the Magic are one great shooting guard away from getting rid of the Piston's monkey on their back.

Lakers, tonight. Game 5. We need this. thus far, this series has really hinged on where it was/is being played as far as the foul calls are concerned. Lakers got them at home (Boozer in foul trouble both games one and two) and not on the road (Fisher with a gash and no call.. nice one). If you figure out how to shut down Deron Williams, the Lakers should take it. If Kobe's back holds up, I see this coming back to LA for a game 7.

The real interesting game comes up tomorrow, I believe as the Spurs get the Hornets back home for game 6, it could be one of the games of this playoff series. The Spurs are not losing at home too often, yet, the Mavs defeated them in a must win situation similar to this two years ago. It can be done, but will it? As is always the case, Parker vs Paul will truly be the big test. David West is having the playoff series legends are built upon... who is covering him?? I say look for a Spurs win tonight.. and big setting up a game 7 back in the Big Easy.

The Celtics and Cavs... I don't know.. don't like either team so I really could care less. A part of me would love to see the Cavs-Pistons rematch from last year's Eastern Conference Finals. Cleveland's win was such a huge shock, I think Detroit players walked around all summer with their bottom lips dragging the ground. Don't worry Detroit, your Red Wings seem to be picking up the slack for the basketball team. I digress... Celtics Pistons has the ring of a great '80's playoff series... that I oddly find myself on the odd side of. I am rooting for the Celtics to win the East. It's a better match up for the Lakers than the Pistons. Detroit is really good even if it has a sucky coach. Someone needs tot each him how to coach some D. He's fortunate these guys learned from Larry Brown. Celtics take the Cavs in 6

Finally... from overseas... congrats to MANCHESTER UNITED!!! YES!! Winners of the Barclay's Premiership Cup for a second year in a row!!! YESS!!! Now, onward to Moscow to face the dreaded and despised Chelsea club for the final in the Champions League.

That's all for now..
-J

Shop Til We Drop

As of tomorrow, Feburary 29th, the shopping for free agents can begin. I feel that our Dallas Cowboys need to address the positions of RB, WR, CB, and OT(if we fail to maintain Flozell Adams).

I would like to personally issue an A.P.B. (All Points Bulletin) for the following free-agents:

CB

Marcus Trufant Ht: 5-11 Wt: 199 Position: CB Date of Birth: 12/25/1980 Experience: 5

Asante Samuel Ht: 5-10 Wt: 185 Position: CB Date of Birth: 01/06/1981

OT

Sean Locklear Ht: 6-4 Wt: 305 Position: OT Date of Birth: 05/29/1981 Experience: 4

Jordan Gross Ht: 6-5 Wt: 300 Position: OT Date of Birth: 07/20/1980 Experience: 5

RB

Michael Turner Ht: 5-10 Wt: 237 Position: RB Date of Birth: 02/13/1982 Experience: 4

Tatum Bell Ht: 5-11 Wt: 212 Position: RB Date of Birth: 03/02/1981 Experience: 4

-Kay Lenway

Who is Getting it Done?

With the Texas Longhorns Basketball Team currently being #5 in the NCAA and after viewing the Monday night game against Micheal Beasley and the Kansas State Wildcats. I think it is important for you to know, who is getting things done. This is the team who posted a 25- 10 record in 2007 and endured the leaving of the 2007 AP Player of the Year, Kevin Durant to the NBA.

This team up til this point has maintained a 24-4 record with two Big 12 Conference losses. While looking at Sports Center on their some times one sided reporting of sports we the viewers are constantly pounded with the leadership of D. J. Augustine since Durant left. Although his 19.1 pts and 6 assists are very important to this team, also is the play of Sophomore F/G Damion James and Junior G A.J. Abrams.

Is this team better than last year, we won't know until after the second round of the NCAA Tournament. But, I personally feel the team is coming into their own, they appear to gel as a team and showing improvement on team defense. I sense everyone is willing to do their part instead of waiting for one person to carry the load.

-Kay Lenway





Sources: http://www.texassports.com/
http://www.espn.com/

As The Season Begins

I hate the Patriots, but I respect them. I look and I see a tough team to de-throne on the path to the super Bowl this coming year. the D is healthy, added some great free agents including Randy Moss. Their main competition in the AFC, the Colts, did very little to help their cause in my opinion. So as long as the Golden Brady stays healthy, I smell a cake walk to the big game where they will face....

The Dallas Cowboys. Now, before going off and calling me a homer, I have to ask, why not? Does one bank on the Bears with their qb issues? Sexy Rex isn't going to make it past week 5 and his back up , wait, who is his back up? Whomever he is can't be that great or he would have unseeded Rex. The Saints? Good question why not the Saints. At the end of the day, I don't trust the defense. They let a two bit qb and some large tailbacks run them out of the NFC championship game. Did they shore up that defense? I don't really think so. I could go on and on. Bottom line, Dallas has fewer holes and a ton of talent which was held back under the reins of Big Bill last year. The only true question is whether the new offensive coordinator is truly ready for the big time.

Firing Off Shots

• This weekend’s game against the Eagles is the start of a nasty stretch of games for my boys. That before Thanksgiving they play the Colts, at the Panthers, at the Giants and Tampa Bay. If they can walk into Dec atop the NFC east by two games, I like their chances for making the playoffs,
• I like Julius Jones... on another team. Marion Barber really seems the better fit for the style of offense Parcells likes to run.
• Parcells is going to walk after this year. Either voluntarily or otherwise.
• Unless someone can truly get some pressure up the middle, Headbussa and Pat Watkins are going to lead this team in the running game.
• The Redskins are going to start a run again. Much like their slow start last year, this team takes a minute to get it together. I truly feel when my Boyz go to FedEx field later this year there will be a very different team across the line from them than the one they faced a couple of weeks ago in Texas Stadium
• What happened to the Bengals?? What was that?? The AFC TRULY confuses me now. A hapless looking Denver team, who lost to a mediocre Rams squad and eeek'd past the Chiefs, walks into Foxboro and dominates the Pats. These same Pats turn around the next week and throw it down in the Jungle against the then undefeated and dominating Bengals?? What gives on that one?
• The Saints, the Cowboys, Seattle, the Eagles are a few of the teams I think are not as good as people think nor are they as bad as some of their play has suggested. Most certainly the surprising Saints with that big win two weeks ago against the Falcons. I am just not sure how many of these teams will be playing come January.
• The Raiders need to just dismantle and try again…
• The Lions, the Texans, the Cards and the Dolphins were teams I just knew were going to do well this year. But dayum….

• This is the weekend of the annual Shootout in the Cotton Bowl. Last year the Horns shook that monkey off their back by not over coaching as had been done in the previous two years. Will the same hold true this time around? Will Greg Davis let his backs run wild on OU’s defense or will he try to out fox Stoops and try to win with trickery? Look, you lost to the Buckeyes by screwing around and not running it down their throats. The better team did not win that evening because of you; please don’t make it a second loss for the same reasons.
• I hate to do this, but can any league top the matchups that come from the SEC on a weekly basis? Just on strength of schedule alone they should rule the poles. Year in, year out, it’s amazing the matchups they have. I am looking at the Gators against LSU this weekend and am thinking poor LSU. They just faced Auburn, still have to go to Tenn. and could still end up not making the SEC Championship game because of that one league loss. Playoffs need to come!
• Michigan is going to make the match-up with OSU really interesting at the end of the year. All Lloyd Carr has to do is win out and even if they lose in the Rose Bowl, he will have saved his job another year. Lose to OSU and I think he is out the door. Not that he should be, but I think it’ll happen.
• Mike Shula as well. I will say I don’t believe he has had nearly the talent he once had, his teams are just getting trounced in the SEC. That can’t sit well among Tide fans for too long.
• Did Miami really almost lose to U of H?? Coker is sooo gone. It’s too bad because he had done a decent job of running a clean winning program.

The Dance Will Begin Shortly

As I live in Texas, not alot of people around me appreciate my love of this time of year. March Madness. The flipping stations back and forth, wall to wall college hoops. Men and women. The women I will get to in a second. I have my teams. My favs. first and foremost, I am a Horns fan. Now, i don't know if they will make it past the first round this year, but I love my Horns. Then, UNC. I have a strange relationship with this school. That's another sidebar. I really do like their chances to do extremely well. I follow UK (go Tubby), Louisville (I go back to the McCray days), Az, Ill and anyone who is playing Duke. Yeah, let me be clear about this, I dislike Duke. I actually started off loving those upstarts in Cameron when it was Johnny Dawkins and the boys. They were attempting to unseat the mighty Carolina juggernaut. UNC had defeated G'town in the first college basketball game I recall really watching. I recall wishing the worst on them for beating John Thompson's boys. A Black coach winning the Dance?? Even I knew at that young age it would be big. Thus, for the remainder of his time in school, I rooted against Jordan, Perkins and the gang. The four corners, the defense the whole bit. I looked to Virginia with Ralph Sampson to beat this team. Didn't happen. Fast forward a few years. Duke's upstarts have left and are replaced by a cast that includes Bobby Hurley and Christian Lattener.