Sports News: Team Match ups.

LOS ANGELES (AP)—A position-by-position look at the match ups in the NBA finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.

CENTER: Andrew Bynum vs.Kendrick Perkins. The Lakers sorely missed Bynum two years ago against the Celtics in the finals, when he was sidelined with a knee injury. He’s back now but still has knee problems that have limited him to only about 24 minutes per game in the postseason. Perkins, an excellent defender, will look forward to an easier cover after having to defend and be defended by Dwight Howard in the last round. Edge: Even.

POWER FORWARD: Pau Gasol vs. Kevin Garnett. The match up that could swing the series. Garnett easily had the better of it two years, but Gasol is much tougher than he was then and is having a terrific postseason. Still a top defender, Garnett scored at least 18 points in every game against Cleveland in the second round, then managed more than 10 only once against Orlando. Edge: Lakers.

SMALL FORWARD: Ron Artes vs.Paul Pierce. Artest will drive the Lakers’ fans and coaches nuts with some bad shots, but all will be forgiven if he can do what Los Angeles couldn’t do two years ago: defend Pierce. Pierce’s offensive game is back on track after he had to sacrifice scoring while defending LeBron James in the East semifinals, so Artest will have to be at his best. Edge: Celtics.

SHOOTING GUARD: Kobe Bryant vs.Ray Allen. Bryant comes off a magnificent series against Phoenix in the West finals, averaging 33.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 8.3 assists while making 52.1 percent of his shots. He wants this one badly after the Celtics held him in check in their victory two years ago. Allen, still one of the NBA’s best shooters, scored 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting in Boston’s regular-season victory over Los Angeles but was limited to seven and shot just 2 for 10 in its loss. Edge: Lakers.

POINT GUARD:Derek Fisher vs. Rajon Rondo. Rondo has been one of the best players in this playoffs, but he’s taken a lot of bumps along the way and wasn’t as spectacular in the conference finals as he was against Cleveland in the previous round. Still, his athleticism makes this the one match up that should definitely favor Boston. Fisher still can be counted on to hit a big shot somewhere along the way, as he did in Game 4 of last year’s finals. Edge: Celtics.

RESERVES: A lot depends on the health of the Celtics, who watched Davis and Wallace get banged up in the previous round. If the Celtics are healthy, they are deeper. Tony Allen will get plenty of chances to defend Bryant. Edge: Celtics.

COACHES: Phil Jackson vs. Doc Rivers. After the Celtics delayed him two years ago, Jackson won his NBA-best 10th championship last June. Rivers carefully monitored his aging stars’ minutes late in the season, even as it cost the Celtics wins. The most intriguing part of the coaching matchup this year could be the rumor mill: There’s talk that neither will be back with his team next season. Edge: Even.

LAKERS IN 6 ( My game by game summary, holla at cha Boy)

GAME 1 LAKERS BY 15

I think Kobe will set the tone for the series in game one. Don't look for a big game scoring wise from Kobe, he will be more of a facilitator. Look for a big game from Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. Fisher's offense will suffer because he will be spending a lot of energy on defense trying to contain Rondo. Look for Ron Artest to score in double figures which will take up much needed slack in the scoring stats. This series is tailor made for Josh Powell to be effective off the bench. The Lakers will use a lot of fouls at the point guard position (combination trying to stop Rondo from driving to hole and help defense when the ball goes in the paint). One of the 3 reserve guards for the Laker needs to have a big game (Shannon Brown should be extremely effective because he will be able to take Rondo or Ray Allen off the dribble)

GAME 2 LAKERS BY 5

Boston will make major adjustments, but look for Kobe to have a monster game (40+). He will be the difference maker.

GAME 3 BOSTON BY 12

Don't panic Laker fans, home cooking and an advantage in free throw attempted will be the difference in this game. Look for Kevin Garnett to be aggressive early in the game and don't be surprised to see Gasol, Odom, and Artest in foul trouble. Kobe will get his points but his shooting percentage will be horrible.

GAME 4 BOSTON BY 3

This will be a very close game. Boston's bench will step up and make the difference. Don't be surprised if Michael Finley plays quality minutes to give Boston a lift. Rasheed Wallace will have a big game as well. Lakers front line will again be neutralized by foul trouble. Laker's bench will suffer. Kobe will pace himself in this game, playing more for the length of the series than to spend energy trying to dominate every game.

GAME 5 LAKERS BY 7

Derrick Fisher and Kobe Bryant will shine. They will carry the Lakers in this game. Look for Jordan Farmar to add valuable points to the stat sheet.

GAME 6 LAKERS BY 15

As a team the Lakers will smell blood in the water. The Laker's bench will be huge in this game. Kobe unleashes for another 40 points. Game, Set, Match, Lakers in 6. Kobe Series MVP and 1 for the Thumb.

Sports News: Seahawks abruptly waive RB LenDale White

SEATTLE (AP)—The uncle for running back LenDale White says his nephew is “confused” and “broken up” over the Seahawks’ decision to unexpectedly waive the running back just weeks after a draft-day trade that brought him to Seattle from Tennessee.

Herman White told The Associated Press in a phone interview Friday night that he had been speaking with the former USC star throughout the day.

“I have no idea what happened.”

The uncle said he does not know what’s behind a report that White was facing a four-game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy. He said he was due to speak to the Titans’ former leading rusher later Friday night or Saturday to find out more.

“He was surprised,” Herman White said, adding LenDale told him this week how great his second NFL chance was going with his former college coach, Pete Carroll. “I’m pretty shocked, based on what he’s been telling me.

“His emotions and all … he wasn’t doing good (Friday).”

Seahawks general manager John Schneider announced the surprise move just over a month after he traded a couple of lower-round draft picks for White and defensive tackle Kevin Veickerson.

“It became apparent at this time that LenDale was not ready to be a member of the Seattle Seahawks,” Schneider said.

He did not elaborate.

NFL Network, citing unidentified sources, reported that White was “likely” facing a four-game suspension.

“We have not announced any such suspension,” league spokesman Greg Aiello told the AP Friday night. “I have no other information on it.”

The list of players enrolled in the league’s substance-abuse program for a prior incident, and therefore subject to discipline, is confidential.

The 25-year-old White set touchdown records and won two national championships with Carroll at USC. He was seemingly getting a second chance as a pro in Seattle—maybe to even become a starter again—while being reunited with his college coach.

Issues with weight, work ethic and the emergence last season of Chris Johnson cost him his job with the Titans.

“I was a lot younger in my mind, honestly,” White said Monday of his early seasons in the NFL. “I put myself in a lot of situations.”

Now he’s in another one.

“He understands what position he’s now in,” Herman White said. “He’s got to recommit to rectify what’s happened.”

The Seahawks gave up on White after he had only limited chances to display his work ethic—and months before he was even going to put on full pads. He participated in just one minicamp and a handful of organized team activities on the practice field before the team waived him.

White had lost more than 45 pounds over the last year and a half. He was down to 220 in his brief stay with the Seahawks.

White said he wanted to get back up to 228 pounds for this season. Seattle’s starting job seemed within his reach as Carroll opened every position to competition.

He missed one day of organized team activities this month. He said on Monday there was some “family stuff I had to take care of.

“I think in the last six months I’ve grown up a lot more,” he said.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus did not return phone and e-mail messages.

Earlier this week, White said he felt great. He again thanked Carroll for rescuing him from his dead end in Tennessee.

“Going from ‘SC, back-to-back national championships to not playing at all, it’s a life-changing thing,” White said Monday. “But I’m still here. Pete gave me another chance. I don’t think I’ve been this healthy since I was 18 years old.”

Carroll had said Monday that the team would see how everything fit together with White.

“He’s got a long ways to go to get back in here with this club, but we’re going to certainly wait it out and see how it does,” he said.

The wait lasted all of four days.

“It just did not appear to be the right fit at this point in our program,” Schneider said. “We wish LenDale all the best with his future.

Sports News: Andrew Bynum Has Knee Drained.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP)- Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum troublesome right knee was drained of excess fluid Monday.

Bynum hopes the procedure will allow him to play closer to full strength in the NBA finals against the Boston Celtics. Los Angeles hosts Game 1 on Thursday night.

“It was getting worse,” Bynum said. “The swelling wasn’t leaving, so they had to do it. I was doing the treatment, but it wasn’t going anywhere.”

The Lakers discovered a small tear in Bynum’s meniscus during their first-round playoff series against Oklahoma City, and the injury has limited him since. He still has started all 16 of the Lakers’ playoff games, averaging 9.1 points and 7.7 rebounds but playing only 24 minutes per game.

Bynum expects to return to practice Wednesday. He has sat out most of the Lakers’ recent practices to rest his knee.

Coach Phil Jackson said Bynum is likely to be limited, but should play against the Celtics. Bynum’s low-post defense could be valuable after two previous playoff series against teams that couldn’t match the Lakers’ height.

“I’m out there for whatever they ask me to do, any amount of minutes,” Bynum said. “You don’t come this far just to say, ‘OK, I can’t go any more.”’

The Regulator

The only person who didn't under estimate the Phoenix Suns was Charles Barkley. Phoenix took the playoffs by storm, slaying giants like a modern day David. They stood toe to toe and blow for blow with the Lakers. In every boxing match at some point a fight will break out and the suns hit the Lakers dead in the mouth and didn't back down.
Just as every champ faces the up start number one ranked contender and finds a way in the latter rounds to muster up a title defense, so did the Lakers. If ever a series brought out the heart of a champion, it was this one. This Laker team showed a resolve and a toughness like never before. They countered every run that Phoenix made. As Champions do, they found a way to win.
Now its back to the grill again, Boston Gardens, Celtics, Lakers, and an under tone of payback. The saga continues for the quest of one for the thumb in the historic career of Kobe Bryant. The key lies not in Kobe's hands, but in the hands of Ron Artest. The match ups in this series are tailored made for Ron. He has spent the last 2 series chasing down some extremely athletics forwards, now he faces a more conventional in the paint Paul Pierce. At times Paul will stretch the court and throw up some threes, but not at the likes of Kevin Durant or Jason Richardson who Artest had to face. Paul's lack of speed plays to the tune of the strength of Ron Artest.
If you remember the Chicago Bulls back in the day, there was one individual to me that made the flow of the triangle offense complete. Horace Grant. Because of the attention that Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen drew, Horace Grant often had open 10 to 15 foot jump shots. We saw this happen by design in the series against the Suns more so then the actual flow of the triangle offense with Ron Artest being given open shots. What makes Artest the key to this series is he can stretch that 1o foot jump shot into a 3 pointer. This will force Boston to switch on pick and rolls to protect the 3 point line giving way to an open lane for Kobe to dish and dominate in the paint without the worry of a double team.
In games past, the Celtics have always been able to double Kobe in the paint and clog the lane. I guarantee you, if Ron Artest can average 20 points throughout this series it will be very hard for Boston to beat the Lakers.
Granted we need for everyone else to play their normal roles offensively and defensively, but so as Ron goes, so will the Lakers go.

Back 2 The Grill Again.

I hope everyone peeped out game on the locker room interview on TNT when Michael Cooper presented the Western Conference Championship trophy to the Lakers. There was no celebrating, no clowning, no smiles. The Lakers have a championship attitude, this game just gives you a shot to win the title and that's it. The Lakers are about business and don't get it twisted Pay Back is coming, recognize it when you see it.

1979 World Series Champions "We Are Family"

The 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates had 98 wins and 64 losses and captured the National League East Division title by 2 games over the Montreal Expos. The Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds to win their 9th National League title, and the Baltimore Orioles to win their 5th World Series Title.

Opening Day lineup

1. SS Frank Taveras
2. CF Omar Moreno
3. RF Dave Parker
4. 1B Willie Stargell
5. LF Bill Robinson
6. 2B Rennie Stennett
7. C Ed Ott
8. 3B Phil Garner
9. P Bert Blyleven

The Pirates became one of only six teams in the 20th century to have won a World Series after trailing three games to one. Two of those teams were the Pirates, in 1925 and 1979. The others were the 1903 Boston Red Socks (in a best-of-nine series), 1958 New York Yankees, 1968 Detroit Tigers and 1985 Kansas City Royals. Five Pirates had 10 or more hits in this series, a World Series record.
Willie Stargell at 39 was the oldest player to win MVP honors for both the National League and the World Series. In the World Series, he hit .400 with a record seven extra-base hits and matched Reggie Jackson's record of 25 total bases, set in 1977. Stargell, pitcher Bruce Kison, and catcher Manny Sanguillen were the only players left over from the1971 World Series, when the Pirates faced the Orioles. Orioles' pitcher Jim Palmer, Mark Belanger, and manager Earl Weaver were the only ones who were still with the team that faced the Pirates in 1971.

Game 1

October 10, 1979

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Pittsburgh	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	1	0	4	11	3
Baltimore	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	6	3
W: Mike Flanagan (1-0) L: Bruce Kison (0-1)
HR: PIT – Willie Stargell (1); BAL – Doug Decinces (1)

Game 2

October 11, 1979

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Pittsburgh	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	11	2
Baltimore	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	6	1
W: Don Robinson (1-0) L: Don Stanhouse (0-1) S: Kent Tekulve (1)
HR: PIT – none; BAL – Eddie Murray (1)

Game 3

October 12, 1979

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Baltimore	0	0	2	5	0	0	1	0	0	8	13	0
Pittsburgh	1	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	4	9	2
W: Scott McGregor (1-0) L: John Candelaria (0-1)
HR: BAL – Benny Ayala (1); PIT – none

Game 4

October 13, 1979

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Baltimore	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	6	0	9	12	0
Pittsburgh	0	4	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	6	17	1
W: Tim Stoddard (1-0) L: Kent Tekulve (0-1)
HR: BAL – none; PIT – Willie Stargell (2)

Game 5

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Baltimore	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	6	2
Pittsburgh	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	3	x	7	13	1
W: Bert Blyleven (1-0) L: Mike Flanagan (1-1)
HR: BAL – none; PIT – none

Game 6

October 16, 1979

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Pittsburgh	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	0	4	10	0
Baltimore	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	1
W: John Candelaria (1-1) L: Jim Palmer (0-1) S: Kent Tekulve (2)
HR: PIT – none; BAL – none

Game 7

October 17, 1979

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Pittsburgh	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	2	4	10	0
Baltimore	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	4	2
W: Grant Jackson (1-0) L: Scott McGregor (1-1) S: Kent Tekulve (3)
HR: PIT – Willie Stargell (3); BAL – Rich Dauer (1)

Celtics 96 Magic 84

And Then There Was One.

Great game. Congrats to the Celtics and much respect to Nate Robinson for acknowledging his faith and belief in Jesus Christ during his halftime interview.

3 The Hard Way

I've never seen these 3 shots ever blocked:

1) George "Ice Man" Gervin's Finger Roll

2) Kareem "The Captain" Abdul Jabbar's Sky Hook

3) Julius "Dr. J" Erving's Slam Dunk

Holla at your boy if you know different.

Sometimes The Game Ends Before It Begins

In 1984 Christopher Scott Washburn was one of the top 3 high school recruits in the nation. The 6'11 Center out of Laurinburg Institute along with John Williams and Danny Manning were on the wish list of just about every college recruiter.
Washburn signed with North Carolina State University as well as Vinny Del Negro and Nate McMillan, forming one of the best recruiting classes in the nation.
Washburn was known on the court as an incredibly gifted athlete, Washburn combined incredible size with blazing speed for a big man with soft hands. But off the court and in the classroom was a totally different story. According to some of his former teammates, Washburn was a student in name only. It is alleged that he almost never attended classes, but Washburn remained eligible to play. While at N.C State Washburn was prosecuted for stealing a stereo. During his trial, the Wake County District Attorney introduced as evidence Washburn's SAT scores, which were below 500 out of a possible 1600 with 400 being the starting score.
Washburn only played one full season with the Wolf pack, at times displaying potential to take his game to the next level. He averaged 17.6 points a game and 6.7 rebounds, sharing time in the front court with future NBA players Charles Shackleford and Chucky Brown. Washburn's best game was agaisnt future NBA draft pick Brad Daugherty on Feb. 23, 1986. Before a nationally-televised audience, Washburn scored 26 points as the Wolfpack upset the then-ranked #1 Tar Heels 76-65. Washburn efforts on the court were over shadowed by rumors of grades being altered to maintain his eligibility.
Washburn left N.C. State after the 1985-86 season and was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the 3rd overall pick of the 1986 NBA Draft. The highlight of Washburn's career came during an exhibition game in his rookie season against the New York Knicks, Washburn scored 16 points. Tendinitis in his knee resulted in Washburn taking anti-inflammatory medicine which led to a kidney infection. On January 28, 1987, Washburn checked into a Van Nuys drug rehabilitation clinic to deal with a cocaine problem.
Washburn played 72 games over two seasons averaging 3.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. He is widely considered to be one of the biggest busts in NBA draft history. Washburn was banned from the NBA for life in June 1989 after failing three drug tests in three years. By the mid-1990s, Washburn was still trying to scrape together a basketball career in various minor professional leagues. At last report, Washburn was working in the mortgage business in the Dallas Fort Worth area.
For every player that makes it, there are 5 Christopher Washburns that don't. The first rule to college athletics is "Use the system, don't let the system use you". What I mean by that is fair exchange is not considered robbery. Play the game in exchange for an education. Don't give your effort and talent away without getting anything in return. NBA dreams are cool, but no one cares about you when your jump shot starts to fade. SAT scores and class room attendance versus final four appearances and shoe contracts, in the end they win and you loose.

Tennis Anyone?

7 time Grand Slam Champion Venus Williams defeated her first round opponent Patty Schnyder at the French Open with the greatest of ease. (6-3, 6-3) But for some reason nobody remembers the match itself, other than the fact that Venus was wearing a lacy, black dress with bright red trim on her bodice and a black overlay material that made the dress appear as if it was see through, even though it was not.
As of today May 28th, the 2nd seeded Williams has advanced into the fourth round of the French Open for the first time since 2006. Venus had little trouble Friday, putting together a 6-3, 6-4 victory over No. 26 Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia, who was a semifinalist at the clay-court Grand Slam tournament last year. And lets not forget she was wearing the same lacy black dress that generated so much buzz after her wins this week, Williams hit six aces, and her 20 winners were twice as many as Cibulkova’s total.
Lets keep it real about tennis outfits, Venus's dress was no more shorter or more revealing than anything else that has been worn in a tennis match. For some this would have been a fashion statement. For others, (Venus) its a mark of controversy. And in the sports game if you win while being controversial, that makes the original controversy even more controversial.
I think its a little too late to point the finger at one dress in a sport where all the female participants dawn some type of short, semi revealing outfit. Now when Venus comes to match wearing a thong and pasties, then you have controversy.

One Lucky Shot Deserves Another.

Game 5 was all that. Steve Nash was a beast. J. Rich went to the bank and had funds in his account. D. Fish was kill'n it. Ron Artest was shooting like a gun slinger, but kept one in the chamber that made its mark, L.O had a stealth like 17 and 13 and Kobe did his thang. The Suns are getting ready to go fishing.

ONE FOR THE THUMB, THE SAGE CONTINUES.

3 is Cut Throat, 4 is a game of Spades.

Word in the street is LeBron James, Joe Johnson & Dwyane Wade are gonna get together and chop it up about each others plans for the summer. These young cats are doing it mob style, this is like the heads of families meeting.
IT AIN'T NO FUN WHEN THE RABBIT'S GOT THE GUN.
How many meetings have NBA owners had behind close doors where they decided who was gonna go where and how much money across the board would be offered? One of the coldest lines in a sports movie was from Any Given Sunday when Jamie "Willie Beamen" Foxx was talking to Al Pacino and he said "maybe its not about racism, maybe its about place-ism". The knockout line that made that statement was " the field hands get paid."
This meeting between the top free agents for this summers draft could have crazy ramifications that will change the course of NBA history. Its possible that all could agree to not accept offers from teams only to drive up the price for maybe one, two or all three of them. They could also decide to all team up on one team, at the max price for each. Even though player meetings are not illegal, I guarantee you if this pow wow flips the script and the NBA gets hit in the pocket book; David Stern may take a closer look at these extra curricular activities.
Of course some of the owners are screaming wage fixing and the elements of collusion between this modern day 3 the Hard Way. Collusion is a secret agreement between two or more parties for a fraudulent, illegal, or deceitful purpose. Several NBA owners feel If indeed as reported the three players do meet, is it not fair to say that any decision made at that meeting could be considered collusion?
Where I come from we don't call this collusion; we call it cutting out the middle man. Why should these players sit back and let someone else decide their futures? My only question is "Did Chris Boch's invitation get lost in the mail, did he not get the text? These young cats are getting ready to pull spades and name a new trump. Sounds like 2 for 10 to me.

Don't Zone Out

For all you old school Chuck Taylor wearing, concrete courts and chain net street ballers, sporting high white socks and wave caps; could you imagine playing zone defense in a street game. NEVER. That's like a cat chasing a dog.
I remember back in the day if you didn't have any "D", you might as well kiss the courts goodbye cause nobody was gonna pick you up.
Gary "the glove" Payton , was one of those cats that would shut you down, call the police cause when he's on the court its a proven fact that he will steal. The NBA game was built on 5 players matching up and playing one on one defense.
For some reason a group of cats (the NBA Competition Committee) in 2001 decided the game was not being played the way most experts felt it should be played and that a more free-flowing, up-tempo type of game should be showcased. So the answer that these so called experts came up with was "zone defense in the NBA."
The concept of guarding areas instead of players should be left in the high school and college gyms. It is largely viewed as a gimmick to be avoided in a league in which nearly everyone agrees that each player should be held accountable for guarding his own man.