Hump-day thoughts

Get your mind out of the gutter. I's jus talkin' 'bout spotes. Today's edition will be a concoction of random thoughts from yours truly. They will touch on everything from the French Open to the World Cup. With that said, away we gooooo......

-You're lucky Yanks. Baker was looking strong like bull last night. Yeah, yeah Burnett was matching him pitch for pitch, but Burnett would have eventually lost control. And as the Yankee announcers have constantly, apparently just to mock me, let us know throughout EVERY Yankee-Twins game, you know, the Twins pitchers pound the strike zone. They are a constant at the top of the rankings in fewest team walks. (that was Michael Kay and Co.) Now we just have to keep this momentum through today. Two wins in a day against the Yanks would guaranteeingly put us on a roll.

-So which round will Roddick break our hearts? Third? Quarters? Semis? You know it won't be the final because Nadal is finally back up to snuff. Oh, and this is clay.

-I love how the U.S. always loses in World Cup prelims and then go on this magical run in the Cup tourney. (nervous laughter)

-One win only told me one thing about D-Howard and his mates. The didn't want to be completely humiliated. They've already been utterly embarrassed. So the C's took their collective foots off the pedal for one game? (one quarter really) It won't happen again. They are extra motivated now that they didn't sweep. In other questioning, where's all that Vin-sanity rejuvenation now? I thought so.

-Speaking of the new millennium Houdini,





You know what that space was? It was the thunderous roaring of the crowd from another dominate game from Andrew Bynum. Kristic. Yes. Stoudemire. Not so much. You'll get em next year when they are watching you torch Oden for 16 and 8, and they start comparing you to Moses. Malone that is, but I wouldn't be surprised by these deep throaters AKA analysts for any Laker game.

-Cano still sucks. He has managed to go from leading the league in hitting to battling Swisher in a higher average contest. Once again, if we remove the surrounding Hall of Famers, again tell me how good this kid would be? And that's all of them. A-Rod, Jeter, Posada(maybe), Tex(maybe), Pettite, and Mo. Put him on the Reds and he still would get overshadowed. Garbage, I'm telling you. The Yankee faithful are giving this kid a free pass and I can't believe it.

-Bay's hitting. Reyes is hitting. The pitching is still coming in by the innings. Morale is up. Go Mets.

-The Flyers are playing unbelievably well right now. Kind of reminds me of the Rays run in baseball a couple years back. The only problem is, the Hawks better mirror them. Is this a dooming sign for Chicago. Well that, and Phil Jackson 86ing any thought of coaching a Chicago team sans MJ and Scottie. Then subsequently stating that the Nets opening is intriguing. Somewhere in L.A. Kobe is sulking with his arms crossed.

-The Medowlands got the 2014 SB!!!! There is so much hysteria up here over this that you would have thought we all got a share of an infinite lottery. Who cares? I'm not going and neither are the majority of these revelers. All this means is a billion more people on top of the billion that are already here. Which sucks for me.

Til next time.

It's 10 pm. Do you know where your mama is?

So on the heels of the revelation of Delonte' West knocking down mama James (atleast now I know why he was so off against the C's), I read this morning that Amare' Stoudamire's mom's was pulled over with glassy eyes for straddling the driving lanes and speeding. Or, as we'll soon find out, drinking and driving. This is already bad enough, but Carrie Mae is supposed to have a court ordered ignition interlock device on all vehicles she commandeers. She told the officers shoe didn't know she needed it on her rented Navigator. Really? That's about a valid of an argument as Plaxico thinking it was ok to come strapped in a NY night club, or Agent Asshole bringing gats to the arena. She's lucky though that it was just drinking and driving, and not walking and breathing. I mean, it was Arizona. She could get deported for the latter.

So with that, on to the conclusion of our free agent free for all.....

Bosh
So this could be the most up in the air choice ever. Every ounce of me sees him going back home to Texas. He would be a phenomenal force beside Dirk (who will re-sign BTW), and will give a PG the chance to average 10-12 assists a night. We all know Cuban is tired of losing and needs to win now because his franchise player is a few years away from McGradytown. And he'll have the greenbacks to pay Bosh the salary he will command. But that's the thing, will Bosh go for a winner? Or will he simply go for the win, in the bank sense. Because if so, New York or New Jeruse will be the winner. This Russian owner truly seems as if he is all about basketball and his recent acknowledgement that Kiki is gone shows me he wants to win. Hell, he has to sell tickets to compensate for his, Ratner's, and Hov's big money sitting in the Brooklyn move. The last scenario would come in the form of the Cavs slashing all of their un-needed talent and breaking the bank on Bosh. A Bosh-James combo would be the epitome of devastating. For the League that is. Final verdict-the Mavs.

Joe Johnson
I'm not sure why I even am writing anything on this guy. He is a good shooter, but not someone I would even take over Michael Redd. And that's right now. Johnson is not even in the arena during big games and I'm not sure if spending big money on him is a plausible option. There is one team dumb enough to do it though and I can almost guarantee that they will. I think I did just see him looking for real estate near the Garden. And he'll be an ok complement to the Tony Parker. Oh you didn't know he was coming to the Knicks. He is, because George Hill is the one who will lead the post Big 3 Spurs into the next generation. Although, depending on what Wade does, he could end up in Miami or Chicago. All of these teams need capable 2 guards, and that is one way I would describe him, capable. Final verdict- Knickerbockers

Ray Allen
If he doesn't re-sign in Boston, which I think he will, for two years with only the first guaranteed, then he could also be a Maverick. They need a shooter to spread the floor so Dirk can attempt to grab maybe a rebound a game.
Final verdict- Boston

Shaq
Just retire already! But he won't, and he also could end up in Dallas or, wait for it, back in Miami.
Final Verdict- Dallas (for alot less money)

and lastly,

David Lee
I really hope he signs with someone who appreciates his intangibles. This guy is a beast and plays hard every minute he's on the floor. He has wasted the early portion of his career on the Knicks and deserves to be on a contender. The ideal place for him, with a nice 4 year deal, in Chicago. Having the ability to play his game and not be entirely depended upon for offense would fit him nicely. And the activity around the basket with he and Noah would be annoying to opponents.
Final verdict- Chicago

Cleveland rocks?

Since everyone, including they Grandmama are chiming in on the upcoming free agency free for all (especially now that the fan based tone has changed to "Why should we care about who's still playing?", mainly because LeBron is out of the playoffs), I figured why shouldn't I give my input. I, as we all know, represent the true variable when it comes to stars deciding their ultimate destination. I am a FAN! I have the most "knowledge" of anyone out there. Yeah it may base it self solely around my love for the (Indiana) Pacers, but so what? I don't see any of them coming to town anyways. That is if we even have a team next year. Why is it that my teams are always on the block. First it was the Twins, now the Pacers. Hey Buffalo, I'd start winning and doing it soon or you'll be singing a new national anthem at home games. (Ladies and Gentlemen your Toronto Bills?) Yet, I digress. For this edition I'll simply write a bunch of nonsense, eventually giving my take on where players will end up and why. And I'll try my best to stick to Unrestricted FA, but I can't promise anything.

Mr. 2010
I, like most, can not see LeBron leaving. Besides the fact that he is Cleveland's Mauer, actually that comparison in itself is why I think he is staying put. One thing I can say about LBJ is that he's loyal. That's one thing he made for certain by shunning all these new-age agencies and sticking with the boys that got him to the level to go number 1. So what if they weren't BAR certified agents. They have your complete best interests in mind and you, there's. Is that not what an agent should be? So add to that his $30 million dollar compound on the outskirts of Cleveland and you'll see why he'll pull a Mauer and sign a (modest) hometown discount and eventually stay. Oh best believe there will be changes though. I can not say honestly that Mike Brown is the reason they failed in this year's playoffs, but someone has to take the blame. And that person won't be Number 23 (or 6?). Expect Jamison, Shaq, Z, and maybe even Mo Williams and his incredible disappearing act, to all have new homes next year. This will be a revamped Cleveland squad, and I can see a sign and trade venture bringing into town the big man and PG that he needs to win. Who they will be I'm not quite sure because their best option (Boozer) burned this bridge a long time ago. Maybe they can put the past behind them and just play for the sake of a Championship. Boozer is too iffey for me though, and I am not sure LBJ will appreciate him taking days off. If they can't fill their needs in quality time, then expect James to sign in Brooklyn, er NJ. Which of course will leave Cleveland reeling like mein Deutschland, who just saw their chances for a World Cup title all but get shot down.

Update: The more I have thought about this the more I suspect that James may bolt. Mauer had an easy choice because we have built a productive, capable of winning team around him. So I say this with the utmost certainty, if James doesn't get an AS big man capable of double teams and a PG who distributes and doesn't disappear in the big game then he's gone. Why wouldn't he? Does he owe Cleveland so much that he is willing to sacrifice career success at it's highest level. Because if he isn't putting himself in the best position to win then what's the point? No one goes into their field to just make it. People go in expecting to come out on top. Wouldn't he be doing himself a disservice by staying with another sub par supporting cast? Wouldn't the Cavs brass also be doing the same if they don't break the bank? And the fans booed him for crying out loud!

Now as far a Wade, that's a little more guaranteed. Seeing that the Heat have the cap room for the supporting cast and Riles is threatening his yearly comeback to coaching, I suspect that the Heat are anticipating on doing whatever they need to do in order to keep Wade in Miami. They will get a big man, I believe Amare', especially after how the Lake Show made easy work of the Suns last night, or Boozer, and a PG who will come via sign and trade. not sure who that will be, but it will happen. if not, then expect Wade to go to Chicago and dominate with Rose and Co. What if the Heat signed Bosh?! Oh, man.

I have to say though that I initially thought that LBJ's best destination would have also been Chicago, regardless of how much i think Noah blows. But then my brother broke down a valid point. Why would LBJ digress his legacy just to go the Bulls? He can win elsewhere and he wouldn't have to deal with that huge "Monkey on his back" i.e. Jordan's big ass statue outside. Lebron is good enough to have his own statue. Is Wade? Yeah, but he has ties to Chicago, hell he's Jordan's new face of Jumpman. He should be the prodigal son to return Chitown back to glory. Of course this is all saying that he will turn down the billions Miami will throw at him. And considering he is being sued by not only his bonkers ex, but also partners in a failed business deal to the tune of $25 million, I don't believe he has a choice. The Bulls might end up with Joe Johnson and Bosh. Or they absolutely won't.......more on this tomorrow.

Col-lapses in heart

So whom should I rip apart first? The gutless Pens, who let a undermanned Cinderella beat you down at home to advance. Or the rest of the Cavs, for playing like the second tier players they are labeled as and coming up short in Game 5? Let's start off with Crosby's kids.

So I won't mention how the Habs have taken out the Caps and Penguins. (the two best teams in the regular season BTW) Instead, I will focus primarily on the pluses and minuses, so to speak, on why this outcome was inevitable. First off, the one thing the Pens should have taken from Montreal's first round triumph over Washington was how hard the Habs played the Caps. They were physical and unflinching. The Penguins came out soft, played harder in the middle games, and then thought talent alone would prevail over shear guts. Maybe in the financial sector, but this is hockey. I believe that after Crosby's blink and he's gone penalty that led off the game immediately threw him off of his game. This of course exasperated his frustration; an anger that pigeon-holed him into ending up with just one goal. In the series. Problem is Malkin could only match that total. Two goals from your premiere players will not, and did not get it done.
Now to the folks that earned the recognition and are still playing. I must say kudos to Montreal for becoming the first team since the new playoff system was put in place, to take out the President's trophy winner and defending Stanley Cup champs back to back. This is the equivalent of the Bobcats taking out the Cavs (well before the second round. More on that later) and the Lake Show consecutively. Amazing. High fives to Cammalleri and the netminder Halak for unbelievable playoff play so far. I love hearing about new players! And the fact that they completely upstaged Malkin and Crosby makes it even crazier. So here's to the Habs. Not only for shutting down the penguins, but doing it without their top defensive player. And here's to the Penguins for pulling a G-Men and losing with utter embarrassment in your stadiums swan song. The real kicker would be if the Flyers upset the Bruins tonight. Oh man, the Habs taking out both Penn squads. Sounds enticing.

Now to the other choker. No, not LeBron because bottom line, he is allowed to have an off game. I don't think he half-assed it. I just believe that this is what happens when an entire franchise is based on one player scoring in bunches. I, just as most, have no idea what caused LebBron to have such a piss poor game. My guess would be something completely unbasketball related. Bottom line is he had an off game and there was no one else to shoulder the load. Shaq is too old and out of shape. Jamison's shoulders are too hurt to carry a t-shirt, let alone a team. And we all know about Mo's playoff disappearing act. Mike had Scottie. Dream had Clyde. Shaq had Kobe. Duncan had Park...err Ginobili. Isiah had Joe. Magic had Kareem. Bird had McHale. LeBron....uhh..Z? Exactly. When your star has an off game, there has to be someone else to pick up the slack. Jamison has always been a dodger when it comes to the spotlight so he was a non-issue. So what happens now. Well simply, LBJ can't have another game like this. The critics say go harder, then go harder. If you don't, well ball game. The C's have been here before and I can't see them choking. All I've seen LBJ do these situations (beyond that historical night against Detroit), is come up short. What I do know is if this turns out to be another turnover laden, no help contest like last game, my next blog entry could very well be about where LeBron, and all these soon-to-be free agents, ends up this summer.

Giving Respect When it's Due

Congratulations....A-Rod. Not for your history tying homer, but for removing all doubt in my questioning as if you truly are a jerk. Instead of using Braden's unbelievable Perfect Game (only the 19th in the history of the game) as a springboard to squashing this back and forth between he and Dallas, Mr. Ego goes and trumps anything Arenas' punk ass could have done by showing that bitterness prevails over all. I don't care if you are Hank Aaron, Pete Rose, or Cynthia Rodriguez, give respect when respect is due to a man that achieves perfection at his craft. Good news though is that Rodriguez is on the wrong side of his career and Braden should have a productive career long after a washed-up A-Rod is campaigning for a team to sign him, a'la Bonds a couple seasons ago. Karma is a bitch A-Rod and Dallas' perfection should show you that. As much as he pretends not to care (although I love his Rays quip), Alex does. No one likes getting shown up. When do the Yanks play the A's again? I can't wait because this sparring match is not over. Point to Humility/Braden

In more baseball tidbits:

-David Wright is striking out waaaay too much. Check these stats so far on the young season. 108 AB 29 hits 41 K's. 41!!! That's a strike out every 2 and half at bats. How do you get half of an at bat? Not sure, but regardless D-Wright is approaching Rob Deer numbers. At a pace of 40% of your at bats and Bay so far a no show, thank God the pitching is holding up and your catchers and a Rook are saving your ass. If the Mets weren't completely overachieving, then this would definitely be highlighted. Do you understand that if he keeps this up his whiff total will reach the notorious 200 mark? That's with an average of 500 at bats. That's at bat total is annual for him. The sad part is his OnBase% is at .400. Makes you think what if.

-The Mariners finally fired their hitting coach and subsequently scored 8 runs on their way to a blow out victory. This is always an interesting phenomenon when teams react this way. Let's see how they do over the next week or two. Then we'll know whether it was the coach or the players.

I'll comment on Tiger briefly. See A-Rod's predicament. Karma is karma. Ba-leeve dat.
Congrats to Tim Clark who went 206 matches before wining his first PGA tournament. And he had to comeback from 7 shots back! See what happens when ol' Hounddog is indisposed? We get feel good stories like Lefty winning the Green jacket for his wife and Clark ending a tournament drought that could parallel a desert. Here's to Tiger "healing" and coming back more Tiger-ish.

Lastly, I would like to present a large middle-finger-you to the masses for not recognizing what Rondo is doing for the C's. The Big 3 are a Medicaid setback from being done and Rondo is single handily keeping them afloat. Did you see his stat like from Sunday? 29/18/13! Really?! And this was his fourth triple-double in the playoffs. Wow! If bitch ass Tony Parker or even Lebron would have done this the media would be blowing all over themselves. But because it is from a self assure, supposed fourth best player, then we just get a small clip. This is history right now so all you CP3, Day-ron, DRose lovers. Recognize that the best true PG in the game just might be in Beantown. Oh and Boston, that's Rondo with an R, not an H.

Here's to advancement.....

So a quick edition today. This should wrap up faster than D-Wade's divorce trial.....(screeeech), uh not so much, as Ms. Ex-DWade just filed a lawsuit against the Union. No, not the NBA Union, but Gabrielle Union, the actress/new girlfriend. Apparently the ex's beef is with her kissing and hugging Wade in front of his kids. Did you read that: HIS kids. They are also his children and isn't that what he should be doing with his lady friend. Before you think I am siding with Wade, let me tell you this. I have read a few accounts of this story and three matching points from all led me to the same conclusion. She's bitter. Why, I'll tell you. First, he has tried to settle multiple times out of court, offers which she repeatedly turned down. Knowing that they are former high school sweethearts tells me that the man I believe Wade to truly be would have offered, I am sure, a nice meaty package (no pun intended). Though, I don't personally know Wade so I could be wrong. He could be low-balling her. But I doubt it. Secondly, he wants custody of the kids. She won't give it. As lady Dunn point blank told me, "She ain't giving up them kids. No real mother would." I think she is keeping them for the alimony and child support. Maybe not, but how many NBA father's do you see fighting for the right to raise their children? Wade explains that her mental instability is one of the main contributing factors in him wanting custody. How do I know this to be a certainty? Because Ex-Wade told her lawyers (her third set of representation BTW*), that his dating Union has caused emotional strife and stress to their children. If this were the case, would he really want them? Wouldn't the kids be completely against it? Maybe they are, maybe they aren't. This all brings me to my final point, Why even bring Gabrielle Union in it? Ex-Wade stated that her strong willed movie characters and sexual deviance's on screen have led to an eerie life-imitating-art kind of result. Or, those were characters in film and ex-Wade hasn't got a leg to stand on. Regardless, it is all a little crazy. All I know is this is very convenient considering Basketball Wives on VH1 (produced by Shaq's ex BTW) is getting no ratings. LOL But seriously, I smell a need to move on here. J/S
More to come as this develops.
*Because the first two removed themselves from the case citing "irreconcilable differences". Isn't this the reason for a divorce in the first place? How strong of a case does she have if even those representing her are bailing for lack of a valid argument?

In much better news, I am so proud of Milton Bradley for seeking help. Seriously. This is America and despite my beloved Virginia going by the wayside because of ignorant representation, I believe that all people should be given the benefit of help when they recognize that they have a problem. Milton used to be just crazy. Now I see that it's so much more. Raised in an inner city, single mom who worked hellish hours and couldn't pay bills, a constant need to succeed as a way of payback to said mother. I can't help but to understand him seeing that those also explained my upbringing. Am I crazy? No. Opinionated? Very. Simply put, I just see Bradley finally for what he is. The great part is, finally, so did he. Good luck buddy.

On a final note, to touch somewhat on the title, KUDOS!!!!! to the Suns for wearing the now even more socially conscious Los Suns jerseys. Lady Dunn stated this was a must do because alot of their fan base is Hispanic. Regardless, and this is all I will publicly say on the matter, regardless of what race you are, this entire country was generated on immigrants. How is it our right to deny them the rights that our ancestors, well half of my ancestors, or none of my ancestors if you ask Va's new government, had. Yes we live in different times, but in a rotten world this is the one thing I find great about America. Through all the turmoil this truly is the still the country that allows anyone to make it. ANYONE. So should we have safe guards? Of course. But asking a Mexican if he has papers is racist. Bottom-line.

May Day?

Is it time to abandon ship? Well, maybe. There are a couple of teams/players that are having early season troubles and are an injury away from phoning in 2010. I am not saying they can't turn it around, but early forecasts look bleak. Who are these teams/individuals you ask? Heck, I'll tell ya.

This may be too early into the season to dissect, but there should definitely be panic in the Nation. Your ace (newly resigned Beckett) has done nothing but get shelled, and you're already placing your hopes on a youngster (Buchholz), and a vet who is coming off of a major injury (Matsuzaka). Lackey has been ok (he beat my Twins), but not nearly enough to stave off a completely done Papi, ageing Varitek, and injuries galore (Ellsbury and Cameron to name a couple). Not to mention Drew, Victor Martinez, and Pedroia aren't hitting consistently yet. Since I am not sold on the Bill Hall/Jeremy Hermida platoon, unless their pitching starts to come around, abandon ship is right. Although seeing how the Rays can't lose and the Yanks are the Yanks, hope might need some help like the words if, maybe, or probably. (Yes, I did just incorporate Andre 3000 in my blog) Good luck Francona.

BTW, I am assuming those who chose Cano as AL player of the month didn't read my most recent blog entry. They should have. If so, then they wouldn't have been completely wrong in their pick.

Also, a quick aww shucks to the Royals for demoting Alex Gordon to the minors. He has not hit over 16 taters or batted over .280 in any one season, and number 1 pick or not, that just ain't getting it done. Something smells very Delmon Young about him. Maybe he'll turn it around eventually like Delmon has shown this season. Maybe not. I'm hoping for the latter. Unless he comes to Minny. Actually no thanks. We've had our fill of disappointing talent. See Santana trade.

Now there were a couple of people that pulled a Red Sox and almost made me leave them out of this edition. Quick "just-barely" noms to Peavy (yesterday's shutdown performance most certainly helped), D-Train (great game against my Twinkies no doubt. But we see him again tonight so he could get right back on the list), and Grady Sizemore (batting like .100 and might have a couple RBI's, if any). I would include the rookie Heyward (he hasn't quite made the adjustment, but does have 7 homers already), but he is only 20.

Now that we have the underachievers out of the way, here's a tip of the 'ol cap to those impressing the pants off of me right now.(My chinos are sans on my legs as we speak).

My two utter surprises are the Mets starting pitching and two rookies. The first, here's to Manual and the Mets brass for sticking with youngsters who had the talent, but had problems pitching consistently game to game. Santana (his usual self, minus the Philly game) and Pelfrey (finally finding his rhythm, also minus the Philly game)are a major reason the Mets aren't already out of it. And extra kudos must be presented to their young, overachieving pen. Mejia (1.50) and Nieve (2.81) both pitched their way onto the team in Spring Training and haven't disappointed. Feliciano (0.71!!) seems like he is rewarding the Mets for keeping him as their only holdover from the mid-2000's pen that sucked dick. And please pay attention to Ike Davis. He is THAT good. He could very well steal ROY right from under Heyward's nose. Unless of course Strasburg (promoted to AAA) decides not to pitch until August, which will never happen considering the Nats tough play so far.
Just for my main man Marbles, I must say I never expected Jaime Garcia (3-1, 1.13 ERA) to develop this quickly, but Jesus!, this kid is killing. Speaking of shutdown performance. Where exactly were the mighty Phils last night? Not in the batters box.

Lastly, my I-told-you-so dominate effort so far this season goes to two people. First, my Mauer replacement Wilson Ramos. 7 for 9, 3 extra base hits, and his first RBI, all in the first two games! Yeah, I said we needed to figure out what to do with him and I was right. My opinion. Trade him for major 3rd base talent because it seems that Valencia is never gonna see the Show. We need help at third like yesterday. Who's our starter? Uh Punto, Harris, sometimes Cuddyer, the rookie Luke Hughes? Exactly. We are solid everywhere else. Now if we could just find a player good enough. My pick is.....Valencia. And trade Ramos for a front of the line starter because Baker is no more than a 3 and Liriano is our only ace. If we are to compete with the Yanks, Rays, and M's we need a true number 2.
Second, Ethier from the Dodgers. Remember last season when Manny was killing and then got suspended. This of course led to a domino effect of lackluster play offensively from most of the Dodgers batters. All that is, except Ethier. Here we are now in 2010 and it seems as if times have not changed so much. Manny is out and all those hot bats have cooled, most notably Kemp, who I big uped in an earlier blog entry. All, that is, except Ethier. All he's done in Manny's absence is post Triple Crown numbers(as of May 3rd), leading the NL in homers, RBI's, and average. His sweet swing should be talked about more. He'll be an All-Star this year and in coming year's. Hey, does he play 3B?