Top 10 Ric Flair Matches
June 24th, 2010 by Jamal Dincuff No comments »Is John Wall The Next Nate “Tiny” Archibald In Waiting?
June 24th, 2010 by Erik Landau No comments »A zig, a zag and then a bucket. A zig, a zag and then an assist. These were common occurrences during Nate "Tiny" Archibald's career.
He was a five time All-NBA and 1981 All-Star MVP. These were just part of the accolades in the former UTEP Miner's career. He cannot simply be measured by his statistics however, since he endured injuries that ravaged his career from being even more explosive.
Explosive. A nice word to explain John Wall. Laffy Taffy would also be a great description of John Wall. He can stretch and contort himself into lengthy positions, but still come up sweet in his production.
When watching Wall play at Kentucky, one could see many of the same features in him that were in Archibald. The way they traverse the whole court, speeding by opposition and putting up a left handed floater off the backboard. Penetrating the lane then kicking it out to a teammate for an open J. Plays that shadows Tiny in many ways.
These are lofty praises for a kid who has played only one season at the college level versus a Hall of Fame player in Archibald. One should list in their mind what the pro's and con's for Wall's success are before making these comparisons of course.
The first factor has to be his fitting in with the Washington Bullets (I mean Wizards). Can he establish himself next to Gilbert Arenas? Is he going to play Point Guard or Shooting Guard is also a decision that has to be cleared. The chemistry issue is always a problem. If this is not cleared up, he could see himself out of the playoffs for a while to begin his career.
The second factor that has to be determined is if he can handle the league at his size. Like Iverson, Thomas and the aforementioned Archibald, he lacks the size right now physically. He does stand (6'4'') but has a small build at this current point and does not resemble Dwyane Wade at this given time. The brutal force of an 82 game season on his body will be a good indication of his success.
The pro's that have to be penciled in, are that he has a better vertical than Tiny did, and that he does have the extra three inches in height. Maturity will always be questioned in a young athlete, but I believe his head is sound and we will see smooth play from him.
I wouldn't expect a 34 Point, 11.4 Assists per game output from Wall (Archibald's 1972-73 season), but he should be electrifying. Are my beliefs in Wall's abilities a little high? I believe they are, but that is what makes watching Wall's progression so fun.
Ritter’s Rant: News and Notes From Around the NHL
June 24th, 2010 by Mark Ritter No comments » “Boo-uuurns”
Talk about your stupid decisions.
The Hockey Hall of Fame committee decided in their infinite wisdom to leave former NHL coaching guru Pat Burns off their list of inductees this week.
Burns, who is terminally ill with cancer, may not have long to live.
You got to think it would have meant a lot to Burns to see himself inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
But now, having been passed over, Burns may pass not being able to celebrate what could have been a tremendous moment for both Burns and hockey.
While many see this as a cry for pity, I will remind everyone that Burns owns some of the best numbers in NHL coaching history, including three Jack Adams Awards, a Stanley Cup ring with the New Jersey Devils and a record of 501-353-151-14 through 1019 career games.
Let’s face it, Burns is going to make it into the Hockey Hall of Fame at some point.
Would it have killed 14 of the 18 committee members to have voted him in?
Bye-Bye Nabby
Not sure who can possibly replace the stellar goaltending of Evgeni Nabokov in San Jose.
Truth is, Nabokov is an elite level goaltender, who, for whatever reason, never seemed to be able to win the big playoff games—although his teammates have had a lot to do with that over the years as well.
As good as the San Jose Sharks have been, it will be tough to find a goalie that can win you forty plus games a season (which Nabokov has accomplished three years in a row).
The way I see it, San Jose is likely going to give backup Thomas Greiss a chance to earn the starting role next season, while bringing in a veteran like Marty Turco into the fold just in case.
Griess, who played in 16 games last season, posted a 7-4-1 record, a .912 save percentage, and a 2.68 goals against average.
With many NHL teams going cheap on goaltending the Sharks have sent a clear message that they would rather have depth at forward and defense rather than the consistency of Nabokov between the pipes.
And you know what?
It’s a good decision.
Debate amongst yourselves...
MVP, Yeah You Know Me!
Congratulations go out to Vancouver Canucks forward Henrik Sedin, who emerged from the NHL’s Award Show with the coveted Hart Trophy as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player.
Sedin, who many say scored the quietest 100 plus points in NHL history, beat out the likes of Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin to take home the Hart, and deservedly so.
Not only did Sedin led the NHL in scoring (29 goals, 83 assists for 112 points), he also put the Canucks on his back throughout their struggles, which, at times, he had to do without his brother Daniel, who missed 19 games due to injuries during the 2009-10 season.
Great job Mr. Sedin!
Niedermayer Will Be Missed
When the news of Scott Niedermayer hit the airwaves I was not shocked, just disappointed.
Niedermayer will go down as one of the best defensemen of all-time.
The NHL is weakened having lost him.
Horton Hears a...Where Is He Going?
While nobody is shocked that Nathan Horton was dealt, more than a few NHL fans were surprised at where he landed.
The deal that sent Horton and Gregory Campbell to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Bruins defenseman Dennis Wideman and the 15th overall selection in this year's NHL Entry Draft sends a clear message—the Florida Panthers are rebuilding from scratch.
Needless to say, current Panthers Bryan McCabe and Steven Reinprecht may soon be on the move, as will goaltender Tomas Vokoun—who would be a nice fit in San Jose (although I don’t think it happens).
It was a good move for both teams, but Boston got one hell of a player in Horton who I feel will be an all-star this season playing with all that talent in Boston.
Spezza Make Me Wanna Spew!
Let's point out the obvious, shall we?
Jason Spezza's recent comments that he would not object to be traded makes me sick!
Just as the going gets tough and with a massive contract in his pocket, Spezza has decided that maybe it's time to move on from the Ottawa Senators...hmmm...where have we heard this line of crap from before?
Suck it up Spezza—you "Sally!"
Honor your contract, do the work, and quit whining...you owe the Senators that much, don't you?
And, for all you Toronto Maple Leafs fans out there that think that Leafs general manager Brian Burke is going to make a move for Spezza—last time I checked Burke hated players who wanted out.
Simply put, it ain't happening!
Capped Out?
The NHL has announced that the salary cap will be set at $59.4 million for the 2010-11.
That’s up about $3 million from last year's salary cap which was set at $56.8 million, giving NHL teams a little more money to sign unrestricted free agents and round out their bloated rosters (i.e. the Chicago Blackhawks).
“Buffed"-Out?
Fresh off the presses is news that the Chicago Blackhawks have moved hardworking fan favorite Dustin Byfuglien along with Brent Seabrook, Ben Eager, and Akim Aliu to the Atlanta Thrashers in return for the 24th overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the 54th pick, Marty Reasoner and prospect Jeremy Morin.
For the record, the Blackhawks face the Thrashers Saturday, November 6th in Atlanta.
I bet Duncan Keith is looking forward to defending Buff!
Better yet, I wonder if Buff will take a run at that little pip-squeak Patrick Kane?
For more NHL news and notes check out my recently overhauled website at www.theslapshot.com
Until next time.
Peace!
Dickey, Mets Shut Out Tigers in Another Home Win
June 24th, 2010 by Sammy Makki No comments »NEW YORK-- R.A. Dickey is becoming an absolutely amazing story for the New York Mets. The 35-year-old knuckleballer continued to roll tonight, shutting out the Tigers over eight innings of work. He allowed four hits, walked two, and struck out four, while only throwing 97 pitches.
It didn't start off easy for Dickey though. He got into immediate trouble in the first, loading the bases with his only two walks of the game. With two outs, he got second baseman Carlos Guillen to groundout to second to end the inning, without allowing a run to score.
In the Mets' first, they had the big opportunity to score a run, as Jose Reyes led off with a triple off Jeremy Bonderman. Unfortunately, for a rare time, the Mets couldn't bring him in from third with none out, as Angel Pagan struck out, and David Wright and Ike Davis grounded out.
R.A. Dickey never really struggled for the rest of the game, as he allowed a hit in each the second, third, and fourth innings.
In the third, the Mets broke through against Bonderman, who hasn't won back-to-back starts since 2007. It was a two-out rally, as Jose Reyes singled, Pagan walked, and Wright doubled a run in, his 56th RBI of the season, to lead the NL.
In the fifth, again with two outs, Jose Reyes homered to left field, giving the Mets a 2-0 lead. Reyes went 3-for-3 with three runs scored, a double short of the cycle.
While Dickey was rolling with his knuckler through his final four innings, the Mets were doing what they've done all season, tack on runs. They scored three in the seventh off Bonderman, Joel Zumaya, and former Yankee Phil Coke.
Henry Blanco and Ruben Tejada singled. Zumaya relieved Bonderman and immediately walked the pitcher Dickey on four pitches while he was trying to bunt, loading the bases with none out. Jose Reyes grounded into a fielder's choice as Blanco was thrown out at the plate by Carlos Guillen.
Angel Pagan was pinch-hit for by Jesus Feliciano, who drove in a run with a groundout, making it 3-0. Pagan winced after fouling a ball off in the fifth, and after the game it was revealed that he left with muscle spasms.
After Feliciano's run-scoring groundout, David Wright walked. The lefty Phil Coke came in for Zumaya, and after throwing two nasty sliders to Ike Davis, he threw one too many, as Davis ripped a single to right, scoring two more.
Dickey had a shot at a complete game, but Jerry Manuel wanted Francisco Rodriguez to throw some pitches after not pitching in five days, so he brought him in. Rodriguez allowed a single, (what else is new) but ended the game, as the Mets shut the Tigers out 5-0.
Dickey improves to 6-0, winning his last six starts, with an ERA of 2.33. The Mets have now won 12 of 13 at home, as they are 26-10 at Citi Field this season.
They will go for the sweep tomorrow night, with Hisanori Takahashi pitching for the Mets, opposite Mr. Imperfect game Armando Galarraga.
*NL East standings (top 3 teams)
Atlanta 42-29
NY Mets 41-30 (1)
Philadelphia 37-32 (4)
*does not include ATL result
Series probable pitchers:
June 24
New York: Hisanori Takahashi (2010: 6-2, 3.13 ERA) vs. Detroit: Armando Galarraga (2010: 2-1, 3.32 ERA)
Upcoming schedule:
New York Mets:
June 24 vs. Detroit Tigers
June 25-27 vs. Minnesota Twins
Detroit Tigers:
June 24 @ New York Mets
June 25-27 @ Atlanta Braves
Apologize All You Want Nick Saban, but I Don’t Care Anymore
June 24th, 2010 by Paul Smythe No comments »Nick Saban essentially apologized to the Miami Dolphins in an interview recently.
Nick Saban was the Miami Dolphins head coach for the 2005-2006 season when he helped the team to a 9-7 record. There were rumors late into the season that Saban might become the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Saban constantly denied these rumors and said he would stay with the Dolphins. When the end of the season rolled around in Miami, what did Nick Saban do?
He rolled out.
He became the head coach for the Crimson Tide.
According to the Shutdown Corner Blog on yahoo.com, Saban said that next time if he could, he would "manage it differently." He apologizes "for any professional mishandling that might have occurred."
You can apologize all you want Saban. I don't care. You lied over and over about staying in Miami and then you just left.
The worst part is that Saban is apologizing now. Instead of apologizing soon after the whole incident, he decided to wait four years later to apologize. He waited until his team had won a national championship game and he had fans all over Alabama supporting him.
It's easy to talk from a high horse. Let's see how much he apologizes when he isn't winning.
I'm willing to bet that pretty soon the fans in Alabama won't be so gung-ho about their coach in a year or two. They may love him now but don't be surprised if he starts to lose and they start hating him. But by that time, he will have probably left the team for another program that is willing to pay him with a fatter contract.
Let's just hope he doesn't return to the NFL and ruin another team. Unless, of course, he joins the Jets or Patriots. Then, we can count on either team falling apart and then our schedule will be a little bit easier for a few seasons.
Please check out my blog for more posts on the Dolphins: Dolphin Shout
