See the difference between these 2 game winning shots from last night?

There were some very exciting NBA games last night that didn't have to be 2 top teams going at it with each other to get viewers. What I mean is that you expect the Heat-Lakers game on Christmas to create buzz but when the 19-4 Celtics go into MSG and play an instant classic against the beat on bad team Knicks, not to be confused with Jets though both do the same thing, it has to put a smile on your face.

I am accepting defeat as Paul Pierce's shot went through. I do claim that there should've been 0.7 seconds on the clock (maybe even 0.9) as oppose to the 0.4 shown. The clock stops when the ball goes through the hoop and not when it hits the floor. With Amare hitting that miracle 3 pointer, it kinda leaves a bitter taste thinking what is (story of NYer's life!)

But this is a blogplaint and it has to do with a different exciting game from last night. The Spurs were tied with the mediocre T-Wolves and it came down to a final possession. Manu Ginobili took a hop stop dribble and sank a game winning jumper. Very similar to Paul Pierces GW but I found a very striking difference in the styles of taking what is called "a step back jumper".

Here is Ginobilis:

I can't imagine what the definition of a travel is at this point. It seems to be pretty clear that Ginobili picked up the dribble and his left foot comes down and then does the step back hop. If you watch Paul Pierces winner against the Knicks you can see a more clean step back:

Pierce maintains his dribble with his right hand while stepping back and the hop is a continuation of that. However, by Ginobili, it appears he created ALOT of space by simply stepping back then jumping. Seemingly impossible to defend when a player does that and I don't understand why nobody on the T-Wolves cared to argue. The simple theory is that at that point, they realized suffering a defeat like that isn't so bad and helps them get that #1 pick rather than fight about it and acting like you even care about the record. 

The gem that is lacking from the Spurs that we got to see from the Celtics is the post shot celebration. Chad Ochocinco must've texted Pierce after the game "I can give lessons for $400/hr if you want". When your star player hits a GW shot, 99% of the time, the team runs to that player and mobs him. But the Celtics are no typical team, they are a bunch of egomaniac smack talkers who all took their own shots at the Garden crowd.

Heres a picture that captures what I am talking about:

As you can see, Nate, who had absolutely NOTHING to do with the Celtics winning, is still on the floor from completely failing when trying to jump on Pierces back for what seemed like the 10th time. Seriously, how touchy do you think Nate Robinson is in the locker rooms after seeing him like that in public? Garnett, who first grabbed his crotch as if hes guarding it from Nates wondering hands, is bowing to Spike Lee as if to say "Thank you, I avoided an upset and couldnt play a stitch of interior defense but Pierce bailed us out but you know its really ALL ME" and Allen who is just running around looking for someone to hug but couldn't because Pierce and Garnett were too busy checking themselves out in the imaginary mirror. Seriously, if the line "act like you have been there before" ever meant something, its here! Amare hit a 3 pointer that would've been 10 times more dramatic since at home, after Pierces crushing shot, beating a 19-4 rival, yet all he did was run to his bench and jump around with his teammates. (Yes it ended up going under review and overturned but the first instant moments it was called a basket and appeared Amare saved the team) Was anyone else wondering what the hell are these green idiots doing? Pierce spent 2 minutes running laps Santonio Holmes style and Doc Rivers was busy staring at this carnival going on the court. I am pretty sure Pierces lazy eye was still seeing the Boston fans and something told him that he was in front of people that actually like him. 

Looking forward to Friday night seeing if after Wade hits a game winner, if him, lebron and bosh have a threesome on the knicks logo at halfcourt.

Mike Vick is a moron for this...

Michael Vick article on ESPN here

I love what is going on with the whole Michael Vick redemption story- dogfighting ring, goes to jail, comeback to NFL and star again, these stories are always good for the NFL and the first big hollywood studio to buy the rights to it. But I feel like this is either a joke or Vick trying to find exactly where the line is. Congrats #7, you found the it!!!

Come on now Vick, telling the media you would like to own a dog again?!? That is hysterical. You may have gotten the most probowl votes this year but last year's halloween most popular costumes were people wearing Vick jerseys with little puppy dolls attached to them. If I can still remember those commercials from PETA showing images of pitbulls in rehab looking for a home, then it is definitely still too soon to tell the public about that itching for a dog like Lindsay Lohan gets the itch for a snort...can't be a good thing! Vick thinking of getting a dog is like Madoff asking for a position to run an investment group again! I could just picture Vick up all night in a heavy sweat saying to himself  "Just one more dog thats all I need and I'll get my fix!"


My daughters miss having one, and that's the hardest thing: Telling them that we can't have one because of my actions.


That's right Mr. Vick you will have to tell your daughter she can't have one because of your actions. That should be the hardest thing you have to say to her...of course beating out: "Hey babe, I have to go to jail for at least a year so no daddy" or "Baby girl, I lost all our money because I used your playground in the backyard for an organized dog fighting ring...oh and sorry about Fluffy though, she just wasnt a good fighter and you know what happens to bad fighting dogs right sweetie?".


Where the hell is this guy's priorities? A broke, ex-con's hardest thing is telling his kid she can't have a dog? Get her a damn cat! Unless you have some other home in Virignia that hasn't been discovered yet where cats fight over a ball of yarn and loser gets fed to the pitbulls. 


Just when fans start warming up to Vick and seeing he still has entertaining skills and can move around like no other QB, he sets himself back. Most people will find this cute and give sympathy to the Vick family for the lack of ability to get a dog. I, on the other hand, feel this is worse than that kid who held up his classmates saying "I'd like to give this whole school thing another try!" It ain't happening!

What would have made this article truly hysterical would've been had the reporter responded to Vicks comment: "Why do you feel you can't have a dog?" If it's okay for Vick to ask for one, it should be okay to ask why not. That is how you know it's too soon. First bring a Super Bowl to Philly, then you can have all the dogs you want, but word of advice, don't let your daughter ask for strong pitbulls Mike!

                                                  

This is why you never trust ESPN!

Hello readers,
The reason that I am so jolly today isn't because Yankees signed Russel Martin because he sucks. It isn't because I hit 300 pageviews (but that is awesome thanks for the love!) but rather because I can say I TOLD YOU SO! And not the Bill Simmons version where you make 20 calls and get one right then brag about it. I am 1-1 on this issue and looking forward to more in the future.

If you are reader of previous posts, of course you know I am referring to the Lebron James of baseball, Cliff Lee. After meaningless reports and articles about HYPOTHETICALS (that comes up alot now these days) of what the Yankees would look like with Lee and Sabathia versus Bostons improved lineup or the lunches that Nolan Ryan had with Lee discussing his return, we learn Lee said F U to both and went to philly.

Read ESPN Article on "shocking" return of Cliff Lee here

Now Boston fans will instantly claim the division in December as usual and other media outlets will say its because those fans spit on Lee's wife last year. But are you going to trust the same reporters who told you Crawford was going to Anaheim and Lee was going to the Yankees or Rangers? I never did and still won't! The reason can't be because fans spit on Lee because philly is known as the most ruthless city in sports (Cleveland would be here had they actually taken lessons from phily fans on how to be properly ruthless...Lebron came into Quickens smiling and left even happier). The reason this surprise signing with the Phillies happened is coming up and its going to blow your minds.

CLIFF LEE WENT TO THE PHILLIES BECAUSE THATS WHERE HE WANTS TO GO! Holy crap I just busted the story wide open. Wait how could it be? The Yankees were so close and so were the Rangers and they offered crazy money and a month ago Cashman had dinner with him in Arkansas? Here is why sports fans.

Had the news broken normally like I always beg ESPN for, this would have been "Lee talking to some teams but hasn't said where he wants to go yet" for the last month. Tell me skeptical reader, has Lee ONCE spoken to the media himself and said he loves NY or Texas??? No, then why the hell are we surprised he chose philly. He was there already and had great success with a great hitting lineup. They couldn't afford him so traded him to Seattle. But he made friends there and for some reason, between the Yankees ego of thinking they can sign everyone they want in the offseason to Nolan Ryan and Ron Washington telling people they think Lee is coming back, we lost sight of the true facts. This happens way too much in the media now (see previous post about Tarvaris Jackson coverage) and needs to stop.

The media is to blame for Lee not coming to NY- Not Cashman, Steinbrenners, Rangers, Jeters contract dealings...the media. Why? Because they made a story out of nothing and made everyones hopes go up (sound familiar, I wrote this last week) and made Lee sound like he "spurned" the Yankees. He didn't! He used their aggressive contract to get more from the other teams he actually wanted to go to! And if you are shocked, whos fault is that? ESPNs fault thats who. If they had insiders then they would know Philly had an interest and that Lee wasn't sold on Texas or NY. But they didnt as thats because there is no such thing as an insider, just someone whos job is to cover sports.

I am not going to compare this to Lebron because I know the responses already. Lebron was Jesus to Cleveland and homegrown and promised championship and other bullcrap. Fine! But its like Lebron because everyone thought it was going to be Cleveland, NY or Chicago for Lebron but he chose Miami out of nowhere. Now the Phillies did the same thing telling Lee he can pitch with the 2 Roys and Hamels and rip up the league, kinda like the Heat. Instead of being upset at the Yankees and Lee, fans should be upset at the media. Stop swinging stories to build up viewer interest and start giving facts. Enough wild speculation stories that mean nothing!

Heres a non-sport example of ESPN reporting: Minka Kelly may dump Jeter because Brad Pitt showed interest in her. Angelina Jolie would end up with A-Rod if this were to happen and we'll keep you posted on this amazing story. Yes its an amazing story but what about in 2 weeks when Kelly says I love Jeter and wouldnt leave him for anyone and Pitt says he doesn't even know who she is. Does anyone say "Who the hell reported this story?" NO! We do what we are doing now- say WOW I CANT BELIEVE SHE ALMOST LEFT HIM! How freakin stupid is America??? (Ed. Note: Never bad to create opportunity to add a picture of Minka Kelly)

I am not shocked...I am not buying this crap. I am simply waiting for the FA Tracker on mlb.com to update and tell me who signed where and that is all I need to know. This isnt Hollywood or people magazine, its sports! The mainstream of fans are men and we dont care for drama and crap and who A-Rod is dating. We care about which 6"4 225 pound super male is going to be batting in the cleanup spot and how much beer will cost at the games. Its the pansies and ESPN that are trying to convince you that you care about stupid lunches with players so they get more viewers on TV.

Quickly to give serious input on 5 year deal for Lee, I honestly don't get how nobody is thinking a 32 year old who got hit hard on by the Giants offense on the biggest stage has NO risks while getting a 5 year deal. Jamie Moyer throws 40 MPH so hes okay to throw till 100 but Lee needs his fastball to setup the changeup and hit his spots and if he starts feeling the effects of age, I can't imagine what that would do to his productivity. I am not saying he isn't a dominant pitcher now, but just something to think about with the Kevin Browns of the world nodding their head like "Hmm Mmm, know what you mean" Screw you Kevin Brown, i wish Madoff stole the millions from you since you stole it from NY! (Sorry never got to truly vent about that jerkoff)

Meaningless Stat: Miami's BIG 3 Combined 75 points in 3 straight games

The ESPN Bottomline gives a stat about tonights game between the Heat and Hornets that Wade, James, Bosh (In order of importance) have combined for 75 points in 3 (after tonight 4) straight games.

Here is why that stat is meaningless:

Take tonight for example where the big 3 combined for exactly 75 points. Rest of team: 21 points on 23 shots. I don't think there has ever been sucha team where 3 guys take a combination of 47 of 70 team shots and 32 of 38 free throws. Here is a stat I wish the NBA would implement and I always personally take into account myself when judging a game. The amount of potential points a player has versus actual points. For example:

Wade took 13 shots, 3 3PT attempts and 17 FT attempts which equals 46 potential points. He scored 32 which is 69% (pretty good!).

Lebron James took 16 shots, 3 3PT, and 10 FT which is 45 potential points and he scored only 20 total points (44%).

Chris Bosh took 18 shots and 5 FT for 41 potential points and he scored 23 actual points (56%)

Combined, had the Big 3 hit all shots and FT attempted, they would've scored 132 points but actually scored 75 (57%) which doesnt seem that impressive anymore. Compare this to the Knicks big 3 of Amare, Felton and Chandler in their last games against Denver and Washington.

DENVER
Amare- 30 out of 50 potential points (60%)

Felton- 19 out of 39 potential points (49%)

Chandler- 27 out 45 potential points (60%)

Combined 76 out of 134 potential points (57%)

WASHINGTON
Amare- 36 out of 59 (61%)
Felton- 13 out of 40 (33%)
Chandler- 16 out of 21 (76%)

Combined 65 points out of 120 potential points (54%)

Point of these stats is to show that even with Feltons off night of 5-17 shooting, had Chandler taken another 20 points worth of shots (because Miami's Big 3 always take 40 points worth each a game during 4 game run), at his rate he wouldve had 32 which means they would combine for at least 75 points too. But guys like Gallo (5 shots, 9 FT), Douglas (10 shots) and Fields (7 shots, 6 FT) take shots away from those 3 because they have more depth. The Heat don't have that since Arroyo took 8 shots and Chalmers took 5 shots and 4 FT and rest of team hardly touched the ball! The main reason why the Heat have been winning (and big 3 hitting 75 points) is because Wade is on fire scoring 30+ in 3 straight games while hitting almost 70% of his shots! If you get someone doing that, its pretty easy to ask Lebron and Bosh to take 15+ shots each and help get 75 combined! The attention should be solely on Wade stepping up...its like saying that when Peyton Hillis runs for 250 yards and 3 TDs in a game that Colt McCoy threw for 50 yards and 2 INT, that the Cleveland Browns offensive trio of Hillis, McCoy and Ben Watson (yes hes there #1 receiver) combined to score 21 points to carry the offense! Give credit where credit is due and that is to Dwayne Wade and not the "trio"

So good try in attempting to impress me ESPN but if the Big 3 were to really make a mark in the NBA, try having all 3 guys get 65% of potential points in a game for 4 straight games.


SPECIAL!

Looking at these pictures, does it look like Lebron is feeling remorse or regret for leaving that homeless town of Cleveland?

Yeah and hes in Sunny Miami Beach not Industrial Cleveland. Maybe he did it in the wrong way but man, hard to say he made a bad decision overall!

Coverage for NFL game is 99% about a player who isn't playing

Today is the day of hypothetical news coverage!

I had the pleasure of being stuck on an airplane for 2 hours with DirectTV and nothing else on but Around the Horn, PTI and NFL Countdown. What should have been my dream flight (wife was passed out cold so no option there for those with dirtier minds) turned into a nightmare. To knock off first things first, yes ESPN I saw the footage of the Metrodome collapse and no I dont find it shocking because 20 inches of snow its pretty freakin heavy and should puncture a god damn bed sheet roof. I was more shocked ESPN didnt skew the image to get rid of that big Fox Sports Exclusive logo to show it wasnt ESPN that even got the footage. But what ruined my flight was this Brett Favre bullcrap. Since when does a player get his own tab on the bottomline for being ruled  "Doubtful"? Bigger question is who the hell told ESPN americans give a crap that Favre was ruled doubtful? Seriously, Adrian Peterson, Vikings most popular and franchise player was potentially going to be benched last week for Toby Gerhart, a white RB, and he doesnt get a sniff of a tab and Brett Favre was there all day. I think it was solely to get the reporter who spoke to Favre, Ed Werder or wtvr his name is, on the ESPN map. I live and breathe ESPN so if I never heard of the guy, hes likely an intern or just took over Stuart Scott's job which would make my year but neither was the case so its probably because nobody else would even listen to Brett Favre bitch about a golf ball sized knot in his shoulder except this schmuck. I just heard that Favre is inactive for the game which fully confirms that the entire day was spent covering hypothetical situation of G-d playing a role in helping Favre get an extra day of rest so he can continue the streak and blah blah blah. Waste of a day from the NFL standpoint (see why MLB day weeked was wasted as well in my next post)

What people with a retard level knowledge of football should be screaming about his the man pictured above, Tarvaris Jackson. If I was paid to cover the Giants-Vikings game and I spent the entire day making Favre jokes or as Trent Dilfer said today "The guy doesnt know pain and is all about the team and if he felt he was unproductive he'd come out" Okay Dilfer, you wouldn't know what it means to come out of a game if unproductive because you won the Super Bowl because of your defense and special teams and Ryan Leaf couldve lead those Ravens to a super bowl win. You sucked and never became a consistent starter and if you practiced what you preached, you would've taken yourself out in that season and traded your jersey for a suit and save yourself 10 years of embarrassing football for many different teams. If Favre TRULY thought of team first, he wouldve shown up to training camp on time to get his WR in sync and if he felt he should come out if unproductive, he would've realized he throws more INT than completions and taken himself out while the Vikings still had a shot at the playoffs.

Here are questions ESPN could have pondered throughout the day that would have been more productive than what they actually did...

Question #1:
If Tarvaris Jackson is SOOOO bad that a senior citizen with a screwed up throwing arm listed doubtful had a chance to play over him the day of the game, then why the hell haven't the Vikings done anything to get a franchise QB in the last 5 years. There have been so many QB who have entered the draft or FA pool over the last couple of years and Vikings have appeared to be OK enough to not even make noise like the Angels did with Carl Crawford to at least SHOW the need for a QB. I have had no idea it was that bad did you? ESPN failed in this area.

Question #2:
What is the Vikings gameplan tonight with Jackson at QB? Do they run more with Peterson and Gerhart to play conservative or do they let him throw wild since they are 5-7 and cant get worse? This should have been answered by a 5 minute segment. You suck again ESPN

Question #3:
Is it going to play a factor that the game got moved to Detroit, a division rival turf which could have clearly made it a road game environment for the Vikings? Think about it since you probably haven't- if the Patriots were playing the Chiefs in New Jersey because Gilette Stadium wasnt available and free tickets were given out to Jets fans, wouldn't you say that the crowd would be going for the Chiefs? Simply out of spite for the division foes of course they would. So the Vikings are in Lions territory and I am sure the Lions hate the Vikings for being arrogant pricks without ever winning a title. (In game Example : Jared Allen called for the crowd to make noise on 3rd down and it was so quiet, you can hear a random guy saying screw you man)

Question #4:
If Tarvaris Jackson picks apart the Giants and throws for 350 and 4 TDs, will that mean Favre is done at QB for good? If he is done, this would be the 3rd time his career appears to be over and his final throw is an INT (fittingly!) Yeah maybe G-d gave him an extra day to try to get to 300 games but G-d also definitely wants his last throw to be a pick. If I were Favre, I would come back for one final snap and hand it off to Peterson just to show up the big guy upstairs.

Yeah these are hypothetical situations but like I said, it has been a weekend of hypotheticals so why should this be any different?

Leave your thoughts in the comments and I will respond!

(Editor Update: Brett Favre was shown on screen sitting behind everyone looking bored to death. At least Tony Romo, who is out all year, holds a clipboard and has an earpiece to pretend he gives a crap. So much for team player, Trent Dilfer...Favre thinks more like Ricky Bobby)