Lakers fail to impress

The Los Angeles Lakers followed up a winless preseason with yet another loss today against the Mavericks. Not only were the Dallas Mavericks without their best player in Dirk Nowitzki, they were also missing fellow German Chris Kaman. So the LA roster with a huge size advantage, was not able to do anything against an undersized, re-vamped Mavericks team.

The game was sloppy for the Lakers most of the way through. The offense was slow and dreadful. The Lakers failed to use their talent in any advantageous way. In fact the Mavericks not only outplayed them, but played with more urgency. It seemed like the Lakers almost assumed they were going to win and came out with no effort. This on top of the poor showing the Lakers had in the preseason, who knows how far they will go in the West this year.

New Site

Check out a new site I am working on, it deals with the greatest football players of all times:

www.kings.freshsportsblog.com

Saints Bounty Program

So is anyone else wondering if what Greg Williams got caught on video saying, was something that is said in every locker room around the league? I wouldn't be surprised if there were more coaches who said similar, if not worse things than Williams did.

The Saints ex-defensive coordinator was caught on tape saying things like, "go after his head, test his concussion, or go after the hurt acl." These are all violent and vulgar statements. But, the question is, in an already violent game known as the NFL, is this more common than people think? Just because the Saints got caught, they are now the scapegoat. However, I have a strong suspicion that more NFL coaches and players aim to hurt their opponents week in and week out.

Please feel free to discuss and share your opinions on this topic!

Jayhawks one win away

This post is purely for me to express my joy. I am so happy that Kansas is going back to the national championship game. After last year's great disappointment, this team has fought so hard to make it this far. The games have not been pretty. In fact they have been nerve-wracking as hell. But, here we are, one game away from winning it all.

Hopefully the Jayhawks  win. I am going to be cheering my heart out. I have been a die hard Kansas fan for years, since I was little. They are the only team that has delivered my a championship in any sport, professional or college. So this team as a special place in my heart. One that may grow even bigger if they can bring it home once again.

NFL Rule Changes

A quick update on some new NFL rules. Today the NFL passed a rule that all turnovers will be reviewed. This adds on to last years rule, that all touchdowns are reviewed. I am on the fence with this rule, only because it leaves very little left for the coaches to challenge. Pretty soon the coaches may not even have a challenge, everything might as well be taken over by the booth officials.

Another rule change is that the regular season overtime will now be the same as the playoffs. This means that teams will not be able to lose on a first-possession field goal. I agree with this passing. There is no reason to change the rules once the playoffs start, this way fans, players,and coaches have all year to prepare and get use to the new rule.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk

Kansas is my pick to win the NCAA tournament. I pick them pretty much every year. I love KU basketball. As a perennial powerhouse they are usually a good team to bet on. Last year I thought they would win it for sure, but they were upset. This year 2 close calls, but they are still in it. Hopefully this is the year.

No Fun League Strikes again

With the news of the NFL's recent rulings on the Saints coaches involved in the bounty system, all I have to say is wow.  Sean Payton was suspended for the entire year. Greg Williams is out indefinitely. This is a huge deal because he is now the Rams defensive coordinator and they are now getting punished for something they had no involvement in.

Manning to Denver

Today Peyton Manning officially signed a contract with the Denver Broncos. With a 5 year, 96 million dollar deal Manning is now the highest paid player in the league. The signing of Manning brings many questions to the Broncos and instantly puts them into championship contention. What will happen to Tim Tebow though? Will Peyton adjust to the Broncos system and play at a high level? And most importantly is Peyton really healthy?

NBA Trades!

With the NBA trade deadline in less than a week, it's time to start exploring trade possibilities. The big one of course is where will Dwight Howard go? Will he even be traded? Can the Magic risk not trading him, only to see him walk away this summer? These are all questions that will be answered within the week.

Colts letting Peyton Go

The shocking news coming from Indianapolis is still riveting in my mind. Andrew Luck will presumably be the number one overall pick. But, is he going to be Peyton Manning?  It’s doubtful. Manning is a one of a kind quarterback, and the Colts are making a huge mistake. However, the Colts mistake is going to be another team’s treasure.

King's Staying in Sac-Town

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Today the Sacramento Kings signed a deal to build a new arena. This is great news for me, being a huge Kings fan myself. Over the past few years, hearing about the chance the Kings could be relocated was kind of awkward for me as a fan. I wasn’t sure if I would still like the team in a different city. Part of what makes me love the Kings so much is the loyalty of the fans. Arco arena use to sell out every game for years. The fans would be the Kings sixth man and helped the Kings have one of the league’s best home records for years, in the early 2000’s. Of course the team was a lot better back then. However, the Kings have young talent right now, and potential to get better within the next few years. I am just thankful that they are staying put.

NBA All Star Weekend

From Dimemag.com

The upcoming NBA All-Star weekend is something that I usually would be looking forward too. Not anymore. Over the years I have always been excited to watch the dunk contest, 3 point contest, and of course the main event – the all star game. There are many other events, but most are just minutely entertaining. However, outside of football (the pro bowl is an absolute joke) the NBA has the worse all-star weekend, at least logistically speaking. The problem with the NBA all star weekend is that we have nothing to look forward to anymore.

Oden Injured Again

From Google Images

Earlier this week, Greg Oden had yet another micro fracture surgery. This surgery has been known to end most careers, Jamal Mashburn, Chris Webber, Alan Houston, Penny Hardaway, and Tracy Mcgrady. Oden now has 3 of them. The only major star to come back from micro fracture is Amar’e Stoudemire. Oden’s knees are just destroyed. He has had surgery after surgery. The jokes about Greg Oden looking 50 don’t seem so funny now. His body is literally failing him like that of an old man. It’s a sad story for the Blazers, who have once again made perhaps one of the most disappointing draft choices ever.

Braun Update

Ryan Braun won his appeal today, MLB has not let out any other details as of yet. I will update this even more once they do. I am amazed however, this is the first major drug suspension I can think of that has been appealed. Furthermore I find myself wondering if MLB is doing this to save face. Well it  is all speculation for now, but with more details will come more answers. I can't wait to read more about this story!

Superbowl Afterthoughts

A few thoughts on the Superbowl. The game was close and very intense down to the very last play. I enjoyed seeing Eli lead his team with a fourth quarter comeback. But, there were many key moments that stood out to me.

Sports Goals

As much of a sports fan that I may be, I do not know very much about several sports. This year I am aiming to change that. I would like to be more well rounded with this blog. With that being said I am going to try to learn more about tennis, golf, volleyball, and more sports in general. Furthermore, I really want to learn more about soccer and hockey. These two sports intrigue me greatly, and I wish to become as knowledge about them as I am with others.

NFL MVP: Peyton Manning

By the Associated Press 2008

Yes, I am one of those crazy people that actually believes Manning should win the MVP award this year. No, not Eli, but Peyton. The term MVP means the most valuable player. How can anyone say that Peyton is not the most valuable player in the NFL? The last time the Colts have won less than 10 games a year – 2001. Manning has played quarterback for the Colts in every season since then. So he is good for at least 10 wins a year. This year Peyton Manning didn't play a single game, the Colts went 2-14.

Baseball's tainted MVP

By Reuters/ Jeff Haynes

Baseball has always had a steroid problem. You can name countless players who have been busted. Ramirez, Rodriguez, Ortiz, Clemens, are a few that come to mind. These are great players. Players who have won MVPs, Cy Youngs, and Championships. However, none of them ever won an award and got busted in the same season. In fact, no player has won the MVP award and got busted for steroid use that year. Until now. Ryan Braun's 50 game suspension for a positive test taints this MVP award. The question is, should he be stripped of the award?

NBA Season So Far

By thesportsfanjournal.com

So far, I have really been enjoying the compressed 66 game NBA schedule. Not only do teams play more often, but it seems like there are a few games on everyday, feeding my appetite for basketball nicely. The season also has been intriguing to see how players react from being on such a long lockout. I can say for sure there are still a few players getting back into shape. Slow starts by many teams have happened so far, for example, the champion Dallas Mavericks. However, as the season goes on teams will start to level off.

Luck or Griffin III?

Ezra Shaw/ Ronald Martinez, Getty images

Now that bowl season is over and the NFL draft is just around the corner, the question of who should be the number one overall pick is beginning to swirl around the sports world. Of course, it should be Andrew Luck, and the Colts seemed committed to him. Many experts and media members think that Robert Griffin III might deserve a look at the number one overall spot. Due to recently winning the Heisman trophy and an electrifying bowl win against Washington; his stock is as high as ever. So now people are beginning to think that Griffin, not Luck, will be the best player in the upcoming draft. They like his speed, ability to throw the deep ball, explosive athleticism, and his recent success has put Baylor on the map. So which quarterback will have the better NFL career? Who has more potential? In this post, I will be taking a look at this new revelation that Andrew Luck is no longer the best player in the NFL draft.

Pacman vs. Pretty Boy

By MrFivesixone

With the recent tweet of Floyd Mayweather Jr. calling out Manny Pacquiao to fight on May 5th, I find myself wondering if this fight will ever really happen? With Mayweather's 87 day jail sentence set to begin on June 1st, this is the deadline we have for this fight to happen. If it doesn’t happen by then, I truly believe it probably never will. There is also no better time for this fight to happen than now.