Category Archives: Sports

The Celtics land the Big Ticket

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garnettingreenKevin Garnett had originally shot down a deal that would have sent him to the Boston Celtics during the NBA draft day on June 28th.

But with the addition of Ray Allen from the Sonics to the Celtics, alot has changed in Garnett’s mind over the past month.

“I am excited to become a Celtic,” Garnett said. “It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to play with players the quality of Paul and Ray. The Celtics have had a proud tradition and now I hope that we can add to the legacy.”

With the Trio of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and now Kevin Garnett, the Celtics have risen from the depths of mediocracy and have become the instant favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the finals.

This has become the NBA’s biggest trade for a single player. In the deal for Garnett, the Celtics gave up forwards Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes and Gerald Green, guard Sebastian Telfair and center Theo Ratliff, two first-round draft picks and cash considerations. They basically sold their future to win now.

I think this dynamic trio who seem to be willing to put ego’s aside to win will have a small window of opportunity to win a couple championships. They remind me of the Miami Heat who brought in aging talent for a shot at a title. Ray Allen is 32, Paul Pierce is 29, and the Big Ticket is 31. All currently in or just passing their prime years.

In order for the Celtics to have a shot at the title, this group of three need to gel quickly and more importantly, remain injury free. Both Pierce and Allen have a history of injuries and it remains to be seen whether or not Allen’s ankle will hold up.

Garnett is my one of my favorite players coming second only to Kobe Bryant. I’m very happy for him and that he has welcome the opportunity to put himself in a better situation. I had really hoped that he would have opted out and joined my Laker team or been traded to the Lakers for Lamar, Bynum, and Brown. I guess we can’t win them all.

Let the Boston bandwagon begin!

Farewell Bill Walsh

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tx.walsh1As a die hard fan of the 49ers franchise for over two decades, today was a very melancholic morning for me when I woke up and read that Bill Walsh had passed away just hours earlier.

The 49er legend revolutionized the sport of football with his west coast offense, and led the way for three of the franchise’s four Superbowl titles in the 1980′s.

You will be missed Mr. Walsh. My condolences go out to the Walsh family and everyone close to him. Rest in Peace.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Bill Walsh, the groundbreaking football coach who won three Super Bowls and perfected the ingenious schemes that became known as the West Coast offense during a Hall of Fame career with the San Francisco 49ers, has died. He was 75.

Walsh died early today following a long battle with leukemia, according to Stanford University, where he served as coach and athletic director.

Walsh didn’t become an NFL head coach until 47, and he spent just 10 seasons on the San Francisco sideline. But he left an indelible mark on the United States’ most popular sport, building the once-woebegone 49ers into the most successful team of the 1980s with his innovative offensive strategies and teaching techniques.

Barry Bonds. Homerun Champ or Chump?

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Barry_Bonds_SI_CoverSan Francisco slugger Barry Bonds is just two shy of breaking Hank Aaron’s MLB setting record of 755 homeruns. Although the record is at Bond’s fingertips with the world watching each time he steps on the plate, many people believe his record breaking homers have been tainted by knowingly using several types of illegal performance enhancing drugs.

I’ve had mixed feelings about the issue since Barry started chasing Hank’s famous 755 at the start of the season. There were many who just downright snubbed Bonds, but I have tried to look at this as objectively as possible. The first thing people need to realize is that it takes more than just “juice” to hit a homerun. You don’t just shoot up and start hitting bombs.

Steroids help to enhance strength and power and also aids in recovery to help reduce the risk of injury, but it does not help you to hit a fastball. You must be gifted to hit a baseball going 90 mph. I don’t care how big and strong you are. You need a great swing, good hand eye coordination, and great timing. Something steroids don’t do for you. If another major league slugger took performance enhancing drugs to hit homeruns, that would not necessarily equate to a new homerun champion.

On the flip side however, guys like Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron did not use steroids period. They relied on their own merits to get the job done. No disrespect to Bonds, but this is where my views change about him. Although I think he’s a great slugger and a very gifted athlete, he will never be as great as either The Babe or The Hammer. Both of these men were extraordinary hitters who broke records without any help outside of their own physical assets.

Regardless of the record, the Babe and Hank will always be remembered as two of the greatest hitters in MLB history. There is no controversy over that. Bonds however will always be surrounded by dispute and dissension.

Is Barry a chump? I don’t believe so. What he is done has truly been amazing and has helped to jump start a sluggish American sport. Is Barry the Champ? I don’t think so either. That title and legacy will continue with Hank Aaron, the undisputed and unenhanced homerun king.

Whats your take on this? Is Barry Bonds a Chump or Champ?