Will Writes

It's back! The Wire returns for its final season

2008-01-14T23:01:00.001-08:00

My all time favorite show, The Wire, is back on HBO Sunday nights at 9PM. http://www.hbo.com/thewire/?ntrack_para1=feat_main_image It is fantastic and not be missed unless you are only interest is escapist TV.
For people who watch it, it is like an obsession. Sport Writer Jason Whitlock listed it #3 in last Friday's column: Sorry, I have to take a timeout and talk about my No. 1 passion, "The Wire." Click here for the full article: http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7658418
It is the quickest and most compelling hour of television. I have to hold on until next Sunday. After that there are only 9 episodes to go...

Finally they got a pair

2006-11-09T09:28:00.000-08:00

Finally some sanity returns to the voters and the congress and the democrats take the house and the senate. There is no questions that moderate Republicans are on the endangered speicies list and sane ones and or ones with integrity are sure to follow.
Not sure if this helps or hurts McCain other than taking George "Maccaca" Allen out of th e 2008 Republican Primary race. Go Jim "I'm the winner" Webb!

The new Democrats kick ass and take names.

"You know, this war is so fucking illegal." - SPC Pat Tillman

2006-11-07T23:55:00.000-08:00

Nuff said. A true patriot who gave his life to his country and lived and died his creed. It is a true shame the administration cravenly used his death for their own PR purposes then stonewalled and lied to his family.

Borat on Bush

2006-11-06T23:21:00.000-08:00

Bush is very strong but not as strong as his father Barbara.
-Borat on Bush as a leader

The Wire: Season 4 begins

2006-09-26T15:31:00.000-07:00

The best show on television is back with a vengeance. These season’s focus is on education and introduces four 8th graders. 3 episodes have aired so far with a visual punch and storytelling verve. You have to feel for the kids and what they are face and know it will only get worse as the series unfolds up over the next 10 episodes.
Perhaps the greatest aspect of the show is the sense of truth in it. The stories are fictional but reflect the truth and emotion of Baltimore specifically and the US in general. The creators David Simon, ex-reporter and writer, and Ed Burns, ex-detective and ex-middle school teacher. The men care passionately about their city and the inhabitants, especially the faces and stereotyped caricatures we usually see on TV and the movies. Simeon and Burns see and portray the interconnectedness of everything that is Baltimore. This is true from the locations to the dialog to the some of the actors on the show who bring their real life Baltimore experiences to the show as well as characters bases on real people or composites of real people.
The first season centered on the drug trade in public housing, the second on the Longshoreman and the displacement of the less educated middle and lower middle classes and the third season was on the local politics. Now it is educational system. So far this season we have only seen in one junior high school but I am sure there much more awaiting us both within that school and schools around it both public and I will venture to say private school’s (like McNulty’s kids as seen in season 3).
My wife and I became addicted to the Wire watching season 1 on a DVD set check out from the library. We finished season 1 and I said I have ten minutes to get to the video store before it closes and rent another couple of DVDs. Off I went and was back with the first two DVDs of season. When we finished season two subscribed to HBO to watch season three.

Link to The Wire Home page -
http://www.hbo.com/thewire/?ntrack_para1=leftnav_category0_show1
Salon article with spoilers - http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2006/09/20/the_wire/index1.html

Deadwood is Dead on

2006-07-22T11:15:00.000-07:00

My most recent video obsession was Deadwood the brutally well done HBO Western series (http://www.hbo.com/deadwood/?ntrack_para1=leftnav_category0_show2) with salty language based in the historical town of Deadwood circa 1876. The series doesn't gloss over the reality of the time and try to put a PC/Glorified/Romanticized version of prevalent in portrayals of the west. People's fates are much more tied to their roots and race and sex are ever prevalent. I blazed through it with a library check out of season 1. Once that was done I rushed out to my local video store Reckless Video (http://www.recklessvideo.com/index.php) and grabbed the first two discs of season two. In a few of days I was done with season two and watched the first four episodes on Comcast’s on demand. I stayed home to finally get my taxes done with a TaxAct and had Deadwood on.
I highly recommend the show if you can handle the brutality evident in the times this show examines and portrays. If not there is plenty available that is less challenging and free on the network shows.

When to use your head

2006-07-14T10:58:00.000-07:00

Zidane lost his cool at a crucial moment from his team. Should Les Bleues be grateful he lasted through a majority of the overtime before using his head to make his point. Now it's all: he said-he said. Trash talking seems to be evident in most team sports and head games in all.
Zidane average at least one dismissal a year during his career and with most thing the timing of this one was critical with a billion people watching he let his opponent beat him and in time his team went down as well.

I couldn't agree more

2006-06-30T17:56:00.000-07:00

"My wife and I decided we'de never look back on our lives and wish we'd watch more TV."

Tony Chor on part of the reason he and his wife gave up cable tv
For more from Tony go to http://www.tonychor.com/

Words of profundity from the shrub

2006-06-15T23:07:00.000-07:00

"You can't read a newspaper if you can read."
An off the cuff comment re-broadcast on the Daily show 6/21/2006

Play-off Madness Marches on

2006-05-17T22:57:00.000-07:00

Tonight the Cavs take the Pistons (84-82) who had a chance to win but Rip the masked man couldn't control it as it rolled out of bounds as time expired. Then the Mavs and Spurs rumbled and it was up for grabs until time expired Ginobili's energies plays kept the Spurs in the last two minutes of the game with steals, rebounds, tie ups and undeniable energy. His last free throw was the last point scored in the game. In the end, Jason Terry rushed his shot, Dirk rushed the out back and time expired. Spurs win 98-97 and it's back to Dallas for game 6.

Last night's Suns-Clippers double overtime game was nuts. The Clips should have won but there was no denying Raja "Kobe Close liner" Bell. With ice water in his veins he played great D and hit 5/7 from downtown and Phoenix goes up 3-2 in a game they had to win. Miami closed out the Nets earlier the evening on Wade steal of Jason Kidd preserving the win. Rumors are for a major reshuffle this summer in NJ.

Suns scorch the Lakes in OT forcing game 7, baby!

2006-05-05T00:08:00.000-07:00

The game was awesome. Tim Thomas hit a three to tie the game with 6.3 seconds left as Kwame (pick your pejorative term) Brown wen running past him faked out of his shorts. Phil Jackson yealled no and Big Tim let the laker bench how sweet it was and how much heart he had. Kobe took a fade away and bricked it as time expired.
After trading baskets at the begin of OT the Suns ran away with/ Kobe kept them close but it was a two or three possession game game the rest of the way.

As I said it was ab awesome game.

Bring on Game 7 and go Suns!

Raja in the Octagon with a giggling Kobe

2006-05-03T14:41:00.000-07:00

Ultimate Fighter and hoopster Kobe made giggling references the Octagon with Raja Bell in his post game interviews after being ejected in last nights game 5 loss to the suns, 114-97.
To quote Kobe on the physical nature of the game: That's how I grew up playing basketball in Philadelphia. I love playing that style. It excites me more than anything."
Nicely put by Laker crazy 8.
Phil and Kobe have to be pulling for a mere fine for Raja Bell so he can be there to incite the LA crowd and Kobe and unite the Laker team which played their most lackadaisical game so far.

The Spurs got it done at home. The big three kicked in over 20 a piece and Manu kicked loose again after a couple of woeful games. Bonzi is looking to be this year’s guy who plays himself into a big contract in the play-offs and returns underachieving once he hets the contract. I’m looking forward to game 6 at Arco with a serenade of cowbells.

The Nets did it again. Vince is looking like a legit all start and the Man in Jersey.

I still can’t believe the NBA didn’t suspend Reggie Evans and gave Chris Kaman the flagrant foul.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2428627

Re-Dirkulessness

2006-05-02T16:21:00.000-07:00

Dirk was the man in this series. He came to play and brought. He killed the Grizzlies with the 3 at the end of regulation after splitting defenders on a broken play and then scoring the first 5 points of OT. In Game 4 he took over in the 3rd quarter scoring 12 points and putting the game out of reach. Look out in round 2.

What is wrong with the refing in this league? Obviously the refs missed Reggie Evans most egregious of fouls in game three when he grabbed and yanked Chris Kamen where no should. The Barkley and the boys couldn't control themselves after watching the replays and Kamen being interviewed after the game. So how can it be when the play is reviewed by the league that he's only fined?!? Unbelievable!

At Reggie Evans and the rest of the Nuggets have gone fishing along with the Grizzlies. Kenny's picture of Gasol fishing with a bear was classic. Well done Jet.

Shinjirare nai in LA

2006-04-30T16:08:00.000-07:00

Mode ref jobbin' the the Lakers Suns game.
Makes me wonder why I even bother to watch this games. HOw can they not give Nash his time out call or even call the laker fouls on him. He's only the f'in' MVP.
Not enough endorsement deals.
Beat LA is all I can say. If they one it fair & square that's one thing.

What is up with the Refs and the Lakers

2006-04-29T00:22:00.000-07:00

What is up with Refs when their assigned to an LA game. The reffing was bad again at least when I watched and no, I didn't watch the whole game. Maybe they should just cancel Game 4 and five and just declare LA the winner. The Suns got jobbed again.

Had thing been called reasonable the Suns might not have won it would have been a very different game. The Suns are super thin up front and Tim Thomas went down. I was coachin; on Aunday I'd have the boys run and gun, bring in Grant to lay a little wood on. and let the cards fall where they may.

Maybe the Suns will pick up and enforcer in the off-season...mmm

The Running of the Bulls

2006-04-28T12:34:00.000-07:00

The Bulls looked like the real deal last night as they extinguished the Heat. Shaq looked old slow and irrelevant going 8 points and 4 rebounds. Early in the game he had 4 fouls and 2 points. Nocioni, Gordon, Deng, Sweetny and Kirk just ran and played their game. There wasn’t much Miami could do but hack and take cheap shots. Sure Dwayne Wade had a few spectacular plays but that’s not going to get it done. MJ was in the house and couldn’t get enough of it.

Pat Riley’s comments about getting your ass kicked and what you do after that were priceless.

The big questions coming out of the game are:
· Are the Bulls for real or have they just awakened the beast.
· Will Posey get suspended for taking down Hinrich right in front of Stu Jack, the NBA’s disciplinarian. A great play in football but not hoops move.

Whatever the results game 4 will be interesting to watch unfold.

Robbin' Refs

2006-04-27T13:29:00.000-07:00

The Suns especially MVP Steve Nash got jobbed by the refs when they called a blocking foul on him instead of a charge on Kobe. That was huge and bad joke at that stage of the game. Was the ref taking the game into his own hands - just following orders - or just groovin' on Kobe's moves legal or not. It would have been a better closer game had he called this one correctly.
Also shame on you Magic for not acknologing this on the TNT after the game especially as one who benefitted from these types of calls when he played.
Game three Friday night should be good. Imagine what it would be lkike if the Suns had an enforcer or even a really physical player. Time to run and gun boys!

Nash Strikes Again

2006-04-26T23:47:00.000-07:00

Rumors are running rampant that Steve Nash will be anointed MVP again tomorrow. He will join Magic Johnson as the only other point guard to have one the award more than once. Steve has had arguably a better year this year than last and has face bigger obstacles with the lose of 4 of the other four starters to trades or injury and all the reserves save Barbosa ( for some reasons Brazilian athletes only need one name). The also had injuries to many of their players other than franchise played Amare Stoudamire who knew what he was doing when he flew convinced at the eve of free agency to convince Nash to join him and return to Phoenix.

If this leak doesn’t bring a an MVP worthy from Kobe tonight, it hard to imagine what will

Go Suns! Long live the Nashty one, M-V-P

Not enough NBA on TV

2005-12-21T16:00:00.000-08:00

Do I have to buy some cable poackage in order to get decent coverage? I had some time to watch tv with my son ( he's three months but he already love hoops) last night and there was no NBA on for me. I did see Bobby Knight and he looked practivally sedated for him.

TV is lame enough. I want my NBATV.

Spurs. Suns. Mavs. Pistons. Heat. Griz. Rockets...

The Rook Rules

2005-12-20T22:34:00.000-08:00

The Rook from down Under and 1st Draft pick, Andrew Bogut, dethroned the World Champ Spurs as time expired in overtime, The Spurs let a 14 point lead evaporate. Duncan rolled some serious numbers, 34 and 13 but he fouled out with 22 seconds remaining. But it was Bogut who tied the game with 14 seconds in overtime. Tony Parker ran the clock before taking a three pointer that bounced over the backboard with .7 seconds remaining. Three time NBA Champ Toni Kukoc passed the ball into Bogut who hit a fadeaway jumper giving the bucks the game, 109-107.

Pop said it all, "Andrew Bogut hurt us more than anybody did." said. "He consistently went to the offensive boards and converted. He made a good physical play at the end and won the game for them."

Chris Paul is getting all the acclaim for Rookie of the year but Bogut has won two games in for the Bucks and will be playing in the play-oofs this May unlike Chris Paul.

So how much do the Spurs miss Manu Ginobili...

Rome is for Romans

2005-11-22T14:45:00.000-08:00

I actually really enjoyed the BBC's and HBO's Rome. Sure, it was cheesy and glossed over some of the most important bits historically and took more than a few liberties in the name of artistic license. But it had good actors and created a world of an unquestionably different morals and beliefs. They most definitely we're not just like us.

I watched and enjoyed the season finale on HBO's On Demand last night. I hope there is a second season. Girls might call it a soap opera (like my wife did) but boys would call it a serial.

Hopefully, it will be renewed. If not it was fun while it lasted.

Long live Verenus and Titus Pullo!

Watch The Wire

2005-10-27T18:50:00.000-07:00

The Wire is simply the best show on television. Now that may not be saying a lot but the show rocks on so many fronts. It became instantly addictive once my wife and sat down to watch the first episode when I checked out the first season from the library. The HBO segue reminded us of episodes of the Sopranos that always began this way. We had previously come to know Baltimore from Homicide Life on the Streets and the Corner in book then video form. We even made a pilgrimage to Baltimore when we were visiting DC. We watched them filming and episode, got Richard Beltzer's autograph on a tourist map of Baltimore and had a drink at the Waterfront. The Wire sucks you in right away and give our ability to watch episode after episode it sucks you in completely and utterly. We blazed through season 1 and the night we finished the first season I turned to my wife and said man that was incredible. I think I'll go to the videos store and get the first disc of season two and I did. Season two didn't last long either. But be forewarned Season Three is not on DVD and there is not date set. The solution seemed obvious. Get HBO and watch it on demand. While it was easy to get HBO, they had only started on Season Tow for their On Demand offering. Luckily, we were distracted by the birth of our son who is about the only thing that gets in our way of watching The Wire. As soon as he would fall asleep, I would turn to my wife and say, "wanna watch the Wire." She would roll her eyes at me and say, "Yes." The Third Season did not disappoint. We are eagerly awaiting season four due out next year and may have even started filming.
http://www.hbo.com/thewire/?ntrack_para1=leftnav_category0_show12

If you watch any show, make it The Wire. If you’re not sure what to rent, rent The Wire.

Get Real

2005-10-24T17:03:00.000-07:00

Bring on the NBA Season.
Let's run and gun. Suns
Lock and Load. Pistons - Spurs
Let see who brings it everyone night and get's it done when it counts...
Let's see who is the first player busted for the NBA Dress Code! Vlade - AI
Let's see who takes it to the next level. Yao
Let's see who come back and when from microfracture - Amare
Let's see if the odd couple make it work. Zen Master & Kobe
Let's see if Miami can handle the Ego erruptions - Shaq and Pat "Armani man" Riley
I want to hear the Chuckster say it everynight. Ginobili!

Let the game begin!

Free Agent Hustle

2005-08-27T09:21:00.000-07:00

It had been a summer of major change changes and twists and turns even a dismantling of the owner partnership in Atlanta. It doesn't seem like Joe Johnson is as nice a player as the deal would indicate. Somehow I suspect Mr. Belkin will find a new team to make his favorite toy and return to as a team Governor to bedevil the Hawks owners again. I think he have to be the majority owner becuase who'd want to team up with someone who sues you to get his way. Not a guy I'd want on my team. Maybe that is part of the reason they Picked Bocat Johnson over Belkin a couple o years back. One of the weirdest turn arounds was the Nets bails Shareef who then signed with the Kings. Should be interesting when the Nets and the Kings go at it, it aught to be televised if it isn’t. Kidd can't be happy about this turnaround.
Not sure what Jerry West is up to but I like everyone else will give him leeway in light of what he has pulled off. Bobby Jackson is a great pick if he's not injured for the playoffs.
Not sure if Bonzi is work worth what the Kings gave up and wonder about letting Songalia going to the Bulls on them. I guess they figure they got a good two years out of him.
My Hometown Sonics resigned their star but lost their Coach to the Jailblazer, the big Enigma to the Knicks. Ole Jerome with need God when Isiah and the NYC media get a hold of him.
The Pistons have pulled of solid acquisition with Dale Davis and ex-King Taylor or was it Evans.
The heat will definitely have the guns next year. I have no doubt that Jason “white Chocolate” Williams will get Shaq the ball when and where he wants it.
I can't wait for hoops to start up and am even considering getting and NBA package. I got cable when I moved back from so I could watch game on TNT and TBS or at least back them for TBS.

I wonder what Charles and the crew did on their summer vacation...

To Fro no mo’: Spurs in 7

2005-06-24T12:45:00.000-07:00

The battle continued from tipoff till time expired.
Detroit ran out to an early lead and the Spurs answered and the game was on.
Big Braided Ben led all players at the half and Billups had only one basket until late in the game. The defense was paralyzing. At half the Pistons were up 1 at 39-38, a record low for a finals game in the shot clock era.
Everything opened up for the Spurs when Larry Brown went small in the 3rd Quarter. Duncan went to town and Manu went to the rack and drained shots from downtown. The game remained close and contested until the end. The Spurs started to catch some breaks.
The Spurs won it because they exploited their advantage in the 3rd and 4th quarters. Once the Pistons went back to beating on Duncan he was not to be denied. Manu crashed the boards and drove to rack and finished with authority. The role players, Horry, Bones Barry and Bowen stepped up hitting shots and grabbing boards and doing the little things. Even Nazr smacked back a couple of shots and snagged some boards.
Ginoblili finished the Pistons off when he went long and continued to dribble until the Detroit was able to fouls him then he sank his free throws.
With 7 seconds left Detroit drove the length of the court but failed to convert before time expired and the Spurs exploded in celebration of being the 2005 NBA Champs.

First Game 7 in 11: Duced @ 3-3

2005-06-22T12:48:00.000-07:00

Sheed's creed ruled the day and was the deciding factor with 5 fouls hanging on him. Both teams played hard but the Piston's pulled away in the last two minutes. They did it without the 'fro but Big Ben was big enough demonstrating his deceptive hops and defensive stops.
Tim needs to step up. If he's missing free throws and only taking 10 shots deep in the 4th quarter, that wont get it done.
Game 7 looms and you have to wonder which players are going to bring it all for the full 48 minutes and maybe more...Which teams will play as one and who will want it when the game is on the line.
Win or go fishin'.
My money is on Manu but anything could happen and probably will.

The end is near: Spurs 3-2

2005-06-21T04:46:00.000-07:00

With ten seconds to go Horry inbounds, Rasheed doubles on Ginobili's who rifles a pass to Big Shot Bob/Rob 18 inches behind the three point line with the Spurs down two. Without a conscience BSB/Re shoots - Dagger in the heart baby. After the obligatory timeout Parker smothers Hamilton who flubs the last second shot. An instant classic, a sea of ink on Big shot Bob/Rob and the woes of Rasheed. Amazing what happens when both teams show up for the whole game. Tonight is the night, Game 6. Which teams and players will show up? Expect that no matter what the Pistons wont allow big Shot Bob/Rob to beat them. Expect the game to be even more physical. Pop made some good coaching shifts by having Ginobili bring up the ball and putting Bowen on Billups for the last play of regulation on the overtime. Larry has a chance to turn the tables tonight but Detroit hasn't won in San Antonio since the spring of 1997. Anything can happen in the final and I'll be watching and waiting: Only 13 tortuous hours until tip-off.

Finals Cartoon:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=sportoon/050617

Who's showin' up tonight: 2-2

2005-06-19T11:18:00.000-07:00

The first two games are masterful Spurs moments. Manu explodes and is not to be denied. In game 3 and 4 Ben gets his fro on and goes to work and is not to be denied. So now we have a best of 3 series. Pistons have the momentum. Spurs have the questions. As Pop said referring to the Spurs problems lay with "what's between the ears and what's in the chest."
If both teams show up ready to rumble, it'll be epic. If one team doesn't, it'll be brutal and the other will orchestrate their brand of hoops at the next level.

Bring on Game 5 and players bring it all.

Side Note
A great interview with Red Auerbach on Phil Jackson. Very interesting. The best part is where he compares the players of his era to today’s players and picks his. He makes a powerful case. If there was a way to play it, I think I’d put my money on the old timers. Check it out:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2088260

The Fro Strikes back! Sprus 2:1

2005-06-15T21:41:00.000-07:00

Big Ben brought his 'A' game and his full fro and threw a major block party. It was a game for men. Player had bring strong or they were crushed. Then the Pistons took over. I had to miss most of the game for work but what I saw was full on mano-on-mano basketball.

Manu seemed to be passing up on shots indicating the bruise from the injury/re-injury 21 seconds into the game was really bothering him.

Piston pride powered them in game 3.

Game 4 is critical to both teams. One wonders which Pistons and Spurs teams will turn up for it.

The Series is real. It’s time to get it on and bring your A game or go down in flames.

MVP - Ginoblili: Spurs 2-0

2005-06-14T15:04:00.000-07:00

The Man, Manu, was all that and more.
Ginobili owned the first and came back and crushed Detroit’s puny comeback in the fourth quarter.
Manu was doing it all and didn't miss a shot until well into the second period and the announcers sounded shocked.
The fans were chanting MVP at the end of the game. If that does come to pass, Duncan wont begrudge him that and even rejoice in the success of his teammate and most importantly the team.
It would be a great follow up to last year when Manu signed his contract extension making him the best paid Argentinean athlete and married on the same day. Then following it up with an MVP winning performance on the gold medal Basketball team in the Olympics for Argentina’s first team medal. His performance convinced Pop to allow Ginobili to be Ginobili and live with the pluses and minuses.
What more can you say but take him to Detroit!
Game 3 tonight!
Rock on!

Waiting for Game two

2005-06-10T23:18:00.000-07:00

Reading and listening to deatulas about last nights game have been a cheap substitute for the real thing, game two. Only Charles, Kenny and the crew could make this more bearable. In 48 hours or so, I'll be posting about game two.
Waiting...

4th Quater is Ginobili Time! Spurs 1-0

2005-06-09T22:45:00.000-07:00

Great game but oh, my, my Manu went nuts in the 4th quater. He went straight to the basket to finger roll it in but at the last second he turns it from a finger roll to a dunk. Man, I hadn't even contemplated that. What an unbelievable move. He also had a circus shot or two that left the Pistons shakin' their heads and throwin' their headbands. TD was solid and carried the Spurs early. Pop has the smooth moves including playing the Big Dog who shpwed he still has some defensive bite left as he led the Spurs with 3 blocks. I don't know if I ever saw him block a shot before tonight.
For the Pistons Chauncy got his, Big Ben had some hustle plays but it wasn't enough.

Bring on game 2! And more Manu!

Let the Champs Duke it out

2005-06-08T21:41:00.000-07:00

There's going to be a rumble, tumble and bumble on the way to the hoop. It's going to be match up central. Manu v Prince - Rip v Bowen - Parker v Chauncey and of of course TD v Rasheed-n-Dice. From the benches will Pop snatch the pebble from Brown and become the master or is the wandering one still the master.
Both teams can pass and play wicked defense but the Spurs have proven that they can run and gun too.
I can't wait but I'm not impartial.
Spurs in 6 or 7.
Go Spurs!

Game 7 Rocks

2005-06-06T22:39:00.000-07:00

The game is over! Let the Spurs-Pistons Finals begin.
The Heat could stay with the Pistons when it mattered most. Rasheed kept his head and made a series of key plays with 5 fouls. The Heat just fell short. Shaq and Wade got theirs but the supporting cast didn't get it done. Eddie Jones had his moments especially at the beginning of the game and his insane last second steal and long distance bank shot. He was all alone. Nice move Eddie. It cut the Piston lead to five and stole momentum going at halftime. Miami took the lead back in the in the third but surrendered again in the fourth when it mattered the most. Damon "Alfred the Butler" Jones scored one point while taking an ill advised shot late. Ben Wallace made his two fouls count and made Shaq go to the line where he went 3/4 late in the game.
The reffing seemed good and consistent. All three refs are good enough to make the cut for the Finals. The front office must not have wanted this to be decided on a botched call and they succeeded.
Who knows what would have happened if D Wade would have been healthy.
If only TNT could broadcast the final or at least do the post and pre-game shows. They are often more entertaining than the game. I look forward to reading Barkley's new book after the finals.
Bill Walton picked the Heat and I picked the Pistons.
Bring on the Finals.
Go Spurs!
Gin-Oh-Bili!

Sun sets on Phoenix

2005-06-05T10:04:00.000-07:00

The incredible run ended they couldn't get the stop and the shots stopped falling in the second half of Game 5. Duncan was back and parker and Ginobili kept chipping away until it was done. Amare couldn't be stopped in game as in any of the games. Both teams showed tremendous class at the end and said all the right things in the interviews. I suspect they actually meant them which is another departure from today's NBA.
It is clear where the Suns need to improve rebounding and defense and they need to resign Joe Johnson. We're looking at game 7 today if Joe is healthy the whole series.
Well done Suns.
Go Spurs!7

The Pistons Strike Back

2005-05-31T22:08:00.000-07:00

Take that Shaq attack. The Series is now 2-2 and the retrun to South bach where anythng can happen. May the calls be fair. If they are close, I'll take the Pistons.

The game I'm lookin' for is the Suns-Spurs game tomorrow. May the Series go seven and I'm in hoopin' heaven.

Sun/Spurs: Still Alive Bring on Game 5

2005-05-30T22:11:00.000-07:00

What a game! Back and forth and down the wire. Incredible passes, defense and scoring

It was one hell of a game. Ginobili had a cople of insane shots as he always does, Parker had his cuts inside, their bench again came up big. But there was a game named Joe and in the second half Marion showed up and layed some ball. So the Suns finally had more than the that's Amare and Nash show and the dynamic duo more than had their moments in this insta-classic. Nash falling our of bounds with Timmy D on him connects with Amare for a slam and Amare rejecting Duncan' dunk with seconds to go and getting the rebound. The first two game were this close but not every break and bounce went to the Spurs.

Bring on Game 5 Baby!

A shout out to my super fan wife, Elaine who brought me dinner and watched the 4th quarter with me. She rocks!!!

Steven A. Got it wrong

2005-05-29T18:51:00.000-07:00

Steven A. By his own logic got wrong it last night talking about why people who voted or Shaq as vindicated . Steve Nash and Amare were the Suns keeping it close. Steven A said it it was Shaq those two close losses are wins but Shaq team blew through the Wizard (the way the played doesn't qualify them to be called Bullets, maybe next year) while Shaq sat. The MVP always go to a great player on good to great team. We all saw what happened when Shaq and Steve sat. Without Nash who knows if the Suns make it to the play-offs. I doubt they make it out of Round 1 and there is no way they beat the Suns. Maybe it will be like 1999 when the Spurs swept the Lakers and went on to win the chanpionship. The next year the Lkers went on to win the championship. The Suns made amazing strides because the played team ball with Nash orchestrating and setting people up. They just got outplayed by an amazing Spurs playing unbeleivable ball. You literally need to play perfect ball to beat them and they haven't managed to do.
One more thing, given some of the controversy of the choice points to the underlying reason that guards almost never win the MVP.
I'm not hatin' Steven A but it's what you say not how loud you say it.
Cheers.

Back and back on track, NBA style

2005-05-26T23:26:00.000-07:00

There has been a a long delay. But I am back and my picks are back on track. I am surprised Huston didn't beat Dallas after the 2-0 startt but how weird was the whole Yao Ming-Ref-Van Gundy conspiracy with Stern threatening to end Jeff's tenur as an NBA coach and like a Newsweek source it's retracted.

I was in Great Britain for the end of the first round and a beginning of the second round.

So I missed the Chicago series as well and talked about folding. Washington Bullets (Sorry after their two finals meetings with the last seventies Soincs, they'll always be Bullets) blew and we crushed and posterized by Dwade. Talk about a supporting cast.

The Suns-Mavs series was classic. I could have watched it forever. The Soincs-Spurs was quite the series and almost went to what could have been an insta-classic game 7 if Ray's .5 second three pointer falls. The Sonics need to resign Ray and Nate in the worst way now. The Soncics played above their heads and with all heart. With the exception of Fortson grabbing Ginobili's face it was all good. After that Nate pulled him for good. How money was Ginobili. I only wish TNT had done the game so I could hear Charles call out, Gin-ooooo-blee!

Reggie went out full of class and hittin' shots. The Hall of Fame awaits. I suspect he'll go in the first ballot. It was a classy move of Larry Brown to call a time out. It was truly a passing of the guards. Hopefully Reg will come back for one more year but I doubt it.

The Spurs-Suns games have been great. Sunds totally jot jobbed by the refs on the Amare-horry tech/no shots foul. The NBA should let the refs from that game hear it. That was a rediciulous sequence and should never happen at this stage of the play offs. Saturdays should be another awesome battle. Joe Johnson, that masked man should return. The Suns were the best road team in the league during the regular season so anything can happen especially with Nash on point.

If Detroit can get going offensively, Miami is done. If not, who know don't go to sleep on Flash, Shaq and Alfred or you'll be going fishin', right Kenny!

Hoopin' two games in and predictions

2005-04-28T15:11:00.000-07:00

Some great games and performances so far and the new work from Sir Charles, Spurtability. There is no doubt the Suns have spurtability. The used it to put the Grizz to sleep the other night.
Nicconi went for 28 and 15 on his birthday.
Manu came of the bench and scored 17 on 5 of 7 shooting after leading the team in scoring in game 1 and setting a play off scoring record for himself.
T-Mac was all game with his play and last second shot as KVH was not passing up two shots he should have taken and then staying back on T-Mac. Game over.
The perfect quarter 4-4 from the field and 7-7 from the line there's pow in that Yao.
Zo is going off in Miami. I wonder when the refs will start calling fouls on him though. For the Nets Kristic seems to be the star.
Prince is still amazing and will be the glue for Pistons repeat if it comes to pass.
Jerome James manages to put together 2 good games in a row! I guess it is good they are playing the team that cut him 6 years ago.

I am on track with 7 of the 8 series. I think the Spurs will come back but fear one team will slip.
Miami in 5 2-0
Detroit in 6 2-0
Indiana in 7 1-1
Chicago in 7 2-0
Suns in 5 2-0
Spurs in 6 1-1
Seattle in 6 2-0
Houston in 7 2-0

Round 2
Miami in 6
Detroit in 5
Suns in 7
Spurs in 6
Conference Finals
Detroit in 6
Spurs in 6
NBA Finals
Spurs in 7
Either way it goes it should be a wild ride!

Hoops-Hoops-Hoops

2005-04-25T23:16:00.000-07:00

Man-oh-Man!
I love this time of year. I always hope my marriage survives my hoops obsession. I have seem some great hoops.
Lovin' T-Mac and Yao and the Rest of the Rockets takin' it to Dallas.
The Suns are a blast to watch. Detroit was stifling after the first quarter. I can't beleive Boston went to sleep on Boston. That's a bad bad move. The Bulls are back. Say hello to Anres Nicconi. The Sonics rolled too.

The NBA Season is Dead-Long Live the NBA Playoffs!

2005-04-23T11:54:00.000-07:00

The NBA Season is Dead!
Long Live the NBA Playoffs!
It was an interesting year.
The Suns and Sonics shocked the league.
Shaq showed up in reasonable shape.
Did Kobe actually believe that would buy his story that he didn’t have Phil and Shaq driven out of Lakerland?
How much is he paying the woman to drop her rape case against him?
How much is he more is he spending on his wife?
What is up with Malone and Kobe’s wife? Cheap trashy drama.
When will the Lakers make it official and make Kobe the coach and GM?

Let the 2005 NBA Playoffs begin!
I can’t wait. I love this time of year. Games-Games-Games-Games this weekend.
Here are my predictions:
Miami in 5
Detroit in 6
Indiana in 7
Chicago in 7
Suns in 5
Spurs in 6
Seattle in 6
Houston in 7

Let the games begin!

The Lost Post Blues

2005-04-23T11:31:00.000-07:00

Blogger Rant
The other day I was bloggin’ on about the past NBA season and upcoming playoffs: surprises, expectations and some Kobe questions, my predictions and best wishes. I checked the spelling and formatting and went to post. I got the sorry.htm and was screwed out of all of my time. Talk about ticked off and pissed. I learned my lesson (always blog in Word and copy and paste when using Blogger) but Blogger didn’t. It’s not good to screw your users like this.

Don’t let it happen to you.

The West is Set

2005-04-18T23:24:00.000-07:00

The 3 Ss (Suns, Spurs and Sonics) rule in the West. The Spurs lost on to the Griz on a last second shot. The Blew away the Nuggests going for 75 in the first half. That was some old school ballin'. The Somics locked it up on the 15ht but added another one for good measure.
The questions is will the Suns break their franchise record for wins. Will Duncan get his a game form back? Will the Sonics get healthier.
George Karl missed out on his chance to crush the Sonics in the first round and let Wally Walker have it. Rub his face in it. Revenge will have to wait for another round or another year.
I can't wait for Sunday.
Let the games begin.

Sonics still a game away

2005-04-12T23:16:00.000-07:00

Since April 1st the Sonics have been a Denver loss or a Sonic winn away from winning the division. Last night the Sonics dropped another game. Their fifth in a row. They kept it close for most of they and fouled Yao with abandon. There was never a protest when a foul was called. They must have suprised they got away with fouling for so long. Yao had to leave to get stiches but he came back to help finish the Supes off for the evening.
Mark Cuban would have loved this game. Not only was the reffing atrocious but it was completely inconcistent and it definitely didn't go in the home teams favor.
The Sonics need some healthy bodies or this will be one short playoff run.
Spurs and Suns are now a game apart with four games to go. The Suns have 3 at home and the Spurs have 3 on the road. Duncan still hasn't played but Manu has scored 70 in his last two game. I guess he'll be ready for the playoffs.

Not So Super Sonics

2005-04-10T21:59:00.000-07:00

The Soncis have been slidin'. It has been sad to seen. A week a ago I saw them the barley been the JailBlazers in a game they should have blown them out. True Rashard and Vlade are out but Portland was weak. They have fallen in subsequent games including a a thashing by the Lakers. That alows the lakers to finish wioth a better record than the '94 team that was the last to finish out of the play-offs. In season 1 it looks like Dr. Buss misdiagonosed this one.
The Clippers thrashing of the Sonics in game of the this season woke them up and started then on an unholy terror and the best Sonic team in about 10 years. Hopefully this crushing defeat would have done the same and focussed them on what they needed to do but it didn't. Instead, they got spanked by the Nuggets.
The Suns have also dropped two in a row but the Spurs have pulled off two x2 OTs in a row with TD on the bench. It bodes well for them in the playoffs

Congrats to Roy Williams and the Tar Heels

2005-04-04T22:34:00.000-07:00

It was quite a game. The reffin' was a bit dubious but it was good and Carolina made the plays in the last minute that put it away. Now Roy Williams wont have to be the best coach who never won the NCAA Championship. It was a great run by the Illini and they almost pulled it off.
I picked up a latte and a breakfast with the UNC victory. I took UNC straight up.
The NBA returns tomorrow.

Final 4

2005-04-03T16:46:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow the Big Dance has it's final card and it's 1 and 2. It hsould be a hell of game. I am out on a limb but look for North Carolina to upset the the Fighting Illini.
Then it is on to the NBA play-offs as the seeding is shifting. The Lake Show and already packed it in unlike the T-Wolves who seem to returning from the Dead. This difference seems in large part due to the roles and leadership of Kobe and KG on their respective teams.
Go Spurs, Suns and Sonics.