There are some darn dismal clubs in the NBA and there are some good players on those terrible teams. Here are a few guys who can turn a game around with the flick of a wrist, a grand leap or a big dunk.
It seems strange, but there is a surprising amount of interesting coaching news percolating around today. Here’s a look:
Dan Reeves is reportedly interviewing to become the offensive coordinator for the 49ers. Though I like the Niners and Reeves, I don’t get this at all. Reeves is 65, he has a radio gig that keeps him busy enough, and he has spent some time working to establish a football program at Georgia State University. He hasn’t been in the pro game since he left Atlanta in 2003, and hasn’t been a coordinator since 1980. It’s hard to figure out why he would be inspired to get back into this game, and why he would want to take a risky job like this one if he did. I can only imagine that nothing will ultimately come of this one.
As I’m sure you have seen, my colleague posted a list of important sporting dates coming up in the next couple of months. I like the idea, so I thought I would add some of my own as well. These are some of the dates circled on my calendar that weren’t on the other list.
I’ve had some important dates in my life and here are a few calendar items you’ll want to note in your date book, Blackberry or computer. At least, I think you will.
Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao couldn’t agree on money, and their fight that was supposed to be on May 2 has been called off. It sounds fairly permanent, but I am hopeful that they can get over themselves and get the deal done. This one was going to be a great fight, and boxing needs all the big fights it can get. These are quite likely the two best fighters out there right now, and they clearly don’t like each other, so this thing could have ended with a corpse. Hatton is looking for a new opponent after pulling Pacquiao’s contract, but there is no one he can find who will be any better. Unless, of course, Floyd Mayweather can be coaxed out of retirement for a rematch. That would be one to watch. Actually, the only thing better than that one would be Pacquiao – Mayweather.
It’s a bit late to be getting to this since the first round is almost in the books, but there has been other pressing stuff to cover so a look at the Aussie Open hasn’t happened yet. I was spurred to do it today by a comment on yesterday’s post. Without further ado:
Way, way under the radar, the Dolphins have signed a former Penn State linebacker named Cameron Wake. He was undrafted in 2005, and headed to the B.C. Lions in the CFL. I’ve watched him play up here for two years, and I have honestly probably never seen a more viciously effective linebacker. He’s been the defensive player of the year in the CFL in both of his seasons, and he rushes the passer like you wouldn’t believe. He’s obviously taking a major step up in class, but Miami liked him enough to outbid at least four other teams and give him a million dollar signing bonus. If he gets a chance then he’ll be worth watching. If he comes through then remember where you heard it first.
We will obviously spend tons and tons of time looking at the Super Bowl from every different angle over the next two weeks, but before we get into the nitty gritty of it let’s look at the first thoughts that came from watching the two games today:
I’ve probably mentioned this before, but I live in Calgary, the home of the Flames. I went to the Flames game tonight with a buddy, and it was a very good lesson in the challenges of sports betting. There was absolutely no reason not to pick the Flames tonight. Calgary was the hottest team in the league, securing 23 of the last 26 possible points. They were next to unbeatable at home. They had split the season series so far this year over two games, with the road team winning both games. Those games hadn’t happened since the beginning of November, though, so both teams were different than they were then – Phoenix was a bit worse, and Calgary was much, much better. Calgary was the -203 favorite in the game, and the game was being broadcast on Hockey Night in Canada – a very strong position for a Canadian team. On top of that, Calgary had played their best game of the year on Thursday, and it was perhaps the best game any team had played all year. They beat San Jose in San Jose, and they became the first team all season to do that. In short, Calgary was as close to a lock as a team can be.
North Carolina Tar Heels: As I write this, the team that so many thought would be number one in the nation, is 1- 2 in the ACC and 15- 2 overall. Thus far the #6 Heels have lost to unranked Boston College and #3 Wake Forrest. Both of which are division opponents. Their lone ACC victory came last night as they beat the unranked Virginia Cavaliers 83- 61. How good is North Carolina? Time will tell but my feeling is that they are not as good as many of us thought they were.
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