NDonkeyKong Suh

News to you...but not Me!

Point Blank. The Miami Heat SHOULD NOT win this years' NBA Championship.

It just doesn't work like that in the NBA. Information that Miami Heat fans (like myself) just do not want to hear.

If you read my blog (which isn't likely) Growing up in the NBA from June 13, 2009, then you may already know that winning right away just doesn't happen. Yes, the Celtics won in 2008, but that's the exception.

This is different. The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off back-to-back Larry O' Brien trophies. Kobe Bryant is the best player in the game, and wants more badly. Phil Jackson wants his FOURTH 3-peat. Ridiculous by any standards.

The fact is Miami still has to compete with the likes of Boston, Chicago, and even Orlando & Atlanta, and to a lesser extent the New York Knicks.

The #1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs never meant so much. Miami cannot afford to battle either Chicago or Boston in round 2. Better have those two teams fight it out for 7 games. Eastern conference basketball is predicated on defense...currently the Celtics, Bulls, and Heat rank among the top 6 in the NBA in both opponents points per game as well as opponents field goal percentage. A winning combination by any measure.

The grind is nearly over, with the true test beginning. Mid-April to mid-June. This guy is hoping it ends with D-Wade and Co. hoisting up that golden basketball.

I’ll leave you with one last point…

Only 8 teams have won an NBA Title since the 1979-1980 season. That’s it. 31 seasons, 8 winners. That trend looks like it will continue 2010-2011.

• Lakers (10)
• Bulls (6)
• Celtics (4)
• Spurs (4)
• Pistons (3)
• Rockets (2)
• Miami Heat (1)
• 76ers (1)

It's a Team Game

Which sport in the most team intensive? Well, it kind of depends on who you ask, and what team intensive really means. Camaraderie\Chemistry\Confidence are all unquantifiable. The point of my idea is in regards to how one player affects his teammates on a given play.

My list goes like this…Football, Hockey, Basketball, & finally Baseball. I limited my discussion to the four major sports, but others garnering respect include soccer, rugby, and water polo.

From my many discussions on this topic, we come to realize that there is no doubt that Football has the most team-oriented gameplay. For instance, the right guard must block a defensive tackle. Depending on who wins that individual battle affects the Linebackers, Running Backs, and ultimately Quarterback (which trickles out to the skill positions). That single Right Guard-Defensive Tackle matchup can turn a play into a 5 yard loss or a Touchdown!

Many argue that baseball is the most individual sport. Meaning what the Shortstop, let’s say Hanley Ramirez, will do at any given game (on the field or at-bat) will happen, REGARDLESS of what ANY teammate at ANY position does on that same day. Now this goes without saying that players perform differently given a different set of circumstances. But, I attest that Hanley Ramirez is trying to get a hit, or make an out, no matter what is happening on the bases.

A pitcher can have an all-time historical game and most likely with the help of his defense playing behind him. The difference is individual players affecting the outcome of a given single play, in comparison to the other players around him. A fielder in baseball is making his play off of the batter (regardless of the other fielders), which depends on what the pitcher does (not the other fielders). So, this notion that baseball is a “team oriented-game” is entirely off to me. It is a collection of individual game performances masquerading as a team. And yes I do know that a guy on 1^st base does influence who is at-bat, but Hanley is still trying to get a hit if 1^st is occupied or empty. And yes I know a guy on 1st base does influence the pitcher, but Pitcher X is trying to make an out is 1st is occupied or empty.

Baseball plays by a different set of rules because there are so many stoppages of play. Just think about a single at-bat for a moment…Have you ever seen Bobby Abreu? Half the time he just tries to foul off pitches to make the Pitcher work harder. And that is just one of the reasons why baseball is the most individual game. To me, this does not take away from the sport, it only makes it more interesting to those who love it, LIKE ME!

So, what do you think? Which sport is the most team-intense based on the criteria I have used?

Peace, for now until later.

- Aaron

It's been a long time, I shouldn't have left you...

Back by nothing less than popular demand!

So what has happened since last time?

Graduation from UF, moving to South Florida, vacation to Nation's Capital, and the Miami Heat lost to the Charlotte Bobcats by an embarrassing 39 points.

I drive more in a day down in South Florida than I would in a week in Gainesville, gas adds up like none other.

I saw the Heat-Celtics game on Jan 6, that should have been a signature win, but Mario Chalmers and Jermaine O'Neal decided otherwise.

I've seen Sidney Crosby score a goal, and the Florida Panthers hold onto a playoff spot just long enough to be the 11th seed, but TWO points out of sixth.

Stay tuned, upcoming post on which sport is really the most team-intensive.

Peace, for now until later

- Aaron

Ughhh, I can't even see the puck.

This is a die-hard's take on the current landscape of the NHL, and the young talent pool that rivals any sport. So take it away Jason...

Well, its November and there’s a draft in the air. No not because of the changing seasons, but because you just walked into the ice arena to root on your favorite NHL team, right! Well not exactly, but here’s a few reasons why you need to get out there and see just exactly what you have been missing.

The season is about 16 games in (I know what youre thinking, HOW COULD I MISS 16 GAMES!!?) and we have the usual going on, Crosby, Malkin, and Ovechkin running away from everyone else in the league. No one compares, do they even play hockey in cities other then Pittsburgh and Washington? Wait, they do? And everything I just said isn’t true? Wow, what a revelation.

Yes ladies and gentleman I was lying, and I would like you all to meet Anze Kopitar, your NHL scoring leader and Phenom in the making, and he plays where? Way out west in the forgotten hockey town of Los Angeles for the Kings, where the likes of Wayne Gretzky once graced the ice. 13 goals and 14 assists for 27 points and the lead in the NHL scoring race separates 22 year old Anze Kopitar from the likes of those mentioned above. For some perspective, Crosby known to by many as leagues best, is currently sitting with 9 goals and 7 assists for 16 points, in the same number of games. You must also look out for Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks (pictured at right) as well as Steven Stamkos on the Lightning.

That trend doesn’t end there either, as the defensive scoring race boasts 4 rookies or sophomores in its top 11 players. That includes 19 year olds Drew Doughty and Michael Del Zotto, (NHL’s October Rookie of the Month) and 24 year olds Alex Goligoski and Kyle Quincy making waves for the Kings, Rangers, Penguins, and Avalanche respectively.

Two young goaltenders, 21 year old Steve Mason of Columbus and 23 year old Jonathan Quick of Los Angeles have also played big roles in jump starting their teams to fast starts in the 2009-2010 season.

It's out with the old and in with the new, NHL talent that is,and the only way to do that is by supporting your favorite or local NHL team, and experiencing it all for yourself. The Fastest and "Coolest" game on Earth!!! Get out there and support your team, a new era has begun, don’t be that guy that misses it. You definitely don't want to be that guy.

Thanks, to Smalls (Jason), who can be read @ twolivejews.blogspot.com

Peace, for now until later.

- Aaron

MAAAAA, the Meatloaf!!!

To people who know the Florida Panthers, the best thing about the franchise is???

Sorry, but you guessed incorrectly unless you said Randy Moller, the voice of your Florida Panthers on the radio. This man has created a secret world known only to those who listen to the Dan LeBatard radio show on 790 The Ticket, Panthers lovers, or people who came across his exploits on Youtube.

Anyone who does not know, NEEDS TO KNOW. Moller has turned every Panthers goal call into a chance to re-live the past, bring up the present, or simply just make you wonder.

The reference from Wedding Crashers mentioned in the title is definitely one of the best. Another is WIILLSSSOOOON!!! - Tom Hanks in Castaway



Take a listen, and let Randy explain to you why he is the 1st star amongst Hockey Broadcasters.

October skY

OCTOBER. There is something different about this month. Its the turning of the leaves. The cool air beginning to blow. And a month in which you truly, can be Lost In Sports. It is a month that is filled with all four major sports leagues--NFL, MLB, NBA & NHL.

Baseball brought the end of the regular season with an amazing run by the Twins to the AL Central title. The MLB Playoffs have been sooo unexciting, the best part has been watching Jeter's heady baseball skills. 3 sweeps in the Division Series, and looks like a sweep for the Yankers, and a quick 5 game set for the Phils.


The only part worse about these playoffs has been Baseball's inability to capture their audience. Seriously. 3 days off for the NLCS, and 5 for the ALCS to begin. These breaks make it more about the "impact players" on a team, and not the team as a whole. Baseball misses the point, once again. And if it can't fall further, a possible 6 days off between the LCS and World Series if they end in 4 and 5 games like I mentioned before.

With October, we also see the return of NBA Basketball and NHL Hockey. These indoor, winter sports, are nothing short of exciting from the puck drop to the tip-off. Each fan likes their favorite sport for whatever reason, and basketball gets a bad rap for those I cannot understand.

NBA teams are comprised of a max of 15 players, and only 12 active on any given game day. Understand, that rarely do teams even use more than 9 players, unless otherwise dictated. That makes you have to be 1 of 270 people in the ENTIRE WORLD, to even set foot on the court, let alone make and impact on a NBA game.


I don't try to talk about hockey, but plenty of my buddies CAN, AND WILL. From time to time, I will have a guest hockey blogger, most likely to be Walter or the Jets Fan.


Finally, October is about not losing the chance to make the playoffs or stumbling through the early-middle part of your schedule. The Miami Dolphins have rallied back from an 0-3 hole, and are now 2-3, more importantly 2-0 in the AFC East. For the Gators fans, a tough win yesterday vs. Arkansas, but the first BCS rankings have UF 1st by .030 over Alabama.


Peace, for now until later.


- Aaron

MLB Season Wrap & Postseason Preview

Predictions made in my MLB Season Preview

NL- Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Wild Card-Florida Marlins

AL- Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins, Oakland Athletics, Wild Card- New York Yankees

World Series Winner- Chicago Cubs

SOOOOOOOOO WRONG IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE. What the hell was I thinking about the A's making it, and I should've known with the Cubs.

So that makes it 1/4 in the NL and depending on if the Twins win today's play-in game i could get 3/4 in the AL. It just seems like the Twins are gonna make it after everything going on with them--Last year @ Metrodome, Mauer misses beginning of season (hits .364), Morneau injured near season's end, etc.

Should I even attempt predicting the NL? Dodgers, Phillies, Rockies, & Cardinals. Real quick Dodgers limp into playoffs and have to face the best player (Pujols). I like the Cardinals winning the NL, for 4 reasons--Albert, Carpenter, Wainwright, & La Russa. The other series Phillies-Rockies is a matchup of flawed clubs in my opinion. Phillies cannot closes games out and the Rockies don't have any #1 pitcher (Cook, Marquiz, Jiminez just a bunch of #2 guys).

In the AL, you got Red Sox-Angels and Yankers-Twins/Tigers. Easy, Yankees take it because the play-in game ruins you. For the other matchup my gut says Sox, but it seems like an Angels year. So in the end Angels-Yankees and the Yankees take the cake.

World Series winner-- CARDINALS. Best combo of hitting, pitching, and managing in the bigs.

Football- 3 weeks through September

There is much to be said about playing a SEC team (Tennessee) who sets out to to prove to the #1 team in the land (Florida) that they are a worthy opponent. Being a Gator fan, I walked out of yesterday's game happy in more ways than one. They won a sloppy, gritty, hard-fought game and if Tennessee had a mere mediocre quarterback the outcome could have been different. Facing obstacles like a team stricken with the flu and the inability to throw ten yards beyond the line of scrimmage (against an NFL style defense), the Gators proved they can win any type of game.

The 09-10 Florida Gators are on a mission to become the only undefeated team that this school has ever seen. Each of the three championships have seen one loss--FSU in '96, Auburn in '06, and Ole Miss in '08. Make this team one-dimensional and they still can pull out the victory. The real test comes October 10 in Baton Rouge against LSU at 8 p.m.

Why is Grey's Anatomy still nominated for this bullshit (Emmy Nomination). Nobody likes that show anymore. Is this a stream of consciousness? Why doesn't LOST win it all?

Anyway, Sunday Night Football pits the Giants v. Cowboys in a standard early season NFC East Battle. So though 1 week and 14 1/2 games of week 2, what have we seen? NOTHING. The 13-3 Tennessee Titans of '08, begin 0-2 losing to the Steelers and TEXANS! These same Texans who could not gain a first down against the 2-0 NY Jets. Also, how the hell does San Francisco go 2-0 beating the Seahawks and Cardinals (two divisional games), that's crazy! Most surprising thing I have seen so far is...the Dolphins committing 4 turnovers against the Falcons in week 1. And that brings me to Monday Night Football with the Colts v. Dolphins. Miami has not won a prime time game since 2004- 57 weeks (thanks to the Sun-Sentinel for that stat).

As for other news in football...the Miami Hurricanes are close to being back. Ranked #9 in the AP Poll may be high, but beating two ranked teams says something about your team. I will the say that talent is 90% of winning in College Football and Miami usually has the most on any given field.

Thanks to Eric Berry, Lane & Monte Kiffin for giving the Gators the "scare" they needed to get things right for the rest of the season! I look forward to the coming weeks and a possible inters-state match up in Pasadena, that is if The "U" has come back full circle. HAAAAAAA, I am getting WAY to ahead of myself. Let's just beat Kentucky in Lexington next week and the Heisman is like winning NL MVP, WHO GIVES A SHIT? The goal is the crystal ball, and nothing else, actually the SEC Title first.

ALLLLLLRIGHT MIIIIIAMI- JIM MANDICH SCREAM YOUR FUCKIN' ASS OFF TOMORROW NIGHT!!!!!!!!

Peace, for now until later.

- Aaron

Go Fins, Heat, Panthers, the Fish. Low payroll and all, still better than the Braves and Mets.

Baseball Numbers

I like to think that I know a lot about what I am talking. Here's the thing though, when speaking about baseball the numbers don't lie. So in baseball, if you don't know what you are talking about, then you REALLY have no clue. I discussed awhile ago how managers, more often then not, make decisions based on the numbers and averages.

In the early 2000s Billy Beane (Oakland A's GM) was the talk of the baseball world with his ability to consistently put a winning product on the field with a low payroll. Unfortunately the A's never made it past the ALCS, and now have come back to the medicrity, and are no longer contenders. Why? Pitching. Rich Harden, Tim Hudson, Barry Zito, Mark Mulder, Houston Street are all gone and the A's have missed on many prospects they got in return.

I digress. The point I wanted to make is, that the Billy Beane's Moneyball theory was based on on-base-percentage. Basically, people who get on base with a high percentage, are extremely valuable to an offense's success. This instead of looking mainly at batting average for a batter's success rate.

OK, so to my point. As GM the bullpen might be the most overlooked unit with the exception of Closer. How does one tell whether or not a bullpen pitcher is successful as what they do? I think it must be more then just their ERA, which is a stat that at times can hide one's deficiencies.

I begin with WHIP. Walk + Hits per Innings Pitched. Having a WHIP lower then 1.40 is good, but the best pitchers hover around 1-1.10. Potential Cy Young winner in the NL Dan Haren's is 0.94 RIDICULOUS. The real stat to determine bullpen guy's success is their inherited runners stranded. What is better then a guy a gets the out he needs in a major spot, because guys are on base. This stat is not covered on any site with regularity. I found this online. Some Dodger fan HATES Guerillmo Mota, which as a former Marlin, he loved to let runners score when he came in relief.

So let's come up with a better way of quantifying a relief pitcher's success. WHIP + Inherited Runners Stranded is definitely the right start.

Peace, for now until later.

Aaron

NYC v. Boston

I will be traveling to the Northeast today, departing from Gainesville. I have a questionable infatuation with this area of the United States, most likely due to the awesome history of the region. My travels will lead me to Boston by way of bus from New York City, spending 3 nights in each hub of American culture new and old. Right now, I'm waiting to board mini plane. I've never flown on a small jet like I'm about to...it's something crazy like 15 rows os seats, should be an experience.

OK. So I have been back in Gainesville since early Tuesday morning and it has taken until now to come up with the criteria to weigh these two cities against each other. Food, Nightlife, Public Transportation, the People, and finally the sports.

Depending on what you are looking for, each city has its own benefit. But, for my personal liking NYC is where its at. The sheer volume of choices on every block is astronomical, and not only the choices but availabilty of late night food. I did have amazing Italian food in the North End of Boston, so that is definitely worth mentioning.

By far, the people in Boston are waaaaaaay more friendly. I walked the streets of both cities by myself and in NYC the most you get is a head nod from a passerby. Bostonians spoke and even responded when I returned the how you doin' question. It may be the amount of young people that live in Boston, which is refreshing to see when riding the trains. Everyone in NYC is just always in a rush.

As for public transportation NYC domination. The subway system is set immaculate. Everywhere is accessible with a minimal amount of walking to and from each subway stop. The only issue is the cleanliness of the subway cars, but the short wait periods are great. In Boston the main way of moving through the city is by way of the T-Train. This has 4 branches which connect and all lead to the same ending point. The problem is a small amount of cars for each train, long waits, and decently far walks. Although Boston's cars are far cleaner, newer, and more comfortable.

Nightlife doesn't even compare. Bars and clubs close at 2 am in Boston, which blows, it's like being back in Gainesville. The thing is I don't like staying out so late, but that's where the late night food comes into play. In NYC, there is no time to close, just a time to when alcohol is stopped being served.

And now for the sports. Recently speaking, Boston is #1 in the USA, not even just between these two cities. All-time its pretty much up in the air. It really depends on what sport you are talking and even then what era.

Here's the pictures from my showdown.

So, in the end it happens to be a personal choice. The life in Boston is much more quiet and slow-paced. New York is the city that never sleeps and is another world in and of itself. Personally, I choose NYC.

- Aaron

What makes Golf great?

As Tom Watson failed to make the putt on the 18th Green which would have sealed his 9th Major victory a discussion came about in my dwelling. A buddy of mine was not impressed with the feat of having a near 60-year-old man playing at a Championship level in a Major Tournament. That in itself is what makes the game of Golf a beauty.

Only in this sport is a senior's skill level become equivalent to a 25 or 30-year-old by way of course conditions. Watson's inability to close on the 18th hole does not take away from his accomplishments during this 138th British Open. He lead the tournament from Round 1 to the last hole, and let's go with that he choked. Yes, it sucks. He may not have this opportunity again...he hasn't won a PGA Tournament in 11 years (Mastercard Colonial, '98) and not won a Major in 26 years (Open Championship, '83). I am not included Senior(Championship) Tour wins, of which he has 12 since 1999 (5 majors & 7 regualar).

Tom Watson had the chance to elevate himself up the all-time Major Championships list, and it was said best on the ABC broadcast..."He has only himself to blame." In no other sport can a sixty-year-old need to blame himself for not winning the most difficult tournament played all year. If you can't recognize that greatness, your aptitute must be checked.

Done, BOOM.

- Aaron

p.s.

If Tiger didn't suck this weekend and Phil was playing, this post probably would not have been written.

Chatter Box- NL East discussion

So there is a lot of talk about the NL East and the weak play of its teams, especially the New York Mets...

To the outside fan looking in it may come as a surprise that a (Mets) payroll reaching just below the $150 million mark ($149,373,987) don't have some guys who are competent replacements if there starters went down to injury. Thanks to the injury bug the Mets have been dawdling through this season while Beltran, Delgado, and Reyes have all been lost for significant parts of this year. Not to mention their $6 million dollar bullpen upgrade in J.J. Putz has been far less than the what they hoped (1-4, 5.22, & on DL since June 6). And do I love the leaning on bad starters for quality starts nearly everytime out.

Now for a quick take on the Nationals, the team batting average is awesome .263, 4th best in the NL and the 2nd best OBP at .344. Too bad their league worst ERA 5.19 keeps them out of most ballgames from the start. I also heard the other day, their prized #1 draft pick Stephen Strasburg has not even been contacted by the club regarding a contract, Scott Boras needs to stick a cell phone up his ass.

The Atlanta Braves are somewhat of a jauggernaut. They went old with the bats this past offseason because they thought the pitching was there with Lowe, Vasquez, Jurrjens, Kawakami, & phenom Tommy Hanson as a mid-season call up. True to form the pitching is not Atlanta's issue, team ERA of 3.87 is 5th best in the NL. Problem is, Lowe has been inconsistent at best, and he was supposed to be their ace. Looks like the Braves are working towards 2010 already if you ask me, but you never know if another trade is in their works.

And now the Philadelphia Phillies. This team boggles my mind. So far 1 game under at home (22-23) and the Majors most wins on the road (27-15), after defeating the Florida Marlins down in Miami last night. Hitting, Hitting, Hittting, and not to much pitching has been their recipe for wins this year. Jamie Moyer has a 5.58 ERA, 9-6, but against the Florida Marlins 2.37, 2-1. He is the ultimate Marlins killer. I would rather face Johan, Greinke, Lincecum, Halladay, Haren, or Beckett than this guy if I had to win ONE game. For his career Jamie Moyer is 13-2, 2.83 in 15 career starts against the fish. Let's just hope Brad Lidge can't figure it out by season's end.

Finally, the Florida Marlins with probably the best team all around when everything is working. YEAH, I SAID IT. Nobody has a better starting rotation with Josh Johnson playing ACE. Nolasco, Miller, Volstad all have lights out stuff and each start gives them more seasoning. The bullpen is not an issue, as it hasn't been most of the year. Matt Lindstrom is a problem, but we look to the fact that he is still only in his 3rd Major League season, and first as the full-time closer. The major problems for the Marlins are Jeremy Hermida sucking 80% of the time and it seems we pay our guys to strike out. HANLEY RAMIREZ is more MVP than anyone but Pujols. I hope Uggla is gone soon, Hermida cut, Maybin brought up, and Gaby Sanchez given a chance.

LET'S GO FISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peace, for now until later.

- Aaron

"It is not where you land, but where you end up."

That was a quote by me! POSTERS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST...

Well since the fourth of July feast much has happened in the world of sport.

Le Tour de France has begun, and of course with little fanfare in America the beautiful! Lance Armstrong is cycling to win the tour after a three year hiatus. Not to mention he is a winner of the tour a record 7 consecutive years running from 1999-2005. For the most part Lance is back to "show the world" he can win amidst all the doping & p.e.d. speculation which encompasses his sport. Regardless, he is an amazing human being whose achievements must go down as Top 10 in all of sports history. If you've been in hiding and do not know already he is a testicular cancer survivor. If you have any decency in you...support his cause @ livestrong.com. I did back when those awesome yellow braclets first came out!!

Moving on, Roger Federer is better than Tiger Woods? Well, that debate remains in Tiger's hands, but at the moment Roger has the upper hand. Federer recently won his sixth Wimbledon Title, which elevated him into unprecedented territory with his 15th career grand slam championship. He surpassed legend Pete Sampras who sitting courtside offered thumbs up as Roger jumped in the air as he claimed the title. Back to the Tiger debate, the eras of both Federer & Woods have helped each guy achieve amazing success in their respective sports.

I am by no means a racist, but I do find it somewhat amusing that African-Americans dominate the country club sports of Golf and Women's Tennis. An all Williams' Wimbledon final had Serena take down sister Venus. Somewhere in their graves old white man are screeching. But, I love it, only if James Blake could start winning big!

The Major League Baseball All-Star game is in a couple days and my prediction for starting pitchers has probably fallen up short. Santana v. Halladay, hey both made their teams, but who couldn't pick those two! It should be a great one, now that the game has meant something for a couple years running.

Peace, for now until later.

- Aaron

Feast on the Fourth...America's Birthday

Me and some of my buddies will be making an extravagent feast for the birthday for this beloved country. On the menu will be a number of various dishes to satisfy my bountiful hunger. The night before will be the makin' of the desserts...Key Lime Pie & Layered Cake w/ cream cheese frosting...mmmmmmmm. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2825570&id=2029590&l=37228c2fd5

Check out the video here...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F65M0eicrUw

Happy Fourth of July to everyone...

- Aaron

So what does it all mean?

USA Soccer with a 2-0 halftime lead. Brazil slaps them in the face in the second half to win 3-2, claiming the Confederations Cup Title.

Sort of like the Kobe Bryant led Lakers taking a 3-1 series (on Kobe's game 4 buzzer-beater) lead on the Steve Nash led Suns in the 2006 NBA Playoffs. Suns come back to win the final three games by an average of 18.7 ppg, and scoring an average of 120.3 ppg. That was pretty much Kobe Bryant (and nobody else) versus the best offense of this decade.

It is without doubt Brazil has the better everything. So what did the USA performance in this tournament show the world? Like the Kobe Lakers of 2006, USA made a statement saying that they have a capable team, who is able to compete with the world's best. In 2006 Kobe showed he is capable of scoring in prolific numbers, which can elevate his team to another level. USA Soccer needs to maintain their worldclass play for an entire match and tournament, not just a half.

The other night on Pardon-the-Interruption Bob Ryan questioned America's sense of entitlement in sporting events. That the general feeling surrounding the matches outcome, was of dissappointment, as if USA was supposed to win just because they led after 45 minutes. He went on to say that this wasn't as much of a choke job, as it was Brazil simply being the superior squad.

I am in 100% agreement with this. It really cannot be a choke if you are the inferior team. The point being is that in a match of this sort, Brazil v. USA on the World's Stage (the site of 2010 World Cup), you cannot judge a performance solely based on the first 45 minutes of play.

Brazil deserves the credit for winning, but do not discount this USA team any longer. By defeating Spain, and nearly Brazil, the world is on notice that USA Soccer cannot be walked over or looked past on the pitch.

Now, only if anybody in this country actually cared.

- Aaron

For The Gators Fans...

Enjoy this home-video of The Florida Gators Band (Pride of the Sunshine) performing Michael Jackson's "Thriller"

Link coming shortly...

- Aaron

Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough...

The NBA Draft has come and gone...the NHL had one too...and baseball season has surpassed the 70 game mark as interleage winds down this weekend.

USA Soccer had what is possibly be the biggest win in its history. A 2-0 win over Spain in the Confederations Cup who went in ranked #1 by FIFA. Brazil now stands between the U.S. and a Confederations Cup title which be HUGE to win the Americans some respect in the futbol world. So Sunday @ 2:30 pm watch PLEASE be a part of Sam's Army.

June 25, 2009 saw the passing of an iconic legend who saw a man in the mirror that can heal the world with billie jean. Michael Jackson remains on all our hearts and minds each passing day, and will truly be remember as a musical genius. Hands down the greatest artist in the last 50 years.

South Florida news & notes...

The Miami Dolphins are starting a trend which personally I am finding both amusing and clever. Stephen Ross has added Jimmy Buffet and Gloria Estefan (and husband) as minority owners. A brilliant idea that is giving the South Florida community more of a reason to fall in love with the Dolphins once again. Not to mention the product on the field will be GREATLY improved regardless of how difficult the schedule is. Margaritaville meets the Conga Line @ LandShark Stadium...should be a show to see!

Pat Riley & Dwyane Wade have exchanged some soft blows about the superstar guard's impending free agency following the 09-10 season. Riley says he can't do anything until Wade re-signs, and Wade says he won't re-sign until Riley makes a move. All I ask is that Wade doesn't become too selfish this summer, and he works along with the core of Beasley, Chalmers, & Cook to help them grow as players.

The Florida Marlins fought back to the .500 mark and even went 2 over, before a loss Friday night to the Rays. The starting pitching has hit a stride, but the bullpen has begun to faulter. A move is needed to bring in another right-hander to help, as the struggling Lindstrom is on the DL for a number of weeks.

Peace, for now until later...

- Aaron

HOCKEY TALK

Every time the conversation about the sport that doesn't use a ball arises, I always come back to the same issue. There is NOT ONE person covering the sport who I look forward to telling me about "the fastest game on earth."Barry Melrose WILL NOT suffice any longer.

I need more, NEW, and better personality to teach & talk to me about hockey.

You see it everywhere in the other three major sports.

NFL has an array of former pro bowlers and legends in and around the coverage of games. Deion Sanders, Steve Young, Warren Sapp, John Gruden, Dan Diedorf, Tony Siragusa, Troy Aikman, Terry Bradshaw, Jimmy Johnson, Marshall Faulk and list goes on. For god sake Tiki barber retired so he could cover the games on TV!

The NBA is a league like none other because it is the smallest and most close-knit of them all. Charles Barkley, Reggie Miller, Magic Johnson, Jeff Van Gundy, Hubie Brown, Dr. Jack Ramsay, Jalen Rose, Mark Jackson, Jamal Mashburn, etc. In the recent past Steve Kerr & Danny Ainge left the booth to become GM's.

MLB is covered in more depth than all others sports just because the nature of the game. Orel Hershiser, Dave Winfield, John Kruk, Joe Morgan, Harold Reynolds, Steve Phillips, John Hart, Buck Showalter, and many many more.

Why has the NHL and its players seem to have lost out on the easy transition from playing their game to analyzing their game?

There are a few responses to this question.

1) The NHL is less "fraternal" than all the other sports. Meaning less camaraderie exists between the players, coaches, management, league, and ultimately the ones who cover the sport.

2) The previous response could stem from the fact that more languages and nationalities are in the NHL than any other sport. When the best players in the game do not assimilate very well into America and learn english, it leads to the inability to connect with the fans.

3) The networks, mainly Versus (they also run NBC's coverage) have failed to put people in place that a casual fan would recognize and latch onto. ESPN has tried to use Barry Melrose & Matthew Barnaby, but that is not enough!But that does not excuse Great American & Canadian players: Messier, Borque, Hull, Roy, Amonte, Vanbiesbrouck, Leetch, Richter, Robitaille, Lindros, Primeau, & LaFontaine...just to name a few. Of these guys only Vanbiesbrouck and Hull have entered the the media side, and that was only in a minor role.

Has the NHL sport not been as good to these guys as the MLB, NBA, & NFL to its players?
- No! They all have made millions.

I place blame on; First the players for not caring about the sports view in America, and Second the networks which cover the sport.

A message to Versus, if you are going to be the only network which covers the sport, then hold some freakin' auditions for players, coaches, and front office people who will add some insight that a casual fan is thirsting for.

At least the players and on-ice product are getting better! Only time will tell if the people covering the sport do as well.

- Aaron

Baseball is A Numbers Game

In Sport one (1) fact remains a constant. It is that Baseball was, is, and continues to be all about the numbers. In no other sport can numbers, and moreover SPLITS teach you about player's aptitute or ineptitude in ANY GIVEN SITUATION.
Check out Baseball Reference for any, and all information on stats.

Let's take a look a former Marlins Catcher, and current Twins backup Mike Redmond. He is a career .291 hitter with only 13 homers in 2140 at-bats, BUT off Tom Glavine a .438 with 2 homers in 48 at-bats. Redmond is also a lifetime .327 hitter versus left-handed pitching, while a pedestrian .272 against a right-hander. Now, remember that Glavine is a Hall-of-Fame pitcher who for his career has a .256 BAA right handers.

Glavine v. Redmond is a mysterious instance in which a hitter dominates a certain pitcher for god-knows why.

Here is a list of just some of the infinite amount of spilts that are available...
2 outs, RISP (runner in scoring position) - A "clutch" split
Day Game/Night Game
Grass/Turf
Home/Away
By Count
As starter/substitute
vs. Team or Pitcher
Ballpark
...And many, many, many, more.

The fact remains baseball is a number game, but at what point does a manager decide to look at the player and not the splits, or scouting report. Sometimes too often in my opinion, managers make decisions on what paper says, and they lose that player-manager trust which instills confidence in the player.

As a Marlins fan I can remember a plethora of decisions Fredi Gonzalez has made that purely were paper-based. Sometimes they work, but sometimes they don't, and that is why Managing baseball HAS to be more than just based on statistics.

Tony La Russa revolutionized baseball with his use of the bullpen, and he is doing it again by batting his pitcher 8th. Now this is a man who isn't afraid to go against what the stats predicate.

-Aaron