Sunday, May 18, 2008 - George Bush likes the Doc.

-Death Cab for Cutie's new album Narrow Stairs is real solid - as expected.
-President George Bush was asked who his first pitcher would be, if he was an MLB general manager (and everyone was a free-agent), his answer? Roy Halladay.
-The Jamal Crawford to Toronto for T.J Ford rumours? Can't say I'm in love with Crawford's game, but the guy gets a tonne of slack for playing on two the worst teams in his short career.
-I was surprised to see the Dallas Stars go down 0-3 against the Red Wings, thought they were better than that. They will now try to pull off an '04 Red Sox comeback on Detroit. The series is currently 3-2. Marty Turco will need to step up if they're serious about the miracle on ice.
-Hard to imagine that Matt Stairs may have been in the NHL instead of hitting homers for the Jays - had different circumstances occurred.
-The Price is Right's Drew Carey is just a terrible game show host, in my golden opinion. Was a huge fan of Whose Line Is It Anyway? and The Drew Carey Show, but the guy just makes for a bad host. Ditto Craig Ferguson, who coincidentally was a regular on the latter show.
-All seems to be well in the Mets locker room after Billy Wagner apologized to Carlos Delgado, and their organized team meeting. Airing dirty laundry in public is never a good approach in any sport. And you'd think the Mets would know that by now - especially in the media frenzied Big Apple.
-Raptors forward Jamario Moon made the NBA's All Rookie Second team. Talk about a weak draft class. The only potential all-stars are Kevin Durant, Al Horford and possibly Greg Oden. The rest will become role-players, albeit good ones - but nothing more, in the years to come.
-During his interview, Ben Stein stated that George Stroumboulopoulos of The Hour reminded him a great, great deal of his good friend, Jimmy Kimmel.
-Blue Jays catcher Rod Barajas had 2 HR's and 5 RBI's against his former team the Phillies.
-.186, Ryan Howard. Hard to believe, huh?
-According to an MSNBC.com survey, the most commonly used password by people is the word, "password". Remember guys, stupid is, as stupid does.
-I'll be back in a month, take care everyone.

Saturday, May 17, 2008 - Trouble in the Big Apple.

-So why can't the NBA fire the Atlanta Hawks' scorekeepers when pretty much the same thing happened, but three times in the last two years.
-I must admit, I'm a closet LA Sparks fan. Candace Parker's debut game statline: 34 pts 12 reb 8 ast.
-Charles Barkley estimated that he has gambled away $10 million dollars over the years. To which he stated: "Do I have a gambling problem? Yeah, I do have a gambling problem, but I don't consider it a problem because I can afford to gamble." Good point, Chuck.
-If you think Floyd Mayweather has chops, check out the youngster Pretty Boy Bam-Bam.
-A little tension among NY Mets' players, as Billy Wagner has called out his teammates for playing hooky after games, specifically Carlos Beltran, Luis Castillo and my boy Carlos Delgado. Race is not the key here folks, laziness however, fits the bill to a tee.
-Portia de Rossi is set to wed Ellen DeGeneres (that's right, the dancing talk show host). To which the world responded, "Her?".
-If Kenny "the Jet" Smith leaves the TNT crew for the Knicks, I for one, will miss his charisma and on-air personality. The TNT crew are only rivalled by The Best Damn Sports Show Period guys, in terms of entertainment value.
-Is Evan Longoria of the D-Rays good or what? Big time props to Andrew Friedman, the GM of the Devil Rays for locking him up.
-David Stern recently made comments regarding the "fancy pyrotechnics" at the beginning of games. I share the same sentiments, the player introductions have become too circus-like and over-the-top for my liking. I'm only 18 years young, for your information.
-the MLB is on pace for 1,000 less HR's, Mitchell Report anyone?
-The LA Angels will have their hands full during interleague play - hosting the Braves and Mets at home, and then flying out to face another tough team, the Phillies.
-The Cleveland Indians starters racked up 44 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball. Good for baseball fans - bad for casual baseball fans.
-Cleveland Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson is out with a shoulder-injury. As the rest of the NBA fans around the world are thinking, is it really that significant to mention? The kid's a one-hit wonder/flavour of the week from last years playoffs. Did Soft Cell ever bust out another hit after Tainted Love? Not quite.
-Does anyone actually watch Off The Record with the obnoxious host Michael Landsberg? I will admit to being a huge Pardon The Interruption fan, making an attempt to follow the show everyday (or downloading the podcast) and my blogging style is clearly, heavily influenced by the show.
-Sign of the Apocolypse: If you're a 49 year old who goes on the internet and pretend to be a teenager, just to break a 13-year old girl's heart (for your own amusement), you're a total loser.
-Speaking of losers (kidding of course), the Orlando Magic players are saying they're the better team than the Detroit Pistons. How hard did you laugh after reading that? I take back my previous comment.
-"I'm sorry, you just fired a mother of four over a [$0.16] Timbit" -Nicole Lilliman, Tim Hortons' former employee.
-Good night Canada! (and wherever else my other readers are from)

Friday, May 16, 2008 - "A LeBron James Team is never desperate"

-Brandon Webb of the Diamondbacks improves to a stellar 9-0 after his victory against the Colorado Rockies
-Currently unemployed coach Avery Johnson joined the TNT crew the other night. If I were a betting man, I would wager that he will be hired by an NBA team by the end of the off-season. The man's a proven winner.
-There's way too much news highlighting Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey these days. Neither of the two are even A-list celebrities either, or even remotely interesting - so who cares.
-Can Tim Duncan and the Spurs win in New Orleans? Now, they'll have to, with the series knotted at three a piece.
-the NBA's 70 year-old cookie monster, or more commonly referred to as Dikembe Mutombo, has decided to return for an 18th run at the title.
-Home Alone: The Reality. For some reason, I don't think the phrase "oops" can cut it.
-The Toronto Blue Jays are a half game above the Yankees at this point in the season. Just stating a fact.
-Where are the Pau Gasol critics now? Of course, they'll fully credit #24 when the topic is raised.
-The Dallas Cowboys will be featured on ESPN's "Hard Knocks" this year. Headlining the show are: Pacman Jones, Tony Romo and T.O. It will be an interesting saga, to say the least.
-Lebron James brashly said, "A Lebron James Team is never desperate" after game 5's lost to the Celtics, following his "Sit your ass down, Mother" comment the previous game. Just more reasons to hate the guy.
-On the same topic, Sir Charles Barkley hit the nail on the head with his thoughts on the first quote, "How the hell can you call this your team, when the only games you've won in this series were won by your supporting cast, not you?"
-Dany Heatly becomes Team Canada's all-time leading scorer, or better known as, the NHL's biggest post-season loser.
-For some reason, those pink autographed bats being auctioned off on MLB.com don't seem all that appealing to me.
-Stephen A. Smith recently criticized both Chris Bosh's game and physical appearance, to which Bosh sent a verbal jab right back. Stephen A. should just choke on a cheese-doodle already, seriously.
-Who do I want to replace Chuck Swirsky? Anyone but Rod Black (TSN's carbon copy commentator of the Jays' Jamie Campbell)
-Speaking of replacements, is this the end of The Office's awkward, yet likeable character Toby Flenderson? Sure looks like it. Ryan Howard's character seems to be done as well, after the recent events that transpired in the finale.
-Sunday (if, even) will be the last blog, at least for a month as I will be M.I.A. Apologies to my three faithful readers.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - First ever rundown...

-I can't decide on who I think is more obnoxious: Don "dinosaur" Cherry or John "turducky" Madden.
-No team has ever hoisted the Larry O'Brien without snagging a game on the road, could this year's Celtics be the first? Not likely.
-More likely to happen, both the Pistons and Red Wings win it all, becoming the first teams in 61 years to accomplish the feat. Easier said than done however - just ask the New England Patriots.
-the Miami Heat are interested in either PG the Raptors are willing to let go - cue your Shawn Marion scenarios.
-Annika Sorenstam announces her retirement from the LPGA. Possibly the greatest female golfer of all time.
-Of Maxim's Hot 100, Derek Jeter has tapped a world-leading 6, while John Mayer trailing close behind at 4.
-The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are 7 games above .500 for the first time in franchise history.
-More impressive, the unassisted triple play or the goal deflected off of the defense man's head?
-Monday's episode of House? Amazing, even more so than usual.
-Wayne Gretzky in the running for the Leafs' coaching job. If it's taking this long, who isn't, really?
-New favourite television show: Law and Order: SVU.
-Once again, David Beckham will not be playing in Toronto. Tough luck, Toronto soccer fans.
-Steve Nash has an opt-out on his contract after next season, start dreaming Raptor fans.
-the New Orleans Hornets are the real deal, but you can never count out a team with the greatest power forward of all time.
-Andy/Dwight's Nissan Xterra SE from The Office for sale, literally.
-Must be nice to be a Florida Marlins fan at this point, you'd be lying if you said you expected them to be doing this well, even this early in the season.
-"6 years? That sounds sexy" - R. Kelly, SNL.

07/08 End of Season Grades - Toronto Raptors

End of season grades for the 07/08 Toronto Raptors...

Sam Mitchell - C+
-With an upgraded roster, the Smitch somehow managed to do worse this season, than last year. A few losses here and there, and the Raptors realistically could have missed the playoffs. Poor play-calling, misuse of players (see: Jason Kapono), unorthodox coaching tactics (Bargnani and the silent treatment), inconsistent and often perplexing line-up changes, need I say more?

Rasho Nesterovic - B
-The team's best low-post defender but isn't getting any younger. Played awesome basketball when Bosh was out.

Chris Bosh - A
-The guy needs help. Period.

T.J Ford - B-
-Lost his job due to injury (Al Horford incident), and struggled in his return. Gets unwarranted slack for his PR and overall demeanor, mainly due to the media and typical fairweather internet fans.

Jamario Moon - B
-improved his shooting % and shot-selection greatly in the second half of the season. Needs to utilize his athleticism much, much more in the areas of slashing (went to the charity stripe once in a blue "Moon") and offensive rebounding.

Anthony Parker - C+
-Has clearly lost a step, and unfortunately, isn't the same Anthony Parker from last year. He should not be a regular starter, however; coming off the bench, he could serve as a solid rotation player.

Jose Calderon - B+
-The "Derek Jeter" to Ford's "A-Rod" personality. Improved in a lot of areas of his game, but still, a defensive liability. His A/TO Ratio is impressive, but at times, he needs to be more aggressive offensively on fast-break opportunities - whether it is 3-on-3, 2-on-2, whatever. In layman's terms, he needs to take more risks and not let the assist:turnover ratio impact his decisions.

Carlos Delfino - C+
-This year's Morris Peterson, in terms of consistency. When things were going well for him, he looked like a superstar, but when his shots weren't falling, he looked like a D-Leauger. Fell in love with the 3-pointer way too often but for what it's worth, for 2 second rounders, he was a steal.

Andrea Bargnani - C
-Struggled all season long (minus the first few games). Here's hoping for a "Brandon Roy" type break-out season next year for Il Mago. He's got the skills, and just needs the PT. Fans need to be patient with the kid, he's only what, 22? Call it cliche but big men DO take some time to develop.

Jason Kapono - B
-Underutilized due to Moon playing 30 minutes a night...

Primoz Brezec - D
-Picked up on the trade deadline day, for Juan Dixon. Not much of a need to resign him, other than for entertainment purposes in garbage time. The guy learned English through conversations with Stephen Jackson and Ron Artest (in his time as a Pacer) as well as Hip-Hop. Enough said.

Kris Humphries - D
-Another garbage time player. Needs to stop taking shots like he's Kobe Bryant. You're a role-player Kris, your job is to rebound, block-shots and do the dirty work for the other Chris, you know, our true franchise player. So get it through your head, you hack.

Joey Graham - D
-Has about as much confidence as a girl with a zit on prom-night, as well as a very low basketball I.Q. At this point, I've lost all faith in Joey. His brother Stephen Graham could probably outplay the guy. No doubt, he'll be cut this off-season.

Darrick Martin - D-
-D-Mart was done, plain and simple - it was about time he retired. Chucking is not an NBA skill.

Thoughts on the first-round of the NBA playoffs...

From another blog of mine,

East:

Celtics vs. Hawks
-7 games? Don't make me laugh. Wait, nevermind.
-real physical series - both sides. Nice to see Zaza Pachulia not back down from Kevin Garnett. It's the NBA playoffs, show some emotion.
-Josh Childress in a Raptors uniform next season. Make it happen B.C. The guy's been compared to Tayshaun Prince in terms of team value, which is a fair comparison. Just a solid, underrated player who could fill a lot of the Raptors' gaping holes.
-Hawks get crushed in game 7. Way to show some passion and desire. Marvin Williams pulls a "Horford" on Rajon Rondo - that's not passion - that's pure bush league.

Cavaliers vs. Wizards
-the much anticipated match-up between Soulja Boy and Jay-Z.
-would I call this a rivalry? No, the Wizards need to actually win a series for it to be a rivalry.
-Lebron gets roughed up by the Wizards and that's how it should be. You don't allow players to waltz in the paint coming out unscathed in the playoffs. Foul them hard. Dare the wimps (such as Vince Carter) to enter the paint again.
-are the Wizards a better team without Arenas?
-the Deshawn Stevenson, "I can't feel my face" thing got old, real fast.

Magic vs Raptors
-Dwight Howard averaged 20 and 20 in the series. The guy's a beast, man-child, Superman, whatever.
-finally, Sam Mitchell decides to play Jason Kapono. A little too late Smitch.
-some of the bi-polar Raptor fans on the team forums are requesting the trade of Chris Bosh. Ridiculous.
-This could be the end of either T.J Ford or Jose Calderon. If you're the G.M, who would you choose?
-if indeed Sam Mitchell gets the axe, word is Mike D'Antoni is on the market.

Pistons vs. 76ers
-Sixers steal game one, yet the Pistons didn't seem fazed at all.
-Tayshaun Prince did an excellent job defending Andre Iguadala. He's tall, about 6'9, and really lanky. A match-up nightmare for most SG/SF's in the league, on both ends of the floor.
-Mo Cheeks did an amazing job this year coaching the young Sixers. Big time ups.

West:

Lakers vs. Nuggets
-Nuggets get swept which was a little surprising. I had them getting at least one game at home. Lakers did what they were expected to do, and there's not much more to say.
-Allen Iverson wants the team to focus on defense next year. I laugh at the thought of Carmelo, AI and J.R Smith playing gritty defense for 48 minutes. Camby, K-Mart and Najera are the only true defensive minded players on the team, so I wish them luck.

Jazz vs Rockets
-T-Mac still remains a second-round virgin.
-But I've gotta give the Rockets some credit, they didn't go down without a fight. Skip, Scola, Battier and the crew, scratched and clawed all the way through the series, however, in the end - Jerry Sloan's boys executed like they always do - and put an end to the Rockets' semi-magical season.*
-It will be interesting to see (depending on Yao's health, as always) how the Rockets will play next season.

*Aside from the Yao season ending injury, it was an amazing season for the Rockets' organization.

Spurs vs. Suns
-Phoenix TO's late in the final game were painfully costly.
-After the thrilling game one of the series, I thought for sure this game would go at least 7.
-So who's to blame, Shaq? Nash? Steve Kerr? Pat Burke? Why must there always be just one guy to blame, is this not a team sport?
-The window of opportunity for the "Nash era" of Suns is closing quickly, and I think that next season is their last legit chance at contending.

Hornets vs. Mavericks
-Huge Jason Kidd fan, but I'll be the first to admit that he's lost a step. No way he can play heavy minutes dueling MVP candidate Chris Paul in the playoffs.
-Dirk the choke? If Dirk doesn't get to at least the conference finals next year, I might start believing the Dirk haters' in that "he's not a winner".
-Mark Cuban's wasn't too thrilled with the second consecutive first round playoff loss, and Avery Johnson became the scapegoat. Saw that coming from a mile away.

And, finally:
Second round series to watch: Spurs vs. Hornets. Should be a fun series to watch, especially the Chris Paul - Tony "Longoria" Parker match-up.

First Blog Ever!

...but not really. I began blogging a month ago on a different website (that I will continue to blog on or copy and/or paste the one's I write here to) and wasn't getting a whole lot of traffic.



So, hopefully I'll get some more views here. This blog is influenced by another one I saw (hopefully the don't mind) and the iconic Pardon the Interruption with hosts Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon. Love the show.

I'll mostly blog about sports (mainly the NBA), pop-culture, music and anything else that I find entertaining, so remember to tell your friends!