Disappointment.

Perhaps through no fault of his own, Manning laid an egg in the second half of yesterday's game against the Jets, thus ending perfection.

I haven’t written in my blog for quite some time, as I have been preoccupied with other things.  Being a grooms men at my good friend’s wedding, the holiday season, and of course looking for a damn job.  But what happened today in Indy was very disappointing.  Enough so for me to write a quick piece on it.

What the Colts had in front of them was a once in a lifetime opportunity to etch their names into the history of football greatness.  Every year there are champions.  But not every year are there undefeated ones.  Ask the 1972 Miami Dolphins, they love to remind you of their accomplishment.  I hate that, but until another team duplicates their efforts, they have every right to.

The Saints made no secrets about it.  They were going after it.  They ran into the unfortunate circumstance of perhaps running out of steam here in the latter stages of the season.  I commend their efforts.  But the Colts.  They pulled the plug on their desire to finish perfect, and I’m extremely upset at them because of that.  The Jets wouldn’t have been able to come within 13 points of a fully motivated Colts team.

I can only imagine how the Colts fans watching in the RCA Dome felt.  I’m a 49ers fan, yet I feel disgusted at what direction the Colts went.  You work hard to strive for perfection, any one will tell you that,  and the Colts were at the brink of achieving a tiny bit of it.  They’ll regret the decision to have their pursuit come to a halt.  Even if they win the Super Bowl this season, it will never equate.  I side with Hall of Famer Michael Irvin on this one … he’d trade all of his Super Bowl rings for one perfect season.  That’s how meaningful that accomplishment would be.  I have no Super Bowl rings to trade in, but trust me, it would be a no-brainer if that choice were presented to me.

Wildcat Offense (Not The Dolphins)

This Wild Cat's Got Claws ... (LOL I had to)

Well it’s wayyyyy too early in the season to start crowning this year’s champions, but with all the hoopla surrounding Kansas … my money’s on Kentucky.  Speaking of “hoopla” … has anyone ever heard of this John Wall guy?  I was talking to my boy Lito through Blackberry (still better than the i-phone) Messenger when he informed me that the ESPN color-commentators were making every effort possible to make sure you were aware of who John Wall was.  Apparently they fell short of mentioning what his favorite dessert was.  At his current rate on the hype-train, he should be inducted into the basketball hall-of-fame within 2 & 1/2 years.

With that being said … John Wall is the real deal.  He has pure, raw talent & athleticism.  He reminds me of another guard John Calipari had the pleasure of coaching, and that’s Derrick Rose.  Calipari coached Tyreke Evans too … talk about a good string of luck for this guy!

Anyway, outside of his prone to turn the ball over, and in my opinion, a jump-shot that takes too long to develop … I don’t see any other flaws in his game.  In fact, what we saw in his last game vs. UConn was his ability to finish … and not just finish around the cup, but finish a game.  Meaning close out a match.  He scored what … some 12 of Kentucky’s 15 final points?  Including what would be the game’s most important basket, in which he slashed through the lane with a tough left-handed lay-in + 1.

Kentucky is 9-0, and have gotten past UNC & UConn already.  Impressive to say the least.  As much as people find it funny how Calipari is down-playing his team’s success, he’s smart for not letting his team get overly confident.  In his past couple of post-game interviews, Calipari has given the impression that his team is 4-5 as oppose to the 9-0 they truly are …

He can’t fool me.  I believe he’s going to bed each night with a huge smile on his face and is giddy about how good his team really is.  Scary thing is … they haven’t reached their full potential yet.

Tebow On Sundays!

Tim Tebow won't get the ending he deserves in college, but hopefully he gets the beginning he deserves in the NFL ...

Real quick, I just wanted to vent … you know that I don’t have a chance at winning my fantasy football league, when my #1 & #2 picks this year were Brian Westbrook & Clinton Portis <— LOL at this!  Even in some miraculous way, I was able to trade Westbrook for Michael Turner, while Turner was performing horribly … Turner breaks loose for 2-3 weeks when I have him, but then sprains his ankle.  I give up.

Now, if anyone has read my blog, you might have read about how I’m a huge Tebow fan.  Needless to say, I was heart-broken yesterday, and the lingering effects of the Florida loss will stay with me for quite some time.  I was one of those guys who was hoping for the best for Tebow … the story book ending to a story book career.  Unfortunately for Florida, they weren’t as good as last year, and they finally got exploited for their weaknesses.  Alabama pounded them into submission, and dominated from start to finish.  Ingram had the game of his life, and definitely deserves at least a look at the Heisman.  So what’s next for Tebow?  Hopefully Florida recovers, and are able to send Tebow off in the fashion he deserves … with a big win.  Florida will likely be matched up against un-defeated Cincy in one of the BCS Bowl games, and Pike, Gilyard and co. are no push-overs.  But knowing Tebow, I expect him to drop one of his best performances to date in his Florida finale.

Tebow will not be the #1 pick in next year’s draft.  He most likely won’t go in the 1st round.  Unfortunately for Tebow, his handicaps at the position are looked at more stringently than with what he does that doesn’t show up on the score board.  He doesn’t have the strongest arm, he’s not accurate, he doesn’t have text-book form … etc. etc.  But I have stated time and time again, that none of that stuff matters.  Well, I won’t say it “doesn’t” matter, but give me a winner!  Give me a leader!  Give me someone I could look to, and turn to when we need him the most.  I’m telling you now, Tebow will be the next Tom Brady, not in the sense of his abilities, but in that leadership role.  You can’t measure “passion” for competing, or taking on challenges, and these are the attributes that determine “greatness” …

I know there are twice as many Tebow haters out there, than there are those who cheer for him … but trust me … you want him on your team playing Sundays.  Who will be so lucky?

Monday Night Beat Down!

MVP?

 

WOW

I must admit, the MNF game did not turn out the way I thought it would.  Don’t get me wrong, I believed the Saints could do it, but that easy?

Are we on course for something that may never ever happen again if we are so lucky enough to witness it this year?  A Super Bowl with both teams undefeated heading into it?

I’m drooling at the thought … more so than every single teeny bopper who went to watch “New Moon“

Before we trek down that road …

Who’s your MVP?

The easy choice … Drew Brees?

He leads the NFL in TD passes.  Although most QB’s lead their teams in their own individual way, you can argue that no one leads them with the same intensity of Drew Brees.  He gathers his troops before every game and fires them up ala Ray Lewis, or any hard-hitting defensive player.  But he’s a QB.

Peyton Manning?

He started the season extremely hot, even over-shadowing Drew Brees to a certain extent, because Manning has NO running game to back him.  He’s struggled some-what the past few weeks, throwing multiple picks in each of the last 3 games.  But how much is he struggling, if they continue to win?  And how good will the Colts be, if they’re not playing their best.  Scary thought.

I am as a big of fan of these two as there is … but in my opinion, the MVP this season doesn’t belong to an undefeated team.  In fact, it doesn’t belong to a team with a winning record (as of now) … I’m not sure of the facts, but has any player ever won the MVP award for a below .500 team?  If anyone ever deserves to, it’s Chris Johnson.  Most likely, the Titans will push themselves over .500 and finish with a winning record so the previous question may be a “moo” point.  Technically, they still have a shot at the post-season, and with the way that Vince Young has been playing, you tell me who’s eager to face them?  But Chris Johnson has made Adrian Peterson look like LT.  And I’m talking about the LT now.  Unspectacular.  He’s been doing it week in and week out.  He (prior to Young) was the only reason the Titans were competitive despite their record.  What impresses me the most about CJ, is the fashion in which he scores.  He doesn’t lay-low for 60% of the drive, and let’s the offense get to the goal-line in which he gets the call to punch it in after.  Nope.  Chris Johnson likes to get things done himself.  And he finishes it.  I can’t even count on one hand how many long, long TD runs Chris Johnson’s had this season.  50, 60, 70, 80 yards to pay dirt.

What’s scary is, he was doing this even when defenses were keying in on the run.  When they didn’t respect the air game at all.  Now, he’s got help … which means he’ll only continue to finish the season strong.  Real strong.  Especially as long as the Titans try to complete the miracle season turn-around and make a playoff push.

Now, in all honesty, I think the two QB’s will end up splitting the award.  But ask any Chris Johnson fantasy football owner who the real MVP is.

Oh, and I was just kidding about AP All Day.  He is the opposite of “unspectacular”.

 

Turkey Day Football Lacks “Stuffing”

Gobble Gobble

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, but unfortunately the NFL is not in the “giving” mood …

If you don’t agree, just peep the games on slot for later today …

Out With The Old & In With The New

No matter how people perceived him, you could never question AI's passion for the game.

For a good 8 years, from 1995-2003, I could honestly give an argument as to why I was the biggest Allen Iverson fan out there at the time.  I was in 7th grade when I caught my first glimpse of “The Answer” and I would never be the same.  I always tend to root for the “little guy” … but his talent was bigger than life!  AI was lightning in a bottle, a blur with uncanny ball-handling skills and to this day, still … the sickest crossover the game has ever seen (albeit illegal) …

He revolutionized the game, both inside and out.  Although no longer the trend … 3 years ago, spawning from 1998, every NBA player had corn-rows.  Guess who started it?  About 67% of the league have multiple tats … guess who originated it?  I mean, numerous players still sport the protective arm-sleeve despite having no injury to it … who was the first there?  AI influenced the league and it’s viewers the way MJ did when he was rockin’ the black & red Nike Dunks despite being fined for it, or like how the “Fab 5” were the first players to officially link basketball with hip-hop.

Regardless of how AI changed the image of the NBA to how we know it today, he’s still one of the all-time greats because of his play.  Probably in the Top 3 listed at 6 feet and under.  He’s a sure-fire Hall-of-Famer and a first ballad one at that.  Unfortunately for him, his career is now cornered.  Don’t count him out just yet, but at the same time, don’t expect much from him.  I wish he went out on his own terms, but his pride won’t let him.  If NY took him, he would have started, he would have played 35 + min. a night, and he would have scored 25 a game.  He would have been on a losing team, but he would have been fine with it.  His career would have come full circle.

I just find it funny that as the NBA escorts one of their most popular faces out the door, they welcome someone who has the talent to replace him.

Jennings reminds me of another #3 ...

Brandon Jennings.  Is this kid for real?  I’m almost tempted to say, just keep Redd out.  The Bucks are rolling, and Jennings is the only reason.  Bogut’s out.  There’s absolutely no one else on this Bucks team aside for the aforementioned.  Jennings reminds me of a young AI.  Will he have the same success?  Only time will tell, and hopefully he could be so lucky.  Will he transcend to super-stardom like AI?  I doubt it.  AI was special in that sense as well.  He was a media sensation.  But it’s just funny the way things work out sometimes.  It’s a sad time for my generation of hoop fans … we lose AI, but with this kid Jennings stepping into the spotlight … it’ll feel like AI never left.

 

Nelly? Ellis? Choose 1 …

 

Don Nelson throws his hands up in the air in disgust. Warrior fans should do the same.

 

Lost in the love-fest we Warrior fans had for Nelly when he brought us back to un-familiar territories in 2007, with a trip to the playoffs, is the fact that he was the same guy who tore apart a young, promising team back in ‘93-’94.  Well, if you haven’t heard, history tends to repeat itself, and Nelly is no exception.

Captain Jack is one thing.  There’s no point in blaming Nelly for this one.  After all that Nelly did, as well as the Warriors organization, in revitalizing & rebuilding his career, not to mention his image … oh and worst of all over-paying the son-of-a-gun … Stephen Jackson still had the nerve to paint us (the Warriors) the villain.  He wanted out, and well … he got his wish (some-what).  Good luck Charlotte, you’ll have a handful with this one.  Being that the Bobcats are not the Cavs, don’t be surprised if he eventually takes the Charlotte front office hostage, the way he did GS.

For years I blamed Webber for bailing on a highly entertaining, and more importantly, winning Warriors squad.  Webber & Sprewell were the foundation.  Mullin was the stable veteran leadership.  Nelly was the master-mind.  It was a team only a few years away from seriously contending.  Of course, Nelly & Webber butt heads, and we eventually lose both pieces to our puzzle …  followed by the utter and complete destruction of the Warriors as we knew it.  So pardon me for being ungrateful, but one magical 2007 playoff run won’t make me forget the wrong Nelly done us.  Yes, in light of recent events, I blame Nelly equally to Webber for the dismemberment of our ‘93-’94 team.

 

Monta Ellis doesn't understand why Nelly's still around.

 

Now it’s Monta in Webber’s position.  Stephen Jackson was one of Monta’s closest friends on this Warrior squad, and don’t think for one second that Jackson’s not still in Monta’s ear.  Couple that with his disdain with Stephen Curry, and especially Nelly, and we have come full-circle from the ‘93-’94 season.  It feels all to familiar.  Now, Monta isn’t nearly the talent that Webber was, so if he does leave us, the effect won’t be quite as catastrophic … but Monta’s still a talent we can’t stand to lose.  So … what I beg to ask is, why not this time around, cut ties with Nelly?  Granted, our style of basketball is very fun to watch, and losing Nelly probably means no more averaging 100 + points per game, but who cares?  We’re not winning, and our future is more important.  We could use Monta for the long haul, while Nelly is only looking towards breaking Lenny Wilkins all-time wins record, then cashing in.  Let him do that with another team.  Let’s salvage our young talent if we can, we should worry about what’s going to happen after Nelly … it might already be too late!  We all knew what followed the Nelly/Webber dispute … 13 years of crap.  And Warrior fans, and Bay Area fans in general deserve better than that.

Don’t get me wrong … I do appreciate what Nelly’s done for us.  He’s a Hall of Fame coach, who will be praised upon once he’s done with the game of basketball.  But he might have over-stayed his welcome in Golden State this time around.

I apologize if this post doesn’t have a sense of direction, but I’m just venting.  It just seems as if we’ve been down this road before, and if there’s anyway to prevent it, we should!  I don’t want to be 39 the next time my Warriors decide to make it into the playoffs.

 

G.O.A.T.

Being a Filipino-American, it’s some-what bias for me to say that Manny Pacquiao is the greatest ever.  But I will still try and make an argument for it, because he truly is.  If you choose to argue, that’s fine … but forgive me, I am just proud of what Manny has accomplished.  He is an inspiration to us all.

Let’s start with his body of work.  7 titles in 7 different weight-classes.  No one in the illustrious history of boxing could say they’ve done that … other than the great Manny Pacquiao.  He’s taken on the best the business offers in its current state, and he’s defeated them all.  Marquez, Morales, De La Hoya, Hatton, and now Miguel Cotto.  Saturday night, Round 1, Cotto looked like he was going to punish Pacquiao for his continuous climbing in weight-class.  Unfortunately for Cotto, weight, and even reach isn’t quite as important as speed.  And no one matches Pacquiao’s speed.  No one.

Aside from Speed, there’s power.  Aside from power, there’s foot-work.  And if you take all these natural tools away from Pacquiao, he still has the greatest weapon of all … heart.  Pacquiao has climbed up in weight-class more frequently than Paris Hilton changes BFF’s – but every time he jumps into the lion’s den, he leaves smelling like roses … with his legend growing bigger, even too big for Vegas to hold.  Cotto was no push-over, and even true Pacquiao fans were worried leading into the fight.  I asked myself, “Has Pacquiao finally bit off more than he could chew?“  And like every fight prior to the next, he exceeds expectations, no matter how great.

Cotto landed some punches, and landed them hard.  At first glance, it seemed as if Pacquiao was affected, and taken back by those punches.  But then Pacquiao punches his gloves together and hits himself.  As if to say, “Nice, but not enough for me.”  He then proceeds to go on a flurry of tactical, and amazingly timed punches, combinations, or even one-hitter-quitters that revitalize your faith in him.  He’s almost like the true version of Hulk Hogan.  When Pacquiao gets hit, he simply “Hulk’s” up … and you should know better than to hit Hulk Hogan while he’s “Hulking” up.  It only makes him stronger.  The same for Manny.

After the titillating first four rounds, Pacquiao took control.  Cotto, built by the media as a tough, never-back-down type of fighter with punches to pack … which is true, he is … but Pacquiao turned Cotto into track-star.  Cotto simply ran away.  The bigger, stronger man … ran away.

Pacquiao owes a tremendous amount of his success to his superb staff, specifically Freddie Roach.  He took Pacquiao from a talented fighter, to a perfect fighter.  Because of Roach, Pacquiao is the total package.  He learns, and develops so quickly … like a machine.  Within a five-year span, has anyone in the history of boxing improved so much?  The answer is no.  The scary part, he probably has room for improvement.  What impressed me tonight … his granite chin.  He took some punches, and when the bell sounded to end a round … he was walking back to his corner smiling.

Now, Pacquiao shares something in common with Muhammad Ali – he fights for more than himself.  No need to go over what Ali stood for.  We all know the story of what makes this man, more than a man, but a living legend.  It was more than just boxing for Ali.  The same for Pacquiao.  Pacquiao fights with an entire nation behind him.  Leaning on him.  He is all that is well with my country-men.  Terrorists in the Mindanao region of the Philippines call a cease-fire when ever Pacquiao fights.  Kidnappers freed a priest last night, so they could watch Pacquiao fight.  And in a time of need, after the Philippines just went through perhaps one of the worse national disasters of all time, they turn to Pacquiao for strength.  Imagine the type of pressure that brings.  A lot of these American fighters will never bear this burden.  But for Manny, it’s what makes him a hero.  It’s what makes him legendary, and it’s why he’s the greatest.

For most of you, he is high up on your rankings … but if Mayweather ever stops ducking him … he’ll have another chance to prove himself worthy the top spot.  For now I go back to this … 7 titles, 7 divisions.  Name another.

Thursday Night Lights!

Who wants to donate to my COD/MW2 fund?

It’s been a busy, hectic week or two since my last post, both in and out of the sports world – but what stands out the most is … there’s a huge gash in my “air hose” of my car …

It sucks because I don’t have money to waste … but what-the-f***-ever.

SPORTS.

 

Singletary tells his protegé to hit his old team ... "In the mouth."

 

That’s what we’re all here for, and last night (Thursday) was a great sports night!  Let’s start with my beloved SF 49ers!  Finally!  Big win for us, and to all the Niner fans … don’t give up yet.  The fact that we’re undefeated in our division will go a long way.  Hopefully we got that “mini” monkey off our back, and we can get back to 49er football, and that’s winning!

“We go out there, and we hit people in the mouth!“  To quote Coach Singletary … and that’s exactly what they did (ask Cutler), and that’s exactly why they won.  Oh, and it didn’t help Chicago, that it seemed like Cutler completed more passes to 49er players than Alex Smith did.

 

As good as they look off the court, you should see them on the court ... against each other.

 

Now, onto the court.  LeBron, Wade … ’nuff said.  When these two go heads up, there’s no better form of entertainment in the sport of basketball.  Not even Bron Bron vs. Kobe.  The night started off fantastic, with Miami paying tribute to the greatest of all-time.  MJ.  It seems like all the MJ’s are the greatest of all-time in their respective profession.  Michael Jordan, Michael Jackson, Megan Fox

Anyway, the game was pure adrenaline.  Excitement that started with the top “poster-izing” dunk of the year.  Sorry Sideshow Bob, but you should have known how “Dwayne Wade do it.”  But if you didn’t, watch the highlights of you getting baptized and read his lips.  Nasty.  LeBron had himself a nice two-handed power slam himself, but unfortunately for Bron Bron, it’s hard to poster-ize fools when they part like Moses does the Red Sea whenever you stroll down the lane.  I can’t say I could blame them.  The quarter ended with a Wade pull up three, followed by Bron playing beat-the-buzzer with a runner just inside the arc.

What I like the best is how the two super-stars finish.  Actually, I’m not giving them enough credit.  They’re more like … ULTRA-SUPER-STARS! But coming down the stretch, with Miami down double-digits … guess who came calling?  D-Wizzle.  A pull up three, a floater down the lane … everything.  He’s so shifty.  Miami cuts the lead to 4, and it seems like Wade is going to will them to victory, when LeBron shows us something that I personally thought he wouldn’t develop.  That Kobe like “killer-instinct” … with one pull up three, he put the game on ice.  It’s refreshing to see LeBron feel more comfortable with these “dagger” shots, or “the last shot” … something he was chastised for earlier in his career when he’d pass out of the situation, no matter how right a decision it was.  Now, he wants the onus.  I love it.

In the post game interview, LeBron states that the NBA should retire the #23 since they won’t change their logo to MJ from JW.  As far-fetched as that seems … it’s not.  What Michael did to the game of basketball will never be equalled.  The NBA owes much of their success to Jordan, more than they could ever imagine.  Bron says he’ll rock the #6 which is a great number.

Oh and by the way, Wade has admitted to reporters, that he and Bron Bron have discussed playing with each-other next year.  How f*****g crazy & un-fair would that be!?!?

The night ended on a sour note.  I was super-amped on the Phoenix/LA game.  I thought it would be the show-down we all expected, and hoped for.  It was a boring game.  As fun and exciting a team as the Suns are, the Lakers are that much more built for winning.  And they completely took Phoenix out of their game.  I won’t waste any more words on this game.

I hope Conan O’Brien caps my night off right.

 

 

Friday Night Random-ness

Someone crashed the "Rebel Assault" party ...

Well my prediction was somewhat right, the Phillies were able to score 3 runs against the Evil Empire and would have won Game 6 by the score of 3-1 if not for the emergence of Godzilla and his monster 6 RBI’s.  Well congrats Yankee fans, another World Series purchased.

Last night, the NBA only had 2 games on their schedule, Bulls @ Cavs, Spurs @ Jazz.  TNT kindly broad casted both games.  My beef is not with them, but with the NBA itself.  Who the hell was in charge of scheduling?  Since the beginning of the Spurs title runs, they have been dubbed (rightfully so) the most boring-est team ever!  Now they’re old on top of that which makes them more boring-er.  My god, the only reason I sat through a portion of the game is because I have Duncan on my Fantasy squad.

Did anyone catch the clip of that one young lady on the New Mexico Futbol’ team that was doing all kinds of dirty stuff to the BYU team they faced.  Sasha Fierce up in there!

Someone wanted to go "Hollywood" too bad he forgot to pack his "game" ...

So all the hype on BD and his “being in shape” this season was for nothing.  It’s almost safe to say that he’ll never be what he was, I’m starting to appreciate the fact we (Golden State) didn’t re-sign after our glorious Playoff run in ‘07.  Which reminds me, where is Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba and Woody Harrelson now?  They were all about the Warriors that year … fair-weather fans … nothing worse.

King of New York?

Tonight LeBron visits NY – but Knick fans may not have anything to worry about, they may get some LeBron action every night next season.  And if Bron Bron does bolt for the Broadway lights, that team becomes an instant contender – yes.  I said it.  Take LeBron away from the Cavs and their bottom feeders.  Imagine if a healthy Boozer stayed in Cleveland with LeBron?  Well that’s what LeBron will have in David Lee.  Throw in the up-tempo style of D’Antoni and LeBron may just run wild!  I’m not even mentioning the possibility of adding in a Chris Bosh to the fold either … that would be too much!

That’s it for random-ness post ala 11/06/09 – laters