NBA All-Star Saturday night was TERRIBLE

It's NBA All-Star weekend and I'm home.  My husband came to town and rather than hustle to Houston, I decided to stay local and watch the festivities at home.  Thank goodness I didn't make the trip!  Last night's events were terrible!

I'm partial to Duke and, to an extent, the Cleveland Cavaliers as well so it was nice to see Kyrie Irving win the 3 point shoot out.  Matt Bonner also participated.  Do you care about Matt Bonner?  Neither do I...

Anyway, I couldn't tell you who participated in the Slam Dunk contest (i.e. without looking it up) and to be honest, I don't care enough to research it for this post.  The dunk contest was boring.  Correction: the dunk contest was BORING.  The competitors missed so many dunks that by the time the ball went in the hoop, I was completely disinterested in the theatrics.  The entire show was amatuerish and a bad movie (i.e. that I was determined to watch in hopes that it would get better).  It never did.  Charles Barkley deserves a hefty paycheck for making All-Star Saturday night "listenable".  Notice I didn't say "watchable"...

I'm a sports fan and a girl, so I chose to do my nails.  I painted my nails China Glaze Skyscraper (i.e. in honor of Kenny "Sky" Walker.  That's the closest I could get to caring about the event.  PATHETIC.

By the way, do you know how much All-Star Saturday night tickets are?  I do.  In 2010, a ticket for the 2010 NBA All-Star Saturday night was $400 face value.  $400 face value...  All I'm saying is that if I had actually paid face value, much less a scalper ticket price for that ridiculous display of non-talent, I'd be furious.

I've never been to the NFL Pro Bowl, but I presume it's just as awful as what I tried to watch last night.

It.was.terrible.


THE WIRK

Dirk or LeBron ~ Who needs an NBA championship more?

I was playing on Facebook earlier and noticed that my friend, Trey Harris, posed an interesting question.  His status read, "Heat vs. Mavs is starting to bounce around inside my head. Whose career needs a championship more? Dirk or LeBron?"

Immediately I started to type.  Here's the exchange.

Me: "No one really expected/expects Dirk to do anything. That's why everyone sounds so amazed when he drops 40+.  LeBron is the idiot who counted championships on his HANDS before a single game.  LeBron needs the championship more."

Trey: "True, Lebron is expected to win. But Dirk & the Mavs have underachieved for so long, this could very well be their last shot. I think it'll be a hell of a series either way."

Me: "Agree, Trey. but in terms of need for a championship for his career/legacy - it's LeBron.  If you're talking about this year SPECIFICALLY, then Dirk for the reason you stated ~ but it won't matter in the eye of the public if Dirk is like Ewing and Barkley and never wins a ring."

Trey: "Sarah, you make a good argument comparing Dirk to Ewing & Barkley (and it killed me that Ewing never got a ring). He'll still be a great player. But Lebron is the golden child. And "The Decision" still hangs over his head. He has more time to win but the expectations are way through the roof. Ayo, shout me out in the blog!"

Well, here you go!  What do all of you think?  Sure, we're jumping the gun and making some assumptions since the Eastern and Western Conference Finals aren't over yet, but it's definitely something for you all to think about as the crucial Game 5s approach.


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Tweets from the Lakers v Heat game ~ Funny

My Tweets from the Los Angeles Lakers v Miami Heat game...  The most recent ones are towards the top.

• @Cristina_Doral I think big zydrunas' presence on the floor made all the difference
• @MagicJohnson great picture! Didn't even look at it til they showed you and Riley on tv. Duh - Pat = Riley!
• I should've known that when Magic mentions "Pat" he means "Riley"
• Playoff atmosphere at the AAA #lakers v #heat. Miami with 2 pt lead, with about 90secs left.
• You think the #Heat tell #Zydrunas not to shoot? He's open & can make 10 footers. He can also miss a 3 pointer like every1 but #Bibby.
• @ochocinco I've seen it with possession arrows.
• In response to his tweet about refs changing a call when a player "complains"
• #Odom goes right at & over Zydrunas & camera shows Khloe #Kardashian clapping! Are we showing all WAGs after their men score? #Lakers #Heat
• After 3, #lakers up 70-68 on the #heat.
• #Bosh misses both free throws... Seriously? That's right! He's more comfortable getting the ball down low. #Lakers v #Heat
• Lakers up 6 with about 3 left in the 3rd... #Lakers v #Heat
• "#Dampier cannot handle it" as he loses the ball... Put in #Zydrunas. #Lakers v #Heat.
• #Kobe just picked up his 3rd foul... #Lakers v #Heat with about 8 left in the 3rd... Tied at 55.
• I want to see #Artest compete in the NBA skills challenge... At least he stuck with it! #Lakers v #Heat
• I like Marv Albert and Mike Fratello, but do they make the same hair appts? Their hair is the same color. #TNT Buddies!!! #Lakers v #Heat
• Chris #Bosh drove the lane and missed once (and maybe even twice) #Zydrunas had to finish for him... Bosh is terrible. #Lakers v #Heat
• @MikoHorn Awww ~ Me too!!! After all these years still wish him the best! Plus he saved my life years ago, so he's good in my book :-P
• In response to her tweet that she "hearts" Zydrunas.
• Dear #Zydrunas, please recommend your barber to Matt Barnes. That Caesar cut was over with Clooney and ER. #Lakers v #Heat
• Come on, #Fratello! Let's not dog #Ilgauskas... #Cavs loyalty :-P
• Chris Bosh did come out aggressive vs. Lakers....and got in foul trouble. To the bench. Lakers up 12-10 in spirited start.
• 1st quarter and about 6 mins in and #heat aren't crying YET. #Lakers up 3.
• The Heat's arena is half empty, and the half that are there are Lakers fans.
• With #Dampier as their starting center the #Heat deserve to lose EVERY game. "Dampier not able to finish" what's the o/u on that quote?
• "whining and bitching like a little girl" - Charles #Barkley regarding the Miami #Heat

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Suns scorch the Raptors ~ Vince Carter and Steve Nash's return to Toronto

Last night, I was able to check another venue off of my list as I visited the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.  I came out to Toronto to watch a couple of games this weekend and up first was the Phoenix Suns v Toronto Raptors game.  This game was intriguing for a number of reasons.  Two of which were the return of 1) Vince Carter and 2) Steve Nash.  Sure these two have returned to Toronto before, but that fact doesn't make it any less special.

The Air Canada Centre looked full last night.  I asked the women, sitting next to me, if that was the normal size of the crowd or of it was a larger crowd because Steve Nash was back in town.  They estimated that there were about 25% more people in the arena, because of Nash's return.  ****  I'll be back at the Air Canada Centre on Sunday for the Dallas Mavericks game so I'll have a better handle on crowd size then.



I'm really not plural,
but I'll take it.

The Toronto crowd's reaction to the return of Vince Carter to the Air Canada Centre was somewhat similar but not even close to Cleveland's reaction to when LeBron James (i.e. vilified) returned.  Toronto's wounds aren't as fresh, when it comes to Vince Carter, but make no mistake ~ from the sound of it, they haven't forgiven him for leaving. 

Vince Carter hasn't played for the Toronto Raptors since 2004, when he was traded away.  If I didn't know any better, based on the crowd's response, I'd have thought that it was just yesterday that he and the city of Toronto "broke up".  Every time Carter touched the ball, the crowd would boo.  Really?!?!  It's been more than  6 years, and Toronto still boos him.  At any rate, I guess it's good to see that the city supports its team. 

Steve Nash's ovation was much more positive from his home country.  The crowd in the Air Canada Centre cheered for Nash, regardless if they wanted the Raptors or the Suns to win.  Further, former teammate Leandro Barbosa and Nash hugged at half court prior to the opening tip. 

As I watched the game, I couldn't help but notice the man in front of me with a Washington Nationals hat on.  I found this interesting since the Nationals aren't very good and I didn't expect them to have a following in Toronto.  Further, I was in from DC, so funny that he was sitting in front of me. 

Another interesting moment was when they showed Bill Bellamy on the jumbotron.  Why was he at the game?  Turns out he's performing at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, Saturday (i.e. tonight) at 8PM.  ****  After the game, my friends and I went to Real Sports.  Guess who was there.  Yes, Bill Bellamy.  He seemed like a nice guy, but I only said, "Hi".

After the game, I waited until Vince Carter completed his post-game interview before heading into the tunnel.  There was an older man asking a security guard if Charles Barkley was here.  What?!?! Why would Barkley be here?  However, the older man was adamant that he could see Barkley.  As I heard him describe the man in question, and point towards the guy he thought was Sir Charles (aka the Round Mound of Rebound) I couldn't help but chuckle.  "That's Scott Williams," was my reply to the older man.  Too funny, and for the record, my friend Scott does not look like Charles Barkley.

As for the game, for the most part, the Suns had a 18 point lead.  Ironically, the final score was 110-92, as the Suns won their first game of the 6 game road trip. 

For the Suns, Marcin Gortat  had a double-double (i.e. 17 points and 11 rebounds).  Vince Carter also contributed 17 points, and Channing Frye added another 16 points.  Steve Nash, Canada's own, played a relatively quiet game, but added 7 points with 11 assists.

For the Raptors, Andrea Bargnani came to play and contributed 26 points. Leandro Barbosa was the second highest scorer with 15 points.

When the game ended, and after a few post-game interviews, we were off to Real Sports.  After my friends and I left Real Sports we headed to Maison on Mercer for Steve Nash's fundraiser.  Walking in easily with the Phoenix Suns and being outfitted with the appropriate white wristband, it was a fun night.  DJ Clue killed it and it was fun chatting it up with the Suns and Leandro Barbosa.  Good people, great music, fun times!

The Suns hope to continue winning on their road trip against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.  The Raptors are also active on Sunday against the Mavericks.


THE WIRK

Miami Heat v Boston Celtics ~ Thoughts from the 3rd Quarter

Getting ready for the start of the 3rd quarter.  Thankfully I finished eating dinner.  Just heard the "LeBron isn't a bad guy" speech for the 100th time.  Whatever.  To quote Billy Joel, "You can speak your mind, but not on my time." 

****I don't realize why people think they can change my mind.  I've never been one to be swayed by the arguments that have been provided.  I don't understand why people can't just agree to disagree.  You can have your own opinion about LeBron.  I don't try to change your mind.  So ask yourself, why it's so important for you to change mine?

• Charles Barkley has lost a lot of weight.
• Ray Allen just drained his third 3 from the corner.  It still electrifies the crowd.
• With 7:11 left in the 3rd, Zydrunas is checking back in. 
• He just had a chance at a shot in the key a foot or 2 ahead of the free throw line and passed the ball.  Hmmm... 
• Shaq just missed his free throw.  A few Celtics went into the lane to slap him 5.  I think Zydrunas almost went into the lane to do the same, but he caught himself.  Weird.
• Zydrunas is fouled by Big Baby Davis, so he's at the line.  He missed his free throw. 
• Pierce just got called for a foul, but LeBron charged.  It's a bad call.  No bueno. 
• LeBron has 16 points, and the Boston lead is only 10.
• Wait, Ray Allen just drained another 3, so the lead is back to 13.
• Pierce looks like he might be a little banged up now.  He looks like he's wincing on the bench after LeBron ran into/over him.
• Whoa!  Who's the guy sitting next to the left of Pierce?  Uh oh.  Pierce is headed to the locker room.
• Big Baby Davis shoots and scores over Zydrunas ~ so much for 7 feet of defense...
• In case you didn't know, Ray Allen would like to inform you that the NBA Cares.
• Is it just me, or is Boston looking like they let up a bit? Miami has cut the lead to 10.  Score is 53-63, but Boston is still up.
• LeBron just scored another bucket.  He has 25, and the Boston lead is cut to 6. 

Hmmm, looks like in typical NBA fashion ~ the game will be decided in the 4th.


THE WIRK

Why do we even know the names of referees and umpires?

I'm not that old and I'm not that young, but I remember the days when I didn't know the names of the refs or the umpires.  I long for those days...  Through all my years of watching and following sports, I've learned the names of a few - the respected, the notorious, and the history making.

An example of the respected is, Dick Bavetta.  I came to "know" by watching him on TV and seeing him in action.  I've never met him, but I respect the way he carries himself and I was amused with his personality when he agreed to race Charles Barkley up and down the court over All-Star Weekend.  I was in Las Vegas during the race and ALL the TV's switched to the race. It was awesome and I can still hear the crowd cheer when Dick Bavetta dove at the end.  I've never met Dick Bavetta ~ but he seems like a good guy.

Here's a video of the hyping up the Charles Barkley vs. Dick Bavetta race from the 2007 NBA All-Star Weekend:



Here's the actual race:



An example of the notorious would be Tim Donaghy.  If you don't know who he is, then you don't follow professional basketball and you should probably click the link.  Now I recognize that with the degree of interaction of among coaches, players and referees that there can be tension.  However, should I really know the names Steve Javie, Joe DeRosa, etc.?

An example of history making referee is Violet Palmer.  She was the first African-American, female to referee an NBA game.

I did a quick google search using the terms: terrible NBA referees and this post by Bill Simmons came up.  In it he mentions Joe DeRosa and Bennett Salvatore.  We all know about Joe DeRosa, since he recently received a one-game suspension after throwing a basketball at a fan.  As for Bennett Salvatore, I'm going to include Simmons' quote here for your convenience:

To quote Bill Simmons' post, "Bennett Salvatore -- Always one of the worst, he took it to another level this season. If you see him on the court at the start of the game, get ready for about six technicals, two near-brawls and both coaches having to be restrained by their assistants at various times."

I realize those are only basketball examples, but we all know there are baseball ones also.  Today I was watching Pardon the Interruption and earlier in the week I was watching SportsCenter.  I keep seeing and hearing about Umpire Joe West, Chicago White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle, and Chicago White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen.  I watched the clip and the Buehrle's move that was called a "balk".  I saw both Buehrle and Guillen get tossed.  Now I'm not going to argue whether Buehrle's move was a balk or not, but I keep asking myself why I even know Joe West's name.  Alright already.  He's an umpire.  Umpires and referees need to do their jobs and stop trying to steal the spotlight and make situations about them.  That's just my 2 cents.

Earlier in the year I went to an NBA game and I saw a ref throwing souvenir balls into the crowd.  This was surprising to me, since I remember the days in the tunnel when the walkways cleared since the refs were going to pass through.  The refs were more or less sequestered in their own locker room like jurors, and I'm sure that helped to maintain their objectivity.  There should be no personal bias between officials and players. 

But hey, that's just my 2 cents...  Seriously?  Are we going to be able to buy officiating jerseys with referee and umpires names on them soon?  Are the referees and umpires going to get trading cards and their own shoes now?  Just saying.  Alright, I'm going to wrap up this post since I want to download all of Cowboy Joe West's music tracks...  What?!?!  You do, too?!?!  Ok - here you go:  http://www.cowboyjoewest.com/

Lastly, if anyone can tell me why the NFL referees sport "candy-striper" (i.e. red and white) uniforms at times, drop me a note.  I'm sincerely interested in the explanation.


THE WIRK

I respect Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but disagree about LeBron and college

I respect Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but I disagree with him about LeBron James and college...  His article can be found here:  http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/basketball/nba/05/12/abdul-jabbar.lebron.ap/index.html#ixzz0novQfhDk

First a little background:
According to Wikipedia: In 2005, the NBA and the players' union agreed upon a new collective bargaining agreement, which requires that:

• The minimum age for entry into the NBA is 19; players must have their nineteenth (or later) birthday in the calendar year of the draft in order to be eligible;
• Players who completed basketball eligibility at a U.S. high school, regardless of their nationality, must be at least one year removed from high school.
• However, NBA commissioner David Stern has made it clear that this age limit does not mean players are required to spend a year after high school in college. They can spend it overseas, like Brandon Jennings did before entering the 2009 NBA Draft. 

Now Me:
People say that hindsight is 20/20. It has a lot to do with “cause and effect”. For example, I touch the stove, and I get burned. Therefore I shouldn’t touch the stove ever, right? NO. Who’s to say I had the stove on earlier? Honestly, I travel a lot and right now I have a stack of mail on the burners of my stove. Who cares. The stove isn’t hot.

Get it? Cause and effect isn’t always 100%. I’ve taken enough quantitative analysis and statistics courses that I know that correlation doesn’t necessarily equal causation. I’m not about to Google basketball stats, but I do know that I disagree with Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s comments that LeBron would’ve benefited if he’d went to college. Further, I certainly disagree with raising the minimum age to 21 for the NBA.

I know that if I had any super-star athletic ability (i.e. I do have a mean cross-court backhand in tennis), my parents would’ve squandered it. My parents never valued athletics as much as they valued academics. If they had reared LeBron instead of Gloria, LeBron would be a doctor and no one aside from his recreation league would’ve known about him. It takes a special parent (e.g. Gloria James, Richard Williams, etc.) to see that his/her child is gifted and can take it to the highest level.

•  Moses Malone, Shawn Kemp, Kevin Garnett, etc . never went to college and they had/have exceptional careers. Yes, I threw Shawn Kemp in there. I like Shawn Kemp, but admit that he has had his share of struggles. However, let’s face it ~ I doubt college would’ve saved him from his personal issues.
• For players like Kwame Brown, DeSagana Diop, etc. it’d be easy for me to argue to send them to college or not draft them at all. But come on, it’s only because I’ve seen their body of work and I’m not that impressed with their level of play. They could follow in the footsteps of Michael Jordan and study geography, so that they can easily find the next team that they play for on a map. 

College is great, and I’m not going to downplay the value of education or the socialization that occurs in school. However, I’m wise enough to know that college doesn’t equal “smart”.  My first fiance never went to college and plays in the NBA. He is not stupid, and I’d argue he’s very smart. He doesn’t have a diploma on his wall. BFD. He speaks numerous languages and is intelligent. If he had to go to school, I assure you he’d be successful.

If LeBron went to college who knows what would’ve happened? He could’ve gotten injured. He could have ran with the wrong crew and fallen into trouble. He might have gone a year or so and dropped out, and then everyone would criticize that too. He could’ve been successful and won a title. I don’t know what would’ve happened and neither do you.

Could’ve, should’ve, would’ve, but DIDN’T. LeBron didn’t go to college. That’s the way it is, and speculating now is a complete waste of time, especially when all anyone is trying to do is kill time before

I'll leave you with an exchange between Erne Johnson and Charles Barkley (i.e. who completed 3 years at Auburn University)

EJ: "Did you graduate from Auburn?"

Charles: "No, but I have a couple people working for me who did."

Wait here's one more exchange, between me and an NBA player (i.e. in Cleveland during the pre-LeBron years, when Gund Arena was empty and quieter than your local library) who wanted to go out when I had to study for an exam in graduate school.

Him:  When was the last time 20,000 people showed up to watch you take a test?

Me:  When was the last time 20,000 people showed up to watch you play?

If LeBron could've benefited from college, than maybe I could've benefited from extra tennis lessons and basketball camps...  Hmmm ~ I need to call my mom and dad now...

Game 6 of the Cleveland Cavaliers v Boston Celtics series starts tonight at the TD Garden at 8.


THE WIRK

Charles Barkley - To Tase or Not to Tase, that is the Question.

I just finished watching Inside the NBA and have a question.  Do you want to see Charles Barkley get tasered by Ernie Johnson?  Charles says he wants to see how it feels...  I think it could be interesting.  I vote, "Yes".  What do you think?

Kenny Smith (to Charles): Why won't you let me tase you?

Charles Barkley (to Kenny): Because I hate you, Kenny.

I swear I love these guys and enjoy the show!  Charles Barkley - To Tase or Not to Tase, that is the Question.

We all know how much fun it was to watch Charles race Dick Bavetta...  Come on, TNT!!!  Please let this happen!!!

Please comment.


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