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NFL Mock Draft 2009 Draft of 2009 Lacks Star Power NFL Draft 2009: Getting Started Super Bowl Well Worth Tuning In For
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| NBA | |
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Prospects On Center Stage NBA Preview 2008/09: Final Call
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Matching The Hype By Ron Jumper So much of the time, big sporting events don’t live up to their billing. The media hypes up a game all week and, little by little, we buy in. We can’t help it, we try to stay realistic but then it just happens. It certainly can be costly, as was the case with the De La Hoya vs. Mayweather fight where many people became about $55 poorer for what turned out to be no real reason. However, when a big sporting event does live up to its billing, shouldn’t that make it all the more enjoyable? Game 3 between the Suns and Spurs was certainly a great game to watch, as I had the privilege of doing so from the 24th row. The part of this series that makes it entertaining for me is how these coaches battle back and forth with different lineups and matchups. It is different from the Warriors-Mavericks series in that both coaches are creating mismatches and problems for the opposing squad, where as before it was all Don Nelson toying with Avery Johnson’s mind for 6 games. Popovich and D’Antoni are both able to counter each other’s moves to try and get an advantage. D’Antoni inserted Kurt Thomas into the lineup to guard Tim Duncan, which led to a big win for the Suns in game 2. For game 3, Popovich used a variety of lineups to throw off the Suns rhythm and timing. A perfect example was Michael Finley. Sometimes Finley would play the power forward with Duncan at center, while other times Finley would defend Steve Nash. In the series against Denver, the Spurs couldn’t play their small lineup with Finley at the power forward because the Nuggets always had Camby and Nene on the floor. However, when the Suns have Shawn Marion or James Jones in as power forwards, it opens the door for “Pop” to let loose with lineups. It paid dividends, as it kept the floor spread for Duncan to dominate the low block in his usual workman-like fashion. I can’t wait to see how game 4 will play out. There was criticism of Steve Nash’s performance in game 3. However, I really thought he did exactly what he was supposed to do. When the Suns were winning by double digits early in the game, it was all because Nash was driving and creating open 3s for guys like Bell, Barbosa, and Marion. Through the middle of the 2nd quarter, the Suns were shooting above 60% from the floor. That is how a point guard is supposed to play the game. To be honest, I hadn’t even noticed he didn’t score a single point in the first half. Bruce Bowen played sensational defense on Nash, which just simply can’t go unmentioned. Bowen would occasionally force Nash into turnovers that we have come unaccustomed to seeing from the reigning MVP. Nash would get going later though. When the Suns were down in the 4th, it was Nash who continually took and hit big shots to keep the game within reach. Granted, he didn’t have his usual numbers. However, sometimes you are just going to have an off day. When he struggled in the 3rd quarter, he had a free throw, two layups, and three-pointer rim out on him. If those shots go down, he has 24 points and no one is complaining about his performance. I won’t defend Bruce Bowen when people accuse him of “playing dirty” but, I will say he is an amazing defensive player. Bowen hounded Nash whenever he was on the floor. Nash got a little frustrated at times, which is probably why some of his shots were just a little bit off. When Bowen was out and someone else was guarding him, you could almost see Nash’s eyes light up and his confidence soar. I did have an idea about Bruce Bowen though, he should start a website and list every player he has injured. NFL defenders keep track of all the quarterbacks they have sacked in their careers, Bowen should keep track of players he has injured. It could be BowensInnocentVictims.com and place YouTube clips of the latest injuries suffered from Bowen. Nash being kneed in the manhood by Bowen would certainly make the cut. All in all, this has been a great series and should provide us with the NBA Champion. The ongoing chess match between coaches and bickering between players has created a little bit of a rivalry between these two clubs. It makes for exciting television and quality basketball. May 13, 2007 |
| NCAA Football | |
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Be Careful What You Wish For
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| NCAA Basketball | |
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Jumpology: My Bracket Jumpology: Scouting The Heavyweights Jumpology: Reviewing The Bracket
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