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Last Word On Sports

Sports News Since 2011. Honestly.

Last Word On Sports Logo

Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Month: December 2011

The Season is Saved! Welcome Back NBA?

Posted on by Grant Alexander
Toronto Raptors vs Houston Rockets tg200812 145 © by Rudy E. Escoto

Lockouts are an ugly business. They hurt everyone – the fans most of all. And they are the ones who least understand it. In their eyes, it’s a bunch of millionaires squabbling over their hard-earned money. I mean they’re the ones buying the tickets, the jerseys, the kids clothing, the sports packages, and the key chain flashlights. And they’re the ones who suffer having to miss out on an entire year of watching the team they support so faithfully, while getting nothing in return. It’s no surprise why they are the most ticked off about the whole thing, and rightfully so. But when the league returns, it’s like a shepherd calling his flock; they return with smiles on their faces and cash in their hand. So why wouldn’t the league (whichever league it may be) take their time to “squabble” over who gets which piece of the pie? I mean, obviously there’s more to it than that, but as a fan it’s hard to justify.

The current league that just underwent this process is of course the NBA. And as I mentioned, it’s the fans who are suffering. I, however, am not one of them. But I do feel their pain, having watched two of my beloved leagues lose entire seasons to the lockout. It’s not that I’m not a fan of basketball, I do love to play the game, and I’m actually deceptively good, kind of like Prince. I just don’t like the product offered by the NBA, and I never took to the Raptors the way most people in Southern Ontario did. Although I will be happy for the city and the team if they ever win. The only basketball I do watch religiously is March Madness. It’s exciting, unpredictable, raw, and played for the love of the game.

I guess my main beef with the NBA (and be warned, it is a little juvenile) is all of the trash talking after a dunk. Or maybe more that it’s seen as such a spectacular play. I mean if you’re tall enough, how hard is it to place the ball directly into the basket? I can’t dunk (unless you drop the basket a foot), but every player in the NBA pretty much can. It’s literally the easiest way to score a basket. How can you possibly chirp after that? But players still do. They slam it down, pump their chest, tough-talk the camera, and taunt the other team. It’s ridiculous. It would be like a soccer player tapping the ball into a wide open net and then… well bad example. It would be like a running back in the NFL punching the ball in from the 1-yard line and… wow, another bad example. Ok I know, it would be more like a golfer tapping in a put. The most you’ll ever see from a golfer after tapping in an easy putt is a fist pump. The game just exudes class. Or how about a hockey player? Have you ever seen a player score on an empty net, do a chicken dance, then tough-talk the other team? Most of the time they’re too embarrassed to put it in the empty net, that if they have the option, they pass it off to a teammate. Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing goal celebrations, and watching the emotions of the players. But not from the easiest of plays, have a little class. The other problem with dunking is it’s made even easier by the defensive foul rule, which basically allows the offensive player to run right through the defender on the way to slamming the ball. Yes, I understand how defense works, and the whole feet being planted thing, but you see the former more often than the latter. And if for some reason they don’t make it to the hoop, there probably going to the line for some free shots anyway. Which brings me to the last few minutes of any basketball game. Basketball has the worst finishes of any major sport, where the players run around slapping each other, and taking free shots. Well, maybe the NFL is worse (where they can kneel the last few minutes away, and shake hands while the game clocks still running).

Anyway, despite my dislike for the NBA, and my joy of a basketball-free Sportscentre, chalked full of hockey, with in-depth discussion and player bios, I am happy that the NBA is returning. For the sake of the fans if for nothing else (again I know how painful it can be), but also for the city of Toronto. They need every possible chance they can get, to somehow win a major sports championship this millennium!

…and that is the last word.

College Football Picks, Championship Saturday

Posted on by Lindsay Higgins

I can’t believe the conference championships are here already. This season went by so quickly!

CONFERENCE USA- #24 Southern Miss @ #6 Houston: I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that there are two teams from C-USA in the top 25. I expect undefeated Houston to win what should be an entertaining game between two pretty evenly matched teams.

SEC- #14 Georgia vs. #1 LSU (neutral site): Georgia has turned things around completely in the weeks since their 0-2 start to the season. Their defense will be the best one the Tigers have faced in several weeks. However, the Bulldogs are a young team (especially on offense), and I don’t see them hanging with LSU for an entire game.

ACC- #5 Virginia Tech vs. #20 Clemson (neutral site): A month ago I would have picked Clemson in a close one. Since then, the Tigers have lost three straight. They still have the talent, obviously- they have more or less the same players on the field- but I imagine the team’s confidence has to have taken a big hit. I’ll be surprised if they can get it together mentally to beat a team as good as the Hokies.

BIG 10- #15 Wisconsin vs. #13 Michigan State (neutral site): Tough one to call. Wisconsin lost a last-second heartbreaker to MSU last month, their second consecutive lost to Sparty. At the same time, Wisconsin has looked like the better football team for most of the season. I expect another tight, well-played game, but I think the Badgers take this one.

REGULAR SEASON GAMES:

Iowa State @ #11 Kansas State: Iowa State pulled off a big, big upset against Oklahoma State two weeks ago. Call it a hunch, I see them pulling off a less-major upset here.

UNLV @ #18 TCU: One more easy win for TCU.

#22 Texas @ #17 Baylor: If RGIII were going to miss the game after being banged up last week, I’d have given Texas a decent chance of winning this game. As it is, I think a win for them is possible, but not likely. My pick is Baylor.

New Mexico @ #7 Boise State: This game should be over by halftime. Boise State by at least 2 TDs, probably more.

#10 Oklahoma @ #3 Oklahoma State: The de facto Big XII championship game should be a fun one to watch. It’s a tough game to pick. Given the injuries Oklahoma has faced this year, I’m picking Oklahoma State.

Phantom Picks December 3, 2011

Posted on by Grant Alexander

As we crack open the third box on our advent calendars, and head deeper into the holiday season, The NHL also matures. No more, good start/bad start talk. Were in the heart of the season, and performance is everything. A number of coaches have already been fired, and I’m sure there is more to come. Lets see which teams are for real, and how the new coaches will handle their new squads…

Toronto @ Boston

As much as I would love to see Toronto beat Boston once this year, I don’t think it’s going to happen. Boston is deeper up front, tighter on the back end, and has all the truculence Burke can only dream about. Reimer is back, but it’s not enough. I just don’t see it happening. Boston at 1.40.

Ottawa @ Washington

Washington is one of the teams with a new face behind the bench. I think the Caps rally and help Hunter get a big win at home. Washington at 1.40.

Pittsburgh @ Carolina

Bring on the Staals! That’s right, the brothers are at it again. But with Eric still pining over what he did to Mark, I don’t know how aggressive he will be against other brother Jordan. Which is too bad because the Canes really need Eric at top form in order to win. Plus Jordan looks to be the best of the brothers right now. Not only that, but Carolina is another team with a new coach. And the new coach (Kirk Muller) has the pleasure of trying to coach against one of the best teams in the league. Oh, and Crosby scores tonight, there I said it. Pittsburgh at 1.30. However if you’re an odds man (or woman), Carolina is getting 2.70, at home…

New Jersey @ Winnipeg

This is a close one. I think Jersey is showing signs of life despite losing their last three. And I really feel they are due for a big win. It might not be tonight though, as they did play last night, and Broduer looked horrible in the loss. Winnipeg at 1.70.

New York Rangers @ Tampa Bay

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the New York Rangers are statistically the best team in the NHL right now. How can they have underdog odds against anybody save maybe Boston or Detroit? I like Tampa, but I’ll take those underdog odds. New York at 1.85.

Chicago @ St. Louis

This game is a battle for second place in their division. We should see a hard fought rivalry game here, especially considering they both played last night. I think the Hawks might have a little more in the tank. Give me Chicago with the road dog odds of 1.80.

Buffalo @ Nashville

It’s Miller time! Ryan Miller is back in net tonight, but faces a tough challenge. His team played a tough game at home last night, and now they travel to Nashville to take on the hometown Preds. Miller isn’t Crosby and I don’t think he shines in his debut. Although I do like the odds that say he could (2.00). I’ll take Nashville though at 1.55.

Philly @ Phoenix

Philly played a tough game last night in Anaheim, and won on a lucky 4-minute power play in OT. So I’m thinking they will be a little tired tonight, but they are also a far superior team. This is a toss up, but give me Philly at 1.65.

New York Islanders @ Dallas

New York gave Chicago a real good go last night. Unfortunately they’re in tough again tonight. Dallas at 1.40.

Calgary @ Edmonton

This is a huge Rivalry game on HNIC this evening. The only problem is one team is looking to trade their captain, while the other would like to anoint two more. One teams going up, one teams going down. I’ll take the team on their way up. Edmonton at 1.60.

Florida @ San Jose

I know Florida is a legit good team. I still won’t pick them though. San Jose at 1.50.

Favorites

Boston
Washington
Pittsburgh
Nashville
Dallas
Edmonton
San Jose

Pick ‘ems

Winnipeg
Philly

Long shots

New York Rangers
Chicago

OWC (Odds Worth Considering)

Carolina 2.70
Buffalo 2.00

That’s it for this week. Look for more Phantom picks coming next week. And as always, good luck, and let me know how you did!

We’ll Take Him!

Posted on by Grant Alexander
IMG_7702.jpg © by bridgetds

With the Anaheim Ducks having probably the most disappointing season of all 30 clubs. It seems they are faced with two choices. The first would be to shake up the team. And would most likely involve the highly anticipated trade of Bobby Ryan. Which 29 other teams are salivating over, because Bobby Ryan has the talent to be one of the best producers in the league. But this season he hasn’t been producing, and is not living up to his $5 million dollar price tag. The second, Fire the head coach. Randy Carlyle has served as the Ducks head coach for 6 seasons, and is a third of the way into his 7th. He has amassed a winning record with the franchise, going 273-182-61, over 536 games. And most notably, in his second season as head coach, he captured the first ever Stanley Cup for the city of Anaheim. But this season he has the Ducks sitting in the basement. So if your Bob Murray, and your team is struggling badly, despite a plethora of talent, which decision would you make?

It’s a tough situation, but what if it could be made easier? What if one of the top coaches over the past 5 seasons was suddenly looking for work? Well that’s exactly what happened this week as Bruce Boudreau, head coach of the Washington Capitals, was fired. He is the fastest coach to reach 200 wins in the modern era of the NHL, and also won a Jack Adams trophy for coach of the year with the Caps. And he is now the new head coach of the Anaheim Ducks. Bob Murray waited a whole 2 days after the news, to fire Carlyle and hire Boudreau. Just long enough for the Ducks to finish their Eastern road trip against the Montreal Canadians last night. A game in which they actually managed to win. But it wasn’t enough to save Randy. The prospect of getting Boudreau was too great. And Bruce should be a good fit in Anaheim seeing as how Washington and Anaheim have similar components.

Carlyle wasn’t the only one to go from the Ducks organization, and obviously wasn’t the only head coach to lose his job recently. From the Ducks, assistant coaches Dave Farrish, and Mike Foligno were relieved of their duties. As was video coordinator Joe Trotta. The axe also fell hard around the NHL as, Paul Maurice of the Carolina Hurricanes joined Boudreau, and Carlyle in the unemployment line. Well, I guess just Carlyle, as Boudreau was quick to find work. Dale Hunter stepped in as head coach of the Capitals, as Kirk Muller filled the vacant spot in Carolina.

I don’t know what to say about Paul Maurice. He has had three coaching stints (2 with Carolina, 1 with Toronto) all of which ended in losing efforts. He is only 44 years old, and I’m sure he will coach again at some point, but my guess is not for a while. There are lots of top junior coaches out there, as well as plenty of good coaches changing hands in the NHL, for anybody to be desperate enough to hire Maurice. And lets not forget about TSN. They love working as a temp agency for downtrodden coaches.

Randy Carlyle on the other hand, should be employed by the end of the week. Well that might be a little optimistic, but if I were a club looking for a coach, or thinking about firing my current one, I’d do it soon. This guy will get snapped up. He has coached 6 winning seasons in the NHL, made the playoffs 5 times, and has won a Stanley Cup. He is also a great coach of the cycle and the power play. And loves to coach a tough, gritty game that goes back to his playing days as a defenseman for the Leafs, Penguins, and Jets. For those teams he amassed exactly 1400 penalty minutes over 17 seasons. I guess it’s safe to say he loves to play the game with truculence. Hmmm, where have I heard that word before? Also, current Leafs GM Brian Burke, who was the GM in Anaheim at the time, hired Carlyle in 2005. I think it’s safe to say that Randy Carlyle will be employed somewhere soon. The only question is where?

The UFC and the "S" Word…

Posted on by Mark Modeski

With any sport athletes are naturally going to look for an advantage – whether that be better equipment, a stricter diet or as has been the case in many professional sports over the years steroids. Lately there has been a lot of press talking about the subject of steroids and/or performance enhancing substances (most notably in baseball). MMA is certainly not immune. MMA athletes have had a long and not-so proud history with the use of steroids over the years. One thing that I have always respected the UFC for is that they test every athlete before a fight. What has been a little vexing over the years is the selective treatment that has been doled out by the UFC over the years towards those fighters caught; some fighters have been black-listed, while others have been brought back into the fold with open-arms.

Let’s look at some famous cases for starters:

  • Josh Barnett: Steroids Poster Boy. Early in UFC days, Josh beat Randy Couture for the HW championship title, nothing could sully his victory except – “Oops”, he tested positive for steroids. He was suspended for six-months and stripped of his belt. What most people don’t know is that Josh was busted earlier at UFC 34 for using the juice, and let off with just a warning. Josh has yet to re-enter the Octagon. Josh also was caught before his fight with Fedor at Afflicted Trilogy (which some say led to the downfall of the organization) – some guys never learn.
  • Tim Sylvia: Another former UFC HW champion. After his victory at UFC 44 he tested positive and endured a six-month suspension and $10,000 fine.
  • Stephan Bonnar: After his second loss to Forrest Griffin he tested positive, and received a $10,000 fine with nine-month suspension. At least he had it in him to admit to his indiscretion.
  • Chris Leben: A nine-month suspension and a forfeiture of 1/3 of his purse.
  • Chael Sonnen: One of the more recent famous cases, he tested positive after his near victory over Anderson Silva at UFC 117. Punishment was a one year suspension and a $2,500 fine.
  • Thiago Silva: Was never actually caught for using steroids, but submitted a urine test that was “inconsistent and likely substituted”. Punishment: one-year suspension and $33,750 fine.
  • Nate Marquardt: Tested positive for steroids after his defeat of Ivan Salavarry at UFN 1, but re-testing later came up negative. Nate was later released by the UFC after it was found that he had been using HRT without consent (for the record, Matt Hughes does the same thing – with consent).
  • Royce Gracie: Probably the most famous case, Royce tested positive after defeating long-time nemesis Sakuraba. This was a fight outside of UFC, but I still thought it was worth mentioning. Royce was suspended for a year and fined a whopping $2,500. Royce of course, still claims innocence.
These are just a few popular examples (there have obviously been a lot more) of fighters who were caught for using the juice.
Dana White’s reaction to steroid users has always been what’s most interesting to me. Sometimes he’s infuriated and very publicly vocal about his feelings, other times he’s completely mum and you barely hear a peep out of him. Nate Marquardt and Josh Barnett have been permanently black balled by the UFC. Dana White has been very open about how disappointed he in both of these fighters and that he will never have them fighting for the promotion again. So far, he has held true to his word. Chael Sonnen and Stephen Bonnar on the other hand, have been welcomed back into the organization with open arms.
Why? At the end of the day, I think it all comes down to the spectacle. Guys like Sonnen and Bonnar will always draw a crowd – they’re well known names and they help sell pay-per-views. Guys like Barnett and Marquardt are known names around the circuit, but only the hardcore fans would pay to see them fight. While I respect Dana’s ability to put on fights, I think it’s clear to most fans that he tends to soft-soap this matter when it comes to fighters he likes… and the fighter he likes are the one’s that put on fights. I could be very wrong in this suspicion, but the odd coincidences just seem to hard ignore at times – and they stretch well beyond the few examples I’ve given here.
I respect MMA in general for being very consistent with testing all of its fighters before a match. Other sports could take a lesson from this consistency. I empathize (which is different than condone) with fighters and their use of performance enhancers – it’s a sport that takes a huge toll on the body. I encourage anyone to watch “The Smashing Machine” (The life of Mark Kerr) to get a better understanding of why fighters use these types of drugs. My only problem is that sometimes certain fighters seem to get a softer hand than others.

… and that is the last word.