Slobberknocker for the Ages

There are reasons why painters paint, why poets write, why sailors sail. This weekend at 6:30 pm EST the reasons why sportswriters do the things they do will be on display.

The Baltimore Ravens will head into Pittsburgh to battle the Steelers for the right to represent the AFC in the Superbowl. These two teams, the two attitudes, the two BEST defenses in the NFL is what is going to turn a great match up into one that they will talk about for decades.

These match ups are rare and sometimes disapointing. You expect the game to be one to remember, and tell your grandchildren about but they someitmes become blowouts or just a sloppy game filled with bad plays or too much involvement by the referees.

Tomorrow wil hopefully be remembered for all the right reasons.

The Beasts of The East

For several years the Western Conference has dominated the NBA with an iron fist. They have imposed their will on the Eastern Conference and until this year they have not been able to respond.

This year however, we have seen the resurgence the East and they have manhandled the West, so far. To this day The Eastern Conferece ejoys a 31-15 record over the West.

To put in persepctive the turnaround, last year the Golden State Warriors were 14 games over .500 and missed the playoffs in the West. Atlanta was 8 games under .500 and made the playoffs in the West. All 8 playoff teams had at least 50 wins, there were only 3 teams in the East.

One of the reasons for this is the additions some teams have made since last year's trade deadline.

The Atlanta Hawks added Mike Bibby
The New York Knicks added Mike D'antoni
The Miami Heat added Michael Beasley and a healthy Wade
The Toronto Raptors added Jermaine O'Neal
And the Philadelphia 76ers added Elton Brand

All of these teams are starting to come together and are becoming the Beasts of the East

The Fantasy Word of Sports

WOW!

For long I have maligned and ridiculed fantasy sports, mainly because I did not see the attraction. My how the tables have turned. I recently started a fantasy basketball team at CBS Sports and I fear it is about as addicting as crack. Well, not so much fear as much as enjoy.

So what brought me to the sport? Boredom. While it sounds dumb, my boredom is cured and I found a new way to keep track on players around the league, plus a reason to write. Also I get the chance to compete against other people, which is the main attraction for me.

Competition brings out the best and worst in us, but more importantly it shows us our weak and strong areas. I will also be able to see what my carnal knowledge is on sports.

So here are some tips that I have learned in my short time playing Fantasy Basketball on CBS:

• Show up to the draft! It sounds obvious, but the last draft I had there were only 3 of the 12 participants there. I was in the last draft spot but my team ended up great because of me showing up.
• Know the scoring system. In my league Assists are worth 2 points, Turnovers -1, Points, Steals, Blocks and Rebounds are all worth 1 Points. Knowing this, draft good point guards early.
• Look at the bad teams. A misconception I had was that all the good players are on good teams, however there some fountains of fantasy points in bad teams (I.E. Al Jefferson).
• Playing Time is HUGE. The only surefire way that players can't contribute is if they are not on the court, check constantly what their playing time is and what spot they have on the rotation.
• Check The Schedule. In my league you select a line up for periods of a week at a time. So make sure when setting the line up that your player has several games and beware of the match-ups.
• Have Fun. I am approaching this as I approach all games, trying to ave fun and improve myself, not to win at all costs.

My Team:

G - Dewayne Wade (MIA)
G - Jose Calderon (TOR)
G - Jason Kidd (DAL)
G - Nate Robinson (NYK)

F - Ron Artest (HOU)
F - Rashard Lewis (ORL)
F - Thadeus Young (PHI)
F - Nene (DEN)

C - Dwight Howard (ORL)

G-F-C - Al Horford (ATL)

Bench - G - Jason Terry (DAL)
Bench - F- Luis Scola (HOU)
Bench - F - Kevin Love (MIN)

Starbury gets "Kicks" on his head

I thought Mike Tyson's tattoo would've been a warning tale for all athletes. But Stephon Marbury threw causion to the wind and made his scalp an ad.....for himself.

Yes good ol' Starbury put his own shoe logo on his head, and I must say he will be crucified in the media for this. But this goes to show you how well the ad worked. EVERYONE is talking about it.

Not to mention that Starbury is actually doing something GREAT with his shoe. For those not familiar with the shoe's significance I'll remind you.

In 2006 Starbury teamed up with Ben Wallace and came out with his own shoe company and signature shoes "The Starbury One".

Why is this so great? Because in this day and age where Jordan's latest shoes costs around $200 dollars, The Starbury One's retail at $14.98. And to quote an article from Dave Zirin* "That's $14.98. Not $149.80".

So I will give Starbury a pass on his head ink and probably go and buy his quality product.

*Dave Zirin's Article from The Nation

Terry Francona is a MORON!!!

Cliff Lee is the starter for tonight's All-Star game. Instead of the guy who truly deserves it, Roy Halladay.

Terry Francona is a CLOWN, a BUFFOON, and a FOOL

(also not Terry Francona)

With this great judgement he will also probably also close the game with big head Jon Papelbon, instead of Mariano Rivera.

FAVRE!!!!

That's it....I am sick of this.

I am still not going to talk about torrid relationship of Brett and Ted. What I am really sick of s the ridiculous amount of media coverage this is getting. The news in sports are coming in slow so every paper from coast to coast has in depth daily coverage.

I am so sick of this being on every paper, and every news show, and taking up most of the radio airwaves.

Everywhere you turn you see Brett's highlights, and people reading statements from Favre, his agent, Thompson, McCarthy.

There has to be something else worth covering... (takes a look at whats happening) maybe not.

This is getting this much attention because of its timing. NHL and NBA have already passed the most enertaing parts of their off seasons. Baseball is at the All-star break, and besides Josh Hamilton and some trade speculation there is nothing worth paying attention to league-wide.

Thankfully the trade deadline is coming nd that should start to get some of the media's attention.

The Doctor is in...

Roy "Doc" Halladay has to be the starter for the All Star game. This guy is way too good.

The reason why I missed my first daily post since I opened this blog is because I went to the Skydome and saw Halladay make the Yankees look like minor leaguers. He pitched a two hit shut out and Derek Jeter called him, "the best starter in baseball".

The big right-hander has some gaudy stats:

1. 7 Complete Games (more than any other TEAM in the Majors)
2. 146-1/3 IP (leads MLB, next closest in the AL is 17-1/3 behind)
3. 2 Shutouts (tied for MLB lead)
4. 121 Ks (leads the AL now that CC is gone)
5. 2.07 Ground out to air out ratio (leads AL by 0.23)
6. 1.00 WHIP (second in the AL)
7. 5.76 K/BB ratio (leads MLB by 0.46)
8. 1.29 BB/9 (tied for MLB lead)
9. 14.06 Pitches per Innings Pitched (Third in the AL)

(If you heard a loud bang it was probably your jaw hitting the floor.)

Still the Blue Jays ace has never started an All-Star game. In 2003, his Cy Young year, former teammate Esteban Loaiza started. He was in line for the honour in 2005, but right before the all-star break, now teammate Kevin Mench lined a ball off of Doc's shin and ended his season.

This year Terry Francona has the chance to right a wrong that has been long overdue. Halladay deserves the start so the entire baseball audience can marvel at one of the greatest pitchers of our era.





By the way, if you're wondering why I have not put in my two cents about the Brett Favre situation it is because I am waiting for something official to happen. Then, and only then, will I rant.