Can the Celtics Take Down the Cavs in Game 3?

• May
• 7

Tonight Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are facing the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen upset the Cavs at Quicken Loans Arena in a Game 2 blow out. People’s attention hasn’t been on how the Celtics dominated the Cavs by 18 points on Monday, but focused primarily on Lebron James’ bum elbow. At the beginning of Game 2, Lebron was awarded the 2010 NBA MVP Award, but it was a bittersweet moment. The Celtics held Lebron to 24 points in Game 2, while all three Boston Amigos had solid nights on the road. Undergoing multiple MRIs, James might not be able to do some things he’d like to on the basketball court tonight, but don’t be surprised if the MVP fights through the pain to take one back in Boston. As for Lebron’s elbow, the body part’s career has taken off since the injury. Check out Lebron’s elbow Twitter page. Lebron’s elbow has over 6,000 followers and his very own Facebook page.

5 Stars to Watch at World Cup 2010

• April
• 30

There’s still time to get yourself to South Africa with World Cup soccer tickets still on sale, but it’s never too early to take a look at some big names that will be in lights this summer.

1. Lionel Messi - Argentina

At the moment the little Argentine has been widely labeled the best player alive in the world. On a weekly basis with his club FC Barcelona, Messi does the impossible. His low center of gravity allows him  to reverse his motion as quick as anyone on the planet. He’s been called the “Picasso of football” for the way he breaks down multiple defenders. His finishing is down-right deadly and he typically raises his play when he’s on a big stage. The spotlight won’t get any brighter than this summer in South Africa. If Messi has a great tournament we will have a real case for putting him up with the likes of Zidane, Pele, and Maradona.

2. Arjen Robben - Netherlands

The Flying Dutchmen’s scintillating form has carried German club Bayern Munich to Champions League final. Robben very well might have the most dangerous left foot in the world. A right-sided winger, Robben loves to cut in across the field and make magic happen with his left. The former Real Madrid-Chelsea midfielder can change game all by himself and will cause headaches for any left back he faces. Scoring 14 goals in just 21 appearances for Bayern, Robben is one of the hottest players heading into the World Cup.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal

As was the case with Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo almost found himself watching the World Cup this summer from his couch. Portugal barely qualified for the World Cup, and might have trouble this summer. Ronaldo himself is right up there with Messi as the best player in the world. Ronaldo made the move last summer to Real Madrid from Manchester United for a record transfer fee. He can score in every way possible and 6 ft 1 inch frame keeps center backs from pushing him around. Portugal made a run all the way to the semi-finals in 2006 in Germany, but the Selecção das Quinas will need a superhuman effort from Cristiano if they want to repeat that level of success.

4. Wayne Rooney - England

The departure of Ronaldo from Manchester United has turned out to be a good thing for England’s top striker Wayne Rooney. The goals have been pouring in for Rooney this season in the EPL, elevating his status as footballer in the past 12 months to the very top of the game. Rooney is the ideal striker. If opposing teams give him opportunity in front of net the man just buries it. A rare combination of strength and speed, Rooney is as tough as they come. As Wayne Rooney goes in South Africa, so will England. The center backs marking Mr. Rooney this summer better be saying their prayers.

5.  Maicon - Brazil

Inter Milan defender Maicon plays the right back position simply to perfection. The muscle-clad fullback makes runs like a deer and can dislodge the best of attackers without breaking a sweat. You could put Maicon anywhere on the field and he would likely be one of the best players in the game. He’s ironclad in his defending , yet can dribble, shoot, and pass like a full-time attacker. One of the big reasons Brazil is the #1 ranked player in the world is because they have defenders like Maicon, Lucio, and Dani Alves on roster. Maicon could be a star athlete in any sport in the world. Though not a attacking player who makes people ooh and aah by scoring goals every game, Maicon deserves as much praise as anyone going to South Africa this summer.

Jackie Robinson Day in MLB

• April
• 15

Sixty three years ago today Jack Roosevelt “Jackie” Robinson first stepped out on a baseball diamond as the first black player to play in the Major League Baseball. Today every player in the MLB will be wearing #42 in honor of the importance of that very first game Robinson played in. They will wear #42 to honor the man that grew up poor in a family of sharecroppers in rural Georgia. Jackie’s middle name was in honor of another famous maverick Teddy Roosevelt, who died around the time of his birth. Robinson would go on to become a star athlete in numerous sports at John Muir High School & UCLA before becoming a rare African-American second lieutenant in the US Army during World War II. Your ball club will be wearing #42 today to remind us of our country’s ugly history of racism and how the world of sports was forever changed by the man who wore that jersey.

2010 NBA Playoffs Approaching

• April
• 9

On April 18th the 2010 NBA Playoffs will begin with the basketball public waiting in anticipation to find out who will be crowned Champions this summer. Some fans are already buying NBA Finals tickets just in case their team makes it to basketball’s grandest stage. Most sports journalists already have the finals pegged as Kobe vs. Lebron as the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers are sitting on top of the Eastern and Western conferences respectively. The trade for Antwan Jamison could prove crucial should Lebron James and the Cavs’ represent the East in the Finals. Other teams to keep an eye on are the Orlando Magic. Dwight Howard led the Magic to the Finals last year and scorer Vince Carter could give Orlando the edge. A good dark horse canidate in the East are the Miami Heat who heading into this weekend have won nine a row. In the West both Denver and Dallas could challenge Kobe’s Lakers, but LA is without a doubt a huge favorite. I can’t wait for the playoffs to start!!!

Some NFL Coaches Unhappy with Overtime Ruling

• March
• 24

The new overtime rule in the NFL is not a popular change in some coaching circles in the NFL. The owners voted 28-4 to enact a rule that in the playoffs both teams will have an opportunity to have the ball. The calling for the rule change stemmed from the 2008-09 playoff loss by the Indianapolis Colts to the San Diego Chargers, where in which Peyton Manning never got a chance to get his offense in the end zone due to the Chargers winning the coin toss. Following the New Orleans Saints overtime win over the Minnesota Vikings this year, the issue took flight. Saints head coach Sean Payton ripped the new ruling, telling Sports Illustrated writer Peter King, “I hate it”. The coaches were not included in the vote. Payton went on to bemoan the rule further, “I’m probably going to have to spend a half-hour explaining it to my wife.” When the rule goes into effect in the 2010-11 postseason we shall see how the rule goes over with the fans.

The 2010 Masters is Gonna Be Huge

• March
• 19

Tiger Woods’ infidelity has the biggest story  in sports and gossip since the news first broke of the golfer’s extra-martial affairs back in November of last year. After crashing his Escalade, spending time in sex rehab, and doing his best to repair his personal life, the 34-year-old announced that he would return to golf at the 2010 Masters Tournament. Tiger Woods’ return to golf will unquestionably send the demand for Masters tickets at Augusta National Golf Club to heights the tournament has never seen before. Winning his first major at the 1997 Masters, Augusta has always been one of Woods’ favorite golf courses. People who have normally have no interest in golf will be glued to their television set when Woods tees off on April 8th. The PGA Tour should get ready for a media circus of monumental portion at Augusta this year.

Lakers’ Title Hopes Still Strong

• March
• 5

Only Lebron’s Cleveland Cavilers have a better record than the LA Lakers so far this season, but with the injury to Shaq the Lakers are the best team in basketball. The Cavs’ lack of inside presence kept them from the NBA finals last year prompting them to sign Shaquille O’Neal in the off season. Cleveland expects to get Shaq back in 8 weeks, but unless the 37-year-old is playing 100% they will have a tough time should they meet the Lakers in the finals. The Lakers won the NBA Title convincingly last season and only got stronger adding Ron Artest to the starting lineup. Kobe Bryant is rounding into peak form as a player at the age of 31 and has all the tools around him to get his fifth NBA Championship. Fans in LA should book their Lakers playoffs ticket, because they’re isn’t a team in the West that can compare with the Lakers this season.

Americans Through To the Gold Medal Game

• February
• 26

The United States bought themselves a ticket to Gold Medal game on Friday pummeling Finland 6-1. The Americans scored all six of their goals in the first period with Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane scoring twice. Finland’s goalie Miikka Kiprusoff was helpless to the American attack led by Kane, Matt Kessler, Ryan Malone, and Paul Stastny. The winner of the Canada/Slovakia semi-final will face the U.S. in the gold medal game. The Canadians will be expected to easily defeat Slovakia setting up what would be a momentous finals between the two North American countries. Canada went into the national mourning after getting beat 5-3 by the Americans last Sunday, but it will be a pretty daunting task for the U.S. to take out the Winter Olympics host nation for a second time in the tournament. Should Canada win their semi-final match up, Sunday’s gold medal game could be biggest hockey game in United States’ history since the Miracle On Ice in 1980.

Israeli Shahar Peer Shines in Dubai

• February
• 19

A year ago Shahar Peer’s visa was denied when she tried to enter the United Arab Emirates for the Dubai Tennis Championships, but made it into the country in 2010 and all the way to semi-finals. Peer fell to Venus Williams 6-1, 6-4 becoming the first Israeli woman to compete in an athletic event in Dubai. Peer was given extra security measures during her stay and Dubai and spoke kind words of the place after her match with Williams, “Everyone treated me well here, I have become friends with the people of Dubai”. Peer is ranked #22 in the world and looks to be one of the most promising young female tennis players in the world. Peer has made it to the quarterfinals at the US Open and Australian Open in years past. Look for a chance to see Peer play live at tennis tournament near you by ordering a pair of professional tennis tickets.

Jozy Altidore Could Be the Key to US World Cup

• February
• 12

With the World Cup in South Africa little more than four months away, young American Jozy Altidore is earning a name for himself in the world’s best soccer league. Altidore made the move last August to Yorkshire side Hull City after being bought by Spanish club Villarreal for a MLS record breaking $10 million from the New York Red Bulls. In his first game for the Tigers, Altidore helped set up a goal for teammate Kamel Ghilas the first time he touched the ball in 1-0 victory over Bolton.

The next few months proved difficult for Altidore as Hull City got off to a terrible start. The club was only in its second year in the top tier league in English football and was looking like they would finish the year in one of the regulation spots if they didn’t turn it around soon. Altidore was disciplined by his manager Phil Brown for showing up late before a game and then writing about it on his Twitter page.

The 20-year-old acknowledged his mistakes and kept his nose to grind stone and earned his way back into the team.  In January, the Haitian earthquake struck and Altidore was given compassionate leave from the team as his family struggled to confirm if relatives survived the tragedy. Thankfully, all the members of Altdore’s family were eventually accounted for and he returned to Hull City at the end of the month.

A new spirit seemed to fill the forward as in his first start back from leave he played a tremendous game setting up striking partner Jan Veenegoor of Hesselink for the opening goal and drawing a penalty for Hull City’s second. Phil Brown was criticized in the media for subbing off Altidore in the 68th minute as the Tigers seemed to lose their bite once the US Men’s National Team star exited the game.

The Livingston, New Jersey native then put in a stellar performance against league leaders Chelsea, troubling the Blues defense all game drawing two yellow cards and setting up the corner kick that resulted in a Hull goal. The game ended in 1-1 tie earning Hull City a crucial point from one of the best team’s in the Premiership. It seemed Altidore had done everything on the field except score a goal for the Tigers when he netted for the first team in English Premier League play burying a 31st minute shot past Manchester City keeper Shay Given. Honoring his parents homeland of Haiti, the American dedicated his first EPL goal to the country of Haiti.

Altidore will most likely be starting for the United States on June 12th in South Africa when the Americans play their first game of the World Cup against England. The young professional looks to have found his feet in England and shouldn’t be intimidated when he takes the field against England’s Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard considering he played against all of them before. Altidore has the physical tools to become an elite goal scorer in the world and has made great strides in the last year. Don’t be surprised if Jozy Altidore turns out to be one of the breakout stars of this summer’s World Cup.