Poker news....
Phil Hellmuth just beat out 3000+ people to earn his 11th World Series of Poker bracelet. Johnny Chan and Doyle Brunson made the presentation. He now leads both of them by one. Yes, I was there. Between trying to get over the Sopranos finale and attending a WSOP event, this was a completely unproductive day. Good times.
Rich Kim
Monday, June 11, 2007
Belmont Wrap-Up and Sopranos Finale
Wouldn't you know it? Rags to Riches, the first filly in over 100 years won the Belmont. Came in at 4-1. I literally walked into the casino sportsbook as the horses were loading into the gate. Probably was the last one to get action on the race. I walked back to a good spot to watch the race in the surprisingly crowded sportsbook just in time to hear, "And they're off...". Normal race until they made the final turn. The sportsbook went nuts. Both Rags to Riches and Curlin had made their move. Neck and neck down the stretch. Rags to Riches simply had more heart than Curlin, winning by a head. Gutty performance! Outstanding race! As they crossed the wire, I could overhear people saying it was 100 years since a filly won. Even people that had losing tickets, as did I, were in awe of what transpired. If Curlin had won, my trifecta ticket was a winner...but once again my horse got nosed out at the wire. Close. Again.
For those people that have never seen a major sporting event in a sportsbook, it's truly a sight to behold. For a true sports nut, it often gives you goose bumps. The room split into various rooting interests, all taking their turns to cheer when their wager is looking good. Only once have I seen the entire sportsbook in unison cheering for the same team. UNLV's NCAA second round upset over Wisconsin last year. I took down the largest payout I've ever had that day, and was not the only one in the room who did so. UNLV +250 to win that game...still can't believe we got those odds. That story is for another column. I do have one question however: why is Nevada still the only state with legalized sports wagering? What sense does this make? Was the retarded guy from Sling Blade involved again?
If you weren't a fan of the Sopranos, don't bother reading anything more in the column.
6:00. Show started. Highlights of the previous shows and then the theme song came on for the last time ever. Let the record show it was a little dusty in my house. The show starts exactly as I expected. Tony made it through the night. That's about the last prediction that I was correct about (besides Paulie staying loyal to Tony). The show started like a normal episode, and kept going. Tony spends time with each family member and even Uncle June. I couldn't help but keep looking at the clock wondering how the show is going to have time for this and this and that to happen.
Finally, Phil gets whacked. Now we're getting somewhere. What am I going to miss about this show? One great example here. Phil's last words: "Wave bye-bye to grandpa". Immediately he's shot dead on the spot. Classic. The show keeps going, yet Tony doesn't seem to be worried about his own fate. Phil's dead, and he's made peace with New York.
The final scene happens. Tony's family, all driving separately, one by one enter the restaurant. At the same time, it appears Tony is being watched by a couple people at the restaurant. Meadow has trouble parking her car. Finally successful, she runs across the street and opens the door to the diner. Tony hears the bell, looks up, music stops and cut to black. This has to be the greatest WTF ending ever. After this happens I'm confused. I'm almost angry. What just happened? Nothing? Tony got whacked? The show is really ending like this? I immediately logged on and tried to get on the HBO website to see what other people thought. The website was down due to high activity. Unbelievable. All night I let it soak in. Was this a brilliant ending or a terrible one? What was Chase (the director) implying happened there? Several different interpretations, but here are the three most common.
1. Tony gets whacked by the guy who entered the bathroom. Straight out of Godfather 2. In a previous episode, while talking with Bobby, he explains death as everything turning to black. That's exactly how the show ended. Instead of us seeing a bloody gruesome death to the show's main character, we saw black.
2. Tony was an FBI informant the whole time. The people at the diner that kept watching Tony were watching out for him and making sure he was protected. This would explain why the FBI always took him away and he never got indicted. Also, it would explain why Tony was told by the FBI where Phil was and why the FBI person Tony was working with stated "we're going to win this thing after all" after he learned Phil was whacked.
3. Nothing happened at all. Part of the beauty of the show. The writers made the audience constantly second guessing themselves. At times, we see things that are not there at all. Always suspense, and nobody ever really knows where it's going. It's been a lot of fun to try and predict how the show would end. Was anybody correct about the way the show actually did end? And since the show ended the way it did, it leaves the door open to a movie or a DVD release with alternate endings. If of course, nothing did happen at the diner.
So even though the show at first left viewers like myself more angered than complete, upon further review, I've got to say this was a brilliant ending. Open to interpretation. The ending was just as unpredictable as anything else in the show's history. Great writing. Even now that the show is over, people are still talking about it. How many people are sitting around a water cooler talking about the ending today? I listened to Colin Cowherd (ESPN radio) on the way in to work. (And yes I'm posting this as I'm supposed to be working). As he explained, it would be a disservice to the listeners to breakdown an undramatic NBA Finals game/series with the Sopranos ending the way it did. As much as I disagree with him on several things, he nailed this point right on the head. The Sopranos sucked people in like no other show in my generation...possibly ever. It transcended what any other show has ever been able to do in this respect. And now that it's over, what now? Will anything ever fill the void? What happens when there is no wait until next year? The question, like the show, is left open ended.
Rich Kim
For those people that have never seen a major sporting event in a sportsbook, it's truly a sight to behold. For a true sports nut, it often gives you goose bumps. The room split into various rooting interests, all taking their turns to cheer when their wager is looking good. Only once have I seen the entire sportsbook in unison cheering for the same team. UNLV's NCAA second round upset over Wisconsin last year. I took down the largest payout I've ever had that day, and was not the only one in the room who did so. UNLV +250 to win that game...still can't believe we got those odds. That story is for another column. I do have one question however: why is Nevada still the only state with legalized sports wagering? What sense does this make? Was the retarded guy from Sling Blade involved again?
If you weren't a fan of the Sopranos, don't bother reading anything more in the column.
6:00. Show started. Highlights of the previous shows and then the theme song came on for the last time ever. Let the record show it was a little dusty in my house. The show starts exactly as I expected. Tony made it through the night. That's about the last prediction that I was correct about (besides Paulie staying loyal to Tony). The show started like a normal episode, and kept going. Tony spends time with each family member and even Uncle June. I couldn't help but keep looking at the clock wondering how the show is going to have time for this and this and that to happen.
Finally, Phil gets whacked. Now we're getting somewhere. What am I going to miss about this show? One great example here. Phil's last words: "Wave bye-bye to grandpa". Immediately he's shot dead on the spot. Classic. The show keeps going, yet Tony doesn't seem to be worried about his own fate. Phil's dead, and he's made peace with New York.
The final scene happens. Tony's family, all driving separately, one by one enter the restaurant. At the same time, it appears Tony is being watched by a couple people at the restaurant. Meadow has trouble parking her car. Finally successful, she runs across the street and opens the door to the diner. Tony hears the bell, looks up, music stops and cut to black. This has to be the greatest WTF ending ever. After this happens I'm confused. I'm almost angry. What just happened? Nothing? Tony got whacked? The show is really ending like this? I immediately logged on and tried to get on the HBO website to see what other people thought. The website was down due to high activity. Unbelievable. All night I let it soak in. Was this a brilliant ending or a terrible one? What was Chase (the director) implying happened there? Several different interpretations, but here are the three most common.
1. Tony gets whacked by the guy who entered the bathroom. Straight out of Godfather 2. In a previous episode, while talking with Bobby, he explains death as everything turning to black. That's exactly how the show ended. Instead of us seeing a bloody gruesome death to the show's main character, we saw black.
2. Tony was an FBI informant the whole time. The people at the diner that kept watching Tony were watching out for him and making sure he was protected. This would explain why the FBI always took him away and he never got indicted. Also, it would explain why Tony was told by the FBI where Phil was and why the FBI person Tony was working with stated "we're going to win this thing after all" after he learned Phil was whacked.
3. Nothing happened at all. Part of the beauty of the show. The writers made the audience constantly second guessing themselves. At times, we see things that are not there at all. Always suspense, and nobody ever really knows where it's going. It's been a lot of fun to try and predict how the show would end. Was anybody correct about the way the show actually did end? And since the show ended the way it did, it leaves the door open to a movie or a DVD release with alternate endings. If of course, nothing did happen at the diner.
So even though the show at first left viewers like myself more angered than complete, upon further review, I've got to say this was a brilliant ending. Open to interpretation. The ending was just as unpredictable as anything else in the show's history. Great writing. Even now that the show is over, people are still talking about it. How many people are sitting around a water cooler talking about the ending today? I listened to Colin Cowherd (ESPN radio) on the way in to work. (And yes I'm posting this as I'm supposed to be working). As he explained, it would be a disservice to the listeners to breakdown an undramatic NBA Finals game/series with the Sopranos ending the way it did. As much as I disagree with him on several things, he nailed this point right on the head. The Sopranos sucked people in like no other show in my generation...possibly ever. It transcended what any other show has ever been able to do in this respect. And now that it's over, what now? Will anything ever fill the void? What happens when there is no wait until next year? The question, like the show, is left open ended.
Rich Kim
Friday, June 8, 2007
Say Goodnight To The Bad Guy
**SPOILER ALERT** If you have not be watching the last few episodes of The Sopranos, skip this post and go read my NBA Finals prediction.
We are approaching the end of an era. It’s tough actually saying those words out loud (or typing them). This almost feels like breaking up with a girlfriend or quitting a really cool, long-lasting job. Even as I put my thoughts together I can't really express exactly how I feel. I'm numb, I'm sad, I'm scared, I'm excited, I'm leery, I'm....weird yeah I know but this show means a lot to me.
Flashback - 2001. I had just moved into a three-bedroom apartment with two of my best friends in the whole world. We were fresh out of college and ready to take on the world. The apartment was a kick ass bachelor pad...3 bedroom/3 bath, fireplace, vaulted ceilings, but the best part was our deck out in the back. We were regulars out on that deck, beers in hand, bbq grill a blazin. But, like most people with roommates, we had our struggles for a while. Arguments over dishes, bills, dirty underwear hanging from the ceiling fan, and people coming and going at all hours were common.
The one thing that really brought us together was The Sopranos. We had our Sunday routine down, no matter what had happened during that week. We would stock the fridge full of cheap beer and buy the best cuts of meat $8 an hour could buy. We even broke a few man laws by inviting over one of our girlfriends so she could cook some side dishes (twice-baked potatoes were our favorite - thanks Stephanie). Sundays were the best! As you can probably tell, by the time the show started we were stuffed and half drunk...it doesn't get much better than that.
That's just one example of how much this show means to me. And I would have to agree with Rich's point that The Sopranos is the greatest show of our generation. The character development has been top-shelf. The writing has been superb, granted there were a few bumps in the road. Overall, there hasn't been a show in our lifetime that comes close to the social impact The Sopranos has made on our society. (If anyone mentions Sex and the City, I'll piss in your martini....just saying is all.)
With that being said, it's time for the show to end. While these last few episodes have been great, the writing has slipped a bit...even if nobody wants to admit it. The show just doesn't have that same oomph. It's lost a bit on it's fastball. It no longer throws down thunderous jams. It has to cheat a little up the middle to turn a double play. The Sopranos was on the verge of turning into that star athlete that hangs on too long. It was almost Michael Jordan suiting up for the Wizards, or Emmitt Smith donning a Cardinals jersey, or Willie Mays playing for the Mets. Plus, there's no turning back now. Bobby and Christopher are dead, Silvio is in a coma, AJ is past the point of no return. Who's left to run the "family"....Paulie?
So here we are, the end. How's it all gonna play out? The rumor for years was that Tony's mother, Livia, would be the one to kill him. But Nancy Marchand's death in real-life made this ending impossible. Will Tony get whacked? Will he end up in jail? Will he live happily ever after? My money says he gets whacked. I think it's almost a must that he kill Phil Leotardo so we don't remember Tony as a coward, hiding in his Uncle's bedroom. I see this playing out something like this.....Tony kills Phil but takes a bullet and dies a slow death. I think we'll at least get a moment of reflection from Tony, whether it be on his death-bed or from a jail cell. The popular ending is that Paulie Walnuts turns on Tony and whacks him himself. But, after much deliberation, I don't think this will happen. I think we'll be led to believe Paulie is going to turn on Tony but he'll come through in the end....always has, always will.
The end...huh....still tough to admit it's almost over. I still don't want to let go. Oh well, at least we'll always have cheap beer and burnt bbq to get us through the tough times.
The People's Champ
We are approaching the end of an era. It’s tough actually saying those words out loud (or typing them). This almost feels like breaking up with a girlfriend or quitting a really cool, long-lasting job. Even as I put my thoughts together I can't really express exactly how I feel. I'm numb, I'm sad, I'm scared, I'm excited, I'm leery, I'm....weird yeah I know but this show means a lot to me.
Flashback - 2001. I had just moved into a three-bedroom apartment with two of my best friends in the whole world. We were fresh out of college and ready to take on the world. The apartment was a kick ass bachelor pad...3 bedroom/3 bath, fireplace, vaulted ceilings, but the best part was our deck out in the back. We were regulars out on that deck, beers in hand, bbq grill a blazin. But, like most people with roommates, we had our struggles for a while. Arguments over dishes, bills, dirty underwear hanging from the ceiling fan, and people coming and going at all hours were common.
The one thing that really brought us together was The Sopranos. We had our Sunday routine down, no matter what had happened during that week. We would stock the fridge full of cheap beer and buy the best cuts of meat $8 an hour could buy. We even broke a few man laws by inviting over one of our girlfriends so she could cook some side dishes (twice-baked potatoes were our favorite - thanks Stephanie). Sundays were the best! As you can probably tell, by the time the show started we were stuffed and half drunk...it doesn't get much better than that.
That's just one example of how much this show means to me. And I would have to agree with Rich's point that The Sopranos is the greatest show of our generation. The character development has been top-shelf. The writing has been superb, granted there were a few bumps in the road. Overall, there hasn't been a show in our lifetime that comes close to the social impact The Sopranos has made on our society. (If anyone mentions Sex and the City, I'll piss in your martini....just saying is all.)
With that being said, it's time for the show to end. While these last few episodes have been great, the writing has slipped a bit...even if nobody wants to admit it. The show just doesn't have that same oomph. It's lost a bit on it's fastball. It no longer throws down thunderous jams. It has to cheat a little up the middle to turn a double play. The Sopranos was on the verge of turning into that star athlete that hangs on too long. It was almost Michael Jordan suiting up for the Wizards, or Emmitt Smith donning a Cardinals jersey, or Willie Mays playing for the Mets. Plus, there's no turning back now. Bobby and Christopher are dead, Silvio is in a coma, AJ is past the point of no return. Who's left to run the "family"....Paulie?
So here we are, the end. How's it all gonna play out? The rumor for years was that Tony's mother, Livia, would be the one to kill him. But Nancy Marchand's death in real-life made this ending impossible. Will Tony get whacked? Will he end up in jail? Will he live happily ever after? My money says he gets whacked. I think it's almost a must that he kill Phil Leotardo so we don't remember Tony as a coward, hiding in his Uncle's bedroom. I see this playing out something like this.....Tony kills Phil but takes a bullet and dies a slow death. I think we'll at least get a moment of reflection from Tony, whether it be on his death-bed or from a jail cell. The popular ending is that Paulie Walnuts turns on Tony and whacks him himself. But, after much deliberation, I don't think this will happen. I think we'll be led to believe Paulie is going to turn on Tony but he'll come through in the end....always has, always will.
The end...huh....still tough to admit it's almost over. I still don't want to let go. Oh well, at least we'll always have cheap beer and burnt bbq to get us through the tough times.
The People's Champ
Ponies, Paris Hilton, and Pacman Jones
BREAKING NEWS
A judge orders Paris Hilton back to jail, CNN confirms. She was taken from court screaming, The Associated Press reports.
The nation can now breathe a sigh of relief. Paris is off the streets. No more hiding, lockdown, or mandatory curfews. We got her. People can walk the streets feeling safe once again. In a country where sports celebrities such as Barry Bonds, Michael Vick, and Pacman Jones have still not been prosecuted, at least we can feel safe that Paris is behind bars. Ironic? Yeah, a little bit.
Bonds purjured himself. Yet the Feds can't gather enough evidence to press charges. Michael Vick's dog fighting case has now been handed over to the Feds. So far, nothing. According to several experts, there is already enough evidence to convict Michael Vick of organizing dog fights...yet we wait. And Pacman Jones. Wow, that's too easy. The fact that he is still not in jail is beyond me. The incident here in Vegas alone should be enough to put him away for a while...yet we still wait. Maybe there will eventually be justice served against all three of these people? And maybe, just maybe, OJ will find the real killers.
I'm all for not judging people until they are proven guilty...but c'mon people. Seriously? It's not a black/white/brown thing. It's a power and fame thing. If you have enought money and power, you can either limit your punishment or avoid punishment altogether. Literally, you can get away with murder. But hey, at least we got Paris Hilton behind bars.
Sopranos. Last episode. All week, fans of the show have been left to wonder: how is the show going to end? A column from the sports guy (ESPN), offers an interesting observation:
Sunday's episode was so tense, I almost started smoking again. Unbelievable. But why am I terrified that Paulie Walnuts is in cahoots with Phil Leotardo? Doesn't it seem fishy that Phil went after Tony, Silvio and Bobby but ignored Paulie, or that Paulie was in charge of Phil's whacking but it got "screwed up"? I'm fearing the Paulie backstab-out-of-nowhere, as scripted by Vince McMahon.
Honestly, this thought never even crossed my mind until the Sports Guy brought it up. From watching the last episode, it does seem like a reasonable conclusion as to how the show will end. I've seen every Sopranos episode, most of them multiple times. Even though the above does seem possible, it just doesn't make any sense that Paulie would turn on Tony. It's just not his character. What would make him have such a change of heart? Is he that power hungry? I don't think so. Paulie is one of the more likable characters on the show, although it could forever change in an instant, I don't see it happening. Here is my prediction.
Tony and the gang live through the night at the house. No attacks, everything goes quiet for a while. Tony visits Janice, Carmella, and his daughter the next day. Janice and Tony get into a fight (as usual)...except this time it involves Janice blaming Tony for Bobby's death and pissed that Tony has abandoned Uncle June. As a result, Janice finds a way to tell Phil's gang where Tony is hiding out. Tony, at some point, feels doomed and thinks about trying to go to the Feds for protection but ultimately decides not to. Who kills Tony? I don't know. Phil? A no-name in Tony's crew who has been working with Phil? No good answer here, and it may not matter who actually does the deed. Janice is behind it, not Paulie Walnuts. The show ends with Janice taking her kid to an ice cream shop feeling relieved that finally she can raise her kid without mob influence. Not a very happy ending, but very poetic.
Odds on who actually whacks Tony (all bets off if Tony lives):
Any member of Phil's gang: 3-5
Carmella: 9-1
AJ: 14-1
Paulie: 7-1
Patsy Parisi: 20-1
Janice: 30-1
Uncle June: 50-1
Field: 3-1
Wild cards:
AJ. With the knowledge of his dad's death at the hands of Phil's gang, does he try and lash out against Phil's gang himself? Maybe with his friends? Does he strap a bomb to his chest and try and take out Phil's gang at some point? This could happen. The weakest character in the show exacting revenge. Interesting.
Patsy Parisi. Why did he escape when they clipped Silvio (although he's not dead yet)? Was this a mistake or luck? Maybe nothing to it, but you never know.
Silvio. My take is that he'll die a quiet death early in the next show. But who knows?
Uncle June. Is the only reason the show hasn't killed him off because Janice can have another reason to hate Tony? Really? Doesn't seem logical.
Paulie. Discussed earlier.
Feds. Alternate ending: Tony goes to the Feds. He rats out on everybody and is given a new identity...and new life. The identity: Kevin Finnerty. Straight out of episode 68. Unlikely, but it could happen. For those that have no idea what I'm talking about, Kevin Finnerty was Tony's identity in his dreams while in a coma after being shot by Uncle June.
With all those wild cards, and probably more I haven't thought of, it's pretty tough to guess what's going to happen. All I know is, at 6 PM on Sunday: my phone will be off, the house locked up, my wife in her cage. To me this is the most anticipated television event in...well...ever.
Last subject: Belmont Stakes. I'm not really looking forward to this race that much. No possible triple crown winner and Curlin is the only proven horse running. Rags to Riches will be 0nly the 23rd filly to attempt the race. Only 2 have ever won. At 3-1, I'd like more of a price to take this horse. Good horse, could win...but not worth 3-1 in my opinion. Trifecta: 3/6-7/all. Cost $12. Probably won't pay much, but looks like a pretty good ticket. Good luck!
Rich Kim
A judge orders Paris Hilton back to jail, CNN confirms. She was taken from court screaming, The Associated Press reports.
The nation can now breathe a sigh of relief. Paris is off the streets. No more hiding, lockdown, or mandatory curfews. We got her. People can walk the streets feeling safe once again. In a country where sports celebrities such as Barry Bonds, Michael Vick, and Pacman Jones have still not been prosecuted, at least we can feel safe that Paris is behind bars. Ironic? Yeah, a little bit.
Bonds purjured himself. Yet the Feds can't gather enough evidence to press charges. Michael Vick's dog fighting case has now been handed over to the Feds. So far, nothing. According to several experts, there is already enough evidence to convict Michael Vick of organizing dog fights...yet we wait. And Pacman Jones. Wow, that's too easy. The fact that he is still not in jail is beyond me. The incident here in Vegas alone should be enough to put him away for a while...yet we still wait. Maybe there will eventually be justice served against all three of these people? And maybe, just maybe, OJ will find the real killers.
I'm all for not judging people until they are proven guilty...but c'mon people. Seriously? It's not a black/white/brown thing. It's a power and fame thing. If you have enought money and power, you can either limit your punishment or avoid punishment altogether. Literally, you can get away with murder. But hey, at least we got Paris Hilton behind bars.
Sopranos. Last episode. All week, fans of the show have been left to wonder: how is the show going to end? A column from the sports guy (ESPN), offers an interesting observation:
Sunday's episode was so tense, I almost started smoking again. Unbelievable. But why am I terrified that Paulie Walnuts is in cahoots with Phil Leotardo? Doesn't it seem fishy that Phil went after Tony, Silvio and Bobby but ignored Paulie, or that Paulie was in charge of Phil's whacking but it got "screwed up"? I'm fearing the Paulie backstab-out-of-nowhere, as scripted by Vince McMahon.
Honestly, this thought never even crossed my mind until the Sports Guy brought it up. From watching the last episode, it does seem like a reasonable conclusion as to how the show will end. I've seen every Sopranos episode, most of them multiple times. Even though the above does seem possible, it just doesn't make any sense that Paulie would turn on Tony. It's just not his character. What would make him have such a change of heart? Is he that power hungry? I don't think so. Paulie is one of the more likable characters on the show, although it could forever change in an instant, I don't see it happening. Here is my prediction.
Tony and the gang live through the night at the house. No attacks, everything goes quiet for a while. Tony visits Janice, Carmella, and his daughter the next day. Janice and Tony get into a fight (as usual)...except this time it involves Janice blaming Tony for Bobby's death and pissed that Tony has abandoned Uncle June. As a result, Janice finds a way to tell Phil's gang where Tony is hiding out. Tony, at some point, feels doomed and thinks about trying to go to the Feds for protection but ultimately decides not to. Who kills Tony? I don't know. Phil? A no-name in Tony's crew who has been working with Phil? No good answer here, and it may not matter who actually does the deed. Janice is behind it, not Paulie Walnuts. The show ends with Janice taking her kid to an ice cream shop feeling relieved that finally she can raise her kid without mob influence. Not a very happy ending, but very poetic.
Odds on who actually whacks Tony (all bets off if Tony lives):
Any member of Phil's gang: 3-5
Carmella: 9-1
AJ: 14-1
Paulie: 7-1
Patsy Parisi: 20-1
Janice: 30-1
Uncle June: 50-1
Field: 3-1
Wild cards:
AJ. With the knowledge of his dad's death at the hands of Phil's gang, does he try and lash out against Phil's gang himself? Maybe with his friends? Does he strap a bomb to his chest and try and take out Phil's gang at some point? This could happen. The weakest character in the show exacting revenge. Interesting.
Patsy Parisi. Why did he escape when they clipped Silvio (although he's not dead yet)? Was this a mistake or luck? Maybe nothing to it, but you never know.
Silvio. My take is that he'll die a quiet death early in the next show. But who knows?
Uncle June. Is the only reason the show hasn't killed him off because Janice can have another reason to hate Tony? Really? Doesn't seem logical.
Paulie. Discussed earlier.
Feds. Alternate ending: Tony goes to the Feds. He rats out on everybody and is given a new identity...and new life. The identity: Kevin Finnerty. Straight out of episode 68. Unlikely, but it could happen. For those that have no idea what I'm talking about, Kevin Finnerty was Tony's identity in his dreams while in a coma after being shot by Uncle June.
With all those wild cards, and probably more I haven't thought of, it's pretty tough to guess what's going to happen. All I know is, at 6 PM on Sunday: my phone will be off, the house locked up, my wife in her cage. To me this is the most anticipated television event in...well...ever.
Last subject: Belmont Stakes. I'm not really looking forward to this race that much. No possible triple crown winner and Curlin is the only proven horse running. Rags to Riches will be 0nly the 23rd filly to attempt the race. Only 2 have ever won. At 3-1, I'd like more of a price to take this horse. Good horse, could win...but not worth 3-1 in my opinion. Trifecta: 3/6-7/all. Cost $12. Probably won't pay much, but looks like a pretty good ticket. Good luck!
Rich Kim
Thursday, June 7, 2007
NBA Finals Prediction
I wanted to post a quick prediction for the NBA Finals between the Spurs and the Cavs. Like this prediction I think the series will be over quickly. As much as I'd love to see LeBron step up and score 40 points/game, dominate like MJ used to, and take home a title, it aint happenin. The Spurs will absolutely dominate the Cavs inside and they won't make the same mistake Detroit did by sticking 1 guy on LeBron while everyone else stands around and watches. The Spurs are able to throw out double teams from all angles and confuse their opponents. This series won't be any different.
Prediction
Spurs in a sweep (4-0). I'll definitely watch game 1 tonight (let's call tonight's score as Spurs 96 - Cavs 78) but you'll have to wake me up when the series is over.
MVP - Tim Duncan (no-brainer) and I think LeBron will struggle more than most will think. I say he averages somewhere around 21 points, 4 boards, and 3 assists for the entire series. Definitely not enough to get the job done.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
I'll be posting an article tomorrow about the season finale of The Sopranos. Also, we'll have another installment of the world famous "Blurbs" some time this weekend, and look for another column on Monday or Tuesday.
The People's Champ
Prediction
Spurs in a sweep (4-0). I'll definitely watch game 1 tonight (let's call tonight's score as Spurs 96 - Cavs 78) but you'll have to wake me up when the series is over.
MVP - Tim Duncan (no-brainer) and I think LeBron will struggle more than most will think. I say he averages somewhere around 21 points, 4 boards, and 3 assists for the entire series. Definitely not enough to get the job done.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
I'll be posting an article tomorrow about the season finale of The Sopranos. Also, we'll have another installment of the world famous "Blurbs" some time this weekend, and look for another column on Monday or Tuesday.
The People's Champ
Saturday, June 2, 2007
West Coast Thoughts
I'm back from sunny Southern California here to give the west coast edition of the Bullpen Catcher. The highlight of the trip...The Price is Right. We waited for over 6 hours outside the CBS Television City Studios with no guarantee of getting in. Finally at 12:30, they started letting people inside. The line moved fast and it looked like we would get in. And then wait! They stopped the line right as we were about to move through the gate and into the promised land. The security guard said that it was full. Was he kidding? This can't be happening! My worst dreams coming to fruition. After what seemed like an eternity, they let about 50 more of us inside. We did it! 3 more hours inside the CBS Television City Studios to get in to watch The Price is Right.
What seemed like an eternity of waiting turned out to be worth it. We weren't called on stage or into contestant's row, but it was something magical to watch it all unfold. Bob, at 83 years old, fielded questions from the audience throughout the taping. He recited lines from Happy Gilmore, joked about being a bodybuilder after retirement, and talked about the most memorable moment in TPIR history: a lady in a tube-top jumping up and down...and out they came! It was all surreal. An experience I'll never forget. On June 6, the icon will retire. The show will go on (the replacement host has not been announced), but it will never be the same.
A quick sidebar on the TPIR trip. While waiting inside the gates, I bumped into the last audience member to get inside. I asked him what it felt like to barely get in. He couldn't believe it. He told me it seemed like destiny. I told him to go all the way with that. Wouldn't you know it? He did. His name was Bartholomew...and he won the showcase showdown. The show will air on June 6. Blurb time!
-The NBA. A few things ruin the NBA for me...here are a few.
1. The 24 second shot clock. This makes teams often just throw up a shot instead of passing the ball around like a team.
2. Lack of desire. Example: The "youngest, most exciting" player in the NBA loafed nearly the entire regular season. Lebron has now flipped the switch and has his team on the brink of upsetting the Pistons. Exactly what the NBA needs to get anybody to watch the Finals.
3. Lack of likable players. Kobe, Lebron, D-Wade are the biggest superstars? Seems like a far cry from Bird, Magic, Jordan.
4. Selfish play.
5. Crowds. There are exceptions to this, but most NBA crowds are quiet and stuffy compared to a college atmosphere. Too many upper class executives.
There are more reasons, but those are the first to come to mind.
-Historical perspective. I'm sick and tired of people seeing something rare or exciting in the sports world and immediately saying it was the best thing that has ever happened. After Lebron's performance the other night, ESPN immediately had a poll asking if it was the best clutch performance ever. Of course, because it was the freshest in everybody's mind, Lebron's performance was the most clutch of all time. Why can't we maybe wait a few days/weeks/months to put things in perspective? What if the Cavaliers lose the series still to the Pistons? What if Lebron puts up a total of 25 points in the final 2 games of the series? Doesn't that make his game 5 performance lose it's luster a little bit? Would Kirk Gibson's dramatic home run been as significant if the Dodgers lost the World Series that year? I say no. So people, let's settle down and reflect for a while after something special happens.
-Is Tivo the best invention since the birth control pill? I say yes.
-Why is Lindsay Lohan Maxim's #1? I don't have her in my top ten.
-Anybody ever understand why some states require casinos to be within so many feet of water? Who came up with this rule? The retarded guy from Sling Blade?
-Sopranos. Best show of my generation. 2 more shows left. I'd say Phil has ordered a hit on Tony already...so we'll see how that plays out. My previous prediction (prior to the last episode) on how the series was going to end was the following: AJ was going to commit suicide, Carmella would blame Tony and then kill him. That semi-played out last episode so now I really don't have a clue. I do have one thought though. Tony may live. Phil and Tony are on the verge of war. The show ends that way. Why? Because the producers of the Sopranos could cash in big time. Sopranos: the movie. How many millions would that make??? This could happen.
-Best show on network television: The Office.
-Best place to play poker on the Strip: The Ventian.
If you have any questions, comments, concerns...please e-mail me them at pocket_k@hotmail.com. I'm off to the Venetian for some poker!
Rich Kim
What seemed like an eternity of waiting turned out to be worth it. We weren't called on stage or into contestant's row, but it was something magical to watch it all unfold. Bob, at 83 years old, fielded questions from the audience throughout the taping. He recited lines from Happy Gilmore, joked about being a bodybuilder after retirement, and talked about the most memorable moment in TPIR history: a lady in a tube-top jumping up and down...and out they came! It was all surreal. An experience I'll never forget. On June 6, the icon will retire. The show will go on (the replacement host has not been announced), but it will never be the same.
A quick sidebar on the TPIR trip. While waiting inside the gates, I bumped into the last audience member to get inside. I asked him what it felt like to barely get in. He couldn't believe it. He told me it seemed like destiny. I told him to go all the way with that. Wouldn't you know it? He did. His name was Bartholomew...and he won the showcase showdown. The show will air on June 6. Blurb time!
-The NBA. A few things ruin the NBA for me...here are a few.
1. The 24 second shot clock. This makes teams often just throw up a shot instead of passing the ball around like a team.
2. Lack of desire. Example: The "youngest, most exciting" player in the NBA loafed nearly the entire regular season. Lebron has now flipped the switch and has his team on the brink of upsetting the Pistons. Exactly what the NBA needs to get anybody to watch the Finals.
3. Lack of likable players. Kobe, Lebron, D-Wade are the biggest superstars? Seems like a far cry from Bird, Magic, Jordan.
4. Selfish play.
5. Crowds. There are exceptions to this, but most NBA crowds are quiet and stuffy compared to a college atmosphere. Too many upper class executives.
There are more reasons, but those are the first to come to mind.
-Historical perspective. I'm sick and tired of people seeing something rare or exciting in the sports world and immediately saying it was the best thing that has ever happened. After Lebron's performance the other night, ESPN immediately had a poll asking if it was the best clutch performance ever. Of course, because it was the freshest in everybody's mind, Lebron's performance was the most clutch of all time. Why can't we maybe wait a few days/weeks/months to put things in perspective? What if the Cavaliers lose the series still to the Pistons? What if Lebron puts up a total of 25 points in the final 2 games of the series? Doesn't that make his game 5 performance lose it's luster a little bit? Would Kirk Gibson's dramatic home run been as significant if the Dodgers lost the World Series that year? I say no. So people, let's settle down and reflect for a while after something special happens.
-Is Tivo the best invention since the birth control pill? I say yes.
-Why is Lindsay Lohan Maxim's #1? I don't have her in my top ten.
-Anybody ever understand why some states require casinos to be within so many feet of water? Who came up with this rule? The retarded guy from Sling Blade?
-Sopranos. Best show of my generation. 2 more shows left. I'd say Phil has ordered a hit on Tony already...so we'll see how that plays out. My previous prediction (prior to the last episode) on how the series was going to end was the following: AJ was going to commit suicide, Carmella would blame Tony and then kill him. That semi-played out last episode so now I really don't have a clue. I do have one thought though. Tony may live. Phil and Tony are on the verge of war. The show ends that way. Why? Because the producers of the Sopranos could cash in big time. Sopranos: the movie. How many millions would that make??? This could happen.
-Best show on network television: The Office.
-Best place to play poker on the Strip: The Ventian.
If you have any questions, comments, concerns...please e-mail me them at pocket_k@hotmail.com. I'm off to the Venetian for some poker!
Rich Kim
Friday, June 1, 2007
All These Upsets--I'm a Little Upset!
Those of you who share my obsession—or “healthy appreciation,” as I like to think of it— for MMA may be startled by the unprecedented string of upsets in the UFC lately. In recent months we have seen the following:
1) Forty-three-year-old Randy Couture came of retirement at UFC 68 to defeat heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia, a man thirteen years his junior. Giving up six inches of height and fifty pounds to the much larger Sylvia, Couture dominated the fight, winning all five rounds and earning a unanimous decision victory.
2) Outspoken underdog Matt Serra TKO’d welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, arguably the UFC’s best pound-for-pound fighter, with a barrage of strikes in the first round. Odds makers gave Serra virtually no chance to win this fight.
3) Relatively unknown Gabriel Gonzaga took on international superstar Mirko Cro Cop in the main of event of the much-hyped UFC 70. Gonzaga appeared to be little more than a sacrificial lamb for Cro Cop on his road to a title shot. With less than a minute in the first round, Gonzaga landed devastating right high kick and handed Cro Cop the most brutal loss of his career.
When I first started watching MMA a little over a year ago, I could pretty much tell you who would win most of the fights I saw—like that Matt Hughes would beat Royce Gracie, or that Tito Ortiz would brutalize Ken Shamrock in their rematch. I’ll admit, however, that there would be an occasional shocker—like Joe Lauzon over Jens Pulver or Anderson Silva over Rich Franklin—but there seemed to be an overriding logic that governed the MMA world. The aging fan-favorite would fall to the younger, trash-talking champion. The endearing reality show winner would be pummeled by his stronger, more athletic adversary. The fearsome heavyweight striker would slaughter his sacrificial lamb without incident. The recent rash of upsets, however, has left an indelible mark on the MMA landscape.
Although we’re still amid the most tumultuous period in UFC history, let me assure you that normalcy will return. The MMA gods are a fickle bunch, but they will soon restore order. Here’s how I explain the recent flurry of upsets.
First, it can be argued that MMA is the most fluke-friendly sport on the planet. Roger Clemens can take the mound one night and give up seven or eight earned runs. That’s highly irregular for the rocket, but it is not without precedent. But Clemens will still have thirty other starts that season—many opportunities to redeem himself. One bad night is barely a blip on the radar screen during a 162-game season. At UFC 70, on the other hand, Mirko Cro Cop had his first bad night in several years—and now his career has been irreparably damaged. When you only compete three or four times a year, one mistake can have catastrophic consequences. What’s worse, an athlete like Clemens can hang a slider that’s hit out of the park in any given game—but if that’s his only mistake that night, he can still pull out a “w.” When Cro Cop dropped his hands for a moment—just one moment!— he found himself suffering the most brutal knockout of his career. Whereas sports like football, baseball, and basketball leave ample room error, one mistake in MMA can tarnish your career forever. Given the lack of major MMA venues, the ever-increasing competition, and the promotional politics behind each fight, MMA is an unforgiving business.
Secondly, one might argue that the groundswell of MMA competition has led to better athletes entering the sport. In years past, the world’s best athletes would usually set their sights on the NBA, NFL, or Major League Baseball. But with the recent spike in MMA popularity and the resulting increase in fighter salaries, top athletes are now beginning to train in the sport. And many of them, it appears, slip under the radar. The fact remains that the both the UFC and Cro Cop should have given Gabriel Gonzaga more respect. The UFC sent him into the octagon to lose to Cro Cop, and Cro Crop failed to treat him as a dangerous opponent. We know how that one turned out.
Hopefully, top-tier fighters in the UFC are beginning to take notice. Gone are the days where title holders and contenders square off against mediocre talent. But with lots of preparation and a little vigilance, I think most UFC stars will make the adjustment and begin to enter the octagon more prepared. The upsets, I predict, will soon come to an end. Make no mistake, however. The competition will be tougher than ever!
fighting pundit
1) Forty-three-year-old Randy Couture came of retirement at UFC 68 to defeat heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia, a man thirteen years his junior. Giving up six inches of height and fifty pounds to the much larger Sylvia, Couture dominated the fight, winning all five rounds and earning a unanimous decision victory.
2) Outspoken underdog Matt Serra TKO’d welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, arguably the UFC’s best pound-for-pound fighter, with a barrage of strikes in the first round. Odds makers gave Serra virtually no chance to win this fight.
3) Relatively unknown Gabriel Gonzaga took on international superstar Mirko Cro Cop in the main of event of the much-hyped UFC 70. Gonzaga appeared to be little more than a sacrificial lamb for Cro Cop on his road to a title shot. With less than a minute in the first round, Gonzaga landed devastating right high kick and handed Cro Cop the most brutal loss of his career.
When I first started watching MMA a little over a year ago, I could pretty much tell you who would win most of the fights I saw—like that Matt Hughes would beat Royce Gracie, or that Tito Ortiz would brutalize Ken Shamrock in their rematch. I’ll admit, however, that there would be an occasional shocker—like Joe Lauzon over Jens Pulver or Anderson Silva over Rich Franklin—but there seemed to be an overriding logic that governed the MMA world. The aging fan-favorite would fall to the younger, trash-talking champion. The endearing reality show winner would be pummeled by his stronger, more athletic adversary. The fearsome heavyweight striker would slaughter his sacrificial lamb without incident. The recent rash of upsets, however, has left an indelible mark on the MMA landscape.
Although we’re still amid the most tumultuous period in UFC history, let me assure you that normalcy will return. The MMA gods are a fickle bunch, but they will soon restore order. Here’s how I explain the recent flurry of upsets.
First, it can be argued that MMA is the most fluke-friendly sport on the planet. Roger Clemens can take the mound one night and give up seven or eight earned runs. That’s highly irregular for the rocket, but it is not without precedent. But Clemens will still have thirty other starts that season—many opportunities to redeem himself. One bad night is barely a blip on the radar screen during a 162-game season. At UFC 70, on the other hand, Mirko Cro Cop had his first bad night in several years—and now his career has been irreparably damaged. When you only compete three or four times a year, one mistake can have catastrophic consequences. What’s worse, an athlete like Clemens can hang a slider that’s hit out of the park in any given game—but if that’s his only mistake that night, he can still pull out a “w.” When Cro Cop dropped his hands for a moment—just one moment!— he found himself suffering the most brutal knockout of his career. Whereas sports like football, baseball, and basketball leave ample room error, one mistake in MMA can tarnish your career forever. Given the lack of major MMA venues, the ever-increasing competition, and the promotional politics behind each fight, MMA is an unforgiving business.
Secondly, one might argue that the groundswell of MMA competition has led to better athletes entering the sport. In years past, the world’s best athletes would usually set their sights on the NBA, NFL, or Major League Baseball. But with the recent spike in MMA popularity and the resulting increase in fighter salaries, top athletes are now beginning to train in the sport. And many of them, it appears, slip under the radar. The fact remains that the both the UFC and Cro Cop should have given Gabriel Gonzaga more respect. The UFC sent him into the octagon to lose to Cro Cop, and Cro Crop failed to treat him as a dangerous opponent. We know how that one turned out.
Hopefully, top-tier fighters in the UFC are beginning to take notice. Gone are the days where title holders and contenders square off against mediocre talent. But with lots of preparation and a little vigilance, I think most UFC stars will make the adjustment and begin to enter the octagon more prepared. The upsets, I predict, will soon come to an end. Make no mistake, however. The competition will be tougher than ever!
fighting pundit
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