The NBA draft is tomorrow night and I couldn’t be more excited. There are some bona-fide superstars in this draft (Durant and Oden), potential all-stars (Horford, Conley, Jianlian), and a whole group of guys that bring a specific skill to the table (Green – unselfish play, Noah – energy, Brewer – defense, Hawes – token white guy). So, even though this has been done by more websites than I can count, I thought it would be a great idea to put together a mock draft. What’s a mock draft, you say? This is where I try to look really smart by guessing where a player will get drafted. In then end though, I’ll probably just prove how much of an idiot I really am.
Here are my predictions for the top 10 along with who I think the team should pick. We’ll revisit this Friday morning and I’m sure we’ll all have a big laugh.
1. Portland Trailblazers - Greg Oden, C
The great debate of 2007 will always be remembered as Oden vs Durant. The fact is, both of these players are legitimate big-time prospects…you can’t go wrong either way. Conventional wisdom says take the big center (Oden) over the high scoring forward (Durant) and I don’t think Portland’s GM will risk his job by bucking that trend.
My pick: Greg Oden - even if I do have a man-crush on Durant.
2. Seattle Supersonics – Kevin Durant, SF
Talk about a consolation prize. Sonics GM Sam Presti can put this pick on auto pilot.
My pick: Kevin Durant - I’ve got my #35 Sonics jersey all picked out.
3. Atlanta Hawks – Al Horford, PF
If picks 1a and 1b are Oden and Durant, Horford is clearly the third best player in this draft. Although a bit undersized Horford makes up for that with toughness and determination. We have to keep in mind though that Atlanta is on the clock here. They’ve messed up more drafts than the St. Louis Rams. The question becomes will Atlanta take the best player on the board or fill a need with this pick.
My pick: Al Horford – While they’re loaded with power forwards and desperately need a point guard, there’s no way you pass on Horford.
4. Memphis Grizzlies – Joakim Noah, PF
Just about every expert mock draft I’ve read has Mike Conley going here but that doesn’t make any sense. The team drafted its point guard of the future last year in Kyle Lowry. So why would they draft a near identical player this year? I think Noah is wildly overrated but this is who they’ll probably take.
My pick: Jeff Green – Green fills the void left by the Shane Battier trade last year. Green is a similarly unselfish, pass-first forward that would compliment this team better than a pure hustle guy who can’t shoot in Noah.
5. Boston Celtics – Yi Jianlian, PF
The Celtics have been at the center of nearly every possible trade scenario this off season and every one involves this pick being traded. It’s not very often that a 7 foot perimeter player comes along with as much talent as Yi (think Dirk Nowitzki) so I think they’ll jump on this pick.
My pick: Yi Jianlian – but I don’t think Boston holds on to this pick. Golden State has been rumored to be completely infatuated with Yi so I think they’ll move up to this pick and get him.
6. Milwaukee Bucks – Mike Conley Jr., PG
Most mock drafts do not have Conley dropping below the number 4 pick but I think he will. The only two teams ahead of Milwaukee that would even consider Conley are Atlanta and Memphis. I previously mentioned that Memphis has their PG of the future and Atlanta is notorious for passing on point guards. Plus, the Hawks have the 11th pick that can be used on a guard.
My pick: Mike Conley – Even if Conley can’t shoot the rock, I think he’ll be a great PG for years to come (think Tony Parker).
7. Minnesota Timberwolves – Spencer Hawes, C
The Kevin Garnett trade watch has been one of the most intriguing sub-plots this off-season. Whether or not the T-Wolves trade Garnett (I don’t think they will) has no bearing on this pick. I think Minnesota GM Kevin McHale (big, tall white guy) will take another big, tall white guy. After all, Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer.
My pick: Corey Brewer – Brewer, an athletic, defensive-minded grinder (think Scottie Pippen), would be a steal at this pick.
8. Charlotte Bobcats – Corey Brewer, SG
I had Brandan Wright slotted to go here – Michael Jordan would never pass up on the opportunity to draft a fellow UNC player – but I’m going to assume that this pick gets traded to Phoenix or Philadelphia.
My pick: Brandan Wright – MJ loves his UNC boys so if they hold on to the pick, they take Wright.
9. Chicago Bulls – Julian Wright
Yet another team that will probably trade its pick. I think they trade this pick to Portland for Zach Randolph and Portland drafts Wright. Imagine a future starting five of Jarret Jack, Brandon Roy, Julian Wright, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Greg Oden. That’s scary!
My pick: Spencer Hawes – Chicago is desperate for low post scoring and Hawes is the next best thing in the draft after Oden. If they keep the pick, they take Hawes.
10. Sacramento Kings – Jeff Green
The Maloof brothers might actually wet themselves if Green slips this far (and then probably turn it into a reality show). The fact is one or two players will plummet in this draft. It happens every year but Green will not make it past this pick.
My pick: Thaddeus Young – The Kings are in a rebuilding phase and can wait a year or two for a player to develop. Young has tremendous potential and could be one of the best players to come out of this draft.
Random Thoughts
Rookie of the Year: Kevin Durant
Biggest initial impact: Corey Brewer – his defense will shine immediately
Most overrated prospect – Joakim Noah - he will be a bust…write that down
Most underrated prospect – Thaddeus Young
Biggest Busts – Noah, Brandan Wright, Spencer Hawes
Hours spent writing this for the two NBA fans left – 2
Trying to predict who will go where is almost impossible for any professional sports draft. This is especially true this year because of so many trade possibilities. I think there will be a handful of trades that will totally ruin my picks, but hey, what can you do? At least we’ll get a kick out of how wrong I’ll actually be.
The People’s Champ
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Friday, June 22, 2007
600*
Well, it’s official. Sammy Sosa is now a member of one of the most exclusive clubs in sports history. Sosa joins Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, and Barry Bonds as the only Major League Baseball players to hit 600 career homeruns. Let’s put this achievement into perspective and drop a few more names. Sosa now has more homeruns than (deep breath)……Frank Robinson, Harmon Killebrew, Reggie Jackson, Mike Schmidt, Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, Stan Musial, and Joe DiMaggio. Let’s face it, this is an incredible accomplishment. Sosa has whacked more dingers than Jenna Jameson.
With this milestone comes the inevitable debate...Is Sammy Sosa a Hall of Famer? Let’s play a little game of Point/Counterpoint and see where that leaves us.
Point: In Sosa’s heyday, there was no specific rule in baseball stating steroids
were not allowed. So even if he was doing it he was within the rules of Major
League Baseball.
Counterpoint: My employee handbook doesn’t say smoking crack is against company policy but it’s kind of understood.
were not allowed. So even if he was doing it he was within the rules of Major
League Baseball.
Counterpoint: My employee handbook doesn’t say smoking crack is against company policy but it’s kind of understood.
P: Just about everyone was doing it so he was just keeping up with the Joneses.
CP: What are we...13 years old? The "everyone was doing it" defense is not going to work here.
P: Sammy never tested positive for steroids and there is no proof that he actually took them.
CP: To quote Tony Soprano, “I don't need a gynocologist to know which way the wind blows.”
P: Typically, when a hitter reaches 500 homeruns he can stamp his ticket to Cooperstown. Sammy has 600 so it should be a no-brainer.
CP: With as much juice as he was taking, Sosa could hit 800 homeruns and he still wouldn’t get voted in.
P: If we’re putting each era into perspective (steroids era, dead ball era) you have to put the best of each generation in the HOF. Clearly, Sosa was one of the top 3 players during the steroid era.
CP: So you’re saying just because Sosa was a better cheater than guys like Rafael Palmerio (failed a steroid test) we should put him in the HOF?
P: Sosa testified before Congress and was not found guilty of anything.
CP: The man conveniently forgot how to speak English even though he grew up speaking it!! You know what, forget it, this was a brilliant defense and should be used in every day life. “Sir! You are not allowed to touch the strippers!” “I no speak English.”
I guess since I brought this up I have to take a stand. Even though I'll be accused of being a Cubs apologist, I think Sosa is a Hall of Famer. The numbers can't be denied. He's one of only five players in history to reach 600 homeruns. While steroids might very well have helped him reach this milestone, I'm with the group that says you have to put in the best players of each generation. Sosa is clearly one of the greatest players of our generation. And I really think "Innocent until proven guilty" has to mean something.
The People's Champ
Return of the Prodigy
As most of our loyal readers know (all three of you!), I get really excited before each UFC event, and this Saturday night’s Ultimate Fighter finale has me more excited than Sean Hannity at the Republican National Convention. I’m eager to see the fight between Nate Diaz and Manny Gamburyan, which will determine the winner of season five of the Ultimate Fighter and a six-figure UFC contract, but that pales in comparison to seeing BJ Penn enter the octagon for the first time since his loss to Matt Hughes at UFC 63, a matched he dominated until a fluke rib injury at the end of the second round.
In case you’re unfamiliar with BJ Penn, he holds victories over some of the sport’s biggest names. In 2004 he defeated long-time Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes by rear naked choke and was subsequently stripped of the title after fighting for another organization. Making his return to the UFC early last year, Penn was defeated by Georges St. Pierre in a controversial split decision (many still believe he won that fight). After St. Pierre was forced to pull out of his title shot against Hughes, Penn stepped up and fought Hughes for a second time. Penn dominated the first two rounds, but suffered a fluke rib injury at the end of the second. Hughes won the fight, but it became clear that Hughes poses no threat whatsoever to an uninjured BJ Penn.
BJ Penn vs. Jens Pulver
Saturday night Penn will square off against former lightweight champion and longtime rival Jens Pulver for the opportunity to fight for the lightweight title. Penn was defeated by Pulver via controversial split decision at UFC 35. Pulver, a world-renowned striker fighting out the Militech camp, lost his last fight to UFC newcomer Joe Lauzon and will be looking to put his career back on track.
When you really break this fight down, it becomes difficult to find a way for Pulver to win. Pulver usually likes to stand and trade shots with his opponent, but his last several fights have shown a weakness in his chin. Moreover, Penn has great striking ability and very heavy hands. Thus Pulver has little chance of knocking Penn out. Should the fight go to the ground, Pulver’s chances of winning quickly fade away. BJ’s grounds skills are second to none—and if he gets the top position, Jens will be fighting for his life.
My Prediction:
Although I gained a lot of respect for Jens Pulver during this installment of the Ultimate Fighter, he will be no match for BJ Penn.
Penn by whatever he wants, whenever he wants.
fighting pundit
In case you’re unfamiliar with BJ Penn, he holds victories over some of the sport’s biggest names. In 2004 he defeated long-time Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes by rear naked choke and was subsequently stripped of the title after fighting for another organization. Making his return to the UFC early last year, Penn was defeated by Georges St. Pierre in a controversial split decision (many still believe he won that fight). After St. Pierre was forced to pull out of his title shot against Hughes, Penn stepped up and fought Hughes for a second time. Penn dominated the first two rounds, but suffered a fluke rib injury at the end of the second. Hughes won the fight, but it became clear that Hughes poses no threat whatsoever to an uninjured BJ Penn.
BJ Penn vs. Jens Pulver
Saturday night Penn will square off against former lightweight champion and longtime rival Jens Pulver for the opportunity to fight for the lightweight title. Penn was defeated by Pulver via controversial split decision at UFC 35. Pulver, a world-renowned striker fighting out the Militech camp, lost his last fight to UFC newcomer Joe Lauzon and will be looking to put his career back on track.
When you really break this fight down, it becomes difficult to find a way for Pulver to win. Pulver usually likes to stand and trade shots with his opponent, but his last several fights have shown a weakness in his chin. Moreover, Penn has great striking ability and very heavy hands. Thus Pulver has little chance of knocking Penn out. Should the fight go to the ground, Pulver’s chances of winning quickly fade away. BJ’s grounds skills are second to none—and if he gets the top position, Jens will be fighting for his life.
My Prediction:
Although I gained a lot of respect for Jens Pulver during this installment of the Ultimate Fighter, he will be no match for BJ Penn.
Penn by whatever he wants, whenever he wants.
fighting pundit
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Beisbol
The NBA is over. The NFL is still about 3 months away. The NHL is...who cares. The ONLY sport to talk about right now is baseball. How has baseball kept it's popularity over all these years? I contend that a major factor is that it has a monopoly over much of it's season. For the next 2 months, there is absolutely nothing else going on. Even then, preseason NFL is hardly an event. As a result, I'm forced to blog about the only thing we have to talk about. Baseball. Let's break down each of the division races. Please note, my predictions will change up to 794 times before the end of the season.
AL East: Probably the most talked about division in baseball b/c of the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry. Outside of those 2 teams, there is not much here. The Red Sox continue to lead the Yanks by a sizable margin (8.5 games as of tonight), however, the Yanks have finally started playing inspired ball. In about 3-4 weeks we'll see a stat showing how well they have played since Roger Clemens joined the team. Let the record show, the Yanks started playing well BEFORE the rocket joined the team. Obviously, he's helped solidify the rotation to keep that streak going.
Prediction: The Yankees nearly nudge out Boston before the end of the season, but Boston hangs on and wins the division by 2 games.
Dark horse: Neither Baltimore, Toronto, or Tampa have what it takes to catch the Sox.
AL Central: Cleveland currently leads the division at 40-28. The Tigers are 1 game behind. I say there is no possible way Cleveland makes the playoffs. They just aren't good enough. The Tigers are solid, and they are hungry to go the distance this time. But look out for the Twins! Only 5.5 back as of today. Last year, with a horrific start, they were completely written off....and look what happened. This year they are a game over .500, and they currently don't look like a threat...but look out!
Prediction: The Twins do it again! They overtake the Tigers in September to win the division.
Dark horse: Minnesota, again.
AL West: At 44-26, the Angels have the 2nd best record in MLB to the Red Sox currently. This team is absolutely solid. The offense has finally found how to score with Figgins and Willits getting on base and the rotation is among the best in all of MLB. Furthermore, Shields and K-Rod are among the best setup-closer combo in the game. However, Oakland historically is one of the best 2nd half teams in baseball...and they are lurking 6 games behind. Seattle, probably the least talked about halfway decent team in all of baseball, is only a game behind Oakland.
Prediction: The Angels win the division with approximately 100 wins. Oakland competes with the Yanks for the wild card spot in the AL but ultimately comes up short. Seattle fades like cheap paint in the desert sun.
Dark horse: Oakland. They don't score much, but their pitching led by Dan Haren and Rich Harden is outstanding.
NL East: The NY Mets are the prohibited favorite in the East, but at 37-29, they aren't exactly shattering any records. After a slow start and early calls for the first manager firing of the year, Philadelphia has picked up steam. Currently, they are only 2.5 back. Their offense has come to life, scoring the most runs in the entire NL. Atlanta is "hanging around."
Prediction: Even though the Mets are currently slumping, they will pick up the pace in the 2nd half aided by a possible trade for Mark Buehrle and win going away. Atlanta will continue to be mediocre and Philly will compete for the NL wild card.
Dark horse: Surprisingly, Philadelphia. How good are these guys?
NL Central: The absolute worst division in baseball. The Brewers started hot, but have cooled off significantly since April. Does anybody want to win this division? The Brewers currently lead the division by 6.5 games at a record of 38-31. The Cubs, Cards, and Astros hope for a 2nd half run to catch the mediocre Brewers.
Prediction: The Cardinals win the division with a slightly over .500 2nd half despite the highest ERA in the NL. 83 wins. Again.
Dark horse: I hope this isn't biased...but the Cubs. They too, are "hanging around." With A-Ram on the shelf and Derrek Lee facing suspension, their only hope is a late season run which "could" happen. The Astros also could fit the bill as they historically have a better 2nd half than 1st half of the season. Almost anything is possible in this horrible division of AAAA baseball.
NL West: Surprisingly, this is a pretty good division this year. We'll go ahead and say the most under-rated in baseball. The Padres, with their excellent pitching, currently have a 1 game lead on the D-Backs at 40-28. The Dodgers are 1.5 games behind also. This division looks to be the most competitive in baseball. The only team out of the race is San Francisco, but at least we have the Barry Bonds/Hank Aaron watch.
Prediction: The Padres/D-Backs/Dodgers division race will continue to be very competitive and the NL wild card will also come out of this division. I'll take the Padres/D-Backs exacta box because of both teams having exceptional pitching. Are Peavy and Webb the most under-rated picthers in all of baseball?
Dark horse: Colorado. This team is blossoming. Look out! The pitching may not be the best, and playing at Coors means anything can happen, but they clearly have the best offense in the division. Tab!, only 5.5 games back right now.
Variables: There could be some serious talent traded before the trade deadline this year. With teams like the White Sox, Orioles, and Giants likely to be sellers, this could be one of the most exciting off-field summers in recent history. Players like Mark Buehrle, Jermaine Dye, Miguel Tejada and even Barry Bonds could easily be headed to contenders. Reason #877 it is way too early to make predictions like I just did. Also, my predictions are currently under the influence of alcohol.
Recap AL: Division winners: Boston, Minnesota, LA Angels; wild card: Yanks
Team that will probably screw this up: Detroit
Recap NL: Division winners: NY Mets, St. Louis, San Diego; wild card: D-Backs
Team that will probably screw this up: LA Dodgers
Father's Day is way too early to pick World Series participants. Stay tuned!
Rich Kim
AL East: Probably the most talked about division in baseball b/c of the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry. Outside of those 2 teams, there is not much here. The Red Sox continue to lead the Yanks by a sizable margin (8.5 games as of tonight), however, the Yanks have finally started playing inspired ball. In about 3-4 weeks we'll see a stat showing how well they have played since Roger Clemens joined the team. Let the record show, the Yanks started playing well BEFORE the rocket joined the team. Obviously, he's helped solidify the rotation to keep that streak going.
Prediction: The Yankees nearly nudge out Boston before the end of the season, but Boston hangs on and wins the division by 2 games.
Dark horse: Neither Baltimore, Toronto, or Tampa have what it takes to catch the Sox.
AL Central: Cleveland currently leads the division at 40-28. The Tigers are 1 game behind. I say there is no possible way Cleveland makes the playoffs. They just aren't good enough. The Tigers are solid, and they are hungry to go the distance this time. But look out for the Twins! Only 5.5 back as of today. Last year, with a horrific start, they were completely written off....and look what happened. This year they are a game over .500, and they currently don't look like a threat...but look out!
Prediction: The Twins do it again! They overtake the Tigers in September to win the division.
Dark horse: Minnesota, again.
AL West: At 44-26, the Angels have the 2nd best record in MLB to the Red Sox currently. This team is absolutely solid. The offense has finally found how to score with Figgins and Willits getting on base and the rotation is among the best in all of MLB. Furthermore, Shields and K-Rod are among the best setup-closer combo in the game. However, Oakland historically is one of the best 2nd half teams in baseball...and they are lurking 6 games behind. Seattle, probably the least talked about halfway decent team in all of baseball, is only a game behind Oakland.
Prediction: The Angels win the division with approximately 100 wins. Oakland competes with the Yanks for the wild card spot in the AL but ultimately comes up short. Seattle fades like cheap paint in the desert sun.
Dark horse: Oakland. They don't score much, but their pitching led by Dan Haren and Rich Harden is outstanding.
NL East: The NY Mets are the prohibited favorite in the East, but at 37-29, they aren't exactly shattering any records. After a slow start and early calls for the first manager firing of the year, Philadelphia has picked up steam. Currently, they are only 2.5 back. Their offense has come to life, scoring the most runs in the entire NL. Atlanta is "hanging around."
Prediction: Even though the Mets are currently slumping, they will pick up the pace in the 2nd half aided by a possible trade for Mark Buehrle and win going away. Atlanta will continue to be mediocre and Philly will compete for the NL wild card.
Dark horse: Surprisingly, Philadelphia. How good are these guys?
NL Central: The absolute worst division in baseball. The Brewers started hot, but have cooled off significantly since April. Does anybody want to win this division? The Brewers currently lead the division by 6.5 games at a record of 38-31. The Cubs, Cards, and Astros hope for a 2nd half run to catch the mediocre Brewers.
Prediction: The Cardinals win the division with a slightly over .500 2nd half despite the highest ERA in the NL. 83 wins. Again.
Dark horse: I hope this isn't biased...but the Cubs. They too, are "hanging around." With A-Ram on the shelf and Derrek Lee facing suspension, their only hope is a late season run which "could" happen. The Astros also could fit the bill as they historically have a better 2nd half than 1st half of the season. Almost anything is possible in this horrible division of AAAA baseball.
NL West: Surprisingly, this is a pretty good division this year. We'll go ahead and say the most under-rated in baseball. The Padres, with their excellent pitching, currently have a 1 game lead on the D-Backs at 40-28. The Dodgers are 1.5 games behind also. This division looks to be the most competitive in baseball. The only team out of the race is San Francisco, but at least we have the Barry Bonds/Hank Aaron watch.
Prediction: The Padres/D-Backs/Dodgers division race will continue to be very competitive and the NL wild card will also come out of this division. I'll take the Padres/D-Backs exacta box because of both teams having exceptional pitching. Are Peavy and Webb the most under-rated picthers in all of baseball?
Dark horse: Colorado. This team is blossoming. Look out! The pitching may not be the best, and playing at Coors means anything can happen, but they clearly have the best offense in the division. Tab!, only 5.5 games back right now.
Variables: There could be some serious talent traded before the trade deadline this year. With teams like the White Sox, Orioles, and Giants likely to be sellers, this could be one of the most exciting off-field summers in recent history. Players like Mark Buehrle, Jermaine Dye, Miguel Tejada and even Barry Bonds could easily be headed to contenders. Reason #877 it is way too early to make predictions like I just did. Also, my predictions are currently under the influence of alcohol.
Recap AL: Division winners: Boston, Minnesota, LA Angels; wild card: Yanks
Team that will probably screw this up: Detroit
Recap NL: Division winners: NY Mets, St. Louis, San Diego; wild card: D-Backs
Team that will probably screw this up: LA Dodgers
Father's Day is way too early to pick World Series participants. Stay tuned!
Rich Kim
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Blurbs - 06/13/07
Enjoy these links I've found in the past few weeks.
- For all of you ladies (and Dave Nagel) that have been waiting for a Sex and the City movie, it looks like it might just happen. IMDB.com confirms this. I have to admit it’s a little scary to think women can actually relate to any of the four main characters. If you guys had to pick one of these choices for your significant other to identify with, whom would you choose?
A. A neurotic, home-wrecking Jezebel who dresses like Steven Tyler and whose better qualities include the inability to commit, infidelity, and a weird shoe fetish.
B. A naive, money-grubbing gal who affectionately refers to her C. U. Next. Tuesday. as “Rebbecca”.
C. An over-aggressive, “try-sexual” who has scored more times than the 2000 Rams. (Did anyone establish if she was really a man dressed in women’s clothing?)
D. A bossy, cynical misandronist who looks like she dipped her head in a tub of orange sherbet.
- I knew American Idol was good for something.
- In related Idol news, it looks like Jim Carrey will be playing the role of Sanjaya in his new movie.
- Doesn’t it seem like the name of the drink gave sufficient warning?
- Is Nicole Richie pregnant?
Is it even possible to bear children when the fetus weighs more than the mother? I’d like to get confirmation on this.
Possible baby names…Beau Lee Mia Richie, Star Veng Richie, Anna Reckseik Richie, Ivanna Meal Richie, Edie Dezorter Richie, Nomar Burger Richie, Di Etta Richie, Earl Ed Richie, Noel Ike Stu Richie
- Sticking with the theme of bad names.
- I guess this guy gets points for creativity but not originality. There has to be a better name here than Shaq. What would your tattoo say? Mine would say, “I Slept With Oprah”.
The People's Champ
- For all of you ladies (and Dave Nagel) that have been waiting for a Sex and the City movie, it looks like it might just happen. IMDB.com confirms this. I have to admit it’s a little scary to think women can actually relate to any of the four main characters. If you guys had to pick one of these choices for your significant other to identify with, whom would you choose?
A. A neurotic, home-wrecking Jezebel who dresses like Steven Tyler and whose better qualities include the inability to commit, infidelity, and a weird shoe fetish.
B. A naive, money-grubbing gal who affectionately refers to her C. U. Next. Tuesday. as “Rebbecca”.
C. An over-aggressive, “try-sexual” who has scored more times than the 2000 Rams. (Did anyone establish if she was really a man dressed in women’s clothing?)
D. A bossy, cynical misandronist who looks like she dipped her head in a tub of orange sherbet.
- I knew American Idol was good for something.
- In related Idol news, it looks like Jim Carrey will be playing the role of Sanjaya in his new movie.
- Doesn’t it seem like the name of the drink gave sufficient warning?
- Is Nicole Richie pregnant?
Is it even possible to bear children when the fetus weighs more than the mother? I’d like to get confirmation on this.
Possible baby names…Beau Lee Mia Richie, Star Veng Richie, Anna Reckseik Richie, Ivanna Meal Richie, Edie Dezorter Richie, Nomar Burger Richie, Di Etta Richie, Earl Ed Richie, Noel Ike Stu Richie
- Sticking with the theme of bad names.
- I guess this guy gets points for creativity but not originality. There has to be a better name here than Shaq. What would your tattoo say? Mine would say, “I Slept With Oprah”.
The People's Champ
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Mas Sopranos Por Favor
I was just going to post a comment under Rich’s post (well done my friend) sharing my thoughts on The Sopranos finale. But, like usual, once I get to writing it’s hard to stop so I had to turn this into a post. One might say my words run like a ducks ass….think about that one for a minute….
Rich and I have had some great banter on this topic, along with 50 million other people in the world. While I think we have some strong points, I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts on this. What did you think of the ending? What did you think was the significance of the “cut to black?” I’d love to hear from everyone on this (if there’s not enough space in the comment box, shoot me an email at antploza1908@yahoo.com and I’ll post your thoughts).
Random thoughts….
Rich and I have had some great banter on this topic, along with 50 million other people in the world. While I think we have some strong points, I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts on this. What did you think of the ending? What did you think was the significance of the “cut to black?” I’d love to hear from everyone on this (if there’s not enough space in the comment box, shoot me an email at antploza1908@yahoo.com and I’ll post your thoughts).
Random thoughts….
- I tried to go to hbo.com immediately after the finale aired but I couldn’t get on either. I did find some other message boards and it wasn’t pretty. Almost everyone seemed to be pretty pissed how the show ended. Like you, I was completely shocked when it happened but the ending has grown on me. Just as long as I didn’t have to see Tony get whacked, I can live with that. The ending I like to imagine is everything goes on like normal and the next chapter in his life is trying to beat these new indictments. (*Note* - I wrote this comment on Monday and the ending continues to grow on me. I don’t think I’ve ever been this captivated by a show…aside from my growing crush on The Wire and my first Girls Gone Wild tape.)
- Can you believe Carlo flipped like that? All so he could get his son out of a distribution charge? Weak…WEAK!
- Glad Philly got whacked. Like I said in my post last week, I think this absolutely had to happen. Shelly and I actually cheered when it happened and I’m pretty sure there was a fist pump or two involved. I am, however, troubled by how easily a small, yet formidable NJ mob family was able to dismantle a powerful NY syndicate. Even if that same NY family is now working under it’s 4th boss in the past 6 months. Has a real mafia crime family gone through this many bosses in such short a time? The only real-life comparison I can think of is Loan Services Supervisor.
- The one point I vehemently disagree with is the part about Tony being an FBI informant. I think this scenario is near impossible and I don’t say that just because I didn’t want it to end like that. What would Tony have to offer the FBI? He’s the boss, he’s the target…who would he be snitching on? The guys from NY? They’re all dead too. Let’s just say Tony was an FBI informant and Phil was the target. The FBI agent involved (Tony’s contact) would have been pissed to hear Phil was popped. Coppers don’t want to see their targets killed, they want them brought to justice.
- If you’ve got a couple hours to burn, check out The Sports Guy's chat wrap. Good stuff.
- In an email exchange we had, Rich said someone in Vegas called into a local radio station and said they noticed a lot of things were happening in 3's in the final scene, e.g. 3 people at Tony’s table, Meadow tried to park her car 3 times, 3 coffee creamers on the table. This might be a stretch but does anyone else remember the episode in which Uncle Junior (pre-dementia) said people died in threes? Bobby, Sylvio…..Tony?? Again, I think this is a stretch but it’s worth mentioning
- Did anyone else see the B-side Journey song on the little juke box? Tony picked “Don’t Stop Believin’” but the song underneath that was “Any Way You Want It.” As in, the show ends any way you want it to?
- The cat that was hanging around the safe house and Satriale’s was cracking me up. Not so much the cat but Paulie’s reaction to the cat…classic. In The Sports Guy’s chat wrap (above) a reader asks if the cat is supposed to be a reincarnation of a previous character. I think the cat played an important part in the episode but I don’t think it was Aida or Christopher reincarnated. Anyone remember the character “Big Pussy” that got whacked in the season 2 finale? Well, I think since the show started with a “pussy” it had to end with one. So that’s what the cat represented….or something. This is an actual character from the show. I don’t just love saying the word pussy or anything…..
The more I watch the finale (going on 5 or 6 times now) the more I appreciate the beauty of the ending. For the first time we the audience can genuinely feel what Tony Soprano feels. The nervousness every time someone walks in the door, the heightened sense of awareness, knowing that death could be around every corner. For once, we know what it’s like to be Tony. I couldn’t ask for anything more out of the ending (other than maybe a Cubs World Series win playing in the background).
Again, this is just my interpretation, but I think the abrupt ending was just that, the ending of the show. Life goes on for Tony Soprano. I don’t think the “cut to black” was Tony dying or, like I said earlier, maybe I just don’t want it to mean that. Herein lies the beauty of it all….it ends how we think it ends. And that is much more satisfying than a bloody shoot-out where everyone dies.
The People's Champ
Monday, June 11, 2007
WSOP
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
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
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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