WEEKEND IN REVIEW

Sometimes I wake up, think about what the hell I should write about, never come to a conclusion, and as a result write nothing. Then there are days like today when I can't choose just one topic. So I proudly present the weekend in review.

PLAYOFFS: Have there ever been two more compelling playoffs going on at the same time simultaneously as they are right now in the NBA and the NHL? In the NBA, I think the real story so far has been the display of talent, and the pros own version of a March Madness Cinderella in the Memphis Grizzlies. Look at this list: Lebron, Wade, Dirk, Kidd, Kobe, Durant, Allen, Garnett, Pierce, Rose. That's how many first ballot (presumably), no doubt Hall of Famers are still in the hunt for Larry O'Brien's prized possession. Now add Gasol, Bynum, Fisher, Odom, Noah, Boozer, Johnson, Horford, Smith, Bosh, Terry, Rondo, Perkins, and Westbrook. All totaled it's safe to say that, of the top five percent of players in the NBA, close to 90% of that elite group is being showcased and the match ups and intensity are about to get that much better. Then there's the Grizzlies. Way back in November I did an event outside the Fedex Center where the team plays, and the people in office didn't seem that optimistic. Six months later, they have bounced the best in the west, and have already laid waste to the Thunder in game one last night. With Zach Randolph dusting off his superman pajamas, him and Marc Gasol all of the sudden make a very formidable front court. The team is definitely quick enough to keep up with OKC, and if Randolph continues his hot hand, we may very well see Memphis move on. How do you top that? Well if you're the NHL, you have four first round series go to a game seven, nine straight days of at least one game going to OT, two teams overcoming their arch nemesis (Boston and Vancouver), and a majority of the leagues brightest stars moving on to the second round. While it still may not be the NBA, the on ice product this spring is definitely worth your time. 

NFL: Where do you start? As the lockout fizzles, the owners seemingly find new ways to make themselves look bad every chance they get (i.e. locking out players from gyms that are looking to workout), or Roger Goodell using the tragedies of last weeks tornadoes as a crutch to defuse the wrath of fans at the draft. Speaking of which ... ZZZZZZZ. Stretching out a long process like the draft over three days seems that much worse when there isn't too many game changers to speak of. The biggest story story this year seemed to be teams trading up to take surprising picks, and the number of picks that came out of left field. As for numero uno, I realize Cam Newton was by far the best talent in the draft, I think it's funny that Carolina now totes two of the most hot headed, full-of-themselves QB's to enter the league in recent memory. I know a lot of people back home that played against Jimmy Clausen in highschool, and all they could say was he's fake and an absolute tool. Perhaps riding the bench behind Newton will do him some good. I'm not saying Newton is a bust, but he definitely needs to shine bright to put the doubters to bed. Carolina is bad enough that I don't think anyone expects Newton to make them an overnight success, but he needs to at the very least give the impression that he's doing everything in the power to do so. The best part of the draft to me was Von Miller's emotional reaction to being taken number two. Being a fan of rap, I have a belief that if you really want to know what a rapper is all about, go back to their first album. They always have that one toned down song, usually somewhere near the end, that really puts into perspective what they went through to get to where they are now. In the same respect, Von Miller may become a bust, may become some hot head that no one likes, but you can always revert to the draft footage and see the emotions come over him when he finally realized he made it.

MLB: Last Friday I attended the Nationals/ Giants game at Nationals Park, thus bringing the total number of MLB stadiums I have attended to 26. I'm so close I can almost taste it. As nice as the stadium is, there are definite problems that stand out: the team sucks, the fans are fair weather since no one actually is from D.C. thus having a deep rooted interest, and also the park doesn't really do anything particularly well. Yes it's new and shiny, but it also doesn't have anything that makes it stand out from other stadiums. The most excitement from the evening came from my discovery that Alex Cora is not only still alive, but playing and starting for a MLB team. Also, after buying a ten dollar seat and relocating to twenty rows by the Giants dugout, the Giants owner Bill Neukom passed by. He seemed extremely gracious, and while stopping every three feet to take pictures with fans, flashed the World Series ring a few times. Also, Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier successfully hit in his 27th game last night. For what it's worth, I believe DiMaggio's 56 game hit streak is the absolute pinnacle of the sports records, and the fact that a big deal is being made about a player barely half way there proves it. This record has easily stood the test of time and inspired numerous books and documentaries for good reason so it will be interesting to see how close he actually gets. Expect bat by bat coverage a la Barry Bonds home run chase in the mid 2000's if he eclipses 40 games.

Perhaps the most inspiring moment of the weekend came, almost literally, at the 24th hour last night during the Sunday night baseball telecast, when news of the death of Osama Bin-Laden spread through Citizen's Bank in Philadelphia. I think something so monumental deserves its own post, so come back tomorrow for my full thoughts.

              Giants majority owner Bill Neukom. That ring is the size of that guys watch!