The NBA Lockout leaves a lot of us wondering how long will the NBA be out for and that question has crossed the players minds. In fact, it seems to have influenced a slight career move for one of them. Deron Williams, a point guard for the New Jersey Nets and previously for the Utah Jazz, has agreed in principal to a one year $5 million contract with Besiktas, a Turkish club that had signed Allen Iverson last year. What makes this even sweeter is the fact that Williams can leave the team when the NBA Lockout is over and Basketball returns to the USA.
What a deal. A lot of money and really no hard commitment. I mean sure he'll have to play but he has a way to leave when the NBA comes back into session. It makes you wonder how many players in the NBA will go over to Europe and play for a club there. This Turkish Club, Besiktas, says they want to go after Kobe Bryant as well. Imagine Williams and Bryant together and not on a NBA team. Sure, playing overseas does not get you the same monetary benefit as it does here but it's still a pretty penny for the players and it's a great way to keep in shape and skills sharp.
China is another possible place to go. They seem to be getting into the game. I don't know if more Elite NBA Players will go overseas like Williams or Bryant but it would be interesting to see how they will be treated worldwide.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Return of Jeter and Pujols
This week in baseball sees the return of a couple of All Stars from the DL. First was Derek Jeter who returned Monday to face the Indians on the road which the Yankees lost, 6-3, and Jeter was 0-4. Jeter's second game back was much better as he went 2-6 with a double and 2 RBI's in a Yankees win over the Indians, 9-2. Now in game three of the series, Jeter was 1-3 with a BB while the Yankees lost, 5-3. Now the Yankees go home for a 4 game series with the Rays while Jeter continues his search for 3,000 hits as he is now just 3 hits away. If Jeter wants to accomplish this feat at home, he'll need to do it during this series or it will have to be done on the road where the Yanks have 8 straight road games after the All Star Break.
The other player to return this week was Albert Pujols as he made his return last night. Pujols had apparently broken his forearm that seemed to send him to the DL for at least a month but doctors say he is healthy and ready to play. His return last night was sort of eventful as Pujols had a RBI single as part of a 5 run seventh inning. That was his only hit of the game, though, as he went 1-6. The Reds would avoid the sweep and an humiliating loss by getting a run in extras and beating Pujols and the Cardinals, 9-8. Not the best return but better than Jeter's first game back.
What is funny about all of this is while Pujols and Jeter are back, Jose Reyes and Jon Lester looks like they will taking their places on the DL.
The other player to return this week was Albert Pujols as he made his return last night. Pujols had apparently broken his forearm that seemed to send him to the DL for at least a month but doctors say he is healthy and ready to play. His return last night was sort of eventful as Pujols had a RBI single as part of a 5 run seventh inning. That was his only hit of the game, though, as he went 1-6. The Reds would avoid the sweep and an humiliating loss by getting a run in extras and beating Pujols and the Cardinals, 9-8. Not the best return but better than Jeter's first game back.
What is funny about all of this is while Pujols and Jeter are back, Jose Reyes and Jon Lester looks like they will taking their places on the DL.
Monday, July 4, 2011
The Undisputed Eater?
Happy 4th of July everyone. It's time again to enjoy our freedom and liberty while we watch the biggest gluttons chow down as many hot dogs as they can. Joey Chestnut came in as the 4 time defending champion of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island. There seemed to be no one in the field that could rival Chestnut though Pat Bertoletti would stay alongside Chestnut for a while. In the end, it was all Joey who downed 62 Dogs which was 9 in front of Bertoletti who came in second. Chestnut wins the Mustard Seed Belt for a fifth year in a row.
While I am happy that Chestnut won the most disgusting event all year, I can't help but wonder if the contest has lost some flavor to it. Major League Eating has kept out the 7 time winner of the event, Takeru Kobayashi, for a second year in a row after Kobayashi refused to sign exclusively with them. Last year, Kobayahsi rushed the stage and got arrested. What did he do this year? He staged his own hot dog eating contest by downing 69 dogs during the actual contest, a mark that would've beaten Chestnut's. Now Kobayashi's attempt shouldn't be taken seriously but still it raises the question whether he should be allowed to eat or not because of MLE.
Either way, congrats to Joey Chestnut on retaining the Mustard Seed Belt for a 5th year. And also congrats to Sonya Thomas for winning the first ever Women's edition of the contest with 40 hot dogs. What kind of belt does she get?
P.S. Also, is this thing starting to become mainstream. What is hell is Nick Cannon doing there?
While I am happy that Chestnut won the most disgusting event all year, I can't help but wonder if the contest has lost some flavor to it. Major League Eating has kept out the 7 time winner of the event, Takeru Kobayashi, for a second year in a row after Kobayashi refused to sign exclusively with them. Last year, Kobayahsi rushed the stage and got arrested. What did he do this year? He staged his own hot dog eating contest by downing 69 dogs during the actual contest, a mark that would've beaten Chestnut's. Now Kobayashi's attempt shouldn't be taken seriously but still it raises the question whether he should be allowed to eat or not because of MLE.
Either way, congrats to Joey Chestnut on retaining the Mustard Seed Belt for a 5th year. And also congrats to Sonya Thomas for winning the first ever Women's edition of the contest with 40 hot dogs. What kind of belt does she get?
P.S. Also, is this thing starting to become mainstream. What is hell is Nick Cannon doing there?
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Djokovic Claims First Wimbledon Title!!!
This year had been Novak Djokovic's year. He won the Australian Open back in January and he has beaten Nadal 4 times. Unfortunately, for him, he hasn't beaten Rafael Nadal in any Grand Slam match. He would have to achieve that first at Wimbledon and in the final no less. Djokovic has already done well enough to claim the #1 spot in the world when the tournament was over. Now it was time for him to prove he is #1. Man, did he ever. He would beat Nadal in 4 sets 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 and claim the 2011 Men's Wimbledon Title. It is Djokovic's first ever Wimbledon Title and the second Grand Slam event he has conquered.
I must admit I'm a Rafa fan but quite frankly it always great to see a first time winner at Wimbledon. It makes things very interesting in the tennis world. What might be more significant in this year's Wimbledon tournament is the fact that Roger Federer was eliminated before the Semifinal round. Again, speculation arises as to how long Federer can keep playing.
This moment, though, belongs to a couple of players who have never won Wimbledon until now. Congrats to both Novak Djokovic and Petra Kvitova on winning your first Wimbledon Titles.
I must admit I'm a Rafa fan but quite frankly it always great to see a first time winner at Wimbledon. It makes things very interesting in the tennis world. What might be more significant in this year's Wimbledon tournament is the fact that Roger Federer was eliminated before the Semifinal round. Again, speculation arises as to how long Federer can keep playing.
This moment, though, belongs to a couple of players who have never won Wimbledon until now. Congrats to both Novak Djokovic and Petra Kvitova on winning your first Wimbledon Titles.
The Ultimate Heavyweight
The big multi Heavyweight Title fight was last night and featured two champions of the Heavyweight World. Wladimir Klitschko faced off against David Haye. Despite doing much trash talking leading up to the fight, David Haye couldn't deliver against Klitschko later claiming part of it was due to a broken toe he had sustained weeks ago. Wladimir won the fight and David Haye's WBA title by unanimous decision. Klitschko now adds that title to his other 3. He and his brother, Vitali, have all the major Heavyweight Titles though Vitali only has one. Looks like the Klitschko brothers are the only game in town on the Heavyweight level with Wladimir wearing the most belts.
Kvitova Beats Sharapova for Wimbledon Title
The Wimbledon Finals are here and the Ladies side has already been determined. Maria Sharapova played against Petra Kvitova for her first Wimbledon title since 2004. Sharapova was favored to win and dominate the match. Ironically, it went the other way. Kvitova dominated the match and won her first Grand Slam Title 6-3, 6-4. Kvitova's mindset helped her claim victory over Sharapova who was surprisingly off in this match. It must be a big personal morale boost knowing your first Grand Slam title came at Wimbledon. Congrats to to the left handed Kvitova. Only 21 and a bright future ahead.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Another League in Lockout
For my 700th post and my first one in July, let's talk about the NBA Lockout that has just started with the changing of the months. The big topic of of every labor dispute is money. Most of the teams have said they are losing money during the previous CBA and want things to radically change when it comes to paying players. That includes fighting over guaranteed money, contract lengths, and even installing a hard salary cap to replace the soft salary cap system. The two sides are very far apart on this issue and by David Stern's tone it may get even worse.
Alright!!! A possibility of almost no basketball!!!
Okay, fine. Being a bit more serious, I guess it would be bad for any basketball to be lost. Still, like the NFL, I would like to see how people would react with no basketball. By accounts of many analysts, there seems to be a good possibility of missing games if not the entire NBA Season. The two sides seem to be that divided. Of course, there is also some dispute among owners like the possibility of creating a revenue sharing system like in the NFL. Because the majority of NBA Franchises seem to be doing that bad, all sides will bunker down for a while and talks will likely be slow to accomplish anything.
When the dust does settle, I don't see the players benefiting at all from the new CBA. If players are getting paid way too much to prevent any profit for owners being generated, the owners will make sure the players will get a pay cut. As for if there will be a season, I think there will be one but a significantly shorter one. I don't expect any basketball for the rest of the calendar year.
P.S. Unless you want to watch some College Hoops.
Alright!!! A possibility of almost no basketball!!!
Okay, fine. Being a bit more serious, I guess it would be bad for any basketball to be lost. Still, like the NFL, I would like to see how people would react with no basketball. By accounts of many analysts, there seems to be a good possibility of missing games if not the entire NBA Season. The two sides seem to be that divided. Of course, there is also some dispute among owners like the possibility of creating a revenue sharing system like in the NFL. Because the majority of NBA Franchises seem to be doing that bad, all sides will bunker down for a while and talks will likely be slow to accomplish anything.
When the dust does settle, I don't see the players benefiting at all from the new CBA. If players are getting paid way too much to prevent any profit for owners being generated, the owners will make sure the players will get a pay cut. As for if there will be a season, I think there will be one but a significantly shorter one. I don't expect any basketball for the rest of the calendar year.
P.S. Unless you want to watch some College Hoops.
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