The last fortnight in England have been all about Wimbledon and more remarkable tennis. The finals in each gender category were over the last couple of days and it was a couple of repeat champions reigning supreme. The women's side had Serena Williams beating Agnieszka Radwańska 6–1, 5–7, 6–2. This gives Serena here fifth title at Wimbeldon and 14 Grand Slams overall. The Men's final featured Roger Federer facing Andy Murray of Scotland with all of the UK behind Andy Murray. The support didn't seem to help. Federer shows life still in his 30's with a win 4–6, 7–5, 6–3, 6–4. This was Federer's 7th title at Wimbeldon (record tying) and his 17th overall Grand Slam title.
A nice couple of finals over the weekend considering that a couple of 30 year old's prove they can still compete with the twenty somethings. These two prove that greatness is not just with the youth. The amazing thing was that neither one of these winners have won a Grand Slam since 2010. The more significant victory goes to Federer as he extends that Grand Slam record he has among the guys by another notch. Hey, the way he played he might extend it again later this Summer and possibly still as the #1 ranked.
No time for either champion to rest, however, or London for that matter. They all have another fortnight to prepare for.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Ray Allen Goes to Miami
Sorry for the late reaction. I now just got the realization that Ray Allen didn't move to Florida to retire.
Either way, the big three in Boston is over. The 5 seasons during this trio's era is out the window and only one title during it. Ray Allen of the Celtics was a question mark going into free agency and at best he was going to be a bench player moving forward. He's 36 and not the same player he once was. Ray Allen didn't seem to like it that much in Boston but he doesn't seem to mind so much for Miami. Ray Allen has apparently agreed to join the Miami Heat and not simply retire in Miami.
Hey, if you can't beat them, join them. While the Celtics did put up a respectable series against Miami, they did it for the most part without Bosh out there for the Heat. Another year older doesn't help the Celtics' case. I'm sure that Allen didn't like how he was being used either and figured that if he was going to be used like that, he might as well be on a better team.
Feels like the last real threat to Miami's throne in the Eastern Conference is gone and we now wait for a new one to arrive eventually. Perhaps the Nets are on the way to becoming that thorn in the Heat's side.
Either way, the big three in Boston is over. The 5 seasons during this trio's era is out the window and only one title during it. Ray Allen of the Celtics was a question mark going into free agency and at best he was going to be a bench player moving forward. He's 36 and not the same player he once was. Ray Allen didn't seem to like it that much in Boston but he doesn't seem to mind so much for Miami. Ray Allen has apparently agreed to join the Miami Heat and not simply retire in Miami.
Hey, if you can't beat them, join them. While the Celtics did put up a respectable series against Miami, they did it for the most part without Bosh out there for the Heat. Another year older doesn't help the Celtics' case. I'm sure that Allen didn't like how he was being used either and figured that if he was going to be used like that, he might as well be on a better team.
Feels like the last real threat to Miami's throne in the Eastern Conference is gone and we now wait for a new one to arrive eventually. Perhaps the Nets are on the way to becoming that thorn in the Heat's side.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Steve Nash Joining the Lakers
Hope you all had a great Fourth of July and enjoyed the fireworks and the Hotdogs. Well, at least "a" Hot Dog before Joey Chestnut crashed your parties.
While the USA was enjoying the holiday, the Lakers were working and they got some work done. One of the biggest free agent names is going to the Lakers to join Kobe Bryant. Steve Nash, one of the best PG's in the league, has just joined the Lakers through a sign-and-trade through the Suns. In exchange for their participation, the Suns get 4 draft picks over the next few years that include a couple first round picks. This comes after the fact that both the Knicks and the Raptors showed interest in Nash.
Steve Nash going to LA means a lot for the Lakers. It adds a significant piece to the puzzle but does it add enough for a title run? Sure, Nash's presence makes them better but will they be able to get by OKC? What about the Spurs? I am hesitate to say that this move makes the Lakers a favorite for a title but I think it keeps their title contender status alive (barely).
While the USA was enjoying the holiday, the Lakers were working and they got some work done. One of the biggest free agent names is going to the Lakers to join Kobe Bryant. Steve Nash, one of the best PG's in the league, has just joined the Lakers through a sign-and-trade through the Suns. In exchange for their participation, the Suns get 4 draft picks over the next few years that include a couple first round picks. This comes after the fact that both the Knicks and the Raptors showed interest in Nash.
Steve Nash going to LA means a lot for the Lakers. It adds a significant piece to the puzzle but does it add enough for a title run? Sure, Nash's presence makes them better but will they be able to get by OKC? What about the Spurs? I am hesitate to say that this move makes the Lakers a favorite for a title but I think it keeps their title contender status alive (barely).
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Deron Williams Going to Brooklyn
The Nets made a huge gamble a season and half ago when they acquired Deron Williams through a trade. While Williams at the time probably didn't think he wanted to be on the team for the long term, the Nets got him in hopes that he would come around. That has happened earlier today. In the midst of the Joe Johnson trade and the team trying to acquire Dwight Howard, Deron Williams has agreed to come back to the Nets. He agreed to a contract worth $98 million over five years instead of picking the Mavericks who could only offer $75 million over 4 years because of the CBA.
Deron Williams stays with the Nets and is their main attraction moving into their new stadium in Brooklyn... for now. With Johnson and Williams locked up, Dwight Howard is the only question mark remaining. Or maybe Howard isn't a question mark? Sure, Williams wasn't going to make his decision just waiting for Dwight Howard but that doesn't mean that his decision to stay with the Nets wasn't influenced by it at all. Maybe Williams heard that a deal is close and decided to stay on board. Maybe he thinks that the Nets will eventually get Howard whether it be this year or next.
It's hard to decipher what Williams true reasons were for staying with the Nets. It may have just been about the money. Either way, this move along with the Joe Johnson one makes the Nets a playoff team. If they can add one more piece to the puzzle, they can become something more.
Deron Williams stays with the Nets and is their main attraction moving into their new stadium in Brooklyn... for now. With Johnson and Williams locked up, Dwight Howard is the only question mark remaining. Or maybe Howard isn't a question mark? Sure, Williams wasn't going to make his decision just waiting for Dwight Howard but that doesn't mean that his decision to stay with the Nets wasn't influenced by it at all. Maybe Williams heard that a deal is close and decided to stay on board. Maybe he thinks that the Nets will eventually get Howard whether it be this year or next.
It's hard to decipher what Williams true reasons were for staying with the Nets. It may have just been about the money. Either way, this move along with the Joe Johnson one makes the Nets a playoff team. If they can add one more piece to the puzzle, they can become something more.
Nets Get New Player... Not Howard
The Nets have a big year coming up: they have a new arena, they are relocating to Brooklyn into that new arena, and they need good players to attract fans and contend for a title. The last two things are on hold right now. The Dwight Howard saga in Orlando has had the Nets waiting for a trade to be made or for Howard's contract to expire. After Howard opting into the Magic for another year and several negotiations before and after that fact with the Magic, it seems that the Nets are trying other things. The Nets made a knee jerk trade for Joe Johnson of the Hawks in exchange for 5 players and a 1st round draft pick. The trade puts the Nets in an awkward situation as they gut some of their team for a "star" in hoping to get Deron Williams to come back and excite the fan base in Brooklyn.
This one is a a bit difficult to understand. I know that the Nets need to get some excitement going into the team and I know that their chances of getting Howard are small but Joe Johnson isn't going to get them the excitement they need. Johnson by himself makes the team alright and they probably endure in Brooklyn. They still, however, need Howard or Williams to play in Brooklyn with him if they want to go somewhere in the postseason. They need both for a title run.
They gave up a lot for Joe Johnson and they might just stuck with him and him alone.
This one is a a bit difficult to understand. I know that the Nets need to get some excitement going into the team and I know that their chances of getting Howard are small but Joe Johnson isn't going to get them the excitement they need. Johnson by himself makes the team alright and they probably endure in Brooklyn. They still, however, need Howard or Williams to play in Brooklyn with him if they want to go somewhere in the postseason. They need both for a title run.
They gave up a lot for Joe Johnson and they might just stuck with him and him alone.
Monday, July 2, 2012
SPAIN CLAIMS SECOND STRAIGHT EURO!!!
When Italy beat Germany with Mario Balotelli scoring two goals, the thought was that perhaps Italy has a chance to beat Spain for the title. Maybe they did but, after this performance, it seems they had the same chance as Pacquiao ever facing Mayweather: NO CHANCE!!!
The Euro 2012 Final was yesterday and Spain was looking to get an historic win over Italy in Kiev, Ukraine. It seems that they had gotten that. Spain scored early with a heading goal by David Silva in the 14'. Later, Jordi Alba makes a great run for a goal in the 41'. The second half came and Italy tried to make a comeback but the subs weren't enough what with one of them turning into an injury. Spain would score two more goals as the game closed out. Spain demolishes Italy, 4-0, and claims their second straight Euro title.
Let the exaggerations begin on how good the Spanish team is. I'll start. The way that Spain has been playing the last few years has been unbelievable and it was shown in this match. Their possession game is too much for anyone to handle right now and it borders on historic. This third straight major title puts this team as one of the greatest national squads ever assembled. If they have this kind of performance in a couple of years, the debate, from my point of view, will be over.
As usual, I get ahead of myself. Enjoy another Euro title, Spain. They still are the Kings of Europe.
The Euro 2012 Final was yesterday and Spain was looking to get an historic win over Italy in Kiev, Ukraine. It seems that they had gotten that. Spain scored early with a heading goal by David Silva in the 14'. Later, Jordi Alba makes a great run for a goal in the 41'. The second half came and Italy tried to make a comeback but the subs weren't enough what with one of them turning into an injury. Spain would score two more goals as the game closed out. Spain demolishes Italy, 4-0, and claims their second straight Euro title.
Let the exaggerations begin on how good the Spanish team is. I'll start. The way that Spain has been playing the last few years has been unbelievable and it was shown in this match. Their possession game is too much for anyone to handle right now and it borders on historic. This third straight major title puts this team as one of the greatest national squads ever assembled. If they have this kind of performance in a couple of years, the debate, from my point of view, will be over.
As usual, I get ahead of myself. Enjoy another Euro title, Spain. They still are the Kings of Europe.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Dwight Howard Asks for a Trade to Brooklyn
What a Surprise? The 'Dwight Howard wanting out of Orlando' saga continues. Sources say Rob Hennigan, the new GM for the Magic, apparently met with Dwight Howard, the star of the team, on Friday for the first time. During the meeting, Dwight apparently stated that he wanted to be traded to the Brooklyn Nets. The interesting part of it all is that people close to Howard have said that he felt blackmailed into signing the "opt-in" clause of his contract by way of a trade he didn't approve of. Howard is even looking into the possibility of voiding the 1 year opt-in based on the blackmailed charge that probably won't stand.
Man, things just don't seem to get better in Orlando. By the sounds analysts seem to be making, it seems that Dwight Howard will get his wish. Maybe not right away but I would bet that a deal would get done by the pre-season. The intriguing part is whether or not this influences contract talks between Deron Williams and the Nets. Deron hasn't made up his mind yet where he wants to go and would love to play with Dwight but the fact is that he is not going to wait for Orlando to make a move. Deron make a choice where to play within the next couple of weeks, regardless of Dwight's situation. The Nets, however, have a window of opportunity here to get both Williams and Howard on the same team and make themselves an instant playoff contender.
While it is fun to speculate what will happen, I must say that this is a first meeting between Hennigan and Dwight Howard. I know Dwight has his heart set on leaving Orlando but this could all easily be the result of a rough first meeting in which Hennigan might want to try and let time heal the wounds further. The team has changed coaches for Dwight and management for Dwight. They might not trade him so easily.
Man, things just don't seem to get better in Orlando. By the sounds analysts seem to be making, it seems that Dwight Howard will get his wish. Maybe not right away but I would bet that a deal would get done by the pre-season. The intriguing part is whether or not this influences contract talks between Deron Williams and the Nets. Deron hasn't made up his mind yet where he wants to go and would love to play with Dwight but the fact is that he is not going to wait for Orlando to make a move. Deron make a choice where to play within the next couple of weeks, regardless of Dwight's situation. The Nets, however, have a window of opportunity here to get both Williams and Howard on the same team and make themselves an instant playoff contender.
While it is fun to speculate what will happen, I must say that this is a first meeting between Hennigan and Dwight Howard. I know Dwight has his heart set on leaving Orlando but this could all easily be the result of a rough first meeting in which Hennigan might want to try and let time heal the wounds further. The team has changed coaches for Dwight and management for Dwight. They might not trade him so easily.
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