Continue Reading June 11th, 2006
Well, here we go. Pat Riley, shown above after being asked about the size of Shaquille O’Neal’s penis, has made clear his intention to ugly up the NBA Finals. They’re going to roll with a little more “Rileyball,” which is, of course, another term for ugly basketball. For examples, see any of the playoff games between the Knicks and the Heat from the late-90s, an era which nearly killed basketball.
Down one game, any attempt by the Heat to match skill vs. skill is going out the window. Perhaps I’m overreacting, but I think that we as fans should react violently to any attempt to return to that late-90’s Heat/Knicks style of basketball. Not everyone has to be the Phoenix Suns, of course, but come on. Those games were hellish to watch, perhaps the ugliest games since before there was a shot clock. And if that’s what Pat Riley wants to do with this series, I can’t wish him any kind of success.
Heat could embrace Rileyball in Game 2 [Columbus Dispatch]
Shaq’s Top 10 NBA Finals quotes [ESPN.com]
Continue Reading June 11th, 2006
Two days off between games is unacceptable come Finals time, and if we’re able to use our vast influence as we believe, it won’t happen again until next year.
Like we said the other day, this series needs some bad blood or something real quick-like. That may simply be the result of our general lack of passion with regard to who wins the title, but we’d still like to see a storyline or two develop.
Unfortunately, instead of using the extra day off to talk trash about each other, both the Heat and Mavs dove headfirst into the world of self-criticism. Pat Riley came right out yesterday and said what everyone was thinking after Game 1 - less everyone else, more Shaq. Specifically, he asked for less Dwyane Wade, of all people.
‘’If Dwyane gets over 50 touches, we lose,'’ Riley said, citing a statistic kept by his staff. “At least that’s the way it’s been in the playoffs.'’
‘’I was shocked,'’ Wade said. “I didn’t know that when I had the ball more, we lose. That [doesn’t] sound good. All I know is that when other guys are making plays, we are better. I think that’s the thing. If guys like Jason [Williams] and Gary [Payton] and Antoine [Walker] are making plays, then that takes me off the ball more and that makes our team better. I think that’s where it comes in. That’s common sense.'’
Damn - we thought we had a little coach-superstar friction there, but no deal. Dan LeBatard runs down some possible story angles, including the Mad Shaq one, which can always be fun for a 30-20 evening.
Over on the Dallas side of the court is this picture from something called the NBA Rhythm ‘n Rims Tour that was out in Santa Monica this weekend.
Why didn’t anybody tell us about this? What’s with you people? We’re busy coming up with revolutionary devices like the TruthBox and picking up fake 14-year old girls online - we don’t have time to scout out every single opportunity out there to watch Clippers girls and/or meet Luke Walton.
From what we can gather, that’s all there was to do there. You either watch the Clipper girls or go meet Luke Walton. We figure you could run that cycle maybe four times before Luke starts asking what you’re doing.
“So, you uh…you going over to check out the Clipper girls now?”
“Yep!”
“Then you’re coming back over here again?”
“Yep!”
“Okay.”
“Think of something for us to talk about!”
Heat win tonight by 8, although the game is closer than that. Lots of free throws at the end.
Continue Reading June 11th, 2006
Wajyutsu Keisyukai’s top 83 kilogram fighter Yushin Okami is one step closer to accomplishing his dreams and becoming part of the K-1 HERO`S promotion again, after an impressive performamnce tonight dispatching Shooto and Pancrase veteran Izuru Takeuchi in the first round of the main event at Greatest Common Multiple’s sixth installment of Demolition of Octagon Gear.
Opening with a left high kick that hit Takeuchi hard in the face, Okami watched as the the SK Absolute fighter toppled to the floor. Okami was quick to take advantage of the momentum, as he quickly mounted the dazed Takeuchi and began to rain down strikes on Takeuchi with little resistance. At 3:39, the referee had seen enough and pulled Okami off of Takeuchi, giving Okami the victory he needed to have a chance to get back to HERO’S.
After the fight, Okami appealed to the K-1 HERO`S head honchos Sadaharu Tanigawa and puroresu legend Akira Meada to let him particpate in the upcoming HERO`S 85 kilogram tournament. Akira Maeda has said that the tournament, which will begin on August 5th, will feature four Japanese fighters and four foreign fighters. With rumors of the Japanese side containing Yoshihiro Akiyama, Katsuhiko Nagata, and Kazushi Sakuraba, Okami hopes to be the fourth man for Nippon’s side, riding high on a victory over one of Japan’s most talented and experienced 83 kilogram fighters.
Greatest Common Multiple Presents Demolition of Octagon Gear 6
June 11th, 2006
Differ Ariake
Tokyo, Japan
Official Results:
66 KG, 2R 5M
Michihisa Asano (Killer Bee) and Jean Robert Monier (French Top Team) fought to a majority draw at full time limit.
77 KG, 2R 5M
Yuji Hoshino (Wajyutsu Keisyukai GODS) defeated Yuta Yasunaga (Team Knuckles) by guillotine choke at 0:34 of Round 1.
70 KG, 2R 5M
Wataru Miki (Wajyutsu Keisyukai RJW) defeated Yasuyoshi Kanehara (Team Cloud) by majority decision at full time limit.
83 KG, 2R 5M
Akihiro Murayama (GUTSMAN Shooto Dojo) and Osami Shibuya (INGRAM) fought to a majority draw at full time limit.
70 KG, 3R 5M
Ganjo Tentsuku (PUREBRED Omiya) defeated Emmanuel Fernandez (French Top Team) by unanimous decision at full time limit.
70 KG, 3R 5M
Tomonori Kanomata (Paraestra Hachioji) defeated Yoichi Fukumoto (Wajyutsu Keisyukai RJW) by majority decision at full time limit.
83 KG, 3R 5M
Yushin Okami (Wajyutsu Keisyukai Tokyo Headquarters) defeated Izuru Takeuchi (SK Absolute) by TKO via strikes from the mount at 3:39 of Round 1.
