OK, so Drew absolutely convinced us: We’re actually gonna watch a little bit of the draft this weekend. And not just because we’re crossing our fingers that our Buzzsaw will end up with the Illini’s Rashard Mendenhall. Though we are.
Some positive news: The first round won’t take nearly as long this year, even though it’s not starting until 3 p.m. ET. (If you can tear your eyes away from the Raptors-Magic game.) We’ll be rocking it out over here too, with Michael Tunison Christmas Ape hand-in-hand with Michael Tanier of Football Outsiders discussing the draft at least until they get too tired.
Ah, the NFL Draft: The event sports fans cannot possibly explain their attraction to any non-sports fan. Stepping outside, it really doesn’t make any sense. But alas. And remember: There are always drinking games.
It’s Friday. Take a break from thinking for yourself and let me tell you what to pay attention to during tonight’s games.
Detroit versus Philadelphia: Game 3
The Pistons’ attention span: They can beat anybody. The can also lose to anybody … when they aren’t totally focused. Which Detroit team is going to show up tonight? It’s anybody’s guess.
Andre Iguodala: Philly’s leading scorer (19.9 PPG during the regular season) is averaging only 10 PPG on 20 percent shooting through the first two games of this series. Expect those numbers to improve tonight.
Rasheed Wallace: ‘Sheed is Detroit’s playoff leader in points (20.0), steals (1.5) and blocked shots (5.0). But even if that wasn’t the case, he’s always worth keeping an eye on.
Reggie Evans: What he did to Chris Kaman was horrible. But tell me the truth: Wouldn’t you sort of like to see Reggie try doing that to ‘Sheed? Wouldn’t we end up talking about that for the rest of our basketball-watching lives?
Chauncey Billups: Mr. Big Shot has been pretty quite so far. If the Pistons are going to bust the Sixers on the road tonight, they’re going to need Billups’ leadership…and probably a few big shots, too.
The Philadelphia crowd: They’re going to be loud and rowdy, but things could turn ugly if their team doesn’t bring it. And objectivity be damned, I wouldn’t mind seeing this long-suffering fan base get a little something to be happy about.
New Orleans versus Dallas: Game 3
Chris Paul: Through two games, CP3 has done everything short of eating Dirk Nowitzki’s liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti. Translation: He’s been a stone-cold cowboy killer. You know, if you’re impressed by 33.5 PPG and 13.5 APG … and a 2-0 series lead. Of course, I have a feeling the dudes in the striped shirts are going to give the Mavericks a little more defensive leeway in Dallas … which would sure make it a lot easier to hold Paul in check.
Dirk Nowitzki: In Game 2, Herr Poopypants looked like he was about this close from having a conniption fit, especially after his soulless scream into empty space. With Dirk, you never know whether mindless rage is a good thing or bad thing; it might mean he’s going to come out and destroy the Hornets tonight, or it might mean he’s finally going to get led off the court in a straightjacket. The odds are about 50-50.
Mark Cuban: Whether it’s tampering with the game discussing the finer points of officiating with the referees or staring daggers at his own coach, everyone’s favorite billionaire blog-hater will be somewhere in the vicinity of the Dallas bench, making his presence unmistakably known.
Peja Stojakovic: On one hand, he’s averaging 18 PPG and shooting 60 percent from three-point range against the Mavs. On the other hand, he has a rather infamous history of disappearing on the road in the playoffs.
Jason Kidd: It’s hard to believe, but J-Kidd has regressed to being a slightly-better-than-average point guard (9.0 PPG, 8.5 APG, 40 percent shooting). And a way-below-average defender (against Chris Paul, anyway). Can he recapture some of his old triple-double magic and revive the Dallas offense while putting the clamps on Paul? I doubt it. It’s more likely he’s going to become Paul’s new poster boy.
The New Orleans bench: The Hornets don’t get a lot of production from their bench, which puts a lot of pressure on their starting give to all have big games. That can wear out anybody, even young fellas like Chris Paul and Tyson Chandler. If Bonzi Wells and/or Jannero Pargo could provide a spark, that could go a long way toward helping New Orleans break through on the road.
San Antonio versus Phoenix: Game 3
Tim Duncan: When I previewed this series, I said that Tim Duncan was starting to show the first slight signs of decay. Man, I am a friggin’ genius, huh? Timmy has not only owned the paint (29.0 PPG, 16.0 RPG, 3.0 BPG), he also hit the three-pointer heard ’round the world. It’s safe to say he’s turned it on for the playoffs. Now, can Shaq and the Suns turn him off?
Shaq: All the Big Cactus has to do is rebound, score in the paint, stop dribble penetration and shut down Tim Duncan. That’s all.
Those unstoppable drives: Phoenix was completely incapable of keeping Tony Parker (32 points) and Manu Ginobili (29) out of the paint in Game 2. I’ve seen more aggressive D during a layup drill. If the Suns can’t come up with a better plan for their interior defense, you can expect them to fall into a 3-0 series hole tonight.
Steve Nash: Despite the fact that he’s been wearing a Bruce Bowen-shaped cement overcoat, Captain Canada has picked up his game (24.0 PPG, 54 percent shooting, 11.5 APG). That’s been easy to overlook, though, since the Suns are down 2-0. But make no mistake: Steve Nash is the Phoenix offense, and he will be until his plaster of Paris back crumbles into dust.
Bruce Bowen: Because he’s San Antonio’s first line of defense against Steve Nash. And because something like this could happen at any time.
Amare Stoudemire: Bottom line: He’s dunk-tastic. (Not to mention the Suns’ leading scorer at 33.0 PPG.)
Anyone watch Law & Order: Special Victims Unit? Apparently Tuesday’s episode involved a thinly disguised version of Tom Brady, who was a gay quarterback implicated in a murder. Sample dialogue: “Lincoln Haver is gay? I thought he was dating Natasha Gorski, that hot supermodel.” “You can’t blame Lincoln for having a beard. This gets out, his career’s over.” Indeed.
In an episode titled “The Closet,” a pro football player who wears No. 12, has a cleft chin and a supermodel galpal, plays in a red-and-blue stadium and is “the best quarterback in football” is the prime suspect in a gay murder. Any resemblance to any New England Patriots QB is, we’re sure, entirely intentional!
In the show, Brady, or I mean Haver, is actually innocent. So the hunt for the real killer continues. Of course Brady Quinn must have an alibi for the hours in question, right?
How many times have you asked yourself, ‘Why can’t I see my favorite baseball cap logo when the lights are out?’ (If you’re like me, plenty). Well, if your favorite team is the Casper Ghosts of the Pioneer Rookie League, then you don’t have that problem. This season the Ghosts (formerly the Casper Rockies) became the only pro baseball team with glow-in-the-dark caps, which could come in very handy during a power outage. Follow the Ghosts to safety! This fine item is now available in the team store, along with other Ghost merchandise based on Casper the Friendly Ghost, for whom the team is named. (This is all true). Terrifying glow-in-the-dark cap action following the jump!
Someday of course all baseball cap logos will glow in the dark, and you’ll have Ghosts CEO Kevin Haughian to thank for it. He is also responsible for the current top best-selling Minor League cap, that of the Lake Elsinore Storm.
The Ghosts are also the only team anywhere to be named after a Harveys Entertainment cartoon character. That’s the studio that gave us Baby Huey, Wendy the Good Witch, Herman and Katnip, Little Audrey and Richie Rich … kind of a low-rent Disney. Now if the Ghosts can tie in their concessions to Little Lotta, they’ll have something.
And now, here come the Minor League promotions:
• 60’s Psychedelic Night. Tonight, West Virginia Power (Class-A South Atlantic League). Generally I don’t need an excuse to take LSD, but I’ll fit right in tonight at Appalachian Power Park, where our nation’s groovy, bell-bottomed heritage will be celebrated … up to and including post-game karaoke.
• Australia Day. Saturday, Erie SeaWolves (Class-AA Eastern League). Includes the always popular Boomerang Giveaway, a Steve Irwin tribute, and salute to Australian-born Major Leaguers. Plus, music of the BeeGees and Men at Work. What, no Anne Murray?
Other breaking news:
Mr. Celery Conducts The Delaware Symphony Orchestra. Yes the rumors are true: Famed Wilmington Blue Rocks mascot Mr. Celery will take up the baton on Saturday at the Grand Opera House in Wilmington to conduct a presentation of The Firebird. The co-production by the Enchantment Theater and the Delaware Symphony Orchestra “weaves together puppetry, shadow play, masks and magic with evocative music by Stravinsky in this captivating Russian tale.” The performance also includes Bizet’s Carmen Suite and begins at 2 p.m. Adults $20, children $10. For tickets call the Grand Opera House box office at (302) 652-5577.
Joliet Jackhammers Offer Contract To Frank Thomas. The Joliet Jackhammers of the Independent Northern League have extended a contract offer to Frank Thomas, who was released from the Blue Jays last week. Had he signed, Thomas would have received “a monthly salary in addition to a free apartment,” according to the Jackhammers’ press release. Alas: It appears that the Jackhammers’ offer was not sweet enough.
Billboard Of The Week. St. Paul Saints Billboard Corn Field. If only this included a cam.
Kevin In The Ticket Office Says Goodbye. Sad, sad news from the Clearwater Threshers. Kevin from the ticket office is discontinuing his blog, to “pursue other interests.” It’s a heartfelt farewell, equaled only perhaps by the final episode of M*A*S*H.
Please send any Minor League promotional news, game accounts, photos or recipes to us at RickChand@GMail.com. Thanks!
This morning I had a brief chat with everybody’s favorite (OK, my favorite) ex-Philadelphia Eagles and draft day legend Mike Mamula. Surprisingly, even though his name is brought up during practically every NFL draft analysis, he hasn’t received any phone calls this week.
“No, just you, A.J.”
He says that he does actually watch the draft “as much as he can,” just to see who the Eagles have picked and who “everyone will be complaining about.”
I told him that Ohio State’s Vernon Gholston has been tagged the next Mike Mamula by some draft pundits.
“Oh, white guy?”
“No,” I said, “He’s black.”
“Yeaaaaaaaaah…,” Mamula responded, in a way that suggested he would be asking for a high-five right now if I were standing in front of him.
Mamula did admit that he’s pleased that there are more stories about how his label as a “bust” is a little unfair and said that he was very happy with Michael David Smith’s piece for the New York Times’ Fifth Down blog.
“There was one on Fox, too…”
Regardless, Mamula doesn’t dread this time of year as much as one would think and he says, almost mock jokingly, that any team that would pick a “Mike Mamula-type player” would be “great pick.”
He doesn’t get sick of the fact that his name is brought up thousands of times every April.
“It’s nice to be remembered for something. That’s all you can ask for, right?”
We’re still a little surprised that the New Orleans haven’t caught on nationally quite yet. The Saints were an amazing, inspiring story that united the country (other than Eagles fans, of course), but the Hornets still just seem to glide past, with people still not quite aware of what Chris Paul is doing. Only one man grab our attention: Byron Scott’s son, who drops some knowledge on you in the above clip.
If you listen real close, you can hear Lawrence Frank scratching in the background.
The NBA Closer is written by Matt McHale, who was glad to see that Pat Riley’s 20/20 Rule was in full effect for the Cavs-Wizards game. When he’s not drawing attention to these obscure coaching references, he can be found filing his nails at Basketbawful. Enjoy!
This is all Tracy McGrady’s fault. After admitting that he’s responsible for all the world’s woe — including the fact that a kitten is brutally murdered every time he chokes in the fourth quarter — T-Mac (27 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists) finally caused a little woe for the Utah Jazz, scoring 7 points in the final 3:29 and leading the Rockets to a nobody-saw-that-coming 94-92 road victory over the Utah Jazz. Said McGrady: “This was a very emotional win for us. We played like we really didn’t want to go home early. We played with a lot of passion and a lot of heart.” That’s for sure.
Other than McGrady’s fourth-quarter heroics, another big difference between the first two games and Game 3 was the return of Rafer Alston, who scored 20 points, hit 4-for-8 on threes and dished out 5 assists. Luis Scola had an active game (16 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists), Shane Battier provided a little offense (12 points), and Carl Landry gave the Rockets a little punch off the bench (7 points, 11 rebounds … 7 of which came off the offensive glass).
Speaking of Landry, he lost a front tooth in the first half thanks to an errant elbow from Carlos Boozer (insert Karl Malone comparison here). The rook — who was seeing double and bleeding from the mouth — returned for the second half. Said Landry: “This was a big game. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got a hurt toe or a hurt back, whatever the case may be. No matter what it is, football, hockey, basketball. It’s part of playing sports.” Funny how going to Purdue didn’t instill the same sense of toughness in Glenn Robinson.
The Jazz got double-doubles from Deron Williams (28 points, 12 assists), Carlos Boozer (15 points, 13 rebounds) and Mehmet Okur (12 points, 11 rebounds), but they also missed 13 free throws as a team, which pretty much sealed their fate in the two-point loss. Speaking of fate, the Rockets’ seems a little bit better this morning. Not great, but definitely better.
No one in Washington can feel their face. Soulja Boy was on hand and sitting in the front row, the Washington crowd was chanting “over-rated” and DeShawn Stevenson battled LeBron James to a near standstill — and no, the Locksmith can’t feel his face — as the Wizards got back into their first-round series against the Cavaliers with a 108-72 blowout.
Stevenson (19 points), reserve Roger Mason (18), Caron Butler (17), Antawn Jamison (15) and Brendon Haywood (14) all seemingly scored at will, and the Wiz held the Cavs to 39 percent shooting and forced 23 turnovers. Meanwhile, LeBron scored 22 but got very little help; bench jockey Devin Brown (10 points) was the only other Cleveland player to reach double digits. Wally Szczerbiak shot 3-for-10, Delonte West had 4 turnovers and only 2 assists, Boobie Gibson missed all his three-point attempts, Dwyane Jones had a one trillion, Bron-Bron missed a freethrow while the crowd was jeering him … basically, everything that could have gone wrong for the Cavaliers did go wrong.
After the game, Stevenson said he’s going to try to get Soulja Boy — who’s part of the LeBron-DeShawn rivalry that James says doesn’t exist — back for the next game. “We got to get him here. We won with him. Me and Gil are superstitious, so we have to get him back.”
The Raptors are on their guard. If Dwight Howard (19 points, 12 rebounds) was Superman, then T.J. Ford (21 points, 7-for-11 shooting) and Jose Calderon (18 points, 13 assists) were the Wonder Twins … which I think makes Andrea Bargnani their little blue monkey. Superhero references aside, the Raptors got one taloned foot out of the tar pit with a 108-94 win.
After helping cut his team’s series deficit to one game, T.J. Ford proved that, in addition to scoring, he can also perform simple math. “We’re halfway to our goal, which is to get back to 2-2. We have to take care of business again on Saturday.” That’s a pretty lofty goal, T.J. But how do you get “back to 2-2″ when you were never 2-2 to begin with? Best not to ask questions.
While the Toronto guards were on fire, the Orlando guards returned to their sucking ways: Maurice Evans scored zero points and three turnovers, while Jameer Nelson shot 2-for-8 and had only 6 assists. The Magic frontcourt was still strong — Hedo Turkoglu had 26 points and Rashard Lewis added 19 — but it wasn’t nearly enough. Said Howard: “They came out tonight and wanted it more than we did. We expected it but we just didn’t weather the storm: They came out firing on all cylinders and we didn’t do a great job of coming back at them. We kind of let them set the tempo, we let them set the way the game was going to be played the whole night and we couldn’t stop it.” Huh. Well, maybe you can fly around the earth to reverse time and try it again? Okay, nah. That would be crazy.
OK, so Drew absolutely convinced us: We’re actually gonna watch a little bit of the draft this weekend. And not just because we’re crossing our fingers that our Buzzsaw will end up with the Illini’s Rashard Mendenhall. Though we are.
It’s Friday. Take a break from thinking for yourself and let me tell you what to pay attention to during tonight’s games.
Anyone watch Law & Order: Special Victims Unit? Apparently Tuesday’s episode involved a thinly disguised version of Tom Brady, 
How many times have you asked yourself, ‘Why can’t I see my favorite baseball cap logo when the lights are out?’ (If you’re like me, plenty). Well, if your favorite team is the Casper Ghosts of the Pioneer Rookie League, then you don’t have that problem. This season the Ghosts (formerly the Casper Rockies) 
Mr. Celery Conducts The Delaware Symphony Orchestra. Yes the rumors are true: Famed 
This morning I had a brief chat with everybody’s favorite (OK, 
The NBA Closer is written by Matt McHale, who was glad to see that 
