Wish I could write a poignant piece about today’s 134th ‘Run for the Roses’. Any such attempt would serve as nothing more than folly.
I have paid marginal (at best) attention to the thoroughbreds. Secretariat’s record-breaking runs in’73 and Affirmed fighting off Alydar to win the Triple Crown in ’78 made for great entertainment. I even, with Monty’s suggestion, read Sea Biscuit – great story that revealed many behind the scenes workings of horse racing.
I did once get a chance to drive by the fabled Churchill Downs. Wally had a cup-of coffee in the fine town of Louisville thus affording us the opportunity take in another great sports venue.
Actually today’s title serves as another opportunity to talk about the sports we so happily discuss.
Horses are jumping out of the barn in Chapel Hill. Wayne Ellington, Danny Green, and Ty Lawson have all declared themselves eligible for the NBA draft. The three Tar Heels have not hired agents, so their return is possible.
As a Duke fan I would be glad to not have to face these guys next year. Is this another example of young players looking at their professional careers through dollar-sign-tinted glasses? I am trying to imagine Lawson if he gets drafted by a Western Conference team. He won’t start, but can you see him matching up with Chris Paul, Deron Williams, or Tony Parker?
Hey guys! You know how the Kansas Jayhawks matched up with you? You are going to see that EVERY NIGHT in the NBA. Word to wise – you all need another year of tutoring that Roy Williams could provide.
The horses are coming out in the NBA coaching carousel – Mike D’Antoni, Avery Johnson, Jeff Van Gundy, Rick Carlisle amongst others have been rumored on the move. Could Doc Rivers also have walking boots?
Les Miles and the LSU Tigers released a stud from the barn. Miles dismissed embattled quarterback, Ryan Perrilloux. Wow! LSU has a conscience?
Julio Franco has decided to move on to restful pastures. After a 23-year career in MLB, one of the ‘Three Amigos’ has finally called it quits.
I was reminded Thursday why I have little respect for Jaromir Jagr. As the 6’3”, 245 lb. left wing scored his first of two goals as the New York Rangers staved off elimination, he was dropped to the ice by a check. As Jagr lay motionless on the ice, replays showed that the check at best was a glancing blow. He plays himself off as a horse, but he is anything but.
How about Chris Lofton coming out with his battle against cancer? – a tip o’ the hat to the Tennessee Volunteer senior would be an understatement. For anyone that read Lance Armstrong’s biography you have an idea of the all-out discomfort created by the testicular cancer endured by both Lofton and Armstrong. Lofton continued about his business without looking for any pity.
Horses will be on the pitch May 21st when Manchester United and Chelsea do battle in the Champions League final.
What would a horses-out-of-the-barn article be without a little discussion of Roger Clemens? Do you think the ‘Rocket’ (wow – does that nickname take on a whole new meaning) regrets entering into this whole character assassination battle? I can’t criticize Clemens for his indiscretions that have recently come to light, but I can question his judgment. Do you think his legal team would have appreciated knowing his sordid history before taking the case?
Post-time is fast approaching. Better get ready for the ‘fastest minute in sports’.
How about the 3 “horses” in Boston right now. How are they feeling going into a game 7 vs. Atlanta. Anybody else got an uneasy feeling going into this game? All the pressure is on Boston. And, as Kenny Smith was saying in last night’s pre-game show, Kevin Garnett, as good as he is, is not the type of player to carry the offensive load. He just hasn’t had the track record to score 35-40 points in crucial games. We’ll see, anyways not the type of series the Celtics were expecting a few weeks ago.
This is shades of the ’84 Sixers who lost to the Nets in the first round one year after winning the title.
Thing is the Hawks are friggin’ good. How they went 37-45 is beyond me. They have guys who can make plays.
Gotta love Game 7.
Speaking of Kenny Smith – is the TNT studio show as entertaining as anything out there on TV? Barkley and Kenny are awesome together, and then add in Ernie who is always stirring the pot – that is great stuff.
Concerned? Of course!! The fantastic defense of the regular season just hasn’t found a way to stop Joe Johnson when it has counted…I think it was Ric Bucher (sp) yesterday on ESPN Radio that said that although Atlanta had such a lousy record, in the playoffs it is all about the matchups, and the Hawks have young, quick, hyped-up players that seem to be match-up problems on both ends of the floor for my Celts…Here’s hoping that the Big 3 remember what the motivation has been for each of them to excel this season- the hunger of a championship that has thus far elluded them…
Jumping the gun on performance of the week, but I submit for your approval…Brandon Moss of the Red Saux…2 for 4 with a home run while his appendix was doing summersaults getting ready to be removed the following evening! That’s taking one for the team!…
Not a fan of the Derby, but way too sad to finish a great run in the biggest race of your life only to break BOTH front ankles and have to be put to sleep…I am not a big fan of the highs and lows of life happening within a split second of each other…
Did somebody cancel the PGA Tour? What…Tiger is not playing?… Oh, that’s why I haven’t heard any golf news since the Masters…I am starting to drop my resistance to Woods earning the title of “Best Ever”… I have held on to the fact that Jack still has the most majors, but it is clear that Tiger has NO peer in the game…NONE!
Do I even need to make a comment about Roger?… would just be a waste of brain power…
Rooting for ManU in the Champions League Final…
Casting my vote, one way or the other, for Doc Rivers remaining the head coach of the Cetics…but does this team have the stomach to last the length of the playoffs? They spent the whole regular season “proving” themselves and it might have been too much energy spent too early… time will tell…
Considering the 30+ point lead for the Celts, everyone breathing a little easier? 🙂
Breathing a little easier, but quite weary of what lies ahead…
Match -ups are a funny thing. The Celts might square off better against the Cavaliers.
How ’bout Dwight Howard. When questioned in an interview about the Magic’s frustrating performance in game one, he said: “It was all us.” Not giving the Pistons any credit cannot bode well for Orlando at his point.
Muels – are you going to re-post your POTW later?
Sure Casey- POTW later
Good – now about you cheering for Man U….