 Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Take It To The Bank With The Tank - "Rock Chalk Jayhawk!"
I reconvened at PG's Place on the Upper West Side to watch the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Game. PG was with me at the infamous Knicks-Nuggets fight at the Garden in December 2006. Kansas had a five point lead at halftime. Rose hit a sick bank shot with 4:16 left in the second half. It was reviewed to be a two instead of a three. Let's see how that plays out later in the game. Memphis went on 16-4 run to overtake Kansas. But, Kansas got a steal and hit a three to close it to 60-56. Chris Douglas-Roberts hit two free throws to make it 62-56. Joey Dorsey fouled out with 1:23 left. Chris Douglas-Roberts missed a free throw. Kansas scored to make it 62-60. Memphis takes a timeout with 44 seconds left . Robinson got blocked with 20 seconds left. Chris Douglas-Roberts misses two free throws but Dozier gets the rebound. Chris Douglas-Roberts slams the ball down with 10.6 seconds left. Shouldn't he be called for a technical? The refs feel differently and don't call a technical foul. "The Kansas point guard (Collins) should be shot!" (for bringing the ball up so slow). But, "Super Mario" Chalmers bailed him out with a clutch three to tie it at 63. Advantage to Kansas because Dorsey is out with five fouls and Memphis missed four of last five free throws in regulation. Memphis wins the tip but Kansas gets the steal to take a 65-63 lead. PG wants Patrick Ewing going into the Loser's Hall of Fame instead of the Basketball Hall of Fame. Collins' East to West dribbling doesn't get it done for PG. Rush got the outlet, got his rebound to make it 71-65. Chris Douglas-Roberts hits a three to make it 71-68. It was their first basket in over six minutes. "Super Mario" Chalmers hits both ends of the 1 and 1 with 45.1 seconds left in overtime. Collins from Kansas slips loses the ball on the inbound. PG is about to kill him. "Don't dribble!" PG yells at Memphis before Chris Douglas-Roberts misses a three. Kansas came back from down nine with two minutes left in regulation. Kansas wins 75-68. Congratulations to KU! Congratulations to Coach Bill Self! Congratulations to Assistant Coach Danny Manning for getting into the College Basketball Hall of Fame on Sunday. Larry Brown coached Danny and the Miracles to Kansas' last championship in 1988. It was a very memorable time as I was on my high school senior trip to Washington, DC. For those keeping the score, The Tank picked Kansas to win it all at the beginning of the tournament, touch wood. (This is even more accurate than my pick of Ohio State beating Florida 75-73 in last year's Finals. However, it was as accurate as my Yankees 94 win prediction during the Yankees' darkest hour last summer or Ohio State beating Michigan by three points in the Immortality Bowl in November 2006 to beat out ESPN's Scouts Inc who had Michigan winning the game by three points.) If you ever have a chance to go to Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas, please go. I trained in Lawrence in team handball in the U.S. Olympic Festival in Los Angeles in the summer of 1991. In between training sessions, I went to the "Phog" with a couple of teammates. The lights were off during the day and sunlight streamed through the windows. It is a basketball cathedral and I heard the ghosts from the past. "Rock Chalk Jayhawk!" "Rock Chalk Jayhawk!" It's times like that make college sports so much more special than professional sports. Posted by a psyched up Tank at PG's Place on the Upper West Side.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Will John Calipari Be the Knicks Next Head Coach?
The above headline isn't a rumor but more of a hope, a prayer that new Knicks President Donnie Walsh fires Isiah and hires Memphis Coach John Calipari.
Calipari is from New York as is Walsh. Calipari coached the Nets back in the 1990s with players like Kerry Kittles. Calipari wasn't too successful so might not be inclined to take Walsh's offer. However, the thought of turning around the Bricks into the Knicks again might be the challenge that Calipari wants, especially if Memphis wins tonight. Calipari will have a national title and a nearly undefeated season.
If Calipari doesn't win, he might pass on the Bricks and stay in college. He makes lots of money, can recruit any player in the country he wants, and is literally Big Man on Campus (BMOC).
But if Calipari wins, isn't there part of him that wouldn't want to come home and help the millions of suffering Bricks/Knicks fans? He would be the brightest coaching star on the world's biggest stage. What do you say John? I can't handle another season of Isiah. Please come home John.
Posted by a desperate Tank in NY.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
And Then There Were Two - Final Four
I stopped by PG's place on the Upper West Side to watch the Final Four. The first game was Memphis against UCLA.
Both teams had trouble making baskets in the last ten minutes, especially UCLA didn't hit a three point basket until less than a minute left.
Memphis' Chris Douglas-Roberts had trouble making shots down the stretch.
What impressed me most was that Memphis was able to win in a half court game. Yes, they prefer up tempo but can win playing patiently. More importantly, they continue to make free throws. They were 58.7 percent during the season and 87.0 percent tonight. Unbelievable!
UCLA has won three straight Final Fours and came up short 78-63 to Memphis.
Congratulations to Memphis for winning a historic 38 games!
--------
The second game featured North Carolina versus Kansas in a match up of traditional powers.
Kansas tried to take Tyler Hansbrough out of his game. My advice is make him work on the defensive side to wear him out later in the game.
Kansas jumped out to an early lead leading 23-10 at 11:30 mark in the first half. Kansas stretched it to 31-10 at the mid way point of the first half.
Aldrich had longer arms than Hansbrough to get a rebound at 9:32. I made this point yesterday.
Kansas nails a three pointer to take a 38-12 lead at 7:32. PG says "it's over!" There is still lots of basketball left. Carolina has to start running plays or they will continue to be run out of the gym. They are taking too many ill advised three point shots.
PG asks "if the guy is bleeding, should a foul not be called." Good point bro!
Carolina didn't make a field goal for 9:03.
Carolina then goes on a 10-0 run to close the lead to 40-22 at 2:27.
Kansas is tired but has a 44-27 lead at half time.
"17 is doable," PG says. I agree.
After halftime, Kansas ran a perfect give and go to extend the lead to 19. You couldn't diagram it. Kansas weathered Carolina's initial run.
Carolina cuts it to 14 at the first TV timeout at 15:54 left in the second half.
PG predicts for a pivotal moment with five minutes left. Kansas needs to go back to basics. I agree with PG.
Carolina's half court trap works. They get the tie up to cut it to 54-44. "Why are they taking three pointers?" PG asks. I agree.
Kansas went dry for over five minutes. Carolina closed it to 54-50 with 11:08 left.
"How much has Michael Jordan bet on this game?" I ask PG. PG thinks the same thing as Jordan is a serial gambler and most famous Carolina alum. Talk about ESP.
Collins hit a key basket with 5:25 to increase the lead to 67-59. PG's basketball instincts are as good as anyone's. The refs finally call a travel on Hansbrough at 3:40.
"Have movies gone AWOL?" PG asks in reaction to the "I Hate Sarah Marshall" movie trailer.
"Does Kansas know anything about clock management?" PG asks as Kansas pulls for a quick shot with about three minutes left.
It's nice to see Larry Brown in the stands. PG thinks he is a "tortured artist".
"Tyler Hansbrough always looks like he is going cry. How can the best college player have such a herky-jerky game? Aldrich has ten times more grace than Hansbrough." PG observes even though he hasn't seen these teams play this season. PG is more a NBA fan than college fan.
Kansas wins 84-66. "Rock Chalk Jayhawk!"
Posted by The Tank reporting live from PG's Place on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Final Four Frenzy
The Final Four is finally here. All #1 seeds made it, the first time ever. I picked all four, except Memphis. My cousin Mirko was right that they would make their free throws. Wow!
What no one could anticipate is a key player, Andre Allen, getting suspended. Double wow!
Which Memphis will show up? The one that couldn't make free throws or the one that can? How will they play without the suspended Andre Allen? Memphis has better athletes and they embarrassed Michigan State and Tom Izzo. Ouch! John Calipari is a great coach but I think UCLA is a better team. I still like UCLA. Expect them to slow the game down.
Kansas versus North Carolina is the marque matchup. Yes, North Carolina is the favorite but I think Coach Bill Self is due to win the big one. North Carolina is also due for a bad game. Louisville gave them a run but nothing like Davidson gave Kansas. I think Tyler Hansborough is a great college player and will be a good pro. He won't be great like Michael Jordan or even James Worthy but a solid pro nevertheless. His slowness and short arms will decrease the likelihood of being a super star in the NBA.
Watch for Kansas to upset the Tar Heels in a close game.
Yesterday marked 25 years since North Carolina State upset Houston in the college basketball version of David beating Goliath. I remember Coach Jimmy Valvano looking for someone to hug as if it were yesterday. How time flies?
On a tragic note, yesterday marked 40 years since Martin Luther King Jr. was killed in Memphis. May his memory of peace, non-violence, and social justice be eternal.
Posted by The Tank in NY.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Joba's Jubilation
Joba Chamberlain has unfortunately been criticized over the past few days on ESPN 1050 and 660 The Fan for his celebration after striking out Frank "Big Hurt" Thomas on Tuesday night at the Stadium. As you know, I was there and did not have any issues with it. Joba did NOT taunt Thomas and you don't want to anger a guy like that. He was only celebrating striking out a possibly Hall of Famer in a key spot to help nail down an important victory.
To his credit, Thomas didn't have a problem with Joba's celebration. With 24/7/365-6 sports talk radio, I think people over analyze. Joba's enthusiasm should be welcomed on a veteran team. He is a young guy who wants to win. Nothing wrong with it. If he gets out of line, Joe Girardi and the rest of the team will let him know.
Posted by the Tank in NY.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Pedro's Pain
I felt Pedro's pain after he strained his hamstring in his first start on Tuesday. Pedro went on the disabled list on Wednesday. He'll probably be there until early May at the earliest.
I originally tweaked my hamstring in college and reinjured it in August 2004 in the Fifth Avenue Mile and slightly tore it in the Berlin Marathon on September 25, 2004. It is the hardest muscle to heal and it still flares up occassionally -- like last week. Ouch!
For the time being, Willie and Omar will have to make due without Pedro. Combined with the off days, the Mets maybe able to get by until El Duque makes a couple more rehab starts.
To quote President Clinton, "Pedro, I feel your pain." Get better soon.
Posted by sympathetic Tank in Painville.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Final Opening Game at the Stadium
The final Opening Day was supposed to be on Monday at the Stadium. It would have been the only Opening Day in the month of March. It was not to be as it was postponed until Tuesday, April 1. There were some showers and wind during the day but first pitch temperature was in the 60s.
As I got off the train (hey, I had a couple of interviews today and there were signal issues at 125th Street), my buddy A-Rod doubled home Abreu. Yankees 1 - Blue Jays 0. Yeah!
The Jays tied with a run in the top of the second.
JH asks how many hits Jeter has. Off the top of my head, I estimated 2,200; it was thankfully higher at 2,356 going into Monday's game. Jeter caught stealing to end the third. Darn it!
Melky makes a great catch off of Overbay in right-center field. Melky makes another great catch in front of JH and myself to end the top of the fourth. Yeah!
Abreu singles to lead off the bottom of the fourth. A-Rod hits into a double play. Giambi grounds out to end the fourth. Yankees 1 - Blue Jays 1.
The Blue Jays score a run while I went to get something to eat.
Melky tries to bunt to start the bottom of the sixth. I like Girardi's small ball. The Yankees are going to run more because they are in better shape and better health, touch wood.
Melky's home run in the bottom of the sixth ties the game at two. Damon, Jeter, and Abreu all ground out to end the sixth.
Giambi makes a great catch in the top of the seventh. A-Rod stabs Eckstein's ground to end the top of the seventh.
It's good to see Chico the Drug Dealer back in the bleachers and off the streets. As I tell my nephew and Goddaughters, "hugs, not drugs!". Thanks to my encouragment, Chico is no longer dealing drugs. Good job, Chico! I promised Chico my A-Rod link. BTW, I don't have a car, but if I did, I would like one like this.
A-Rod single to start the seventh. Giambi walks. Cano hits to second but Giambi stops then stops. Cano is out at first but Giambino makes it to second safely. Matsui grounds to Eckstein to force Jorge and A-Rod scores. Cabrera strikes out to end the inning. Yankees 3 - Blue Jays 2.
Mariano and Joba start to loosenup below.
It's Joba time -- his stats from last season as he warms up.
Joba got Stewart to ground out to Cano. Rios walked on a full count. Vernon Wells is a tough out. Joba struck out well but Posada couldn't get Rios stealing second. Frank "The Big Hurt" Thomas strikes out to end the top of the eighth. The crowd goes crazy.
Johnny Damon triples to lead off the bottom of the ninth. Johnny looks faster and healthier than last year, touch wood. Jeter and Abreu ground out. A-Rod is intentionally walked. Giambi grounds out.
Mariano is warming up below.
Mariano strikes out Overbay. Please be seated. Melky catches Hill's fly ball to Death Valley. Whew! Scutaro grounds out. Ball game over, the Yankeeeesss win! The Yankeeeesss win! Yankees 3 - Blue Jays 2.
Posted by The Tank reporting Live from Yankee Stadium in the Boogie Down Bronx.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Sensational Santana Start
Johan Santana lived up to all the hype of his contract and billing by pitching a seven inning, eight strikeout performance in the Mets 7-2 victory at the Florida Marlins.
Johan was helped by superb hitting from Steve's favorite player, David Wright, who had a three run double.
Before Johan's first pitch, Brooklyn Pete took time out of his busy but fun schedule attending the Winter Music Conference in Miami to see if I was at the Stadium. I was trying to wait out the rain at the Stadium. PermaGuest Outlaw Jack was already inside as we tried to figure out if the game was going to start. I've said it once and I'll say it again, the Yankees (and other inclement weather teams) need a retractable roof in the new stadium like the Mariners and Blue Jays, where the game should have been played.
Posted by a drenched Tank in NY.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Nationals New Stadium Symbolizes DC's Comeback
The Washington Nationals opened the US part of the season by beating the Atlanta Braves 3-2 on a walk off home run by Ryan Zimmerman. President Bush threw out the first pitch at the brand new Nationals Park in our nation's capitol.
When I lived in DC in the mid 1990s, the neighborhood that the new stadium was pretty bad. I kept my head down hoping not to get shot while I looked for an apartment there.
I'm really happy that baseball is back in the nation's capitol. I hope politicians, public policy wonks, and others who lead our country take a chance to chill out, catch a ball game, and find a way to solve our problems. They should leave the name calling to the other team's players. 
Play Ball!
Posted by an optimistic Tank in a DC frame of mind.
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