It was an interesting scene in Toronto tonight as I arrived to the Air Canada Centre just an hour after news broke of the big trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies.  Over the last couple seasons we have waited to see if the Lake-show could pull the trigger on a deal - or if they had the players to deal for an impact player.

With Kwame Brown's contract about to expire and Memphis's intent to rebuild it made sense to make a deal.  Memphis grabs a young kid, a relatively young guy in Brown and 2 draft picks that need lots of prayer to become impactful.  This allows the Grizz to start over amd they will have some cash to show for it.

The Lakers grab a guy who can make an immediate impact.  This move allows them some breathing room as Andrew Bynum recovers from injury, and it gives them a blanket if Bynum does not return to form.  If he does return to form it allows Lamar Odom to slide to the small forward position while Pau plays the 4.  And, it gives them a deeper bench when Luke Walton slides beside some of the other contributors like Ronny Turiaf and Jordan Farmar.

This is a win-win for both teams without a doubt.  The need to crash the boards is imperative in the West and Los Angeles has more weapons than they know what to do with.  I should know; I watched a depleted Laker team roll over the Toronto Raptors.  Kobe Bryant was on tonight and unlike last night he got some help offensively.  Tonight's game proved that Toronto may be able to score but can't hold it together defensively on a consistent basis.  But with L.A. playing their 2nd game in as many nights they should have been stronger out of the gate.  Lakers got momentum and never looked back.

Last point on the Lakers: Prior to this deal I was still not on-board with putting them into the serious contender category despite their strong record.  Now, my view has changed.  They are absolutely a team that should be a factor in April.  This is a team built to go past round 1.  If they don't there is a problem.  They now have a great starting 5 (with Bynum back) and the forward position was a bigger need than point guard.  Derek Fisher can run the show because he won't try to do too much.  He knows the offense, he knows his limitations, he can still hit shots and knows how to play in big games.  Specifically speaking, Paul Gasol is a better acquisition than Jason Kidd.

Other stuff....

- I just realized Fox used the "Pau-er" line.  I'm pissed.

- After his 13.5 million is up in 2008, Johan Santana will pull in 137.5 million over 6 years.  That is phenomenal.  Hope the kid can hit.

All seriousness, the guy is one of the best pitchers in baseball and barring any setback or injury he should contend for a Cy Young.  Being able to avoid a big bopping DH and getting the opportunity to face pitchers with 1 or 2 out and runners on base will pay off for Johan.  It is a different ballgame with different scenarios when you play in the National League in comparison to the American League.

As for the contract itself, a lot of bad pitchers get paid a ton, so this is not a surprise and not out of this world in comparison to the #3 pitchers who make 8 figures per year.

- When Bill Belichick says his team is "ready to roll", I tend to believe him.  Some may feel the New York Giants can beat New England and they may be right, but I don't see it.  Yes, they played the Pats tight IN New York IN the cold IN front of their hometown.  In Arizona it will be warm and it is a neutral site.  The way I see it, the conditions favour the New England passing attack.  Passes that went through the hands of receivers will be easier to catch, and nobody is as accurate or precise as Tom Brady - even if he is disrupted in the pocket.

The real question should be if Eli Manning can continue his excellent play.  In my mind, he's grown as a player over the last month or so.  And he should be proud of the way he has battled throughout the playoffs.  He has beaten two teams he wasn't suppose to beat, outplay both quarterbacks and has defied expectations, which brings me to this...

- Tiki Barber is trying to protect himself now that his former team has made it to the Super Bowl the year after he reitres.  Tiki came with baggage and now that the baggage is gone the team can re-focus.  He had his quarrels with Eli Manning, Tom Coughlin and Michael Strahan.  This isn't a coincidence.  Somewhere down the line we have to look and say that maybe New York really IS better off without him.  I think they are.

- Who are we kidding when Pat Riley says Shaquille O'Neal should be in the All-Star game?  Should Magic be playing as well?

- Again, I realize nobody really cares about hockey but I will say it again: Alexander Ovechkin is THE best hockey player on the planet.  He is one of the very few players who has to single-handedly carry his team to victories.  I wonder how long he can keep this up.  Eventually he will need a stud playing alongside him.

Time to unwind.  And get ready for the Super Bowl.  I hope to witness history this Sunday.  It will be nice to explain how I got to watch a Football team go undefeated in one season.  Doesn't come around often folks.

The countdown has begun for...

- ...The Super Bowl, as New England and New York square off on Sunday.  What I'm not sure about is whether Bill Parcells or Dave Meggett will be cheering for the Giants or Patriots.  Perhaps Tiki Barber will put on a throwback Drew Bledsoe jersey and pray New York doesn't win.  If he says he's happy for his ex-teammates he's lying - he's wanted a ring so badly and it stings that the team has come together without him or his ego in that locker room.

Speaking of Bledsoe, it would have been interesting if Robert Kraft were to have called him for this game in case Tom Brady's foot fell off during a drive.  Kid you not, I was thinking about it.

What I do know is this is New England's game to win and to lose.  The New York Giants have fought hard to get here and should be credited for coming together and growing as a team through the pains they have shared together.  Nobody expected the week 17 matchup of these two teams to be the Super Bowl preview.  We'd be in for a great game if this was the case.  But instead of the game being played in New York we watch this in Arizona, a neutral site game.

That said, Arizona's warm weather plays into New England's passing attack and if their O-line stays one step ahead of the Giants defensive front it will be a long game for that Giant defense that has a very suspect secondary as is.

My call is New England will win and cap off one of the greatest seasons in sports history.

-...Jason Kidd sweepstakes have begun as the disgruntled point guard wants out of New Jersey.  The backboard and basketball rims inside the area breathe a sigh of relief.

Let's remember how he showed up; he left a deep West Conference and a checkered past with Phoenix to a depleted East with virtually no dominant point guard left (A.I. had moved to the 2 spot by then).  Though he couldn't shake off the rusty jump shot or his wife's makeup from his knuckles he gave New Jersey a lift into the NBA finals twice and quickly helped himself to becoming the best point guard on the planet - facing nobody in the East to get there.

Since then he helped Byron Scott get fired and he still dents rims with regularity.  He also went through a messy divorce and hasn't been that leader New Jersey can depend on.  Perhaps he will head back West to help a decent team get better, but he will quickly find out that there are point guards - LOTS OF THEM - that will shread him to pieces every night.  If he goes to the West he isn't a top 4 point guard in that conference.  Good luck with that trade.

-...Johan Santana is looking to get PAID by the New York Mets.  Is it just me or are these prospects not what they seem?  If I'm giving up potentially the best pitcher in baseball why would I want a mid-20's pitcher with a losing record and a 22 year old who makes Richie Sexson a batting champ?  I suppose the Mets needed this one as they held onto Lastings Milledge so long that they got, well, nothing in return.  Unless this 22 year old becomes legit overnight and learns to hit at least .260 in the major leagues this trade will be a success for the Mets - unless Santana goes Francisco Liriano in two months.  God forbid.

-...Tiger Woods attempt at the Grand Slam.  We say this every year and we see him fall short.  No slight on the guy - it's not like he sucks or anything.

But Tiger is entering his golf prime, or at least according to history as guys in their early 30's find their best success on the golf course, Seve Ballasteros excluded.  So if there was a shot at it we could see the best attempts over the next couple of years.  After that, we may not see another male golfer bring the kind of game or intensity or desire to win like Tiger Woods. 

It's sad, but wait and see when Tiger hits 45; we'll watch Tiger past his prime and obviously not the golfer he once was KILLING himself on the golf course for another major championship and he'll be playing with a young stud who just doesn't have the same will, focus or guts Tiger brings to the golf course.  It's great now that we see the guy who wants it the most winning the most - but how will we react when we see that same man unable to beat random Joe's who luck out a major victory? 

We'll probably be cheering for the fallen hero to return to glory one last time the way we rooted for Jack Nicklaus in 1986 and, for me, 1998.

The countdown has begun.  Tick tock, tick tock.

Break out the hometown flag as this writer is playing the role of homer. 

It couldn't be further from the truth as the Toronto Raptors shocked the Boston Celtics Wednesday night in Beantown.  The game-winning basket was scored by the man who began the year as the second-fiddle to starting point guard T.J. Ford, who suffered a career-threatening injury when he was accidentally hit in the head by Al Hortford that triggered a neck/spinal cord injury that has plagued his young career.

What Calderon has done in place of Ford has not only been remarkable, it comes to no surprise to this writer who has watched a young man with a lot of talent find himself and his abilities to be a very effective point guard in the NBA.  In fact so effective that he should be going to the NBA All-Star game this year.

My gut feeling is he won't.

Heading into the game against Boston, Calderon was scoring just under 12 per game and roughly 8.5 assists per game to go with a shooting percentage of over 50%, free throw percentage over 91% and a 3-point shot at 42% - a significant increase from last season.  Let's also remember that his assist-to-turnover ratio is over 5.5 to 1 - best in the NBA.

But you must remember that he was the backup at the beginning of the season which will naturally keep his averages low for an All-Star calibre player.  That said, Calderon has averaged 14 per game, 9.5 assists per game, 50% shooting with over 96% at the free throw line and a 41% 3-point shot over the last month.  His assist-to-turnover ratio?  It dropped to 4.7 to 1 - still incredible.  It's also incredible to watch a guy adjust to the significant increase in playing time and having to be the man in crunch time which he has done gracefully.

Despite having a much better year than Jason Kidd, Kidd will represent the East at the point guard position.  That comes to no surprise as Calderon was not on the ballot and even if he was the All-Star selection process is a popularity vote and the best player does not always get voted in.  The next spot (or two) will be filled by Chauncey Billups who is having another solid season.  If a 3rd point guard is selected it gets tricky; Joe Johnson could be asked to slide to the point guard position if he is picked to go (as could Dwyane Wade), and the other true point guard candidate that could take that last spot is Mo Williams of Milwaukee, who's having a very good year in his own right.  Jamaal Tinsley would have gotten consideration before the new year but he has begun to fade.  Honourable mention to another guy who is having a solid year is Andre Miller.  However, I don't know if he would be producing like this with a team that was going somewhere.

If there were no ballots and they stuck the vote in my hands, Billups and Calderon would be the two point guards going out of the East.  Then again, I'd probably ask to move one of the stud guards from the West into the East.  I want to run down the loaded guns they have: Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Baron Davis, Tony Parker, Jason Terry and Steve Nash.  Not too shabby.  Nash, Paul and Williams would be my first 3 picks out of the bunch.

Perhaps the late opportunity to start and the lack of publicity for Jose Calderon will be the reason he sits at home during this year's All-Star festivities.  Make no mistake about this young man because he has come a long way since his rookie year with the Toronto Raptors.  If his improvement in his game continues he will be an All-Star next year - unless we witness an incredible comeback from T.J. Ford that would spark discussion as one of the best feel-good comeback stories of 2008.

 

Canadian humor.  Laugh a little.  Because when this post is over you won't want to laugh. 

Speaking of which, I can't laugh at this Washington v. Chicago Thursday night game with the irritating Bryant Mumble calling the game.  Bad injuries, bad first half so far.  But there are more depressing topics to discuss.

- I have been sitting on this for a while because I wanted to choose my words properly.  My problem is I can't seem to choose which words to keep or let loose.  It has something to do with a reputable award that is over-inflated and tainted.  That is called SI Sportsman on the year. 

When I found out it was Brett Favre I didn't know whether to laugh or shake my head - so I did both.  As if the man needed any more unnecessary recognition he gets an award he did deserve.   Look, I know he broke Dan Marino's record, I realize that.  But are you going to tell me he deserved this award over Peyton Manning and his climb to Super Bowl victory?  Who had more pressure on him than Peyton?  He answered his toughest critics by winning the big one.  Clearly he had a much tougher road THIS YEAR than Favre.  We're talking about a sports calender year and not a total body of work. 

But this year the sportsman of the year should have been Roger Federer.  The guy had another phenomenal year and a better year than Favre.

What is hilarious about this is the term "sportsman".  You would think of a "sportsman" as a good teammate, selfless player and great team and individual achievement.  Selfless he isn't.  Did you watch the Dallas game last Thursday?  Did you watch him go downtown a few times for no reason?  Did you see his disappointment in his face after Ryan Grant's rushing touchdown?  Or what about the time he cost his kicker a chip-shot against Minnesota in the playoffs a few years ago because he underhanded a pass over the line of scrimmage to avoid a hit - a LAUGHED about it.  It cost his kicker yardage and he missed the field goal.  Or what about his indecision on playing in 2006?  That may make him a poor teammate by compromising the Green Bay Packers franchise - and perhaps using this strategy to leave town and play for a better team.  How about meddling with another player's contract dispute (Javon Walker) - yet nobody will acknowledge Brett's disloyalty or selfishness in that situation.  Face it people, he is in the same class(less) as other football players you call selfish (Owens, Moss, CJ etc.)  Wake up and watch his Jeckyl and Hyde reaction to passing and rushing touchdowns.

- In case the last paragraph rubbed people the wrong way I should dust off a previous post where I said the Cam Cameron hire was a terrible hire for Miami.  Had to find something a bit easier to validate.

- Anyone that feels sorry for small market teams like the Kansas City Royals should just forget about it because signing Jose Guillen to 36 for 3 is ridiculous.  And he will miss the first 15 games thanks to his love for juicing.  RED FLAGS.  If he has to play clean this year will he drive in nearly 100 runs like he did last year?  Don't count on it.

- I was hoping Toronto would give Florida their entire farm system to get Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera but I forgot they don't have one.  Nonetheless they want to trade their best player, Alex Rios, for either Matt Cain or Tim Lincecum.  Toronto fans are still waiting for a GM.

But Detroit has put themselves into a great position.  They have a young slugger that could be an incredible impact over the next decade.  Pudge and Guillen and Mags will not be around forever.  The pitching nucleus looks good for the Tigers.  The closer position seems to be the one weak spot. 

What does Detroit do with Brandon Inge?  They could have put Cabrera to the outfield except Detroit picked up Jacque Jones.  Inge will be moved - with the Tigers eating up some of his contract.

- Jason Kidd either had a migrane or is on strike - which one is it?  Either someone doesn't want him in the organization or Kidd wants out.  Either way this doesn't sound positive.  I can't decide who's at fault because Jason Kidd lacks credibility.  We know he can pass the ball, we know he can dent rims with his jump shot and we know he can beat his wife but I don't know if he is telling the truth. 
  
- Went to the Raptor game last night to watch Phoenix and it was another incredible game to watch.  All I've got to say.

- Cleveland Cavaliers are breathing a sigh of relief thanks to Charlotte's 17 for 3 offer for Anderson Varejao.  It is much better than 52 for 6 for a guy who averages under 7 points and 7 rebounds per game.

- Not a shock to hear Marc Crawford could have been the one telling his players to hurt Shane Moore.  It's not the first time a coach has done that and it hasn't been the last.  Still, people are missing some points...

1 - Bertuzzi issued the warning in a post-game interview prior to that game
2 - Matt Cooke dropped the gloves with Moore in period 1 - but lost the fight
3 - You get retribution early in the game and get it out of the way so we can move on.  We all thought the Cooke fight was the retribution but Vancouver broke the unwritten code - severely
4 - Bertuzzi has always been dirty - he once kicked a guy in junior and had an 8-game suspension another time. 
5 - It was a gutless attack and going face to face would have been more appropriate.

Crawford isn't innocent.  He was smiling when Moore had his bloody face on the ice.  He is an embarrassment to mankind.  And he has never been a good coach.  Ask the 1998 Team Canada Olympic team.

It's time for bed.  There is a feeling of ridicule coming on...

This week has been slack for yours truly so I want to take the time frame I have today to talk about some random events occuring everywhere in sports...

- Last Sunday: Chicago v. Chicago had an interesting play which exposed baseball and it's commentators who know nothing about the game.  When you watch basketball or football games you generally hear a color commentator know exactly what's going on with a random play and why a call was made.  Well in this baseball game the commentators didn't know and neither did the sports guy on the desk in Toronto knew either.  That also means nobody in that network knew it either.  Because I still umpire, I can clear that play up easily:

The runner collided with the shortstop at second base in an attempt to go to third, which is interference.  A defensive player cannot make contact with a runner as he/she is still running, whether they are running from one base to another or going back to a base when the fielder is not attempting a play. 

The White Sox got the runner on 3rd base in a rundown and got him out, as well as the guy between first and second.  So instead of 2 outs, all runners were sent back because of Juan Uribe's stupidity around the bag at second base.  But here is where the commentators and Toronto sports network dropped the ball...

The desk #### said the play should have been called dead which is absolutely false.  The play must play out because if there was an overthrow and a runner scores on that play, the play stands.  Best example I can give you is this: When a defensive player is offside in football, do they give the offense a free play?  Yes.  So if Peyton Manning throws a TD does it count?  Yes.  If they call the play dead while Marvin Harrison is wide open I would bet the Colts would be really ticked right?  Well, the same rings true with baseball as that kind of play warrants the teams to finish the play before making the call.  If the team committing the foul benefits, the umpires will not let them.  But if the team being hindered benefits with the play continuing, the play will stand and the call would be null and void. 

The Chicago commentators we're yelling about the game being played under protest.  "Hell yeah this game will be played under protest!".  Great, too bad your team will lose the protest.  As for the network in my neck of the woods, not having one person in that building sure about this call means they are not taking their sports not named hockey serious enough.

- Frank Thomas is a hall of famer regardless of playing more games at DH than First Base.  His statistics at first base were incredible during his time.  Ken Griffey may have been a better homerun hitter and Barry Bonds may have been the best all around player during Thomas's prime, but was there a more dangerous hitter than Frank?  He was one of the first in our time to personify the importance of challenging for the Triple Crown.  He was Albert Pujols before Albert Pujols, and Big Hurt's On-Base Percentage was always high.  He would have played more first base had the DH rule not existed and probably would have ended his career a few years back.  And even then I thought he was a Hall of Famer because of the dominance he had during the prime of his career.

- I don't care about his career batting average being 12 points better than the average second basemen or the fact that he just got to 3000 hits, Craig Biggio is no better than Barry Larkin who will not go to the Hall of Fame.  Biggio has to be credited for his longevity in the game of baseball, but the Hall of Fame is a bit extreme.  Look, he is a guy you'd have on your team in a second and would love to have him without a doubt.  He has been a very good player and second baseman, but the Hall of Fame?  I realize he's as solid as they come and his consistency is incredible but when I think of solid players at their position I think of Biggio as a Barry Larkin.  I also think if Biggio gets into the Hall of Fame then an argument can be made for Jeff Bagwell, who's impact for Houston was felt just as much as Biggio's. if not more.  If solid is another way to get in, then the Fred McGriff hype-train should start now.  And let's also remember that the best second basemen during Biggio's time were Roberto Alomar and Jeff Kent.

- The Boston Celtics got one of the best pure shooters of our time, Ray Allen.  The guy can absolutely stroke the rock and despite his ankle surgery he should still be more effective than the next option Boston has.  Only problem I saw with the trade involving them and Seattle is this: What will Seattle do with 3 point guards who are neither great or bad, and which ideal shooting guard will Boston move to play the point.  Each candidate are better suited at the 2 but they feel one of them can play the point.  Otherwise they would not have traded Delonte West. 

- Great move by Charlotte to get Jason Richardson.  The guy is very underrated and he's the best dunker I've ever seen.  Vince Carter may get all the hype but remember that J-Rich did all of Vince's dunks with greater difficulty and without a helper in the 2003 and 2004 slam-dunk contests.  And before last season J-Rich had improved his game every single year until injuries derailed his season last year.  If he's healthy he should thrive in the East.

- If Rashard Lewis goes to the Miami Heat you can pencil them in as the favourites to win the East Conference (keywords: East Conference).

- Good morning KG and Kobe.  How are you gentlemen feeling this morning?

- To anyone that is from or currently resides in Kansas City: Can you guys and gals honestly support an NHL franchise.  I'm really curious as to why the NHL would like to have a team in that market.

...If I don't get the chance to say this tomorrow, I wish Canada a happy 140th birthday on July 1.  Have a great long weekend my fellow Canadians! 

The moment your team is eliminated from the playoffs or from playoff contention is the time you keep quiet from any smack talk towards another team that has faired better than you during the year. That should be the unwritten code for sports fans everywhere. Why crack on someone's team when your team was brutal? That's pure hypocrisy. If us fans can show some humility and sportsmanship then all is good. But all the baseball fans can talk junk all they want over the next 4 months. Now let's start this blog...

Basketball

- No matter how you looked at this matchup, a great team was going to be eliminated and it was going to leave a bad taste in people's mouths. The Phoenix Suns happened to be the fall team in the matchup and as a playoff observer without any bias, people probably would prefer to see the Suns over the San Antonio Spurs for entertainment value. However, I am of the opinion that this matchup should have went down one round later. Yes, Utah could have upset the Spurs and even Golden State could have bumped Phoenix. However, basketball fans would much rather have taken their chances to see a Phoenix/San Antonio conference final. No matter how good Utah is, the West final has lost it's lustre and that is unfortunate. Least I can say that 3 of the top 6 NBA teams made the final four and Utah is part of that 6.

- Also part of the 6 are the Detroit Pistons who finally found a way to beat Chicago. Despite P.J. Brown's first half of his basketball life, the Bulls could not capitalize as they were up 5 heading into halftime. This matchup showed us the vulnerability of Detroit who should have squashed Chicago much easier than they did. As for Cleveland, they have yet to face a quality playoff opponent yet and we'll finally get to see them play a real team in Detroit (Thank god their series with New Jersey is over - that was was trainwreck). Expect this series to be in Detroit's favour but don't ask how many games it will take because that will be decided by Detroit. It is their series to lose.

Hockey

- Heading into the Buffalo/Ottawa Eastern Final we knew one team would have a serious heartbreak when they'd get eliminated. For Ottawa it would have been a deeper cut to an already severe wound of past playoff failures. But they FINALLY prevailed and it's Buffalo that has to wonder 'what if'. This is a Sabres team that dominated the East for the entire regular season. They came up just short last season when they thought they had the Stanley Cup finals appearance within their grasp. Now they will lose at least one top star, potentially two. They will walk into next season with a talented team but certainly not as deep as this year's squad. Needless to say it was going to be hard to see one of these teams not make it as both franchises have skeleton's in their playoff closets. One more point about Buffalo: They remind me of the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1992-94. They nearly made the Stanley Cup final in 1993 only to be an uncalled penalty and a Wayne Gretzkey performance of the ages away from getting the Toronto/Montreal hockey superpowers matchup. Then, like Buffalo did this season, the Leafs began the 1993-94 season with 10 wins in a row. Toronto then lost to a team who use to fall short and dissapoint in the playoffs despite having great talent: The Vancouver Canucks. Like Ottawa, they were the class of their division back in the early 1990's and won the Campbell Conference despite not winning the division that year like they did in year's past.

Football

- You won't go to mini-camp and now you will? Dear Brett Favre: Make up your mind and stick with it. This reminds me of his play on the field - questionable decisions.

Baseball

- Is there something up commissioner Bud Selig's sleeve? I did not understand ignoring the homerun record by Barry Bonds - until now. There could be one thing he wants to acheive by failing to show up for it and that's to send a message to fans and baseball that this record is worth nothing to him (I would understand it, but it's not the right move). The other thing could be that he's sitting on evidence that could clearly cream (pun intended) Bonds' career for good.

Currently I am near the end of the book "Game of Shadows". I am about 260 pages into it and the book has blown me away thus far. If Victor Conte had played his cards close to the vest perhaps he would still be supplying to this day. Though we have no evidence of other people designing undetectable performance enhancers as we speak, you know there are people out there producing and handing them to current athletes. We don't know the extent of how far or how bad this has gotten out of hand in all sports, much less baseball or the Olympics. And even more importantly, you want syringes and pills taken away from the high school kids who are looking for a pick-me-up to get into Division 1 Colleges or to get drafted as soon as possible - depending on the sport.

OTHER

- It's Victoria Day weekend and the fireworks are blasting off so loud outside my house that I keep thinking Jeff Weaver is giving up bombs to 12 year old kids at the local ballpark. This will go on all night so I hope you guys sleep well for me tonight because I certainly won't. Especially if Brad Lidge comes in to relieve Weaver.

The beautiful part about sports is you cannot run and you cannot hide.  This isn't like politics where something could happen that becomes a matter of public record and a politician will attempt to lie about how they voted on an issue or what they have said on record.  Better yet, they can tell you their favourite baseball player is Manny Ortez.  But while we sort out whether they are on the level or are just B.S. artists, we have sports on live and we pick for ourselves what we get out of it.  Everything about sports is right in front of you and that is the best part of it.  We can see events for ourselves and determine our own point of views on how things go down.  If we never had extensive coverage on sports we would have screamed 'conspiracy' during Game 4 of the Spurs/Suns game.  But since we saw it for ourselves would could formulate our own opinions.  That is why sports is so good.

- But what's not so good has been the play of the East Conference teams.  Watching the New Jersey v. Cleveland Game 5 last night made me want to scratch the walls until my fingers bleed.  Horrendous basketball, especially in the second half of the game.  Donyell Marshall played 7 minutes and that was 10 minutes too long.  And this comes after the Detroit Pistons failed yet again in their attempt to finish off the Chicago Bulls.  We talked up Detroit so much because in the second half of the regular season they stepped their game up after acquiring Chris Webber.  Now we have looked like fools as they have failed to pull the trigger to finish the Bulls off.  Credit to Chicago for fighting but Detroit has looked so bad I wonder how they got up 3-0 in the first place.  But that is not a fight we should get into as the NBA East is simply inferior to the West.  We are witnessing the NBA out of the West Conference, while the NBA East is playing for the NBDL title.  I'm sorry, the East is the B-league and they haven't played well enough to deserve better credit than the West Conference.  There is a good reason why the NBA First Team comes from the West, and deservingly so.

- The Phoenix Suns ran out of gas with their 6-man system yesterday as they lost a game they had within their grasp.  I wondered why they went with just the 6-man system but after about 5 seconds I understood that there was no way the Suns could have done anything more as they have only played the same 8 every single game.  Yes I know Pat Burke played but 3 minutes does not count.  When I looked at their roster there was one guy perfect to play in that game.  He's a veteran who has played in big games before, he's not what he once was but he probably has a ridiculous bank account: Former Wolverine and Phoenix Spokesman Jalen Rose.  Last night was a Jalen Rose type of game, perfect for his intensity and mentality.  He could have given the Suns 10 strong minutes, which would have meant less touches for Raja Bell and Leandro Barbosa, and that would have been a good thing last night.  Whenever they tried to run the offense and hold the ball they exposed why Steve Nash is the MVP of that team.

- Regardless of the victory last night, Buffalo didn't exactly light the world on fire.  Now that 9-second goal was phenomenal because it set a tone for the Sabres, but right after that the Sabres were out-played by Ottawa.  Thank Ryan Miller for the victory because without it they are cleaning their lockers out as we speak.  For Buffalo to win, Miller will have to steal this series like no other goaltender has stolen a series before.

- Chris Pronger'#### on Tomas Holmstrom is an example of what is bad about hockey.  Hockey experts will say that it's 'part of the game', but that is bullcrap.  It needs to be taken out.  That cheap shot being down 4-zip is like Kyle Farnsworth throwing a 100 MPH at Manny Ramirez's head when down by 9 and Manny'#### 2 bombs in the game.  Or like hitting Peyton Manning extremely late in the knee when down by 3 TD's.  Or for a basketball reference, throwing a forearm shiver on a player going for a lay-up when your team is down 15.  So tell me, if it's not right in those other sports why is it ok in hockey?  The answer is simple: It isn't, but people have accepted it and that's bush.

- Was it just me or was Bronson Arroyo's last pitch last night a total strike?

- Who is talking Toronto FC and why?  Not even Toronto is talking Toronto FC.

Thanks to Miracle and Shooter for their continued hard work and commitment to my show.  I appreciate all the support.  Have a great long weekend everyone!

It's pouring rain and lightning bolts outside the windows here near Toronto Canada.  Funny that I would mention where I am from seeing that you would already know that information based on what you see in my info section to the right.  But apparently not being American automatically makes you less than knowledgeable in sports than an American.  At least, that has been presumed to be true - otherwise why would the line, "I see you are from Canada" be written down based on a differing opinion?

I have no clue how to handle the prejudices of being less than sports-savvy due to my current residence so I'll just go about my business by the only means I know how: Talk sports anyway I know how.  I'll also take the argument as a sign that at least I'll stick to basketball, otherwise I may have to pull out the anti-American card that I tend not to use since I don't have a problem with Americans.  So for those that have never read a blog posted by me, a Canadian citizen, this is how I roll:

- Suspensions were layed down to Robert Horry of the San Antonio Spurs as well as Boris Diaw and Amare Stoudemire of the Phoenix Suns.  So the Spurs lose their 7th or 8th player (give or take where you slot Brent Barry) for two games, while Phoenix loses their 7th (Diaw) and their big man in the middle for just one.  Already people have begun to concede Game 5 to San Antonio because Phoenix is lost without Amare.  I find that to be interesting because although he and Diaw are key members of the team I seem to recall recent history as a springboard to my argument still giving Phoenix hope:

Last year Amare Stoudemire played 0 seconds during the Suns run to the Conference Finals, and they also had Kurt Thomas out as well.  The way I see it, they are playing with virtually the same team as they did last season.  Now, this does not mean the Suns will take Game 5 as the Spurs starting 5 plus Manu Ginobili off the bench remain the same.  However, discounting the Suns because they lose Amare doesn't make sense after what they did last year without their two big men in the playoffs.  I don't expect a Suns win, but seeing they are back in Phoenix anything can happen.  And, if they beat the Spurs will Steve Nash prove his worth yet again?  We'll wait and see, but he's the MVP of that team without question.

- How does New Jersey shoot 27 of 75 (36%) when 4 guys combine to shoot 15-18?  Especially since none of the star players figure into any of the 4 guys!  That is horrible.  All they had to do was get either Richard Jefferson, Vince Carter or Jason Kidd to hit 33% and they win Game 4.   I know people want to give Cleveland credit for an improved defense but let's just call it how it is: Two weak East teams who would not be in the playoffs if they were in the West.  Lebron James on a sprained ankle is killing Jersey as they have no answer for him.  And although I do not overhype Kidd as a point guard, he has played very well in the playoffs.  Granted, anyone can jack up T.J. Ford as I saw many point guards do this year against Toronto (But I still like Ford, a lot), but Kidd has shot better from the field aside from last night (He's been adequate rather than horseshit).  But make no mistake about it as Kidd continues to punish weak playoff teams guys like Parker, Baron and Nash continue to smash better opponents.  And someone should tell Jersey's big men to rebound because you can't have your guards being 1-2 easily in the rebounding stat sheet.  That cannot happen and should not happen.

- Tonight's Utah v. Golden State game probably has more anticipation and excitement than any Utah or Golden State game this year.  It's good that they are playing a game that any basketball fan would be excited to tune in for.  Where I would probably have baseball as the primary channel for the west coast game tonight, I will be glued on Utah/GS.

- Someone should tell Detroit that they can finish Chicago off anytime.  Tough to beat teams when the switch is off.  They are down by double-digits again.   And the momentum has been in Chicago's favour all night.

- Did Barry Bonds say he's too old for "childish Acvtivities" when referring to Curt Schilling?  Interesting coming from a guy who's childish behaviour around the media ("Get that camera out of my face") has been well-documented.  Right or wrong, he can't say that if he didn't hear everything as he conceded to the media that he didn't hear it. 

- Do I need to continue reading about Clemens throw well in a bullpen session?  Even Daisuke Matsuzaka says Roger is getting too much media attention over his comeback.  Unless he rips his yam-bag I could care less until he pitches in the MLB.

- Even though Roy Halladay may have an appendectomy, nobody is 100% convinced that the Blue Jays are telling the truth about his injury after not handle B.J. Ryan or Brandon League very well.  They practically need a doctor's note just to prove the injuries which means they have lost credibility as a franchise. 

- If anyone can come back from a 3-0 deficit in hockey I would say the Buffalo Sabres.  If there is one team that could blow a 3-0 series lead it would be Ottawa.  But I think the series is done unless the Sabres start playing Sabre hockey, fast up and down play, hard hitting and finishing plays.  They need to exploit their strength which is scoring.  Ryan Miller has proven he can steal games but he can't steal games when you score zero.  Regardless of the outcome, they are both good teams and Toronto Maple Leaf fans hate both.  They also don't know the words "winning", "common-sense" or "success".  Truly unfortunate.

...What's The Deeley-O is back on this Thursday and MIRACLE has busted out of the gate fast with an e-mail.  So if you want in and want to know about Canada or Canadians or just want a point of view from a Canadian, send an e-mail full of your questions to: chevradionoise@gmail.com.

If you need some direction and you've never sent an e-mail, check an old podcast of "What's The Deeley-O" at: http://chevpodcasts.blogspot.com/.