Memorial Day is the unofficial kickoff to summer. A little summer reading never hurt. Here are some fresh baseball takes on some Ernest Hemingway classics. Be sure to pick them up before you book your vacation to the beach.
“The (Robin)son Also Rises”- The protagonist is not an impotent war veteran in this coming-of-age installment of Hemingway’s bullfighting, bar-hopping classic. In fact, the main character is quite potent—at the plate, that is. Robinson Cano discovers his batting swing and in doing so, matures into the player the Yankees knew they were grooming for the second base job. Melky Cabrera is the modern day version of Roger Cohn, the struggling wanderlust writer. Cabrera is transported to Atlanta, where he loses touch with his good friend, Cano.
“To Walk-off and Walk Not”- The uplifting tale turned tragic is updated to present day Anaheim, California. Harry Morgan isn’t the brooding fishing boat captain, but this story still involves Cuba. Budding Cuban native, 26 year old first baseman, Kendry Morales, provides a new spin on critical decision making after he hits a walk-off grand slam in a late May baseball game. Morales celebrates for only a few brief minutes before breaking his leg while jumping around with teammates at home plate. A stirring string of calamities haunt Morales and his Angel-mates throughout the remainder of the season. The theme here is clear: You have to live with the consequences of your actions.
“For Whom the Ball Tolls”- Seventy years after its publication, a different kind of guerilla force is upon us. Mired in a losing season, Cleveland Indians’ pitcher David Huff, takes a drilling to the head during a game against the New York Yankees. The San Diego native’s experience sheds light on the dangers and vulnerability of pitching, much as Robert Jordan’s expertise is utilized to blow up a bridge. Alex Rodriguez adds the Spanish element in “For Whom the Ball Tolls”, and the entire Cleveland medical staff plays the part of Huff’s guide, Anselmo.
“A Farewell to Farms”-The descriptive and dreary “Farewell” evokes shades of Hemingway’s original novel. The setting is a deteriorating Detroit, Michigan in 2010. Sports are the only thing keeping the Motor City alive. Triple-A farmhand, Max Scherzer, is called back up to the majors to pitch against the Oakland A’s. The contest ends in a 10-2 victory and Scherzer striking out 14 batters. The saga lacks the tragic romance between Frederic Henry and Catherine Barkley, but Scherzer does change the mechanical flaw in his arm just as Henry becomes the stoic hero under duress.
“The Old Man and the C’s”-Tony LaRussa is the manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, who venture up the river to Chicago. Instead of a fictitious marlin that raises the hairs of an old fisherman, it’s the rival Cubs LaRussa must endure with the help of young friend, Albert Pujols. LaRussa dreams of his youth after watching Pujols club three homeruns and take down Lou Piniella’s shark-like Cubs. Although Pujols assumes the role of Manolin, his slumping struggles prior to the homerun eruptions are not unlike Santiago’s failure to catch a fish in 84 days. The novella doesn’t mention Joe DiMaggio, but there is a reference to the great Cardinal, Stan Musial.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Philadelphia Pitching Perfection
The best pitcher in baseball just joined an elite class of twenty players. CY Young winning hurler, Roy Halladay faced the minimum 27 Marlins Saturday as he threw the 20th perfect game in MLB history and second this month. The Doctor delivered in Miami, acing nine innings and striking out 11 batters in the Phillies’ 1-0 victory. Halladay tossed 115 pitches and the Marlins couldn’t touch him. The Philadelphia right-hander improved to 7-3 on the season and added another milestone to his already-stellar career. The Bluejays first round draft pick in 1995 and 13 year league veteran joins Jim Bunning as the only other Phillie to toss a flawless game.
Chris Coghlan nearly worked a leadoff walk in the bottom of the first inning off Halladay, but was called out on strikes. Jorge Cantu went to a 3-1 count before striking out on a foul-tip. Those at-bats were about as close as Florida would come to reaching base at an under-populated Sun Life Stadium on Saturday. Yesterday marked the second time in franchise history the Marlins have been held hitless. The crafty starter for Philadelphia induced eight groundouts and very few swings posed a challenge for the 33 year old and his team. Halladay’s offerings were enough to dispense the Marlins in a little over two hours.
The Phillies’ offense, which was shutout three straight games against the Mets last week, managed to crank out seven hits against Florida pitcher, Josh Johnson. Johnson recorded the loss, despite allowing just one unearned run through seven frames. He threw a career high 121 pitches in defeat and has not allowed an earned run in three starts. The only run of the ballgame came on a Marlins’ error in the top of the third. Cameron Maybin misplayed Chase Utley’s liner to centerfield, and Wilson Valdez scored. Valdez, the Phillies’ shortstop, had two hits, including his sixth double of the season. Valdez also starred in the field. He saved a potential hit in the sixth inning on a Maybin slap between short and third. The speedy Maybin was thrown out by a step to preserve Halladay’s perfect-o. Halladay endured a scare in the next inning, when he fell behind in the count to Hanley Ramirez. Last year’s National League batting champ was up 3-1 in the count before grounding out on a cut fastball.
Ace Halladay lowered his ERA to 1.99 and notched his third shutout of the season. Nothing fazed the unshakable Halladay on Saturday. Florida skipper, Freddy Gonzalez, sent three pinch hitters to the plate in the ninth. Halladay was within an out of pitching a no-hitter for Toronto in 1998 when he faced a pinch hitter, Bobby Higginson. The Detroit slugger clubbed a solo homerun to break up the no-hit bid that year. This year, Halladay held off the opposition from the bench. Mike Lamb lofted a fly ball for the first out in the ninth and Wes Helms was fanned to put the Phillies’ righty within one out from perfection. Ronny Paulino stepped to the dish as the Marlins’ final hope to reach base. Paulino grounded out to end the game and give Halladay a masterpiece to remember. Halladay had no margin for error, but still turned in the best effort of his historical career. This season is the second time since 1880 baseball has witnessed two perfect games in one season.
Parting Points: Best song to kick off any holiday- “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson
Sorry New York—There is no excuse for a seven run seventh against the Indians.
Chris Coghlan nearly worked a leadoff walk in the bottom of the first inning off Halladay, but was called out on strikes. Jorge Cantu went to a 3-1 count before striking out on a foul-tip. Those at-bats were about as close as Florida would come to reaching base at an under-populated Sun Life Stadium on Saturday. Yesterday marked the second time in franchise history the Marlins have been held hitless. The crafty starter for Philadelphia induced eight groundouts and very few swings posed a challenge for the 33 year old and his team. Halladay’s offerings were enough to dispense the Marlins in a little over two hours.
The Phillies’ offense, which was shutout three straight games against the Mets last week, managed to crank out seven hits against Florida pitcher, Josh Johnson. Johnson recorded the loss, despite allowing just one unearned run through seven frames. He threw a career high 121 pitches in defeat and has not allowed an earned run in three starts. The only run of the ballgame came on a Marlins’ error in the top of the third. Cameron Maybin misplayed Chase Utley’s liner to centerfield, and Wilson Valdez scored. Valdez, the Phillies’ shortstop, had two hits, including his sixth double of the season. Valdez also starred in the field. He saved a potential hit in the sixth inning on a Maybin slap between short and third. The speedy Maybin was thrown out by a step to preserve Halladay’s perfect-o. Halladay endured a scare in the next inning, when he fell behind in the count to Hanley Ramirez. Last year’s National League batting champ was up 3-1 in the count before grounding out on a cut fastball.
Ace Halladay lowered his ERA to 1.99 and notched his third shutout of the season. Nothing fazed the unshakable Halladay on Saturday. Florida skipper, Freddy Gonzalez, sent three pinch hitters to the plate in the ninth. Halladay was within an out of pitching a no-hitter for Toronto in 1998 when he faced a pinch hitter, Bobby Higginson. The Detroit slugger clubbed a solo homerun to break up the no-hit bid that year. This year, Halladay held off the opposition from the bench. Mike Lamb lofted a fly ball for the first out in the ninth and Wes Helms was fanned to put the Phillies’ righty within one out from perfection. Ronny Paulino stepped to the dish as the Marlins’ final hope to reach base. Paulino grounded out to end the game and give Halladay a masterpiece to remember. Halladay had no margin for error, but still turned in the best effort of his historical career. This season is the second time since 1880 baseball has witnessed two perfect games in one season.
Parting Points: Best song to kick off any holiday- “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson
Sorry New York—There is no excuse for a seven run seventh against the Indians.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Celtics Crush Conference
The big, bad blazing Boston Celtics knocked the Orlando Magic out 96-84 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals Friday at TD Garden. Boston advances to the NBA championship series, where they patiently wait the winner of the Western series between L.A. and Phoenix. The Celtics charged out to an early lead in Friday’s clincher on their way to a second NBA finals appearance in three seasons. Boston’s Paul Pierce outshined Orlando’s Dwight Howard with 31 points and 12 rebounds, and banked 4-of-5 3-pointers. Pierce, the eight time All-Star, collected nine points from the free throw line. Howard finished with 28 points and a dozen boards, while failing to take a shot from beyond the arc.
Rajon Rondo logged 35 minutes for the home team. He set the tone by driving home 12 of his 14 points in the first quarter and picked up a game high six assists along the way. Boston carved up the Magic 30-19 in the opening quarter after Orlando’s Jameer Nelson tied the game at 14-14. Nelson committed five turnovers for the sloppy Magic and scored 11 points. The Magic hardly challenged the inspired Celtics the rest of the contest. Boston blossomed their advantage to 55-42 at the half. J.J. Redick had three blocked shots for the visitors, but was held in check most of the night. Redick scored seven points in 23 minutes, the same amount as Orlando’s Rashard Lewis in half the time.
Ray Allen added 20 points, knifing his way through Orlando’s defense and sinking three from downtown in the Boston triumph. Allen exploded in the third quarter with ten of the Celtic’s 27 points. Boston’s Kevin Garnett shot 50% from the field and also scored in double figures, with 10. Orlando’s off-season acquisition, veteran Vince Carter, had 17 points as his dreams for a championship were nixed in his hometown. Carter ignited the Magic to highlight a mini-run in the second quarter as Orlando trimmed the Boston lead to 14 points. But it was Boston’s bench that answered with a promenading and pulverizing performance. Backup point guard, Nate Robinson, threw up 13 points in the second quarter to increase the Celtics’ point margin.
Boston knotted 11 of the first 13 points in the third quarter to continue their scoring prowess. Stan Van Gundy’s mediocre Magic were out-rebounded 56-44 and shot just 59% from the line. Orlando’s 20 fast-break points allowed didn’t help either. Boston’s offense broke down the Magic with a firm presentation. Kendrick Perkins delivered his only bucket, a smooth 14-footer from the baseline with one and a half minutes left in regulation to all but seal the deal for the composed Celtics.
Parting Points: Song of the day- “The Impression That I Get” by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones
A well-pitched game from Matt Cain yesterday against Arizona. It’s about time his name came up this season.
Patrick Crayton asked for an immediate release from the Cowboys. Yawn…
Rajon Rondo logged 35 minutes for the home team. He set the tone by driving home 12 of his 14 points in the first quarter and picked up a game high six assists along the way. Boston carved up the Magic 30-19 in the opening quarter after Orlando’s Jameer Nelson tied the game at 14-14. Nelson committed five turnovers for the sloppy Magic and scored 11 points. The Magic hardly challenged the inspired Celtics the rest of the contest. Boston blossomed their advantage to 55-42 at the half. J.J. Redick had three blocked shots for the visitors, but was held in check most of the night. Redick scored seven points in 23 minutes, the same amount as Orlando’s Rashard Lewis in half the time.
Ray Allen added 20 points, knifing his way through Orlando’s defense and sinking three from downtown in the Boston triumph. Allen exploded in the third quarter with ten of the Celtic’s 27 points. Boston’s Kevin Garnett shot 50% from the field and also scored in double figures, with 10. Orlando’s off-season acquisition, veteran Vince Carter, had 17 points as his dreams for a championship were nixed in his hometown. Carter ignited the Magic to highlight a mini-run in the second quarter as Orlando trimmed the Boston lead to 14 points. But it was Boston’s bench that answered with a promenading and pulverizing performance. Backup point guard, Nate Robinson, threw up 13 points in the second quarter to increase the Celtics’ point margin.
Boston knotted 11 of the first 13 points in the third quarter to continue their scoring prowess. Stan Van Gundy’s mediocre Magic were out-rebounded 56-44 and shot just 59% from the line. Orlando’s 20 fast-break points allowed didn’t help either. Boston’s offense broke down the Magic with a firm presentation. Kendrick Perkins delivered his only bucket, a smooth 14-footer from the baseline with one and a half minutes left in regulation to all but seal the deal for the composed Celtics.
Parting Points: Song of the day- “The Impression That I Get” by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones
A well-pitched game from Matt Cain yesterday against Arizona. It’s about time his name came up this season.
Patrick Crayton asked for an immediate release from the Cowboys. Yawn…
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Thursday Take-Twos (The Howard Edition)
Either the Celtics are running out of steam, or the Magic finally found their engine. The NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals is 3-2 in favor of Boston after Orlando shortened the gap on the Celtics’ three game lead Wednesday in Florida’s Amway Arena. The Magic incredibly have a plausible chance to winning the series. However, no team in NBA history has ever overcome a 0-3 deficit to win a seven game series. Dwight Howard and guard, Jameer Nelson, combined for 52 of the Magic’s 113 points in a 21 point Game 5 victory. Ironically, Orlando also shot 52% from downtown last night. The series heads to a pressure-packed Boston Friday, where the home Celtics could possibly be without Kendrick Perkins. The starting center for Boston was lost in the second period last night after picking up a technical foul, his seventh of the post-season. The league issues mandatory suspensions for exceeding the foul limit. The inundated Celtics also played without Glen Davis for the final quarter after Big Baby took a Howard elbow to the mouth and lost a tooth.
Orlando showed a bit of punch in a physical game, parading out to a 51-37 second quarter edge. J.J. Redick burst off the bench to give the Magic a much needed boost. The former Duke standout tallied 14 points to add to Orlando’s frenetic pace. Boston trailed 57-49 at the break. The Celtics couldn’t sustain a solid 3-point defense against the Florida hot hands. Nelson was 4-for-5 from the arc and Matt Barnes added three from the rainbow. Howard grabbed 10 rebounds and clamped down on the Celtics with five blocked shots. Superman stood on his platform as the team’s cornerstone Wednesday two days after the Magic stole an overtime Game 4 in Boston.
The Magic had an answer to every Celtics’ charge even when Boston trimmed their lead in the third quarter. Shooting guard, Vince Carter, struggled for the Magic but Rashard Lewis stepped up in the fourth quarter to lift the hosts to a second straight win. Lewis rattled off five consecutive buckets in the final period and finished with 14. Boston basketed just 17 points in the final quarter. Rasheed Wallace led the way with 21 points, followed by Rajon Rondo’s 17 for Boston. Ray Allen had a game high seven assists, but it wasn’t enough to send the Celtics to the NBA championship series. Allen and company have two more chances to put away this series.
Everyone has heard of Dwight Howard. Tim Howard? Maybe not so much. Tim Howard is one of three goalies named to the 23-man U.S. World Cup roster, finalize yesterday by Coach Bob Bradley. I decided to check into the number one goaltender who will try to lead our country to a soccer title this summer. Howard is a 31 year old Everton, England star. The six year veteran of England’s Barclay Premier League is not the oldest goalkeeper on the team, by the way. The American is expected to be one of the core leaders for Bradley’s U.S. squad next month. Many consider him in the top ten talent-wise for glovemen in the world. Howard was born in North Brunswick, New Jersey (one of three Jersey born on the team) and has occupied the number one position for the U.S. since 2006. He is a FIFA Gold Glove and U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year winner. Howard was also on the fourth place U.S. Olympic team that competed in Sydney in 2000. Bradley is banking on a bolder, better finish in South Africa with Howard in net again.
Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard is arguably close to the most-feared slugger in the National League (behind Albert Pujols). You wouldn’t have known it last night, as Howard was fanned twice and went 0-for-4 at the plate against the Mets. The MVP first baseman has seen his batting average dip below the .300 mark and he continues to leave runners on base. Would it make sense to move Howard from the clean-up slot? I think Charlie Manuel needs to insert some challenge into his struggling infielder’s head. He’s had four hits in his last 18 at-bats, and has struck out at least one time in all six of those games. Howard has eight dingers on the season, but hasn’t registered a multi-homer game yet. The Phillies’ first baseman had his best game on May 17th, where he drove in six runs in five plate appearances against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Yes, the same Bucs who have had something close to 17 straight losing seasons. It’s time for Ryan Howard to step up to the plate and dish out hits. Philadelphia relies on his bat, just as the Orlando Magic depend on Dwight and U.S. Soccer will soon look to Tim for the answers.
Parting Points: “I thought what I felt was simple, and I thought that I don’t belong”- Lisa Loeb
Is it just me or is there absolutely no buzz around the French Open this year?
Orlando showed a bit of punch in a physical game, parading out to a 51-37 second quarter edge. J.J. Redick burst off the bench to give the Magic a much needed boost. The former Duke standout tallied 14 points to add to Orlando’s frenetic pace. Boston trailed 57-49 at the break. The Celtics couldn’t sustain a solid 3-point defense against the Florida hot hands. Nelson was 4-for-5 from the arc and Matt Barnes added three from the rainbow. Howard grabbed 10 rebounds and clamped down on the Celtics with five blocked shots. Superman stood on his platform as the team’s cornerstone Wednesday two days after the Magic stole an overtime Game 4 in Boston.
The Magic had an answer to every Celtics’ charge even when Boston trimmed their lead in the third quarter. Shooting guard, Vince Carter, struggled for the Magic but Rashard Lewis stepped up in the fourth quarter to lift the hosts to a second straight win. Lewis rattled off five consecutive buckets in the final period and finished with 14. Boston basketed just 17 points in the final quarter. Rasheed Wallace led the way with 21 points, followed by Rajon Rondo’s 17 for Boston. Ray Allen had a game high seven assists, but it wasn’t enough to send the Celtics to the NBA championship series. Allen and company have two more chances to put away this series.
Everyone has heard of Dwight Howard. Tim Howard? Maybe not so much. Tim Howard is one of three goalies named to the 23-man U.S. World Cup roster, finalize yesterday by Coach Bob Bradley. I decided to check into the number one goaltender who will try to lead our country to a soccer title this summer. Howard is a 31 year old Everton, England star. The six year veteran of England’s Barclay Premier League is not the oldest goalkeeper on the team, by the way. The American is expected to be one of the core leaders for Bradley’s U.S. squad next month. Many consider him in the top ten talent-wise for glovemen in the world. Howard was born in North Brunswick, New Jersey (one of three Jersey born on the team) and has occupied the number one position for the U.S. since 2006. He is a FIFA Gold Glove and U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year winner. Howard was also on the fourth place U.S. Olympic team that competed in Sydney in 2000. Bradley is banking on a bolder, better finish in South Africa with Howard in net again.
Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard is arguably close to the most-feared slugger in the National League (behind Albert Pujols). You wouldn’t have known it last night, as Howard was fanned twice and went 0-for-4 at the plate against the Mets. The MVP first baseman has seen his batting average dip below the .300 mark and he continues to leave runners on base. Would it make sense to move Howard from the clean-up slot? I think Charlie Manuel needs to insert some challenge into his struggling infielder’s head. He’s had four hits in his last 18 at-bats, and has struck out at least one time in all six of those games. Howard has eight dingers on the season, but hasn’t registered a multi-homer game yet. The Phillies’ first baseman had his best game on May 17th, where he drove in six runs in five plate appearances against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Yes, the same Bucs who have had something close to 17 straight losing seasons. It’s time for Ryan Howard to step up to the plate and dish out hits. Philadelphia relies on his bat, just as the Orlando Magic depend on Dwight and U.S. Soccer will soon look to Tim for the answers.
Parting Points: “I thought what I felt was simple, and I thought that I don’t belong”- Lisa Loeb
Is it just me or is there absolutely no buzz around the French Open this year?
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Closure
It occurred to me on this day
That nothing will ever be the same
The sideline stands and structured play
Following the introductions by name
The fans filed familiarly behind the fence
Unclasping their hands to clap
Shaking their heads to make meaningful sense
Not at you, but at your playful tap
The moving feet sounds of screeching and stalling
Floating as lily pads upon the ponds
To the left, to the right, rising and falling
Like the stocks and the funds and the bonds
The trespassing ball trickles in and soars
Oozing freshness into an obsolete sport
I rip the return as my shoulder blade roars
Reinventing new ways to cut up the court
It’s not easy to sleep at night without knowing an end
Heavier still to rest when it is all over
I depart the hard greens for a softer friend
On this day, finally finding closure
That nothing will ever be the same
The sideline stands and structured play
Following the introductions by name
The fans filed familiarly behind the fence
Unclasping their hands to clap
Shaking their heads to make meaningful sense
Not at you, but at your playful tap
The moving feet sounds of screeching and stalling
Floating as lily pads upon the ponds
To the left, to the right, rising and falling
Like the stocks and the funds and the bonds
The trespassing ball trickles in and soars
Oozing freshness into an obsolete sport
I rip the return as my shoulder blade roars
Reinventing new ways to cut up the court
It’s not easy to sleep at night without knowing an end
Heavier still to rest when it is all over
I depart the hard greens for a softer friend
On this day, finally finding closure
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Supreme Skepticism to Stan-tastic
Most NHL fans didn’t anticipate the Philadelphia Flyers or the Montreal Canadiens fighting for the Eastern Conference and a chance to play in the Stanley Cup this season. Both proved skeptics wrong by advancing to the conference finals. The Canadiens upended the Capitals and defending champion Penguins. The Flyers were the last team to make the post-season on a shootout win in the final game of the regular season. Philadelphia went on to top the Devils before making history by besting the Bruins in four straight games. The Flyers became the first team to erase a 3-0 deficit and win a series in 35 years. Now, Philadelphia is high flying and back in their eighth Stanley Cup finals after eliminating Montreal 4-2 in the clinching Game 5 Monday night. The Flyers will face the Western conference-winning Blackhawks in Game 1 this Saturday.
Philadelphia netminder, Michael Leighton, allowed a goal 59 seconds into Game 5 but shutdown the Canadiens the rest of the way to help the Flyers earn the East. The 29 year old Ontario native made 25 saves to run his playoff record to 6-1. Leighton wasn’t even on the team’s roster in the beginning of the playoffs. Both skating squads were 0-for-6 on power play opportunities at Wachovia Center last night. The guest Canadiens were first to find the net on Brian Gionta’s ninth post-season goal but the Flyers offense ignited for three unanswered goals to plow ahead 3-1 after three periods. Jaroslav Halak, the crafty Canadien goalie, made 22 stops and yielded all three goals. Philadelphia’s gold medal winning captain, Mike Richards, tied the game with a first period goal and later added two assists. Richards’ tenacious tap-in slap came after an aggressive Halak collided with his own teammate, leaving an abandoned net as ripe for the taking for the captain.
Arron Asham provided Philadelphia’s first lead in the opening minutes of the second period. Jeff Carter, the Flyers’ regular season scoring leader, notched a pair of goals sandwiched between a Montreal tally by Scott Gomez. Carter’s second period shot from the far post occurred just over a minute after Asham hit the puck between the posts. Gomez’s third period goal wasn’t enough to save the Habs from going 6-0 in elimination games. Instead, the eighth-seeded Canadiens fell for the first time this season in decisive series-clinching games. Carter sent Philadelphia home champions with a put-away empty-netter for the game’s final goal. The spectacular Flyers have stuffed the skeptics by dropping the Canadiens in five games.
Parting Points: Song of the day- Staind’s “It’s Been A While”
Philadelphia netminder, Michael Leighton, allowed a goal 59 seconds into Game 5 but shutdown the Canadiens the rest of the way to help the Flyers earn the East. The 29 year old Ontario native made 25 saves to run his playoff record to 6-1. Leighton wasn’t even on the team’s roster in the beginning of the playoffs. Both skating squads were 0-for-6 on power play opportunities at Wachovia Center last night. The guest Canadiens were first to find the net on Brian Gionta’s ninth post-season goal but the Flyers offense ignited for three unanswered goals to plow ahead 3-1 after three periods. Jaroslav Halak, the crafty Canadien goalie, made 22 stops and yielded all three goals. Philadelphia’s gold medal winning captain, Mike Richards, tied the game with a first period goal and later added two assists. Richards’ tenacious tap-in slap came after an aggressive Halak collided with his own teammate, leaving an abandoned net as ripe for the taking for the captain.
Arron Asham provided Philadelphia’s first lead in the opening minutes of the second period. Jeff Carter, the Flyers’ regular season scoring leader, notched a pair of goals sandwiched between a Montreal tally by Scott Gomez. Carter’s second period shot from the far post occurred just over a minute after Asham hit the puck between the posts. Gomez’s third period goal wasn’t enough to save the Habs from going 6-0 in elimination games. Instead, the eighth-seeded Canadiens fell for the first time this season in decisive series-clinching games. Carter sent Philadelphia home champions with a put-away empty-netter for the game’s final goal. The spectacular Flyers have stuffed the skeptics by dropping the Canadiens in five games.
Parting Points: Song of the day- Staind’s “It’s Been A While”
Monday, May 24, 2010
Stoudemire Shakes Suns
Amare Stoudemire exploded for 42 points in helping to carry the Phoenix Suns to a nine point takedown of the L.A. Lakers in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. Phoenix cut L.A.’s deficit to 2-1 with the 118-109 defeat of the defending champions in Arizona. Phoenix was powered by the 27 year old Stoudemire, who matched a career high in points and added 11 rebounds. Stoudemire answered critics who scoffed at his defense and uninspired play by going 14-of-22 from the field and 14-of-18 from the line. The Suns are making a series out West with Game 4 set for Tuesday night at U.S. Airways Center. Phoenix will have a chance to knot the series even at 2-2 it shifts back to L.A.
The Suns’ zone defense flabbergasted the Lakers despite Kobe Bryant’s near triple-double. Bryant finished with 36 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds as the purple and gold suffered their first loss of the finals. His supporting cast was belittled. Stoudemire terrorized the L.A. interior defense, picking apart Pau Gasol and finding open space to sink buckets. Phoenix owns the second best downtown shooting in NBA history during the regular season. The Suns were even effective without their brilliant 3-point game being bright. Phoenix shot 25% from the arc, led by Jason Richardson’s 4-of-7 line. Richardson scored 19 points and Robin Lopez notched 20. The Suns’ center, Lopez, went 8-of-10 on shooting, including dazzling dunks, razzing right –handed rebounds and left hooks. It was Lopez’ third week back after a seven week hiatus but his seven foot presence was enough to frustrate the Lakers inside.
The Lakers’ bench was tamed in Game 3, hitting 11-of-37. The Suns were aggressive and took advantage of L.A.’s poor execution. Lamar Odom made four of his 14 attempts with 10 points in a mediocre performance before fouling out. Lakers’ malcontent, Ron Artest, went 4-of-13 and finished with a dozen points and half a dozen rebounds. Gasol finished at the 23 point mark and Derek Fisher contributed 18 for the visitors in the loss. It took L.A. a long time to figure out Phoenix’s zone defense and the champs found themselves down 54-47 at the break. Stoudemire broke loose for 16 points in the third quarter and topped off an impressive game with 13 in the final session. The Lakers were outscored and annihilated 18-3 in fast-break points. The Suns shot 57% in the second half but clung to only a two point lead at the end of three quarters.
L.A. took a 90-89 edge when Odom slipped a pair of free throws through the net with just under nine minutes remaining. The Suns took the lead for good when Lopez entered the contest for the struggling Channing Frye. Frye has missed 17 consecutive shots in this series. Phoenix’s Steve Nash tallied 17 points to go a long with 15 assists before banging his nose in a fourth quarter collision. Phil Jackson, the Hall-of-Fame L.A. head coach, picked up a rare technical foul after complaining about a non-call by the referees. The Suns irritated the Lakers, outperforming them entirely during the fourth quarter. A 93-92 Suns advantage quickly turned into a ten point lead.
Parting Points: Congrats to the Blackhawks for wiping out the Sharks.
The Cavs fired Mike Brown.
Jose Lima- RIP.
The Suns’ zone defense flabbergasted the Lakers despite Kobe Bryant’s near triple-double. Bryant finished with 36 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds as the purple and gold suffered their first loss of the finals. His supporting cast was belittled. Stoudemire terrorized the L.A. interior defense, picking apart Pau Gasol and finding open space to sink buckets. Phoenix owns the second best downtown shooting in NBA history during the regular season. The Suns were even effective without their brilliant 3-point game being bright. Phoenix shot 25% from the arc, led by Jason Richardson’s 4-of-7 line. Richardson scored 19 points and Robin Lopez notched 20. The Suns’ center, Lopez, went 8-of-10 on shooting, including dazzling dunks, razzing right –handed rebounds and left hooks. It was Lopez’ third week back after a seven week hiatus but his seven foot presence was enough to frustrate the Lakers inside.
The Lakers’ bench was tamed in Game 3, hitting 11-of-37. The Suns were aggressive and took advantage of L.A.’s poor execution. Lamar Odom made four of his 14 attempts with 10 points in a mediocre performance before fouling out. Lakers’ malcontent, Ron Artest, went 4-of-13 and finished with a dozen points and half a dozen rebounds. Gasol finished at the 23 point mark and Derek Fisher contributed 18 for the visitors in the loss. It took L.A. a long time to figure out Phoenix’s zone defense and the champs found themselves down 54-47 at the break. Stoudemire broke loose for 16 points in the third quarter and topped off an impressive game with 13 in the final session. The Lakers were outscored and annihilated 18-3 in fast-break points. The Suns shot 57% in the second half but clung to only a two point lead at the end of three quarters.
L.A. took a 90-89 edge when Odom slipped a pair of free throws through the net with just under nine minutes remaining. The Suns took the lead for good when Lopez entered the contest for the struggling Channing Frye. Frye has missed 17 consecutive shots in this series. Phoenix’s Steve Nash tallied 17 points to go a long with 15 assists before banging his nose in a fourth quarter collision. Phil Jackson, the Hall-of-Fame L.A. head coach, picked up a rare technical foul after complaining about a non-call by the referees. The Suns irritated the Lakers, outperforming them entirely during the fourth quarter. A 93-92 Suns advantage quickly turned into a ten point lead.
Parting Points: Congrats to the Blackhawks for wiping out the Sharks.
The Cavs fired Mike Brown.
Jose Lima- RIP.
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