This is becoming a nightmare for David Stern. He didn't want to see the events unfolding like this. He didn't believe that there were multiple refs "rigging" games besides Tim Donaghy. If this happened, the integrity of professional basketball could be ruined for a long time.
Yesterday, Tim Donaghy said that the 2002 Western Conference Finals, which featured the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings, was rigged by the referees. The Los Angeles Lakers did come back and win both games 6 and 7 to go on to the NBA Finals, but shot an incredible 21 of 27 free throws only in the fourth quarter. The Kings? Only 7 of 9 in the fourth quarter alone. Many Kings' players spoke to ESPN.com, or other sources, and everyone said basically the same thing: "I knew there was something wrong with those two games, they just didn't feel right. We weren't given a chance to win."
Phil Jackson, the current Lakers' head coach, who was the head coach back in 2002 responded differently. "Was that after the fifth game, after we had the game stolen away from us after a bad call out of bounds and gave the ball back to Sacramento and they made a 3-point shot?" he said. "There's a lot of things going on in these games and they're suspicious, but I don't want to throw it back to there."
Now, there are many views to look at this epidemic. Tim Donaghy may be an unreliable source because he is trying to decrease his sentencing which will be decided in July, and whatever he can say can ultimately lower his sentence. However, let's say the allegations he said were true. How badly can this affect the NBA? This could ruin the reputation of the NBA for a long period of time.
Of course, there are conspiracy theories created constantly, whether there are allegations about it or not. It's just that this time, there are allegations about games being rigged. It is unfortunate that the referees, who have a responsibility to call as fair of a game as they can, are bribed to alter games for various reasons.
However, the worst situation will be if the NBA executives bribed or told the referees in the 2002 Western Conference Finals to alter the series so it goes to 7 games. This is the worst situation because it will show the non-stability the league has, and the reputation they will get out of this. If TV executives and NBA executives are doing this, then it creates a lot of questions and doubts about the league and most importantly, about professional basketball. I don't believe David Stern had a say in rigging the games, and I don't think anyone did. From what I have seen and heard right now, it's either Tim Donaghy saving his a** or playing the "cat and mouse" type of game.
To avoid this situation from ever happening again, I suggest to the NBA that they have a group of members and their job is to make sure that this "ref rigging scandal" never happens again. Also, the NBA should make it mandatory that the referees go to press conferences after the game, and if there are any questionable calls, they explain their side of the story and show the media and the fans why they made the call they did. This is the only way in my opinion, to make sure that this is not going on.
After starting to lose the "thug" image of the NBA, it looks like if this scandal turns out badly, the NBA might have a new reputation that will be even harder to lose.
*donde16*
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Dominance at the French Open
Dominant - Exercising the most influence or control. Synonyms: Rafael Nadal (at French Open).
There are many words to describe Rafael Nadal in the French Open. Dominant, Beastly, Unstoppable, Extremely good, and etc. Watching Nadal cruise in the French Open, he makes it look too easy. He coasted through all of his opponents and made Roger Federer look like he was playing a second-round opponent. John McEnroe said that if Nadal and Bjorn Borg played in their primes at the French Open, he believes that Nadal would beat Borg. "He's one of the best clay court tennis players I have ever seen", said McEnroe.
Nadal is now 28-0 with 4 titles in the French Open. He plays perfectly on the clay court, which constantly frustrates opponents because clay court is so different than the courts in the U.S Open, Australian Open, and at Wimbledon. Nadal is the reason why Federer doesn't win every single tournament because Federer can't match Nadal's ability on the clay court.
Exactly how good is he on clay court? Like I said above, he's 28-0 at the French Open, but this year, he didn't lose a single set this year. A SINGLE SET! He destroyed Federer 6-1, 6-3, 6-0, and at no time in my opinion, I thought that Nadal would lose to Federer. Nadal's poise at France is remarkable, and mentally, Nadal must have put a huge dent on Federer's armor. Want a better stat? Nadal is 41-0 in 5 set matches on clay courts. Beast, monster, just plain dominant.
Now, we can't crown Nadal as the best clay court tennis player YET. Bjorn Borg, Nadal's trainer ironically, has two more French Open titles than Nadal has. However, Nadal will equal that, and add a couple more titles to possibly become the greatest clay court player ever. Seeing Nadal have perfect topspin along with some flatballs, some nice slices, and constantly changing directions makes Nadal a champion on clay court.
Note to any students taking english exams: If you see the vocab word "dominance" on the exam, and forget the definition, just think of Rafael Nadal.
*donde16*
There are many words to describe Rafael Nadal in the French Open. Dominant, Beastly, Unstoppable, Extremely good, and etc. Watching Nadal cruise in the French Open, he makes it look too easy. He coasted through all of his opponents and made Roger Federer look like he was playing a second-round opponent. John McEnroe said that if Nadal and Bjorn Borg played in their primes at the French Open, he believes that Nadal would beat Borg. "He's one of the best clay court tennis players I have ever seen", said McEnroe.
Nadal is now 28-0 with 4 titles in the French Open. He plays perfectly on the clay court, which constantly frustrates opponents because clay court is so different than the courts in the U.S Open, Australian Open, and at Wimbledon. Nadal is the reason why Federer doesn't win every single tournament because Federer can't match Nadal's ability on the clay court.
Exactly how good is he on clay court? Like I said above, he's 28-0 at the French Open, but this year, he didn't lose a single set this year. A SINGLE SET! He destroyed Federer 6-1, 6-3, 6-0, and at no time in my opinion, I thought that Nadal would lose to Federer. Nadal's poise at France is remarkable, and mentally, Nadal must have put a huge dent on Federer's armor. Want a better stat? Nadal is 41-0 in 5 set matches on clay courts. Beast, monster, just plain dominant.
Now, we can't crown Nadal as the best clay court tennis player YET. Bjorn Borg, Nadal's trainer ironically, has two more French Open titles than Nadal has. However, Nadal will equal that, and add a couple more titles to possibly become the greatest clay court player ever. Seeing Nadal have perfect topspin along with some flatballs, some nice slices, and constantly changing directions makes Nadal a champion on clay court.
Note to any students taking english exams: If you see the vocab word "dominance" on the exam, and forget the definition, just think of Rafael Nadal.
*donde16*
Friday, June 6, 2008
Pierce's Knee, A Bit Exaggerated?
Last night in the Celtics-Lakers game, Paul Pierce was the hero that sparked the Celtics to comeback and beat the Lakers in the first game of the NBA Finals. After crashing into Kendrick Perkins, Paul Pierce was on the floor in "terrible pain". In that instant moment, millions thought that the series was over: with Paul Pierce put in a wheelchair in so much pain meant only one thing - Lakers winning 2008 NBA Finals. Many thought it was over.
But was it? A minute and a half later (5 minutes in "real life"), Paul Pierce came sprinting out and ready to sub into the game. Celtics fans were going crazy: they weren't going to lose the Finals after all. With Pierce back, he was 5 for 5, with 15 points in the third quarter. He brought the energy back to the Celtics team, and was the big reason why the Celtics won game 1, 98-88.
Comeon, this was a bit exaggerated to say the least. Jalen Rose put it best, "I've seen only two players taken off the court in a wheelchair: Dwayne Wade, when he dislocated his shoulder, and now Paul Pierce." Funny how Wade had season-ending surgery. Pierce? He was out 300 seconds.
Don't give me the bull, and say, "Sometimes people can believe that an injury is worse and start freaking out." Ok, but Paul Pierce didn't need to be carried out on a stretcher. Alonzo Mourning was carried off by two teammates after tearing his ACL. So, Paul Pierce had to be taken out on a wheelchair? He couldn't put even the slightest of pressure on it? If he couldn't put any pressure on his knee, then why was he out for only 300 seconds?
Comeon, Paul Pierce. Choose one or the other: Be in complete pain and get taken out in a wheelchair, or walk if off and don't make a fool out of yourself and arrive 5 minutes later. You weren't even limping when you RAN out from the tunnel ready to play again.
I wish the Oscars had fan voting. My write-in: Paul Pierce.
*donde16*
But was it? A minute and a half later (5 minutes in "real life"), Paul Pierce came sprinting out and ready to sub into the game. Celtics fans were going crazy: they weren't going to lose the Finals after all. With Pierce back, he was 5 for 5, with 15 points in the third quarter. He brought the energy back to the Celtics team, and was the big reason why the Celtics won game 1, 98-88.
Comeon, this was a bit exaggerated to say the least. Jalen Rose put it best, "I've seen only two players taken off the court in a wheelchair: Dwayne Wade, when he dislocated his shoulder, and now Paul Pierce." Funny how Wade had season-ending surgery. Pierce? He was out 300 seconds.
Don't give me the bull, and say, "Sometimes people can believe that an injury is worse and start freaking out." Ok, but Paul Pierce didn't need to be carried out on a stretcher. Alonzo Mourning was carried off by two teammates after tearing his ACL. So, Paul Pierce had to be taken out on a wheelchair? He couldn't put even the slightest of pressure on it? If he couldn't put any pressure on his knee, then why was he out for only 300 seconds?
Comeon, Paul Pierce. Choose one or the other: Be in complete pain and get taken out in a wheelchair, or walk if off and don't make a fool out of yourself and arrive 5 minutes later. You weren't even limping when you RAN out from the tunnel ready to play again.
I wish the Oscars had fan voting. My write-in: Paul Pierce.
*donde16*
Monday, June 2, 2008
My Turn - Celtics vs. Lakers, The Best Matchup
Many fans have walked away from the NBA because "it has become a thug sport" and "it's not as exciting to watch compared to college basketball". But right now, the NBA is shedding that "thug" image bringing exciting players to the sport. So many young point guards coming into the league that bring so much excitement: Chris Paul and Deron Williams and many can agree that it has been an exciting playoffs.
But to end it, to put the cherry on the top of the ice-cream, the NBA Finals will be amazing. Lakers vs. Celtics. Brings back so many memories of Magic-Bird going at it constantly, and ruled the NBA Finals along with Jordan back in the 80's. This is what every fan wanted: to see the past reunite along with the present. Everyone will be watching Kobe, Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen. The tv ratings will go off the charts, because no one will want to miss this. So many questions: How will the Celtics stop Kobe, the MVP? How will Kevin Garnett, Pierce, and Ray Allen perform? Writing about it right now gets me pumped up because four of the best players in the league are in this game.
Seeing the incredible Kobe, who is so clutch that many of the time, he flashes moments of Jordan, and lives for the clutch. He comes alive in the second half of every game in the playoffs. Then you have Kevin Garnett, who brings so much effort and energy to every game. Here comes Paul Pierce, the captain of the team, and when you need a big point, let Paul Pierce take over. But don't forget the other person of the trio: Ray Allen. Don't leave him alone because he's a monster at threes, and can change the entire game with a clutch three.
This is so important for the league. Although the playoffs were fun, this is what matchup the NBA had to have. Think of the tv ratings with the boring Spurs and the Pistons in the NBA Finals. Every person that I have talked to is excited about the Finals, and none of them live in Boston or Los Angeles. How can you not watch this series, and reunite the past and the present as one once again.
This one is tough: Lakers in 7. But don't be a fool, watch the series, this series will be talked about for a long time. Let's hope it does live to the hype and it is not a sweep. That's the last thing everyone wants to see.
*donde16*
But to end it, to put the cherry on the top of the ice-cream, the NBA Finals will be amazing. Lakers vs. Celtics. Brings back so many memories of Magic-Bird going at it constantly, and ruled the NBA Finals along with Jordan back in the 80's. This is what every fan wanted: to see the past reunite along with the present. Everyone will be watching Kobe, Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen. The tv ratings will go off the charts, because no one will want to miss this. So many questions: How will the Celtics stop Kobe, the MVP? How will Kevin Garnett, Pierce, and Ray Allen perform? Writing about it right now gets me pumped up because four of the best players in the league are in this game.
Seeing the incredible Kobe, who is so clutch that many of the time, he flashes moments of Jordan, and lives for the clutch. He comes alive in the second half of every game in the playoffs. Then you have Kevin Garnett, who brings so much effort and energy to every game. Here comes Paul Pierce, the captain of the team, and when you need a big point, let Paul Pierce take over. But don't forget the other person of the trio: Ray Allen. Don't leave him alone because he's a monster at threes, and can change the entire game with a clutch three.
This is so important for the league. Although the playoffs were fun, this is what matchup the NBA had to have. Think of the tv ratings with the boring Spurs and the Pistons in the NBA Finals. Every person that I have talked to is excited about the Finals, and none of them live in Boston or Los Angeles. How can you not watch this series, and reunite the past and the present as one once again.
This one is tough: Lakers in 7. But don't be a fool, watch the series, this series will be talked about for a long time. Let's hope it does live to the hype and it is not a sweep. That's the last thing everyone wants to see.
*donde16*
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