Hmmm... Whats next??

The Detroit Pistons are having a little trouble ousting those Cleveland Cavaliers right? Well, I don't think they can beat the Pistons in a best of seven but the Cav's sure are showing younger legs and Detroit can be a step behind at times. My other favorite team in the East is the Chi-town Bulls. I know those guys are all getting pretty tired of watching all this post season action. If only they would have had a "Bull" playing the low post like a menace... hmm, like a... yeah, like a Zach Randolph!!! Then they would have gotten more out of their '07 playoff appearance. Zbo, the Zachman, he "averaged" 26 and 10 against the Pistons this year for the Blazers. He may do that for years to come, if the Bulls play it right, like before the draft!!! The 25yo Zbo had this to say recently, "Anywhere I go, I know I will be able to do the same thing. (26pts 10 rebs) One thing about me, I know I can play the game with the best". Randolph said he doesn't really want to be traded especially if they get Oden, but he knows it is a business and- "if I do, I would like to go to a winning team." Besides it could work out great for all of us. The Bulls get their missing, inside punch and we get to watch Zach and them all year on WGN !!!!! See you in the '08 Championships Zbo!!! What do you think?

Rare Team Meeting Fails to Fire the Winning Rally- 6 game slide Continues

Well, it was another loss last night, this time ONLY by the score of 6-2! Jorge De La Rosa gave up three in the sixth to about close the relatively interesting 3-2 ballgame. The Royals scattered only three hits while their pitchers gave up about eleven.





“The only thing left is tomorrow,” Royals catcher John Buck said. “Win a ballgame. That’s all there is to it.”

Not even calling a Position Players Only Meeting, the first team meeting called since last year, on May 22nd, when they scattered five hits and still lost their 10th of 13. Back in 2001 they called a total of three meetings I guess... maybe they should just all go out to Worlds of Fun this afternoon and get soaked.

Your opinion?

There is a lot of people just getting aware of the fact that the Northwest division of the NBA is about to get a 'hole lot tougher for Denver and the Nuggets next year. The Denver Post and writer Marc J. Spears wrote of a possible ensuing dilemma. Actually he seems to be almost too positive about the possibility, saying that perhaps, three of the top four teams may come out of the Northwest Division. Optimism fer sure. He seems to be demanding more respect for the TV share in that part of the country. He wants too look forward to all the increased TV money- while the east coast still moans about having to stay up late to watch important games!!! LOL!!!

Spears writes, "New NBA television deals for TNT, ESPN and ABC are being negotiated, but it's uncertain when they will be finalized. Although national ratings have taken a slight dip the past year, word is it won't have a big impact on negotiations." Mainly because most of the country will be sleeping and firing up the TiVo.

It is good to finally be noticed, be a factor again! Chuckle chuckle chuckle.
Comments?

So Un-Memorable Again! So Bad!!

What the hey, its was Memorial Day. Offering too much respect.. the Royals hoisted up a white flag early, right after the grand salami Baltimore lit them up with. Just another 9-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles at Kauffman Stadium.

It was so ugly, once again, so lopsided early that once the game reached the middle of the fourth... I'm serious, I wondered why so many fans stayed. Once it even rained like the devil, hard, for a moment giving everyone I'm sure the hope the game would be called before deemed "complete". That didnt work either.

Royals selected for their starter Scott Elarton, 1-1, then he paid for four walks in the first four innings. Yes. All scored; one to start the game and three in the fourth. “I was just terrible,” Elarton said. “There’s really not much else to say. The walks kill you, and there’s not a better example of that than today.” Elarton was yanked after he allowed seven runs and six hits in five innings. Pitiful again. Comments?

O O Sam Bowie II ???????

There is smoke in the air, wafting through the breeze could it be- oh please say NO- please! The Potland Tribune Kerry Eggars reports that perhaps the Blazers are bluffing talking Greg Oden over Durrant. Say it ain't so...

It is his opinion after talking with the Blazer GM Kevin Pritchard that "the Blazers may decide that Durant, a small forward who reminds NBA aficionados of Tracy McGrady, has a Jordanesque quality they can’t pass by." he later adds of Pritchard, that "Pritchard wouldn’t confirm it, but I’m assuming he considers Durant the high-risk/high-return player, Oden the lower-risk player with perhaps not quite as much upside. Then Pritchard was asked if he’s inclined to take risks or surer things." When cornered and asked his opinion by the writer, “Normally, I like the higher risk,” the Portland GM answered. “I’m a high-risk person. Sometimes to get to the championship level, you have to take big risks.”

What?

I too think that the running game of LMA and Roy, along with Outlaw and Sergio can be a title team for contention with the ability to kick the ball out to Durrant for the three. Or run a more effective pick and roll with the Texan who would be playing once again with his old teamate from the University. Chemistry cant fail, it is a naturally developing phenomenon the result of two or more elements coming together and the reaction that ensues.

Bring Zbo off the bench to play the low post game and destroy the oppositions' second string for his 20/10 per game.

Pritchard added in closing... “It’s on all of our shoulders,” he says. “But when somebody’s pointing a gun at one person, it will come down to me.” What do you think?

Dotel Gives up Six Runs in Nine Hits- on Top it All!!

Royals Catcher John Buck showed it all when he was infuriated after popping out to the catcher in the fifth Sunday. He then walked slowly to the dugout while slamming the end of his bat over and over off his cleat walking off the field.

The display represented alot of the ire the team was suffereing in its fourth straight loss, 7-4, to the Mariners at their own, Kauffman Stadium. After an 8-2 winning stretch recently, this Kansas City club has dropped its last four games by a combined score of 36-10.

Of the losing streak following the winning streak Buck said-"It's bad," later. "Obviously we had some good momentum going, but it got stopped real quickly."

Manager Buddy Bell after pondered it all, lamented "Unfortunately, we are not swinging the bats well enough to bang with these kinds of guys,"

All this writer has to say about that observation is "Duh!"

Royals Play like Pond Scum Again! ...Sigh!

The fine KC Royals were the hottest team in baseball just about a week or so ago. This team won eight times of ten, came home from a winning record on a long road trip and then took two of three against the division leaders. Buddy Bell has no answer for the latest sweep dust and trash at the hands of the Mariners at our own ballpark. The Royal manager puts it simply, we gotta manufacture good run support so our starting pitchers arent thrown in a hole in the game's, any game's, first three innings. “Sounds like the last four games we’re talking about the same game,” manager Buddy Bell said. “Not enough pitching, not enough offense. That’s a bad combination.” Losing their fourth sweep of the season, he adds, “We’ve got to do some things offensively that we haven’t done consistently all year,” Bell said.

“We don’t hit a lot of home runs, so we’ve got to string hits together. I really believe we will start stringing hits together because we are capable." Maybe this team will start to finally follow through, drag a few bunts, steal a few bases and use their team speed. They have the weapons, in the young legs, but thoase weapons are not yet being called from the closet. Maybe while this team is down in the division basement they can do the housekeeping necessary to clean out those closets! What do you think?

Milwaukie Newspaper gets R.O.Y. opinion on NBA draft

It's been quite a season for Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy. After being a near-unanimous choice for this season's NBA rookie of the year award, he represented the team at the Tuesday's draft lottery, where Portland landed the No. 1 pick in the draft.

Q. How do you feel about the prospect of playing with a potentially great center like Greg Oden of Ohio State?

A. It would be great to play with a player like him. He has the ability to change the game defensively and offensively. He has the chance to be special.

Q. What went through your mind when you realized you were going to be in the top three?

A. I was really getting nervous. Before it started, I figured things would probably hold up. Then when we made it to the top three, I started thinking about the possibility of playing with a Greg Oden or Kevin Durant. We really have a chance to have a great young team, and I'm excited to grow with this team.

Q. What was your good-luck charm?

A. I didn't have one. Everybody said you have to make up something, and I told them that wouldn't be me. I've never had a good-luck charm and I didn't want to start (Tuesday) with one. I came out here being myself and it worked for me. We really have no control over it. The balls bounce the way they do.

Q. Is this team headed toward competing for a championship in a few years?

A. I think you have to start thinking that way. When you get a chance to get a top player, that bodes well for the future. I think we really have the chance to build something.

Tom Enlund

(Portland fans) really Hate that city, says coach Nate

"This rivalry is just going to continue to go up," said Ron Matthews, the Sonics' director of digital media. "Needless to say, we're very eager to see this thing play out.

Coach Nate McMillan in Portland vividly recalls the days of true "Blazermania," when red and black-clad fans invaded the Kingdome for Seattle home games. Only three opponents caused a ticket demand that forced the Sonics to relocate from the Seattle Coliseum to the larger Kingdome: the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan, the Boston Celtics and Larry Bird, and the Portland Trail Blazers.

Now it would be in GM Kevin Pritchard's best interest to leave the NBA world in limbo about the Portland Trail Blazers' plan with the No. 1 pick. However, the rest of the NBA is extremely upset that NEITHER of the two best rookie players in the league next season will be playing on the east coast.

Yes. Half of the nation will now know what is like to have to stay up long hours to watch a game on NBA.live (that doesnt hurt my feelings!) televised until about 11:30pm EST. Those talented players, Oden and Durant, the Trail Blazers and Sonics are expected to draft at 1-2 and perhaps begin a new tremendously regional one-on-one rivalry. It would in this bloggers opinion be GREAT for this league to have another "piston" to drive this west coast NBA machine.

You know the NBA already has the LA rivalry in place, the bay area rivalry in north Ca. and now they will add millions more viewers from the Great Northwest tuning in five nights a week and buying season tickets and all that NBA licensed material for sale on the internet.

The NBA doesn't need worry, moan, to whine about potential viewership problems in the east tonight, it doesnt have to redo the lottery system. They need to just hop aboard, and follow the old Lewis and Clark trail to all those fresh NEW unexplored dollars in the Pacific Northwest.

Jared Allen is Back!

“You’ve got to play on the edge to be a great player,” Allen said, “but you don’t have to live on the edge to be one. I’ve always lived and played football the same way. I was playing on the edge and living on the edge."

To go along with it, Jared Allen has made a lot of positive change in his life. He has trimmed his wiry whiskers into a well-kept beard. People now have been asking about him- he is smiling much, much more.

He spouted trash- all spring, he once did have his grief with the GM "King Carl Peterson" You see, Allen was seeking a multiyear contract while he is approaching the top of his game. He wanted to be paid similarly to the best at his position. He got in the end , just a one year contract.

Someone asked Allen whether he’d shed some weight, he answered “Fifteen pounds,” “Thanks for noticing.” Is this the same Defensive End who was suffering his second DuII just last year?
Allen has spent the off season learning jujitsu and kick-boxing. He’s busy, he has got himself a personal trainer and uses a high-protein diet.

“Haven’t had a drink in eight months,” Allen says. “I don’t need any more headaches.”
No more beer. Herm Edwards is beaming, couldn’t be more pleased with the new attitude. Jared said. “I’m here to get the rust off and help these young guys get ready for the season,” adding “We’ve got a great team. Someone has to step up. Whether it’s an injury, a suspension or whatever, things happen in football. Someone has to step up. Being a leader on the team, my job is to help get that person ready.”

Allen said he’s chosen the latter — and it’s not just about giving up drinking.

It’s little things, like going to bed earlier so his workout the next day will be more productive. Or hiring a personal trainer to monitor his exercise and diet. Along with chicken and steak, Allen likes sushi.

“I love my diet,” Allen said. “I’m eating lean, man. Even when I’m out having fun I try to make sure my diet stays clean.

“For me it was all about deciding to do something in life. My hand was forced, sure. It is what it is. I’m a self-driven guy. I started making these changes eight months ago. This is how I live now.”

Allen is hoping his hard work pays off on the field. He led the league in pressures a year ago, but, for him, that’s not good enough. Instead he dwells on the sacks that he narrowly missed, the ones that “slipped through” his hands. If he’d just finished a few of those plays he may have been in Hawaii in February.

“I missed the Pro Bowl again,” Allen said. “I’m trying to get to the Pro Bowl. I’m trying to help our team more, maybe by getting a sack late in the fourth quarter or whatever. There are all sorts of different things running through my mind about how make our team better.”

The only problem is that the Chiefs will have to wait until October to reap the benefits of Allen’s offseason work. As optimistic and bubbly as Allen is now, Edwards said he realizes there could be mood swings during the ensuing months.

Coach Herm definiely likes what he sees, yet... he has reservations. “He thinks it’s easy now,” Edwards said, “but when we kick the ball off in Houston and he can’t play … you’re talking about a healthy player that loves to play football. He won’t be able to go out there and help his team win. It’s going to bother him. And it should because he’s a heck of a player who brings a lot of energy to this team. It’s something we’re going to have to help him with.”
Allen has insisted he’ll be fine, that his positive attitude will help him persevere.

Kansas City Chiefs May Be in Control

The Chiefs acquired new life at middle linebacker when they signed Napoleon Harris during the off season. He was seen as more mobile at 255 than his predecessor Kawika Mitchell who has left the team in free agency. This guy Harris was a standout on the roster at Oakland before moving to Minnesota and the Vikings the last two years. He seems to not mind the handle "control freak"- he feels has lived up to it over his career.

“It’s not like I boss people around. I just don’t want to have the clamps put on me to where I can’t do something I’m accustomed to doing. That way I can’t control my own destiny.” Translation: "You are supposed to be over there teammate- don't make me have to cover for your ass, I got a job to do!"

He seems to be adjusting well to KC despite the uproar over Trent Green and his public displays during OTA week. Napoleon likes what he sees. “This is one of the more athletic groups I’ve played with,” said Harris, who has 333 career tackles and six career sacks. “Hopefully that will translate into some wins."

Speaking of his latest defense, to that Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said “They move around very well... “and our defensive line is very athletic all of a sudden, too. We’ve got some speed over there. We’re trying to do some things to create competition, to maybe push some guys. That’s what you want to do on your football team: You want to make guys compete within your team.

Meanwhile Trent Green just wants to play in Miami, he hopes all this player movement and pushing around results in a ticket to Florida real soon. Everyone pray, this all-pro veteran quarterback deserves a whole lot more respect.