LaDainian Tomlinson Ends a Hall of Fame Career

LaDainian Tomlinson will officially end his excellent 11 year career on Monday afternoon as a San Diego Charger. Tomlinson spent nine years with the Chargers and his final two with the New York Jets. LT finishes with 13,684 rushing yards ranking him fifth all-time. He also finishes with 145 rushing touchdowns ranking him second all time. The future Hall of Fame running back was consistently dominant throughout his tenure with San Diego, leading the league in rushing in back to back seasons (06 and 07). San Diego selected Tomlinson #5 overall in the 2001 draft. That fall as a rookie LT rushed for 1,236 yards and 10 touchdowns. He had one of the greatest stretches we may ever see out of a running back in NFL history. From 2001-2008 he averaged 1,470 rushing yards, and 15.75 rushing touchdowns a season. Tomlinson’s most impressive season came in 2006 where he earned MVP honors. He rushed for a career high 1,815 yards and set a single season record with 28 rushing touchdowns.

LaDainian Tomlinson

That’s just with his feet. What made Tomlinson so great was his versatility. LT is known as one of the best receiving running backs of all-time. He became the second running back to catch 100 balls in a single season in 2003. LaDainian got a lot of respect around the league for his versatility. Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis sent out a statement shortly after Tomlinson decided to hang em’ up by saying “LT changed the way the running back position is looked at. You think about him being a complete three-down back and using that as a receiver as well. You hadn’t seen that many backs have that type of versatility. He was one of those backs that you had to get in position on all downs on the ball. I think that’s the way he really changed the game.” Tomlinson also received praise from former teammates and coaches. Philip Rivers said he had “the best seat in the house every game”. Former head coach Marty Shottenheimer said “The more I was around him, the more I became convinced he is the best I’ve ever seen,” Schottenheimer said. “My timeline goes back to probably Jim Brown. I imagine that there were some terrific backs before that, but Jim Brown was the guy I always viewed as being the best all time.”

My favorite LaDainian Tomlinson statistic is his passing stats. Tomlinson ends his Hall of Fame career 8 for 12 passing. 7 of those pass completions resulting in a touchdown. In 2005 LT threw 3 touchdown passes.

Tomlinson ends his career at a young age of 32. Although LT is now known as one of the greatest running backs of all time he, much like every other running back, couldn’t avoid wear the wear and tear a full workload puts on the human body.

LT was one hell of a running back and simply electrifying whenever he touched the ball. He is a sure fire Hall of Famer and will be inducted come 2017.

Conner “Country Breakfast” Patch @connerpatch68

Odds/Numbers for 6/13

MLB

951 HOUSTON ASTROS	(L) Happ, J	8o10	8o10 / 6.5o10	6.5o15	+1.5(-130)
952 SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS	(R) Cain, M	-210	-210 / -200 / -210	-220	-1.5(+120)
TV: FS-Houston, Comcast (Bay), DTV: 678, 696, 748, 749

953 WASHINGTON NATIONALS	(R) Strasburg, S	-140	-145 / -150 / -155	-150	-1.5(+110)
954 TORONTO BLUE JAYS	(R) Drabek, K	9u13	9u13 / 8o10 / 8o15	8	+1.5(-130)
TV: MASN, SN1, DTV: 640, 721, 722

955 PITTSBURGH PIRATES	(R) Correia, K	8.5o13	8.5o13 / 9u13	9u15	+1.5(-153)
956 BALTIMORE ORIOLES	(L) Matusz, B	-135	-135	-140	-1.5(+141)
TV: ROOT (Pittsburgh), MASN2, DTV: 641, 659, 723, 724

957 BOSTON RED SOX	(L) Doubront, F	-110		-110	+1.5(-194)
958 MIAMI MARLINS	(R) Nolasco, R	9.5u13	9.5u13 / 8.5o15	8.5o20	-1.5(+178)
BOS-CF-Jacoby Ellsbury-OUT | TV: NESN, FS-Florida, DTV: 628, 654, 729, 730

959 CLEVELAND INDIANS	(R) Lowe, D	8o10	8o10 / 9.5u13	9.5u15	+1.5(-163)	betting closed
960 CINCINNATI REDS	(R) Latos, M	-140		-140	-1.5(+150)
Overnight Pitching Change: Cincinnati – M. Latos for M. Leake | TV: SportsTime Ohio, FS-Ohio, DTV: 661, 662, 731, 732

961 NEW YORK YANKEES	(R) Kuroda, H	8o10	8 / 8o15 / 8o20	8o25	+1.5(-192)
962 ATLANTA BRAVES	(R) Hudson, T	-125	-125	-120	-1.5(+176)
TV: YES, FS-South, ESPN, DTV: 206, 631, 646, 727, 728

963 NEW YORK METS	(R) Dickey, R	7u18	7u18	7u20	+1.5(-165)
964 TAMPA BAY RAYS	(L) Price, D	-160	-160 / -165	-160	-1.5(+152)
TAM-3B-Evan Longoria-OUT | TV: SNY, SunSports, DTV: 639, 653, 725, 726

965 ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS	(L) Miley, W	10u10	10u10	10u15	+1.5(-137)
966 TEXAS RANGERS	(L) Harrison, M	-175	-175 / -180 / -175	-170	-1.5(+126)
TV: FS-Arizona, Southwest, DTV: 676, 686, 733, 734

967 DETROIT TIGERS	(R) Porcello, R
968 CHICAGO CUBS	(R) Garza, M	-130	-130	-120
TV: FS-Detroit, WCIU, DTV: 663, 735

969 MILWAUKEE BREWERS	(L) Wolf, R	-110	9.5u17	9.5u20	+1.5(-190)	betting closed
970 KANSAS CITY ROYALS	(L) Sanchez, J	9.5u17		-110	-1.5(+174)
Overnight Pitching Change: Kansas City – J. Sanchez (L) for L. Hochevar | TV: FS-Wisconsin, Kansas City, DTV: 669, 672, 736, 737

971 PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES	(L) Hamels, C	-165	-165 / -160	-165	-1.5(+110)
972 MINNESOTA TWINS	(R) Walters, P	8u13	8u13	8u15	+1.5(-119)
PHI-1B-Ryan Howard-OUT | TV: Comcast (Philadelphia), FS-North, DTV: 668, 738, 739

973 CHICAGO WHITE SOX	(R) Peavy, J	8u15	8u15	8u20	+1.5(-180)
974 ST LOUIS CARDINALS	(R) Lynn, L	-130	-130 / -135 / -130	-125	-1.5(+165)
TV: Comcast (Chicago), FS-Midwest, DTV: 665, 671, 740, 741

975 OAKLAND ATHLETICS	(L) Milone, T	10.5u10	10.5u10	10.5u15		betting closed
976 COLORADO ROCKIES	(L) Outman, J	-115		-115
Overnight Pitching Change: Oakland – T. Milone (L) for B. McCarthy | TV: Comcast (California), ROOT (Rocky Mtn), DTV: 683, 698, 742, 743

977 LOS ANGELES ANGELS	(L) Wilson, C	-135	-135	-140	-1.5(+123)
978 LOS ANGELES DODGERS	(R) Eovaldi, N	6.5		6.5	+1.5(-133)
LAD-CF-Matt Kemp-OUT | TV: FS-West, Prime Ticket, DTV: 692, 693, 746, 747

979 SAN DIEGO PADRES	(R) Marquis, J	8u10	8u10 / 8u15 / 8u20	8u15	+1.5(-163)
980 SEATTLE MARINERS	(R) Noesi, H	-160	-160	-155	-1.5(+150)
TV: FS-San Diego, ROOT (Northwest), DTV: 687, 694, 744, 745

NBA Finals: Heat vs. Thunder

As heartbroken as I am to write this after C’s loss it must be done. But I will say, the Celtics fought hard and I truly hope last night wasn’t the last time us C’s fans see the original “Big 3” play together. I guess that is neither here nor there so let’s move on to what may be one of the best finals match ups in years. Finally, we have the two best players in the world going head to head in a battle to be the World Champions. You may say, “Well every year the best players match up”, wrong! If you look at the past few years in the NBA Finals, usually one of the best players makes it, sometimes neither of them. Last year it was LeBron and Dirk. Dirk was not one of the top two players in the league last year, he dominated the playoffs, but was certainly not top 2. The year before we had Kobe against the Celtics. No one on the Celtics was a top 2 player. And even the year before that, it was the same matchup. This year we get to see THE 2 best players in the world go neck and neck for the final prize.

Kevin Durant vs. LeBron james, arguably one of the best head to head match ups we have seen in a long time. Both teams come out of their respective leagues as the champs, and have been the favorites since the beginning of the season. The Thunder rolled through the West with relative ease. Sweeping the defending champion Mavericks in 4 games, beating Kobe and co. in 5 games, and won the Western Conference in 6 games, coming back from 2 down to take the series. The Heat have had a little tougher road getting through the East. In the first round the beat the utterly pitiful NY Knicks in 5 games (how that wasn’t a sweep is beyond me), they beat Larry Bird’s Pacers in 6 games, and finally beat the C’s in 7. The Thunder haven’t really been scared throughout these playoffs, whereas the Heat had a little scare put into them by the Celtics, having to go into the Garden in Game 6.

OKC has the ability to become a dynasty for years to come. They have all the pieces to help them dominate the NBA for quite a few years. When your best players, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, are only 23 years old, the future looks extremely bright. Arguably the MVP of the playoffs, Kevin Durant, has been spectacular. Durantula has averaged 28 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists throughout the playoffs, but don’t think he has been doing it by himself. The Thunder’s biggest threat is their depth. They have a loaded bench highlighted by 6th man of the Year, James Harden. It also helps when you have one of the best PG’s in the league as well in Westbrook. At 22 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds a game, Westbrook is always a threat to do anything on the court. He has scary athleticism when he drives to the bucket and can dunk on anyone. The most important players on the Thunder are neither of those two though, they are Serge Ibaka and James Harden. Harden, who comes off the bench, would start on any other team in the NBA, but because of the lineup the Thunder he has to be the 6th man. He comes in and is an immediate spark. Harden is a matchup problem for most role/bench players that he is usually matched up against. One thing about Harden is that he always goes left. It doesn’t matter if everyone is in his way going left, he is shooting a left handed layup. It’s almost like Rondo never using his left, it’s that constant not using the other hand. Harden helps Durant and Westbrook by spreading out the floor. He has a solid 3-point shot, shooting 45% in the postseason. Ibaka is a whole ‘nother story. Ibaka is going to cause some problems for the Heat because as we all know the Heat can’t shoot the outside shot very well. They rely heavily on attacking the rim and finishing above the rim. Ibaka will make that a tough task, he averages 4 blocks a game and countless changed shots. He will be able to disrupt D-Wade’s drives as well as LeBron’s. Which is something that the Thunder will need to do consistently to help them gain an advantage.

Is it finally time for LBJ to get a ring? Will he finally get that monkey off of his back? I don’t know but I sure know he is going to come in prepared and won’t let what happened last year happen again. LeBron has come into these playoffs with a vengeance. It is crazy to me that people think that he hasn’t been playing well, what are you on meth? LeBron has been averaging 30 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists per game! Those are absurd numbers, yet people are doubting him. In Game 6 against the Celtics, possibly his biggest/most important playoff game he has ever played in, he was Superman like. He had 45, 15, and 5 and shot 73%. Incredible. I am ready to see a LeBron I haven’t seen yet. One that has a little chip on his shoulder, one that truly wants the ring. He won’t do it alone though. With the likes of Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, LBJ will have help. In Game 7 against the C’s, Bosh was spectacular. Single handily broke the Celtics spirits with his shooting. And Dwayne Wade has been no bum, although he has gotten off to slow starts, Wade has been a force to be reckon with. Countless drives and acrobatic finishes have been in his highlight reel throughout the playoffs. I believe the two biggest keys for the Heat will be two players that are not in the Big 3. Shane Battier and Mario Chalmers. Two outside shooters, who if they are knocking down shots, can kill teams and help lift the Heat. Battier is also one of the best on-ball defenders in the Association, I don’t know if Spoelstra will place him on KD, but Battier will be able to defend James Harden. The Heat matchup well everywhere except for in the paint, hopefully they will be able to make up for that with their on-ball defense.

This series has dramatics written all over it. I envision big shot after big shot, and big play after big play. There are too many stars in this series for it not to happen. The key to the entire series will be the defense of both teams. We all know that both teams can score and score at will. It will be the first team that can buckle down and get stops that will win this series. I love the Thunder in this one and I’d love to see a dynasty in the making. I’m taking the Thunder and LBJ will have to hear it from fans for another year.

• Thunder in 6

Odds/Numbers for 6/11

MLB

951 WASHINGTON NATIONALS	(R) Jackson, E	8	8 / 8o09	8o15	+1.5(-150)
952 TORONTO BLUE JAYS	(R) Morrow, B	-145	-145 / -155 / -160	-156	-1.5(+130)
TV: MASN, SN1, DTV: 640, 721, 722

953 NEW YORK YANKEES	(R) Nova, I	-107	-108 / -110 / -115	-110	-1.5(+140)
954 ATLANTA BRAVES	(R) Delgado, R	9u07	9u07 / 9u16	9u15	+1.5(-160)
TV: YES, FS-South, DTV: 631, 646, 723, 724

955 BOSTON RED SOX	(R) Beckett, J	-105	-105 / -104 / -115	-106	-1.5(+145)
956 MIAMI MARLINS	(R) Johnson, J	8	8 / 8u16 / 8u15	8u20	+1.5(-165)
BOS-CF-Jacoby Ellsbury-OUT | TV: NESN, FS-Florida, ESPN, DTV: 206, 628, 654, 725, 726

957 LOS ANGELES ANGELS	(R) Richards, G	7o10	7o10 / 7o15 / 7o20	7o25	+1.5(-230)
958 LOS ANGELES DODGERS	(L) Capuano, C	-118	-130 / -125 / -120	-107	-1.5(+190)
LAD-CF-Matt Kemp-OUT | TV: FS-West, Prime Ticket, DTV: 692, 693, 727, 728

NHL

11 NEW JERSEY DEVILS	4.5u15	4.5u15 / 4.5u20	4.5u15	+1.5(-240)
12 LOS ANGELES KINGS	-170	-170 / -165	-170	-1.5(+200)
TV: NBC, CBC, RDS

Odds/Numbers for 6/10

MLB

901 SAN DIEGO PADRES	(R) Bass, A	8o10	8o15 / 8.5 / 8.5u15	8.5	+1.5(-150)
902 MILWAUKEE BREWERS	(R) Gallardo, Y	-154	-154	-160	-1.5(+130)
TV: FS-San Diego, Wisconsin, DTV: 669, 694, 737, 738

903 NEW YORK METS	(L) Niese, J	9u07	9u07 / 9o06	9	+1.5(-130)
904 NEW YORK YANKEES	(L) Pettitte, A	-175	-175 / -190	-180	-1.5(+110)
TV: WPIX, YES, TBS, DTV: 247, 631, 721, 722

905 DETROIT TIGERS	(L) Smyly, D	9u06	9u06 / 9u15 / 9u20	8.5o15	+1.5(-180)
906 CINCINNATI REDS	(R) Bailey, H	-125	-125 / -130 / -135	-130	-1.5(+160)
Time-change to 08:05pm EDT | TV: ESPN, DTV: 206

907 TAMPA BAY RAYS	(R) Shields, J	7.5u10	7.5u20 / 7.5u15 / 7.5	7.5o15	+1.5(-210)
908 MIAMI MARLINS	(R) Sanchez, A	-122	-120 / -115 / -120	-115	-1.5(+175)
TAM-3B-Evan Longoria-OUT | TV: SunSports, FS-Florida, DTV: 653, 654, 723, 724

909 TORONTO BLUE JAYS	(L) Romero, R	-113	-125 / -115 / -120	-108	-1.5(+145)
910 ATLANTA BRAVES	(R) Teheran, J	8.5o07	8.5o07 / 8.5o15 / 8.5	8.5u15	+1.5(-165)
Overnight Pitching Change: Atlanta – J. Teheran for T. Hudson | TV: SN1, FS-South, DTV: 646, 729, 730

911 KANSAS CITY ROYALS	(L) Chen, B	7o13	7o15 / 7o20 / 7.5u15	7.5u20	+1.5(-210)
912 PITTSBURGH PIRATES	(R) Burnett, A	-130	-130 / -135 / -125	-115	-1.5(+175)
TV: FS-Kansas City, ROOT (Pittsburgh, DTV: 659, 672, 731, 732

913 PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES	(L) Lee, C	-125	-140 / -145 / -140	-144	-1.5(+110)
914 BALTIMORE ORIOLES	(R) Hammel, J	8u09	8u06 / 8 / 8o15	8o25	+1.5(-130)
PHI-1B-Ryan Howard-OUT | TV: PHL 17, MASN2, DTV: 641, 725, 726

915 WASHINGTON NATIONALS	(R) Zimmermann, J	9u10	9u10 / 9u15	9	+1.5(-155)
916 BOSTON RED SOX	(L) Lester, J	-138	-140 / -145 / -150	-153	-1.5(+135)
BOS-CF-Jacoby Ellsbury-OUT | TV: MASN, NESN, DTV: 628, 640, 727, 728

917 HOUSTON ASTROS	(R) Harrell, L	9.5o13	9.5o13 / 9.5o15	9.5o20	+1.5(-145)
918 CHICAGO WHITE SOX	(R) Humber, P	-154	-154 / -160	-155	-1.5(+125)
TV: FS-Houston, Comcast (Chicago), DTV: 665, 678, 735, 736

919 CHICAGO CUBS	(R) Dempster, R	8o13	8o13 / 8o15	8o20	+1.5(-170)
920 MINNESOTA TWINS	(L) Liriano, F	-110	-120 / -125 / -130	-135	-1.5(+156)
TV: WGN (America), FS-North, DTV: 307, 668, 733, 734

921 CLEVELAND INDIANS	(R) Jimenez, U	9o15	9o15 / 9.5u08 / 9.5u15	9.5u20	+1.5(-203)
922 ST LOUIS CARDINALS	(R) Kelly, J	-122	-117 / -125 / -115	-120	-1.5(+186)
STL-LF-Matt Holliday-Doubtful | TV: SportsTime Ohio, FS-Midwes, DTV: 662, 671, 739, 740

923 LOS ANGELES ANGELS	(R) Santana, E	10o13	10o25 / 10.5 / 10.5o15	10.5o20	+1.5(-184)
924 COLORADO ROCKIES	(L) Friedrich, C	-106	-105 / -110 / -115	-120	-1.5(+169)
TV: FS-West, ROOT (Rocky Mountain), DTV: 683, 692, 741, 742

925 TEXAS RANGERS	(R) Ogando, A	-123	-123 / -135	-150	-1.5(+124)
926 SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS	(R) Lincecum, T	7.5o18	7.5o18 / 7.5o15	7.5o20	+1.5(-134)
TV: FS-Southwest, Comcast (Bay), DTV: 676, 696, 743, 744

927 OAKLAND ATHLETICS	(L) Blackley, T	9.5u10	9.5u15 / 9.5u20 / 9o15	9o20	+1.5(-149)
928 ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS	(L) Saunders, J	-136	-136 / -145	-150	-1.5(+137)
TV: Comcast (California), FS-Arizona, DTV: 686, 698, 747, 748

929 LOS ANGELES DODGERS	(R) Billingsley, C	-113	-113 / -125	-120	-1.5(+165)
930 SEATTLE MARINERS	(R) Beavan, B	8u13	8u13 / 8u15	8u20	+1.5(-180)
LAD-CF-Matt Kemp-OUT | TV: FS-Prime Ticket, ROOT (Northwest), DTV: 687, 693, 745, 746

Odds/Numbers for 6/9

NBA

727 BOSTON CELTICS	180	179 / 178.5 / 178	178.5	+350
728 MIAMI HEAT	-7.5 -07	-8 -05 / -7.5 -05 / -7.5	-8	-450
TV: ESPN, DTV: 206

MLB

951 SAN DIEGO PADRES	(R) Cashner, A	8.5	8.5 / 8.5u15 / 8.5	8.5o15	+1.5(-170)
952 MILWAUKEE BREWERS	(R) Fiers, M	-139	-139	-140	-1.5(+150)
TV: FS-San Diego, Wisconsin, DTV: 669, 694, 735, 736

953 CHICAGO CUBS	(R) Samardzija, J	8o20	8o20	8o15	+1.5(-170)
954 MINNESOTA TWINS	(L) Diamond, S	-115	-115	-122	-1.5(+150)
TV: Comcast (Chicago), FS-North, DTV: 665, 668, 721, 722

955 TEXAS RANGERS	(R) Feldman, S	-103	-103 / -106 / -109	-105	-1.5(+155)
956 SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS	(R) Vogelsong, R	8	8	8u20	+1.5(-175)
TV: FS-Southwest, Comcast (Bay), DTV: 676, 696, 724, 725

957 WASHINGTON NATIONALS	(L) Gonzalez, G	-104	-104 / -120 / -110	-110	-1.5(+145)
958 BOSTON RED SOX	(R) Matsuzaka, D	8.5o15	8.5o15 / 8.5o20	8.5o25	+1.5(-165)
BOS-CF-Jacoby Ellsbury-OUT | TV: MASN, NESN, DTV: 628, 640, 727, 728

959 PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES	(R) Worley, V
960 BALTIMORE ORIOLES	(R) Hunter, T
PHI-CF-Hunter Pence-? | PHI-1B-Ryan Howard-OUT | TV: Comcast (Philadelphia), MASN2, DTV: 641, 725, 726

961 TORONTO BLUE JAYS	(R) Hutchison, D	8.5u20	8.5u20 / 8.5u25	8	+1.5(-165)
962 ATLANTA BRAVES	(R) Hanson, T	-145	-145	-140	-1.5(+152)
TV: SN1, FS-South, DTV: 646, 729, 730

963 DETROIT TIGERS	(R) Verlander, J	-143	-143 / -141 / -145	-150	-1.5(+118)
964 CINCINNATI REDS	(R) Arroyo, B	7.5u15		7.5u15	+1.5(-128)
TV: FS-Detroit, Ohio, DTV: 661, 663, 737, 738

965 LOS ANGELES ANGELS	(R) Haren, D	-134	-134 / -130 / -140	-145	-1.5(+117)
966 COLORADO ROCKIES	(L) Francis, J	9.5	9.5o15 / 9.5o20 / 9.5o25	10o15	+1.5(-127)
TV: FS-West, ROOT (Rocky Mountain), DTV: 683, 692, 731, 732

967 HOUSTON ASTROS	(R) Lyles, J	8.5u15		8.5u15	+1.5(-105)
968 CHICAGO WHITE SOX	(L) Sale, C	-205	-210 / -220 / -230	-240	-1.5(-103)
TV: FS-Houston, WGN (America), DTV: 307, 678, 733, 734

969 NEW YORK METS	(R) Gee, D	9.5u20	9.5u20 / 9.5u15 / 9.5	9.5o15	+1.5(-144)
970 NEW YORK YANKEES	(R) Hughes, P	-150	-150	-155	-1.5(+133)
TV: FOX

971 KANSAS CITY ROYALS	(R) Mazzaro, V	7.5u20	7.5u20	7o20	+1.5(-168)
972 PITTSBURGH PIRATES	(R) Mcdonald, J	-155	-155 / -165	-155	-1.5(+155)
TV: FOX

973 CLEVELAND INDIANS	(R) Masterson, J	8.5o20	9u20 / 9 / 9u15	9	+1.5(-168)
974 ST LOUIS CARDINALS	(R) Lohse, K	-138	-138 / -136	-145	-1.5(+155)
TV: FOX

975 TAMPA BAY RAYS	(L) Moore, M	7.5o15		7.5o15	+1.5(-208)
976 MIAMI MARLINS	(R) Zambrano, C	-135	-131 / -140 / -135	-130	-1.5(+190)
TAM-3B-Evan Longoria-OUT | TV: FOX

977 LOS ANGELES DODGERS	(L) Kershaw, C	-135	-135 / -133 / -145	-140	-1.5(+129)
978 SEATTLE MARINERS	(L) Vargas, J	6.5u15	6.5u15 / 6.5 / 6.5o15	6.5	+1.5(-140)
LAD-CF-Matt Kemp-OUT | TV: FOX

979 OAKLAND ATHLETICS	(R) Parker, J	9u20	9o15 / 9u15 / 9	9o15	+1.5(-162)
980 ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS	(R) Cahill, T	-140		-140	-1.5(+149)
TV: Comcast (California), FS-Arizona, DTV: 686, 698, 739, 740

NHL

9 LOS ANGELES KINGS	4.5o10	+104 / +103 / -105	-110	+1.5(-380)
10 NEW JERSEY DEVILS	-115	4.5o10 / 4.5o15	4.5	-1.5(+280)
Time-change to 08:20pm EDT | TV: NBC, CBC, RDS

Top 10 Rants in Sports of All-Time

There is honestly nothing better than seeing a coach or player just go bananas on the media after a tough loss or just an outrageous question. These moments create some of the best in sports, and can help create a culture around a player or coach. When you look at most of these coaches and players they seem like calm, collected people. But when they get angry, watch out! They might turn green and you know what happens after that. 

I thought I’d take a look at these moments and rate the top 10 rants of all-time. From baseball to college football, to woman’s college basketball, the list is complete with some of the most hilarious moments of all-time in sports rants. Just looking back at some of these makes me want to become a coach someday. I can see it now: an umpire makes a bad call in my son’s little league game, and I come flying out of the dugout like George Brett and just go Lou Piniella on their ass.

10) Joh McEnroe “You can’t be serious!”

A class act who was always good for one or two rants every time he was on the court. You could make an entire list of his rants and rank them 1-10. One of my favorite outbursts of his is when he made the cameo in Big Daddy. Also check out the hair and headband look, just excellent.

9) Mike Gundy “I’m a Man! I’m 40!”

One of my favorites, not only because of what he says but because it is the most recent on the list. Gundy goes off on the media after they attacked his players in the press earlier that week. I like how he was supporting his players, that definitely got him some brownie points.

8) Herm Edwards “You play to win the game!”

As long as I’ve played sports I was always told that you always try to win. Herm was just reminding us all of that fact. He didn’t like the question from the reporter so Edwards proceeded to explain that winning is why you play football in the first place.

7) Hal McRae “Put that in your pipe and smoke it!”

He was just sick and tired of the reporters dumb questions, I get that. What I didn’t get was why he threw half of his desk across the room, it looked like some pretty nice stuff.

6) John Chaney “I will kill you!”

John Chaney explodes at a press conference with the then-babyfaced, still cheating, John Calipari. Chaney tries to fight through a mob of reporters as he “tries to kill” Calipari. He even goes as far as to threaten to have his players go after Calipari’s.

5) Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson one of the most quotable athletes of all time, even though you couldn’t understand him half the time. Tyson was asked a question but decided to talk about what he wanted to talk about. And when he was asked a second time, he again didn’t care and talked about God knows what. Great stuff.

4) Allen Iverson “Practice?!”

Possibly the greatest sports sound bite in history, ever. Iverson will be know not just for his ability to play basketball, but his ability to talk about not a game, but practice. Any basketball fan will never forget this one.

Another classic NFL coach getting fired up taking questions from the media.

3) Jim Mora “Playoffs?!”

Possibly the most popular out of the bunch, Mora came in a little upset to his press conference that day. Many people today only say “Playoffs” the way Mora does in this video and it never once gets old. Just a gem.

2) Bob Knight fires a chair

Known for his craziness and short fuse, Knight doesn’t disappoint with this one. Apparently, Knight was a little upset with a call the ref had made, so he decided to fire a chair at him while a player from the other team was shooting free throws. Just classic.

1) Phil Wellman loses his skull

This guy is just insane. Should be in a mental asylum or something. He truly went bananas. He brought out all the stops. The coach’s tirade has to go down as one of the most comical displays by anyone in managerial history. I would also like to remind you this is in a minor league baseball game, imagine being there, seeing that, absolutely worth the price of admission.

Who would you take: Kevin Durant or LeBron James?

These 2012 playoffs have been begging NBA fans everywhere to debate this topic, who would you take: KD35 or King James? Both players are currently at the top of the basketball world. But you need to look at what these two players have been able to do this year, it is mind blowing. Every night you know you are going to get some sort of show. Whether it is KD’s scoring ability or the athletic freakiness of LBJ. They both bring different things to the table and both of them have different abilities that they can unleash on anyone at anytime. But, what makes one of them better than the other? Wins? Points? How clutch they may be? (which may take LeBron right out of it) or any other statistical category? I believe it comes down to who you would want on draft day if you were able to start a fantasy franchise.

Picture this: You have just purchased a team that will be located in Boise, Idaho, pretty much the middle of nowhere, where they might not even have basketball courts, but that’s besides the point. You now have control of an NBA franchise in Boise and you have been allowed to take any player you want from any team to become your franchise cornerstone. As you look throughout the entire league you know it boils down to two players, LeBron James or Kevin Durant. As the owner of the Cosmo Kramers (a little Seinfeld reference) you have the ability to take anyone. As LBJ and KD await to see who is picked in the infamous “Green Room”, you sit in your nice comfy chair and take a look at the reasons why you should take either one of these two.

Kevin Durant has been excellent this year. At age 23, he has been able to raise his game to an extremely high level and has not yet reached his potential ceiling. With as young as Durant is, he has all the intangibles that make him a leader. His calm and cool personality make him come off as less competitive, which couldn’t be any farther from the truth. This man is a cold-blooded killer, who can score 10 points on you at any second (Ask the Spurs after he scored 18 straight points in Game 4). What truly makes Durant special are not his numbers on the court but just how much he cares about winning. When your best player cares the most, plays the hardest, works the hardest, pulls for everyone else and doesn’t care about his own numbers, you’re always going to be in good shape. Durant has become the youngest scoring title winner, the next youngest was guess who, Kevin Durant. He has the ability to lead your team in so many ways. He can score, defend, rebound and be unselfish with the ball. I’m not the only one who is saying these things either, the NBA Coach of the Year, Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs, volunteered the following about Durant: “He’s arguably the greatest player in the world.” He’s pure on a Larry Bird level, just ridiculous. Durant is. LeBron’s not. Durant has averaged 28 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists a game this year, shooting the peach at a 50% clip.

LeBron James gives you something that not many players can, and that’s an all-around game. LeBron has the abilities to score, rebound, pass and defend the opposing teams best player. He gives coaches the ability to place him anywhere on the floor and give him any assignment. LeBron has done just about everything you can do in an NBA career and he is only 27 years of age. He has won 3 MVP’s, Rookie of the Year, and has been an All-NBA and All-Star selection every year since 2005. Those accolades are not what makes him great though, it is the way he plays the game. Like Jordan, LeBron has the ability to affect the game on both sides of the ball. Defensively, he can guard any position, we have been able to see this in the series he is currently in with the Celtics. He has guarded Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce and even Kevin Garnett, and he was successful guarding all three. He rebounds the ball extremely well, using his athleticism and size to go up and grab boards at their highest point. LeBron is a physical marvel when you look at him. He is a human freight train when he drives to the bucket, no one is going to step in front of the Hulk. LeBron has averaged 27.1 points per a game, just a smidgen under Durant’s 28, with 7.9 boards and 6 assists.

Factually speaking, Durant is a better shooter than LeBron, and statistically speaking he’s a better scorer. He’s a similar rebounder. He doesn’t defend or create at LeBron’s level, but Durant is gaining ground in both spots. Given all that, LeBron’s better, right? It’s close, but he’s better. LeBron’s not just the MVP, though he is, but he’s also the guy you’d take if you were asked, “Who would you build a team around, LeBron or Durant?” I just don’t know if it is that easy of an answer. Durant is more clutch than LeBron. Durant’s a closer, a finisher. While the world was waiting for LeBron to inherit from Kobe Bryant the title of Game’s Best Closer, Durant snuck up and took it. The title’s gone. It doesn’t belong to Kobe anymore, and it might never belong to LeBron. Not while Durant’s around, closing out games and getting better at it. Durant also takes the cake when we move to the mind’s of both players. Mentally Durant is more tough and has the ability to stay composed under pressure. James looks like a 6 year old girl who doesn’t know where her doll is at the end of games. And that makes up a huge difference. That can make you a winner or a loser. We have all watched both of these players play and we know what each of them is.

So you give me the pick of the entire league and you want me to start a team from scratch, I know who I’m taking. As I walk my white envelope up to NBA Commissioner David Stern, I know I have made the right choice. Give me Kevin Durant with my first pick. I’d like to have LeBron, sure. I’d like to have the most talented all-around player in the game.

But I’d rather win.

So with the 1st pick in the new NBA Expansion Draft, the Cosmo Kramers select… Kevin Durant, Small Forward from the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Daniel Bard sent down to Triple A PawSox

As if none of us saw this coming, SP Daniel Bard of the Boston Red Sox, has been sent down to Pawtucket to try and maybe begin to throw something that lands over the plate. As I like to call him, Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn, Bard has been breaking records (not literally) for walking or hitting batters in his past few starts. As one of my friends has said about having Bard on his fantasy team, ” Bard could give up one run but score −13 points because he walks just about every batter he faces.” He wasn’t lying when he said it, Bard, who normally throws up around 95+, has been struggling with velocity and hasn’t seen a strike call since ‘nam.

In his first full season as a starting pitcher for the Red Sox, is 5-6 with a 5.24 ERA. While he has struck out 34 batters in 55 innings pitched, with a mind-blowing 37 walks. I mean 37 walks?! For gosh sake’s I could throw a have less walks then that, mind you I may let up some moon shots, but jeez louise, 37 walks! I know that Bard has been struggling as of late but he has the ability to be a great pitcher. Last season, Bard was spectacular in a setup role for closer Jonathan Papelbon. In 73 innings, Bard finished with a 3.33 ERA and a WHIP of 0.96. He had the ability to shut down batters with his electric stuff. When his fastball and slurve are on point, Bard has the ability to be an absolute stud on the bump. His inconsistency has been his biggest problem though.

Bard’s most recent start, a 1 2/3 inning effort against Toronto Sunday, was what made the decision an easy one. Bard allowed six walks, five earned runs and a home run, along with two hit batsmen, before Bobby V. finally pulled the plug on him.

Unfortunately, baseball is probably one of the most mental games you can play. As Tim Kurkjian says in his book, Is this a great game, or what?, “Dante Bichette was a really good hitter for nearly ten years, but he had told me, ‘Everyday I came to the park wondering if it’s the last day I’ll be able to hit in the big leagues'”. Bard told the Boston Globe after his start against Toronto he may have changed some things that made him successful as he made the transition from the bullpen to the rotation.

“I allowed something to happen when I switched roles,” Bard said. “I think it’s just maybe that we just tried to turn me into a starter rather than just take the same pitcher I was out of the pen and move that guy to the rotation, which is probably what should have been done.”

I also heard Bard say that when he is able to get his arm under the ball in a 3/4-type of release, he can get more velocity on the ball but he has no clue where the ball is going. And when he is throwing more over the top of his shoulder, he loses velocity but has more control. Whatever the issue may be Bard needs to figure it out, for his sake and for the Sox’ sake. The Red Sox, who now have an empty spot in their rotation, might turn to Daisuke Matsuzaka, who is nearly done with his rehab after Tommy John surgery on his elbow last season. Matsuzaka has made five starts for Triple-A Pawtucket, and has 18 strikeouts and just three walks in 27 innings.

Celtics vs. Heat

Now as we all know I am a big Celtics fan and chose the Celtics in 7 in my last Eastern Conference Final article. I look at this game and what the Celtics were able to do in Boston, and I truly believe the C’s can win not only tonight but this series. I could care less if Bosh is back, I could care less if it’s in Miami, I could care less about what Rondo said (which is supposed to fire up the Heat). All I know is the Celts are going to come ready to play and take this Game 5.