The Starting Five

Let me ask you something…what really does a regular season loss mean to a team who has it all? Put it this way…do you really think the Patriots franchise is going to sink because one of the all time NFL coaches actually had some balls? Helllllllll no. Conventionally wise pundits all over the nation are going to scrutinize this call as if their asses have lined up over center with big bad Dwight Freeney sneering their way. Man listen…how many times have you truly thought to yourself…”they should go for it here”? Don’t lie. Coach sent a message to his team and to the league that he will call any play at any time. This call wasn’t for now, this was for when it all matters. A if I do this again, you better get it because if you do, we win play. Consider the source people. This is a team that went after a “washed up” Cory Dillon or a disgruntled “prima donna” in Randy Moss. How’d those moves work out for them? There is nothing wrong with bucking a “trend” when so many coaches know their teams are built to get a crucial first down no matter what the dial and distance and never pull the trigger just to regret it for the rest of their lives. Get off his jock. His a four ring king who has won a lot. The NFL is as far right as possible in personality but I actually thought they got the first down. Something is really fishy about the NFL this year regarding replay challenges.

Read more »

In the long and glorious history of athletics….. the subject of weight lifting for athletes has always been controversial. It started out with people believing that no weights could be lifted for fear of being musclebound and slow.

Then, with time, the basic lifts became utilized in football (like squats, dead lifts, and bench presses) and then over more and more time…team’s lifting days became more and more advanced. Strength and training coaches became more skilled and knowledgeable, some teams even utilizing the conjugated periodization technique made so famous by the Westside Barbell Club out of Columbus, Ohio.

Next time I will explain conjugated periodization and share with you my (completely friggin unscientific) list of the top 10 physical specimens in sports.

Lets get to it. Straight, no chaser.

Read more »

It just so happens that there has been a lot of busy things going on in my life. but I’m back now.

So let’s get back to where we were.

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Straight butt whuppin’. No other words. What a fighter. Manny Pacquiao is in the discussion as the best left handed fighter ever. If you watched the fight, Manny left no doubt. Boxing needed this to set up Mayweather/Pacquiao.

Read more »

(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

TNT’s NBA Thursday coverage continues Thursday, November 19 at 8 p.m. ET with a doubleheader featuring the Phoenix Suns @ New Orleans Hornets followed by the Chicago Bulls @ Los Angeles Lakers.

Read more »

(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Real rap? The NBA season is off to nuclear levels. When have you ever seen so many straight African dunks this early? I’m not trying to give my choice away but Shazzzam Flash! What the hell? I guess Silence does go Boom.

Read more »

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

The big boys are beginning to make a statement. Teams who haven’t consistently got it done are falling back with the pack. In this top 5, there are no surprises…or should I say, there shouldn’t be.

Read more »

(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Voting is open on NBA.com for next week’s Fan Night match-up that will air on Tuesday, Nov. 17. Fans can select between the following games:

Warriors @ Cavaliers, Suns @ Rockets, Thunder @ Heat, Raptors @ Nuggets, Pacers @ Nets, Clippers @ Hornets, Bulls @ Kings, Pistons @Lakers

Read more »

DeSean Jackson is showing off. All of his touchdowns (6) are over 50 yards? That’s unheard of. How bad is he gonna be? Can he be stopped? If so, by who? I’m working the Eagles/Dallas game, so I can’t make a pick, but this should be a good match up considering both teams are beginning to turn the corner and sit at 5-2. This always intense rivalry highlights the week.

Read more »

(AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

TNT’s NBA Thursday coverage continues Thursday, November 12 at 8 p.m. ET with an exclusive doubleheader featuring the Cleveland Cavaliers @ Miami Heat followed by the Phoenix Suns @ Los Angeles Lakers.

Read more »

I had another column in mind that was much controversial, but I decided to go here.

I was talking to my adviser/manager/agent/brother/friend the other night about who should be on this list. He was very close to the Chicago Bulls dynasty and has a knowledge of basketball that’s simply unique. Don’t get angry, but there are Hall of Fame players not here. There are players in the top 50 not on this list. The number one players listed by position changed the way we view the game. Each was a do everything player who’s stats didn’t tell the story of their true impact on the present/past/future. I’m trying to locate a post we had regarding the greatest of all time NBA players to contrast, but I’m having difficulty. If anyone has a loose TSF thread hanging around, please shoot it my way.

Read more »

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Hideki Matsui has no knees left. He’s been relegated to a designated hitter which isn’t easy for a former full time player. Sometimes it’s just your time and Godzilla came through tonight like the champion he now is. For the series he was 8-13 with 3 homers and 8 runs batted in…3-4 with a homer and 6 ribbys in the clincher…and was named 2009 World Series MVP. He tied a 49 year old single game rbi record (Bobby Richardson) and was the anti-Chase Utley silently, but surely. With his style at the plate, it doesn’t matter what side of the mound you are coming from.

Read more »

Friday night I had to check out Brandon Jennings’ first game as a pro. He gave me a great interview and I’m honored to have captured the moment. I knew he would blast, but not to the tune of almost recording an Oscar. He was all over the floor….went all out. Of course I took it all in and wanted to write the most definitive piece in America describing his debut. How can he be slept on? Crazy how most forgot how dynamic he was coming out of high school. He stewed in Europe. It was the best thing that ever happened to him. This kid is special and the shoulder chip he plays with will blow the NBA’s past/present/future mind. When’s the last time we saw a lefty out the box like this? He’s as grounded as they come most likely because of the maturity he describes in the piece. The Sixers defeated the Bucks in Philly’s home opener, but like I say in the article, that was almost immaterial. He’s the point guard Allen Iverson could have been. Straight up. I hope he develops in every sense of the word because he is special. Remember this conversation? Please. Dig my words and Brandon’s interview on SLAM by clicking on the pic above.