The Starting Five

Besides the obvious of course…

They both are great at what they do.  One has two MVP awards that will forever be disputed.

The other none and should at least have one.

One probably has never been booed, the other the second he stepped into the league.

Both are charitable and do all they can for the kids.

One is loved by the press…the other doesn’t give them shit.

Both have suffered injuries off and on throughout their careers.

One is put on a pedestal for what he can’t do, the other slammed for not doing what he can do.

One is great at the pick and roll in the middle of the floor, the other historic at ball security.

One gets props for not having teammates and winning, the other does not.

Both have game weaknesses.

I’ve been on record saying there’s no way Steve Nash should have two MVP awards in a league that has both Kobe Bryant and LeBron James (sentiment is Shaq should have won his first when he left L.A. for Miami).

I’ve also been on record defending (written numerous features) the legacy of Donovan McNabb because it appears his career is absent the respect he definitely deserves.

Both are great dudes and I dig speaking to either one of them.

One is supposedly a sure fire Hall of Famer, while the other seems to be fighting for Canton despite stats that support such an honor.

One is flashy on the floor, the other chill even in the worst times.

The Black quarterback…the White point guard…

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The Phoenix Suns took care of a depleted Portland squad and now move on to the next round. Stoudemire and Jason Richardson were big in this series although Amar’e getting just three rips in the clincher is kinda stinkish, Sup with that? He’s gotta do better.

On the other end, San Antonio kicked the Mavs out early again. For some reason not yet known to man, Rick Carlisle sat Rodrique Beaubois for what at least the first 9-10 minutes in the 4th quarter? Might have cost him his job, because the young fella was getting off. Brandon Roy obviously didn’t have it coming off arthroscopic surgery and the Trail Blazers were a little outta sync. It’s gonna be interesting to see if the Suns do what they haven’t done since Barkley was banging in on everybody and ya Pops…and that’s get to the Finals.

TNT’s coverage of the 2010 NBA Playoffs continues on Saturday, May 1 with exclusive Conference Semifinal action at 8 pm ET with the Boston Celtics @ Cleveland Cavaliers (Game #1).

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There is no disputing the season Stephen Curry had but did Golden State sniff a playoff berth? Nah. This should be about winning. I’m sure both Curry and Evans would rather be in Jennings’ position and soak of all those playoff experience points and Brandon is getting his and he will be a better player next season as a result.

I covered the opening game here which was Bucks vs. Sixers. Brandon Jennings flashed all over the court like an Allen Iverson/Tiny Archibald dynamo. I thought I saw a Rookie of the Year that night. Milwaukee was in almost every game this season and have the Hawks on the brink of elimination. The emergence of Andrew Bogut, the stellar coaching of Scott Skiles and the maturity of John Salmons have propelled the Bucks into one of the most exciting teams in the NBA.

Then shot a kid from Chester, PA into the limelight. Tyreke Evans averaged 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the Kings…only the fourth player to put up such numbers (Jordan, Robertson, James). He is an athletic marvel and as he becomes more NBA comfortable with his gifted skill set, we will begin to see the makings of a super star. I remember speaking to him as a 16 year old at Rucker Park for the Elite 24 and I was so impressed with his ability to navigate everything basketball. That was then. Rookie of the Year is now. He just has it. Sky’s the limit.

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Brandon Jennings scores 25 and John Salmons 19 to offset Al Horford’s 25 and Marvin Williams’ 22 as the Bucks pushed the Hawks to the brink of elimination 91-87. Milwaukee leads the series 3-2. With the victory, the surprising Bucks can wrap up the series at home Saturday.

TNT’s coverage of the 2010 NBA Playoffs continues on Thursday, April 29 at 8 p.m. (ET) with a doubleheader featuring the Dallas Mavericks @ San Antonio Spurs (Game #6) followed by the Phoenix Suns @ Portland Trail Blazers (Game #6).

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I caught up with Kim Glass, a member of USA Women’s Volleyball team currently playing overseas in the Czech Republic, after stints in Turkey and Russia. In 2008, Kim Glass competed with the team at the Beijing Olympics, playing the position of outside hitter. During the Olympics, where Team USA ultimately grabbed the silver medal, Glass on average contributed 2.13 points, 1.67 kills, 1.73 digs, 0.33 blocks, and 0.13 aces per set and started 26 of a total 33 sets. In addition, the Lancaster, Pennsylvania native left an amazing legacy at the University of Arizona by finishing her career with school records in kills (2,151 kills), aces (162) and kills per game… (5.27) while also finishing third all time in digs (1,158). She was honored three times as an American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American, was the 2002 American Volleyball Coaches Association National Freshman of the Year and was named all four years by the All Pac-10 team.

I don’t know about everyone else but I was glued to the TV whenever indoor volleyball came on NC during the Beijing games and the main reason was Kim. Without further adieu, here’s the chat transcript.

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Chicago has Gon’ Fishin’ and maybe their coach will permanently be shipped out to sea…

Doesn’t look good Vinny. We wish you luck.

The Craig Ehlo get back (video follows)?

The Cavs have finally defeated the Chicago Bulls in a playoff series and despite what appears to be an elbow injury, Cleveland must now get ready for a game Boston Celtics team on Saturday.

Chicago is a rising team and despite not making this an epic series the likes of last season’s magnificent battle with the Boston Celtics, this young team will be a force as their young stars, Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah mature.

TNT’s coverage of the 2010 NBA Playoffs continues on Wednesday, April 28 at 8 p.m. (ET) with a doubleheader featuring the Milwaukee Bucks @ Atlanta Hawks (Game #5), followed by the Utah Jazz @ Denver Nuggets (Game #5).

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Last week was a very busy one in the sports world - the Roethlisberger suspension, the NBA and NHL playoffs picking up steam, the NFL Draft that ran Thursday through Saturday and euphoria turns to sadness for the Colorado Rockies.

Welcome to the first installment of TSF’s News and Notes.

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I won’t address the Larry Brown to Philly rumors because nothing has materialized as of yet, but the reality of it all is Charlotte felt that 4 game Orlando broom. The Magic are really good and despite the constant foul trouble of Dwight Howard (he averaged around 30 minutes a game), Orlando still got it done.

Who is next?

TNT’s coverage of the 2010 NBA Playoffs continues on Tuesday, April 27 at 8 p.m. (ET) with a doubleheader featuring the Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers (Game #5) followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder @ Los Angeles Lakers (Game #5).

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Him. That guy. The one feared. Comes in cold and does things cold to the opposition. He is a player no one wants to face in the 4th because his legs are fresh and the shoulder chips are ubiquitous. He wants to give it to the one who dares to guard him. Fire, skill…a love for the game. A respect for its past. Humility is all that is asked. You see, Jamal Crawford wants to light you up but will do so with a smile on his face. It’s nothing personal. Destroying you is his job. He doesn’t see the faces…just wants to give you the scars. The Atlanta Hawks are immersed in a seven game series with the upstart Bucks and it’s only a matter of time before Crawford stamps his name on the series with something of a 16 point quarter or a 30 point game where he has three 4 point plays. He is poised to win 6th Man of the Year today. Part two of this will drop at a later date as a team meeting was the reason this conversation was cut short. I’ll keep you posted. Have a great week.

Bob McAdoo is next…

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Denver better get down with this. I have to admit, I’m a little shocked. I guess it’s because of Utah’s ability to win in Denver or anyplace else that Salt Lake for that matter (although that changed a bit this season). That Deron Williams is giving it to Chauncey is not a shock because it’s DWill’s time to shine. Making Billups work on defense is not the same as it ever was. These days and after all the wear and playoff tear, hungry young legs prevail. The takeover…

Don’t discount George Karl’s absence and that’s no slight to Adrian Dantley.

Get well soon coach.

TNT’s coverage of the 2010 NBA Playoffs continues on Monday, April 26 at 8 p.m. (ET) with a doubleheader featuring the Orlando Magic @ Charlotte Bobcats (Game #4) followed by the Portland Trail Blazers @ Phoenix Suns (Game #5).

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Kobe has seen it all in his years of being the player ushering his generation from Jordan to James. He’s guarded great players and premier players have tried their hand at defensing one of the most talented athletes to ever lace ‘em up. Yes, he’s played an amazing amount of games since the Olympics but Kobe would have it no other way. It would appear,  the last two games, that Kobe is actually struggling to shoot above and beyond the tremendous wingspan and savvy of Kevin Durant. Huh?

Yeah…

Somebody else on the Lakers better step up…

On the Portland/Suns front…Brandon Roy shook fear in conservative minds and hearts alike by playing a mere eight days after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus tendon in his right knee.  The crazy thing is that this is a franchise littered with freakish career threatening (jury is still out on Greg Oden) injuries that span decades.

The Phoenix Suns have been a problem. They’ve blown out Portland the last two games of the best of seven series after the Trail Blazers won the first round opener. Steve Nash dropped 16 assists…

Jason Richardson went for 42.

Something had to give…

Brandon Roy basically held the franchise hostage by telling his coach he could go and Nate McMillian took a major risk in trusting his young star in a time where cooler heads had to prevail.

Victory…

TNT’s coverage of the 2010 NBA Playoffs continues on Sunday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. (ET) with the NBA Tip-Off presented by AutoTrader.com, followed at 7 p.m. (ET) with a doubleheader featuring the Dallas Mavericks @ San Antonio Spurs (Game #4) followed by the Denver Nuggets @ Utah Jazz (Game #4).

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“What if this storm ends, and I don’t see you as you are now ever again?” Snow Patrol, “The Lightning Strike Part 1”

Donovan McNabb and Randall Cunningham. Say those names outside of Philly, and to the wrong people inside of the city, and you will get chapter and verse of a treatise: We were not good enough to win a championship, so it is ok to let Randall and Donovan finish off their careers somewhere else. However, the truth is that they have become a coda for what the Eagles are unwilling to admit to:

Their own privilege, dipped in Kelly green.

It is true. The fans of the Philadelphia Eagles were spoiled rotten by what they had for

over 2 decades. A franchise whose entire existence prior to these 2 men consisted of one championship and a whole bunch of utterly abysmal seasons now had two great all-time quarterbacks…Hall-of-Fame talents of men…and got rid of both of them. In this way, they have hitched themselves to a marriage whose ugly divorce is still being felt 3000 miles and an ocean away.

Potential is an enchanting siren that promises you the world, and delivers on that promise just enough to keep you committed to it through good times and bad. Moreover, odd as it is, that marriage 3000 miles and an ocean away that I spoke of

earlier is also dipped in green. However, it ended far worse than this one will.

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Great time to put up 42 points huh? Though Portland is without their star player, the Suns have destroyed the Trail Blazers the last two games. Steve Nash is finding everyone on a dime and Alvin Gentry is not letting up off the throttle.

That Kevin Durant guarded Kobe Bryant in stretches is proof positive his basketball maturity level is rising to one of the top current levels in the game. He’ll downplay the moment because I know how he is, but this will definitely be a snapshot of his young career he can move to his grand kids minds one day. Props to you young fella on leading his very young squad to a win against the top seed Lakers.

Derrick Rose and the Bulls were victorious as well and despite the death of his uncle Pooh continues to show his talent is real, right and exact. Jerold Wells Jr. and I had blackberry messenger convo last night and we both agreed the league is set at point guard for the next 8-10 years and this is a league where John Wall is still on the outside looking in…damn…

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Dez just Cowboy’d up times 2

Dez Bryant to the Cowboys? Wow…just wow. Ridiculous pick by Jerry Jones. Amazing. Props to him and Cowboy fans everywhere. Wait…did I just say that?

Tim Tebow to Denver was just as shocking. I’ll have the list of players later on. All I can say is Damn…

Brandon Graham to Philly is a great pick. You’ll learn Philly that he’s a great football talent and even a better man.

I’m still So. Far. Gone.

Oh..before I go, can we please dispel the misnomer Tebow won two championships at Florida? The other definitely was won with Chris Leak taking the overwhelming majority of snaps. Leak…who came through on a promise to win a chip on signing day…went through too much BS to be written out of history. Tebow took some red zone snaps and the title is attributed to him?

Nah, that’s not my style; to crime I’m not related. As far as I’m concerned, I’m too sophisticated…

Great college player. Not the greatest of all time but I most certainly wish him well in the league. He’s a fighter. Gotta rock with that.

Well we’re going to wrap up the first round just in time for tonight’s draft. We will wrap up the round as New England, Green Bay, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Arizona, Dallas, San Diego, N.Y. Jets, Minnesota, Indianapolis and New Orleans are on the clock…

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