The Starting Five

The Sixers lost many games late this season…behind these clutch free throws, that dubious fact was not to be last night…

In a series where few are speaking in terms of a number one seed vs. a number eight, the Philadelphia 76′ers gained home court advantage in defeating the depleted Chicago Bulls 79-74. Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes the stars. In Game 2, Philly won because of a 36-14 third quarter. Last night it was a 28-14 fourth. This was a game the Sixers most likely had to win if it were to have a chance to move on to the second round. Probably the biggest playoff win since the Sixers went up 2-1 on the Magic in ’09. I’ve  been lucky to have covered both. Last night was incredible and in the words following, I tried to give you the game through my eyes. There is video of Julius Erving’s press conference as well. Big news for Philadelphia 76′ers fans.

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Adam Yauch known to the world as ‘MCA’ and one of the founders of  the pioneer hip-hop group The Beastie Boys passed away today after a hard fought battle with cancer, he was 47.

The Beastie Boys burst on the scene in 1986 with their classic multi-platinum album ‘Licensed to Ill’ and would go on to win numerous awards including three Grammys. The group is a staple in the hip-hop community and despite being the first successful white act the Beasties maintained a huge multi-racial following, Yauch was absent from the Beasties’ recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The group was inducted by Chuck D of Public Enemy.

I can’t call myself a Yankees fan, I’ve never really claimed a MLB team as my own. As a fan of the game, I respect the history of the 27-time world champions. My admiration for the players that have put on the pinstripes extends far and wide and Mariano Rivera falls into that category.  A quiet, humble man, Rivera goes about his work with a surgeon’s precision with the aid of an unforgiving cutter. Seeing Mariano head toward the mound meant a Yankees victory was as certain as death and taxes.

Sadly enough, after tearing his ACL last night in pregame warmups, the future of the game’s greatest closer is a certain uncertainty.

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Photo Credit: (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Along with the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat the Oklahoma City Thunder are one of the troika of teams you would expect to be holding the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy up at the end of the season.

But the question you have to ask is this: Can the team everyone has called the team of the future, the young Turks ready to take over the West, do it? Time will tell. But for right now, let us together go through the reasons why they won’t.

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(Mark J. Terrill/AP)

For seven seasons, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim  pitcher Jered Weaver has been one of baseball’s power pitchers right up there with C.C. Sabathia and Roy Halladay. Last night Weaver’s power was on full display as he struck out nine and walk a lone batter in throwing his first career no-hitter in a 9-0 victory against the Minnesota Twins. Weaver moves on to 4-0 with a .161 ERA and 45 strikeouts.

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Longtime San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Tiaina Baul “Junior” Seau has died at a shooting at his home the team is reporting.

Details is the shooting surrounding Seau’s death have not been released but it’s suspected Seau shot himself. The investigation is ongoing. Previously in October of ’10, Seau drove his car off a cliff after a domestic abuse arrest. Sadly, he’s the 9th San Diego Charger to die off the ’94 Super Bowl squad.

Seau was 43 and survived by three children.

The 10 time All Pro and 12 time (consecutive) Pro Bowler was one of the most competitive linebackers of his era and known as a consummate teammate. Drafted 5th overall out of USC, Seau played for the Chargers, Dolphins and Patriots before retiring in 2010. He left the game amassing 1.849 tackles, 56.5 sacks, 18 picks, 21 pass deflections and 3 forced fumbles.

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According to NFL.com, Vilma is done for the year. Anthony Hargrove (now on Packers. 8 games), Scott Fujita (3 games). Now on Browns) and Will Smith (4 games) will also miss considerable time this season because of the bounty scandal that has rocked the league. All without pay. Goodell is making sure this punishment is felt throughout the league and the ramifications will be evident this season. Everything was all good just a season ago for New Orleans considering Drew Brees obliterated the single single passing record previously held for almost 30 years by Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins.

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36 and 14…the same number that was the deciding 3rd quarter Sixers/Bulls output

Yesh, Yesh Y’all…it’s a dreary day in Philly but it’s still jiggy.  Seems like a just about that time for the leaves to fall day…sans the yellow seed bearers of poetic measure. Let’s get in to what happened last night in the NBA playoffs. Beans went off, so did the Truth. Iguodala grabs highlights walking on the ceiling…Jeff Teague too…

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Last season the Milwaukee Brewer’s Ryan Braun closed fast in September to win the National League MVP over the Los Angeles Dodgers Matt Kemp. Braun would test positive for a performance-enhancing drug, only to have the decision  overturned on a technicality. Braun insisted he was innocent and said that his play would restore his good name. In April, Braun hit .292 with 7 home runs and 17 runs batted in. Three of Braun’s home runs came in the Brewers April finale against the San Diego Padres.

Matt Kemp’s month of April can be summed up in one word…torrid. Kemp is playing like a man on a mission his .409 batting average and 12 home runs lead the majors, he is two RBIs shy of the  MLB lead as teammate Andre Ethier has 27.

Buckle up, we may be in store for a great wire to wire MVP race.

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Yeah, Indiana flexed last night…

This is a series that could be very interesting. I don’t think many are paying attention because of Dwight Howard’s absence, but despite last night’s blowout, I see this series shaping up to be a good one.

NBA TV’s coverage of the 2012 NBA Playoffs continues Tuesday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET featuring the Boston Celtics @ Atlanta Hawks (Game 2).

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Dwayne Wade scored 25 of the Big Three’s 65 points as the Miami Heat went up on the Knicks 2-0 in their best of seven first round series.  Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks wiith 30 points as the scene now shifts to New York as the Knicks look to stave off elimination – knockout blow may have occured after last night’s contest when Knicks forward Amar’e Stoudemire punched a fire extinguisher case lacerating his left hand. Stoudemire was treated by Knicks trainers and left the arena with his left arm in a sling.

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(Matthew West | AP)

“Dude…now what am damn I gonna do with all those Game 2 tickets?”

Why didn’t Marc Davis simply call a jump ball?

Any of us who have hooped on any level know there is a presence of some refs. We know as soon as they walk into the building by that damn “Damn! This cat…” we let out. It affects the game. You try to forget  it and focus on executing but when they blow that cotdamn whistle for some dumb shit you chill and continue playing. When they do it the second time there is a glare and by the third time there is a physical reaction of sorts. Fans need to understand refs are human to and bias becomes a part of their performance sometimes as well. Dwil (D.K. Wilson) and I were talking earlier and he said the grade system of refs should be made public. I totally agree. It’s a needed check and balance. This in no way absolves any player but the punishment should be doled out accordingly in regards to officials as well…in all sports….

Yeah yeah it’s a rule: “Any player or coach guilty of intentional physical contact with an official shall automatically be suspended without pay for one game. A fine and/or longer period of suspension will result if circumstances so dictate.”

TNT’s coverage of the 2012 NBA Playoffs continues Monday, April 30, at 7 p.m. ET with a doubleheader featuring the New York Knicks @ Miami Heat (Game 2) followed by the Orlando Magic @ Indiana Pacers (Game 2). I’ll have a playoff preview with player season quotes I collected and predictions up tonight before the games begin tomorrow. Have a great week folks.

**Addendum 5:15 pm est. Rondo suspended for Game 2.**

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(Robert Gauthier/LA Times)

Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum tied an NBA playoff record with 10 blocked shots in the Los Angeles Lakers 103-88 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of their first round series. Bynum also recorded 10 points and 13 rebounds giving the Lakers their first playoff triple-double since Magic Johnson in the 1991 NBA Finals. Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 31 points.

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(Al Bello/Getty)

The rematch between light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson lacked the fireworks of their October 15, 2011 bout. In last night’s rematch, Dawson survived and ugly cut from an accidental butt from Hopkins, forging ahead to win a majority decsion in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

On the undercard, former Michigan State football player Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell survived an early onslaught from Chazz Witherspoon to regroup and score a third round TKO.

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(Photo: Jose3030)

Derrick Rose suffered what appears to be a serious leg injury in the closing minutes of the Chicago Bulls opening round of the playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers. TNT sideline reporter Cheryl Miller has reported that Rose has been taken to a local hospital.

TNT’s coverage of the 2012 NBA Playoffs continues Sunday, April 29 at 7 p.m. ET with a doubleheader featuring the Boston Celtics @ Atlanta Hawks (Game 1) followed by the Los Angeles Clippers @ Memphis Grizzlies (Game 1).

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