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I've got something to say to you, Tiger Woods: How could you?
While the rest of the sporting world is amazed at the feat you pulled off by winning the U.S. Open with a torn ACL and stress fractures in your leg last week, I am left to wonder what you were thinking. Doctors warned you not to risk further injury by playing, but you said you decided to play because playing is what you do.
That doesn't cut it with me, buddy. How about a little foresight here?
Prior to your arrival on the pro circuit in 1996, pro golf was what I turned on Saturday and Sunday afternoons when I was trying to catch a nap. Since then, pro golf has transformed from a lazy, sleepy spectator sport used to pass time into an exciting, dramatic event worth staying awake for.
You injected youth and enthusiasm into a game that was long past due for an overhaul. Your passion for the game has been contagious. Just look at the galleries that watch you play. Golf fans used to greet the winning golfer at the 18th green with what was little more than polite applause...the type you hear at a tennis match. But with you, galleries now explode with thunderous cheering, the kind you find at a football or basketball game.
I've become an involved golf fan because of you. Now you're trying to take that away from me.
I wish you the best on your upcoming surgery. I truly hope it won't be the end of your career. I hope it doesn't force you into becoming a lesser golfer. I hope to see you on the prowl again, but part of me is worried that among all the pro golfers on the tour, it will be your decision to ignore medical advice that will derail the Tiger Express and deprive us of watching you play.
As for the rest of you pro golfers, you all ought to be ashamed! Here was your chance to win a tournament that Tiger was playing in. He was hurting and on the ropes and not one of you could finish him off. Kudos to Rocco Mediate for taking The Tiger into extra innings, overtime, penalty kicks, or whatever you want to call it. But the rest of you ought to hang your heads in shame. Yeah, I'm talking especially to you, Phil, Ernie, Adam and Sergio.
Well, gentlemen, the field is ripe now. Tiger's out and won't be back until 2009. So win your tournaments and build your confidence. Just don't ruin the game while he's gone.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Crying a River
"Beat L.A.! Beat L.A.!," wore thin on my nerves during the 2008 NBA Finals.
While Bostonians broke out their decades-old chant and used it often during the three games played in the New Boston Garden, I recalled the Lakers crowds of the '80s, which were far superior to the ones that showed up during this year's Finals.
As annoying as Celtics fans can be, I've got to hand it to them...they out fanned the L.A. masses this time around with a barage of constant noise and support for their team. I had to wonder if the L.A. fans were even watching the game at points during the three games played at Staples Center.
The noise generated by Lakers home crowds paled in comparison to the Celtics throngs. After all, they had been waiting for 21 years for another shot at the NBA grand prize. Prior to Game 4, the ABC/ESPN commentators made note of how few of the 18,997 seats in Staples Center were filled with just minutes to go before tipoff, giving fuel to the notion that L.A. crowds passively arrive late and eagerly leave early from sporting events.
Maybe Lakers fans are jaded. NBA titles (or shots at them) have come to L.A. a lot more often than to the Celtics in the past 21 years. Since the Celtics last played in The Finals in 1987, L.A. has played for six NBA titles (1991, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2008) and have won three (2000, 2001, 2002).
That's not a good excuse for Lakers fans, though. I mean, this is the Lakers vs. the Celtics! What more can we ask for?
It wasn't this way in the '80s. The Lakers crowds at the Great Western Forum were raucus and noisy. Those crowds are what the Lakers masses of today should emulate.
As for the on-the-court business of this series, both teams are in positions that will likely favor them to return to the 2009 Finals. Both teams are packed with talent and it seems The Rivalry has caught on with the current Lakers and Celtics.
Until then, Lakers players and fans alike can only hope Andrew Bynum's knee heals nicely during the off season and that missing persons Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom are located after their untimely disappearances during this year's finals.
So enjoy it while you can, Celtics. The Rivalry has been reawakened and both teams have added purpose to return to the NBA Finals.
While Bostonians broke out their decades-old chant and used it often during the three games played in the New Boston Garden, I recalled the Lakers crowds of the '80s, which were far superior to the ones that showed up during this year's Finals.
As annoying as Celtics fans can be, I've got to hand it to them...they out fanned the L.A. masses this time around with a barage of constant noise and support for their team. I had to wonder if the L.A. fans were even watching the game at points during the three games played at Staples Center.
The noise generated by Lakers home crowds paled in comparison to the Celtics throngs. After all, they had been waiting for 21 years for another shot at the NBA grand prize. Prior to Game 4, the ABC/ESPN commentators made note of how few of the 18,997 seats in Staples Center were filled with just minutes to go before tipoff, giving fuel to the notion that L.A. crowds passively arrive late and eagerly leave early from sporting events.
Maybe Lakers fans are jaded. NBA titles (or shots at them) have come to L.A. a lot more often than to the Celtics in the past 21 years. Since the Celtics last played in The Finals in 1987, L.A. has played for six NBA titles (1991, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2008) and have won three (2000, 2001, 2002).
That's not a good excuse for Lakers fans, though. I mean, this is the Lakers vs. the Celtics! What more can we ask for?
It wasn't this way in the '80s. The Lakers crowds at the Great Western Forum were raucus and noisy. Those crowds are what the Lakers masses of today should emulate.
As for the on-the-court business of this series, both teams are in positions that will likely favor them to return to the 2009 Finals. Both teams are packed with talent and it seems The Rivalry has caught on with the current Lakers and Celtics.
Until then, Lakers players and fans alike can only hope Andrew Bynum's knee heals nicely during the off season and that missing persons Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom are located after their untimely disappearances during this year's finals.
So enjoy it while you can, Celtics. The Rivalry has been reawakened and both teams have added purpose to return to the NBA Finals.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Lakers vs. Celtics XI
Notes from this storied rivalry:
This will be the 11th time these franchises have met for the NBA title and the first time in 21 years. The Celtics lead the championship series, 8-2, but the Lakers have won two of the last three meetings (1985 and 1987).
In the history of the NBA Finals, the Celtics and Lakers have combined to win 30 out of 61 championships. Of the 61 NBA Finals played, 38 have involved one or both of these teams.
The Celtics have won 16 titles while the Lakers have won 14. Of their 14 titles, nine have come since the Lakers relocated to Los Angeles in 1960.
Last time in NBA Finals: Lakers 2004, Celtics 1987
Last NBA title: Lakers 2002, Celtics 1984
Championships pre-1979: Celtics 13, Lakers 6
Championships post-1979: Lakers 8, Celtics 3
In 61 NBA Finals games played against each other, Boston has a 36-25 edge.
During their string of eight consecutive titles from 1958-66, the Celtics faced the Lakers five times. Following a one-year break from that incredible run, the Celtics returned to the NBA Finals in 1968 and 1969 and knocked off the Lakers both times to win back-to-back championships.
Age of current Lakers and Celtics when these two teams last met in NBA Finals:
Ray Allen: 11
Kevin Garnett: 10
Paul Pierce: 9
Kobe Bryant: 8
Lamar Odom: 7
Pau Gasol: 6
Rajon Rondo: 1
Jordan Farmar: 6 months
Andrew Bynum (injured): born 4 months later
Outcome of 2008 NBA Finals: Lakers in six
This will be the 11th time these franchises have met for the NBA title and the first time in 21 years. The Celtics lead the championship series, 8-2, but the Lakers have won two of the last three meetings (1985 and 1987).
In the history of the NBA Finals, the Celtics and Lakers have combined to win 30 out of 61 championships. Of the 61 NBA Finals played, 38 have involved one or both of these teams.
The Celtics have won 16 titles while the Lakers have won 14. Of their 14 titles, nine have come since the Lakers relocated to Los Angeles in 1960.
Last time in NBA Finals: Lakers 2004, Celtics 1987
Last NBA title: Lakers 2002, Celtics 1984
Championships pre-1979: Celtics 13, Lakers 6
Championships post-1979: Lakers 8, Celtics 3
In 61 NBA Finals games played against each other, Boston has a 36-25 edge.
During their string of eight consecutive titles from 1958-66, the Celtics faced the Lakers five times. Following a one-year break from that incredible run, the Celtics returned to the NBA Finals in 1968 and 1969 and knocked off the Lakers both times to win back-to-back championships.
Age of current Lakers and Celtics when these two teams last met in NBA Finals:
Ray Allen: 11
Kevin Garnett: 10
Paul Pierce: 9
Kobe Bryant: 8
Lamar Odom: 7
Pau Gasol: 6
Rajon Rondo: 1
Jordan Farmar: 6 months
Andrew Bynum (injured): born 4 months later
Outcome of 2008 NBA Finals: Lakers in six
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