LeBron James is talking openly of how he may not get to face Dwayne Wade in an NBA Final but how he'd be fine facing him even if only in practice. In response, the New York Knicks started clearing cap room...Steven Gerrard scored three for Liverpool in yesterday's 5-0 fisting of Aston Villa, who have dropped two straight now and have Manchester United lined up in a couple weeks after the international break this weekend...for my money, Villanova vs Duke is the intriguing Sweet 16 matchup in the NCAA hoops parenthesis. As always, I'll be pulling for whoever faces Duke. UConn looks the most dominant at this point...if you're wondering, Barrack Obama went 14-2 in his second round picks. Much better than a weak 19-13 opening round...bottom of the 8th, down 6-4, who makes an error for the United States that allows three more runs to make it 9-4 for Japan? Derek Jeter. But it is okay, it isJeter after all. His defence gets any worse and we'll be calling him the Jose Calderon of MLB, dubbing him "Erek" Jeter...the latest in The Life of A-Rod: he dated a former madam, in addition to him tapping some of her escorts. David Duchovny is recognizing some symptoms in Alex...hard as it may be to believe, but Detroit Tigers starters Dontrelle Willis and NateRobertson - both one-time studs - could be done at early ages. Fire up the performance enhancing drug speculation...Jeremy Roenick calls an interview with Sidney Crosby"as boring to watch as possible." JR hasn't scored many this year, but he's lighting the red light on that one...here's some word on the NHLchanging the draft lottery to factor in years out of the playoffs and factor in previous first overall picks, good ideas both. Also mentioned: Vinny Lecavalier will be a Montreal Canadien on draft day. Guaranteed...think those NCAA lines are sharp at all? So far, we've seen wins and losses as narrow as a point either way. Yesterday, a push on Missouri at -4. Tough sledding. Have a great Monday, back with your PTP later.
With the growth of international events, almost feels like UFC is becoming a weekly thing. Tonight, "The Dean of Mean"Keith Jardine faces Quinton"Rampage"Jackson at UFC96. As a fine service from RM to you, check out mmahacks.com if you're looking to watch from the comfort of your PC, free...hot on the heels of yesterday's photos of drunken athletes comes word that Chelsea's John Terry and Ashley Cole are in hot water with manager Guus Hiddink after Cole was arrested after a drunken night out with Terry in London...and speaking of athletes drinking - still - good to hear former NFLer Brian Bosworth was busted for driving under the influence. On his Harley...limited EPL schedule this weekend with the FA Cup fifth round on the go...Canada hosts the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic today at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. Meaningful baseball has returned, spring is here again...Dwayne Wade is making a hell of a case to be in the MVP conversation this year after dumping in another 42 in a Miami Heat win over the Toronto Raptors...an SI.com poll of NBA players had 45% of players call San Antonio Spur Bruce Bowen the most annoying defensive player - a compliment, obviously. Here's guessing a poll of favorite defensive player would see Josee Caleron rated tops among competitors...Carey Price finally had a strong game in goal for the Montreal Canadiens, but remains winless in eight. The Habs have scored 1 goal in the last 8 periods of play...sometimes NHLer Steve Downie must be insane. How else do you explain a guy who slashes a linesman? Video here...Frank Mir is out of UFC98 due to injury, so no rematch with Brock Lesnar unfortunately...check out this great history of Shaq's emasculations of other players and coaches over the years. So good...have a great Saturday, don't forget to vote in the poll at the top right.
It took longer than anyone expected once he came free, but Brian Burke has finally landed in the Toronto Maple Leafs GM chair. Burke has a six year deal to do what nobody has been able to in forty plus years. Not sure who will be happier about the move, Leafs fans, or the media? Burke is nothing if not a good quote...it was romp central in yesterday's NFL action, though the Philadelphia Eagles sure surprised in showing signs of life in hammering the visiting Arizona Cardinals. The Dallas Cowboys are starting to look like they've turned their season around as the offence is moving the ball with ease, though it wasSeattle they played. Up next: Pittsburgh, the New York Giants, Baltimore. That'll tell the tale. Oh, and the Detroit Lions are looking every bit like a team that has "0-16" in its sites..Toronto Raptor Chris Bosh is eyeing the MVP award for this year and openly talking about it. The way he's playing, it shows...Toronto FC goalkeeper Greg Sutton thinks the squad can make a run for the playoffs and championship next year. He must know something about pending player moves because the team still lacks scoring punch...Allen Iversonskipped practice. Go ahead, say it to yourself, you know you want to...a pair of Buffalo Bills fans have a petition going to have the Rogers Centre roof open for the Bills game against Miami in a couple weeks. People who start petitions are losers, as are those that sign them...three straight losses for Prime Time Picks after six straight wins. Streaky...the three leading scorers in the NBA: Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh. All free agents in 2010..have a great Friday.
Another NBA team - the New York Knicks - is making deals to clear cap room for the prized 2010 free agents of Lebron James, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade...funny that the Toronto Star mentions that Toronto Raptor Anthony Parker was beat by Wince Carter to send Friday's game to overtime, but when it came time to describe the dunk that finished the game, no mention was made of Jose Calderon going pylon...the Grey Cup goes today and as much as Calgary has been the class of the CFL all year, tough to go against Montreal when they're playing at home and it is a pick 'em. Love the under at 57. That game goes at 6pm on TSN...the MLS Cup goes on ABC today at 3:30 and represents the easiest wager of the day for yours truly. I'm tipping the Columbus Crew to down the New York Red Bull...the Prime Time Picks are a rocking 14-7 heading into tonight, and we're riding the San Diego Chargers at -3 to down the Indianapolis Colts...how can CBC not run a ticker of other scores during Hockey Night in Canada? Hell, they don't even do it between periods...incredibly, the top four in the English Premier League yesterday were all scoreless...I would never dare to call myself the biggest follower of NCAA football, but I do follow it enough to take great pleasure in any loss by Notre Dame. At home. To Syracuse. Yeah, good thing they've got Charlie Weis inked to coach well into the next decade...Guns N Roses Chinese Democracy hits stores today, I'm off to Best Buy to get me mine. Have a great Sunday.