So you want to sell soccer to the world?  I've come up with a plan that may just work.  Show them the Dutch.  After the Netherlands decisive 3-0 win over current world champion Italy, all you need to do is show the non-fan the Dutch.  In that game the Dutch could make anyone a fan.  Toward the end of their dismantlement of the Italians I thought to myself this is what Americans need to see.

One the whole they were spirited, offensive oriented and full of finesse.  Individually there was just enough arrogance emitted from the players that the average fan wouldn't call him cocky, but would call him tremendously confident.  They had a swagger I have not seen in international soccer before.  Not even from the Brazilians who do have a substantial amount of skills individually, but to me have never seemed as smooth.

Continue reading "If it ain't Dutch, it ain't much"

The situation that should be David Stern’s worst nightmare continues.  I say should because Stern continues to brush aside “rogue” former NBA official Tim Donaghy.  In the past couple of days Donaghy has claimed that NBA officials have influenced the outcome of NBA playoff games, including, perhaps most notably, game six of the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers.

This situation is extremely similar to another sports story of the last couple of years.  When Jose Canseco released Juiced, his tell all steroids book, the public dismissed him as simply trying to attract attention and make himself relevant again (apparently VH1’s The Surreal Life wasn’t enough).  Donaghy doesn't have a book for his secrets, but his statements are just as important.

Continue reading "The NBA and Tim Donaghy"

As the trial regarding the Seattle Sonics continues I am again infuriated at the whole situation.  Most of my frustration is not with Clay Bennett though.  Although he is most likely taking our Sonics away he is a business man with interests of his own.  I am more frustrated with David Stern and the NBA.

The NBA is on the verge of losing a franchise in a top 15 media market to one just outside the top 45.  There is a reason there is not an NBA team in Oklahoma City.  Nobody outside of Oklahoma City cares about Oklahoma City.  It's smaller, more isolated than Seattle and would be the third smallest market in the NBA (New Orleans and Memphis are smaller).  You cannot honestly tell me the NBA is better off in Oklahoma City than it is in Seattle.

Continue reading "The Future is now Sonics"

The group stage of Euro 2008 has come to an end and the knockout stage is here.  We’ve seen some good and some bad.  Here are my thoughts and predictions for the tournament to come.

Let start with the good and my team of the tournament so far.

Netherlands:  They opened up with convincing victories over two of Europe’s premier squads to win their group before the third matches even began.  And then won a game they didn't need to.  I’m not sold on their chances to take the whole tournament, but for the excitement they provided and the skill and ability they showed in the group stage alone, they're my team of the tournament so far.  And special props to Marco Van Basten for his substitutions.

Croatia:  What else can you say, but they earned max points in a group with pre-tournament favorite Germany.  Even when they didn’t need to win the final game to advance to knockout play, they did, and against a Polish team that did need that win.  And hey, how about not having to play Portugal in the first round?  I say boo-ya.

Continue reading "Euro 2008"

In many issues in Sports Illustrated there is one feature story, usually many pages, telling a story about a person, team or game.  And most of the time I don't read them.  I like Sports Illustrated, but don't usually care for these pieces.  But in the June 23 issue there was a story I truly enjoyed and I wanted to share it with you.

The story is about the Fudges Family.  They are a soccer team in Clarkston, Georgia.  Not one of the traditional prestigious clubs that costs thousands of dollars to play, but rather a club built for refugees in the town.  Now that is all I am going to say because I do want you to find out yourself.  It is worth your time.

They do have a website, www.fugeesfamily.org, you can visit that has basic information, stories and videos about their players and teams.  Visit the website, read the article and hear their story.  It is not one you will soon forget.

Continue reading "Fugees Family"

Last year's NBA draft was easy as a Sonics fan.  Take either Durant or Oden, whoever was left.  This year however, it’s a whole new ball game.  As soon as it was announced the Sonics would have the fourth pick in this draft I thought “what does that mean?”  Now, I'm not stupid, I understand what having the fourth pick means, I just didn't know what that would get them.

After looking at numerous mock drafts, reading many player profiles and consuming my share of media I have figured out who I want.  And it turns out, the situation is similar to last year, at least for me.  That is, assuming the first two picks go as planned.

The Supes are in need of a point guard and (outside of Derrick Rose) the top three candidates are Jerryd Bayless, O.J. Mayo and Russell Westbrook.  I want Bayless or Mayo, not Westbrook.  I want their offensive ability, something Westbrook is in short supply of.  Some people say the Sonics need more defense as opposed to offense.  I tend to believe that most players, whether they normally do or not, can and will play defense if their coach demands it of them or they actually want to.  Take a look at the Sonics of 2004-2005.  McMillan had them doing something right on D.  If the Sonics get someone like McMillan to make them play defense, they would.  And Bayless and Mayo are athletic enough to succeed on the defensive end.  The bottom line is if Minnesota takes one of these players take the other.

Continue reading "The Sonics and the NBA Draft"

Germany are favorites...or favourites.

Podolski shines.    Dutch are delightful!    Hat trick for Villa.    Turkey win late.    Croatia win group.    Romanians love Mutu! So do Italians.    Early exit for Greece.    Turkey win late.    Ballack blast.    French miss Zidane.    Russia are through!

Germany bests Portugal.    Croatia win late. Turkey win late.    Dutch are done.    Spanish curse gone.

Lightning in Basel.    Spain are convincing.

44 years!

Xavi best player.

South Africa.

Continue reading "Euro 2008 Wrap-up"