Sports Morning Headlines - Wednesday, 5/9/12
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- Created on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 05:48
- Last Updated on Thursday, 16 May 2013 07:51
- Written by MVPTexas Morning Sports Report
Make it quick, Clips and Grizzlies - Gregg Popovich’s head might explode if his team has to wait until early next week to play Game 1 of its Western Conference semifinals series. The Spurs coach has groused all season about being forced to play too many games in too few days. Now he worries the rhythm his players developed in recent weeks will disappear without a game in the next few days. If the Clippers close out their series against the Grizzlies with a victory tonight in Memphis, the next round could begin as early as Saturday. That would thrill Popovich. It’s not that he prefers to play the fifth-seeded Clippers. But a win by the No. 4 Grizzlies would prolong the series, increase the Spurs’ time off and turn Popovich’s hair from white to neon. The series winner figures to be battered, bruised and physically spent if the series goes the distance. Would the rested Spurs have a bigger edge if the Clippers and Grizzlies continued to beat on each other for three more games? Los Angeles’ Caron Butler already is playing with a broken hand. READ MORE
Mavericks need young star to support Dirk - If the Dallas Mavericks have designs on winning another NBA championship in the foreseeable future, they need to hurry up and pair Dirk Nowitzki with another young superstar. Nowitzki, who turns 34 on June 19, might be able to play at a prime-time superstar level for another three or four years. With such a small window to operate under, the Mavericks will have to move fast in an effort to supply Nowitzki the assistance he needs to get this franchise back on the NBA mountaintop. "I think you saw during the course of the playoffs that he was fighting tooth and nail, and he needs help," general manager Donnie Nelson said. "He needs help and we plan to give it to him." Deron Williams, who turns 28 on June 26, is the player the Mavericks would love to pair with Nowitzki. The point guard of the team that soon will be known as the Brooklyn Nets becomes a free agent on July 1 and previously has noted that he wouldn't mind playing for Dallas. Williams could be coming home; he was a high school star at The Colony. READ MORE
Why revamping the Mavericks needs to start with free agent Rick Carlisle - Cuban needs to get coach re-signed before wooing free agents. Mark Cuban is good at doing business. He buys low, sells high. He drives a hard bargain but rewards employees when they bring him fame and fortune. All of which means it is time to pony up for one of his most important assets. That’s nothing he doesn’t already know. Rick Carlisle is the Mavericks’ marquee free agent. And be very clear that there are other teams who would quickly snatch up Carlisle to be their next coach. People in Portland have already brought up his name. Nobody expects Carlisle to be coaching home games anywhere next season except American Airlines Center. But until he is signed on for four more years, nothing is guaranteed. After all, Phil Jackson is out there in the unemployment line. Jerry Sloan, too, although if Deron Williams is in the Mavericks’ future, that probably precludes Sloan. And while it’s hard to imagine Cuban employing Big Chief Triangle, the Zen Master or whatever clever nickname is next up for Jackson, stranger stuff has happened. READ MORE
NBA Mock Draft Update: Rockets Get A Little Bit Taller - We're quickly entering Mock You Like A Hurricane Season. Draft experts have been at it for some time now, but with a handful of teams and fans already turning to the offseason for answers, it's time to bring out the educated guesses. Here's a look at your mock draft update from a few of the most prominent web sites out there. I've attached any available pick analysis that each website offered. I've also added some analysis of my own, because ANALYSIS. READ MORE
Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead: Mavs Ousted, More Playoffs - Looks like picking the Mavericks to sweep the Thunder in my attempt to jinx the defending champs worked after all. OKC defeated Dallas in a series that was so much closer to 4-0 leads one to believe. Frankly, the Mavericks could have won games 1, 2, and 4 just as easily as the Thunder. But James Harden went superhero last night and Tyson Chandler didn't walk through the door to save the Mavs from impending doom. The Spurs are also doing work on the Jazz. Up 3-0 and in total control, it looks like another sweep unless the Jazz fight back and take game 4 despite showing no real intensity in any fourth quarter of the series. As for today's games, the Bulls take on the Sixers in Philly sans D-Rose and Noah, who twisted his ankle on a fast break. Those are the injuries I hate seeing, and I think anyone who has ever sprained/twisted an ankle will understand how difficult it is to watch those replays. READ MORE
Josh Hamilton hits four home runs against Orioles, becomes 16th player in history to reach mark - Josh Hamilton became the 14th player in baseball history to hit four homers in one game on Tuesday. (AP)Josh Hamilton won over baseball on a summer night in the Bronx four years ago, putting on an unbelievable show of power in the home run derby at old Yankee Stadium. On Tuesday night in Baltimore, the Texas Rangers star captivated all of baseball with his home run prowess again — this time during a regular-season game — swatting four homers off Orioles pitchers in a 10-3 win at Camden Yards. "I always wanted to get three [homers] and I never did that," Hamilton told reporters after the game "Just thanking the Lord up above." We make big deals about perfect games, but 21 pitchers have recorded one throughout baseball history. Only 15 other players have hit four home runs in the same game with the last one before Hamilton being Carlos Delgado on Sept. 25, 2003. READ MORE
Adrian Beltre's regret: He couldn't really yell after Josh Hamilton's fourth homer - Adrian Beltre has been witness - and participant - to the two single greatest total base efforts in MLB history. On Tuesday, he was hitting behind Josh Hamilton when he hit four homers and piled up 18 total bases in a 5-for-5 night to set the AL record. Almost 10 years ago, he was hitting in front of then LA Dodgers' teammate Shawn Green when he hit four homers, went 6-for-6 and piled up 19 total bases for the all-time record. "They were similar games, really," Beltre said. "They were both hitting the ball everywhere. They were both completely locked in." READ MORE
Watch Mills react to 3-2 win over Marlins - The Astros finally broke though against a tough pitcher Tuesday, scoring a pair of unearned runs in the sixth inning against Miami’s Anibal Sanchez to tie the game before Brian Bogusevic’s pinch-hit, RBI double in the eighth sent them to a 3-2 win, snapping the Marlins’ seven-game winning streak. WATCH VIDEO
With outing, Rodriguez makes case for rotation - Aneury Rodriguez knew in advance that this stay in Houston would be brief, something akin to what Jordan Lyles faced when he was recalled to make a spot start in Cincinnati on April 29. The onus sat squarely on Rodriguez to leave a lasting impression in the mind of Astros manager Brad Mills, to pitch so effectively that Astros brass might view Rodriguez as the solution to their lingering issues at the back end of their rotation. Like Lyles before him, Rodriguez gave that brain trust another option to seriously consider. Rodriguez surrendered two runs on two hits over six solid innings, holding the line just long enough for the Astros to mount a late rally in their 3-2 victory over the Marlins on Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park. READ MORE
Waived Texan Jacoby Jones signs with rival Ravens - After visiting Carolina and Baltimore, former Texans wide receiver Jacoby Jones chose the Ravens. Jones, 28, was placed on waivers by the Texans last season. Signing with the Ravens to become their third receiver behind Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith means Jones will be reunited with his former Texans teammates – fullback Vonta Leach and strong safety Bernard Pollard. Agent Kennard McGuire negotiated a two-year, $7 million contract. Jones would have made $3 million this year had he remained with the Texans. Interestingly, Jones is going to Baltimore, where his muffed punt in the AFC divisional-round loss to the Ravens, was the beginning of the end of his career with the Texans. Fans and media turned on him to a point where McGuire asked the Texans to release him after they failed to trade him last week. READ MORE
For The Dallas Cowboys, The Players Aren't The Only RKGs - I got accused a little bit ago by a certain statistical genius (and suspected Overlord of the Google) of being a homer. To which my second response was "Guilty." (My first response was "Doh!", but it turns out he wasn't talking about that Homer.) I am homer. I love me some Dallas Cowboys. And I think one of the best things to happen to them since, oh, about 1994, is the hiring of one Jason Garrett as head coach. I am of the opinion that the culture of a football team can be the difference between a successful franchise and, say, one that has only won a single playoff game in the past decade and a half. (No, Virginia, byes don't count.) Ever since Garrett was given the interim head coaching position, I have been completely in agreement with his idea of the Cowboy Way, and of finding the Right Kind of Guys to play for the team. I think that this has become a key criterion for the team in evaluating the players it is considering signing or drafting. It is why I have a perhaps overabundant sense of optimism about the 2012 draft and UDFA classes, because I keep seeing those RKG qualities when these guys get talked about. Hard workers. Team captains. Plays through the whistle. High motor. All combined with some impressive measurables and on field credentials. READ MORE
Ex-Cowboy Terrell Owens joins Dr. Phil, discusses fathering four kids to four women - Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens appeared Tuesday on a one-hour special on Dr. Phil’s syndicated talk show. The program touched on everything from the former NFL star’s role as a father to his recent financial woes. Owens has fathered four children with four women. The show included Owens and three of the women. When asked by Dr. Phil if he is happy with the situation, Owens replied that it "wasn’t a plan." Margaret Floyd, grandmother to one of Owens' children, wasted no time in going after the former All-Pro receiver. "Terrell disgusts me as a father," Floyd said. "He’s a liar and I’m just sick of Terrell Owens.” READ MORE
Texas Tornado wins Robertson Cup in OT, 4-3, over St. Louis - The Texas Tornado made incredible use of home ice this season. Drawing an invitation to the Robertson Cup Tournament only because it was host, the Tornado beat St. Louis, 4-3, in overtime and won the NAHL Championship for the fifth time. Plano's Justin Greenberg popped in a shot at the edge of the net at the 4:36 mark of overtime, giving Texas a huge win in front of a rowdy crowd at Dr Pepper Arena. In addition to Greenberg, Plano's Marc Biggs scored a goal and Garland's Frederick Leisner got the win in goal. It is the first win for Texas since 2006. The Tornado also won in 2005, 2004 and 2001. Jordan Lovick was named MVP of the tournament. Texas dominated the first period, outshooting St. Louis 12-3 and taking a 1-0 lead on a goal from Biggs. St. Louis goalie Spencer Viele was impressive, turning away shots from Drew Mayer and Jordan Lovick, but then Biggs was able to somehow force a slapshot through Viele at the 18:08 mark of the first period. The goal was a huge push for the Tornado, and then when Texas drew a late power play, all momentum seemed to be with on the side of the hosts. READ MORE
Dallas Stars Continue To Shine At World Championships - Now that another day of the World Championships is done, a little update on how the Dallas Stars involved in the tournament are doing. Hometown team Finland leads Group A (the group including USA and Canada) with a record of 3-0-0-0, 9 pts. Canada is second in Group A with a record of 2-0-1-0, 7 pts. USA sits in fourth place in their group, with only 5 points and a 1-1-0-1. USA has the second highest powerplay percentage, behind Russia, at 38.46% and is 100% so far on the penalty kill. Finland is leading all teams in save percentage (.973) and goals against average (0.67), mostly due to Kari Lehtonen's stellar performance so far. Another fun fact: USA is currently averaging 6397 attendees at their three games so far, good for seventh in the tournament overall. Canada is averaging just 5552, good for ninth in the tournament. Loui Eriksson is leading all scorers in the tournament currently, with 3g, 3a, 6p and a +3 rating.He had 2g, 1a in Sweden's 6-4 win against Denmark yesterday. READ MORE
---Staff and Wire Reports contributed to this story
Spurs vs Grizzlies
Winner Goes To The Finals ...
