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Rivalry Reaches Game 7

Cody Clark — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:58:08 +0000

The Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers have been the two premiere franchises in the NBA since the very beginning. However, after last night’s game, you would think Boston did not deserve to be. With a chance to clinch the series and defeat the Lakers in the finals for the second time in three years, a newly energized Kobe Bryant and a revitalized supporting cast blasted the Celtics from the opening tip. The Lakers used 11 points from Kobe to jump out to a ten point 28-18 lead in the first period, and never looked back. Kobe Bryant finished the game with 26 points and 11 rebounds, while Pau Gasol flirted with a triple double, posting a line of 17 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists to go along with 3 blocked shots. Ron Artest also contributed 15 points to the Lakers’ cause while Lamar Odom also got in on the action with 8 points, but also grabbed 10 rebounds, with 9 being on the defensive end of the floor. Besides Kendrick Perkins, who did injure his knee and is probably out for the decisive game 7, all other Lakers starters scored in double figures, but not one scored over 20 points, and the Celtics futile offense only managed 67 points, their lowest output of these playoffs. The Celtics came out very flat in what could have been a clincher game for them, and will look to shake that off as they attempt to steal game 7 from the Lakers on their home floor on Thursday night.

Griffey Jr. Calls It Quits

Cody Clark — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:35:22 +0000

After 22 seasons, the 1997 MVP award, 13 All-Star appearances, 10 Gold Gloves, 630 long balls and 1,836 career RBI, Seattle Mariner outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. retired from the game of baseball on the night of June 2nd. After returning to the Mariners this season knowing he would probably call it quits sometime in the near future, Griffey served in a part time role, playing sparingly and serving as a leader in the clubhouse. Griffey Jr. saved the Mariners in the 1990’s as he as well as Randy Johnson, Edgar Martinez and Alex Rodriguez played in such a way that ensured the Seattle franchise would remain in Seattle. Griffey achieved various feats during his career, ranging from scoring the winning run off of an Edgar Martinez in that memorable 1995 AL Division Series game, to hitting back-to-back homers with his Dad, Ken Griffey Sr. He was only batting .184 this year with no homers and seven RBI this year, but was a staple in the Mariner clubhouse, serving as the glue that held the Seattle team together. Griffey’s career did end on a good note, however, and his final hit was, fittingly, a game-winning pinch-hit single against Toronto on May 20. As he was surrounded and mugged by his teammates, Griffey was reminded of those earlier days in his career when he served up homerun bomb after homerun bomb and was the cornerstone to a franchise on the rebound in Seattle, making the organization what it is today. (Photo: Griffey Jr. displays the sweet swing that the fans in Seattle had grown to know and love. Photo courtesy of Andrew Webber-US Presswire.)

Ice Ice Baby

Cody Clark — Sun, 30 May 2010 15:38:42 +0000

Kobe Bryant again showed the world what greatness in the postseason looks like. His 37 point game put him in elite company, tying him with Kareem-Abdul Jabbar at 75 games with 30 points or more in NBA postseason play. In his 14 years donning the Laker purple and gold, the twelve time all-star has earned almost every award possible, from an NBA MVP award in both the regular season and the finals to 10 all-NBA defensive awards as well as 12 all-NBA awards and a 2008 Gold medal in the Olympic games. However, there is still one thing that the sure-fire Hall of Famer has yet to do in his storied career; beat the vaunted Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. The Celtics and Lakers last meeting in the postseason occurred in 2008, when the Celts beat Los Angeles to take home the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. This year, Kobe and co. are looking for a reversal as he seeks his fifth championship ring and the teams second in a row. Bryant single handedly dished out crushing shot after crushing shot with either Jared Dudley or Grant Hill draped all over him. Every time the Suns made a comeback, Bryant silenced the crowd momentarily each time with tough fade away jumpers and three point bombs. Such was true in the second quarter, when, after Jason Richardson nailed a right corner three-pointer to cut the lead to eight points, Kobe calmly dribbled the ball up the court, stopped just left of the top of the key, and swished home a 29-foot three pointer (the regular line is 23′ 9″) to extend the lead back to 11 points with 12 seconds left before the half. However, the Suns wouldn’t give up. Down 17 points and just after a Goran Dragic 5 -foot jumper, Laker guard Sasha Vujacic was called for a flagrant foul when he elbowed Dragic in the face on the ensuing possession. Dragic converted both flagrant foul free throws, and then capped off the 6 point possession with a driving layup that cut the lead to 11 and got the crowd back into the game. But Kobe took over in the final two minutes, scoring 9 points and nailing the coffin shut on the Phoenix Suns icing the game with two free throws in the final 8 seconds, eliminating them from the 2010 NBA playoffs. With the Suns gone, Kobe’s eyes are now on the prize, as he and the Lakers will try and grab that much needed Finals victory over the Celtics starting on Thursday, June 3rd. (Photo: Kobe Bryant reacts after nailing a turn around jumper in the final minutes of the game. Photo courtesy of Chris Carlson AP.)

Magic Tear Through Hawks

Cody Clark — Sun, 09 May 2010 02:32:52 +0000

The Orlando Magic are telling the whole world that they have easily been the best team in this year’s playoffs. They just aren’t saying it out loud. In game 3, Orlando continued its torrid scoring pace, roughing up the Hawks for 105 points in a 30 point rout. The Magic are now averaging 101 points in these playoffs, but are really shredding Atlanta as they are scoring 110 as a team against the Hawks this series. Dwight Howard against posted a double double, going for 21 points and 16 rebounds, while Rashard Lewis led all scorers with 22 points which included going 4 for 7 from beyond the three point line. The Magic have opened up this Atlanta series with a differential of 29, the second largest points differential in NBA history. The Magic are on an absolutely dominant pace, and will go for the series sweep on Monday night.

Trickery Dials Up Bronco Victory

Cody Clark — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:45:56 +0000

In Boise State’s Tostitos Fiesta Bowl game against the previously #4 ranked TCU Horned Frogs, head coach Chris Peterson dialed up what has won him bowl games in the past; a trick play. With around 8 minutes to go in the game, the Broncos lined up in punt formation on fourth down. The TCU defense, eager to get off the field and give their offense a chance to win the game, came at the punter as they normally would, dying for a chance to get off of the field goal. As the defenders rushed toward punter Kyle Brotzman, he rolled out a little and fired a 29 yard strike to tight end Kyle Efaw, converting the fourth and keeping the drive alive for Boise. From there, Bronco running back Doug Martin punched it in from 2 yards out to give them the 7 point 17-10 advantage. With this win, Boise State becomes the second non-BCS conference school to finish the season 14-0 (the other team is Utah) and should finish in the top three as one of only two undefeated teams left in the land.

Lewis Big in Second Game Back

Cody Clark — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:14:28 +0000

In Rashard Lewis’s second game back in an Orlando magic uniform since being suspend for violating the NBA’s substance abuse policy, he posted a near triple double while sitting out the whole fourth quarter, finishing with 17 points, 10 boards, and 9 assists. Lewis also added 10 points in Orlando’s 97-91 defeat of the Charlotte Bobcats. With Lewis back, that gives the Magic a virtually unstoppable amount of scorers, as Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter, and Dwight Howard are all in the starting lineup. The Magic also have one of the best benches in the NBA, with Ryan Anderson, Matt Barnes, Brandon Bass, and J.J. Redick coming off the pine which gives them great depth; and they will need it as they face off against the Celtics tomorrow night.