KGW Blogs
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By Joe Becker
Roger Clemens is scheduled to make his big league comeback Monday when he throws against the Chicago White Sox in Chicago.
The Yankees are 13 and a half games behind Boston in the A.L. East Division and are tied with Tamp Bay for last place.
Clemens has a one year contract at 28 million dollars. I say good for Roger. Make that great for Roger. If anyone deserves the cash and the perks...it's Clemens. He is a 7-time Cy Young Award winner.
Many times you hear fans and so called experts rip on players for hanging on too long...or coming back late in their careers. If a player can get millions for another season...or big boxing match...then why not?
It happens with boxers. One thing people need to remember is that most of the fighters have grown up boxing. That's what they do...and usually they love it.
For Clemens, baseball has been a job for 20 plus seasons. Sure, he loves the game, but talk with any big league player or minor leaguer, and they will tell you. Much of the time...playing baseball is a job....but a job they usually love. If someone will pay them big bucks...then why not.
I know Mickey Mantle regretted hanging on so long that his lifetime average dipped below 300 to .298. And, who knows what Muhammad Ali's health situation would have been if he had not fought the past few years. But, these great athletes loved the game and the competition and they were paid well to do it...even late in their careers.
Yes, the Rocket is set to take off, full of money.
Alright people.....stop with the Greg Odem (or Odom) pronounciations!!
It's Greg Oden for crying out loud....and it's beginning to stress me out.
If you want to comment on the savior that "may" end up coming here to Portland....then please start calling him by his name!!!
If your still confused, let me help.
It's really quite simple (say it with me now) .......Oh-den.
This just goes to prove that money can't buy happiness, or wins. The New York Yankees with the highest payroll in baseball at $189 million are now in last place in the AL East. They're tied with Tampa Bay at $24 million.
Who's getting more bang for their buck now?
How about the San Diego Padres, now in first place in the NL West with a payroll of $58 million. The Cleveland Indians, first place in the AL Central, pay just $61 million for their ball club. The Brewers, first place, $70 million.
Get the picture, the Yanks have a little spending problem, and it might be time to visit Donny Deutsch.
Let's just hope General Manager Brian Cashman, has plenty of it, cash that is, he's going to need it. I guarantee he will be out of a job by August. Now, he's not the one who traded Jay Buhner, but he has made plenty of mistakes. And The Boss is ready to give him the hook.
And by the way, start getting used to seeing Alex Rodriguez in a Dodgers or Angels uniform next season, because he's not going down with the ship like The Captain, Derek Jeter.
Yankee fans, tell me what you think.
Evan Chevrier
KGW Senior Sports Producer
By Joe Becker
No hockey this weekend. I missed watching it. The Stanley Cup Finals open tomorrow when Ottawa plays at Anaheim at 5pm on the Versus network.
NBC will pick up the series for game three next Saturday in Ottawa. I hope the ratings are better than last weekend. I couldn't believe it. Well,
yes I can. Get this. Last Sunday Championship Poker had better ratings than the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It was a great game too! Anaheim beat Detroit 2-1 in Overtime. More people in Portland watched Poker than the NHL.
You might say the NHL didn't play their cards right. Missing the 2004-2005 season wasn't a good thing.
As most of you know...I grew up in St. Louis. I used to watch the Blues a lot when I was a kid. We would go to the old Arena in St. Louis and get in for less than three dollars. That's right. Standing room only tickets were just $2.75. I saw Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Bobby Orr and the great Blues goalies Glenn Hall and Jacques Plante. Legendary coach Scotty Bowman was the Blues Coach the first few years. Bowman went on to win a record 9 Stanley Cup Titles with Montreal, Detroit and Pittsburgh.
I still love hockey. If you get the chance....drive to Vancouver, B.C. to see a game.
Saw the Canucks and Edmonton there. What a blast.
Did you know that Portland had a team play for the Stanley Cup? The Portland Rosebuds were in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association and played the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey Association for the Stanley Cup in 1916. Montreal won the Cup three games to two.
The Rosebuds were the first American based team to play for the Stanley Cup. If they had TV back then...how much you want to bet more people would be watching hockey than poker?
Portland needs an NHL team.
Enjoy the Stanley Cup Finals on NBC.
By Joe Becker
"It's been a beautiful experience." That's how Greg Oden's mother Zoe Oden described her visit to Portland this week.
Oden was here with her son Greg Oden, who had meetings with Nike. The Blazers won the lottery this week...the NBA Draft Lottery...and chances are they will take Oden, the 7-foot Center from Ohio St.
Oden is just the kind of player the Blazers are looking for. An extremely talented player, who seems like a great guy in every way. His mother is certainly very nice and she couldn't say enough about the Rose City...and she is awfully proud of her son.
"Greg is really a good kid," Zoe says, "Never any problems...and always well behaved and well mannered."
I was talking with someone from the Indianapolis Star newspaper today and he told me...you're getting another good one from Indiana. The Oden's are from Indianapolis, Indiana. He said that Oden won the Trester award during the State High School tournament. It's the Arthur L. Trester Mental Attitude Award. The Indiana High School Activities Association vote on the award. The winner displays a number of traits including mental atttitude, leadership qaulities, academic achievement and athletic ability.
Get this, Oden is one of only four players to be named National High School player of the year twice. Lebron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Jerry Lucas are the others. Pretty exclusive company. By the way, Oden led Lawrence North High to a 103-7 overall record and three consecutive 4a State Titles.
So what did Mrs. Oden and Greg think when the Blazers won the lottery? "We heard it was going to be Boston or Memphis," Zoe said. "Portland shocked us," she continued..."in a wonderful way. It's been hard to leave and go back. It's been a wonderful experience."
The next few years might be a wonderful experience for Portland and the Blazers too...having Oden in the Rose City.
Blazer tickets are going fast! The Ace, Brian Warner, and I covered the Blazer ticket sales today. We were in the offices and the phone calls kept coming. They had close to two dozen people answering Phones and I didn't see one of them not handling a call while we were there.
The Blazers say they did more than one million dollars in new ticket sales the night of
the Blazer Draft Lottery. "Biggest single day in the history of the franchise period" said Mike Golub, Blazers Executive Vice President of Business Operations.
The phones keep ringing.
The Blazers have sold out all the 100 level tickets baseline to baseline. Only tickets in the corners are available at the 100 level.
Blazers G.M. Kevin Pritchard was in New York for the Draft Lottery and arrived back in Portland. "I haven't slept yet." Pritchard said. Now he has the job of deciding on Ohio State's Greg Oden or Texas sharpshooter Kevin Durant. "This is going to be a fun decision" said Pritchard, "The light's not just kind of flickering...it's shining bright right now."
Golub told me...Blazer fans who want tickets better jump on board...because the train is pulling out of the station.
By Joe Becker
How many times have you heard anyone say the Blazers are number one in the last few years...and mean it? Blazermania is back! The Blazers have the number one pick in the NBA draft. How lucky is that....the Blazers had about a 5 in 100 chance to jump to number one...and they got it.
Ace Sports Photographer Brian Warner and I were at the Blazers Draft Party at "The Venue" in North East Portland and what a wild scene. Hundreds of Blazer fans gathered to watch the Lottery on ESPN. The Blazers Broadcast team was live on the radio. As every position was announced...the fans cheered louder and louder.
I said it on the newscast during the 6pm news...other than a game...it was the most exciting thing I have covered with the Blazers in more than 20 years.
The fans were going crazy...it was a blast. I'm told it was the same way in the KGW newsroom. The celebration lasted about a minute...and then the staff had to make some quick decisions on how to best cover news...which was now the biggest story of the day. We led the newscast with the Draft Lottery. Adam covered the Draft news from the newsroom camera and I went live with the pandemonium at the Blazers Party.
Blazers Guard Fred Jones was there...and was as excited as the fans, saying "...it's going to be really big for the city. The city is going to hopefully come out and embrace this team now and get to know one of these kids coming in." Fred also told me he can't wait to get it going.
How important is a really good number one pick? The Blazers picked Bill Walton number one in 1974 and three years later won the NBA Title. The Spurs picked Tim Duncan in 1997 and two years later won the NBA Title.
Ohio State Center Greg Oden is considered the best player in the draft...and my guess is that he is the man the Blazers will pick.
The Blazers were the butt of jokes for a few years...but the Pride is back in Portland...and yes, the Blazers are number one come the NBA Draft on June 28.
Let me preface this blog entry with.....I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!
I am supposed to be unbiased....but I could not hold the excitement. Not only do I cover the Blazers on a regular basis....but I've also built a solid rapport with the players, coaches, and staff. I am so thankful that something of this magnitude has happened to this franchise. The Blazers certainly have been through alot in recent years....and much of it HASN'T been their fault. There have just been some bad seeds. But enough about that....we can now visualize what Greg Oden will look like as the centerpiece to the Blazers next season. If you haven't followed this as closely as I have....Portland had a 1 in 20 chance at landing the NBA's #1 pick....and they got it.
We will, of course, have extensive coverage on everything Oden...and everything Blazers. By the way, I have it on good accord that Portland will select the former freshman phenom out of Ohio State. Let's welcome "The Franchise" to Portland.
It is welcomed with open arms. The Blazers today announcing their parntership with Comcast SportsNet. The new regional sports network....devoted solely to the Blazers--and sports in Oregon--will launch this October. All but 1 Blazer game will be televised between Comcast...and this very station, KGW. What a score for fans throughout Oregon.
I know I echo the thoughts of many of you....FSNW (aka Fox Sports Seattle) will become a thing of the past. It was just so bothersome to be fed a constant stream of Seattle area sports. Grrrrrr....
Anyways, that's in the rearview mirror now.
The Portland metro area sports scene is on the rise with this news today.
Rejoice and revel in it my peeps....
By Joe Becker
It's Sunday Night and Sports Sunday just ended. A few random thoughts from today. Obviously, here in the Sports office...we talk a lot of sports.
Producer Craig Edwards and I were talking baseball...and Edgar Martinez. Should he be in the Hall of Fame? Craig thinks so....and I have to agree.
I've been on the fence for awhile on that one...but heck, they named the Designated Hitter award after him! Edgar was a career .312 hitter and in the mid 90's averaged more than 100 rbis for 9 seasons.
I also think Roger Maris belongs in the hall. He only hit 275 homers...but he had a stretch of truly great years. He was a two time MVP and did hit 61 Homers long before the steroid era. Roger became a baseball icon during that time.
Sandy Koufax is in the Hall and he was mediocre until he became maybe the greatest lefthander ever for the last six years of his career. I say put Roger in the Hall. By the way, I met both Roger and Sandy. Both were very nice. Did you know Koufax won 27 games his last year in the big leagues with a 1.73 era? In fact, Sandy won 97 of his 165 career victories in his last four seasons. Over the last six years of his career...Koufax was in a class by himself.
When I was growing up in St. Louis...if the Cardinals were playing the Dodgers and Koufax was pitching...you could pretty much forget about the Redbirds winning. Unless Gibby was pitching. That would be Hall of Famer Bob GIbson.
Lets talk tennis. I'm as excited about the French Open as I've been in years. Now that Roger Federer has beaten Rafael Nadal on clay...it makes the French pretty interesting.
I'm also pumped up for the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA. More so than the West. Can Lebron James lead the Cavs to the finals? He's absolutely amazing at just 22 years old!
You know something else I'm excited about. I'm off tomorrow and might play some golf...and talk more sports!
By Joe Becker
The Rocket is moving closer to liftoff. Roger Clemens pitched for single-A Tampa on Friday and should be back with the Yankees by the end of the Month.
Good for Roger...that the Yankees will give him a one year contract for 28 million. What a sweet deal. Big money, he starts two months after everyone else...and he gets time off when he's not pitching.
Clemens is a great pitcher, but I don't know if he's going to be enough to get the Yankees over the hump this year. They are sinking like a ship with a dozen holes.
The Red Sox are rolling and have it all...with a big hitting lineup and terrific pitching.
There are a lot of games left...but the Yankees are 10 and a half games behind the Red Sox...and 7 and a half games out of the wild card spot. The Yankees finish with the Mets today and then play the Red Sox in New York for three games. Then they play the Angels, Toronto and then three more with Boston.
The next two weeks could decide their season...even before the rocket launches.
Baseball is great isn't it.?
BY Joe Becker
The Blazers wound up being the butt of jokes over the 1984 NBA Draft. It's well known that the Blazers, who needed a big man, took Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan. Bowie was racked with injuries and Jordan went on to become perhaps the greatest player in history. Hakeem Olajuwon was taken number one that year by the Houston Rockets after the Blazers lost a coin flip. The Blazers took Bowie and Jordan went to the Bulls.
One draft that goes unnoticed...but is interesting to think about is the 1978 NBA Draft. The Blazers had the number one pick that year and took Mychal Thompson, who went on to a terrific NBA career. What most people don't realize is the Blazers passed on Larry Bird to take Thompson..as did four other teams. Yes, the Blazers took Thompson over Bird. The Kings, Pacers, Knicks and Warriors also passed on Bird. Actually, Celtics GM Red Auerbach took Bird as a Jr. eligible, so it was kind of a gamble. Bird went on to play his Senior season at Indiana State and the Celtics waited. He was worth the wait. Boston signed Bird and the rest is history.
The baseball world is taking notice of the modern day Crash Davis.
He is former Portland Beaver Jack Cust....now getting his shot in Oakland.
And, so far, he's making a believer out of GM Billy Beane. All Cust has done in his first 10 games with the A's is hit 7 homers and knock in 15 runs. It's helped keep a very banged up Oakland barely above water.
It's the A's bullpen (including Alan Embree--a resident of The Dalles) thats killing them.
By Joe Becker
You hear all the athletes talk about it. Winning the ring. It doesn't matter the sport...it's about winning that championship ring. Michael Jordan won six with the Chicago Bulls...as did Scottie Pippen. Robert Horry also has six, but he has won his with three different teams. He won two with the Rockets, three with the Lakers and one more with the Spurs.
Bill Russell is the all-time leader as a player with 11 NBA Championship Rings. He won them in just 13 seasons...and two came as a player-coach. Russell also won two NCAA titles at San Francisco and an Olympic Gold Medal in 1956.
Former NBA Star Charles Barkley never won an NBA Championship...however, he did play on the greatest team in basketball history. Barkley won an Olympic Gold Medal with the Original and only Dream Team in 1992.
Legendary Celtics coach Red Auerbach won 9 titles on the bench, a record equaled by Lakers Coach Phil Jackson. What most people don't know is that Jackson also won two rings with the Knicks as a player. The Knicks won titles in 1970 and 73. Jackson didn't play a game during the 69-70 season because of an injury...but was a member of the Knicks and did get a ring giving him a total of 11.
However, Auerbach won seven rings as an executive with the Celtics giving him 16 total. The Ring is the thing and Red is the King.
I'm a little angered tonight after what transpired in Phoenix in Game 5.
The Suns led by 16 points....but choked away that lead.
Do we blame their inept or careless attempt to protect the lead (and ball)?
Or will we still look at the suspensions that David Stern issued a day earlier?
Place the blame on whoever...but remember, this was the Suns game....and they gave it away.
Sure, Amare and Boris would've played a major role....and not having them hurt Phoenix. But tonight's 88-85 loss falls squarely on the shoulders of the players themselves.
No more coulda, shoulda, woulda's.....it's in the books!! And Phoenix is against the ropes?
By Joe Becker
It's the Stanley Cup Playoffs...and Adam and I have been watching the Playoff game between Ottawa and Buffalo. We also have the Cavs-Nets game on another TV as well, but the Sabres were facing a must win situation. Big victory for Buffalo 3-2 to stay alive in the series. The Senators are now up 3-1 in the best of seven series..
Beaverton's Paul Gaustad plays for Buffalo. Gaustad missed the last couple of months of the regular season with a sliced tendon in his left leg...but he is back and playing in the post season.
I talked with Paul's older brother B.J. on the phone today. Obviously, it's tough with Buffalo trailing in the series...but B.J. is still having fun watching his brother and the Sabres. B.J. is a pro hockey player as well. He 's a forward with Bloomington in the AHL.
I love hockey. As many of you know I grew up in St. Louis and have always been a Blues fan. The first game I ever saw...the Blues tied Montreal 4-4 at the old Arena in St. Louis. I saw tons of games at the Arena and watched the Blues score in the final minutes to beat Bobby Hull and the Blackhawks 3-2 with more than 19-thousand fans at the Arena. I covered a Sabres-Bruins game in the early 80's at the old Boston Garden and interviewed the great Bobby Orr when I worked in New England.
In fact, I have interviewed arguably the four greatest players in history. Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, Gordie Howe and Mario Lemieux.
Two NHL teams have come back from 0-3 deficits over the years...so Buffalo still has a shot. By the way, you can see game five of the series on KGW-TV this Saturday at 11am. The game is at Buffalo
It's a doubleheader night for the NBA and the Mariners are hosting the Angels...so it's time to roll....and roam...in front of all our TVS.
What a performance by Sheldon High School's Philip Bagdade at the 6A state golf tournament today. Bagdade is a junior....but seemed to master the OGA course in Woodburn (which, by the way, isn't necessarily easy). Bagdade was unconscience early on too....carding birdies on 7 straight holes (5 thru 12). And that was tough for anyone to catch up to. Bagdade closed with a sensational 6-under-66....to win the individual title. Kudos to you Philip....I'll be calling on you for a lesson very soon!
I can't even fathom why Mariners GM Bill Bavasi continues to "believe" in Jeff Weaver. How tired are you M's fans of these uncanny personel decisions? It's rather mind-boggling....and I'm a fan of a different AL West team. Each time I see Weaver as the "probable" pitcher...I wince! He's just a month into his Mariner tenure....and has lost all 6 games he's started. Plus, he's got a robust 14.32 ERA--highest among every starting pitcher in baseball. In a way, I feel bad for Weaver. I've never talked with him....but he seems like a nice enough guy. He's running out there every 5 games and competing....but he just doesn't have the right stuff anymore. It's time for a career change Jeff. Heck, maybe you can go back to being a guest bouncer on the Jerry Springer Show. That really happened...
Bavasi has been criticized for alot of moves....but he's the fall-guy here. Weaver is basically stealing money (1-year contract for 8.3 million)....and it's costing the Mariners potential wins.
By Joe Becker
What a beautiful day in the Northwest...and I spent most of it about 7 thousand feet up on Mt. Hood!
KGW Photographer Jim Culp and I went up the Mountain to do a story with the U.S. Snowboard Team, which is training at Mt. Hood Meadows. More than 40 team members and coaches will be there through Sunday including several Olympians.
In fact, it's open to the public, so you can go up and watch.
It was a blast today. Tom Scully, Monte Day and Jim Carney all drove Jim and I up and down the Mountain on snowmobiles. Those guys have been working on the Mountain for years and know their stuff. Jim and I appreciate all thier help.
We talked with Snowboard Cross Coach Peter Foley and Half Pipe Coach Mike Jankowski. We also interviewed boarders Nate Holland and Steve Fisher. Holland is a snowboard specialist, who was in the 2006 Olympics and Won Bronze at the 07' World Championships. Steve is the Two-time X Games Gold Medalist in the Half Pipe.
They were all very nice. By the way, the story we did will air tomorrow night (Friday 5-11) during our 6pm News.
See You on the air and in the air...on the Mountain.
By Joe Becker
Barry Bonds is now just ten homers away from Hank Aaron's all-time homer record.
I love talking sports trivia...and my friends and I have done that for years. We still do around the office.
I was asking people around the Newsroom today to see what they thought...who is the best ever in baseball? A few said Bonds. The guy is an unbelievable player. However, I still think Babe Ruth is the best ever. I know, people say he was fat and couldn't stand up to today's players...however, Ruth did things no one has done.
You can compare the hitting stats all you want. When that is said and done...how many wins does Bonds have as a pitcher?
Babe Ruth was one of the American League's best pitchers before he became the most feared hitter in the game. In 1919, Babe Ruth led the AL in Homers with 29. Only five other players hit even 10...and the second most was 12. Babe was also 9-5 as a pitcher. In fact, Ruth won 65 games between 1915-1917. He won 24 games in 1917 and led the league with 35 complete games. During his career he won 94 games...plus two more in the World Series.
Cardinals Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson was considered a good hitter and had 24 career homers.
By the way, regarding Ruth's conditioning....early on he wasn't fat. Get this...in 1921, ruth played 152 games. He hit 59 homers, scored 177 runs, had 171 rbis, 145 walks, 44 doubles and 16 triples. The most triples Ichiro has ever had in one season is 12.
Bonds is great....but Ruth is the Babe...AND THE BEST EVER.
What do you think. Let me know with a comment or two.
This past weekend had been circled on my calendar for quite some time. One year to be exact! Down at Mt. Bachelor in Bend...they held the 5th Annual Race & Ace--a team event that is considered the best in all of North America. This year there were 20 four-person teams....and 7 two-person teams. It was the second year I competed--and I use that word loosely! I teammed up with KVAL Sports Director, and good friend, Tom Ward. We finished 7th out of 7 teams....yikes!! Tom and I were on snowboards....and frankly, that killed any chance we may have had. Let me put it to you mildly....Tom and I go snowboarding once a year. So, when you have to go down a fairly steep slope....it can get rather interesting--AND IT DID! It's a slalom course, with quick turns. I took out the 3rd gate on the way down. We fared better on the golf aspect.....shot a 78 in best-ball format. But I digress.
Let me send out a sincere plug to Doug Fish of Fish Marketing in Lake Oswego. He's the Race Director, who again, put on a fantastic event. Not to be outdone....his right-hand man, Nate Parr. These two put their blood, sweat, and tears into making this event a major success. If your interested in checking it out, or participating in it next year.....visit www.raceandace.com
There's no shortage of celebs on hand either.....here's a shot of myself and former NFL QB Drew Bledsoe.
By Joe Becker
What a great day in sports. I started by watching the end of the Cavs-Nets game...yes, I was up before noon. Then at work I was watching the bloody battle between the Suns-Spurs and Tiger Woods winning the Wachovia Championship on the PGA tour. Throw in some Stanley Cup Hockey and Roger Clemens announcement that he is coming back...and its a pretty full and fun day.
Sports Sunday just ended and I was thinking about Tiger Woods victory. It was career win number 57...and he is just 31 years old.
So what do you think? Is Tiger already the best player ever?
Jack Nicklaus still has the career record for Professional Majors with 18, but Tiger has an even dozen and plenty of years left. Here's some food for thought. Nicklaus won half of his Majors after he was 31 years old. Ben Hogan won all 9 of his Majors after he was 31. Many golfers don't reach thier peak until after they're in their 30's.
The equipment is better these days...but there are a lot more golfers and a whole lot more competition.
The way Woods is going...he could wind up with more than 20 majors and 100 career wins. Nicklaus has 73 career PGA victories. Tiger is only 16 behind. Woods has won 11 of his last 21 tournaments. If he plays 15 a year for the next ten years...he mind win another 40 or 50.
Hogan was the best in his generation, Jack was the best in his...and Tiger rules the golf world right now. They are all great, but it appears...the golfing trail is leading into the Woods!
Kiki Lara is only 1 game into his Timbers tenure.....but don't be shocked if he's jumping for joy for next Wednesday's game vs. Necaxa. Sure, there is a game Saturday vs. rival Seattle.....but that pales in comparison to what's brewing inside Lara.
"It wasn't my favorite team", Lara said laughing. Not even close! Lara, who's parents are Mexican immigrants, grew up a huge fan of Chivas--one of Necaxa's fiercest rivals.
Timbers Head Coach Gavin Wilkinson figures to get his new midfielder some serious minutes too. "You know Kiki has grown up supporting a different team...and that team may have got the best of his team a few times...so now it's his chance to rectify that", Wilkinson said.
Necaxa features four players who have played with the Mexican National Team – midfielder Gerardo Galindo, forward Aaron Padilla and defenders Joaquin Beltran and Salvador Cabrera. Both Galindo and Beltran participated in 2006 World Cup qualifying matches.
In particular....it's Lara who is just plain giddy to face the team he grew up cheering against. "Anytime you play a first division team....it's real special. And to play against guys i grew up admiring...it's a pretty special feeling". Here's hoping that feeling lasts long after the match is over.
By Joe Becker
I'm fired up for tonight's battle between Dallas and Golden state. The Warriors with a chance to make history. They can be the first 8 seed to beat a 1 seed in a 7 game NBA playoff series. The Mavericks hoping to avoid being embarrassed.
We've been talking about the series in the office and it's been a whole lot of fun.
I just noticed on ESPN, that they were asking the question, who is facing more pressure...Dallas, because the Mavs have no room for error...or Golden St. because they need to win at home. There is pressure on both teams. I think it's going to be another great playoff game....and who makes the shots and executes should win the game.
In game five, the Warriors built a 9 pt lead with about 3 and a half minutes to go.
They were making shots...most of them threes...and Dallas was struggling offensively. Then Dirk Nowitzki stepped up. Dirk will most likely win the MVP for the regular season. He buried a three...a short while later blocks a layup by the Warriors...and then buries another three. G.S. missed a shot and Dallas scored again. Dallas went on a 15-0 run to win the game.
Making plays and executing. That's one of the big reasons the Bulls won all those Championships. Jordan at the buzzer....Jordan for three...Pippen slam dunk.
Should be fun....OT anyone?
By Joe Becker
Just got back from Brandon Roy's Rookie of the Year Ceremony...and It was great to see. I've mentioned this before...but Roy is not only a great player...but a great guy.
He handled the moment like a real pro...and was classy and humble.
"This is 10 times better than I thought it would be." Roy said of the honor as the NBA's best rookie. And for the Blazers and their fans...it seems the best is yet to come.
Roy led all rookies with nearly 17 pts per game...but it's the way he played and handled the spotlight. He was composed at all times, played hard, hit big shots...and set an example for the rest of the team. He made Portland proud.
And no one is more proud than his mother Gina Roy, who told me she remembers when Brandon dunked for the first time. He was in the sixth grade and dreaming of the NBA. Now, her son is Rookie of the year...but she is most proud of the man he has become. "This is all great." Brandon's mother says, "..but just him being humble, respected, a good young man and productive. That's what I want and that's what I'm happy for.
"I couldn't ask for more." Brandon says, "I dreamed about these things and to see them come true is great."
Yes it is. Great for Brandon and his family...and great for Blazer fans.
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