CAVS WIN! Bring on the Pistons

What a great night for the franchise. I couldn't be happier for Donyell. A friend of mine told me that his son goes to school with Donyell's son and Donyell knows my friend's kid is a huge Steve Nash fan, so at the All-Star game he got the kid an autographed Steve Nash jersey. He just seems like a real nice guy and despite his lack of playing time, he came into a pressure situation and delivered.

Lebron looked so dominant in the first half and that bodes well for him against Detroit. He's too strong for Tayshaun and should be able to score down low. Reaching the Eastern Conference Finals is a huge accomplishment and they have a real solid chance to beat the Pistons. This takes a ton of pressure off Lebron and with each playoff game and series win, he's learning what it takes to become a champion.

Great quote that Windhorst had on his blog from Damon Jones:

Before the game, Damon Jones was being interviewed by two beautiful Italian female journalists. The English was broken and I'm not sure all message was getting through, but Damon was engrossed and trying his best. He must've felt good about his performance, because once they were gone he proclaimed: "I can talk a cat off a fish wagon with my cool lyrics."

We learned some things against the Pistons last year. Rasheed has a hard time scoring on the low post. Also, with Big Ben gone, and Webber and McDyess taking his minutes, their big men are even more susceptible to the high screen and roll and to our big men flashing in the lane. Rip isn't the best defender in the world but I'm curious to see who Brown puts on him. I'm guessing Sasha initially and then perhaps Snow and Hughes, depending on personnel. Gooden has a real chance to use his mobility and youth to score. Z wasn't much of a factor last year but I think he'll produce this series with Wallace bodying him up.

Lastly, I think it's a huge deal that the series starts on Monday. This gives us 2 full days of rest. Last year, if I'm not mistaken, we only had 1 full day to rest/prepare, and the Pistons were rested, prepared and waiting. We got killed. I think we have a chance to be competitive from the get go and we won't spot them 2 games like last year.

I HATE YOU

Great Quote

The Tribe did a great job sweeping the rival Twins. Today, Fausto Carmona threw a 4-hit, complete game shutout, improving to 5-1 on the season with a 2.55 ERA. We've been hearing about this kid for years now and it's nice to see him emerge as a starter after last year's debacle at closer. Let's hope he can keep it up. He could be an all-star.

"That dude is filthy. ... If you've never played the game, listen to me, I'm a hitter. Right-handers have no chance unless they get lucky and get a hit on a broken bat."

''It's not normal,'' Torii Hunter said of Carmona's go-to pitch, the sinker. ''He's not even human. It was so scary, I thought I was hung over.''

-- Torii Hunter on facing Carmona.

I'm Salavating

Wow! The person who designed this is a genius. This can fit two games, with taps on both sides, and flat-screens on both sides as well. If I had this a lot of people would have to be demolished. Jesus, I'm almost 30 years old. At what point is beer pong unacceptable?

Dwight K. Schrute

Dwight K. Schrute is now my favorite sit-com character of all-time. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this man, let me show you what he's all about.

First, check out Dwight's blog. Dwight's Schrute-Space's most recent entry is titled When Ninjas Attack.

Second, enjoy these quotes:
1) Michael Scott: Look, Dwight here is a wuss. When we rented "Armageddon", he cried at the end of it!
Dwight Schrute: Michael, I told you! It was because it was New Year's Eve and it started to snow at exactly midnight!

2) Dwight Schrute: I think one of the greatest things about modern America is the computerization of medical records. As a volunteer sheriff I can look up anyone's psychiatric records or surgical histories. Yeast infections...there are a huge number of yeast infections in this county. Probably because we're downriver from that old bread factory...

3) Dwight Schrute: Jim told me you can buy gaydar online.

4) Dwight Schrute: When my mother was pregnant with me, they did an ultrasound and found she was having twins. When they did another ultrasound a few weeks later, they discovered, that I had resorbed the other fetus. Do I regret this? No, I believe his tissue has made me stronger. I now have the strength of a grown man and a little baby.

5) Dwight Schrute: How would I describe myself? Three words: hard working, alpha male, jackhammer…merciless…insatiable…

6) Dwight Schrute: I am ready to face any challenges that might be foolish enough to face me.

Duke of the NBA

I can't stand the Spurs. Yes, they're great. Yes, they're champions many times over. They are the Duke of the NBA. They straddle the line between physical and dirty so they're a little of both. What bothers me about this team is that all they do is whine and make faces when a call goes against them. I wish someone would slap the look of disbelief off Duncan's face every time he's whistled.

Go Suns! What a game last night! Steve Nash has tons of heart. He's gotten head-butted by Parker, cup-checked by Bowen, and now shivered by Horry. They still can't shake this man.

Now this Stoudemire/Diaw suspension possibility, it reminds me of the old WWF tag-team matches when the heels would take a cheap shot and the good tag team partner would enter the ring and the referee would grab the good guy while the heels beat the hell out of the good guy's partner. That might have made no sense, but it made sense to me and that's what really counts. Horry and the Spurs laid the ultimate cheap shot foul and Stoudemire takes a few steps from his seat and now he might get a seat for a game. I hope it doesn't happen. This is the best series to watch since the Warriors hit the ropes.

Anyway, Go Phoenix! Beat those hand-checking sons of bitches! Nash is the man. I saw Nash once, during the off-season of course, drinking mojitos with a bunch of friends, all average-type guys, on a summer afternoon at a off-the-beaten path type place. He's a down-to-earth, likable guy.

Keep An Eye On This Kid

Danny Jacobs continues the legacy of fellow Mooksville fighting legends Mike Tyson and Zab Judah and seems determined to bring home gold in Beijing. Kid has got a crazy left hook and, unlike other Mooksville fighters, he has his head screwed on straight. He's a four-time Golden Gloves winner in NYC. Here's a match from YouTube:
Jacobs vs. Turner

Get To Know Fred Thompson

After watching part of the Republican debates last night, (The Office was on @ 8:30pm after all), I think we should all get to know Fred Thompson. He is a Republican's wet dream, especially considering his similarities to Ronald Reagan.

More importantly, after watching last night's debate, I'm getting more and more skeptical that John McCain can hold up as a real candidate. It's almost uncomfortable to watch him on stage. There's just something awkward about him. Mitt Romney wasn't that great either.

Much has and will be said about Rudy Guiliani's social politics moving towards the right, but I think we all know, both left and right, where he really stands. He was smooth and natural on stage last night and seems to have a good sense of history and government. He's running neck and neck with Hilary in national polls and I think when it's all said and done the Republicans would rather win with the guy who's not their favorite than risk seeing a Democrat back in the White House. Perhaps Sam Brownback said it best about Rudy, "Somebody who is with you 80 percent of the time is not your enemy," Brownback said, citing Reagan's philosophy.

The quote of the day had to be from Romney:

"Former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, a Mormon, spoke forcefully when asked whether Roman Catholic politicians who support abortion rights should be denied communion. 'They can do whatever the heck they want,' Romney said. 'I can't imagine government telling a religion' what to do."

Oh no Mitt? I bet you can imagine a religion telling a government what to do.

Anyway, I'm probably not the guy to judge who wins a Republican debate, so take this for what it's worth. I have a gut feeling Fred Thompson is going to make a lot of noise when it's all said and done. I do kind of like Ron Paul, ironically so does Pat Buchanan, but he's got no chance.

SPEECHLESS

This guy is good. Kenny the Jet said he told Baron Davis he could be one of the best players in the league based on his talent and skills. He doesn't think he has any weakness physically. He thought he might have lacked a killer instinct. Well, if Baron Davis plays with this intensity every game, look out. The bad news is he just never seems to be able to stay healthy. I doubt he can make it through 82 games playing like he is now, no player could and still have gas left in the tank come May and June. Regardless, Baron is playing out of his mind and this series is unbelievable to watch. Defensively Baron is like a schoolyard bully against the Mavs. Anyway, what a great series.

Draft Recap

Wow. They pulled out all the stops. Finally. I couldn't have been happier with the draft. With Russell and Johnson off the board, I sat in front of the television yelling at the Browns to draft Joe Thomas. My friend Matt called to tell me that a family friend, and 1st Round pick in this year's draft, said, "Joe Thomas, done deal." I still couldn't believe the Browns would make the pick that seemed so obvious to the common fan. 'They' say drafting tackles so high can be risky and Tony Mandarich and Robert Gallery are often cited as examples. Joe Thomas seems to be cut from a different mold. He was an excellent basketball player in high school and, not surprisingly, his footwork as a lineman reflects that. He's humble, see Peter King's piece. He just doesn't seem like some steroid-induced combine freak (Mandarich), or a possible head-case who seems like he could ride with the Hell's Angels and probably carries a blade (Gallery). Anyway, the Browns now have Thomas and Steinbach on the left side of the line to protect the blindside and open some holes. Can you imagine if LeChuck Bentley hadn't been injured? I'm a little disappointed Kevin Schaeffer doesn't seem interested in trying to fit in somewhere. He doesn't want to play on the right side apparently. I would think that if he could win the starting job at right guard, just being on the field and his fat, bloated contract from last summer might be reason enough to shut his mouth. For the first time in a long time, the OL could be a strength for this team and could have some depth.

Trading up for Brady Quinn was a great move for the Browns. I might be alone here, but I never thought Tim Couch was a bad quarterback. I think that he wasn't the type of QB who could, with his arm or athleticism, single-handedly carry an offense. I'm not sure there are many of those out there. Maybe Vince Young, Tom Brady in certain ways. Had they put real weapons around Couch, ie an OL that didn't nearly cause his death, a real RB, not Terry Kirby, Jamel White, William Green and Ben Gay, a real WR, nothing against Kevin Johnson, but the others, Quincy Morgan, Dennis Northcutt, Andre Davis, I mean come on. Anyway, Brady Quinn has what appears to be a solid OL, a WR in Braylon Edwards who has shown some signs that he is ready to be a 1st option wide-out, a great pass catching TE in Kellen Winslow, a back with a real track record of success in the NFL, Pablo Escobar, I mean Jamal Lewis. Also, don't discount the fact that the Browns might not have to start Brady from day 1, which could alleviate some pressure. Charlie Frye is not an all-pro, but don't forget the optimism that surrounded him two years ago. Didn't Jim Brown say after the Cincy loss his rookie year, that Charlie Frye was good enough to be the starting QB on a contender or champion?

Eric Wright was supposed to be a 1st round talent, going somewhere between 15-20 if he hadn't had enough ecstasy in his dorm at USC to keep Ibiza running for a weekend. The kids got NFL genes from his dad, good speed, and a knack for big plays. He was USC's most talented DB his redshirt freshman year. We paid a price for this kid, but let's hope having Leigh Bodden opposite him can really help him blossom. Imagine if Gary Baxter could stay healthy. Baxter, Bodden, Sean Jones and Brodney Pool, with Eric Wright as a nickel back.

We needed DB's, OL, QB, DL desperately. For added depth the Browns added Memphis DB Brandon McDonald, DL Chase Pittman (LSU) and Melila Purcell (Hawaii) and return specialist with a great name Syndric Steptoe from Arizona. Hopefully a couple of these guys can develop into contributors. Savage hasn't really hit any HR's in the later rounds as of yet.

Alright, I think we can all be excited again about the Browns, dare I say optimistic about their future.