Author: whodeanny

Crazy start to 08

Does it strike anyone else as odd that Stevie Franchise has been a model citizen while Starbury has moved from heroic role model to nutjob in just a couple months?

And AK47, the Matrix, Kobe, JO and Pau Gasol are all still with their teams? Scott Skiles has been fired but Isiah still has a job? Wow.

TP

NBA midweek

I wish I could have told you last week that I anticipated the Clippers-Pacers tilt tonight to be one of the highlights of the early season. If I had, it would have been because it’s always fun to see announcers gush over the Dunleavy father son angle. Two 3-0 teams playing (mostly) without their power forward stars and recovering from awful finishes tells a great story in itself.

I hope to begin commenting more consistently and frequently on the NBA but my schedule does not allow thus far. That means nothing on Paul/Peja last night or the amazing sports resurgence of the Crescent City. Nothing on the Rockets appearing to be the real deal or the who cares of Heat/Spurs. Sad but true.

but lots more on the way, hopefully soon.

TP

out of the mouths of babes 2

I was working this morning while my son watched Fairy Oddparents next to me on the couch. In an episode about bad luck, a stupid president inadvertently almost starts a nuclear war. My son interrupted me so he could rewind it because, ‘Hey look, they’re making fun of President Bush!’

I love being a parent.

TP

and away we go…

TP

NBA 2007-08 preseason predictions

NBA Champion: Phoenix
Western Conference Champion: Phoenix
Eastern Conference Champion: Chicago (if Kobe trade goes through), Boston (if Kobe doesn’t move to the Bulls)
Pacific Division Champion: Phoenix
Northwest Division Champion: Utah
Southwest Division Champion: Dallas
Southeast Division Champion: Washington
Central Division Champion: Chicago
Atlantic Division Champion: Boston
MVP: Garnett, Nash, Amare, Arenas, Bryant*
Rookie of the Year: Kevin Durant (who else?)
Most Improved Player: Leandro Barbosa
Coach of the Year: Skiles, D’Antoni, O’Brien, Thomas, Saunders

* A friend presented me with interesting speculation about Kobe. It is his opinion that Kobe is likely to begin the season on a vicious tear intended to generate broader interest for the Lakers’ potential trade partners and force the Lakers’ hand. (As a Kobe fantasy owner I hope he’s right!) Kobe may be the one guy in the league who can put up such monstrous stats that he gets MVP love even with a mediocre team. If he lands in the Windy City as is rumored who knows how well he’ll be appreciated.

Hoosier Autumn

Hoosier Autumn

Yellow orange green gold red
And nearly brown
Coexisted on the third full day
Of Hoosier Autumn
With tall, thinning pines
Swaying in the background
Our sweetly deciduous forest
Shimmers cleanly, clearly
And warmly
Much warmer than the winds themselves

© Gayle Force Press 2005

NBA predictions- soon!

We’ve been off the tracks for awhile now but Package Deal People are coming back and coming back strong. There will be more political commentary, sports reflection and links to other interesting spots.

Next week, Package Deal Predictions for NBA 2007-8. Look for ’em!

PDP

The Pats are that good

Damn. The Patriots really are that good.

1- shouldn’t the spread for Miami/NE be about 30 points next week? What would surprise you more: a 9-0 win or a 31-0 win? The answer is never 9-0 in the NFL. This week it is. Everyone would be happy for Miami if they only lost 9-0. We’d all think they were getting better and would be asking all kinds of questions about what happened to the Patriots. It’s true.

2- when are the all time great sports comparisons going to start? I’m surprised the Sports Guy hasn’t already started linking this group to the 86 Celtics. Shouldn’t that have happened already?

TP

Being Dodgy

Here’s an older poem about language, meaning and confusion.

Being Dodgy

In the spring I turned 17
Someone I liked considerably
Told me I was dodgy

Now like everyone with good sense
I was a bit insulted
For me the bruise was different
At least from those with an understanding of British slang

I was a born again
San Francisco Giant fan
And with my conversion experience
Had come all the requisite antipathy
For anything vaguely associated with the Los Angeles Dodgers

Being lumped with those cretins
faintly soured me
Denying my dodginess led to retreat, appeal
But no questions on my part
Though I refused to claim injury

It was not until recently
That I recalled my childish ignorant hurt
And realized in a perversion of pride
I’ve been dodgy since a small child

Had I been aware
Or better still
Less foolish and certain
I’d have known well
(And well before now)
That being dodgy
Is a perfect tool
For avoiding the blues

© Gayle Force Press 2002