Monday, March 19, 2007

Monday, March 19



I am up against it today, so mostly just cut and paste. But, don’t let that ruin a big sports weekend…

Mavericks return with big win at Detroit


Is there a need for the playoffs with all of these "previews?"

For the second time in five days, the Mavericks found themselves in one of those games with a Finals feel. Unlike the instant classic with Phoenix, they were able to close out Detroit for a gritty 92-88 victory Sunday afternoon at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

"Man, that was a good win," said Josh Howard, shaking his head.

The Mavs (54-11) opened up their season-high six-game road trip by snapping their two-game losing streak to the Pistons. Detroit beat the Mavs 92-82 in early December at American Airlines Center.

The clash of the Western and Eastern Conference leaders, billed as a potential NBA Finals preview, didn't reach the dramatic heights of Wednesday's double-overtime loss to the Suns.

Still, there were plenty of tense moments against the Pistons, who had just come off an impressive 5-0 West road trip. Playing without injured point guard Chauncey Billups, Detroit led by as many as 10 in the first half.

The Mavs were able to control the tempo in the second half, mainly by winning the battle on the boards and clamping down defensively. That's not the easiest task against the physical Pistons.


From Detroit, commentary of the game



It's not that the Mavericks proved they could win a grind-it-out defensive, Eastern Conference-type game.

It's not that they exposed any weakness or established any kind of dominance on the Pistons.

Look, both of these teams know they can beat anybody, anytime, anywhere. A win or a loss in the middle of March wasn't going to change that one way or another.

No. What this game showed is something the Pistons should have learned by now -- their margin of error against elite teams is small. Every player has to be on the same page, especially at crunch time, or things can go very wrong.

That's what happened here Sunday.

Chauncey Billups sat out with a strained left groin muscle. Flip Murray again filled in nobly with 18 points, six assists, four steals and two turnovers. Billups' absence didn't swing the balance in this game.

Richard Hamilton, who took three stitches over his left eye after running into Chris Webber's elbow late in the game, managed just 13 points. Shockingly, he missed five of seven free throws in the fourth quarter, two that would have tied the score with 2:45 left.

"It was like someone popped a balloon on us," coach Flip Saunders said of the missed free throws.

That was the obvious difference in the outcome, and Hamilton was more than willing to accept the blame.

"If I step up and make those free throws, then it's a whole different story," Hamilton said. "After I missed, they were able to come down with some confidence. I make them and it's a whole different situation."

But there was something more covert, and possibly something more serious, that ultimately sunk the Pistons on Sunday. Rasheed Wallace jumped off the page in the fourth quarter. He became upset at the strategy Saunders deployed against the Mavericks' small lineup in the fourth quarter.

When asked where the game got away from them, Wallace said: "Honestly, I choose to keep that to myself. We didn't get a couple of stops, they hit a couple of shots. Give them credit."

The Mavericks went small two minutes into the fourth quarter -- three guards and Josh Howard at power forward, with Dirk Nowitzki -- and quickly erased the Pistons' four-point lead. Saunders chose to stay with a big lineup (keeping Antonio McDyess and Webber on the floor) for five possessions. The Mavericks ran off an 11-2 run and took control of the game.




Stars beat Phoenix in exciting fashion


The smorgasbord of scintillating moments was so bountiful Sunday at American Airlines Center, no fan could have gone home hungry for more.

Especially when you mix in a 5-4 overtime victory for the Stars over the Phoenix Coyotes.

But while the win helped keep Dallas (43-24-5, 91 points) in a tight mix for fifth place in the Western Conference, the entertainment value was what people were talking about as they exited.

"It was intense," a smiling captain Brenden Morrow said. "It was the kind of game we needed."

Morrow, playing in his second game since missing 33 with a wrist injury, scored a goal on a beautiful drive to the net where he had to deflect in a Stu Barnes pass with a defender hanging all over him.

Mike Ribeiro scored the game-winner in overtime on a rebound at the net, but many of his teammates were chattering about the third-period goal in which he showed inhuman patience, faking Phoenix goalie Mikael Tellqvist with a forehand, then going to his backhand around Tellqvist and then back to his forehand to stuff the puck just inside the post.

"That's the kind of goal people might try in practice," said Niklas Hagman, who scored his 17th goal of the season. "I mean, he waited and waited and waited. ... And that move. It was something."


Of course, who will forget the night in Nashville. Besides, the punch, the Stars are mad at the class of Nashville


Nashville Predators management did a disservice to the game of hockey Saturday night by not informing the crowd of Mike Modano's achievements, Stars president Jim Lites said Sunday.

And further, coach Barry Trotz's comments praising Jordin Tootoo for showing calm when punching Stephane Robidas was "patently ridiculous," according to Lites.
"Their owner, management, public relations people, coaching staff – I think they all failed the game," Lites said. "It's because of people like Mike Modano that they even have a team in Nashville. He has helped pioneer the game in the South, and for him to be treated like that in a milestone moment ... it's just a horrible thing."
The fact Modano was approaching Joe Mullen's record for goals scored by an American-born player was not mentioned over the arena's public address system Saturday.

Nothing was said when Modano tied Mullen at 502 goals nor when Modano broke the record at 503. Instead, the crowd booed Modano for his part in a skirmish that led to Tootoo being penalized and continued to boo him the rest of the night.

"I understand it's a competitive situation, but we're also working together to sell
the game," Lites said. "They get more money from revenue sharing than any team in the league, they voted against the new schedule because they wanted to have an easier schedule for themselves. They take and take and take and take and never give back, and I'm sick of it."


Here is the footage from the Tootoo Punch, from the Nashville broadcast. I say he gets 5 or 6 games off.




The Nashville paper reports


One of the top NHL analysts in the business believes Predators forward Jordin Tootoo should be suspended for the blow he struck to charging Dallas defenseman Stephane Robidas on Saturday.

Bob McKenzie of Toronto-based TSN said Sunday he thinks the NHL will suspend Tootoo for at least half a dozen games. The Predators have nine games left in the regular season.

"Is it a suspendable offense? There's no question in my mind that it is,'' McKenzie said. "My only question is how many games it will be. My guess is six to 10. I'd be surprised if it carries over into the playoffs, but you never know.''

The NHL has so far not offered any comment on the situation, but the Predators don't play again until Wednesday.

So if the league does choose to take action, it could wait until before that contest to do so.


Texas Bounced



The best player on the floor will be the best player on the couch for the rest of the NCAA Tournament.

Texas star Kevin Durant's season came to an unceremonious close Sunday after an 87-68 thumping at the hands of surprising Southern California.

Nick Young led USC with 22 points in the runaway, which left Durant -- the freshman front-runner for national player of the year -- to decide whether to leave college for the NBA.

"I don't think that's an appropriate question right now," Durant said. "I'm just worried about this team and what we can be next year as a team."

As he often has this season, Durant led everyone with 30 points and added nine rebounds for fourth-seeded Texas (25-10).

But he never came close to dominating this East Regional game. Many times when he got the ball, the offense ground to a halt for the Longhorns, who fell behind by 17 early in the second half and never made a serious run.


So was Wisconsin

Weekly NHL Column from Duhatschek

Link of the Day: Crazy Sports Tattoos from Sports Illustrated

Bob and Dan in Mobile



Yao



Why some Bull Riders wear Helmets

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a great sports weekend (and a great Toadies show on Greenville, if you're into that sort of thing)...

Both Stars games were madness. If you're not watching the last 10 games of the regular season, you're missing out. By the way, we're in Nashville again on Saturday, Mar. 31 (FSN).

The Little Mamricks looked good in Detroit, but I fear for Dirk missing crucial free throws (again!) in late-minute situations.

I saw the tattoo link a couple of weeks ago. That fool with "I Slept With Shaq" on his forehead is a yuk-monkey on some radio station in LA. What a freaking tool.

Good day to you all.

cracker1743 said...

Too bad Texas got knocked out. I was hoping they'd go deeper (it was probably too much to hope A&M could meet up with them, but it would've been sweet). Now let's see what A&M can do with a home court advantage. I hope they didn't shoot their wad against Louisville.

I'm sure no one else cares, but I'm digging on EPL. Watching Everton knock off Arsenal yesterday in stoppage time in the middle of a freakin' hailstorm was fantastic.

Go Toffees.
Go Aggies.

Beau said...

The comment by the Nashville broadcasters that Jordin Tootoo would oblige Daley in a fight is obviously false. After all, if he were willing to fight he would've dropped the gloves with Robidas.

If Owen Nolan's forearm on Grant Marshall deserved a ten game suspension, I'm thinking that this is worth at least five. I also wonder if Modano will get a game off for his slash on Tootoo.

Like many Stars fans, I now hope that we meet Nashville in the first round of the playoffs and show them the door.

Flaco said...

Lites is a genius for saying this in a public forum.

He's right. And they aren't the only "selfish" organization in hockey either.

You can't fault the Predator players though (except TooToo) for the things their owner does, and the way the building is.

But their fans can kiss my other end.

Gravypan said...

I didn't think this was possible.

But if Trashville and the Red Wings met up in the playoffs.

I...would.....pull......for the Red Wings.

I need to take a shower now.

Flaco said...

Brandon!

We've all heard of "the dirty p1" before...

but that's awful. I see your point, but there's no reason to actually type such a thing...

cracker1743 said...

Same to you, Bentley, after Durant turns pro next year.

Wes Mantooth said...

Bold Homer Prediction:

Texas - makes the tourney next year.
A&M - not so much.

Good luck aggy in the Sweet 16. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Jake said...

I'll be thinkin' about Durant in San Antonio...not so much. Expected a better performance against USC, wondered if VY spoke to the team before the game, wait, VY is sorry. Had Horn in Elite 8, bracket hurts.

Enjoying the Aggie team this year, might be awhile until we're back.

Doctor Jones said...

too busy hitting up SXSW to care about sports for one weekend. I'll be back for the final four.

did get to see that incredible mavs-suns game, just too bad we didn't get the W.

Wes Mantooth said...

The Horns lost one game early. I think Elite 8 is wishful thinking. UNC is too good, too deep.

The USC game shows that one guy can't do it all. Durant goes for 30, but DJ had a bad game. USC couldn't miss to open the game, and the 2nd half 20-3 (I think) run killed the Horns. Aggy will make Elite 8, Kansas to Final 4.

Unknown said...

mantooth, bentley, horn homers, & Co.:

you're really going to resort saying "a&m won't be any good once its seniors graduate" line? like barnes said about the UT game, out of 68 points durant had 30!!! and abrams had 20. so tap the brakes on "let's see what happens next year once a&m's seniors graduate." that's about the most ignorant statement/threat possible. durant is gone next year...so where does UT make up those points? i don't think durant is there for the degree.

cracker1743 said...

I think A&M will be in good shape next year after Law's exit to the pros. Jones, Kirk, and Carter return, with Sloan stepping up to the starting 5. Recruiting has already improved from three years ago, and will get better with continued success. So take off the homer blinders, Whorns: this is not the Aggies' one and only tourney appearance under Billy G.

Wes Mantooth said...

Jay,

1st: OFFSIDES!!!

Nobody is dissing aggy.

Durant is gone, and will leave a BIG hole. There is no doubt about that. But, the Horns are nothing but kids. Freshmen and Sophmores across the board. They will continue to improve. A&M is not full of kids. They are a verteran team. Therefore I expect A&M to decline sharply when the Seniors leave. Hell, this is the best aggy has ever been. To expect anything but a decline is rediculous. This appearance in the tourney may help aggy in recruiting. Perhaps they can bounce back in a year or two. A&M doesn't have a consistant recruiting base for basketball. Gillespie (if he sticks around) will have to address this as Rick Barnes was able to at Texas. There is no "threat." A&M had a better team than Texas this year. Congrats. Texas had the best player in the country and a bunch of kids. Without Durant to lean on next year, hopefully those kids will grow into a team like A&M had this year.

I am not trying to take shots at aggy. Great team. They really grew over the last year and a half. Nobody expected aggy to be this good in basketball. You should just enjoy it while it lasts. Just like the win over the Horns in football.

Unknown said...

mantooth, you have mastered the passive-aggressive thing.

Wes Mantooth said...

Thank you, thank you! (bows)

Anonymous said...

Breaking News: The Ballpark in Arlington (currently "Ameriquest Field") will change its name to the "Rangers Ballpark in Arlington."

(I can't be by the channel so I don't know if our little Ticket has this yet.)

Wes Mantooth said...

(in Danny Voice) This sucks.

"Rangers Ballpark in Arlington" Really? Is that the best they can do? The Ballpark in Arlington sounded better than that. Lets just go back to the old school Rangers Stadium.

Wow, I have really overposted today. I really should try to get work done. Only 15 minutes left in the work day!

Poncenomics said...

"Rangers Ballpark in Arlington" is designed to get the Texas Rangers "brand name" back on the stadium, particularly as the area booms with the Cowboys coming to town.

Just FYI, there was NEVER a "Rangers Stadium." The Texas Rangers played in ARLINGTON Stadium (formerly TURNPIKE Stadium) from 1972 to 1993.

Jon M said...

Cracker, you are not alone in your attraction to English football. Shevchenko's goal today was absolutely brilliant. Can't wait for a Chelsea/ManU final in May (Lets face it, its a sure thing.)

And also, don't be so sure that Billy G sticks around long enough for another Tourney appearance with Aggy.

Not that I care. EPL>College Basketball.

Lumps of celery!