New England Has The Easy Road Morning Daily Links

I am well aware that the National No-Fun League sets their teams' schedule, at least opponent wise, years in advance, but that doesn't change the fact that it doesn't really seem fair that the 18-1 New England Patriots have the easiest strength of schedule for the upcoming 2008 season - by far.  The Pats are playing teams with a combined .387 winning percentage from last year; here is a list of all of the teams' strength of schedule. (SOS)

The Money Shot offers his opinion on why Jason Giambi should widely be considered the worst player in all of professional baseball, and I can't say I much disagree; he bites the big one. (The Middle Finger)

An interesting little article on what the former owner of the Sonics is trying to do to keep the team in the town of Seattle. (Save the Sonics)

Tiger Woods had knee surgery yesterday only two days after the conclusion of the Masters, but don't worry Tiger enthusiasts because he should be back in time for the U.S. Open that begins on June 12. (Get Better Soon Tiger)

A few days ago it was reported that the New York Knicks started to give away free food to fans that attended the game, but now the Knicks are losing some of the team's most prominent fans like, you guessed it, Tom Brokaw. (Knicks Lose Another Fan)

One Year Later: We Remember

One year ago today tragedy struck the Virginia Tech campus as innocent students were killed for seamlessly no reason at all.  As a college student at another big state university I can definitely empathize with all of the students of Virginia Tech and just wish to send my deepest condolences to the entire Virginia Tech Hokie community.  April 16th will forever be a reminder to the tragic incident and it should remind us all of the fact that things like sports and material possessions don't really matter in the scheme of life.

Tiger Woods is the best golfer in the world...by far

Congratulations to Trevor Immelman, this year's Masters Champion, the second South African to ever win the tournament, as CBS announcer Jim Nantz pointed out about five hundred times over the course of the final round.  Most of the blog posts that I have read about the 2008 Masters in the last two days are focused on Immelman and bashing Tiger Woods, and rightfully so.  

Tiger Woods didn't execute in the clutch on Sunday, let alone the entire week, yet was still able to finish in second place.  Tiger was -1 (one-under par) and seven shots back of the lead going into the weekend and than made a charge late in the day on Saturday getting to -5 (five-under par) and was within six shots of leader Immelman.  

Make no doubt about it, Trevor Immelman won the Masters and was definitely the most consistent player of the week, not to mention overcoming adversity under immense pressure on both the 70th and 71st holes of the tournament.  But if you watched any of the tournament, especially Sunday, you should know that Tiger Woods was only a few short putts, that many average mini-golfers could make, away from winning his fifth green jacket.

Since Tiger has taken the sport of golf by storm more than a century ago it has become Tiger versus the field; for a few years everyone thought that the field was finally catching back up to Tiger Woods, but I think this weekend is just a prime example of how much better Tiger is than anyone else.

Tiger Woods has finished in the top five in every event he has played in since last July's British Open.  I think it's definitely fair to say that his past week of Masters Championship golf has been his most inconsistent, frustrating and sporadic golf since that time, nearly nine months ago.  

Here we are reflecting on the 2008 Masters and while runner-up Tiger Woods played his worst golf in a long time, other top ten finishers likely played the four best rounds of golf that they will ever be blessed with in their lifetime.  Some things in life just aren't fair.  But don't tell that to Tiger Woods; second place will never be good enough for him.

Carmelo Anthony Is A Good Role Model

Earlier this morning, Denver Nugget fans probably woke up as jubilant as ever after the Nuggets handily beat the Houston Rockets yesterday 111-94, all but almost guaranteeing a playoff berth.  This afternoon when these same people come home from work they probably won't feel quite the same after learning their beloved star Carmelo Anthony was arrested on suspicion of DUI.

Anthony's lawyer was quoted as saying, "Like anyone in a similar situation, Carmelo has to wait for the results of the blood test.  He regrets putting himself in the situation."  To me that means the guy knew he was driving drunk; how stupid can you be.  I may not have the athletic ability to be in the National Basketball Association, but I would hope that I at least have the brains to not drink and drive during a playoff battle with two days left in the regular season.  

As much as I hate Don Nelson, Baron Davis' ugly beard, and the entire Golden State Warrior team, Carmelo Anthony no longer deserves to be in the playoffs.

The Main Reason Why I Don't Play Hockey

Other than the fact that I don't know how to skate well at all and I can't shot a hockey puck, the main reason why I don't play hockey is because I don't want to lose part of my manhood.  

During  the third period of game 1 of the first round NHL playoff series between the Washington Capitals and the Philadelphia Flyers, Flyers' left wing Patrick Thoresen dropped to the ice with about six and a half minutes to go in the game.  In effort to block a shot, his testicles were seriously injured, and to make matters worse the Capitals tied the game up 4-4 in the next few moments as he was ailing on the ice in pain.  To be honest if I was him I wouldn't really have been all that concerned with the goal, I'd only be interested in my own boys.  Thoresen faces possible surgery and even possible removal of one of his testicles.  I can't even fathom that kind of possible pain.

If Mr. Thoresen is stuck with the misfortune of losing a testicle I will make it my personal goal to write another meaningful article on him and do everything in my power to try to get an interview with him.  Godspeed Patrick.

Dirk Nowitzki can be considered clutch starting now...

If you didn't see just watch, especially the 'Dirk didn't deserve the MVP' haters.

Please, I am begging you...

Let me just start by applauding Deron Williams of the Utah Jazz because he was truly the reason that the Jazz were even in the game at the end, but Dirk just one up'd him.  Dirk Nowitzki showed great poise in the fourth quarter of the Mavericks' 97-94 victory tonight combining with Jason Terry to score 25 of the team's 30 fourth quarter points.  In this Western Conference any team that wants to advance deep into the playoffs will need to come through in last quarter of the game; some of this week's big games have really proven that true.

04/09

Phoenix 96, SA 79 - 24-11 Phoenix Sun scoring advantage in the 4th quarter

04/06

Dallas 105, Phoenix 98 - 27-9 Dallas Maverick scoring advantage in the 4th quarter

Did I mention the actual playoffs haven't even started yet?

This year's Western Conference playoffs will be the fiercest in a long time, maybe ever.  Wouldn't it be something if all four top teams in the West were upset in the first round of the playoffs; if it ever was to happen, it would be now.

Here We Go Again Late Morning Daily Links

Last week there was some speculation that Brett Favre might come back to the NFL for a team other than the Green Bay Packers, but Favre quickly shot those rumors down.  This time the stir is being caused by Favre from an interview a few days ago.  In a news story from Biloxi's Sun Herald he interviewed with a reporter and said that he might come back next season for the Packers, if they need him. (Here Favre Goes Again)

The Masters, one of golf's great tournaments, starts today and Awful Announcing offers us some reasons on why we should watch it.  Other than Tiger Woods... (Watch the Masters)

Last Thursday, a girl named 'Alexa Rodriguez' was attacked by a hawk while touring Fenway Park in Boston, and honestly I am surprised that this story wasn't a bigger deal. (When Hawks Attack)

Empty the Bench has a great list of the NBA's top comeback players of the year. (Empty the Bench)

I don't know if everyone saw the baseball scores from last night, but the San Francisco Giants actually pitched a 1-0 shutout over the San Diego Padres. (See it, believe it)

Speaking of Barry Bonds, Roto Arcade has some news that the Detroit Tigers might be looking at signing him and they believe if they do than it will be a big mistake. (Keep Bonds Unemployed)