A blog about Sports & Recreation.
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World Series Game 6 Preview New York evens the series and heads to Philly for Game 3 English Premiere Soccer Week 11 Preview NFL Week 8 Preview 2009 World Series Preview Phiilies still waiting for outcome of ALCS NFL Week 7 Preview Angels try to stay alive in Game 5 NFL Week 6 Preview NFL Week 5 Preview August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 December 08 January 09 February 09 March 09 April 09 May 09 June 09 July 09 August 09 September 09 October 09 November 09 Ex-NBA star Jayson Williams allegedly trashed a suite in a suicidal rage and was subdued by a stun gun and taken to a psychiatric clinic, New York police said. Police used a stun gun and two sets of handcuffs to subdue Williams. They allegedly found suicide notes and empty bottles and vials of sleeping pills, antidepressants and human growth hormone, police sources told the New York Post. The Award is shared this week by Williams for being Williams and the NYPD for using a stun gun on a suicidal man. 
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The Tuskers (1-4) won their first game of the season with a come from behind rally this past Saturday against the Pasadena Warlords (4-1) at Emerald Cove Park. Kern County found themselves trailing by 21 points against an undefeated Pasadena team when Lucas Ramos scored the first try of the game to cut the Warlords lead 5-21 to end the first half.
Ten minutes into the second half the Tuskers would begin their rally cutting the deficit 12-21 with a try and successful conversion goal from Steven Rodriguez. Kern County would edge to within four points on a try from Art Gonzalez cutting Pasadena’s lead 17-21. Trailing by three in the closing minutes, the Tuskers’ Art Gonzalez would score his second try of the match in combination with a successful conversion goal by Marcus Felix giving Kern County its first lead of the game. The Tuskers held on for their first win of the season with a final score 24-21.
“ It was an awesome battle that featured some much needed old boy flash and some youngsters really digging deep to show our coach that they are here to play”, stated Club President Ahmed Baaumer.
Steven Rodriguez received the Man of the Match Award and the Kern Wood Award for biggest hit went to Joe Cooper.
The Tuskers next game will be Feb. 28 at 1 p.m. against the Back Bay Sharks (4-0) at Newport Beach.
For most sports fans, this topic has been a continuing debate for years. Love him or hate him, Kobe Bryant might possibly be the biggest star in basketball, maybe even bigger than Jordan. Taking a closer look at the comparison of Jordan and Bryant requires more than just subjective standpoints based on fan bias and common assumptions. Jordan played in a different era when NBA basketball was much more open and fluid. Jordan faced legends, played without the sissy hand checking rules and girly fouls, and didn't have one of the most dominate centers ever on his team. However, Bryant is the closest thing to Jordan we've seen in the history of basketball and is one of the best players in the league today, but does he compare to Michael Jordan? Most NBA fans will argue that Michael Jordan is the superior player. However, many fans choose Bryant over Jordan. Jordan was an ambassador to basketball and was instrumental in globalizing basketball during his career, not to mention humble that and a much more likeable player. Bryant with his unique athleticism and graceful cockiness is invincibly confident in his strengths and at the same time astonishingly unaware of his weaknesses. When looking at a full analysis, it becomes quite clear that Jordan is the better basketball player, and possibly the best of all-time. Jordan has six championships, scored 3000 points in a single season averaging 37 points a game while only shooting 66 three pointers, averaged six rebounds a game nine times in his career, made more than 50% of his shots 6 times in his career, averaged more than 6 assists three times; including a season where he averaged 8 assists a game, averaged more than a block a game 4 times in his career, averaged more than 2.2 steals a game nine times in his career, and averaged more than 3 turnovers 5 times in his career. Kobe has three championships, has shot over 500 three pointers to average 35 points a game, has averaged over six rebounds a game 3 times in his career, only once has he averaged more than 2.2 steals a game, not once has averaged more than 50% from the field, only once has averaged 6 assists a game, averaged more than a block a game 4 times only once, and has averaged more than 3 turnovers 7 times with his worst season being 2004-05 where he averaged more than 4 turnovers a game, something Jordan never did. Jordan never won without Pippin and Kobe hasn't won without Shaq. There is a slight difference here though. Jordan was the Batman to Pippin's Robin while Kobe was the Robin to Shaq's Batman. Jordan will always be the original. He created a culture and some would even say a cult of sorts. So as the “hoopla” continues, who do you think is the greatest of all-time? Rivalry games make college basketball more exciting than the NBA where players get traded, coaches get fired, teams go from title contenders to last place, and suddenly the rivalry dies. Sure you can talk about Knicks-Heat, Bulls-Pistons, or Lakers-Celtics, all time-specific rivalries. The Knicks and Heat did battle several times in the playoffs in the late 90s, Chicago and Detroit were late 80s rivals, and Magic's Lakers took on Bird's Celtics in three NBA Finals in the 80s. No doubt that for each of those specific periods these teams were intense rivals, but who cared about a Knicks-Heat game last season? Or a Bulls-Pistons game post-Jordan? All regular season games are essentially equal as far as the standings are concerned but winning a rivalry game counts for something more. Players and especially fans can take extra pride in taking down a rival, and college basketball is no exception. Kentucky vs. Louisville, Georgetown vs. Syracuse, Duke vs. North Carolina, nothing in the NBA can produce the intensity and outright crazy fanaticism that college students and fans show for their respective teams. Stadiums are filled with entire sections of screaming fans all with painted bodies and choreographed, traditional tactics to disrupt the opposing team on free throws. It adds a level of excitement and enjoyment to college games that just isn’t there in the NBA. So are college rivalries better than NBA rivalries? Whether you are a college hoops fan or a fan of the pros, the pageantry and drama of college basketball rivalries is clearly the best that basketball has to offer. Why? One reason could be the greater number of teams creating more possible match-ups between good teams thus more rivalries. Another could be that college basketball fans have a much better chance that the team you root for will be around for as long as you are, and there is no chance of the team being sold or moving cities. Therefore rivalries are based upon traditions rather than player specific teams and years. Along the same lines, the sheer number of college teams means that more people have a team they can root for, or identify with even if they do not live near a major city with an NBA team. There's no question that college rivalries generate more excitement than practically anything else in the sports world, primarily because of its rich traditions, history and school pride. The NBA just can’t duplicate that.
With less than a week before Fusion’s, Impala’s, Camry’s and Charger’s are transformed into rolling cereal boxes for the Daytona 500, this morning I was once again reminded that NASCAR season is approaching. For a full 20 minutes, I followed a driver doing 70 mph in a 45 mph zone, trying to shake cars that were riding in his draft. I saw him screaming obscenities as he tried to use the shoulder to pass a car on the right, just to be caught by the next red light. For as bad as the driving seems to be in the off-season, there tends to be a noticeable difference come NASCAR season, especially on a Monday after the race. It is then that the Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Jeff Gordon wannabe’s seem to come out. You know the type, with the NASCAR bumper sticker on their mini van. The mornings commute turns into a jockey for pole position. The normal speed limit no longer exists and the cops just tend to stay out of everyone’s way - unless they haven’t made quota. Everyone seems, at least for the morning rush, to want to outdo the other drivers in typical NASCAR style.
Yes, it's that time of the year again. If you're like me, it represents the beginning of the college baseball season or March madness. But if your one of the 75 million NASCAR fans, it's racin’ time. You can almost smell the familiar scents of gasoline and tire smoke in the air. There is nothing else quite like NASCAR or its fans.
NASCAR fans stake claim that their favorite pastime is a sport performed by skilled athletes who by pressing their foot slightly downward and making one continuous 500-mile left turn perform great acts of athleticism. They would probably agree that lawn mower racing; mud bogging and the WWE are sports too. This leads to the never-ending debate of whether or not driving a car in circles for three hours is really considered a sport, or entertainment. Now before you start forming a mob, I am not saying it’s not difficult. But just because it's difficult doesn't make it a sport. Coal mining and well digging are difficult but that doesn't make them sports. Not to mention how boring they might be to watch.
I mean what could be less exciting than watching 43 cars drive in left hand circles for 200 or so miles, even if it is at almost 200 mph? How about caution flag laps? Watching cars drive in circles at a moderate pace as some guy named Cletus waves around a yellow flag. The bright spot of NASCAR has got to be the racers feuds. They are actually much better than the race itself. Have you ever seen such constant bickering between men so humorous? If they crashed during the race it's always someone else’s fault.
This "sport" was born out of rednecks running from the police to get back to grandma's house with their backwoods, homemade alcohol. Now that might be fun to watch. Despite the fact that the origins of the so-called sport come from dishonesty, NASCAR is constantly trying to change the rules and inspect the cars to ensure that everything is as fair as possible. What other sport constantly changes the rules to make sure the best participant doesn't always win? Maybe the NBA should make Kobe wear loafers, or maybe Barry Bonds should have to hit with a fly swatter to make it fairer.
I am not saying that NASCAR isn’t entertaining. But maybe instead of calling it a sport, we can all agree that NASCAR is entertainment, along with Monday Night Raw, tractor pulls and Word Series Poker.
The Tuskers (0-4) see improvement despite coming off a disappointing loss Saturday to rivals the San Luis Obispo Grogs (1-3) at Emerald Cove Park. Once again the Tuskers, who have not had a win against San Luis Obispo since Feb. 25, 2006, found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard 7-0 as the Grogs would open the scoring with a try and successful conversion kick. Kern County would answer back with their only try of the match and just the second in their last two games, from Steven Rodriquez with just two minutes remaining in the first half to cut the Grogs lead 7-5.
One minute into the second half San Luis Obispo would increase their lead 10-5 on a successful penalty goal. Kern County’s Steven Rodriguez would edge the Tuskers to within two points cutting the Grogs lead 10-8 with a penalty goal ten minutes later. San Luis Obispo would score their second try of the match with 28 minutes remaining, pulling away with the victory 15-8.
The Tuskers will get another chance to end their losing streak against San Luis Obispo when they play the Grogs on Mar. 28 at Damon-Garcia Sports Field in San Luis Obispo.
Steven Rodriguez received the Man of the Match Award and the Kern Wood Award went to Dario Arredondo.
The Tuskers home stand will continue Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. against the Pasadena Warlords (2-1) at Emerald Cove Park. The Warlords defeated Kern County to begin the 2008 season, 31-10 at Pasadena.
Let’s look back at some of the best and worst of the 2008 NFL Season As we do, consider these unlikely developments: An 8-8 team won its division. An 11-5 squad missed the playoffs entirely. Two teams with rookie quarterbacks and first-year coaches advanced to the postseason, and a 9-7 team made it to the Super Bowl. We couldn’t start without congratulating the Sixburg Steelers for winning Super Bowl XLIII, and honorable mention to future Hall of Famer, Kurt Warner (Arizona) for being such a stud. That aside, I would like to congratulate the Detroit Lions for a perfect 0-16 and cementing their legacy as the worst team ever in NFL history. All kidding aside the "Cowardly Lions," were a team much better than their record indicated. With GM Matt Millen finally gone the Lions should be able to take some serious steps toward making the team legitimately competitive in 2009. Hey, it's not impossible... look what the Dolphins did!
The “Fins” were 1-15 a year ago, with their only victory coming in overtime against the Ravens, who finished 5-11. This season, thanks to the guidance of Bill Parcells and the coaching ability of Tony Sparano, Miami went 11-5, and were the AFC East champions. If Miami can continue adding playmakers on defense, they could continue to punish other AFC East teams in 2009.
Speaking of punishment. Someone should spank the Giants and Titans for being the best teams in their respective conferences for most of the year but choking in the first round of the playoffs. Then there is the Dallas Cowboys. One word, Wow! Is train wreck too strong a term to use here? Meltdown? Implosion? How about disaster? Suffice it to say the wheels most definitely fell off the wagon that was the Cowboys' 2008 season (and I'm just talking about on the field).
This season was not a good year to be an NFL coach. Several teams kicked their coaches to the curb while the season was still on life-support: the Raiders (Lane Kiffin), 49ers (Mike Nolan) and Rams (Scott Linehan). Since the end of the season the Browns have let Romeo Crennel go, the Lions justifiably canned Rod Marinelli and, in what most considered a relatively unexpected move, the Broncos parted ways with Mike Shanahan. Crennel and Marinelli probably have a more realistic shot at coordinator positions somewhere than they do another head coaching gig, at least in the immediate future, but Shanahan will be a hot prospect for any of the open positions... well, except Oakland.
What recap would be complete without mention of the nominees for the Jackass of the Year award? First is Plaxico Burress for shooting himself in the leg, Marshawn Lynch’s ability to hit people with his car, the fact that Pacman Jones hates NOT being suspended, and Matt Leinart’s photographs of schoolgirls? Okay, here's the thing: I have NO PROBLEM with Matt Leinart partying with hot chicks. But if we were getting paid millions to play football, we would probably want to prevent the photographs from surfacing.
We wrap it up with a few players to watch in 2009. Matt Ryan and Roddy White (Falcons), Matt Shaub and Andre Johnson (Texans), Darren Sproles (Chargers), Kevin Smith (Lions), and DeSean Jackson (Eagles), if he can remember to hold on to the ball until after he crosses the goal line (second only to Dan Orlovsky's "safety dance" for bonehead play of the year).
The Tuskers (0-3) dropped to seventh place in their division with Saturday’s loss to the North County Gurkhas (1-2) at Emerald Cove Park in Bakersfield, Calif. Kern County opened the scoring mid-way through the first half with a try from Scott “Malibu” McDonald to take the lead 5-0. The Gurkhas would quickly answer scoring on a penalty kick one minute later to narrow the deficit, 5-3. The Tuskers took advantage of a penalty kick increasing their lead, 8-3 to close out the first half. The second half of the match would begin with both teams locked in a defensive struggle until the Gurkhas were able to break through a tough Tuskers defense to score their first try of the match taking their first lead of the game, 10-8. Another penalty kick would give Kern County its last lead of the game, 11-10 with nine minutes remaining. The rest of the match would belong to North County, as they would come from behind scoring two trys and a successful conversion attempt in the final three minutes winning the match, 22-11. Travis Johnson received the Man of the Match Award and the Kern Wood Award went to Lucas Ramos. The Tuskers next home game will be at 1 p.m. Feb. 7 against San Luis Obispo (0-2) at Emerald Cove Park. Admission is free. |
