Giving Credit Where It's Due
I should have saved the IM, but Peabs boldly proclaimed Pistons in 5 before the series began. Nice one.
Don't get me wrong, I am loving Pistons dismantling of the Lakers, but the best game match I saw this weekend was England v. France in Euro 2004. I ventured into Charlotte to watch the game at Jackalope Jack's and even though I was by myself, had a great time. England scored in the 37th minute off a free kick by David Beckham and the controlled play for a majority of the match, but Beckham missed a PK late in the match and that gave the French all the space they needed. Zinedine Zidane led the late French attack and scored twice (!!) - once on a PK and once on a free kick - in stoppage time (!!!) to stun England. The 150 strong crowd at the bar, almost all British, were shocked and completely silent. What a game! I doubt I'll watch any other matches in EURO 2004 because I don't think I'll see a better match.
Also, a brief aside...How can ESPN be called The Worldwide Leader In Sports when they can't even a) devote more than 20 seconds of Sportscenter time to this game and b) pronounce the names of the players correctly? Veteran anchor Linda Cohn mispronounced Thierry Henry's name (it's pronounced On-ree) repeatedly on Sunday night. Just embarrassing.
In other fitba news, the US won their first World Cup qualifier.
It looks like Rip Hamilton and Lamar Odom will get the final two spots on the Olympic roster.
Here is a guesstimate of who was left unprotected for the upcoming expansion draft. Stay tuned to information leafblower for full coverage of the Expansion Draft on June 22nd as well as the NBA Draft on June 24th. Speaking of, Duke recruit Shaun Livingston is staying in the draft. Not that I'm dwelling on this or anything, But Livingston, Luol Deng and Kris Humphries (who committed to Duke but later decided to attend Minnesota) will all be in the draft this year. Damn.
The Sports Guy on the OJ Trial. Also, the 10 biggest sports trials ever. Rae Carruth is only #8?
All hail the mighty Chromewaves dot net for pointing us to the two new Spoon demos! They are touring in June and July. Don't sleep.
Next up for the RIAA, digital radio [via Hyperkinetic]
I tried to mail the mix CD's I promised to everyone on Friday but the freakin' post office was closed for Ronald Reagan's funeral. So Durst. But I will put them in the mail today.
Take a step outside yourself / And you turn around
Take a look at who you are / It's pretty scary
Who do you think the Piston's are going to leave unprotected?
Reagan kept me from getting free music? That devious bastard...always getting the last laugh.
Things that make me happy about the Pistons' wipeout of the Lakers.
1. Watching Phil Jackson yell, and no one listening.
2. That look in Kobe's eyes that says, "Damn passing to Shaq, I'm just gonna go out and fuck around."
3. Chauncey Billups -- Chauncey Billups! -- making Gary Payton his bitch. Congratulations, Glove, you've made the duo of Anthony Johnson and Jamaal Tinsley (on one leg) look like the backcourt of the '86 Celtics by comparison.
4. Realizing my Pacers are now the No. 2 or 3 team (with New Jersey) in the NBA, rather than a sad-sack second in the NBA Least.
5. Imagining Karl Malone on the bench, replaying over and over how Jordan stole the ball from him in '98, as he realizes no championship is coming.
I would like a mix cd.