Is It the Best Times in the Sports Year?

Notes as of late.

Watch-out in the West
The acquisition of Pau Gasol to the LA Lakers is a dagger in the heart of the relentless Western Confernce of the NBA. It is already amazing the competition that is burning from the Delta of the Mississippi to the San Juan Islands. Spurs, Hornets, Suns, Blazers, Nuggets, Jazz Rockets, Warriors and Mavericks. Need I say more?

I watched LA go at it with the NJ Nets, and the color commentator said they are the new favorite in the West. He very well could be right. The depth of the LA Lakers was breath-taking as they pulled away from the Nets to win the game handily. When the young and talented Andrew Bynum returns to this line-up… well, watch out!

Meanwhile, Pau Gasol is a premier big man in the NBA of today. With a reliable touch from the outside and fundamental post moves, Gasol is the perfect example of what Zen master Jackson could never have dreamed of in a big man. But with Gasol’s example now Bynum might even rise as the more impressive player in the years ahead. Beyond that, Phil even has a great crew of the perfect role players: Lamar Oldom,, Derek Fisher, and Luke Walton to mention a few. And the cherry on top? They can all make free-throws. So again all must watch-out in the Wild West!

This just in!
Shaq is back in the West. Traded to the Phoenix Suns!!!!! Shaun Marion to the Heat, and this is an interesting trade. Suns want O’Neal’s defense, and Marion and All-Star Dwayne Wade will be just like peas and carrots. Will both clubs benefit? Well we know Miami will benefit, but will the Suns lose their ability to run with Shaq's age and physical decline? So what a start to the frenzy before the trade deadline! And the Nugs still might make a move, who knows. By the way nice OT-win over the division rivals Monday.

Bob Knight retires. What a character, and I must say a great leader; a noble man. Watch his inspiring interview on ESPN: http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3232956&categoryId=2378529

Oh was there a Super Bowl too!! Were the winners representatives of the city that I live in? Was I ecstatic about the outcome? YOU DANG SKIPPY!!
The Giants won because of the play of their defensive line. Brady might be great, but when under pressure his play was just enough worse to lose to a crazy good Giants defensive line, and a Giants offense was able to come through miraculously when it mattered. The Pats D couldn’t hold out and broke. And Brady got beat-up. Simple as that, what an entertaining game.

I must say it is a great time in sports.

Watch some Winter X Games. Yes, plagued by judges. Still, it is damn fun.

Now I just have to go look into what’s going on in college hoops. March Madness is right around the corner. The Blue Devils and Tar Heels match-up this week, part of ESPN's Rivalry Week. I wish I could see it all. Check it out: www.uncvduke.com Good night.

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