Monday, May 02, 2005

Time for everyone to eat crow?



Not yet. No one who said the Mavericks were screwed has been proven wrong, yet. How many times in a game is a team down 15 or 20 points, then they come back to tie or take the lead, and then lose? It happens all the time, and in the end, everyone says it is because they used up so much energy coming back, that they have no energy left to close the deal.

So, did the Mavericks burn all of their energy coming back from 0-2? Or, are they just hitting their playoff stride? We are about to find out.

Did they dig too deep of a hole?

I am pretty sure that the Mavericks will do their job tonight, and make Houston win Game 6 and 7 or concede the series. Dirk Nowitzki will again be a key. Somehow, he has not shown his star ability for much of the series, and for the Mavericks to close this deal, I think their best player will ultimately have to be their best player. Let’s hope he finds his elusive shot.

But don’t expect Tracy McGrady just to mail it in. He is a budding star, and I expect we will see a huge game from him tonight. This will be fun.

Links:

Lebreton offers to eat a plate of crow …but it isn’t time yet…

Mavericks aim to win a home game






Jeff Gordon wins another race Junior causes another wreck …By the way, does anyone have the announcers on his side more than Junior? No one was willing to say he caused it on Fox yesterday. D.W., with a obvious DEI conflict of interest, suggests that it was just a coincidence that Dale had bumped Wallace at the same time 60% of the field was knocked silly…


TALLADEGA, ALA. -- It started with a little push by Dale Earnhardt Jr., really nothing more than a love tap at 305 kilometres an hour to the rear bumper of Mike Wallace's car.

But that high-speed shove -- called bump drafting -- triggered a 25-car accident that wiped out more than half the field at Talladega Superspeedway yesterday in NASCAR's Aaron's 499.


Anyway, what a great race! I know the drivers hate it, but I couldn’t stop watching…

OU Coach uses incredibly poor judgement …. And then resigns …Talk about career suicide…

Selig strikes back



USA wins first game at Worlds

The Bob and Dan Show???

This never, ever gets old: Downey’s 1-punch Knockout



This is Principal Ed Rooney of Ferris Bueller



This is A.W. Merrick of Deadwood



And this is the actor that plays them both, Jeffery Jones , when he was arrested for this:


In November 2002, after having been accused of hiring a 14-year-old boy to pose for sexually explicit photographs, Jones was charged with one felony count of employing a minor for purposes of taking sexually explicit photos and a misdemeanor count of possessing child pornography and released on $20,000 bail. In July 2003, after pleading no contest He was placed on a sex offender register, given five years probation and ordered to undergo counseling. The misdemeanor charge of possession or control of child pornography was dropped.


Perhaps proving that in Hollywood, everyone gets 2nd chance...

And now, some email:


Bob,

why is everyone being so tough on Jason Terry about his assists to turnovers? Yes he had a sloppy game last night, and committed far too many turnovers, but if you look at his stats throughout the whole year, he wasn’t that bad.

He actually was #20 in the league in assist-turnover ratio. Obviously he isn’t Steve Nash, but no one is. Just thought I'd bring this stat to your attention.

Love the show,
Will


And this one, which says the same thing, but a bit harsher:



I guess you are either doing a bit, or you are in a hideous mood there in Houston. How in God's name can the first part of your too-long blog include negative comments about J. Terry? I was getting sick of Dan trying to make you claim a definitive stance on this series, but now I can't take how much you are just trying to grab on to anything that might stir people up. Why don't you just refuse to participate in any conversations regarding this series? It is clear that you are beaten down by it.

I respect your opinions, enjoy your comments, and am obviously a fan. But, this is just annoying.

By the way: I have such an incredible social life that I am reading your blog and writing e-mails to you shortly before 1:00a.m. on a Saturday. Screw me and every opinion I have ever held, much less written.

I love you, and I never listen!

Brandee


I realize that after a guy like Jason Terry plays a game like he did in Game 4, we should probably do nothing but praise him. But, many in the media (including me), praised Terry and targeted him for his below-average Point Guard play.

But he agrees. He said it. His coach said it. He has to play better in the areas of ball distribution and play making. He knows it.

And maybe this is a fine example of what you can learn in a 7-game series that you cannot learn in an 82-game season. When you play the same team for 2 straight weeks, they game plan to stop you. They scout you, and learn your tendencies. And if you have a weakness, they can expose you. I would say that Houston has done a pretty good job at forcing Terry into turnovers, while limiting his assists. They certainly have not stopped his shot, but you could make the case that the Mavericks have had 2 shooting guards an 0 point guards in this series.

So, in conclusion, the Mavericks are not tied at 2 in this series without the fine play of Jason Terry. At the same time, they could use more effective play from their point guard. Confusing?

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Dan, when I went to read the Oklahoma coach story they wanted me to sign up for a free membership to their website. If that ever happens to anyone, use this website: http://www.bugmenot.com/

It's greatness. It gives you usernames and passwords to any website. You just need the web address. Thought it might come in handy.

Anonymous said...

OK Bob,
I know this is your blog, I don't know why someone would address you as Dan, but whatever.
Bob, I have eaten crow about the Mavericks...I admitted it.
But your take on Talladega was way off base.
Jeff Gordon wins the pole.
Jeff Gordon gets the first pit.
Jeff Gordon misses the wreck.
Jeff Gordon wins the race.
Jeff, Jeff, Jeff.

Who gets the pub?

By the way, regarding the huge wreck?
Obviously you are a Gordon fan and biased against Junior. If you saw the incident, you saw 3 wide racing, and Mike Mike Wallace went left and tapped Jimmie Johnson and swerved back into the 10 car....IF, (and that's a big if at this point)Jr did bump Mike Wallace, there were other factors and other cars packed into the pack and you can't just say Jr. was at fault.

Is it not enough your pretty boy Gordon got all the pub and won the race, you have to take it a step further and bash Jr.? You are crazy Bob. I guess you are upset Jeffie Poo didn't get to sell peanuts too.

Lastly, just because I disagree with you doesn't mean I don't like the show...ot this blog. But your dreams will come true about Jeffie and all the love that he will get, when Nascar goes to NBC on July 3rd...and Benny Parsons...I think he works for Jeffie Poo.

Lew

Anonymous said...

Bob, i dont dirk is coming out of it when Mcgrady is on him. He cant even get off a shot when Mcgrady is gaurding him, he is forcing it everytime and the refs arent giving him any star treatment. I used to think "the matrix" gave dirk some problems, but mcgrady is in his jock. well lucky for dirk he will get "the matrix" if the mavs some how have anything left for the suns.

Sturminator said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Sturminator said...

Lew-

I defer to you when it comes to racing, but Kevin Harvick won the pole if my memory serves. And, I am not biased against Jr, rather biased against those who think he is God's gift to racing. He is not his daddy. He is decent, but he might not even be the best driver on his own team.

And, yes, Mike Wallace went left. Because Jr. Bumped him going into a turn which is a huge no-no. Of course there was too much traffic, but when there is, you cannot be bumping in a turn with 50 laps to go. Too risky. Jr got away with it, but 25 cars paid his price.

Anonymous said...

Bob, the Blog was awfully long today, but it had to be with the great weekend of sports, heck even the Golf was interesting. By the way, how can I meet that Brandee chick that was up at 1:30 a.m?

Anonymous said...

********
Hey Dan, when I went to read the Oklahoma coach story they wanted me to sign up for a free membership to their website. If that ever happens to anyone, use this website: http://www.bugmenot.com/

It's greatness. It gives you usernames and passwords to any website. You just need the web address. Thought it might come in handy.
*************

Not to be mean, but someone clearly hasn't been reading here very long...

Anyway, on a related note, my work has now banned bugmenot.com, and..well, I'm bugged. Rock me.

Anonymous said...

I wasn't going to say anything about last months ticketchick, because it could have been just one off month...

But now, why has the the ticket chick talent dropped so much in April and May?

Anonymous said...

those last two pics of this months ticket chick are awesome...

Anonymous said...

Bob,
I stand corrected. Happy Harvick did win the pole. I just heard Jeffie's name so much yesterday, I had Gordon over-load.
I for one don't think Jr. is God, nor does he old a candle to his dad.
Jeff Gordon had a great car yesterday. Why can't Gordon fans just take a great victory and keep their mouth shut instead of winning and slamming other drivers? I think that's why so many people dislike Gordon so much. I know you were at TMS and heard all the boos when Gordon was introduced. You were probably scratching your head wondering why? Now you know the answer.
Have a good one!

Lew

Anonymous said...

This is the perfect place for my question. I'm a 1st year NASCAR watcher and let me start by saying I've been wrong for years, this is a great sport. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching. My only problem is that there is minimal education on the telecasts - they seemed to be geared to people that know what's up. That's OK, I hate education on football telecasts so I'll have to learn some other way. That leads me to a few newbie questions:

1. Why do the commentators treat Dale Jr. with kid gloves? I really thought that Junior hit Wallace, he wiggled into Johnson who was moving up a tad as well. But I believe that if Wallace hadn't wiggled, Johnsons move up the track wouldn't have caused the wreck.

2. Why do fans adore Junior so much? Again, I've been watching for only this season, but I think he's good, but not awesome...

3. Why do people have Jeffie poo so much? For some reason, I don't like him much, but curious why true fans don't seem to like him either...

Thanks again! I know I'm a newbie, but man, I'm already into NASCAR, I love it. And the Talledaga race was awesome!

Sturminator said...

Why can't Gordon fans just take a great victory and keep their mouth shut instead of winning and slamming other drivers?>>>

Not sure if this was directed at me, Lew, but my whole life is whinning (which I think you meant), and this is my blog, so chances are I will write what is on my mind.

Anonymous said...

Bob,
OK Bob, I made a typo...geeeze.
Man, I know it's your blog, and I like it!
I was wondering how long it was going to take you to say "it's my ball and I'm going home."

Bob, we have corresponded many times about Nascar. Let me again compliment you as a novelty. That is, working at the Ticket, AND being a Nascar fan. I have seen you and Dan in person, I have contributed to your blog, writen you many e-mails. Has this what it comes down to? I can't discuss my opinion on your driver?
So you can have an opinion on Jr. and you get ruffled when I speak of Gordon? What sort of one way ticket is this?

Again, let me compliment you on You, your blog, your radio program. But I am here to tell you being an Earnhardt fan just isn't what you think. Let me try and give you an analogy.
Just because Bart Starr doesn't play anymore, does that mean you aren't a Packer fan?
Come on Bob, you are bigger than that. Let the Earnhardt thing go. Just consider it a tradition in sports. You can get that can't ya?

Love the show.

Lew

Sturminator said...

No worries, Lew. I think you read a little too much into my previous message.

Anonymous said...

Dirk's main weapon is his jumper. If it's not going down his secondary weapons (mainly driving to the basket) are not as effective because when McGrady is on him he is not going to be able to drive past him as easily. Although I have liked his running hookshot. McGrady is not going to be able to block that if Dirk can find a lane to drive to the front of the rim. Also Dirk has been working a lot harder on defense this series. In the past he hasn't been thought of as a defensive presence, but this year there has been improvement. With Dampier's foul troubles and Bradley's liabilities, Dirk has been stuck with covering Yao more than we would want him, but I think he has been as effective as anyone else on the squad. So between having to play against the 300 lb Chinese dude on defense, the double and triple teams on offense, Dirk is using a lot of juice and it is having an effect on his shooting. As great as Dirk is he hasn't been nearly as scary as McGrady has been. With the injuries that Shaq and Duncan have been fighting through, McGrady has clearly been the most dangerous player in these playoffs. The only person who can stop McGrady is McGrady. Have you seen how high this guy get's up on his jumper? No one is even close to making anyone believe it can be contested. And his driving layups are just about as unstoppable.
Dirk needs all the B level stars on this team to help out. We need a couple guys each night to be on. So far it's been Terry and Finley these last couple games. Who is it going to tonight?

P1 Stu from "crazy" Fort Worth

Anonymous said...

Rajajiv, here are your answers:

1. Sr died and a large portion of the fans loved Sr dearly. They now love Jr. and the commentators wouldn't dare be too harsh on the sports 'Golden Boy'.

2. See Answer #1.

3. He's a Yankee. California really, but who's actually paying attention? He's the best driver since uh...and he's a Yankee.

Anonymous said...

Gooner,
I don't mean to add to something that wasn't directed to me, so with your permission, I would like to butt in.

First of all, I'm sick and tired of the Yankee thing is brought up in Nascar. Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, and many, many more come from the north, "Yankees" as you call them.

I have tried and tried on my blog to get the attitude about Nascar changed. Did you know Ryan Newman has an engineering degree from Purdue? Do you know that the average winning paycheck each week from a Nascar race is about 4 million?
No, Nascar is much much more than a bunch of "good ol boys" running up the Confederate flag and talking about the Dukes of Hazard. Nascar is all about money and the technology used to win a race.

The Earnhardt Factor:
You had it partially right.
We Earnhardt fans are loyal fans. It doesn't mean we want to raise dear ol Dale from the grave. It means we continue a tradition that was started by Dale.
Aren't good fans usually loyal to a team?
And by the way, when there is a tragedy in the Nascar family, like when the tradgedy struck Jeff Gordon's team last year....we put our differences asisde and respect the drivers and teams of the affected team....we don't keep bringing it up. That's just respect.
I'm not a Jeff Gordon fan....but I certainly respect the man. He has certainly earned that.
Rick Hendrick has a great team with Jeff, Jimmie Johnson, and several other drivers. But I am an Earnhardt fan. Maybe I like Budweiser beer, maybe it's the color of his car....for whatever reason (and it would take to long to post here) I'm an Earnhardt fan.

Maybe one day, we can get rid of stereotypes. I like to see good racing, whether the driver is a "yankee" or not.

Lew

Anonymous said...

Lew,

While my answer was somewhat tongue-in-cheek it was also not to far from the truth.

He asked why he's hated by so many which is almost certainly because he's perceived as an 'outsider' who's dominated 'their' races. You can say whatever you want about changes in perception but the fact still remains that the NASCAR blue-bloods are from the "South" and they BOO 24 because he's not.

Anonymous said...

Gooner,
I certainly mean no offense, and I know you don't know me, so let me explain on a smaller scale.
I don't like Jeff Gordon.
It's NOT because he is not from the south. (I realize that was a double negative Bob. LOL)
I can't speak for everyone else, but I can speak for me. I don't care for Jeff Gordon because he is a perceived cry baby.
Do I hate him as much as the Philadelphia Eagles? Nope.
Do I dislike the Eagles because they are from the north? Nope.
I just don't like them.

I think your theory is way off base man. And I might try and proove it by asking you are you from the north? I am assuming so since you seems overly sensitive to the "yankee" issue.

Lew

chicogrande said...

Bob,

Good afternoon. It's nice to see the Mavs getting it done, albeit at the last minute, to keep hope alive.

Oh, when are you gonna get your lawn mowed? The lawn dudes we used last year are MIA.

Anonymous said...

Lew,

I'm no Yankee!

I think the H8 for 24 is something that people did initially because he was a Yankee and now it's something they do out of habit.

Fair enough? Stop making me respond cuz my Gunners are on in a few!

Anonymous said...

Claudia is a smoking hot TC. I admit April(month)a great TC. Claudia is great. I had to poor cold water on my monitor, and the front of my pants.

Anonymous said...

Sorry. I meant April WASN'T a great month for TC.

Anonymous said...

Just for future reference . . .
Jeff Gordon is from California originally and moved to Indiana. Most southerners that are not of the white trash variety would not consider Jeff a "Yankee" that is a title reserved for those born and raised north of the Mason-Dixon Line.
I am one of those rare rare fans that is a fan of Jeff, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart and Dale Jr. (However Jeff is the preferred driver.)
I respect the great drivers, and need I add that the greatest drivers are not racing in Nascar but rather in F1. and Bob as such a fan of European sports such as Soccer you should be far more interested in the greatness that is F1!
Oh yeah, I predicted Mavs in six and have not waivered in my opinion. But it is time for The Dirkmeister to step up and add to his stat book with a few more points to go along with the much appreciated assists, steals and boards. So GO MAVS!

Anonymous said...

Nascar sucks
GO MAVS!!!

Anonymous said...

I agree, NASCAR Sucks!

MAVS in 6!

Anonymous said...

the latest disgruntled bikini chick would have been a much better choice for ticketchick of the month...

but it seems her pics are gone from the hardline page... huh.?