Sunday, June 25, 2006

Days, Cups, & Memories

Days, Cups, & Memories

It all started last Sunday – Father’s Day. Went to Crazy Glaze and painted two coffee mugs with the kids and the sweetest wife in the world. Also given a couple new shirts and a new pair of Birks. These are really the best gifts of all – the ones you need and will use everyday. Couple tearjerker gifts from the kids’ daycare too.

Monday – Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Went with my Dad to the game. Yes, I was there, in a box two boxes over from Kid Rock and the owner of the Hurricanes. Hurricanes won. How incredible! Best part of all, and the true beauty of sports, I was there with my Dad and high-fiving people I had never met and probably will never see again my whole life. But for that one game, we collectively rejoiced, cheered, and celebrated together.
That’s what I’ll remember the most. The camaraderie and shared excitement with the people around me. Unforgettable experience. If you don’t like hockey, go to a Stanley Cup game in person. When the scoreboard said “No one sits tonight,” we all followed through.

Wednesday – Game 6 of the NBA Finals. No, I wasn’t there but I did witness the emergence of a true superstar in Dwayne Wade. His ability to take over the game in the fourth quarter was truly reminiscent of, and I hate to make this over-used comparison, Mr. Jordan. At times I thought Wade wore number 23. I loved seeing Shaq, Wade, etc. celebrate together.
As for Mark Cuban’s comments after game 5? The game was in Miami, and Miami got some calls. All they did was take care of business at home. Period. The Mavs had chances to win in Miami and blew it. Absolutely blew it. Go back and watch the 4th quarter of game 3. And as for game 6 in Dallas? You lost on your home court. Inexcusable. Look at Dirk’s numbers for game 6. He faded away while his counterpart, Dwayne Wade took charge. And thus the Mavericks lost and the Heat hoisted the trophy.

Ever see the movie The Replacements with Keanu Reeves and Gene Hackman? There’s a great exchange between the two:
Shane Falco (Reeves): I want the ball.
Jimmy McGinty (Hackman): Winners always do.
Someone should send a copy of it to Dirk Nowitzki.

What I’ll remember most? Wade’s dominance, Riley’s “Fifteen Strong” motto – a throwback to Spartan mentality, and Mourning’s speech of inspiration at the post game conference. Of these three, Mourning’s will resonate the most.

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Visions of Greatness



NHL – Great win for Carolina last night!!! Absolutely amazing game experience. Anyone who claims hockey is boring on TV, show them last night’s game. True you need a screen with decent size and it may help to stand up as I did for most of the game, but wow, it is anything but boring. Your adrenaline pumps for 30 seconds when the Canes take the puck up the ice, then you cringe in fearful agony for the following 30 seconds when the Oilers launch their attack. The game was a marathon of wrecked emotions.

Cam Ward is the reincarnation of Patrick Roy. And he’s only 22 years old.
Memo to ‘Canes: Lock him up to a long-term contract. Fast.

Jim Rutherford: There’s a reason the man won The Sporting News’ Executive of the Year. Not only the brilliant acquisitions of Weight and Recchi, but the entire assembly of this Hurricane squad, including two shutout-caliber goaltenders in Ward and Gerber. Any question as to the importance of two goaltenders can be answered by looking across the ice at the Edmonton squad.

Horrible sight last night seeing Roloson’s hit. I’m sorry he is knocked out of the Finals. Yes, I want Carolina to win, but I want them to beat Edmonton at their best.

Did not know much about Edmonton coming into the Series except that their coach is Craig MacTavish. I remember watching him play. Why? He was the last player to skate without a helmet. In other words if he was their coach I knew they’d be tough. However I had no idea they’d be as physically imposing as they were last night. The Canes threw some “slobber knockers” of their own, like the hit from Commodore, but Pronger and Laraque are beasts – 6’6” 220 and 6’3” 255 respectively.

Pronger’s penalty shot was thing of beauty. Like most professionals, he made it look so easy. A man that size should not be as graceful as that. He literally glides when he skates.

NBA – As much as I want Miami to win, I am afraid Dallas carries too many weapons. It is going to be a fantastic Clash of the Titans. Dallas won’t be able to match up with the inside dominance of Shaq, and Miami won’t be able to slow down the up-tempo firepower of the Mavs. Dallas wins the title in Game 7.

Love both coaches in this battle. Riley is a true disciple of Sun Tzu’s Art of War and Avery Johnson is a master strategist and motivator in his own right. Can’t wait to see these two match wits.

Great to see Shaq Diesel in the Finals again. It was always complete nonsense to hear the argument Shaq and Kobe can’t win without each other. Of course they can, however Kobe always needed Shaq more than the other way around. Why? People want to play with Shaq. Look at the chemistry between him and Wade. No one however wants to play with “Kob-Me.”

Had to record WWE Raw last night. Great drama with Triple H and Vince McMahon. Can’t wait to see the fallout next week from Vince getting the Pedigree.

Speaking of WWE, anyone else think Rob Van Dam looks like Paul Heyman’s son?

Glad to see Randy Orton back. Hope he can keep is out-of-the-ring behavior under control.

Memo to media: Stop the Michelle Wie mania. ESPN carried live updates of her attempt to qualify for the US Open. She has not accomplished anything yet. Yes she’s 16 years old and incredibly talented, but I’d be more impressed if she beat Annika Sorenstam a couples times first, rather than just trying to make the field where Phil and Tiger reign.

The Dodgers so far made the move of the year in their signing of Nomar. He’s been a real sparkplug for the offense. Just hope he stays healthy.

Hope Pujols returns to the Cardinals’ lineup as soon as possible.

Clemens, excited to see you pitch again, but the Astros could have used you several weeks ago.

Anyone else notice that 6/6/06 is the first full day of the Yankees being in 1st place? Seems like an Omen to me…Wait, and Hillary is their Senator too. How fitting.

Coffee: 8 O’Clock Coffee is on sale at Target. $2.64 a bag. A very good coffee at an outstanding price. I’m enjoying a Siberian Husky mug-full right now.
Cheers!

Monday, June 05, 2006

The Stanley Cup Winner

Did you know last Thursday, June 1st, marked the official start of Hurricane Season? With that in mind is it any wonder Carolina won game 7 to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals? The scientists predict six major Hurricanes this season. I predict the Hurricanes win Lord Stanley's cup in game 6. As my friend the Friar would say, "Selah. It is written." The chalice shall be hoisted by Staal, Brind'amour, Ward, Weight, & company.

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Rescue Me, U2 & the World Cup

A heat wave is upon us and my students are out for the summer. While grades are posted, the playoffs are buzzing, and the lists of projects to accomplish are eagerly awaiting my undivided attention.

Rescue Me - The New Season started last night. Absolutely incredible show. If you haven't watched it before, tune in now as the new season starts - should replay on Friday night - and I guarantee you'll be addicted within two shows.

"How Much Land Does a Man Need?" - A short story by Leo Tolstoy. Really a parable, and a great one at that. What happens to a man when greed takes over his life? The beauty is how simplistic it starts off and then slowly snowballs out of control. Can be read and applied in other ways too - think "The grass is always greener..." and people who succumb to this mode of thought. What dangers does this lead to? In the case of Pahom, the main character in the story, he quickly becomes that which he previously despised. Later he risks his life for the sake of greed. A dream even foreshadows his demise, yet his actions are not deterred. Great read, even if a little drawn out.

U2 & the World Cup - Have you heard the ads for the World Cup with different members of U2 performing the voice-overs? The best one is entitled Anthem and it has garnered the most airplay. However there is a second one with Bono, and Adam Clayton and The Edge each have one too. The four ads may be experienced here on the link above, or simply go to ESPN and search for it. Not only will they build your excitement for the World Cup, they will move you too with a fairly thought provoking reflection on the power of sport over politics. Whenever the band decides to retire, Bono should read books-on-tape - great voice.