New look Lakers don’t look so good…

Posted on October 31, 2012 by admin

The new look Los Angeles Lakers lost their opener last night, 99 – 91, falling to the Dallas Mavericks in the Staples Center.  Both Dwight Howard and Steve Nash were less than impressive.  Kobe was still Kobe.  This will likely increase the building pressure on Lakers coach Mike Brown.  That being said, I expect them to get it figured out and get it done.  We shall see, it is one game, one game people!  In the other showcase match up, Miami beat Boston 120 – 107.  The big headline from this game was the flagrant foul called on Rajon Rondo against Dwyane Wade, Rondo grabbing Wade with both hands around his neck and clothes lining him.  Later, Wade said he had his kids watching and he was glad he had maintained his composure in the face of that kind of “punk play”.  These two teams do not like each other and there will be more games to see how this animosity unfolds.


Posted in basketball, Blog, sports figures | Comments Off on New look Lakers don’t look so good…

New look Lakers don’t look so good…

Posted on October 31, 2012 by susan

The new look Los Angeles Lakers lost their opener last night, 99 – 91, falling to the Dallas Mavericks in the Staples Center.  Both Dwight Howard and Steve Nash were less than impressive.  Kobe was still Kobe.  This will likely increase the building pressure on Lakers coach Mike Brown.  That being said, I expect them to get it figured out and get it done.  We shall see, it is one game, one game people!  In the other showcase match up, Miami beat Boston 120 – 107.  The big headline from this game was the flagrant foul called on Rajon Rondo against Dwyane Wade, Rondo grabbing Wade with both hands around his neck and clothes lining him.  Later, Wade said he had his kids watching and he was glad he had maintained his composure in the face of that kind of “punk play”.  These two teams do not like each other and there will be more games to see how this animosity unfolds.


Posted in basketball, Blog, sports figures | Comments Off on New look Lakers don’t look so good…

Tennis update…

Posted on October 31, 2012 by admin

In Paris, Novak Djokovic wearing a Darth Vadar mask for Halloween was upset by American Sam Querrey in the second round of the Paris Masters 1000,  0 – 6, 7 – 6, 6 – 4.  This does not change the fact that he has secured the year end no. 1 ranking.  ( I still wanted it for Federer).  OK, moving, much beloved women’s tennis player, Kim Clijsters, will play a ceremonial farewell match on December 12th vs. Venus Williams.   Kim will be missed, for many reasons, her amazing tennis, her kind nature, and her beautiful simile!  Good bye Kim and thanks for the memories!


Posted in Blog, events, sports figures, Tennis | Comments Off on Tennis update…

It’s official, Djokovic will end year at no. 1

Posted on October 30, 2012 by susan

Say it isn’t so!!!  But, it is.  Novak Djokovic will set atop the men’s tennis rankings come next Monday and he is assured of the year end no. 1 ranking.  Even if Roger Federer were to win the ATP Year End Final in London (which he has won six out of the past nine years), he cannot earn enough points to finish the year at no. 1.  As a Fed fanatic, I am disappointed.  That being said, just the fact that Fed won Wimbledon and ended his two year drought for winning a Slam was fantastic.  The fact that he regained the no. 1 ranking at this stage in his career (few thought this was possible) and has held it through this week setting a record that is not likely to be broken in our lifetime, if ever, is otherworldly.  I so wanted him to end the year at no. 1, but clearly Roger has his priorities in order at this stage in his life and career.  He knows he has to take time away to rest his body, mind and spirit as well as be a good husband and father.  When all is said and done, congrats to both Novak and Roger are in order!!

P.S. Still hope Roger wins the Year End Event in London!


Posted in Blog, events, sports figures, Tennis | Comments Off on It’s official, Djokovic will end year at no. 1

It’s official, Djokovic will end year at no. 1

Posted on October 30, 2012 by admin

Say it isn’t so!!!  But, it is.  Novak Djokovic will set atop the men’s tennis rankings come next Monday and he is assured of the year end no. 1 ranking.  Even if Roger Federer were to win the ATP Year End Final in London (which he has won six out of the past nine years), he cannot earn enough points to finish the year at no. 1.  As a Fed fanatic, I am disappointed.  That being said, just the fact that Fed won Wimbledon and ended his two year drought for winning a Slam was fantastic.  The fact that he regained the no. 1 ranking at this stage in his career (few thought this was possible) and has held it through this week setting a record that is not likely to be broken in our lifetime, if ever, is otherworldly.  I so wanted him to end the year at no. 1, but clearly Roger has his priorities in order at this stage in his life and career.  He knows he has to take time away to rest his body, mind and spirit as well as be a good husband and father.  When all is said and done, congrats to both Novak and Roger are in order!!

P.S. Still hope Roger wins the Year End Event in London!


Posted in Blog, events, sports figures, Tennis | Comments Off on It’s official, Djokovic will end year at no. 1

Well for a GT fan, I am not on top of things…

Posted on October 30, 2012 by susan

Apologies, I am not on top of things like I should be, since I declare myself a lifelong Georgia Tech fan!  Just caught up with yesterday’s announcement of Dan Radokovich leaving Georgia Tech to take the position of Athletic Director at Clemson (same position he held at GT).  Thoughts…hum…Radokovich did some good things and maybe some not so good things.  He improved facilities, hired Paul Johnson (verdict may still be out there for some, but Georgia Tech needs a different kind of coach and philosophy than most main stream programs).  On the decidedly bad side, he was a huge part of the noncompliance attitude the NCAA took issue with in their investigation into Georgia Tech and Demaryius Thomas taking some “sweat pants” from someone (former Tech player Booker) who had an association with an agent.  The clothes were never worn, put into a locker, and the ACC was notified immediately.  The issue the NCAA really had was the way Georgia Tech handled their attempts to investigate the matter, and that falls under Radokovich and his office.  That was a real BAD, it cost GT their hard earned 2009 ACC Football Championship.  Then there is the matter of coach’s contracts.  Paul Johnson has a $10 million buyout in his so that means it would be difficult to make a change even IF there was a decision to do so (we all remember Coach Paul Hewitt’s contract buyout!)  That fell on former AD David Braine, however.

At the end of the day, you have to say thanks for all the good you have done the past six and a half years and best of luck at Clemson.  Hopefully, Georgia Tech can find the right person for the job when the search begins.  A Homer Rice kind of guy would be ideal, if he can be found.  In the interim, Associate Athletic Director Paul Griffin will step in.


Posted in Blog, football | Comments Off on Well for a GT fan, I am not on top of things…

Well for a GT fan, I am not on top of things…

Posted on October 30, 2012 by admin

Apologies, I am not on top of things like I should be, since I declare myself a lifelong Georgia Tech fan!  Just caught up with yesterday’s announcement of Dan Radokovich leaving Georgia Tech to take the position of Athletic Director at Clemson (same position he held at GT).  Thoughts…hum…Radokovich did some good things and maybe some not so good things.  He improved facilities, hired Paul Johnson (verdict may still be out there for some, but Georgia Tech needs a different kind of coach and philosophy than most main stream programs).  On the decidedly bad side, he was a huge part of the noncompliance attitude the NCAA took issue with in their investigation into Georgia Tech and Demaryius Thomas taking some “sweat pants” from someone (former Tech player Booker) who had an association with an agent.  The clothes were never worn, put into a locker, and the ACC was notified immediately.  The issue the NCAA really had was the way Georgia Tech handled their attempts to investigate the matter, and that falls under Radokovich and his office.  That was a real BAD, it cost GT their hard earned 2009 ACC Football Championship.  Then there is the matter of coach’s contracts.  Paul Johnson has a $10 million buyout in his so that means it would be difficult to make a change even IF there was a decision to do so (we all remember Coach Paul Hewitt’s contract buyout!)  That fell on former AD David Braine, however.

At the end of the day, you have to say thanks for all the good you have done the past six and a half years and best of luck at Clemson.  Hopefully, Georgia Tech can find the right person for the job when the search begins.  A Homer Rice kind of guy would be ideal, if he can be found.  In the interim, Associate Athletic Director Paul Griffin will step in.


Posted in Blog, football | Comments Off on Well for a GT fan, I am not on top of things…

Hip hip hooray for the NCAA…

Posted on October 30, 2012 by admin

Well at last, accountability for College Football coaches over the actions of their assistant coaches and their players!  The NCAA has announced a new enforcement policy which will go into effect next year in August 2013.  It establishes a little more clearly graduated level of infractions.  More importantly, it specifically intends to hold coaches accountable for maintaining control over their programs.  They will be subject to fines and suspensions, based on rule infractions and misbehavior on the part of both their assistants and their players.  It is called “the buck stop here”.  Hate to point the finger, especially since I am admittedly a Georgia Tech fan, but Mark Richt at UGA is a case in point.  They have had more off field player incidents and arrests that one can possibly keep up with over the past few years.  There are of course other programs who have seemingly snubbed their nose at the concept of obeying NCAA rules, so of course I do not mean or intend to single them out all by themselves.  Enough said.  This is a good step in the right direction.  Everyone should applaud the NCAA for taking this much needed step toward attempting to clean up college sports!!!


Posted in Blog, football, Human Interest, sports figures | Comments Off on Hip hip hooray for the NCAA…

Ten years ago today…Hello????

Posted on October 30, 2012 by susan

ESPN has been having a lot of fun today with the ten year anniversary of ESPN annalist Coach Herb Edwards and his famous speech…”Hello?  We play to win the game!”  At that time, he was coach of the New York Jets.  It was a great press conference feed for sure!  One for the ages…


Posted in Blog, ESPN, football, sports figures | Comments Off on Ten years ago today…Hello????

Will Kobe play?

Posted on October 30, 2012 by susan

NBA kicks off tonight and one of the big questions is will Kobe play??  Yes, Kobe will play.  He did not practice Monday, he is listed as a “game-time” decision, and he has said he is 85% sure he will play.  Kobe will play!!!  First game will feature a rematch of the 2012 Eastern Conference finals as Boston travels to face LeBron and Miami, and oh yeah, their old teammate Ray Allen!  The second game will feature the new look Lakers, with Steve Nash and Dwight Howard joining Kobe, Pau, World Peace, et al  hosting the Dallas Mavericks.  Hard to imagine but it is “round ball” time already!


Posted in basketball, Blog, sports figures | Comments Off on Will Kobe play?