Sports Blog » 2009 » January

This year’s big game looks like its going to be a good one!  We got the high powered offense of the Arizona Cardinals, led by Kurt Warner, and the hard hitting defense of the Pittsburg Steelers, led by Troy Polamalu. The Steelers are a (-7) favorite right now.  I’m kind of surprised the line hasn’t moved down from there, since a recent ESPN poll says people think the games a toss up (51% Cards, 49% Steelers).  Maybe people don’t have money to gamble in this economy!  Who knows!  But if I were betting on the Cards I would take the 7 points now because as it gets closer to the game I think the line will be in the 3-5 rage.

My prediction:

I think the NFC will make it two upsets in a row. The Cards are not even supposed to be playing, but they still are.  They have really come together as a team and are just playing lights out!  The big surprise in this game will be the way their defense plays to shutdown the Steelers’ offense. This will be the difference in a close game.

Final Score:

Cards 27
Steelers 20
MVP: Kurt Warner

Betting line picks:
Cards (+7)
Over (46 ½)

The NBA just released the top selling jerseys for 2008-09 season.  And guess who’s #1?   Yes, it’s Kobe!  Kobe returned to his rightful place at the top of the list replacing Kevin Garnett, who was tops in 2008, of the champion Boston Celtics. I guess winning the MVP, leading the Lakers to the NBA finals, and leading Team USA to gold makes you pretty popular.  Also making the list was his Los Angeles Lakers teammate Pau Gasol coming in at #6. Here’s the rest of the top 10:

1.) Kobe Bryant
2.) Kevin Garnett
3.) LeBron James
4.) Chris Paul
5.) Allen Iverson
6.) Pau Gasol
7.) Paul Pierce
8.) Dwyane Wade
9.) Derrick Rose
10.) Nate Robinson

*this is based off the start of the 2008-09 season till January

The only player I’m surprised is not in there is Dwight Howard.  I mean, didn’t he just receive the most votes for this year’s All-Star Game? What do you think about the top 10?

“K.G., you may have won the NBA title! But my jersey is kind of a BIG DEAL!!”

Source: ESPN.com and NBA.com

The Chargers recently agreed to a deal with Wasserman Media Group to start marketing to Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Being the only NFL team in So. Cal this doesn’t seem that odd to start tapping into these two vacant lucrative markets, but the people of San Diego should start being worried. There is a real possibility that the Chargers could be on the move to LA very soon. Though Charger ownership has stated that this contract has nothing to do with the possibility of a move, this can just be a precursor of the things to come.

The Chargers have been looking to build a new stadium in San Diego for seven years now. Every time they find a site for the stadium, they just can’t get the funding from the county. Meanwhile in LA County they just approved of a $150 million bond for infrastructure improvements on a stadium site in the city of Industry. Factor that in with the fact that billionaire developer Ed Roski’s Majestic Real Estate Co. has a proposal ready to build an $800 million stadium at that site if a NFL team would agree to come there. Roski just happens to be good friends with Chargers owners, the Spanos family. The Chargers are also free to move out of San Diego County during the month of February if they pay the city $56 million to buy out the bond on their current stadium. In a time of a slumping economy this might be too good of a deal to pass up.

I personally don’t like when teams leave a city for another city, but this makes perfect business sense for all parties involved except San Diego. The NFL wouldn’t have to realign the divisions again, like they would if another team came in to LA (like let’s say Jacksonville), because the Chargers are already in the west. The NFL would also benefit financially by having a team in the second largest market. The Chargers would also benefit financially by playing in this market and have the brand new stadium that they have been asking for. Los Angeles would finally have a NFL team (a solid wining team at that) and a new stadium that would likely be a prime destination for hosting many upcoming Super Bowls. This would all bring in high revenue and excitement for the city. Everybody’s gaining here besides San Diego, which will be down to one professional team. But there’s still time for San Diego to get smart and agree to build the Chargers a new home and Charger ownership has stated that they will do everything they can to stay in San Diego County. But the longer that takes the closer The Los Angeles Chargers become to being a reality. So, San Diego step up and if you want to keep your team!

Source: DailyNews.com, NFL.com, AbcLocal.go.com

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You gotta love instant replay.

It not only captures great highlights, but it also catches people in a bold lie.

Such is the case of  Houston basketball player Aubrey Coleman. After watching this video, would you believe his comment that he “didn’t mean to” step on Arizona’s Chase Budinger’s face?

This video says otherwise.

YouTube - Watch 

 Photo Source.

Tell us what you’d say

What would you say? Write us your caption and post them in our comments!

Photo Source.

This week in sports blogs and news:

• Alicia Sacramone has a boyfriend – The Big Lead
• Ex-fiance of Mark McGwire’s brother, talks about steroids – Deadspin
• Terry Bradshaw and the Fox gang out on the town – TMZ
• Three wins cost U of Michigan $6.6 million – SportsByBrooks
• Michael Irvin gets his own reality show – Deadspin
• Who voted Bruce Bowen third in All-Star voting??? – Larry Brown Sports

This week on the Smarter Sports Blog we covered:

•  “Mr. President”
• They Said What!? – Kobe Bryant
• Blindsided! Lacrosse Player Has His Bell Rung
• Finally, Live Madden Commentary for Your Highlights

For all you Madden football nuts out there, here’s what it’s finally like to hear your highlights out loud.

No more of the lame highlights they give you at the game of the “five” best plays they like. Now you can hear what it’s like to have humans respond to the game, in “Madden” terms.

Check it out.

Lacrosse Equipment

I can honestly say I’ve never watch a full lacrosse match.

Something about running about, tossing a ball back and forth, doesn’t seem so exciting to me. I always knew the game was a bit rough, and this vicious hit proves the point.

It’s like playing hockey, with half the gear. And no ice. And no skates.

You get the point.

YouTube - Watch 

Photo Source.

Kobe Bryant Jerseys  Los Angeles Lakers Gear  Philadelphia Eagles Gear

“I could play wide receiver for the Eagles” 

- Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant said after practice on Sunday.

I bet if he had said this on Saturday, Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid would have figured out some way to get him into a Philadelphia uniform. Who wouldn’t like to have a 6’6 wide receiver in their arsenal.

Source.

Photo Source.