I am pleased to report that I, along with every one of my friends who made the trip, have returned from the Kentucky Derby very much bruised and battered, but alive. Although my #1 and #2 picks (Any Given Saturday, Circular Quay) choked worse than Dallas, the third horse I bet on was Street Sense, so I was able to salvage some money (down $3.40 on the day...not bad). Many interesting stories to recount, but none of which should be posted here...ask me in person sometime. On to some housekeeping:
NBA PLAYOFFS
I have been making my 2nd round NBA picks as the matchups have been finalizing, and I will be dicussing these now. However, since some series have already started, you're going to have to take my word that I didn't wait til games started.
PISTONS over BULLS in 6...Living with several Bulls fans, I have watched many of their games this year, and think they have a great team. However, I was very skeptical of them when they lose the #2 seed on the last day of the season. Instead of the Wizards, Raptors, and Nets as possible matchups, they got the Heat and Pistons. Ouch. Both teams looked fantastic in their opening series sweeps, but I think Detroit is the class of the East. Also, I don't think you beat Detroit without post scoring, and the Bulls don't have that. Thus, gotta go with the Stons in 6 (maybe less, if the Bulls can't get over that flop in game one).
CAVS over NETS in 5...LeBron James has been on a mission since blowing the Pistons series last year. He looked great in sweeping the Agent Zero and Caron-less Wizards...but it WAS the depleted Wizards. The Nets are the only East team to lose a game in the first round, and never really impressed me. Cavs in 5.
WARRIORS over JAZZ in 6...How about those Warriors? You could make the argument that no team has looked better since Baron Davis returned on March 5. They absolutely killed Dallas...I've never seen a #1 seed look so scared by an 8. Dirk looked like he just had a couple King Cobras in Popo's garage (see: unprintable Derby story). ESPN experts just "reseeded" the playoffs and ranked GS the 2 overall. On the other hand, the Jazz won a very hard fought series in seven games over Houston. They are a very physical team. However, I can't see the Warriors losing in front of that raucous Oakland crowd, and think they can steal one in Utah.
SUNS over SPURS in 7...That Game One was awesome. Both teams are hungry and play outstanding basketball. I thought before the game that the Suns will control the tempo more than San Antonio, thus giving them the advantage. Yet, I realize now that the Spurs can play at any tempo with any opponent. In hindsight, I should have realized this...but I'm sticking to my pre-series pick of Suns in 7. Lets hope Nash takes out revenge for his nose.
THE FIGHT TO SAVE BOXING
I did not watch the fight, as my actions on the morning and afternoon of May 5th prohibited this. I was too exhausted to travel to a bar to watch the event, and did not feel like paying $50 bucks. I was, however, pulling for Mayweather...not because I don't like Oscar, but because I love the way Mayweather wants to be bad. Also, I side with Roger over Floyd, Sr. Regardless, this fight did not save boxing. Rocky couldn't save boxing at this point. It's done. No one grows up wanting to be a pro boxer any more, save Camp the People's Champ, and this fight didn't change that.
SPIDERMAN 3
Without spoiling anything about Spiderman 3, I just had to vent a little. I was very excited when I arrived back in South Bend and saw that it earned $148 million dollars this weekend, just edging Aquaman for the largest opening of all time. Yet, in the words of John Bush, "I never wanted a movie to end more than I did during that movie." If I hear a critic giving it more than two stars, I might lose it. The movie had a few good parts, but was clearly the worst of the three-part series. Calling this movie "cheesy" is insult to cheesy movies everywhere. I really want to ask the writers what they were thinking...Did they just give up? Did they not care? Did they want to make this movie into a spoof of the other two Spideys?
Ok, sorry for that rant, but I haven't been this disappointed leaving a movie theatre since the popcorn trick failed. It's finals week here at ND, so I don't know how many posts I will be making. I'll try my hardest to get some up, but I make no promises. Until next time, I'm out.
No comments:
Post a Comment