Playoffs?!?! That Really Escalated Quickly....

One of the most intense finishes, that I have ever been a part of, maybe too big of a part of, took place last night.

It was an intense playoff game between the Concordia Thunder (who I coach) and the Red Deer Kings. A poorly officiated yet hard fought game all the way. Coming to down to the wire in the fourth quarter, things started to get out of hand. Some missed and poor calls led to our coach getting a technical foul and as we attempted to keep it close we could hit enough shots and ended up losing by a score of 78-68. Down the stretch, as tie up between one of their big men and ours took place ending up with a bloody nose on our sideline. Words were said which won't be repeated as I attempt to keep this blog family friendly. As the final horn sounded, one of the Red Deer players found the need to taunt our bench and after the undesirable "good" game hand shakes couldn't keep his mouth shut and continued to taunt, of all people, our head coach who responded by letting the other coach know that he should tell his players to keep their mouths shut. This escalated for no reason into some four letter words being returned in jest back to Coach Sir. This is when I stepped in and "kindly" asked...What did you say? Upon which one of their players, in fact the same one who delivered the bloody nose bumped me, so I returned the favor with a space providing shove as he was a little sweaty and didn't want that excessive moisture on my shirt. I was "politely" asked not to touch their player. I was finally pulled away by Coach Sir.

And you'd think it was over....

As we were trying to exit the gym I was again asked if I would like to "dance"? I could only respond by asking who it was that wanted to "dance"? He returned the question, and I had to wonder who would ask me to "dance" if they didn't know who I was. Very odd. Coach Sir kindly told the gentleman that he should go pass some classes. I was unaware that my dance partner was a former player who flunked out the previous semester. I well placed cut.

Tonight, we get to renew hostilities on our home court. Should be a good one!!

Getting LOST again!

Another great season of Lost has begun and two episodes in I am as hooked as ever. The people that have arrived to "rescue" the survivors of 815 are certainly an interesting group. The ghostbuster Miles definitely rubs me the wrong way. The other 3 seem harmless, except they are all there for the same purpose. I do wonder why it is that they want Ben? The very evident cover up by Oceanic Airlines of the 815 crash raises many questions. Who is this "lawyer" that supposedly work for Oceanic? Why is he the one who recruited Naomi to lead this group to the island?

I'm still waiting for the first appearance of Richard Alpert. I know he's key, just can't wait to find out why.

One thing that has been discussed among my viewing group is the possibility multiple time lines. I'm not convinced. I think we're dealing with real time, however the discovery of the Dharma collar in the Tunisian desert is interesting. I think that it is merely another Dharma Initaitive location that they took polar bears to, to test them out of their natural habitat. It still really does not make sense why there were/are polar bears on the island...only time will tell.

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but I heard the writers strike is over? I hope so, so that we are not left hanging on episode 8. We've all waited long enough for this season of Lost, I don't know if I can wait any longer.

!NAMASTE!

The sun WILL rise in Phoenix!!

A knee jerk reaction, a bad fit, too old, too slow, injured...at first I had to agree, but after listening to the Big Aristotle I am sold on the Shaq/Marion trade. The Diesel is a proven winner and an MVP. Nash's window to win a championship is closing and with Shaq on board and the cancerous Marion gone, the Suns can expect a solid playoff run with at least an appearance in the Finals. If Shaq can stay healthy as well as the rest of the cast, the Suns should be able to secure a top two seed in the west. I hope that D'Antoni will use the bench a little more post all-star break, keeping the aging legs fresh and the young-ins on the squad can gain some valuable experience so that if they are needed in an important moment in the playoffs they will be ready. I really like Alondo Tucker and D.J. Strawberry as future contributors on this team and hopefully the future is sooner than later. If the Suns can go a little deeper off the bench, as well as using The Man of Steel effectively, they can be unstoppable.

If I have to not watch another NBA Finals because it features the Spurs and Pistons, I'm going to be sick! I am a big fan of the fundamentals of the game, and feel that they are necessary to win, but at the NBA level we need a little excitement to sell the product. I'm hoping for a Suns/Raptors final or if I have to...a Suns/Celtics final. And will some one please remind Kevin McHale that he is no longer in Boston and doesn't work for the Celtics...poor Timberwolves fans, I feel for you.

An even more random aside than the Kevin McHale rant, I would just like to say that Tom is the luckiest punk alive. He somehow lucked out and ended up at the Suns/Hornets game last Tuesday. Not knowing that Shaq had been traded that day and not knowing he was about to see the game of the year up to this point...I don't know what to say, sometimes the sun shines on a dogs ass! (no pun intended)

So...Go Suns!! Go Raps!! Make all my basketball dreams come true!!

a SUPER bowl

As a die hard Colts fan it is always tough to watch anyone but them take home the Lombardi Trophy, tonight though, I'm doing all right. When the Patriots scored with 2:42 to go in the 4th quarter, my heart sank a little, as we the Colts fans of the world and fans of any other team for that matter, were beginning to prepare for the arrogant celebration of Patriot nation. Alas Peyton's little brother did not let us down. Escaping a sure sack on 3rd and 5, completing an amazing 40 yard pass, Eli stepped out of big brothers shadow and now stands along side as a Super Bowl Champion and MVP. Watching the Colts fall to San Diego was terrible, but I feel a small sense of redemption, know that the '72 Dolphins stand alone, as arrogant as they are, at least they are the only ones we have to listen to about perfection.

In a few minutes the joy of watching the Patriots lose will wear off, so I thought I'd get this down in writing that I was a Giants fan for 4 hours today...but so was Peyton Manning, so I guess it's OK.

2008 is still going to be the Year of the Colts. With Dungy back, a new stadium and the sting of a lackluster playoff loss, the Colts will be back with a vengence.


Man, you gotta love sports!!!

Global Warming? I think they're making it up!

Since last Saturday, I have not wanted to leave the house. It has been so cold that I am beyond all metaphors to describe it. If this whole global warming thing is as real as we're being told...it can start anytime now. I can't remember the last time it was ever this cold here. It's very sad when -18 is a relief and you feel like you might not need a jacket 'cause it's so balmy out there at -18! Brutal!!

This is a very pointless blog entry except to express my extreme displeasure with the weather. That is all.