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Mad Ballin' : Is Kevin Garnett tough enough to repeat?

2009-01-06T20:41:00.009+09:00

Losing two in a row is no big deal - but losing four out of six is, especially if you plan on repeating your previous season's title run. That's the slump that the Boston Celtics are going through right now - and they're going to have to bust it if they want to win another championship.

At the risk of scapegoating the Celtics' Superintendent of Defense and Intensity, I ask : Is Kevin Garnett tough enough to repeat? Does he bring enough drama?

For all of his noisy antics, ironically, it's KG that brings the least amount of drama amongst the Celtics' stars. Paul Pierce may be typecast as a Rocky Balboa - but he's a master at seizing the moment. Pierce's Willis Reed impersonation in Game 1 of the 2008 NBA Finals and turducken-like stuffing of Kobe Bryant's fadeaway in Game 4 to jumpstart the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history certify Pierce as a hoops thespian.

Ray Allen, with his star casting as Jesus Shuttlesworth in He Got Game, and transformation as Moses in Game 4, is the Al Pacino-like method actor on the Boston roster. For all his of soft-spokenness and perceived weakness, Allen is a guy who knows how to step up and hit shots when they count. Allen, who had a reputation as a bad defensive player, willed himself into becoming a tough defender; moreover, he overcame a horrible playoff-long shooting slump to help Boston get a pivotal Game 5 victory over the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals.

With Rajon Rondo throwing opposing teams into chaos and confusion with his hardwood film noir, it's Kevin Garnett's turn to alter his approach a little to help his team. There will always be questions about KG's love affair with the jumpshot and lack of post presence, and it's indeed too late in his career to change his game, but the least he could do is make slight adjustments to how he leads his team.

I know the Celtics, with their lack of post scoring and backup point guard, are trying really hard to maintain their sense of urgency and all, but it may be time to just relax and bend a little. You know, mix some more love into the fear.

So how exactly should Boston go about doing that? Only the Celtics will know the specific answers - because they're the only people attending every practice and every game. But something does have to be done, because the questions about whether the Celtics have what it takes to repeat aren't going away - until the deed is done.

In their current state, the 2008-09 Boston Celtics are no Bird-era Celtics, and they have to learn how to be not only tough, but ingenuine, in order to repeat. Gaining homecourt advantage in potential playoff encounters against the Cavaliers and Lakers is important, but in case they don't get it, they need to be able to win a title on the road, like Michael Jordan's Bulls did against Phoenix and Utah.

That stuff is a drain and a grind, and that's why KG, Boston's Minister of Toughness, has to get down with his coaches and minions and figure out an answer that will help them walk the walk all season long because :

Winning a championship is one thing; defending it is another matter entirely - just ask the San Antonio Spurs.

See also :
Stephon Marbury could propel New York Knicks to greatness
Daily Sports Select

Daily Sports Select : Stephon Marbury could propel New York Knicks to greatness

2009-01-06T19:48:00.008+09:00

Don't get it wrong; as long as the same people are running the New York Knicks, the marriage between Stephon Marbury and the Knicks franchise is over. That said, isn't it time for some bad blood between the basketball team in Manhattan - and the one in Beantown?

When you think about it, although they've been playing in the same division forever, the Knicks and Celtics haven't had a true rivalry. Besides a brief skirmish in 1969, the cards just haven't played out that way - and it's time for a change.

The truth is, Boston and New York need a vendetta between them for the sports to thrive tenfold. The moment the Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees in 1919, the "Curse of the Bambino" was on : The Sox couldn't win a World Series for 86 years, and were frequently sacrificed by the Yanks on New York's World Series runs. Hell, even the Mets were involved. (Remember Bill Buckner in 1986)?

Now, in the new millenium, after a letdown in the dramatic, brawlin' American League Championship Series in 2003, it's Boston that has the upper hand in baseball : In spite of the Yankees' ability and willingness to throw money at free agents (look up how much they've paid for Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira), the Red Sox are the team that has won World Series championships and consistently excelled at the Yanks' expense this decade.

Although not quite as intense as the baseball rivalry, there's some bad blood to be had in football, too. Just when you thought the Patriots had put the Curtis Martin saga behind them for good with their run of three Super Bowls and a fourth seemingly in the bank, another New York NFL team - the Giants - stepped in spoiled the Patriots' potential undefeated season with a back-breaking, history-changing touchdown pass from Eli Manning to Plaxico Burress with 39 seconds remaining in the Pats' arguably most important game ever.

Since that fateful day last year, the Patriots have lost star quarterback Tom Brady to a major knee injury and missed the playoffs despite an 11-5 record; the Giants, despite losing Osi Umenyiora to on-field and Plaxico Burress to off-field injuries, cruised to a 13-3 record and look poised to defend their title. Is there a curse of Eli Manning brewing for New England?

I'm not saying that Stephon Marbury even compares to Babe Ruth in their importance to their respective sports. In fact, it doesn't really matter if Starbury goes to the Celtics and helps them repeat or helps them implode from within. The bottomline is that if the deal gets done, and Marbury wears Celtics Green, it will be like seeing your ex-wife getting remarried to your neighbor after a nasty divorce - there will be some serious, serious bad blood.

If it takes a vicious spat involving Starbury with the Celtics to propel the Knicks to greatness, so be it. Because a true, dirty Boston-New York rivalry is something that the NBA needs.

See also :
Is Kevin Garnett tough enough to repeat?
Mad Ballin'

Wild Beatdowns! : Will boxing's Larry Bird emerge in 2009?

2009-01-01T23:10:00.007+09:00

The Latinos will always have more than enough fighters to root for. The Asians will be too busy studying to come out to the gym. And no matter what The Ring Magazine says, there will be at least some black fighters who will turn out to be great in spite of the decreased talent pool.

But will the white boxing community of the world have its Larry Bird? Currently, there are no white boxing American superstars who combine the grit, savvy, power and mesmerizing skill that Bird did when he played basketball. Even if you go beyond the United States and look for people in Canada, Oceania and Europe, you only come up with Joe Calzaghe. All the white combat athletes are joining MMA, and it wouldn't hurt boxing to have at least one superstar white guy to draw mainstream attention.

First, to those who ask me why I didn't mention Kelly Pavlik's name, I'd like to say that the Ohioan is no Bird of Boxing. He may have risen up through the Midwest small town ranks, but his skills and footwork (so far) cannot match his power. And thus he received a schooling at the hands of Bernard Hopkins.

Pavlik will improve, and his technique will get better. But in basketball terms, he projects to be more of a Tom Chambers : a hell of a player with great explosion. Pavlik will be defined, and rightfully so, by his power, until the day he hangs up his gloves. That's just the way his body works : He's not cagey like Bird was on the hardwood.

Joe Calzaghe, on the other hand, has mastered the sport of boxing (in-depth analysis of Calzaghe's game here). He is smooth, cagey and skilled, and just has a knack for winning fights. Using the hoops metaphor once again, Calzaghe reminds me a little of the Bird, John Stockton, Jeff Hornacek or Manu Ginobili type of player : the highly coordinated athlete who knows how to think the game to a high degree.

No matter his relative anonymity in the States and recent lashing out against boxing, Calzaghe will be missed even in America when he retires : There is simply no one from an underdog background with the skills to match. And boxing fans will regret that they ever rooted against the guy even when he wasn't complaining about boxing.

P.S. With their privileged, Hollywood style, the Klitschkos aren't the answer either. They are like Oscar De La Hoya - without the sounds of the cash register ringing.

P.P.S. Ricky Hatton, just like Kelly Pavlik, must improve his tactical fighting before he can routinely win the hearts and minds of the casual fan.

Mad Ballin' : Three Dark Horses for the 2009 NBA Playoffs

2009-01-01T14:03:00.004+09:00

Excuse me for being swept away by the spirit of the New Year, but the recent play of some young NBA teams have led me to examine more closely their candidacies for being Dark Horse of the 2009 NBA Playoffs :

1. In November, after it took a monster clutch performance by Paul Pierce for the Boston Celtics to squeak by the Atlanta Hawks, I was convinced that Boston-Atlanta had a good shot at being the NBA's next great rivalry. The Hawks' six-game winning streak, and winning nine of their last 10 games, hasn't done anything to help change my mind about viewing them as a team that could be the spoilers of the Cleveland Cavaliers' title hopes.

Simply put, the Atlanta's mix of veteran leadership and youthful talent is too potent to ignore. In their last two games, the Hawk have come out on top in a dogfight against a scrappy Indiana Pacers team on the road, and blown out a very good Denver Nuggets team at home.

In particular, Joe Johnson has been a monster, averaging 26 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists in those two games, hitting five combined three pointers. If you want a slightly larger perspective, and count his 41-point explosion against Chicago on December 27th and triple-double against Oklahoma City on the 23rd, get this : Monster Joe is averaging 28 points, 6.5 rebounds and 7.8 assists in his last four games and shooting 41% from three-point land and 88% from the charity stripe.

2. If you are in the business of cataloguing and analyzing dark horse contenders for this year's playoffs, you cannot leave out the Orlando Magic, who have just spanked the Chicago Bulls 113-94.

To me, Dwight Howard is Dwight Howard, but the key to Orlando's success 25-7 has been the performance of his supporting cast : Rashard Lewis has been impressive, consistently producing about 20 points and 6 boards a game, along with accurate outside shooting. And although his numbers and shooting percentages are down from his 2007-08 Most Improved Player season, Hedo Turkoglu has been providing timely scoring as well, averaging 17 a pop.

But most importantly, Jameer Nelson has been a bundle of energy, scoring and passing, and has been leading Orlando as if he were back at St. Joseph's. Whether it's going to the basket, hitting an open jumpshot or making the extra pass, it has been almost impossible to catch Nelson playing uninspired, and that leadership has been important, because Dwight Howard has not proven himself as a leader yet.

3. Last but not least, count the Portland Trail Blazers amongst the potential dark horses. About a month ago, there was a piece in TrueHoop about the Blazers having a 10.9% chance of winning it all in June, and while I am still not that impressed with Portland, I consider them a solid dark horse candidate nevertheless.

Although they don't have the previous postseason experience that Atlanta or Orlando have to draw back on, Portland's tough 91-86 Tuesday night victory over the defending champions Boston Celtics serves notice to the rest of the league that the young Blazers are not to be messed with.

Despite the luxury of having talented youngsters such as Rudy Fernandez and LaMarcus Aldridge and scrappy veterans like Steve Blake and Joel Przybilla, Portland strikes me as still too green to do anything more than perhaps pull off a first-round upset.

But Portland is led by the very poised Brandon Roy, and woe behold the Western Conference playoff team that underestimates how far he can carry the young guns.

More NBA Insight!
Wishing Shaq health in the New Year
Daily Sports Select

Cool Out! : Reggie Evans must stop groping other men in 2009

2009-01-01T09:23:00.005+09:00

I don't have anything against gay people - their lifestyle is their business. I'm not saying that Reggie Evans' spanking of Kyle Korver (which got him a technical foul) is a big deal, either. Stuff like that happens all the time in pickup games - even in the big, bad, macho playgrounds in the hood.

The thing is, Evans has a big, previous offense against him. In a 2006 playoff game, he violated Chris Kaman by reaching in from behind and grabbing Kaman's balls while battling for a rebound underneath. Of course, Evans got what he deserved : Kaman retaliated by shoving him to the floor.

When you're just spanking another player in the ass in the heat of the moment, that's just playing with passion (no pun intended). But when you're spanking another man's butt after you've grabbed headlines by groping another guy's nuts, then you have to wonder about that person's true intentions.

So Reggie Evans, from 2009 onwards, keep your hands to yourself. You might just get knocked the f*** out.

Wildcard Session : Let's hope Yao Ming makes it through the season

2009-01-01T07:37:00.006+09:00

I don't know what's going through Yao Ming's mind right now, but it wouldn't be so unreasonable to think that he may have a New Year's resolution to make it through the 2008-09 season without major injury problems.

As someone who has followed Yao's career ever since he first entered the NBA, and even before, it kills me to say that the only expectation I have for Yao this New Year is for him to make it through the season safe and sound. Whether it's a bad toe, cracked foot or broken knee, Yao's season-ending (or something similar to it) injuries have become a tradition since 2005.

From 2005-08, Yao Ming has played an average of 53 games per season. And from 2006, the debiliating injuries have come just when he looked like he would have been able to contend for MVP status : When a break in his knee sent him out of commission in December 2006, Yao was averaging 26.8 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks; the big man from China was putting up 22 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2 blocks a game when Yao was again forced to close a season last February.

While playing decently, Yao is no MVP candidate this year. He has not played consistently (too many low-scoring, low-rebounding, bad-shooting games) nor are his Houston Rockets setting the world on fire. Clearly, the injuries over the years have taken a toll, and Yao's game is missing those short, powerful bursts of quickness in tight spaces this year - and teams are having more success ganging up on him than in years past.

However, I commend Yao for averaging 20 points and 9.7 rebounds in spite of all the difficulties that he has faced. As the season progresses and he gets his rhythm and conditioning back, he may even finish with a 20-and-10 year.

But I'm not holding my breath; I just hope Yao Ming finishes the season in good condition.

See also :
Wishing Shaq health in the New Year
Daily Sports Select

Daily Sports Select : Wishing Shaq health in the New Year

2009-01-01T06:45:00.008+09:00

Happy New Year everyone! Happy New Year Shaq! While I wish everyone peace, prosperity and happiness in 2009, I especially wish mucha salud for Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal.

At this time last year, Shaq was in the doldrums with severe injury problems and being part of a crappy Miami Heat team that was in the midst of a 15-game losing streak. Shaq would be traded in February to the Phoenix Suns - and the Miami would go on to an NBA worst 15-67 record.

While nothing is paradise, it seems things have turned out for the better for everyone. After beating the red hot Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, the Heat are now 17-13, with promising rookies Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers, and of course, Dwyane Wade.

As for Shaq, he has been looking like the Big Daddy of old. He is looking quick, springy and dominant, pasting defenders in the paint and smashing rims with ease. Since December 9, when he had 35 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks in a win over Milwaukee, Shaq has gone on an absolute rampage, averaging 24.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2 blocks. In that span, Shaq has been shooting 61.5% from the field and getting to the line 12 times a game, showing how unstoppable he has been inside.

With Steve Nash hampered by a bad back, Phoenix has needed every bit of that production, and Shaq has really responded in the last two games that Nash was out of action, leading the Suns to two victories by averaging 26 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks.

Whether it's relative health, the pride to not end his career on a sullen note, or both, let's hope Shaq keeps this up. It's awesome to see the big fella lookin' and feelin' good again.

Again, Happy New Year Shaq, and I wish much health to you in 2009.

See also :
Let's hope Yao Ming makes it through the season
Wildcard Session

Babe-A-Day! : New UFC Octagon Girl Logan Stanton

2009-01-01T05:58:00.010+09:00

If you saw UFC 92, you would've seen that instead of Edith LaBelle, there was Logan Stanton, the new UFC Octagon Girl. According to Dave Meltzer via Fightlinker, the 19-year old Logan is the little sister of Octagon incumbent Arianny Celeste.

To wish everyone a Happy New Year, I've collected a few pics of Logan from around the web.

The leadoff glamour shot at the beginning of this post and the two pics below of Logan outside the cage I scraped from a SportsTwo forum thread :

And here are a couple of screenshots of Logan in action that I got from Fightlinker :

You can see more at Fightlinker here.

More Octagon Girls!
Arianny Celeste
Logan's big sis

Babe-A-Day! : Maxim 2008 Hometown Hotties Winner April Rose : The Dirty Dozen

2008-12-31T13:04:00.017+09:00

Y'all drooled at the UFC Octagon Girl Arianny Celeste's 2008 Maxim Hometown Hotties pictorial, but she wasn't the winner. It's New Year's Eve, and our final Babe-A-Day! of 2008 is Chicago's lovely April Rose, the 2008 Hometown Hotties Winner who happens to be a big sports (Bears, White Sox) fan :

This Dirty Dozen is just a scent of April. To see more of Ms. Rose, go check out her entire collection of Maxim photos here.

Thanks to Maxim
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More Hot Brunettes!
Tight-Assed Portuguese Sensation Monica Carvalho

From BabesInKorea.com

Cool Out! : Why was the firing of Rod Marinelli breaking news?

2008-12-31T12:56:00.005+09:00

Don't tell me you couldn't see the firing of Rod Marinelli coming from a mile away. His Detroit Lions were 0-16 to set the all-time record for futility. As if that were not enough, Marinelli was 10-38 in three years with the Lions, including 3-13 in 2006. This sort of ineptitude makes last year's aggressively mediocre 7-9 record look on par with this year's Boston Celtics.

Viewing Guide : Mega Fights of January 2009

2008-12-31T10:19:00.005+09:00

Happy New Year! The Year 2K8 ended with a bang, as boxing's pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao reinforced his grip on the throne by pounding Oscar De La Hoya into submission in its final month.

As if that were not enough, three key players in the UFC title scene - Rashad Evans, Frank Mir and Rampage Jackson - notched spectacular knockout victories to either become champions or set themselves up for championship paydays.

Now, with a string of huge MMA events and a highly anticipated boxing welterweight showdown, the first month of the New Year promises to carry the momentum without missing a beat :

I. BOXING

Saturday January 24 :

10 PM ET on HBO
Antonio Margarito vs. Shane Mosley

II. MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

1. Saturday January 17 :

3 PM ET on Pay-Per-View
UFC 93 featuring
Rich Franklin vs. Dan Henderson
Mark Coleman vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua

2. Saturday January 24 :

9 PM ET on Pay-Per-View
Affliction : Day of Reckoning featuring
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Andrei Arlovski
Josh Barnett vs. Gilbert Yvel
Vitor Belfort vs. Matt Lindland
Renato Sobral Vs. Thierry Sokoudjou

3. Saturday January 31 :

10 PM ET on Pay-Per-View
UFC 94 featuring
Georges St. Pierre vs. BJ Penn
Lyoto Machida vs. Thiago Silva

Our Pick of the Month is Affliction : Day of Reckoning, in which the sweet-boxing/kickboxing Andrei Arlovski will attempt to break the Fedor Emelianenko juggernaut :

courtesy of Affliction

Mad Ballin' : What's two losses in a row for the Boston Celtics?

2008-12-28T18:42:00.006+09:00

So the defending NBA champions Boston Celtics lost to their Finals nemesis Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day. And they lost their next game to the lowly Golden State Warriors.

Big deal.

The 1995-96 Chicago Bulls that won a record 72 games had a two-game losing streak in February 1996; the 1996-97 Bulls that won 69 games had two of 'em.

Basically, it doesn't matter. The Boston Celtics are still the class of the NBA. Barring major injury to the Celtics, they will still beat the Lakers in a seven-game series, and the same applies to a playoff showdown with the Cavaliers. The Celtics are the most talented and well-rounded team in the NBA, and most importantly, they step up when push comes to shove.

The same hasn't been proven by the post-Shaq, Kobe-led Lakers, new Lakers sidekick Pau Gasol or LeBron James. They are all examples of guys who have not stepped up when push came to shove. I'm not saying that they aren't capable, but until they show they can, let's not make a big deal out of a two-game losing streak by proven champions.

In fact, losing two-games in a row may be a good thing for the Celtics. Staying on top and winning 19-games in a row is a draining mental and physical activity, and it's good pressure release. It also gives them perspective and motivation to get back to their winning ways.

So let's not deny these warriors of the fitness of winning their occasional junk food, okay?

Weekend Sports Select : Rashad Evans has Magic Johnson-esque qualities

2008-12-28T17:28:00.006+09:00

Sugar Rashad Evans in a Microsoft Windows commercial

I admit that I didn't pick Sugar Rashad Evans to beat Forrest Griffin. I thought he would be too short and small against Griffin, who happened to be defending his UFC light heavyweight title - and great at taking advantage of his size.

But now that Rashad Evans is the new UFC light heavyweight champion, I'd like to remind everybody (although you probably know already) that he is a Michigan State University alum, just like the one and only Magic Johnson.

Besides sharing his alma mater with the former Los Angeles Lakers great, Rashad Evans shares that championship aura in common with Magic. Evans hasn't lost in 14 fights on his way to becoming champion, so he may be onto something.

The first thing I notice about Rashad Evans is his enthusiasm. He brings it everywhere - always smiling. He even has that peace of mind to crack a smile and dance in the Octagon, where the anxiety and chaos would eat many a fighter alive.

I wouldn't say Sugar Rashad is as charming as Magic - or as skilled in MMA as Magic was/is at basketball - but his demeanor and body language screams "success!" Also, Evans is in love with his craft, and with the vast improvement he has shown over the years, it is obvious he loves to work on getting better everyday.

Evans' exciting fighting style and star charisma have gotten him mainstream recognition (the Microsoft Windows video above), and for the sport of MMA, that's a great thing, because that means he is one of the Chosen Few who can take the sport into the future.

P.S. Even Evans' entrance song of choice, "Step Into a World (Rapture's Delight)" by KRS-One, was nice.

See also :
Wanderlei Silva and Minotauro Nogueira need to retire pronto
Wild Beatdowns!

Beatdowns! Anatomy : Punches and footwork more important than kicks in UFC 92

2008-12-28T16:09:00.006+09:00

While watching Rashad Evans, Frank Mir and Rampage Jackson all score knockout or technical knockout victories in their important fights at UFC 92, it was hard not to notice that there was a common recurring theme throughout those fights : get your boxing - and your footwork - in order.

The most obvious example was Rampage just dropping Wanderlei Silva with a left hook. Now, Rampage's footwork wasn't all that great. And his jab, while better than Silva's, left a lot to be desired. But in the end, even Jackson's rudimentary boxing skills gave him the edge at the moment he knocked out Silva. Jackson had the peace of mind to utilize waist-turning blocks to neutralize a few of Silva's punches before he threw the knockout blow. Considering that Silva's knee kicks had knocked his lights out in their previous two fights, it was sweet revenge for the more boxing-oriented Rampage.

Frank Mir also utilized his superior boxing skills to knock out Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Actually, Mir is a much better overall striker than Nogueira, but when he was kicking Minotauro's ass, it was mostly a boxing thing. Although he doesn't really have a jab, Mir utilized a southpaw stance that used his lead hand to feel and parry Nogueira's punches. He constantly caught Nogueira with uppercuts and straights, and used a walking jab-hook-straight combination to drop Minotauro before finishing him on the ground.

Finally, Rashad Evans got his TKO win by catching one of Forrest Griffin's kicks and taking him to the ground. This was ironic, because Griffin actually boxes better in terms of jabbing and keeping the distance. I feel that his mistake was in getting too comfortable with his kicks, rather than getting into position with his footwork and blasting away with his punches.

Also, the most impressive thing about Evans was that after he took down Griffin, he didn't try to get into a jiu-jitsu match. Instead, Evans had at least one foot planted on the floor at all times, and was crouching and looking to pound out a victory by taking advantage of superior position. By getting into a jiu-jitsu match, he would've just been giving away prime real estate for free, and he's glad he didn't.

In fighting, if you have a good base, and get yourself in position to use your most controllable weapons (hands), then you have a good chance at winning, and that's what Rashad Evans, Frank Mir and Rampage Jackson all did in either winning title belts or putting themselves in prime position to become champions.

More UFC 92!
Silva and Minotauro need to retire pronto
Wild Beatdowns!

Wild Beatdowns! : Wanderlei Silva and Minotauro Nogueira need to retire pronto

2008-12-28T14:43:00.005+09:00

Just moments ago, at UFC 92, Wanderlei Silva got KTFO'd by Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, and it wasn't pretty. After some simple waist-turn blocks of Silva's punches, Rampage just unleashed a hard left hook that left Silva out and unconscious on the floor. The scary thing was hardly new, however, as Silva had been knocked out cold by Mirko Cro Cop and Dan Henderson when he was in Pride.

Rampage, by virtue of his brutal knockout victory, accomplished two things : Firstly, after being knocked unconscious against Silva twice in Pride, he got revenge in the sweetest way possible. Secondly, he is right back in line to win himself the UFC light heavyweight title, which is now held by Rashad Evans, who just beat Forrest Griffin via TKO in UFC 92's headliner.

But what does the future hold for The Axe Murderer? I mean, he's been chopped down like a tree three times in the last two years. And considering the way he fights? He's taken a hell of a lot more damage than his number of losses suggest. He has no chin left. And when you get knocked out like that despite being in killer shape - it's time to get out.

The same applies for Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, who was knocked out by Frank Mir in the interim heavyweight title fight. Sure, he wasn't knocked out unconscious cold like Wanderlei Silva, but he had a stoppage loss coming to him for a long time. Nogueira may be known for his heroic comebacks against Tim Sylvia, Cro Cop and Bob Sapp, but win or lose, he has taken beating upon beating that has changed his face and brain composition. It is time for him to get out, too.

Too many a fighter stays too long in the game; 32-years old is not too old for guys like Lyoto Machida or BJ Penn, who don't take too damage during fights. But for Wanderlei Silva and Minotauro Nogueira, it's the equivalent of being 38, and staying a fight longer will make them older than Muhammad Ali.

More UFC 92!
Punches and footwork more important than kicks in UFC 92
Beatdowns! Anatomy

Wild Beatdowns! : Only two boxers could realistically defeat Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

2008-12-24T23:50:00.006+09:00

Despite what people might say about Floyd Mayweather, Jr. ducking Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto, Margarito and Cotto are no match for Mayweather, and Mayweather knows this.

Antonio Margarito, with his charging style, is the perfect fodder to get schooled by Mayweather. Margarito's chin is so hard that he probably wouldn't get knocked out, but against a master defensive counterpuncher like Mayweather, he would lose via unanimous decision.

Miguel Cotto wouldn't just lose to Mayweather - he would get thoroughly destroyed. Cotto fights tense and tight, and is a knockout waiting to happen against a loose, relaxed fighter like Mayweather. I say it would take about eight rounds for Pretty Boy Floyd to dispose of Cotto.

If Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is that good, then can he be beat? While he hasn't been beaten yet, there are two fighters to whom I give the best chance :

1. Paul Williams : I would bet money on Williams if they he were to fight Mayweather. At 6-1 (probably taller) with a 7-footer's reach, Williams is a bigger, more powerful version of Mayweather.

While Mayweather's style is mostly defensive, Williams is a technician that also actively looks to get his offense going. And when he lands, that pop sounds downright scary.

2. Manny Pacquiao : Pacquiao is a little smaller than Mayweather, but he hits harder, and can match Mayweather's foot and hand speed. While his ascent in the technical and defensive aspects of boxing are relatively recent, and not as polished as Mayweather in those areas, Pacquiao can be just as effective as a defensive/tactical fighter when push comes to shove.

Another advantage that Pacquiao has over Mayweather is that like Williams, he actively seeks his offense. Pacman feints, draws, utilizes angles - and when the opportunity opens up, he will pop his man with devastating combinations.

As I mentioned in an earlier column, the one aspect that Pacquiao will have to improve on, however, is his infighting, a skill that Mayweather is so adept at. For that reason, fighting Ricky Hatton first - and getting the necessary preparation and experience - is priority for the living Filipino legend.

With Manny Pacquiao becoming The King of Boxing after defeating Oscar De La Hoya and Paul Williams raiding multiple divisions looking for opponents to fight, it is only fitting that Floyd Mayweather, Jr. fights one of these men in the near future. Assuming Pacquiao gets past Hatton, a Mayweather-Pacquiao showdown later in 2009 looks likely, but as far as Williams goes, we may have to be satisfied with him rematching Antonio Margarito or challenging Miguel Cotto.

More Boxing Insight!
Pretenders that want Manny Pacquiao's head

Mad Ballin' : Are the Toronto Raptors stinky because they're rotten?

2008-12-24T23:12:00.005+09:00

While reviewing the infamous video of Kevin Garnett getting up in Jose Calderon's grill and taunting him to write my column about the Celtics' sense of desperation, I noticed something that I had overlooked before : Calderon was complaining to the ref about KG's behavior.

I'm not going to make excuses for Garnett, but if I were Jose Calderon and playing a basketball game, I'd just consider that Garnett's business. In other words, I'd just suck it up, because even in pickup games, never mind NBA games, there is no time to whine - you just have to play. If you try to pull that bull elsewhere, you could get knocked the f*** out (watch what happens during Gatti-Mayweather).

The off-season acquisition of Jermaine O'Neal was supposed to bolster the toughness of the Toronto Raptors, but judging from the combination of Toronto's dismal record (11-17) and starting point guard Calderon's body language, the move to take Raptors to the next level obviously hasn't worked. In fact, with Chris Bosh, O'Neal, Calderon, Jamario Moon, Anthony Parker, Andrea Bargnani and Jason Kapono, the team has the pieces that a lot of general managers and coaches around the NBA would drool at.

The reason I say combination of Toronto's record and Calderon's body language is because weak stuff can be demonstrated by even the strongest of men - it's just human nature. But when it happens in the context of a weak team, it's a plague. And if we go according to that logic, the firing of Sam Mitchell that happened earlier was the right thing that happened, as Mitchell would've been responsible for failing to rally the troops.

As we speak, Toronto is 27th in the NBA in defensive rebounding, and hold a whopping deficit of -5.5 in that department, worst in the league. That means that the Raptors can't buy a defensive stop, and are giving opponents second chances to score. Mitchell's firing may have been the right thing, but interim head coach Jay Triano is 2-6 since taking over, so the problem has obviously persisted.

So what's next? Obviously, the Raptors can simply not bring Triano back if the team continues to stink, but does Bryan Colangelo have the guts to fire himself? Would he be willing to blow up the team and start over again, piece by piece?

We will have the rest of the season to see what the Toronto Raptors are made of. By then, we will see if they are just going through some tough times - or if they are truly rotten from the core.

Daily Sports Select : The Boston Celtics are the most desperate team in the NBA

2008-12-24T22:13:00.006+09:00

As the Boston Celtics continue their march towards their second straight title, I can't help but notice how unbelievable their hunger still is. They won a title in June, but it seems as if they want it even more this season.

Against Philadelphia on Tuesday night at home, the Celtics machine was clicking on all cylinders as they stomped the Sixers 110-91 and extended their winning streak to 19 games. As such, they became the first team to hold a 27-2 record, something even their Larry Bird-era predecessors couldn't accomplish.

I attribute the underlying motivational cause behind the Celtics' fantastic start to greed and desperation, because without those factors, the Celtics simply wouldn't be playing the way they are. Without true championship depth or inside scoring, the Celtics margin of error is too slim for them to be f***ing around, even this early in the season. The Celtics know that losing their edge guarantees them that there will be no championship parade in June, and they are playing with a war-like urgency.

When I say that greed is the name of the game in Boston, I mean it in a good way. Win or lose, Kevin Garnett is always intense and motivated. That is how he endured all those rough times in Minnesota, before he was rewarded (in retrospect) with a trade to Boston.

Garnett's never-enough nature is a great, not good, thing for Boston. The reason is that although KG is a great all-around player, he is not a great low-post player - and his defensive intensity and energy makes up for his weak low-post game. Garnett's crazy deeds like his hounding of Jose Calderon is the Celtics' way to receive compensation for what they can't get in the low post.

Paul Pierce's greed is manifested in his dramatic flair. Pierce has endured a lot over the years, including getting stabbed, and I would not wish any of that on even my worst enemies. That said, twisting a knee is the least of The Truth's worries, and although he does not intentionally create drama, he relishes the opportunity to overcome obstacles on the big stage.

For example, after injuring his knee against Utah last week, Pierce didn't even think about missing a game, rather opting to "test" his knee. Needless to say, P-Double didn't miss any action, and had 18 points and 7 rebounds in his next opportunity to shine.

Love it or hate it, the Boston Celtics need everything intangible from their leadership right now, because in spite of their 27-2 record, the Celtics are still a deeply flawed team by championship standards. Rajon Rondo has become an all-star caliber player, but the rest of their supporting cast is still green. No matter how you put it, you just cannot compare Eddie House, Tony Allen, Kendrick Perkins, Leon Powe and "Big Baby" Glen Davis to Bill Walton, Cedric Maxwell, "Tiny" Nate Archibald, M.L. Carr or Gerald Henderson.

When you combine the Celtics lack of ability to get points easily in the low post like Kevin McHale and Robert Parish provided and depth (no Sixth Man of the Year candidate a la Walton), one major injury could make the Celtics' repeat dreams disappear in an instant. So in a sense, the Celtics aren't just greedy, they are also desperate and are operating with a sense of urgency - and only that will get the defending champs another ring.

So Glen Davis, when KG gets up in your face, don't take it personal. Because without it, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers will be right behind you to steal your lunch money - and there will be no championship.

More Boston Celtics!
Why only the Celtics can carry the NBA back to its glory days

Beatdowns! Preview : Forrest Griffin will go Larry Bird on Rashad Evans at UFC 92

2008-12-24T21:32:00.005+09:00

courtesy of NBC Sports

Maybe I've been overcome by Celtics Fever and their 19-game winning streak, but for some reason, I have a feeling that Forrest Griffin will go Larry Bird on Rashad Evans at UFC 92. Maybe I was overcome by Griffin's shooting touch in Episode 11 of The Ultimate Fighter 7, but for some reason, I have a feeling that Griffin will use his advantage in size and experience to defeat Rashad Evans, the hottest rising heavyweight in MMA.

Forrest Griffin is not the most explosive fighter, but he knows how to fight his size. He's 6-3, walks around at 240 lbs and expertly utilizes his jab and leg kicks.

Rashad Evans is fast developing into a great all-around fighter, and his striking is reaching an awesome level. However, he's 5-11, doesn't have long arms, and while he counterpunches well, he doesn't jab or leg kick like Griffin does to beat a taller man by closing the distance.

I see Griffin peppering Evans with jabs and leg kicks much the way he did against Rampage Jackson. Evans, being the creative fighter and explosive athlete that he is, will catch Griffin with some shots and takedowns, but in the end, Griffin's ability to utilize his size advantage and takedown defense will mark the first loss on Evans' record.

Forrest Griffin over Rashad Evans via split decision.

courtesy of UFC

P.S. Here are my predictions for Nogueira-Mir and Silva-Jackson :

Frank Mir over Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in Round 2 : Nogueira's chin is legendary, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that good thing will come to an end against Mir. Nogueira trades too much, and Mir is a bigger, more powerful man - and striker. Unexpected things happen during in fights, and while I'd be crazy to say that Nogueira would be knocked out cold, I think Mir will drop Nogueira early and force the referee to intervene.

Wanderlei Silva over Quinton Jackson via unanimous decision : The Rampage Jackson that got KTFO'd against Silva in their first two fights isn't the same guy, but Silva still remains a matchup problem for Rampage. While Rampage moves a lot better than when he was in Pride, Silva's striking arsenal is still too varied.

Also, Silva is on an upward swing after his knockout of Keith Jardine, but Jackson is just coming back from some serious personal problems. Jackson's improvement will keep him from being totally run over, but it won't win him the fight.

Rabid Rankings : The Top 5 NBA Big-Man Freak Shows Ever

2008-12-21T23:03:00.007+09:00

If little men in the NBA become freak shows because they pique people's interest with their skill and guts, then big men become freak shows because they are just...too...big...and funny.

Let's take a look at The Top 5 Big-Man Freak Shows Ever to have come through the NBA :

5. Arvydas Sabonis : This 7-3 guy from Lithuania had some serious talent, but by the time he got to the NBA, injuries had largely robbed him of his mobility. Still using his savvy, swooping hook shots and funny passes, Sabonis entertained the masses.

Sabonis was also part of the stocked Portland Trail Blazers team that collapsed in Game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Sabonis finished his career with averages of 12 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 blocks a game.

4. Mark Eaton : The 7-3, 275 lb Eaton was not the most graceful of giants, but he was a monster on the boards (9.5 rpg from 1984-89) and at guarding the paint (4.34 bpg from 1983-89).

In this day and age, you just can't imagine anyone routinely averaging more than 4 blocks a game (with a high of 5.56 in 1984-85) the way Eaton did in his prime.

3. Gheorghe Muresan : For those of you who don't remember, this 7-7, 300-pounder could actually play, and was 1996 NBA Most Improved Player after averaging 14.5 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.26 blocks on 58.4% shooting.

What shot Muresan to cult stardom, however, were his appearances in TV commercials and movies.

2. Shawn Bradley : This 7-6 beanpole was the NBA's poster boy for getting dunked on and abused. Although I came up short, somewhere out there, you may be able to find footage of Bradley getting picked up and body slammed by Mark Davis in a fight.

1. Manute Bol : Standing 7-7 and being even skinnier than Shawn Bradley, this Sudanian killa couldn't score or rebound to save his life, but he easily trumped his scoring averages (2.6 ppg for his career) with his shotblocking averages (3.3 bpg).

Allegedly having killed a lion with a spear growing up as a young man in Sudan, Bol went on to box and fight after he was done in the NBA, and even served as a prisoner of war.