Weekend Sports

I finally saw the devastating overhand right knockout that Canelo Alvarez delivered to the jaw of Amir Khan in the 6th round of a boxing match a week ago. Khan went down, completely out for the count, blessed to regain his senses and be able to walk and talk after such a powerful knockout. Khan was able to stick and move early, but you saw Canelo's power run out of patience and catch up with his elusive opponent. In the end power trumped speed this time.

In the professional world of baseball it was another overhand right that lit up the sports pages as Texas Rangers Rougned Odor landed one of the best overhand rights ever delivered in baseball, flush on the jaw of Toronto Blue Jays Jose Bautista. Bautista's knees buckled as sunglasses flew and helmet spun around and off his head.  But the battered Blue Jay stayed on his feet and held his ground long enough for another player to grab him away and possibly save whatever pride and poise the blow hadn't sucked out of him.

D'wade and the MIAmi Heat went toe-to-toe in game seven. The Toronto Raptors jabbed jabbed jabbed away at the Heat for three quarters before landing knockout blows in the 4th that advanced them to their first ever Western Conference Championship series. And just who the heck is Bismack Biyombo?

It'll be the Raptors vs Cavaliers and Thunder vs Warriors. The NBA is hot right now.

My San Jose Sharks lost a close NHL Western Conference Championship game 1 against an evenly matched opponent in the St. Louis Blues 2-1. Was there any brawling on the ice as usual? well some aggressive  beard pulling was highlighted but what really cost the Sharks were turnovers. I give the Blues credit though, they can play some defense. Penguins are down 1-0 in their seven game Eastern Championship series against the Lightning.

You gotta love the exciting and unpredictable roller-coaster ride that year around sports brings to an otherwise pedestrian existence. And what would it be without the threat of an over-hand right landing flush on the jaw of a competitor; classic.

My One & Only Trump Post

A picture truly is worth a thousand words. The article in the New York Times "Mystery Solved," says more than I ever care to mention about the wannabe fuhrer. At least the artist carved in a forgivable christian cross.

So what's missing in that tombstone dash? Reverence!

From the book Reverence; Renewing a Forgotten Virtue 
by Paul Woodruff:

"Simply put, reverence is the virtue that keeps human beings from trying to act like gods.

To forget that you are only human, to think you can act like god - this is the opposite of reverence. Ancient Greeks thought that tyranny was the height of irreverence, and they gave the famous name of hubris to the crimes of tyrants. An irreverent soul is arrogant and shameless, unable to feel awe in the face of things higher than itself.  As a result, an irreverent soul is unable to feel respect for people it sees as lower than itself - ordinary people, prisoners, children. The two failures go together, in both Greek and Chinese traditions. 

If an emperor has a sense of awe, this will remind him that Heaven is his superior - that he is, as they said in ancient China, the Son of Heaven. And any of us is better for remembering that there is someone, or Someone, to whom we are children; in this frame of mind we are more likely to treat all children with respect. And vice versa: If you cannot bring yourself to respect children, you are probably deficient in the ability to feel that anyone or anything is higher than you.

Reverence has more to do with politics than with religion. We can easily imagine religion without reverence; we see it, for example, wherever religion leads people into aggressive war or violence. But power without reverence - that is a catastrophe for all concerned. Power without reverence is aflame with arrogance, while service without reverence is smoldering toward rebellion. Politics without reverence is blind to the general good and deaf to advice from people who are powerless. And life without reverence? Entirely without reverence? That would be brutish and selfish, and it had best be lived alone."

Respica te, hominem te momento

Warriors Take Game 4

Steph Curry returned, Shaun Livingston was ejected and the Golden State Warriors prevailed in Portland over a motivated Trail Blazers team trying to tie the series up. Instead, the Warriors take a 3-1 series lead heading into game 5 in Oakland on Wednesday.

The game was a tale of two halves and an over-time period. The Trail Blazers came out scorching in the first quarter and it took at least three quarters for the Warriors to douse the fires and get a handle on the game.  

Then came the 4th quarter, crunch time with the two teams slugging it out to a 111-111 tied that sent the game to over-time; Steph Curry Time.

'Curry returned from a sprained right knee to score an NBA-record 17 points in overtime, finishing with 40 as the Warriors rallied to take a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinals with a 132-125 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night.'
ESPN

And there you have it. The Golden State Warriors with MVP Steph Curry are a basketball force that just overwhelms some of the best teams' good intentions. They're now one game away from returning to the Western Conference Championship.  

Curry Returns!

Warriors

STARTERS	MIN	FG	3PT	FT	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	+/-	PTS
D. GreenPF	44	5-9	2-3	9-10	1	8	9	5	4	7	2	5	+8	21
H. BarnesSF	29	4-10	1-4	1-2	2	3	5	0	0	0	1	2	-2	10
A. BogutC	26	0-1	0-0	3-6	2	7	9	1	2	2	2	6	-1	3
S. LivingstonPG	12	2-5	0-0	0-0	0	3	3	1	1	0	2	2	-17	4
K. ThompsonSG	42	7-18	5-10	4-4	1	3	4	2	2	0	1	3	+8	23
BENCH	MIN	FG	3PT	FT	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	+/-	PTS
A. IguodalaSF	38	2-5	1-2	2-3	2	1	3	1	1	0	2	2	+19	7
F. EzeliC	9	3-4	0-0	0-0	1	2	3	0	0	1	0	1	+5	6
M. SpeightsC	9	3-4	3-3	2-2	0	3	3	2	1	0	0	2	-2	11
S. CurryPG	37	16-32	5-16	3-3	1	8	9	8	0	0	4	2	+21	40
I. ClarkSG	10	1-3	0-0	1-1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	-2	3
L. BarbosaSG	9	1-4	0-2	2-2	0	1	1	2	1	0	0	1	-2	4
A. VarejaoPF	DNP-COACH'S DECISION
B. RushSF	DNP-COACH'S DECISION
TEAM		44-95	17-40	27-33	10	39	49	22	13	10	14	27		132
		46.3%	42.5%	81.8%

The Dead Calypso

Strange that those lewd lava lips, once so alluring and mocking,

Wear such an innocent smile, chaste as a maiden's in sleep !

Nay, but they wither and change, livid they seem unto blueness,

Shrunk in their soft silken skin, as when the tropical sun

Drinking the life of the grape, leaves it abandoned and shriveled,

Gibbeted on its own vine, swinging like felon forgot.

Louis Alexander Robertson

Raiders Draft 5'8 Wrecking Ball RB

Deandre Washington, just what the Raiders needed in their running backs arsenal. A productive competitor out of Texas Tech, Deandre gives the Raiders that tough fire plug out of the backfield who is also capable of catching passes. 

A good switch up from the bigger Latavius Murray. Quick, durable and decisive, Washington is one of those smaller running backs who plays big. He reminds me of Warrick Dunn, Darren Sproles, Maurice-Jones Drew, just to name a few small backs that made big impacts in the NFL.

Dare I say he shares the same body frame and size of the great one, Barry Sanders, who also wore #21 and was fearless as a running back. 

The Raiders did an excellent job on defensive drafting, although I was skeptical about the knee injury of number one draft pick, Safety Karl Joseph. 

Job well done Reggie and crew.  We got defense, we already had offense and now we got mo defense and mo offense. Just Win Baby!

STRENGTHS

 Exceptional turnover in his feet. Gets up to top gear quickly and plays there. Gamer who lacks no confidence. Short but muscular with well-­built calves and a toughness that belies his size. Is unafraid of the work required as an interior runner. Works to keep his pads square and runs with desired balance. Can push through an arm tackle and is willing in pass protection. Dangerous run after catch ability in screen game and from the slot. Reliable and productive.

Steph Curry Knee Injury

It was an ugly slip that was both shocking and painful to watch as the Warriors leader went down, holding his knee in agony. Replays made the incident look even more painful, as if you could hear tearing tendons pulling away from bone. 

The culprit was a wet spot on the floor, no fault of the Rockets. It's the second injury for Stephen Curry in this first round of these playoffs, and this one could be devastating. 

Tied with the Rockets in Houston just before the half when the injury occurred, the Warriors, minus Curry, came out in the second half and grounded the Rockets.

The Warriors three point shots found their marks in the second half as they sank a franchise record 21 of 40 and won the game 121-94. The Warriors take a 3-1 series lead. With the early prognosis on Curry's knee being a sprain, the team will have to finish off the Rockets minus their star; no problem.

The potential problem though will be winning a championship without Curry or a limited Curry should the injury linger.  An MRI is scheduled for today and I can honestly say that the entire Bay Area basketball world is on edge, holding their breath, waiting for the news.

Can the Golden State Warriors repeat as Champions without Stephen Curry? Let's just say that the odds are definitely not in their favor without him.

San Jose Takes A Bite Outta L.A.

These are not your same San Jose Sharks who couldn't seal the deal. These are the 2016 version of a predator who no longer lurks around playoff waters letting prey skate out of their grasp.

The San Jose Sharks have chomped down on the Los Angeles Kings playoff swim with a first round 4-1 series win. They await the winner of the Ducks vs Predators match-up in which the Ducks lead the series 3-2.  

Sure would be awfully nice to take down two Los Angeles teams in one postseason. Go Get'em Sharks! 

What Was The Glass-Steagall Act?

Thursday, June 15, 1933

IN the news today political commentator, professor and author Robert Reich has endorsed Bernie Sanders for U.S. President.  Despite Reich being good friends with Hillary and former president Bill Clinton, he backed Sanders over Clinton for democratic presidential nominee.

Why? is the question we should be asking ourselves. The answers can be found in this SF Chronicle article: Despite Clinton ties, Reich backs Sanders for economic stance.

One thing I took from the article is Reich's belief that Bernie Sanders has the "passion and authenticity to take on Wall Street and the elites that control the system." The other is Bernie's willingness to re-instate the Glass Steagall Act, a 1933 law requiring commercial banks to separate their banking and investment activities to avoid "conflicts of interests that lead to speculative trading and unprofitable loans." The law was initially instated to ensure confidence in a depressed banking system and safeguard against some of the causes of the 1929 stock market crash.

The bill was sponsored by senator Carter Glass (federal reserve co-founder) and House Rep. Henry Steagall (former treasury secretary). These were obviously men who had experience in the monetary policy and economics.

The Steagall Act was partially repealed and replaced by the Graham Leach Bliley Act, which allowed consolidation of commercial banks, investment banks, insurance companies and securities firms, while failing to regulate large investment holding companies.  President Bill Clinton signed the legislation into law in 1999, paving the way for unregulated banking practices.

CNN reported last October that Hillary Clinton dismisses idea of re-instating Glass-Steagall Act in favor of her own Wall Street plan.

The more you watch and read political news, the more obvious it is that money and favors is everything in politics. Follow it and you just might end up discovering the truths behind WHY? Can it be the American people are no longer a good investment and only profitable as consumers?

What if, just maybe, Bernie Sanders has what it takes to bring a good, working government back to the United States; government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth. It's sure an idea citizens don't wanna sleep on in 2016.

Pecora Commission Investigations 1932-1934

Clinton vs Sanders: How their wall street plans stack up

Pacauiao Bradley A Decent Fight

Yeah, the twelve round unanimous decision that Manny Pacquiao won over Timothy Bradley was deserving.  The now older Filipino warrior showed in this his last fight, the skills that have made his career legendary and exciting to watch. His speed, quickness and power just wore Bradley down and made it into almost a Pacquiao boxing clinic.

I give Timothy Bradley credit for trying to make it a fight early. He has mastered the counter punching skill and has enough power and quickness to go up against most.  But boxing is as much mental as it is physical, and mental experience allowed Pacquiao to bide his time and patiently wait for the opportunity to catch Bradley solid.

Though there was what I believe a Bradley slip in the 6th round that was called a knockdown due to his gloves touching the canvas, I believe the true opportunity presented itself in the 7th round. Manny connected with a left that sent Bradley backwards to the canvas and into a somersault roll.  

After that knockdown Bradley was forced to initiate the action. He had some good exchanges, but with the knockdowns, conditioning and quickness of Pacquiao, Bradley seemed to finally concede this third battle of theirs to Pacman.

Good fight, not great. Scoring might've been a bit questionable but a unanimous decision was fair.

If Manny Pacquiao does not fight another professional round, Manny, thanks for the boxing memories. To a fine champion who gave his heart and soul for his fans, family and Filipino heritage.  We salute you!

Warriors Madness

After beating the Spurs in San Antonio yesterday, 92-86, the Golden State Warriors have proven themselves unstoppable and driven toward another title. They've put to bed the questioners, doubters and haters. Now one more win will put them above any teams' regular season win total who came before them. That game is two days away in Oakland against the Memphis Grizzlies. 

Can't Wait!

My Country, Tis of Thee

Sports Monday - Villanova Champions

I suppose it took me some time to bounce back from a sloppy 109-106 Warriors loss at home against the Boston Celtics Friday night.  They did follow it up on Saturday with a 136-111 blowout win over the Portland Trailblazers, but that losing aftertaste from Friday lingered through Sunday.

The Warriors are still in reach of the most wins record in a season. They've come this far, so they might as well get the 73 wins out of the way.

Meanwhile, the Oakland Raiders have re-signed suspended OLB Aldon Smith to a two year deal. He can't suit up until sometime in November, but when he does look out NFL. 

The Raiders also reportedly have free agent safety Reggie Nelson visiting Oaktown for a look-see. With free safety Charles Woodson now retired, the former Cincinnati Bengal would fill a huge hole on defense. GM Reggie McKenzie is definitely trying to get Coach Jack Del Rio the defensive pieces to dominate not only the AFC West, but the whole dang National Football LEAGUE. Just Win Baby! Just Win.

Giants baseball returned today and the boys in orange and black did not disappoint. They opened the season in cold, snowy Milwaukee and put up twelve runs in a 12-3 rout of the Brewers. Mad Bum had to leave the game early with flu-like symptoms, but it didn't stop the Giants.

They recorded the first opening day game with back-to-back-to-back (3) home runs since 1997. The Giants had a total of four home runs in the game.   New Giants outfielder Denard Span started it off with a three run home run, and the rest is History!

I'm trying to stay with the NCAA mens championship game while typing this blog. The announcers have chased me away with their North Carolina Tar Heels bias. Villanova Wildcats have forced Carolina to play a slower game and are currently up five points. 

It's almost sickening to listen to the announcers cheer with every Carolina execution and go flat with every Villanova score.  Come on WILD Cats, show these overpaid crying cheerleaders what college basketball champions are made of. Remember 1985......

Current Score
Villanova 60
North Carolina 55


Wildcats pulloff winning three point shot at buzzer to spoil an incredible Tar Heels comeback and silence North Carolina fans, players, coaches, Michael Jordan and TBS announcers. A post-game sports reporter covering the UNC Dean Dome, where Tar Heels fans had gathered in the thousands to watch the game, said the place went as silent as a morgue when the winning shot dropped. And we all know why;  The virus that is March Madness leaves losing teams and their fans in a comatose state. As for the winners, there's no words to describe their jubilation of surviving it. March Madness!

Congratulations Nova! Last Man Standing

Final Score
Villanova 77
North Carolina 74