It's not only a Mamas & The Papas lyric, Derrick Rose is indeed a special Rose. Tonight, however, he was not quite special enough. Perhaps Rose was in Harlem preceding the NCAA tournament... Or, perhaps, Rose's team just fell short tonight. In any case, it was a nice season for Memphis and I still hope the Timberpup's draft Mr. Rose in the 2008 NBA lottery.
Also, don't worry Derrick. As Mama Cass and The Mamas & The Papas proclaimed, "Monday, Monday, how could you leave and not take me."
(For those interested in stats and so forth ... Sorry, I've got tendinitis at the moment, and a lot of writing and stat digging is not something I'm up for at the moment)
I could go on "every other day (every other day), every other day (every other day) of the week is fy-iii-nnn-ee yeah." ... Although tonight is not one of the finest nights in Rose's life, something tells me, he'll get over it.
4-7-08 Kansas Jayhawks 75, Memphis Tigers 68 in OT
Monday, April 7, 2008
Friday, February 29, 2008
Timberwolves sink near NBA's basement
Al Jefferson scored 22 points and corralled 10 rebounds for the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight; however, it was not enough as Minnesota fell short of the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at Quicken Loans Arena 92-84.
Corey Brewer added 15 points and four steals for the Wolves, but the loss dropped Minnesota to 12-45 and last place in the NBA's western conference -- a mere half-game ahead of Miami in the NBA's overall standings.
Lacking Kevin Garnett, Minnesota's power forward Craig Smith led the Wolves in the paint with eight points and eight rebounds. Smith's performance was not enough, however, to suppress Cleveland. The Cavaliers cruised to victory as they were led by another astonishing performance its all-star phenom, LeBron James.
James was the game's leading scorer with 30 points, on 11-for-22 shooting, and he also led the Cavs with 13 assists.
Also helping Cleveland tonight was Delonte West. As one of Cleveland's recent acquisitions in its three-team trade, West score 12 points and dished out five assists to aid the Cavs in disposing the Timberwolves and improving to 33-26 and 5th place in the Eastern conference standings.
Corey Brewer added 15 points and four steals for the Wolves, but the loss dropped Minnesota to 12-45 and last place in the NBA's western conference -- a mere half-game ahead of Miami in the NBA's overall standings.
Lacking Kevin Garnett, Minnesota's power forward Craig Smith led the Wolves in the paint with eight points and eight rebounds. Smith's performance was not enough, however, to suppress Cleveland. The Cavaliers cruised to victory as they were led by another astonishing performance its all-star phenom, LeBron James.
James was the game's leading scorer with 30 points, on 11-for-22 shooting, and he also led the Cavs with 13 assists.
Also helping Cleveland tonight was Delonte West. As one of Cleveland's recent acquisitions in its three-team trade, West score 12 points and dished out five assists to aid the Cavs in disposing the Timberwolves and improving to 33-26 and 5th place in the Eastern conference standings.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Minnesota makes veteran move that may benefit Liriano
For the first time in many years, the Minnesota Twins opening day starter will not be either Johan Santana or Brad Radke.
Neither will this pitcher be Livan Hernandez.
Tuesday, the Twins signed Hernandez when the 32-year-old journeyman inked a $ 5 million contract for the 2008 season.
Santana brought his top-dollar, Cy Young award-award winning arm with him to New York. Radke retired in 2006 after spending all of his 12 Major League seasons with Minnesota.
The Twins 2008 opening day starter this March 31 will likely be either Francisco Liriano or Scott Baker. As for the other three spots in the Twins starting rotation, Hernandez should earn one and there will be battles for the other two.
Starting rotation aside, one thing is certain about Hernandez, the native of Cuba and 12-year MLB journeyman will add veteran leadership to this very young Twins pitching staff (something Radke gave Minnesota for a long time).
Known as a common choice for Twins opening day starter over the years, Radke is not similar to Hernandez in physical stature or pitching style, however, the two right-handers are similar in durability.
Radke pitched 12 seasons of Major League Baseball.
Eisler "Livan" Hernandez will enter his enter 13th season as an MLB starter.
Throughout his Twins career, Radke tossed 2,451 innings for a 204.1 per-season average. As for Hernandez, the 2007 Arizona Diamondbacks starter has chalked up 2,371 innings for a 197.6 inning-per-season average.
Also, the two pitchers' career records and ERA are similar.
Radke was 148-139 in his career with a 4.22 ERA. Hernandez has compiled a 134-128 record and a 4.25 ERA.
Now, if you go beyond regular season achievements, you'll find Hernandez -- a 6-foot-2-inch, 245-pound native of Villa Clara, Cuba -- has the upper hand on Radke.
Radke has appeared in one All Star game (1998). Hernandez has two All-Star appearances (2004, 2005) and a World Series ring.
Hernandez was also the MVP of the 1997 World Series when he pitched the Florida Marlins to a seven-game championship over the Cleveland Indians -- a series that became known as the "Latino Series."
The message here is that Hernandez is experienced and he's Latin.
What other Latin pitcher is competing for a Twins starting rotation position?
Minnesota's future ace and 24-year-old flame thrower, Liriano (who grew up in the Dominican Republic).
To sum up Minnesota's one-year agreement with Hernandez:
No, the result will not give Minnesota a 2008 championship. Neither will Hernandez be a 20-game winner for his new club.
On the bright side, however, for the Twins' youthful pitching staff this move should bode well both for the staff (as a whole) and for Liriano.
Hernandez should benefit Minnesota by aiding Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson in the development of Liriano.
Furthermore, with the absence of Santana the move might also can assist Anderson in doing something else. Hernandez could be the key in aiding Anderson to mold Liriano into a future Cy Young award winner.
Neither will this pitcher be Livan Hernandez.
Tuesday, the Twins signed Hernandez when the 32-year-old journeyman inked a $ 5 million contract for the 2008 season.
Santana brought his top-dollar, Cy Young award-award winning arm with him to New York. Radke retired in 2006 after spending all of his 12 Major League seasons with Minnesota.
The Twins 2008 opening day starter this March 31 will likely be either Francisco Liriano or Scott Baker. As for the other three spots in the Twins starting rotation, Hernandez should earn one and there will be battles for the other two.
Starting rotation aside, one thing is certain about Hernandez, the native of Cuba and 12-year MLB journeyman will add veteran leadership to this very young Twins pitching staff (something Radke gave Minnesota for a long time).
Known as a common choice for Twins opening day starter over the years, Radke is not similar to Hernandez in physical stature or pitching style, however, the two right-handers are similar in durability.
Radke pitched 12 seasons of Major League Baseball.
Eisler "Livan" Hernandez will enter his enter 13th season as an MLB starter.
Throughout his Twins career, Radke tossed 2,451 innings for a 204.1 per-season average. As for Hernandez, the 2007 Arizona Diamondbacks starter has chalked up 2,371 innings for a 197.6 inning-per-season average.
Also, the two pitchers' career records and ERA are similar.
Radke was 148-139 in his career with a 4.22 ERA. Hernandez has compiled a 134-128 record and a 4.25 ERA.
Now, if you go beyond regular season achievements, you'll find Hernandez -- a 6-foot-2-inch, 245-pound native of Villa Clara, Cuba -- has the upper hand on Radke.
Radke has appeared in one All Star game (1998). Hernandez has two All-Star appearances (2004, 2005) and a World Series ring.
Hernandez was also the MVP of the 1997 World Series when he pitched the Florida Marlins to a seven-game championship over the Cleveland Indians -- a series that became known as the "Latino Series."
The message here is that Hernandez is experienced and he's Latin.
What other Latin pitcher is competing for a Twins starting rotation position?
Minnesota's future ace and 24-year-old flame thrower, Liriano (who grew up in the Dominican Republic).
To sum up Minnesota's one-year agreement with Hernandez:
No, the result will not give Minnesota a 2008 championship. Neither will Hernandez be a 20-game winner for his new club.
On the bright side, however, for the Twins' youthful pitching staff this move should bode well both for the staff (as a whole) and for Liriano.
Hernandez should benefit Minnesota by aiding Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson in the development of Liriano.
Furthermore, with the absence of Santana the move might also can assist Anderson in doing something else. Hernandez could be the key in aiding Anderson to mold Liriano into a future Cy Young award winner.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Randy Moss or Cris Carter
Having made his first Super Bowl appearance, are we ready to proclaim Randy Moss as the best wide receiver Minnesota has ever seen?
Consistency is the key.
How many Super Bowls has Cris Carter won?
Zero.
How many catches does the 12-year Viking have? 1,101. Touchdowns? 130.
As great as Randy Moss is, let us recall the nine-year NFL veteran's two seasons in Oakland.
He caught 102 balls for 11 touchdowns.
Yes, he had quarterbacks with the likes of Andrew Walter and Kerry Collins, but 102 receptions in two years?
Carter, Moss' mentor while in Vikings uniforms together, averaged 91.75 receptions through his 16-year career.
Thus far, Moss has averaged 86 receptions and 13.8 touchdowns.
No, Carter does not have a Super Bowl ring. Yes, Jerry Rice has two.
As for Moss, the sky's the limit, but let's not anoint him supremacy yet.
Consistency is the key.
How many Super Bowls has Cris Carter won?
Zero.
How many catches does the 12-year Viking have? 1,101. Touchdowns? 130.
As great as Randy Moss is, let us recall the nine-year NFL veteran's two seasons in Oakland.
He caught 102 balls for 11 touchdowns.
Yes, he had quarterbacks with the likes of Andrew Walter and Kerry Collins, but 102 receptions in two years?
Carter, Moss' mentor while in Vikings uniforms together, averaged 91.75 receptions through his 16-year career.
Thus far, Moss has averaged 86 receptions and 13.8 touchdowns.
No, Carter does not have a Super Bowl ring. Yes, Jerry Rice has two.
As for Moss, the sky's the limit, but let's not anoint him supremacy yet.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tubby tacks on No. 400
The Minnesota Gophers mens basketball team ventured to Ann Arbor, Michigan tonight to take on the University of Michigan Wolverines.
The verdict? A 77-65 victory for Minnesota, win number 13 on the season.
The importance? Minnesota head coach Tubby Smith earned his 400th NCAA Division-I victory.
Fittingly, it was the Gophers seniors who led the way. The trio of Dan Coleman, Lawrence McKenzie and Spencer Tollackson combined for 49 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists in cementing their coach's milestone victory.
Having a seven-year contract signed, twenty wins-per-season would put Smith in the 500-win club by the 2012-2013 season. For the moment, however, Smith's Gophers have the rest of 2008 and an NCAA tournament bid to play for.
Defeating the Wolverines gives Minnesota its third conference victory, improving them to sixth place among Big Ten competition.
Conversely, the Wolverines fall to 5-16 (1-8 Big Ten) as memories of Chris Webber, Juwan Howard and the famous Fab Five seem like a faded memory these days.
The verdict? A 77-65 victory for Minnesota, win number 13 on the season.
The importance? Minnesota head coach Tubby Smith earned his 400th NCAA Division-I victory.
Fittingly, it was the Gophers seniors who led the way. The trio of Dan Coleman, Lawrence McKenzie and Spencer Tollackson combined for 49 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists in cementing their coach's milestone victory.
Having a seven-year contract signed, twenty wins-per-season would put Smith in the 500-win club by the 2012-2013 season. For the moment, however, Smith's Gophers have the rest of 2008 and an NCAA tournament bid to play for.
Defeating the Wolverines gives Minnesota its third conference victory, improving them to sixth place among Big Ten competition.
Conversely, the Wolverines fall to 5-16 (1-8 Big Ten) as memories of Chris Webber, Juwan Howard and the famous Fab Five seem like a faded memory these days.
Wolves new Big Ticket shines in the Low Post
Three weeks ago, the Minnesota Timberwolves were getting burnt to a 115-95 crisp. Since that loss in Phoenix, Minnesota has won four games and played quality basketball in six straight. The main reason the Wolves have achieved nearly have its season victory total in an 11-day span: Al Jefferson.
An emerging NBA star, the 23-year-old is making a huge impact with his new team and should be given serious consideration as an All-Star invite.
Last night, in the Wolves win over Chicago, Big Al poured in 26 points and ripped down 20 boards. Jefferson is averaging 21.2 points and 12.2 rebounds (including 4.1 offensive) per game this season.
During Minnesota's hot six-game stretch, Jefferson has averaged 30.2 points and 16.5 rebounds per contest, shooting at a 52.2% (72-138) success rate -- remove the loss at Boston (versus the Wolves old Big Ticket) and those numbers would be 33.2, 18.8 and 53.2%, respectively.
No, Minnesota will not make the playoffs. Yes, the Boston Celtics will make the playoffs. No, a Minnesota team with a 9-34 record does not merit the number of All-Stars a team like the Celtics (35-8) do.
But, yes, Kevin Garnett (19.2 ppg, 9.0 rpg and 3.8 apg) will undoubtedly get an All-Star nod, if not a start. So, one would also think Jefferson deserves at least some consideration, right?
An emerging NBA star, the 23-year-old is making a huge impact with his new team and should be given serious consideration as an All-Star invite.
Last night, in the Wolves win over Chicago, Big Al poured in 26 points and ripped down 20 boards. Jefferson is averaging 21.2 points and 12.2 rebounds (including 4.1 offensive) per game this season.
During Minnesota's hot six-game stretch, Jefferson has averaged 30.2 points and 16.5 rebounds per contest, shooting at a 52.2% (72-138) success rate -- remove the loss at Boston (versus the Wolves old Big Ticket) and those numbers would be 33.2, 18.8 and 53.2%, respectively.
No, Minnesota will not make the playoffs. Yes, the Boston Celtics will make the playoffs. No, a Minnesota team with a 9-34 record does not merit the number of All-Stars a team like the Celtics (35-8) do.
But, yes, Kevin Garnett (19.2 ppg, 9.0 rpg and 3.8 apg) will undoubtedly get an All-Star nod, if not a start. So, one would also think Jefferson deserves at least some consideration, right?
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Smith stuck at 399
With the game clock dwindling down below twenty seconds, an errant Lawrence McKenzie three-point attempt, followed by two true free throws by Indiana's Lance Stemler iced Tubby Smith's first crack at accomplishing 400 victories.
The Gophers (12-4, 2-2 Big Ten) fought hard, but were mildly offense in falling short. Minnesota shot 37.4-percent from the field and 52.4-percent from the free-throw line in its 65-60 loss to the Hoosiers at Williams Arena tonight.
Led by D.J. White's 17 points and nine rebounds, Indiana improved its record to 15-1. The 6-foot-9-inch, 259-pound forward outplayed Minnesota's front court counterparts and picked up the slack on a turnover-ridden night by his 10th-ranked Hoosiers team.
Minnesota's defense forced Indiana into a season-high 26 turnovers -- seven more than its previous high (19, vs. Tennessee State, Dec. 3).
The Gophers rattled IU's Eric Gordon, limiting the freshman phenom to 12 points (11 below his Big Ten leading 23.0 ppg) and forcing him to commit seven turnovers.
Leading the way for Minnesota's offense senior forward Dan Coleman (15 points and seven rebounds) and Spencer Tollackson (12 points).
Smith's next chance at 400 career victories will come Sunday, when the Gophers host the Michigan State Spartans.
The Gophers (12-4, 2-2 Big Ten) fought hard, but were mildly offense in falling short. Minnesota shot 37.4-percent from the field and 52.4-percent from the free-throw line in its 65-60 loss to the Hoosiers at Williams Arena tonight.
Led by D.J. White's 17 points and nine rebounds, Indiana improved its record to 15-1. The 6-foot-9-inch, 259-pound forward outplayed Minnesota's front court counterparts and picked up the slack on a turnover-ridden night by his 10th-ranked Hoosiers team.
Minnesota's defense forced Indiana into a season-high 26 turnovers -- seven more than its previous high (19, vs. Tennessee State, Dec. 3).
The Gophers rattled IU's Eric Gordon, limiting the freshman phenom to 12 points (11 below his Big Ten leading 23.0 ppg) and forcing him to commit seven turnovers.
Leading the way for Minnesota's offense senior forward Dan Coleman (15 points and seven rebounds) and Spencer Tollackson (12 points).
Smith's next chance at 400 career victories will come Sunday, when the Gophers host the Michigan State Spartans.
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