YAY SPORTS FANS!

[HairOfTheDog]

Congrats to the Los Angeles Kings on winning their first ever Stanley Cup.

Tuesday night LeBron James and the Miami Heat begin the NBA finals against the young upstart Oklahoma City Thunder.

It's been a riveting NBA playoffs so far this year, but I think this series may end up being a dud.

I've got the Thunder winning in 5 games.

Hey MS, your predicative abilities never cease to amaze. Hope you didn't bet too much on that near sweep by the Thunder.

[Midwest Spy]

Congrats to the Los Angeles Kings on winning their first ever Stanley Cup.

Tuesday night LeBron James and the Miami Heat begin the NBA finals against the young upstart Oklahoma City Thunder.

It's been a riveting NBA playoffs so far this year, but I think this series may end up being a dud.

I've got the Thunder winning in 5 games.

Hey MS, your predicative abilities never cease to amaze. Hope you didn't bet too much on that near sweep by the Thunder.

The thing is, I wasn't going to post here that I had the Thunder winning it all.

Before the playoffs began, 16 of us at work filled out our 'brackets' with a winner-take-all prize of $320.

Only 2 people picked the Thunder to win, me and one other guy, but I amassed more points through the early rounds, so if OKC wins, I win the pot.

When OKC got by San Antonio, I really thought they'd be home-free against the Heat, who were winning, but not really dominating.

So, I decided to jinx myself by posting my OKC prediction.

When I do that it has the same effect as the Sports Illustrated cover curse.

OKC has got to get game 4. They're still in decent position if they can.

[Lady Cop]

injected BUTT not convicted.



Washington (CNN) -- Legendary baseball pitcher Roger Clemens was found not guilty Monday of lying to Congress during an investigation of steroid use among major league players.

The case against Clemens involved one count of obstruction of Congress, three counts of making false statements and two counts of perjury. He was not charged with illicit use of performance-enhancing drugs, but his denial of such use was part of the case against him.

A jury found him not guilty on all six counts.

An emotional Clemens wiped his eyes after the verdict was announced, while his lawyer, Rusty Hardin, gave a thumbs-up to the jury before leaving the courtroom.

"Mr. Clemens, you're free to go," Judge Reggie Walton said.

[HairOfTheDog]

The thing is, I wasn't going to post here that I had the Thunder winning it all.

Before the playoffs began, 16 of us at work filled out our 'brackets' with a winner-take-all prize of $320.

Only 2 people picked the Thunder to win, me and one other guy, but I amassed more points through the early rounds, so if OKC wins, I win the pot.

When OKC got by San Antonio, I really thought they'd be home-free against the Heat, who were winning, but not really dominating.

So, I decided to jinx myself by posting my OKC prediction.

When I do that it has the same effect as the Sports Illustrated cover curse.

OKC has got to get game 4. They're still in decent position if they can.

I liked the Sonics and I like the Thunder.

I'm not vested in either the Thunder or the Heat, so I hope the Thunder pulls it off and you win the pool. Personally, I'd have a hard time betting against a team with LeBron James going out in 5, if at all. At least the series isn't turning out to be a dud.

Good luck, MS!

[Midwest Spy]

I liked the Sonics and I like the Thunder.

I'm not vested in either the Thunder or the Heat, so I hope the Thunder pulls it off and you win the pool. Personally, I'd have a hard time betting against a team with LeBron James going out in 5, if at all. At least the series isn't turning out to be a dud.

Good luck, MS!

Thanks, HotD.

I'd like to win one of these company pools for a change.

Last time the Thunder lost 2 in a row (against San Antonio) they made some serious adjustments and went on to win 4 straight.

They've got to find a way to have someone guard LeBron other than Kevin Durant (who CAN'T guard him). Durant is in constant foul trouble, and that has led directly to the 2 Heat wins.

I expect coach Brooks to come up with something tonight, or I fear the series is over.

[HairOfTheDog]

Regarding Lance Armstrong's Triathlon Bannings (doping investigation underway).

MIDWEST SPY Wrote:
So, how do you think this affects Lance's legacy?

The great story of overcoming cancer to become a 7-time TDF winner, now washed down the drain because of PED's.

Just another cheater like so many others. A real shame.

Here's the thing. Many of his teammates and colleagues in the sport swear that he was doping; some eyewitnesses amongst them. So, how has he never failed one of the many required drug tests? I'm not big into cycling or following the story closely, so maybe I missed something.

In any event, these allegations have now plagued him for years. Whether he gets stripped of his titles or not, he's fallen from grace, imo.

[Midwest Spy]

Regarding Lance Armstrong's Triathlon Bannings (doping investigation underway).

MIDWEST SPY Wrote:
So, how do you think this affects Lance's legacy?

The great story of overcoming cancer to become a 7-time TDF winner, now washed down the drain because of PED's.

Just another cheater like so many others. A real shame.

Here's the thing. Many of his teammates and colleagues in the sport swear that he was doping; some eyewitnesses amongst them. So, how has he never failed one of the many required drug tests? I'm not big into cycling or following the story closely, so maybe I missed something.

In any event, these allegations have now plagued him for years. Whether he gets stripped of his titles or not, he's fallen from grace, imo.

You know the old saying, 'Where there's smoke, there's fire'?

I think it applies here.

I'm not completely up to speed either, but from what I've heard, it sounds like there's enough evidence now that stripping him of his titles is a mere formality.

[HairOfTheDog]

Ah well, MS, they can take away his trophies, but they can't take away the fact that he dated Sheryl Crow. I think she's cool and hot - that was a score.

[Midwest Spy]

he dated Sheryl Crow. I think she's cool and hot

True Dat!

[HairOfTheDog]

The Lakers scored big time in the last couple of days.

They got Dwight Howard and Steve Nash. Amazing. They didn't have to give up Pau Gasol and they got two strong second tier players in Jodie Meeks and Devin Ebanks. They will need Meeks and Ebanks to strengthen their bench. The acquisition of Howard and Nash make the Lakers one of the strongest starting rosters ever (imo), but Bryant and Nash are older players and hopefully their per-game play time averages can be reduced so that they strong through the full season.

Bye, Andrew Bynum. No big loss, imo.

MS: The Thunder vs. Lakers games are going to be really great basketball, imo. Both teams have exceptional rosters and it'll be youth vs. experience. Excited for the new season.

[Midwest Spy]

The Lakers scored big time in the last couple of days.

They got Dwight Howard and Steve Nash. Amazing. They didn't have to give up Pau Gasol and they got two strong second tier players in Jodie Meeks and Devin Ebanks. They will need Meeks and Ebanks to strengthen their bench. The acquisition of Howard and Nash make the Lakers one of the strongest starting rosters ever (imo), but Bryant and Nash are older players and hopefully their per-game play time averages can be reduced so that they strong through the full season.

Bye, Andrew Bynum. No big loss, imo.

MS: The Thunder vs. Lakers games are going to be really great basketball, imo. Both teams have exceptional rosters and it'll be youth vs. experience. Excited for the new season.

I didn't realize you took your hoops so seriously?

Nice to know I have someone to talk to.

Yep. Lakers look good on paper. Really good. We shall see how that translates to the season.

BTW, where in the OC are/were you staying?

[HairOfTheDog]

I didn't realize you took your hoops so seriously?

Nice to know I have someone to talk to.

Yep. Lakers look good on paper. Really good. We shall see how that translates to the season.

BTW, where in the OC are/were you staying?

My family is really excited about the new line-up; lots of Dwight Howard talk during my visit. Plus, I listened to a couple of hours of sports radio on the drive home today; great analysis and comparisons with other fab 4 NBA line-ups of all time.

Family is in North Orange County, close to the LA county line border. I don't want to name the city; why feed the Moles?

[Midwest Spy]

My family is really excited about the new line-up; lots of Dwight Howard talk during my visit. Plus, I listened to a couple of hours of sports radio on the drive home today; great analysis and comparisons with other fab 4 NBA line-ups of all time.

As with any team where age is a factor, injuries (or not becoming injured) may be the biggest wildcard of all this season for the Lakers.

I'm sure you knew this, but the Lakers originated in Minneapolis, won 3 titles? I believe and moved to L.A.

Los Angeles never changed the name (must've liked it) though not a ton of lakes in L.A.

[HairOfTheDog]

As with any team where age is a factor, injuries (or not becoming injured) may be the biggest wildcard of all this season for the Lakers.

I'm sure you knew this, but the Lakers originated in Minneapolis, won 3 titles? I believe and moved to L.A.

Los Angeles never changed the name (must've liked it) though not a ton of lakes in L.A.

I actually never thought about the name "Lakers", makes sense given the team's origin.

Yep, I'm really hoping Howard's and Gasol's back and knee problems don't cause problems for them during the season (and that no unexpected injuries sideline any of the other key players).

Gonna be some hoops at a whole new level this season, imo.

[Midwest Spy]

Might as well throw my NCAA Tourney Picks against the wall and see if anything sticks.

I'll start at the Sweet-16 level of the bracket and go from there (Higher seed in capitals).

MIDWEST-

LOUISVILLE over Colorado St.
OKLAHOMA ST. over St Louis
St. Mary's over MICHIGAN ST.
DUKE over Cincinnati

LOUISVILLE over Okla. St.
DUKE over St. Mary's

Duke over LOUISVILLE (Blue Devils advance to Final 4)

WEST-

GONZAGA over Pittsburgh
KANSAS ST. over Wisconsin
NEW MEXICO over Belmont
OHIO ST. over Notre Dame

GONZAGA over Kansas St.
OHIO ST. over New Mexico

Ohio St. over GONZAGA (Buckeyes advance to Final 4)

SOUTH-

KANSAS over North Carolina
MICHIGAN over Akron
FLORIDA over Minnesota
GEORGETOWN over Oklahoma

Michigan over KANSAS
GEORGETOWN over Florida

GEORGETOWN over Michigan (Hoyas advance to Final 4)

EAST-

INDIANA over North Carolina St.
Montana over CALIFORNIA
MARQUETTE over Bucknell
MIAMI, FL. over Colorado

INDIANA over Montana
Marquette over MIAMI

INDIANA over Marquette (Hoosiers advance to Final 4)

FINAL FOUR-

OHIO ST. over Duke
Georgetown over INDIANA

OHIO ST. over Georgetown (Buckeyes National Champs)

[BlueTiki]

"Go Green! Go White!"

Fuck St. Mary's.

They got a new Pope.

[Midwest Spy]

"Go Green! Go White!"

Fuck St. Mary's.

They got a new Pope.

What's your connection to Mich St?

[BlueTiki]

What's your connection to Mich St?

Two very dear friends (husband and wife) are law school grads.

He's from Michigan and she's from St. Thomas (USVI).

"Go Sparty!"

[RaisingAPrince]

Half the office took today off to go to the Mich St. game. It's all the rage around here!

[Midwest Spy]

What's your connection to Mich St?

Two very dear friends (husband and wife) are law school grads.

He's from Michigan and she's from St. Thomas (USVI).

"Go Sparty!"

I took my 5 year old to his first college hoops game last year. Michigan State was in town to play the Gophers.

His favorite color is green so, naturally, as soon as he saw the Spartans he was enamored.

I'm sure St. Mary's will lose today to Memphis.