May 2011

The Scene Surrounding the 2011 NBA Finals (Miami Edition)

Downtown Miami SkylineTuesday night, the Miami Heat host the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the 2011 NBA Finals. Miami will be the site of Games 1 and 2, played Tuesday and Thursday nights, as well as possible Games 6 and 7. These contests will be held on June 12 and June 14 if necessary.

ifollosports.com is the fan’s source regarding the scene in and around Miami and Dallas, during this season’s Final. Below is a look at life in South Florida over these upcoming days.

 

American Airlines Arena

601 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami

Wade & Dirk Have Been Here Before

Dwyane WadeAn interesting note about this year’s NBA Finals matchup between the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks. Both teams each have two players on their rosters, who were also active during the teams’ previous Finals matchup in 2006.

For the Miami Heat, it’s Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem and for The Dallas Mavericks, it's Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry.

 

 

Barkley & Kidd Kidding About Presidents

Presidential SealThis exchange took place recently on TNT's “Inside the NBA” between Hall of Fame player/current broadcaster Charles Barkley and star point guard Jason Kidd of the Western Conference Champion Dallas Mavericks.

Barkley:  "What part of your career was the best? The “Bush One” years, the “Bush Two” years, the Clinton years or the Obama years?”
Kidd:  "You left out Carter."

In actuality, Kidd’s NBA debut took place on November 5, 1994, nearly two years into President Clinton’s first term.

Ta -Ta Tressel

Jim TresselMonday’s announcement of the forced resignation of Ohio State's Jim Tressel should not have surprised anyone, as more serious allegations are surfacing regarding rules violations and other wrongdoings under his watch. As usual, the cover-up turned out to be worse than the crime, as Tressel reportedly lied to the NCAA.  Ohio State is facing major sanctions and may hope that the dismissal of Tressel would mitigate future penalties.

Already, Big Ten rivals are taking aim at the Buckeyes including a t-shirt reading:  "Jim Tressel V.I.P. (Vest in Peace)" or as Charles Dickens may have written:  "It was the vest of times. It was the worst of times".

Carlos Lee Channeling George Foreman

Carlos LeeHouston Astros slugging outfielder Carlos Lee has a brother named Carlos.  He also has two sons named Carlos and Karlos and two daughters named Carla and ......Candace.  

 

Moss Headed For Gainesville

Florida GatorsThe University of Florida recently received a verbal commitment from Boone County (Kentucky) forward Sydney Moss, daughter of controversial wide receiver Randy Moss. The 5-11 Moss averaged 22 points and 11 rebounds per game during her junior season.  

Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times added:  "Pundits predict she'll sign her national letter of intent when she feels like it."     

Mel Kiper Getting To It

From TheOnion.com:  "Bored Mel Kiper completes NFL mock drafts for next fifty years."Mel Kiper Jr.

Cam Newton Said What?

DuckNumber one NFL draft choice Cam Newton of Carolina explained the player lockout to Yahoo Sports:  "It's like a case of curiosity killed the duck".   

Getting Stickier in Morgantown, WV

Dana HolgorsenA bad situation for the West Virginia Mountaineers just got worse. Oliver Luck, the school’s athletic director, surprisingly hired Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen to be the "head coach in waiting" and serve as offensive coordinator at West Virginia under Bill Stewart for the 2011 season. Stewart's base salary is $950,000, while Holgorsen makes $200,000 less now, but will start at $1.4 million plus incentives and bonuses when he becomes head coach in 2012. His contract runs through 2016.  

Last week, Holgorsen was at the Mardi Gras Casino in Cross Lanes, West Virginia and at 3 AM became uncooperative with casino management and was ejected by security. When local police arrived, Holgorsen was sitting on a bench outside, waiting for a taxi. So far, no charges have been filed.  

Lakers Get Their Brown, but Fans Aren’t Happy About It

Mike BrownThe Los Angeles Lakers signed a Brown to be their new head coach, but it wasn't Larry or even Hubie. Mike Brown instantly became one of the most unpopular choices in Southern California sports history, after being hired to replace legendary coach Phil Jackson. Brown appeared seemingly overwhelmed during his only other head coaching experience, with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

This hiring has disaster written all over it and Jim Buss (Lakers Executive Vice President, Player Personnel/son of team owner Jerry Buss) is getting lambasted in the media and by fans, especially due to the fact that the only other coach Buss hired was Rudy Tomjanovich, who lasted only 43 games (24-19) before stepping down.  Brown was the only candidate interviewed by Buss and amazingly, Kobe Bryant was never consulted.  

User login

Forgot password? Get password