Living the Ruthian Dream

Friends and I often joke about the joys of doing nothing when unemployment hits. The dream of waking up and having "a cool buzz and some tasty waves," in the words of Spicoli.

As good as that dream is; we forget that it's just an awesome consolation dream. We all really want to be the star quarterback that throws for 700 yards in the Super Bowl, the superstar slugger that hits the walk-off home run in the World Series after having pitched a perfect game, or the guy that sinks a buzzer beating 40 foot fade away three over a double team in game 7 of the NBA Finals.

Long before we were dreaming of living the dream, the orphan turned superstar, Babe Ruth was doing it, making a killing on the field and partying like a rock star off the field. For instance on this day of May 7th, 81 years ago in 1917, Ruth allowed only two hits out-dueling the legendary Walter Johnson 1-0. Ruth hit a sacrifice fly to score the only run.

Ruth was always getting the best of Walter. In 1916 alone, Ruth out-dueled Johnson in all 4 games he faced him, including a 13 inning affair. Then to solidify his superstar on superstar dominance, Ruth hit the only two jacks Johnson would give up for two years (1918-1919).

Before being traded to the Yankees and building a majestic stadium and obliterating every offensive record with a Roy Hobbs type of thunder, Ruth was winning three World Series in four years with the Red Sox (1915, 1916, 1918). And the four-peat did not happen as a result of Ruth not bringing it. In 1917, Ruth who was 24-13 with six shutouts, a 2.01 ERA and a .325 batting average.

In all of his Red Sox World Series appearances, Ruth was 3-0 with a 0.87 ERA, throwing 29 2/3 scoreless innings at one point. In 1918 he led the league in home runs, while only taking 317 at-bats. He went on to pitch and win the first and last game of the 1918 World Series.

In 1919, his last year with the Sox, he belted 29 home runs, more than doubling the previous record. And for all the Red Sox ingratitude, they sold Ruth, their soul to the Yankees. Ruth pronounced a curse on them, and the Sox did not win a World Series for 86 years. Yes Ruth 86'd the Sox fans and Mr. Buckner who was not even born yet!

That is living the dream. Or is it? He actually one-up'd his dream with the Yankees, because that is what Ruthian dreamers do!

Kobe wins lifetime achievement award / MVP / ShotsHeard 3MVP

Is Kobe Bryant the best player in the league? Skills-wise yes, though LBJ is closing the ranks each year. Of course, most of us would build a team around Duncan over Kobe, so right there we know best does not equal most valuable.

Lamar Odom nailed it when he said Kobe has been the best player for the last two or three years. He was a top five player for about the last five or six years. He won three rings and two scoring titles. And as he was on the verge of presumably winning a few MVPS, all of the sudden there was the Shaq riff and then the alleged rape in Colorado.

But Kobe made his own bed. At one point, he was playing for MVP while his team was playing or not playing for the eight spot. After three years of Duncan, KG dominance of the trophy, we saw three years of finesse dominance by Nash and Dirk. At no point was Kobe snubbed, like stars in the past (ala Jordan winning his first MVP over Bird).

We all knew the best player was not the most valuable player in the league. But we feared that this created a subtle guilt that lingered in the back of many elite media types. We knew it could snub someone and it did!

For this, Kobe does win the just invented ShotsHeard 3MVP award. It goes to the third most valuable player. He's used to that honor at least. Twice, his previous highest finish in the MVP voting was third.

My interchangeable one and two on my MVP ballot goes to Chris Paul and Kevin Garnett.

CP3 did it at both ends of the court with 21.6 points and 11.6 assists. At 5'11" (6'0" officially) he was just too fast and crafty. Guys like Stojakovic and Chandler who have sub-par one on one games, looked like proverbial studs all year long with Paul dishing them the rock. Oh and Paul did it on the defensive side too, with 2.7 steals per game.

How valuable was the addition of KG to the Celtics? We all know about the 42 game turnaround. How about the fact that the Celtics went from a negative 3.1 pt. differential to a 12.0 pt. advantage. That's a 15.1 pt swing. Besides anchoring the offense, he anchored a defense that gave up only 87.1 points a game. T-Mac said it was the toughest defense he ever played against.

Meanwhile, the people trying to justify Kobe's MVP were talking about how he deserved it because he was finally making his teammates so much better. It's a preposterous argument. Bynum's time was due, Fisher is still the same gritty player he's always been and the Gasol trade proved to be the real difference maker in their quest for the one seed. The Gasol-less Lakers were blown out by the Rockets in the middle of defending the Lakers defending their all-time win streak against the Rockets (Going for 21 of the needed 33 to break the record). The Lakers were 5-5 without Gasol.

And of course, Odom is the same inconsistent swing man he's always been. Bryant did not ever come close into turning Odom into his Pippen. Odom's lack of zeal for Kobe's MVP status was also evident in his radio interviews. This is typical of the general feeling for Kobe among Lakers over the years. Kobe seems to not warrant much more respect than the Giants players ever gave Bonds.

For all the talk of Kobe "getting it" and sharing the ball with his teammates, why are his assist numbers not up? With Lakers improvement, it is true he realized he did not have to take as many shots (down to 20.6 from 22.8 last year, while logging two less minutes per game). So Kobe shooting less makes him more valuable? Almost across the board, Kobe's stats are worse this year than the last two years.

I have Kobe ranked third on my MVP ballot. But unlike my number 4 and 5; LBJ and Ginobili, he's within the margin of error so that I can accept the legitimacy of his first MVP award on some level. That level being that on a fair playing field, Kobe played at a similar level of Paul and KG. But it is clear that this was a lifetime achievement award and not an MVP. Still, Raja Bell has to be turning over in his future grave at the third most valuable player receiving the MVP award.

2008 NBA Second Round Predictions

I'm back to give you the second round NBA playoff predictions with uncanny accuracy! Eight for eight in the first round baby!

One guy patronized me, saying 'way to go out on a line and pick all the favorites.' But do you really want me to be the Andruw Jones of predictions; hitting 40 jacks while struggling to hit above the Mendoza line?

You don't come to ShotsHeard to see me be a big shot. You come to see me call my shots and then come through. Like Avery Johnson once said, "I don't take shots, I make shots." And so I'm back baby, like Frank the Tank kicking grocery carts in celebration.

Sure the second round is already underway with the Lakers, Hornets and Pistons winning their respective Game Ones'. So give me a yellow card if you want, but realize I come correct.

Lakers vs. Jazz

If it were not for the Jazz's C+ performance against the Rockets, I think I'd be willing to go for the home run on this and pick them. They match-up well with the Lakers and could steal a road game while taking care of business at home. I believe the series will go six or seven games with the Lakers coming out much more weary and battle scarred and an even tougher test of the Spurs or Hornets facing them.

Pick: Lakers

Hornets vs. Spurs The Hornets won Game 1 and have home-court advantage and I'm still picking the Spurs. But with CP3, Chandler, Stoy and West making an impressive foursome I'm wondering if I am making the wrong call.

Admittedly I have a Spurs bias. They are the sleekest team since the Bird/Magic days and they ended my Kobe/Shaq nightmare. Not to mention its hard to go against Obi-Wan and the Big Fundamental at playoff time. They're the champions and the team to beat as the tired cliche goes.

Pick: Spurs

Celtics vs. Cavaliers The Cavs are a better team than the Hawks, but they are dreaming if they think they will go seven games against the beast of the east. The C's blew out the Hawks every game at home and lost every road game by single digits. Don't expect the anomaly of the C's losing all their road games this series. All that said, I'm still excited to watch King James take on the Big Ticket, Ray Ray and the Truth.

Pick: Celtics

Pistons vs. Magic I believe this year is the Pistons last shot at glory and they will handle their business against the Magic. I love watching Turkoglu, but the Pistons have too much playoff experience, to think that the essentially rookie playoff Magic will take this one. I think the Magic may take it six or seven games, but unless the Pistons look old fast, they won't lose this one.

Pick: Pistons

Other 2008 NBA Playoffs Predictions

NBA Western Conference: 2008 playoffs first round predictions

NBA Eastern Conference: 2008 playoffs first round predictions

2008 NBA Second Round Predictions

2008 NBA Conference Finals Predictions

2008 NBA Finals Prediction

At least sportswomanship is alive!

These days, they say if you aren't cheatin' then you aren't tryin'. That saying is part satire and part true in American athletics. Sportsmanship has taken a back seat to winning.

Last week there were plenty of bad sportsmanship moments. Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers talked trash to the Angels' Vladimir Guerrero after he hit a squib shot to the second baseman (Vlad had words for him while rounding first after hitting a home run on his next at-bat). After making a shot, Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks taunted Paul Pierce of the Celtics who was kneeling on the ground (The Hawks lost their next playoff game to the C's by 25). Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks even flipped Jannero Pargo of the New Orleans Hornets down by his head on a fast break (The Hornets lost that series 4-1).

Meanwhile in an NCAA Division II women's softball playoff game, we see that real sportsmanship is not dead, as the Central Washington players showed us that winning is not everything in a game against Western Oregon.

After hitting a three-run home run, her first home run in high school or college, Central Washington player, Sara Tucholsky collapsed with a hurt knee while going back to hit first base that she had missed. The umpire ruled that she would be out if her teammates tried to help her around the bases and that if she could not make it home, she would have to settle for a two RBI single.

The Western Oregon players not wanting to win on a freak thing, picked her up and carried Sara around the bases, giving her the home run. They would have been justified to let her settle for a single, but they believed in a more sublime spirit of competition.

Western Oregon lost the game and thus were eliminated from the playoffs; but they created a legacy that will last longer than a championship would have lasted. And when these women go out into the real world as professionals and mothers, they will be the ones keeping the world right; not the win at all costs crowd.

Breaking down the falacies of comparing last year's highest drafted rb, Adrian Peterson to this year's highest drafted rb, Darren McFadden

There is a lot of talk about Darren McFadden being this year's Adrian Peterson. Peterson, who was drafted sixth overall by the Vikings, ended up being one of the top five players in the NFL last year.

There are similarities. Both running backs are All-Americans who played for teams in the middle of the country (Peterson for Oklahoma and McFadden for Arkansas). Coming out of college, both guys were easily considered the best running back of their respective drafts. Both guys warranted serious number one overall consideration. The two are also similar in size as McFadden is listed 6'2" and Peterson is listed 6'1". Both even wore quite similar red and white uniforms.

But while the five teams that passed up on Adrian Peterson were (unofficially) considered fools by ShotsHeard; the teams that passed up on Darren McFadden should not be considered fools since McFadden is not exactly of the same ilk as Peterson.

At every level, Peterson has always been a dominant, whereas McFadden has not been. Peterson's phenomenal abilities saw him attain 1925 yards in his freshman season; a mark that McFadden never achieved.

Peterson and McFadden had similar career stats at college, but Peterson missed more time due to injuries. At the college level, I would rank Marshall Faulk first and Peterson second as the two greatest backs ever (Both players coincidentally or not so coincidentally wear the number 28). When they were on top of their games they were unstoppable. McFadden would not make the list.

In the greatest college football game ever played, the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, Peterson's dominance was apparent. On the first play of overtime, everyone knew he was getting the ball. But everyone was not going to stop it from being one and done as he ran for a 25 yard touchdown. After answering with a touchdown, Boise State was virtually forced to go for the do or die play; the statue of liberty play on their two-point conversion as their defense had no answer for Peterson.

Peterson is the complete back. Teams have to put eight or nine in the box because if he has an ounce of daylight, he's going to scramble for a 50 yard plus run. And even if a player does intrude on Peterson, he's going to barrel them over for another five to seven yards if no gang tackle ensues.

McFadden on the other hand, is more of speed back than a complete player, though he could become one. His combine time for the 40 was 4.27, faster than Peterson's 4.40. But it takes more than speed at the next level. Linebackers and secondaries and linebackers cut off the corners and plug the gaps much more efficiently than in college. A back with power and agility like Peterson has much more value than McFadden. McFadden was so containable that last year in his best season, his longest run was only 33 yards.

Lastly, there's the difference in the two men's character. Simply put, Peterson has a lot of it and we'll let you know when we find McFadden's character.

McFadden has had undeniable gang affiliations. ShotsHeard believes that whether or not McFadden was officially part of gang, he was strongly shaped by the gang culture. While McFadden is trying to say all the right things to the media to not glorify his indulgent past; his lack of remorse for his actions is apparent.

On the other hand, Peterson is more selfless. After rushing for over a 100 yards in four of his first five games(including a high of 224 yards), Peterson insisted that the starting job was still Chester Taylor's job. Peterson knew that he was the best back and that the mantle would be his soon enough. But he respected the abilities and sensitivities of hist teammates.

He could never truly be considered a number two back after rushing for an NFL record 296 yards in Week 9. But he still allowed Chester Taylor to shine as the two combined for 2,185 yards on the year. Despite having holes at QB and WR, Peterson helped turn the Vikings into playoff contenders.

The truth is that most of the media missed their chance to see Peterson for the great potential talent he was; a man that could possibly end up being the greatest player in the history of the NFL. They are trying desperately, to say 'see we told you,' this time around when it comes to McFadden.

The reality though, is that the Vikings got a leader and a franchise player in Peterson while the Raiders got a star talent who will be competing with last year's number one overall pick, quarterback JaMarcus Russell for their individual glory.

NBA first round: It's not fun to root for the underdogs anymore

Ever since 2003, when the NBA changed the first round from five to seven games in hopes of making more money on the Shaq-Kobe Lakers who were struggling to get a good seed (We all know that's what happened); the edge has been taken off the first round series games.

All of the sudden a team down 0-2 in a series and then wins Game 3 is not a making a series of it; rather they are making us wait needlessly for more exciting rounds.

Game 3's are no longer pivotal either. Instead, game 3's are just part of a string of games that most of us will not remember. Now, you have to wait two more games for the possibly pivotal game 5.

I used to have fun rooting for the underdog. Now it's not usually worth it to come home and give up hours of my night to watch a watered down game. In fact, I skipped all three of tonight's game 3's to go to do some errands and then go to the park and play ball.

With all the lopsided series going 2-0, I already had the second round match-ups qued up. In the Western Conference I penciled in the reignition of the Jazz/Lakers rivalry and Chris Paul's Hornets vs. the champion Spurs. Then in the Eastern Conference I had the dominant celtics going against the dominating Lebron and his Cavs and the up and coming Magic taking on the battle-tested Pistons. and with the Celtics/Cavs and Pistons/Magic.

Then came the Game Three Nighmare Trifecta tonight. The Cavs took the night off against the Wizards and lost by 36 points. A talented but too inconsistent Raptors team crawled back into their series by beating the Magic. And the Jazz let the depleted Rockets eak out a two-point win in Salt Lake.

I still do have the second round match-ups qued up. That's what makes tonight's game three results so frustrating! Sure the game three winners can win their series. But file that under 'A' for 'Anything's possible.' If this were the old five game format, then sure my interest would be peaked. Instead we've just endured the probable losers who all have little hope of Round Two victories, let alone reaching the championship, prolong the wait for the better match-ups.

In the spirit of Molly Shannon (a Superstarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!), I have only one succinct and repetitive sentiment for David Stern; You're horrible! Horrible! Horrible! I advise fans to turn off their televisions and go enrich yourselves. Ratings is the language that sports executive speaks better than any other.

In the meantime enjoy your extra helping of thug ballin, courtesy of the likes of Deshawn Stevenson. Maybe the eighth seeded Hawks or Nuggets will squeeze out a win and make you endure an extra game. Or worse, maybe the Lakers and Celtics will handle their business with sweeps, but you'll have to wait about a week to watch them in the second round because the Jazz and Cavs are taking six or seven games to handle their business.

At least this year we have the anomaly of the Suns and Spurs (last year's most exciting match-up) going down in the first round. What happens if the Spurs, up 2-0, win their game 3? Clear! Ca-chow! Clear! Ca-chow!

The Montreal Canadiens are the 24-7 Party Daddies

The Montreal Canadiens beat the Boston Bruins in a playoff series for the 24th time, a record mark in professional sports. The 5-0 Game Seven victory in Montreal on Monday night, April 21, extended their playoff series record to 24-7 all-time vs. the Bruins.

The Montreal Canadiens do not have the most championships in professional sports ever since they relinquished that crown to the New York Yankees in 1999. But the two franchises do still share parental rights over the Boston franchises in their respective leagues. So if you're a Bruin player, you should just tip your hat and call the Canadiens your "daddy," ala Pedro Martinez.

Nineteen is the bond that the Yankees and Canadiens share. Nineteen is the discrepancy of rings between the Yankees' 26 rings to the Red Sox' seven rings. Nineteen is the discrepancy of rings between the Canadiens 24 rings and the Bruins five rings.

If you're a Boston fan, maybe 19 is the loneliest number that you'll ever know. Then again, maybe it'll be 20.