Monday Morning Grumblings!

I'm still bummed over the Patriots getting knocked out, but I'm rallying back.....

Without football this weekend, I got a chance to watch a few different sports and liked what I saw:

1) Tiger - He won the Buick Invitational which is 7 PGA victories in a row. Just a dominant performance over 4 days and did anyone really think he wouldn't win on Sunday when he started 2 back????

2) Roger Federer - Possibly the only athlete going right now who can make a claim that he's more dominate in a sport than Tiger.. In winning the Austrailian open this weekend, it gives him his 10th grand slam title, a record of 254-15 since the start of 04 and 35 titles in 50 tournaments! He goes about his business every week without all the antics of other top athletes (which means no one knows him.....). Quickly, without looking it up, tell me where he's from?????

3) Winter X Games - Very enjoyable to watch.... Some tremendous athletes out in Aspen, CO, putting on a show this weekend. Between the snowboading pipes, downhill racing and snowmobile jumping there was never a dull moment! If you haven't watched one of these X games shows, check it out..

4) Celtics - Yes I know, who cares?? Well I do, dammit! The NBA league pass had a "free preview" this weekend so I took advantage and checked out my Celtics... Ok, they suck but at least they're young and have some sort of plan to get better (or at least I hope....). If they can keep Pierce on the injuried list thru February, they might actually have a chance at one of the top 2 picks in the up coming draft (Oden, Durant). Put together with a good solid young nucleus and they actually may do something in the next year or so.. Hey it's my fantasy, let me live it!

5) Suns - Speaking of basketball, if you're a fan of the style of play of the early to mid 80's (Celtics, Lakers, 76ers, Bucks, Hawks...) you've got to check out the Phoenix Suns! They won their 17th in a row yesterday beating the Cavaliers. This is a team that knows how to play a team game. Anytime they wanted to score it looked effortless. They can pass, shoot, take it to the hoop, fastbreak, slow it down... whatever, they can do it... They are so much ahead of everyone else right now, it isn't funny. In watching these two teams play, it was obvious why Nash has won the last two MVP's. He makes everyone else around him better! yes Lebron is a great player, but no one on his team is improving... They stand around and watch him go one on one... He makes 1 or 2 amazing plays, everyone ohhhs and ahhhhs and in the mean time Phoenix takes it down, makes 3 passes and gets a layup.. Eventually Lebron misses a couple times, you look up and Phoenix is up 9 and wins going away... Still plenty of room on the bandwagon, so check out a game and hop on board! (1 other note on Nash... In 2 games against Cleveland this year, he has 35 assists and 1 turnover........)!

6) Serena Williams - I thought she was a clothing designer now, what happened??? Although I'm happy to have an american win the womens Australian open, is this a sad commentary for the state of womens tennis now? For Serena to come out after not really playing much over the last couple years and dominate this tournament, it doesn't really say much for the level of talent... I heard Billie Jean King is dusting off her mini skirt and getting ready to make a run at Wimbledon!

7) Rumor - Helton to the Red Sox - All I've got to say about this is "NO THEO!" The Sox don't need a broken down 33 (soon to be 34) year old 1st baseman on the downside of his career.... I don't want to give up any prospects for him. If they can move Lowell and Clement and get Colorado to pick up some of Helton's contract (he has 6 years left and 91 million owed..) than fine. Otherwise forget it...

8) Shaq chasing down hit and run driver - At least the kid will have a story to tell! http://tinyurl.com/3a38z6

9) Rivaldo - (Caution, soccer note...) - Everyone knows about Beckham coming to the MLS this summer but don't be surprised to see Rivaldo also over here in the near future. Apparently the NY Red Bulls are interested..

10) Super Bowl - Bears 31, Ponies 24

Ciao,

Bill

ps........ Ok and just so I'm fair here to all those Patriot haters out there, here's a link for you to enjoy:

http://tinyurl.com/fbvsx