April 13, 2012
The Good (and the Bad) of the NHL Playoffs
Other than the Panthers and Devils, who will meet tonight, all of the teams in this year’s NHL playoffs have played a game of their first-round postseason matchups. And just about all of them, probably much to the delight of the NHL and NBC, have been doozies. On Thursday night, three of four games — […]
Read moreGrantland Network Podcast: The Basketball Jones
On today’s show, The Basketball Jones discuss Dwyane Wade, Ray Allen, and the Olympics pay-for-play brouhaha; why the Grizzlies are the best playoff bandwagon team; and the Nets’ “top secret” plans to re-sign All-Star Deron Williams this summer. All that, plus Leigh’s “Tweet of the Weak,” some pun-gun fun, Agent Zero’s best pranks, trashing hotel […]
Read moreCan’t Lose for Winning: The Kentucky Recruits
He’s still the king. For what feels like the 20th straight year, but is actually the fourth, Kentucky coach John Calipari has recruited the best incoming class in the country. There’s no mystery to the burgeoning dynasty; before this season, he already boasted a long track record of producing successful NBA players. And as Chuck […]
Read moreThe Final Days of the New Jersey Nets
Living and dying with the New Jersey Nets in 2012 is like riding hard for a pet goldfish — it’s not gonna be around very long, and it’ll never amount to much, so why bother? On Sunday, I went to the Prudential Center in Newark to find out. “Last year, the Nets are playing the […]
Read moreBreak Up the Dodgers’ (Schedule)
“Is it too soon to buy Dodgers World Series tickets? If history is any indication, bust out the wallet. I’m serious!” —Los Angeles sports anchor, following Thursday night’s 3-2 win by the Dodgers It’s easy to get excited if you’re a Dodgers fan in L.A. and you’ve watched what has happened so far this season. […]
Read moreAbout Last Night: Saint Asymptote
In case you were out living a life of leisure, here’s what you missed in sports on Thursday. The New Orleans Saints have named top assistant Joe Vitt interim head coach during Sean Payton’s year-long suspension, despite the fact that Vitt will serve a six-game suspension of his own to start the season. During those […]
Read moreApril 12, 2012
Marc Gasol: An Internal Monologue
Athletes are often asked what was running through their minds during given plays. This is what was running through Memphis center Marc Gasol’s when he dunked on Phoenix’s Markieff Morris on Wednesday night.
Read moreWhat’s the Key to Beating Miami?
The Boston Celtics beat the Miami Heat 115-107 Tuesday night. For Boston, this game was won in the area between 16 and 23 feet from the basket. According to NBA.com, 31 percent of Boston’s shots came from that distance, and they made 59.3 percent of those attempts. Here is Boston’s shot chart from the game.
Read moreCristiano Ronaldo’s Giant Steps
I have seen my fair share of “perfect hat tricks,” when a player scores with his right foot, left foot, and head. It’s a celebration of the various tools at the attacking footballer’s disposal. On Wednesday, I saw a “Ronaldo hat trick,” a free kick, long-range shot, and penalty. It was a celebration of him. […]
Read moreGrantland Network Podcast: Jonah Keri With Steve Berthiaume
The Jonah Keri Podcast returns for a new season, welcoming in Baseball Tonight anchor Steve Berthiaume. We start our trip around the league with a look at the star-studded Tigers. We then tackle the Angels (like ’em), Diamondbacks (love ’em), the likely-to-be-competitive NL Central, and the likely-to-be-chaotic NL East. A rational AL East conversation then […]
Read moreThe Hot Goalie
Ground down, sore on Saturday night when the regular season ends. Ready to explode Wednesday as the playoffs begin. It’s the miracle of April. When playoff energy returns, defense returns. Shooters get harassed and forced to bad angles; rebounds are cleared. Great chances become good chances that good goalies can stop. Every goal not scored […]
Read moreHere’s What Can Happen When a 21-Foot Stanley Cup Water Fountain Is Unveiled in Times Square
On Wednesday, at 11 a.m. ET, a ceremony took place to celebrate so many things: The beginning of the 2012 NHL playoffs The unveiling of a 21-foot, 6,600-pound Stanley Cup replica, which happens to double as a drinking fountain Former NHL players Clark Gillies (Islanders), Grant Marshall (Devils), and Adam Graves (GO RANGERSSSS) The city […]
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Game of the Night: Giants-Rockies
Is Tim Lincecum broken? That’s the question some freaked-out Giants fans were left asking after Wednesday night’s debacle at Coors Field. Lincecum surrendered six runs on eight hits, didn’t make it out of the third inning, and started a chain reaction that ended in a 17-8 annihilation by the Rockies. Two shaky starts into the […]
Read moreAbout Last Night: Thumbs Down for Baylor
In case you were out living a life of leisure, here’s what you missed in sports on Wednesday. The NCAA accepted Baylor’s self-imposed penalties for impermissible phone calls and text messages sent to recruits, and put the program on three years’ probation. “If they think I need a phone to keep in touch with recruits, […]
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