Comments on the NBA and NHL finals.

nba

NBA

Game 1 will tip off Thursday. That gives the “old” Celtics time to recover from injuries to PG Rajon Rondo and C Kendrick Perkins. The schedule of the Finals will allow more rest than the Celtics to play at a very high level of energy.

One thing that came out of the last game against game against the Magic was the outstanding performance by the diminutive PG Nate Robinson. Robinson had not played much in the post season but came off the bench to replace Rondo and scored 13 point, got 2 rebounds and a steal.

The Lakers have some injury issues of their own. C Andrew Bynum had fluid removed from his right knee which has given him trouble for most of his career.

The format of the finals gives the team with home court advantage an additional benefit. With the 2-3-2 format, the team without HC advantage usually struggles to win all 3 games on their court.

Keys to the series:

  1. The biggest key is who is going to stop Rondo from controlling the Celtic O. When he has been distributing the ball and driving to the hoop, the team has been unbeatable. He has averaged nearly
Read more at FryingPanSports

The NFL takes a little piece of home to our troops overseas.

t

I complain a lot about sports leagues, teams and players because in part that is why our readers come to this site. That’s why we call it Fryingpan Sports. I try to congratulate those that do things right and do the right things. The NFL has done one thing right for a long time.

Since 1966 the NFL has officially joined forces with the USO to entertain our troops around the world. This program has never been needed more than now. Those men and women protecting our freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan look forward to anything that can remind them of home. The USO and the NFL program has been doing that for thousands of US soldiers.

The program includes visits to the front by players and coaches, Super Bowl parties in camps around the world, and one of the most popular features, more than 60 visits by the Dallas Cheerleaders.

But there were trips before 1966. Individual players and teams have organized trips to meet and entertain the troops before the program became an official part of the NFL.

Former Steeler head coach Bill Cowher and ex Buc coach Jon Gruden will join Titan coach Jeff Fisher and Ravens … Read more at FryingPanSports

Saturday Niblets for 6/6/09

nib

Today is the 65th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. My Dad was the first American on Omaha Red beach 2 hours before the invasion. Today, we salute all those that risked or gave their lives to help free Europe from Hitler.

Best Email of the last 2 weeks: from James on “The Cavs are a 1972 Comet with a Ferrari engine.” too bad Lebron and the Cavs failed to reach the championships… was rooting for them! I just do not know what will happen of the team if Kobe comes in… the dynamics of team will likely change, but if they get past that they’d get a huge chance in grabbing the title next year…

James: The chances of Kobe coming are very slim. But you are exactly correct in that the team is going to have to have a rebuild this off season to become a championship caliber team in time to win a title for LeBron next season. Thanks for your comment.

Updates on previous columns:

Mangenious and his Magical Bus trip

The NFLPA is investigating the Magical Bus trip of 10 hours each way to the football camp outside of Hartford Conn. that Eric Mangini forced … Read more at FryingPanSports

Will Vince Young ever be an NFL quality QB?

Fryingpan Sports

Will Vince Young ever be an NFL quality QB?

T1 t

Kerry Collins and Vince Young

By Bill Smith

Technorati Tags: Collins,Young,Titans,NFL FOotball,Fisher,Texas,Longhorns,college football,NFL Draft

This week head coach of the Titans Jeff Fisher said that he wants Kerry Collins, the 36 year old free agent, back as the starter in 2009. That was bad news for Vince Young.

Collins played well but not spectacularly in 08 leading the Titans to the best record in the AFC with a QB rating of 80.2. He threw 12 TDs and 7 interceptions but managed the game very well taking maximum advantage of one of the top running games in the league. He had threatened to retire unless he was “promised” a starting job. He has never been a top QB and has a career passing rating of only 73.8.

Young was the 3rd overall pick in the 06 draft. He took over the starting QB spot in the 4th game of 06 and led the team to an 8-5 record including 6 wins in a row. The wins overshadowed a less than acceptable performance by Young. He had a QB rating of just 66.7 with 12 touchdowns but 13 … Read more at FryingPanSports