Archive for October 31st, 2008
Knicks Off to the Races, Beat Heat 120-115 in D’Antoni’s Debut
Friday, October 31st, 2008 | College Football, NBA, NHL, Sports | No Comments
The New York Knicks defeated the Miami Heat 120-115 in Head Coach Mike D’Antoni’s Knicks head coaching debut at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Knicks seemed to thrive under D’Antoni’s up tempo style. Controversial guard Jamal Crawford scored 29 points, going 13-29 from the field with four 3-pointers and 7 free throws. Crawford also added 4 assists and 4 rebounds. Center Zach Randolph chipped in 20 points and 9 rebounds, forward David Lee added 16 points and 11 rebounds and forward Wilson Chandler tallied 17 points and 9 rebounds. Starter Quentin Richardson also scored 16 points, giving the Knicks 6 players in double-digit scoring.
After an even 1st quarter, the Knicks outscored the Heat 32-18 in the 2nd quarter to take a 15-point advantage into halftime. The Knicks scored 60 points in each half, but had to hold off a resurgent Heat team that scored 40 points in the 4th quarter. Winning only 23 games during the 2007-8 NBA season, the Knicks looked like a revived team under D’Antoni. D’Antoni emphasized that his team would always play hard and would put on entertaining performances during the 2008-9 NBA campaign. On opening night D’Antoni and his team did not disappoint. Whether this turns into an every night occurrence remains to be seen. The talent is definitely there, but the players will need to commit to D’Antoni’s style and not get down when they lose a couple of games in a row. Under former coach Isiah Thomas, there tended to be a lot of finger-pointing when things went south. Under D’Antoni, that won’t be tolerated. Each player will be held accountable for his consistent play, and if D’Antoni senses that someone isn’t giving his all, he’ll send someone in the game who will.
As for the Heat, rookie head coach Erik Spoelstra did not have the same success with his new team that D’Antoni did. His team got off to a slow start, and by the time they got back in synch, it was too late. The Heat did have 5 players score in double-digits – including Dwayne Wade with 26 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds; Udonis Haslem with 23 points and 10 rebounds; Shawn Marion with 14 points and 11 rebounds; and Mario Chalmers with 17 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds. 2nd overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft Michael Beasley had a lackluster NBA debut. He scored only 9 points and pulled down only 4 rebounds.
World Champion Phillies Cheered on at Parade
Friday, October 31st, 2008 | MLB, Sports | No Comments
The Philadelphia Phillies rode flatbed trucks through the streets of Philadelphia, celebrating their first World Series title in 28 years with thousands of crazed Phillies fans. Halloween took a back seat this October 31st in the city of Philadelphia, as Phillies left fielder Pat Burrell “led off” the parade riding on a horse-drawn carriage and pumping his fists in the air in jubilation. This was the city’s first chance to celebrate a professional sports world championship since the 76ers won the NBA Championship in 1983. Fans watched from rooftops, hung out windows and even climbed step stools to get a better view of their World Champion Phils.
The parade was scheduled to go through the streets of Philadelphia and end at the sports complex in South Philly. Thousands of fans were allowed to watch the procession on the big screens in Lincoln Financial Field where the Eagles play and in Citizens Bank Ballpark, the home of the Phillies. The Phillies players were scheduled to attend a rally at the ballpark and then make a brief appearance for the fans in Lincoln Financial Field.
The Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in 5 games of the 2008 World Series. Phillies ace Cole Hamels was named the World Series MVP. Manager Charlie Manuel hoisted the World Series Trophy throughout the procession through the streets of Philadelphia.
Tarheels Top 1st ESPN/USA Today Poll
Friday, October 31st, 2008 | Sports | No Comments
ESPN/USA Today released its first poll of the 2008-2009 NCAA College Basketball Season. North Carolina topped the polls, receiving all 31 first-place votes. UCONN was 2nd, followed by Louisville 3rd, UCLA 4th and Duke 5th. The ACC has 2 teams in the Top 10 of the poll (North Carolina and Duke). The Big East set a record with 7 teams in the ESPN/USA Today poll – including 4 teams in the Top 10 – UCONN at #2; Louisville at #3; Pittsburgh at #6; and Notre Dame at #9.
The defending NCAA Champion Kansas Jayhawks are slated in the 23rd spot. Kansas knocked off North Carolina in the NCAA Final Four Semifinals game in an exciting game and then went on to defeat the Memphis Tigers in the Final Four Championship Game. Memphis is ranked #12 in the ESPN/USA Today poll, while the other 2008 Final Four Team – the UCLA Bruins – is ranked #4.
Even though it’s only October, it’s never too early to think ahead to the NCAA college basketball season and the always fun NCAA Basketball Tournament. Pretty soon we’ll have the NIT tournament, the Thanksgiving and holiday tournaments, the Jimmy V Classic and the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. It should be an exciting college hoops schedule in 2008-9.
| ESPN/USA Today Poll |
| 1. North Carolina (31) 0-0 775 |
| 2. Connecticut 0-0 707 |
| 3. Louisville 0-0 694 |
| 4. UCLA 0-0 650 |
| 5. Duke 0-0 578 |
| 6. Pittsburgh 0-0 576 |
| 7. Michigan State 0-0 572 |
| 8. Texas 0-0 538 |
| 9. Notre Dame 0-0 525 |
| 10. Purdue 0-0 465 |
| 11. Gonzaga 0-0 437 |
| 12. Memphis 0-0 425 |
| 13. Tennessee 0-0 408 |
| 14. Oklahoma 0-0 387 |
| 15. Arizona State 0-0 304 |
| 16. Miami (FL) 0-0 233 |
| 17. Marquette 0-0 219 |
| 18. Georgetown 0-0 175 |
| 19. Florida 0-0 161 |
| 20. Davidson 0-0 158 |
| 21. USC 0-0 153 |
| 21. Wisconsin 0-0 153 |
| 23. Kansas 0-0 130 |
| 24. Wake Forest 0-0 129 |
| 25. Villanova 0-0 122 |
|
Others Receiving Votes
UNLV 60, Saint Mary’s 59, Ohio State 54, Baylor 47, Xavier 27, Syracuse 23, Texas A&M 19, LSU 19, Arizona 18, Virginia Tech 15, Brigham Young 13, West Virginia 10, Washington 8, Siena 8, Kentucky 7, Vanderbilt 7, Oklahoma State 4, Clemson 2, Washington State 1. |
