Really Rory?

Here is Rory Mcilroy on a private plane with Charl Schwartzel, the guy who just beat Rory in the Masters. I love Rory, I thought he could be Tiger's rival over the next few years and then I see this. All I hear is that Rory is this confident kid who knows he can win. Do you think we would see Tiger feeling up Phil on a jet, as Phil is wearing the green jacket? Hell no! Rory what are you thinking bro? You just had one of the biggest collapses in Masters history and hear you are happy as a pig in shit. I don't get it, I would not want to within 100,000 feet of Schwartzel if I were Rory. Hey maybe he will get lucky and at the U.S. Open Jason Day will win and then Rory can have his arm Day's wife.

Unknown Carl Schwartzel Wins The 75th Masters!

Charl Schwartzel comes out of nowhere to win one of golf's most prestigious tournaments, The Masters. Schwartzel finished with -14, two strokes better than Jason Day and Adam Scott, they tied for second. 

FYI: Tiger Woods finished in a 3 way tie for 3rd at -10. 

Manny Being Manny; One Final Time

Manny Ramirez - "My bad...."

To avoid a 100 game suspension after his second positive test for performance enhancing drugs, Tampa Bay Rays OF/DH Manny Ramirez decides to retire, effective immediately.

Manny Ramirez will be known as one of the best right handed hitters and clutch performers in baseball history, yet, he will also be forever stained with two failed PED tests and several controversial antics that created the popular slogan, "Manny being Manny." 

Ramirez closes a 19 year career with the Cleveland Indians (8 seasons), Boston Red Sox (8 seasons), Los Angeles Dodgers (3 seasons), Chicago White Sox (.5 of a season) and Tampa Bay Rays (17 AB's). Manny  appeared in the post-season 11 times in his career, including 4 World Series, winning two (2004 & 2007 with Boston). Man Ram owns the record with the most post-season home runs (28) and was named World Series MVP in 2004, leading the Red Sox to their first World Series title in 86 years. 

Manny Ramirez's final stat line in 8,244 career at bats, looks like this: 2,574 hits, 1,544 runs scored, 547 doubles, 555 home runs, 1,831 RBI, 1,329 walks, 1,813 strikeouts, a .312 batting average, a .585 slugging percentage and .996 on base clip. 

NBA's Biggest Disappointments of 2011

Enough of the high-praises and gold stars. These are the players and teams that had a very high ceiling but ended up taking a face plant on the floor.

Most Disappointing teams of 2011

1. Milwaukee Bucks- I was really high on the Bucks before the season began. I had them at 10 in my summer power rankings. I also projected them to win 50 games. I was sorely mistaken. The Bucks couldn't even reach 40 wins, and will miss the play-offs. There have been some injuries, but all and all its because they just played like shit.

2. Utah Jazz- When Carlos Boozer left for Chicago, Utah made an impressive counter by brining in Al Jefferson. With a standout center like Jefferson and Paul Millsap performing at a high level, things were looking pretty good for Utah. The Jazz started off  27-13 but then went 4-14 before the all-star break. During those tumultuous 18 games, Hall of Fame coach, Jerry Sloan retired to ensure he wouldn't be the next Don Neslon. Soon after Derron Williams was traded and it was all downhill from there. 

3. Portland Trail Blazers- We have been waiting for Portland's break-out season for the past few years. Well, this wasn't it, much credited to Brandon Roy's injury woes. Luckily, LaMarcus Aldridge kept them afloat. However, with Roy's return, the emergence of Wesley Matthews and the new addition of Gerald Wallace, Blazers have the potential for a first round upset in the play-offs

4. New Orleans Hornets- Chris Paul was the early MVP front-runner as New Orleans started off 11-1. They went 15-15 in their next 30 games. The Hornets are now tied for 6th in the WC and with David West out, their first round opponent will likely dispose of them in 4-5 games.

5. Orlando Magic- It is impressive that Orlando has been able to win 50+ games this season after their roster revamp, but they were top 2-3 in many preaseason power rankings (#2 in mine) and a favorite by many to win the East for the second time in 3 seasons. Now, a first round exit to the Hawks isn't out of the question.









Most Disappointing Players of 2011

1. Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers- Personally, I didn't expect Sam Bowie 2.0 to amount to shit as far as a franchise big-man . However, I as well as many expected him to some semblance of a full and productive season. Well for the fourth straight year, Oden's season was cut short due to injury.

2. Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks- After an impressive rookie season that was highlighted by a 55 point game (NBA rookie record) against Golden State, Jennings looked as though he would be a rising star in the league. Well Jennings missed 19 games in the middle of the season due to injury. His numbers have been pretty much identical to last season's and as i mentioned before, the Bucks suck

3. Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers- 2010 was the second consecutive season Roy averaged 20+ ppg an made the All-NBA team. This season Roy as missed 34 games due to injury, has only started 23 of the games he has played and averages 12ppg.

4. Yao Ming,  Houston Rockets- The 7x All-Star selection had returned from missing the entire 2010 season to injury. Houston was giving Yao limited minutes in hopes that they would transition him into form and he would have another all-star worthy season. He laste 5 games.

5. J.J. Hixon, Cleveland Cavilers - Cleveland believed so much in Hixon that they were not willing to take Amare Stoudemire last season in a mid-season trade because they would lose him. Instead they took Antwan Jaimeson, a good player but past his prime. Well Hixon is averaging 12-8,  Amare is having the best season of his career and if you had gotten him maybe LeBron would have stayed. Hey Cleveland, instead of burning LeBron jerseys, you should burn down the Cavs front offices.

Justin Bieber Trains With Barca!

Wow it was one thing that Ochocinco tried out for some shit soccer team in Kansas City, this is a whole different matter. I don't care if he was just signing autographs on the field, he should not be within 500 feet of a sports complex. I guess when he isn't busy playing Wizards of Waverly Place with his 12 year old girlfriend he trains with the best soccer club in the world.

LaRussa Pops Off!

We have our first manager flip out of 2011. It's now officially baseball season!

And if you think this is a rare occurrence for the future Hall of Fame skipper..you are very wrong.  

Top 25 NBA Players of the 2011 Season

This is a ranking of the best players in the NBA this season from 1-25. 2011 has been a crazy season we've seen a few players elevate to super-stardom, some players fall victim to age and injuries and others just flat out played like shit. So naturally, these rankings will differ from my October rankings.


* Denotes league leader
# Denotes rookie

25. Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies
2011 Stats: 19.8ppg 12.1rpg .505 fg%
This is Randolph's 5th consecutive double-double season. With Rudy Gay out they will need big production from Randolph in the play-offs if they want to pull of the first round upset (ha!)

24. Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors
2o11 Stats: 24.3ppg, 5.6apg 2.1spg, 40.5 minutes played
Ellis has lead the league in minutes played for the second consecutive season. He is explosive, a great scorer and probably the league's most underrated player.


23. LaMarcus Aldrige, Portland Trailblazers

2011: 21.9ppg, 8.7rpg, 1.2bpg 

The Blazers are in the play-offs because of Aldridge. After Oden (big deal!) and Roy went down it was Aldridge that shouldered the load for Portland. With Roy back and hobbling, Aldridge continued to play the role of interim franchise player.

22.  Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks
2o11 Stats: 16.7ppg 8.6rpg, 3.4apg, 1.6bpg 1.3spg
This was yet another productive year for the athletic Smith who continues to fill the stat columns.

21. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
2011 Stats: 15.2ppg 11.4apg* .910 ft%
Nash is an anomaly amongst NBA players pushing 40,  the 37 year old Nash. Why is he so low in my rankings with those numbers? I'll tell you why, defense. Nash doesn't put up a single significant defensive number.

20. Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
2011 Stats: 14.9ppg, 8.9rpg, 1.3spg
After hobbling through 2009 and 2010 Garnett has had a resurgent season. He may not be able to put up the monster numbers he did in his Minnesota days, but he is the anchor of the Celtics legendary defense.

19. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
2011 Stats: 13.5ppg 9rpg 1.9bpg
This is the first season in Duncan's career that he has not averaged a double-double.  He, like Garnett is way past his prime but keeping his team in legitimate title contention.


18. Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
2o11 Stats: 18.6ppg 4.1rpg 4.8apg
Johnson is still one of the league's best shooting guards, but this has been his worst seasons since coming to Atlanta in 2006. Johnson is 30 this summer and may be on the decline. Good thing Atlanta threw $120 million at him.

17. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics
2011 Stats: 10.6 ppg 11.3apg, 2.2spg, 4.4rpg
I would have Rondo ranked somewhere in the top 15 had he kept his high level up production up the entire season, but he has sucked since the trade, plain and simple. If the Celtics want another deep post season run Rondo will need to get over losing his buddy Kendrick Perkins.

16. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

2011 Stats: 21.7ppg, 8.2apg, 4.6apg, 1.8spg, 4.6rpg

This has been Westbrook's breakout season. Although he is second to Kevin Durant, the super-athletic Westbrook has proven he can take over games in Durant's absence. He can score, rebound, distribute and play D. This man can do it all. 

15. Blake Griffin#, Los Angeles Clippers
2011 Stats: 22.3ppg, 12.2rpg 3.7apg 
The Rookie senstation is the first player since Shaq to put up 20-12 in their first year of basketball. With the right pieces around him, Griffin is good enough to make the Clippers a contender for the first time since...Well for the first time ever.

14. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
2011 Stats: 18.8ppg, 5.3rpg, 3.3apg
At 33, Pierce hasn't shown many signs of aging. He is the  unquestionable team leader on a team with two other Hall of Famers and he can still score with the best of them.

13. Amare Stoudemire, New York Knicks
2011 Stats: 25.5ppg, 8.2rpg, 1.9bpg
This has been Stoudemire's best season yet. He was an MVP candidate early on in the season before everyone realized the Knicks still sucked. Still, they will make the play-offs for the first time since 2004 and that should be credited to Stoudemire. 

12. Chris Bosh, Miami Heat
2011 Stats: 18.7ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.9apg
His numbers have taken a huge hit, but that's what happens when you play with two of the top 3 players in the world. Make no mistake, Bosh is still one of the best post players in the league. 

11. Derron Williams, Utah Jazz/New Jersey Nets
2011 Stats: 20.1ppg 10.3apg 4rpg
After being traded to New Jersey, Williams has been an assist machine averaging around 13 per game. The Nets sold their soul for the elite point guard in February and the fate of the franchise is in Williams' hands come 2012 when his contract is up.

10. Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers
2011 Stats: 18.9ppg, 10.2rpg, 3.4apg 1.7bpg
Gasol has the best offensive post game in basketball.  He can beat you in so many different ways. "Softness" is no longer a valid argument against him as he has become one of the league's toughest post defenders.

9. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks 
2011 Stats: 23ppg 7rpg .889 ft% 
Dirk is just having another Dirk-like year. He is scoring high, shooting efficiently (.518 % from the field, highest of his career) and leading the Mavericks to their 11th straight 50 win season.

8. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
2011 Stats: 16.1pp 9.8apg 4.1rpg 2.4spg*
Last season's surgery seem to have affected Paul. He  isnt having the had MVP worthy season he's had before the injury. That hasn't stopped him from having another outstanding year.

7. Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets/New York Knicks
2011 Stats: 25.5ppg 7.2rpg 2.9apg
This has been a roller-coaster season for 'Melo. Looking past the "Melodrama" he can still ball. 'Melo is now the man in his hometown, despite their struggles, don't be surprised if 'Melo leads the charge to a first round upset.

6. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
2011 Stats: 27.8ppg* 6.9rpg 1.1spg 1bpg
For the second straight year Kevin Durant is the league's stop scorer. Soon enough the West will belong to the Thunder. In fact, OKC has all of the components to win it all this season.

5. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
2011 Stats: 25.1ppg 7.9apg 4.2rpg 1.1spg
I have sang Rose's praises enough in recent posts. After 12 long years, Chicago finally has a player not named Michael Jordan that can lead the Bulls to a championship.

4. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
2011 Stats: 23.2ppg 14.rpg 2.3bpg, 1.3spg
Howard has yet another dominating season on the defensive end, but now he has a respectable offensive post game. Once he hones his offensive skill set, he could be the next David Robinson/Hakeem Olajuwon, whichever you prefer. 


3. Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat
 

2011 Stats: 25.7ppg 6.5rpg, 4.5apg, 1.5spg 1.1bpg
Playing with LeBron James hasn't stopped Wade from having a another stellar season. Wade may not have been the best player on his team in 2011, but he has been better play-off performer in the past and he could take his team back from James for the postseason. 

2. LeBron James, Miami Heat
2011 Stats: 26.6 7.5rpg 7apg 1.5spg
It's been another outstanding year for the reigning MVP. The numbers are all there, so when will LeBron finally become the undisputed best player in the world? When he can win a fucking game or two.

1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

2011 Stats: 25.1ppg, 5.2rpg 4.8apg, 1.2spg

Until he loses or retires, the NBA will unquestionably remain Kobe Bryant's league.