Starting the avalanche’s slow roll?

August 22nd, 2006 | Posted by PostmanE

Our favorite Men’s National basketball squad - OK, our only - rode past Slovenia with ease last night, in perhaps their best game as a FIBA team thus far.

That’s the simple part. Of course, you say - why wouldn’t they pummel Slovenia. Slovenia? Rrrasho NestEORVIC!! He’s terrwwible!! (The power of Stephen A. compels you!)

There are reasons for optimism here, though. First: Slovenia is a decent team, with proven NBA players, and the U.S. seemingly had its stars clicking within the process of the team game. LeBron had 19, D-Wade had 20. Brand had 16, Melo 14. That’s point disbursement, showcasing an ability to work though the flow of the game, get points, play pressure defense, and blow teams away. That’s good news.

Second: The game was played in Sapporo, Japan. I love Sapporo, the beer. Never been to Sapporo, the city, but if it has Sapporo, the beer, I would love it.

Third: Potential challenger Italy is up next. The U.S. should be plenty fine against the Italians, but a cold night and a sluggish offense could set the boys back. Here’s to Slovenia’s rhythm-inducing defense.

Finally, with the win, the U.S. seems to be finally developing that downhill momentum, where success breeds more success and snowballs into a matter of sheer unstoppable force. This win signfies that momentum and gives glimmer to the idea that this team still has shades of dominant American basketball force left in it.

The prospect is inviting. Cheers (a Sapporo) to that.

Your World Cup Final Picture Book

July 10th, 2006 | Posted by PostmanR

While scouring the AP for a World Cup picture to package with the post below this one, I found a ton of fan reaction shots (like the one of these French fans above) and some other pretty phenomenal pictures. So I thought, hey, why not share them? Peep some pictures after the jump, including one of Zidane walking by the World Cup Trophy as he left the stadium shortly after his fratty-Tau Tau Tau headbutt. It’s worth a look.

Also, with so much talk going on about Zidane, I feel I need to give some props to my favorite player in the land of futbol, Thierry Henry. The dude not only made the World Cup Final with France, but played in the Champions League Final with Arsenal back in May. Although, he lost both matches and didn’t score in either. But hey, how many championship soccer matches in Europe have you been a part of? Yeah, that’s what I thought.

CONTINUE READING THIS POST –>

The greatest smack ever talked

July 9th, 2006 | Posted by PostmanE

No, that’s not a video of Jamie on Cold Pizza the other day, though that would be cool too. No, fortunately, this is the video of Zidane flipping his top in the World Cup. As you probably know, Italy won on PK’s.

Without getting into it too much (this is the weekend after all, I’m not supposed to be blogging), something crazy had to have been said. Something so insane, so offensive, so ‘I’m going to do terrible things to your family you (insert racial epithet here)’, as to have caused Zidane to do that. Watch as he wheels around and goes straight for the chest. Whatever it was, it had to have been the greatest bit of trash-talk in recorded history.

I mean, with the exception of Marcelo Balboa, how many things actually make you want to slam your head into another man’s sternum?

Case of the Mondays (Wednesdays): Kobayashi eats a lot of hog dogs, wins again

July 5th, 2006 | Posted by PostmanR

Did we all have a nice long weekend of freedom loving, American flag waving, Roman candle lighting, wholesome Stars and Stripes fun? Good. Let’s get to it.

The jury may still be out on whether or not sporting folk consider competitive eating an actual ‘sport,’ but there ain’t no denying Takeru Kobayashi’s flat out domination of the annual Fourth of July hot dog eating contest at Coney Island. The Japan native wolfed down 53 ¾ hot dogs for his sixth straight win at the event, breaking his own record of 53 ½ dogs he set two years ago. American Joey Chestnut jumped out to an early lead but eventual lost it to Kobayashi, further proving Americans no longer dominate or win any sort of international competition.

Italy took down Germany 2-0 to reach the finals of the World Cup yesterday, netting two goals in the final couple minutes of the second overtime. Congratulations to Italy, who won a game without flopping or being the benefactor of a controversial call by the ref. I’m rooting for a France-Italy final on Saturday.

The MLB All-Star rosters were announced over the weekend. And of course, like every year, the squads weren’t based on actual statistics or stellar play in the first half, but rather on fan’s ineptitude at chad-punching and mouse clicking. But hey, this time it counts!

OK, good enough for me. I’ll be hitting you up with some more updates throughout the day.