Larry Brown Sports

The Celtics lost to the Thunder at home Wednesday night 109-104. Thunder forward Kevin Durant shined in the game with 37 points thanks in large part to a 15-15 performance at the free throw line. Although they lost the game it’s not like the Celtics played poorly; they shot 60% from the field. With such a high number like that you have to wonder how they even lost the game. That’s exactly why Celtics forward Kevin Garnett was so pissed after the game. The free throw disparity between the squads was glaring — Oklahoma City got to the line 34 times while Boston made it there just 17 times. This difference led to Kevin Garnett dropping an f-bomb after the game. Here’s the video thanks to our friends at Reds Army (warning language NSFW):

I know Doc Rivers felt the same way as KG and essentially asked the media to blast the officiating so that he’d avoid a fine for criticizing the refs. Doc, love to help you out with this one but unfortunately I didn’t catch the game. Sorry.

Sources:
KG drops an F-bomb on Comcast [Reds Army]

The Phoneix Suns clinched a spot in the playoffs Tuesday night with a win over the Chicago Bulls. This was a heartbreaking loss for the Bulls as it pushes them a game and a half out of the NBA playoffs. Although the Bulls have been playing OK lately, it still grinds my gears that the possibility of them making the playoffs exists.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not directing all my anger at the Bulls; I want to direct it at the NBA. We’ve frequently complained about the NBA playoff seeding system and asked why they don’t re-seed teams. Additionally, how does a system exist that allows a team like the Bulls who are under .500 with 35-39 record to have a chance at winning an NBA title? Why should they be able to make the playoffs? Frankly, I don’t think they have deserved it. The loss of Joakim Noah for most of the season certainly has hurt the team and they haven’t seemed to be able to get a good rhythm going. So please tell me why they should make the playoffs?

Contrarily, the Suns are quite deserving of their playoff spot given their 48-26 record. I think the NBA really needs to revise the playoff system including the amount of teams allowed to participate in the postseason. The way it stands, if a team like the Bulls with that crappy record has a chance at the playoffs then something is wrong with the system.

Sources:
Bulls playoff hopes on fumes now [ChicagoNow.com]

Second time’s a charm? After declining the Nats offer to throw out the first pitch in their season opener last year due to a busy schedule, President Barack Obama has decided he’ll do the honor at the Washington Nationals home opener on April 5th against the Phillies. This event will mark the 100th anniversary of a president throwing out the first pitch to start the season. The first time was in 1910 when President William Howard Taft did so.  MLB commissioner Bud Selig seems to be happy with the news:

“I am proud that President Obama will continue the long presidential tradition of throwing out the first pitch of opening day in Washington, D.C.,” Selig said.

I think it’s kind of cool that Obama is continuing the tradition. From fighting for a college football playoff to throwing first pitches, it’s pretty fun having a sports fan in the White House.  The only problem is now people are questioning Obama’s allegiance to the White Sox because of it. That’s just stupid — of course he’s a White Sox fan! I’m sure many people who throw out the first pitch at games are not necessarily a fan of that team but they can’t pass up the amazing opportunity (although I’m pretty sure Obama could just tell any team he wants to throw out the first pitch and there would be no argument).

Anyways, I don’t think anyone could sit here and tell me that if a team that you weren’t really a fan of called you up and said “Hey, so we would love if you would throw out the first pitch at the game on Sunday” that you wouldn’t jump at the chance. I would. I won’t reveal who my team is but let’s just say this … I’d do it even if the Cubs asked me.

Sources:
Obama to throw out first pitch in D.C [Washington Post]

Pete Gillen famously mused that Duke is “on TV more than Leave it to Beaver reruns.” Perhaps his statement should be amended to say, “Certainly Duke is Duke, they get more favorable draws and favorable calls than anyone,” because that’s how I feel after seeing the Blue Devils advance to their latest Final Four. Give the Blue Devils credit for having an excellent regular season and winning four games in the tournament but I can’t get past a couple of issues.

The first issue is one about which I complained on Selection Sunday and many times before — Duke got a favorable seed and favorable draw. They were the third number one seed — ahead of Syracuse despite the Orange’s undisputed more impressive resume — and they somehow avoided the top two number two seeds in Ohio State and West Virginia. Not only did they receive a struggling Villanova team in their bracket (losers of five of seven entering the tourney), but they also got Purdue as their four seed — a team that struggled to score once they lost Robbie Hummel to a knee injury. The NCAA took care of their part, Duke did theirs.

The second issue is one that tipped the South Regional finals game in Duke’s favor — favoritism from the refs. Although I felt like the game was called evenly the first 35 minutes or so, three calls in the final five minutes helped take the ball out of Baylor’s hands and give Duke more opportunities for victory. Let’s go over each one.

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At the end of the Michigan State/Tennessee Elite Eight game in St. Louis, the Spartans faced a decision. Raymar Morgan was at the free throw line with his team up 70-69. There was 1.8 seconds left on the clock and Morgan was preparing to attempt his second free throw. The question was whether Morgan should try and make the free throw to give the Spartans a two point lead or if he should miss it. The logic behind intentionally missing the free throw was that Michigan State could either claim the rebound and hold on for the win or there could be a mad scramble for possession that lasted 1.8 seconds, giving Michigan State the win without Tennessee ever having a crack at a Hail Mary. Because Tennessee was planning to call timeout had Morgan made the free throw, the only scenario with an upside was missing the shot intentionally.

Morgan missed, Brian Williams of Tennessee rebounded and called timeout, allowing the Vols a chance at a miracle three. They missed badly and Michigan State got the win. Tom Izzo unquestionably made the right decision here because the only scenario presenting an advantage for the Spartans was having Morgan miss — which he did. Although the outcome wasn’t what Michigan State hoped for, it was still the right move. Even Kansas coach Bill Self agreed with the move afterward on CBS saying it’s a 90% chance Tennessee winds up shooting a three so that second free throw doesn’t matter — might as well try and miss to run off the 1.8 seconds without giving the Vols a chance to win. Self knew that, Izzo knew that, heck even I knew that, but there’s one person who didn’t agree with the move; he’s a man with a basketball pedigree and a coaching background — he’s Steve Lavin. Here’s what the former UCLA coach said on ESPNEWS when asked to break down the decision (keep in mind, the play was running on TV as he talked so he gave a little play-by-play too):

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West Virginia pulled off the unthinkable by beating top-seeded Kentucky in the East Regional finals on Saturday night. Because Kentucky was the favorite having lost just two games all season, the Mountaineers players were in an extra celebratory mood following the win. What better way to show off what you accomplished than by ridiculing your slayed opponent? As I learned via Diamond Leung at the College Basketball Nation Blog, some of the West Virginia players began mocking Kentucky by doing the John Wall Dance — a bicep flex and twist that the Kentucky freshman popularized. Luckily for us, The Big Lead found a video of the celebration for us to see. Here’s the video of the West Virginia players doing the John Wall dance and skip to the :45 mark for the fun:

Although I like to see players win and lose with class, I can understand why they want to celebrate an achievement. You just better make sure you can take it before you can dish it. That memo goes for LeBron James, Shawne Merriman, and LaDainian Tomlinson, amongst others.

Sources:
West Virginia yuks it up all night long [College Basketball Nation Blog]
Da’Sean Butler and John Flowers of West Virginia Do the John Wall Dance After Beating Kentucky [The Big Lead]

A couple of the best athletes in the world in their respective sports got together on Saturday afternoon for a challenge. Tennis player Andy Roddick hit a few balls with Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade, who then showed him what’s up in the classic playground game of HORSE. The two played in Key Biscayne where Roddick had an off-day for the Sony Ericsson Open and where Wade was also off in preparation for his game Sunday against the Raptors in Miami. Wade said he hadn’t handled a tennis racket since high school. Judging by the looks of things, I would have guessed kindergarten. He also let Roddick get up H-O-R to H in the basketball session before resorting to athletic moves to win it. Check out the video of Andy Roddick and Dwyane Wade playing tennis and HORSE:

Pete Sampras was always lauded for his ability to dunk and as we can see Roddick is a pretty good athlete too. Though they get overlooked because tennis is not a contact sport, many of these players are outstanding athletes. Obviously Wade is an awesome athlete too, it’s just that tennis is much harder to pick up without much practice. Especially when you’re being asked to return Roddick’s ridiculous serve.

Sources:
Andy Roddick to play doubles for Chilean earthquake relief at Sony Ericsson Open [The Miami Herald]