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Emotional Win with Dirk Nowitzki caught on Video

Denz — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 05:18:22 +0000

Although Miami Heat star Chris Bosh cried because he MISSED OUT on a chance to win a championship, it was a different story for Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki, as emotions ran TOO HIGH for the star, to the point where he couldn’t make it through the last three seconds of Game 6. He knows he’s EARN THIS CHAMPIONSHP, and finally can get the monkey off his back.

In most cases, you’d expect a player to celebrate a moment like this one by soaking in the moment on the court. However, an emotional Nowitzki declined a public celebration and ran off the court to gather his thoughts in the locker room with still 1.2 seconds showing on the clock. It was a very touching moment that the ABC TV crew was lucky enough to capture in the video above.

After the game, Dirk explained his walk off the court in an interview with ESPN’s Hannah Storm:

“I had to get a moment. I was crying a bit. I was a little emotional. … I actually didn’t want to come out for the trophy, but the guys talked me into it.”

LeBron could be better than Jordan?

Denz — Sat, 28 May 2011 06:22:19 +0000

Hall-of-Famer Scottie Pippen has added to Chicago’s pain as if the Bulls losing to Miami in the Eastern Conference finals wasn’t enough, by suggesting that LeBron James(notes) could be better than Michael Jordan. Pippen stirred the pot in an interview with ESPN radio on Friday morning, saying:

“Michael Jordan is probably the greatest scorer to ever play in the game, but I may go as far to say LeBron James is probably the greatest player to ever play the game. Not only can he score at will, but he keeps everybody involved. You have to be on your Ps and Qs because everybody is a threat to score when he’s on the floor. Not only that, LeBron James will dominate the game on the offensive end and he’s able to do it on the defensive end as well. He can get in those passing lanes and dominate the game.”

That set off an explosion on Twitter. Pippen responded first by posting, “For all of you that don’t know, I played the game you keep watching and cheering.” He softened his stance later, writing: “Don’t get me wrong, MJ was and is the greatest. But LeBron could by all means get to his level someday.”

Jordan and Pippen won six championships with the Bulls in the 1990s. James moved a step closer to his first title when the Heat knocked out Chicago on Thursday, setting up a matchup with Dallas.

Wade gives Sixers a headache

Denz — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 09:25:20 +0000

Too bad for the Sixers, for anyone who wanted some drama in the series, that Dwyane Wade went from getting headaches to giving them. In a brilliant performance that conjured up images of his 2006 NBA Finals, the freeze-frame moment for Wade and the series came in the fourth quarter of Game 3. Miami up six. LeBron James misses. Ball bounces high off the rim. Wade bounces high off the floor.

With a grab and a powerful dunk, Wade essentially slammed any notion that the Sixers or his own physical hiccups will shut him down anytime soon. If ever, after spending Game 1 dealing with the initial stages of migraine symptoms, then Game 2 rusty from missing practice, Wade stepped out of his fog and Miami can now visualize the East semi-finals in the distance.

There wasn’t a spot on the Wells Fargo Center court that he didn’t cover in the 100-94 win. He scored 32 points, after scoring a combined 31 the first two games, some from mid-range, but also by challenging the Sixers inside and putting his body at risk. Six of his 10 rebounds were offensive as the Heat loaded up on second helpings. And he came two assists shy of a triple-double.

If there was any doubt, witness what happened when Wade fell hard to the floor in the first half, right on his shoulder. He grimaced, rose slowly and kept holding his arm. Strangely, the Heat never signaled for the trainer. It was almost as if they knew Wade was OK. And he didn’t ask for the trainer, either.

Actually, Wade seemed determined to make the night his night, as if he had to make up for the previous two games. He played the decoy in those games, passing the ball, making sure to get Bosh involved, feeding LeBron on the break. But also because he had little choice but play a supporting role. The energy and the timing just weren’t there.

Whenever Wade plays, you’re not sure whether to exhale, not only because he can steal your breath with his speed downcourt and ability to improvise, but because he always seems to be an injury risk. The crash-landing on his shoulder only enhanced that reputation. But as usual, Wade simply brushed it aside.

Hatton handed controversial world-title clash

Denz — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:50:45 +0000

According to the latest Sports News, Matthew Hatton is to fight Mexico’s Saul Alvarez for the vacant WBC light-middleweight title on 5 March. The 29-year-old Hatton, younger brother of former world champion Ricky, will step up from welterweight having made two defences of the European crown.

Hatton, who is expected to fight in California, said: “This is fantastic news. Every kid that laces up gloves dreams of becoming a world champion.” The WBC belt was recently vacated by Philippine legend Manny Pacquiao.

Hatton has won 41 of his 47 fights since turning professional in 2000 while the unbeaten Alvarez, 20, has stopped 26 of his 35 victims since turning professional at the age of 15. Hatton’s last fight was a third-round stoppage of the previously unbeaten Swiss fighter Roberto Belge last November.

Europe won, the Team of the Year award

Denz — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:50:54 +0000

According to the recent sports news, Europe’s Ryder Cup team have been named the Sports Personality Team of the Year after their success at Celtic Manor. The 12, captained by Colin Montgomerie, regained the historic title by beating the United States 14½-13½. Team USA led 6-4 after the first two sessions during a rain-affected event before Europe fought back to gain a 9½-6½ advantage going into the singles. Europe won when Graeme McDowell clinched victory on the 17th against Hunter Mahan in the last singles group.

The European team also included Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer, Ian Poulter, Ross Fisher, Francesco Molinari, Edoardo Molinari, Peter Hanson, Luke Donald, Padraig Harrington and Miguel Angel Jimenez. Montgomerie was backed up by five vice-captains – Jose Maria Olazabal, Thomas Bjorn, Paul McGinley and Sergio Garcia.

The match, which had to be concluded a day later than scheduled due to heavy rain at the Welsh course, went down to the wire. The score was tied at 13½-13½ with only Ulsterman McDowell and Mahan of the US left on the course. McDowell, who won the US Open in June, knew he had to win the match to stop the US from retaining the Ryder Cup. And he held his nerve, sinking a 15-foot birdie putt on the 16th to go two holes up with two to play and Mahan capitulated on the 17th, fluffing a chip to the green and eventually conceding the hole and match.

An emotionally drained Montgomerie said at the time: “This means the world to everyone involved in the European Tour. I didn’t hit a shot, yet it is a proud, proud moment for me personally. It’s an amazing feeling to have won. I’d also like to pay tribute to my vice-captains, because we wouldn’t have won the Ryder Cup without them.”

Pacquiao can fight 3 more years Roach said

Denz — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 12:34:01 +0000

Even if coach Freddie Roach earlier said he wanted his respected ward Manny Pacquiao to retire at the top of his game, he believes the Filipino champ can still fight for 3 years. He thinks Pacquiao really loves the game, and that the boxing superstar is unlikely to hang his boxing gloves soon. Roach said his ward would very much like to face Floyd Mayweather Jr. if the former pound-for-pound champ makes himself available.

Mayweather is facing “Sugar” Shane Mosley for the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight belt. Pacquiao is the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champ. “He wants a big fight against Mayweather if Mayweather beats Mosley, so he’s not going anywhere yet. I like to see Manny retire after Mayweather but even that won’t happen,” Roach said of his prized fighter.

Pacquiao’s adviser Wakee Salud earlier said it’s not yet time for the Pinoy champ to leave the sport, not without the Mayweather fight. As long as Mayweather is there, and they haven’t fought, it will be very tough for Manny to retire. There’s just too much money to be made in a fight against Mayweather, and with so much hype and attention the projected bout has generated, it just makes it more attractive. The purse will be huge. How can he retire? And aside from the money, the Mayweather fight is the fight that the people will ask for. Manny is a boxer, he’s a fighter. If he is called to a fight, he will fight Mayweather,” Salud told The Philippine Star.

‘Rampage’ Takes Split Decision At UFC 123

Denz — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 14:24:44 +0000

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson couldn’t solve the defensive wizardry of Lyoto Machida and deliver the knockout he wanted in the main event of UFC 123 on Saturday night, but he did enough to secure a split decision in a battle so close that Jackson said Machida deserved an immediate rematch.

The unusual concession came after three rounds of, at times, awkward fighting in what was billed as a clash of styles here at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Jackson, of Memphis, comes from an old-school brawling, wrestling background. He starred in last summer’s “The A-Team” as B.A. Baracus. Machida, of Brazil, is a karate-based counter attacker from Brazil. Both are former UFC light heavyweight champions.

Jackson chased Machida for most of the fight but only occasionally landed a heavy punch. Machida countered with some strong kicks and controlled Jackson on the ground during the third round, but it wasn’t enough. The judges seemed impressed with Rampage’s aggressiveness.

The fight was tense but hardly exciting, leaving the sellout crowd screaming for action. Sometimes contrasting fight styles make for an exciting fight. This was different, as neither fighter was able to display his typical offensive power. Rampage delivered on his vow to push the action during the first round, but breaking through the puzzling karate defense of Machida wasn’t easy. Neither fighter landed many significant blows.

The second round was more of the same, at times an awkward stand-off even though each fighter landed some powerful shots – Machida with kicks and knees, Jackson with uppercuts and right hooks.

Pacquiao goes distance to beat Margarito

Denz — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 09:05:11 +0000

Manny Pacquiao captured the vacant World Boxing Council super-welterweight title with a punishing 12-round unanimous decision over Antonio Margarito at Cowboys Stadium on Saturday night. Filipino hero Pacquiao won on all three judges’ scorecards as he put a savage beating on Margarito and extended his win streak to 13 straight fights.

Pacquiao has shown little sign of losing speed and power as he moves up in weight to fight bigger and stronger opponents, but he failed to score the knockout on Saturday. Even so, the bout didn’t turn into the same kind of dull affair as Pacquiao’s fight against Joshua Clottey at the same venue in March. Unlike Clottey, Margarito came to fight. He paid the price as he suffered a nasty gash under the right eye and had a huge welt that almost closed his left eye and ended up in the hospital after the fight.

Pacquiao dominated Margarito from the outset to capture his eighth title in as many weight classes. He is also the first Asian to hold four or more major world titles.

Johnson of Bulls transfer to Charlotte?

Denz — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 03:39:22 +0000

In his second NBA season, Chicago Bulls forward James Johnson has come out of the gate averaging four points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 12:41 minutes per game.

The word from ESPN is that the 2009 first-round pick out of Wake Forest may be taking those numbers to the Charlotte Bobcats. ESPN sources say a possible trade involving Johnson “has emerged.”

Also, the Bulls had been talking about bringing in free agent point guard (and Chicago native) Patrick Beverley to help fill a need on the roster, but ESPN reports that the team has “backed off” from that.

Most Hated Boxer in Mexico

Denz — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 02:04:26 +0000

It would be hard to blame Mexican boxing fans for disliking Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao. After all Pacquiao, who’s widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, has done a job on Mexican fighters over the years and hopes to keep it up when he takes on Antonio Margarito Nov. 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight championship.

The 31-year old southpaw has faced and beaten some excellent boxers since turning pro in 1995, such as Ricky Hatton of England, Joshua Clottey of Ghana, and Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico. But the most impressive by far have been Mexican fighters and those of Mexican descent. These include Oscar De La Hoya, Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, Jorge Solis and Oscar Larios.

Pacquiao has won three titles against Mexicans/Mexican-Americans. These include Hector Velazquez, David Diaz, and Marquez and Pac-Man has defended various championship belts against them including Emmanuel Lucero and Gabriel Mira. In fact, by my count, Pacquiao is 12-1-1 against Mexican fighters with 9 KOs.

Strangely enough, Pacquiao struggled a little against Mexican boxers at first, winning only three of his first five fights against them. He fought to a 12-round draw with Marquez and lost a 12-round unanimous decision to Morales in his fourth and fifth fights against Mexicans. He would avenge those decisions though. He fought Morales twice more and knocked him out in the 10th and third rounds — and beat Marquez by a split decision in a rematch.

In total, Pacquiao fought Barrera twice and beat him both times, beat Morales two out of three times and beat and drew with Marquez. He fought all the others just once and beat them all. Looking at the record book, it’s obvious to see that Pacquiao had the most trouble with Marquez and after 24 rounds of boxing there wasn’t a lot between them.

Interestingly enough, Pacquiao has never fought in Mexico, but has fought in areas that are well known for their Mexican influence such as San Antonio, Texas, and California. It’s safe to say his opponents had the majority of support when he fought in these locations and the same will probably be true when he takes on Margarito in Arlington.

If Margarito beats him, there’s sure to be a rematch, and if Pacquiao wins in an exciting and competitive slugfest we could also see a rematch. However, a dominating decision or KO by Pac-Man means this is probably just a one-off bout and Pacquiao will move on. It would be interesting to see him take on Marquez again in a third bout, but that could be a little difficult considering Pacquiao will likely fight at welterweight if he wins and Marquez is basically a natural lightweight.

So while it’s understandable Pacquiao may very well be the most hated boxer in Mexico at the moment, I’m sure all Mexican fans quietly respect him for his talents. Its unlikely Pacquiao will be looking for a Mexican opponent next anyway if he beats Margarito. We all know the Filipino is trying to get American Floyd Mayweather into the ring so they can finally determine who the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world really is.