Monday Morning Mehta 4/11/05

Edition # 114
April 11, 2005

http://www.mondaymorningmehta.blogspot.com/

Masters on CBS

For the first time ever, MMM leads with Golf. This is a tell tale occasion, as golf is bigger and better than ever, and in large part due to the 'return' of Tiger Woods to dominance. Woods had to fight off Chris DiMarco on the back 9 and the first playoff hole to win his 4th green jacket. Tiger now has two more majors than Phil Mickleson, Ernie Els, and Vijay Singh COMBINED. Tiger is back, and there is no rivalry. Poor Chris DiMarco will only be the answer of an obscure trivia question along with Bob May (who Tiger beat in the PGA Championship playoff a few years back).

The much ballyhooed showdown with Phil Mickleson never happened and I'm not sure ever will at this point. The body language I saw from Lefty on Sunday told the whole story. Phil looked like the player from 2001-2002 all over again as he looked like he knew the outcome of the tournament before the final round even began. Everyone in the field besides DiMarco played the same exact way.

More importantly, I picked the Masters winner for the second consecutive year. To boot, I've predicted the Super Bowl teams and the National Championship winner in March Madness.

Anyway, as for the golf, Tiger Woods chip and run birdie on the 16th hole was probably the greatest golf shot I've seen. Just the drama of the whole situation was unreal. Unfortunately, the bogey-bogey finish on 17 and 18 took a lot away from that and can't make it an all timer. Chris DiMarco had a chance to trump that shot on the 18th in regulation but his shot lipped the cup and spun out.

Next major isn't until June and the US Open but you'll definitely hear talk of grand slam. Tiger's winning the British again for sure (it's at St. Andrews, his favorite course in the world), so if he wins the US Open he's got a real shot at the grand slam.

Baseball

Phillies go through an eerily similar to last year 3-3 week. Quick points:

The hitting looks like it will be much more consistent than last years.

Charlie Manuel had a bad week managing. His moves on Friday cost the Phillies a game. Bringing in Billy Wagner in the 8th inning in April may seem to be dangerous, but the heart of the order was up to plate and there's no reason not to with the plethora of off days in the early season.

Chase Utley should be playing 2nd base every time there's a righty pitching for the opposition. Placido Polanco and David Bell should be splitting time. Bell is awful.

I've said this for years so it isn't about the fact that he's hot right now. Just put Pat Burrell at the 4 slot and leave him there. They really need to break these lefties up for the long run. (This upcoming series is a great example as the Marlins only have one lefty in the pen).

Mike Lieberthal may really need to get benched for Todd Pratt. As MMM basher John Miller says, the teams ERA is much lower when Pratt's in the game. There are specific moments where I truly scratch my head at some pitch calls by Lieberthal.

Not saying he's an ace at all, but Jon Lieber throws strikes (which I love) and gets groundballs. Not walking people will get you a long ways in this day and age of baseball. He's already 2-0 and there shouldn't be a reason he doesn't win 15-18 games this year. He does have a 20 win season under his belt.

Huge series with Florida on tap. The Phillies have had terrible luck against the fish the past few years. They also need to gain some positive momentum so that the fans can at least get a little excited.

NFL

The Terrell Owens fiasco is pretty much the talk of Eagles fans these days. With the draft looming in a few weeks, Owens and his agent Drew Rosenhaus has requested the Eagles give him a new contract. While most people will think it's ridiculous, I just think it's a mere ploy that I really don't mind Owens using, as long as he doesn't miss any training camp. I could care less about the mini camps. Here's my point: If NFL teams don't have to abide to contracts, meaning, they can cut a player at any time with no money given to the player, why can't a player do the same? I understand this will cause mass bedlam around the league and I'm not saying that I want that to be the case. But does it really hurt to ask and try?

NBA - Derreck Sura

- The Sixers had a great week (3-0) that culminated in coming from 13 down (after blowing a 21 point lead) to win in Washington without Allen Iverson and Chris Webber. Philly (39-37) is in 7th place in the East (holds tiebreaker over Cleveland) and only 2 losses out of both #6 and/or the Atlantic Division lead. The Sixers picked the right time to go on their longest winning streak of the season (4 games), but they still have to be careful as they are only 2 losses away from missing the playoffs. The team is playing with effort, intensity, and enthusiasm every game right now. Coach Jim O'Brien's defensive scheme usually gives teams problems when executed properly, and this is where Philly's work ethic has really been paying dividends (holding opponents to 43.2% shooting during current winning streak). This week brings: Boston, Miami & @Indiana (B2B), @New Jersey. With only 6 games remaining, this week will most likely decided the Sixers' fate. That's why it's imperative that AI (day to day with sprained thumbs) and C-Web (probable on Tuesday) are back and contributing. Going 2-2 this week (beating the Celtics & Nets) should be enough to secure Philly's post season berth.

- As we enter the final full week of the regular season, I though it would be a good idea to run down all the meaningful games involving two playoff contenders. (BTW, DirecTV is offering 'League Pass' for the rest of the year for only $49.)

Monday

Cleveland @ Orlando - These two clubs have been in a free fall ever since firing their coaches (Cavaliers
5-7, Magic 4-8). This is a "must win" for both teams, but probably more so for Orlando because they are 4 losses out of #8 with 6 games to go. Cleveland needs it too because New Jersey is breathing down their neck. My pick: Cavs.

Detroit @ Chicago - The Bulls catch the Pistons on the second night of a B2B, and with Detroit's penchant for taking games off, this one has "let down" written all over it. My pick: Chicago.
Memphis @ Dallas - Something hasn't been right with the Grizzlies lately, even though most of their key players are back (not Stromile Swift & James Posey). The Mavericks, on the other hand, have all of their players back, and are rounding into form. My pick: Dallas.

Houston @ Seattle - These teams have split their season series 1-1 so far, with both games being decided by 2 points. This will be an interesting contest to watch because it could be a potential first round match up. My pick: Rockets.

Tuesday

Boston @ Philadelphia - The Sixers are 3-0 against the Celtics this year, and this is for the old "two game
swing" in the standings. If Philly wins, Boston could start to feel the noose tighten around their necks, and maybe choke up their Atlantic Division lead. I can't imagine there's any way Allen Iverson won't play in this game, and this is supposed to be Chris Webber's return too. My pick: Sixers.

Wednesday

Chicago @ Washington - The Wizards have been struggling mightily as of late, and the Bulls play better defense and are more disciplined on offense. My pick: Chicago.
Orlando @ Detroit - If the Magic are still alive at this point, this will be another nail in their coffin. My pick: Pistons.

New Jersey @ Indiana - The Nets could be 1 loss out of #8 before this game. Even with that motivation, I'm impressed with the grit the Pacers have been playing with over the last 3 weeks. That's why I really expect this to be an extremely competitive playoff-type atmosphere contest right from the opening tip. If you can find a way to, I highly recommend tuning in for this one. My pick: Indy.

Memphis @ Houston - This is a tussle between two pretty evenly matched teams jockeying for position in the West. I expect this one to have playoff intensity, and be decided by which team's guards play better. My pick: Grizzlies.

Dallas @ Seattle - If the Sonics were 100% healthy this would be a very entertaining game to watch. As is, the Mavericks just have too many weapons for Seattle. My pick: Dallas.
Thursday

Miami @ Philadelphia - This is supposed to be Shaquille O'Neal's first game back after missing 3 with a viral infection. That does not bode well for the Sixers. My pick: Heat.

Friday

Cleveland @ Washington - This tilt pits two young teams with no playoff experience against each other. Not to mention that they could be separated by 1 game or less at this point. I'm interested to see if LeBron James has enough, at 20 years old, to will his team into the playoffs. My pick: Wizards.

Miami @ Boston - The Heat will be on the second night of a B2B here, so if the Celtics have a hot shooting game, Miami could be in trouble. My pick: Heat.

Philadelphia @ Indiana - This will be a very winnable game for the Sixers. The question is, will they have enough energy in the 4th quarter on the second night of a B2B to finish against a fresh and resilient Pacer squad? My pick: Indy.

Orlando @ Chicago - I can't imagine that the Magic will still be in contention here, but if they are, the Bulls will finally put them out of their misery. My pick: Chicago.

Memphis @ Denver - The schedule maker was very unkind to the Grizzlies, but they do have the depth and play a style that matches up well with the Nuggets. Find this game on TV if you can, because it should be very entertaining to watch. The team that wins the battle in the paint takes this one. My pick: Denver.

Saturday

Denver @ Houston - These teams should still be right next to each other in the Western Conference standings as this point. Couple that with a national TV audience on ESPN, and this one will have more then enough intensity to go around. My pick: Rockets.

Memphis @ San Antonio - This is the end of a brutal 4 game road trip for the Grizzlies, and the second night of a B2B. Tim Duncan should be back in the Spurs' lineup by this game. My pick: SA.
Sacramento @ Phoenix - This will be the second night of a B2B for both of these clubs, and the outcome will depend a lot on what kind of game each team played the night before. Expect a fun to watch, high scoring affair, with lots of runs on both sides. My pick: Suns.

Sunday

Cleveland @ Detroit - The Cavaliers would normally have no business winning this game, but they will need this one far more then the Pistons will. Which should give Cleveland a chance to keep it interesting. My pick: Detroit.

Indiana @ Miami - The Pacers are 3-0 against the Heat this year, winning every game in overtime. I think Miami will have some pay back in mind here. My pick: Heat.

Seattle @ Minnesota - I suppose there's an outside chance the Timberwolves won't be eliminated by this game. If they are still alive, the Sonics are depleted enough to make this an interesting contest. My pick: Minne.

Philadelphia @ New Jersey - This is going to be a virtual playoff game for both of these squads. Do or die. Make or break. You name it, this one will have it. The Nets lead the season series 2-1, so there will be more pressure on the Sixers. If you are any type of Philly fan, you better be watching this game. My pick: Sixers!

- Now for my least favorite segment of the week. Playoff contenders with injury problems.

Houston (46-31) - Juwan Howard is gone for the rest of the year with viral myocarditis (a heart infection). He's not even allowed to be physically active for 4 to 6 months. This is a huge blow to the Rockets as I see it. They just don't have anyone else on their roster that brings what Juwan did to the table. Houston may still be able to get out of the first round depending on the match up they draw, but even that's not the lock it once was. Forget about them going any further then that.

Orlando (35-41) - Grant Hill's season ended after 67 games due to a bruised left shin. It was Hill's left ankle that caused him to miss most of the previous 4 seasons, so management is erring on the side of caution to keep Grant's stride in balance. While Steve Francis is the Magic's most talented player, Hill was their MVP this season. Grant did so many little things for Orlando, that it's no coincidence they fell out of the playoff chase after he went down for good. Hill is never going to be the player he once was, but as long as he stays healthy, he can be a very good 2nd or 3rd fiddle that is able to produce without dominating the ball.

Chicago (44-32) - The Bulls lost promising rookie Luol Deng for the rest of the year with a torn ligament in his right wrist. Chicago has kept on winning in his absence, but he did start 45 games for them, and was developing into a nice lock down perimeter defender. The Bulls aren't as deep without Deng, but obviously they have enough depth to maintain. Chicago also announced that the battery of tests performed on Eddy Curry this past week for his irregular heart beat were inconclusive and that he will now undergo further evaluation by a group of specialists in Boston and in Minnesota. Curry's return is totally up in the air right now, and while I'm not a huge fan of Eddy's overall game, the Bulls need his low post scoring to have any shot in the post season.

Cleveland (39-37) - Zydrunas Ilgauskas dislocated his right ring finger last Tuesday against New Jersey, and may not return until this Friday. This is a devastating blow to the Cavaliers playoff aspirations. Big Z was an All-Star this season and had been putting up 17.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg, and 2.2 bpg. No one else on Cleveland's roster is going to be able to pick up that slack. I don't want to question the severity of the injury, his heart, or mental toughness, but I think Z needs to suck it up and get out there for the final 6 games of the season. Just his presence in the paint to block a few shots (left handed) or grab some rebounds would be enough, because LeBron James and Drew Gooden need his help.

Memphis (44-32) - James Posey is day to day with a bruised right hip, and Stromile Swift is eligible to come off the injured list today after doctors corrected the problem that was causing his irregular heartbeat. These two guys play key defensive roles coming off the bench for the Grizzlies. Posey usually guards the other team's best player or hot hand, and can hit an open 3. Swift is an energizer and shot blocker that can finish on the break. Memphis really needs these two to return as soon as possible with their harsh upcoming schedule.

Seattle (50-26) - What started off as such a promising season is deteriorating with a quickness for the Sonics. Antonio Daniels is now day to day with chrondomalacia, or an imbalance of the muscle strength in his left kneecap. This is something that has plagued AD throughout his career, and he says it should be fine with some rest. Danny Fortson is also day to day with a sprained left shoulder. While both of these guys should be fine for the playoffs, Seattle is now missing 4 players (Rashard Lewis & Vladimir Radmanovic) from their original 9 man rotation, and the playoffs are not exactly the prime time to get reacquainted.

Top 10
1. San Antonio (3)
2. Phoenix (1)
3. Miami (2)
4. Dallas (4)
5. Detroit (5)
6. Denver (7)
7. Houston (8)
8. Chicago (9)
9. Sacramento (-)
10. Memphis (10)

NHL Week in Review By: Ed Wasser

- I was about 99% of the way finished this week's attempt to entertain you all when I thought I should give at least a quick look to see if there's anything new in the NHL CBA negotiations worth writing about. So I go to NHL.com and the headline story is about 'goalie-cam' debuting on next year's NHL TV broadcasts. Huh? Who gives a rat's ass?!?!? What about the negotiations? Is there going to be hockey next September or are the players going to wear 'goalie-cam' when they drive their kids to school? The NHL website should have detailed information about every second of every negotiating meeting. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman studied at the foot David Stern, you think David Stern would allow that to happen? HELL NO!!! If anything use the website as a propaganda tool and make jackasses like me think that this strike is a temporary bump in the road and it's on the brink of being settled even if it's not. The NHL just never ceases to amaze me. I mean goalie 'FREAKING' cam!!!! Unbelievable.

- MMM subscriber Tom West e-mailed me last Monday asking my opinion on changing sports allegiances after moving to a different city. Tom was a lifelong resident of Philadelphia but two years ago he got a job as a scuba scrubber cleaning out the tank of the giant South American Sea Monkey at the National Aquarium and it required him to move to the Washington D.C./Baltimore area. Right now the Nationals are a new baseball team, well....not really, and getting in on the ground floor as a fan could be incredibly satisfying if they turned the corner and became successful down the road. The Phillies on the other hand...well, they're the Phillies. Sure most of us fell in love with the Phillies in the late 70's and early 80's when we thought their streak of winning seasons would never end but then the team was bought by Donald Sterling, I'm sorry I mean Bill Giles and company, and staying a fan in the face of the overwhelming amounts of failure became a daunting task, but alas, a necessary task. You see I too was faced with the question of switching allegiances. In my life I've lived significant amounts of time in 4 places....Miami, Fla., Weehawken, NJ, Pelican Bay Prison in Crescent City, Cal., and of course Philadelphia, Pa. The only time I was tempted to change teams was when I lived in Miami. There was no temptation in Weehawken because I would sooner clean a port-a-potty with my tongue then root for any New York or New Jersey team. Plus all my roommates in Weehawken were from Philadelphia. I moved to Miami in 1989 and Dan Marino was in his prime. I mean PRIME!! Watching Marino week in and week out was really a thrill. But it wasn't that thrilling, not like the Eagles. I was also living down there when the Panthers were born and I lived close to where they practiced. It was pretty exciting, but it wasn't the Flyers. You see, when you're born and raised in Philadelphia the 4 major teams are like your wife. Well, I guess the team you like the best is like your wife and the other 3 teams are like your mistresses, but they're all super hot. I mean HOT like Elisha Cuthbert in 'The Girl Next Door', HOT like Christina Milian in 'Love Don't Cost A Thing', HOT like Maria Menounos in 'One Tree Hill', HOT like....well, you get the idea. And when you chose to root for a team that's not from Philadelphia that team is like some old bimbo with 2 kids from Ohio that you hook up with on the beach while you're on vacation in Clearwater, Fla. Sure it can be fun, especially if you've been boozing, but ultimately you'll want to stick with your wife and 3 mistresses. Philadelphia is called 'The City of Brotherly Love' for a reason. You can fight and argue with your family and friends, they can drive you to the brink of insanity, but at the end of the day who else you gonna hang out with? That also goes for the Phillies, Flyers, Eagles, and Sixers. So Tom, you can have your affair with the Nationals, you can even be as happy as a sea monkey when they win...but you'll be back. Being a Philadelphia sports fan is in the blood and it can never, ever, EVER be cured. EVER!!!

- Speaking of living in Miami. A little background....in the late 70's and early 80's the New York Islanders were the best team in hockey. They won 4 Stanley Cups in a row and pretty much rolled through the competition like a hot knife through butter. During that time the Islanders chief rival were the New York Rangers. The raucous crowd at Madison Square Garden had a particular hatred for flashy Islander defenseman Denis Potvin. The MSG crowd would chant at deafening levels 'POTVIN SUCKS!!', a revolutionary and risqué chant at the time. Remember that this was back before NHL tickets weren't $100 each and average blue collar guys could afford to see NHL games. So Denis Potvin retires in 1988 and enters the NHL Hall of Fame in 1991. In 1993 the Florida Panthers were born and Denis Potvin gets hired to do the color commentary for their TV broadcasts. The first time in franchise history the Panthers played in Madison Square Garden I'm watching the game on TV and it's like it's 1982 again. The crowd sees Potvin in the Panthers' TV broadcast booth and they started chanting 'POTVIN SUCKS!! POTVIN SUCKS!!' Then the Rangers started losing late in the third period and the chant really, REALLY started getting loud. 'POTVIN SUCKS!!! POTVIN SUCKS!!!' I remember as clear as day thinking that was one of the reasons New York fans are great. 5+ years after Potvin's retirement, 5+ years after Potvin last stepped foot in Madison Square Garden, and the crowd still holds a grudge. Fast forward to last week. Reggie Miller was playing his last ever game at Madison Square Garden. Miller was introduced before the game and the MSG crowd starts showering him with applause. As the game started coming to an end, a game in which the Knicks were crushed by the Pacers 97 - 79 incidentally, the crowd starts to lovingly chanting 'REG-GIE!! REG-GIE!!' What the hell is going on around here!?! Are you telling me the people of New York are getting soft? Reggie Miller and the Pacers have caused the Knicks tons of grief over the years, including tons of playoff grief. Are they saying all is forgiven? I think the Knicks and Rangers sucking for so long is turning the atmosphere at the Garden like the atmosphere at a Broadway musical. How great would it be to hear the Knick fans chant 'REGGIE SUCKS!! REGGIE SUCKS!!' as a send off to Miller? Some might think...poor Reggie, like he's an abandoned dog. Not me. Rest assured that one thing is certain, that would never happen in Philadelphia. Never, ever!! Just ask Troy Aikman what happens to him when he comes to Philadelphia to broadcast NFL games for Fox.

- Vijay Singh is a cheater. He was caught altering his scorecard during the 1985 Malaysian PGA Championship, he lied about it, then blamed his caddy, and was subsequently banned for life from the Asian Tour. Singh was also banned for life from the Australian Tour because he borrowed $500 from tour president Ray Graham and refused to pay him back. In the 2000 President's Cup Singh had his caddy Paul Tesori wear a hat that had 'TIGER WHO?' written on the back while he and Tiger were playing partners. Just wanted to give you some background about Vijay Singh before I go on.

- So Clemente ran last Tuesday, it was his first try at the mile distance with David Mello in the cockpit. When the race started David got Clemente toward the front of the pack and remained there for the majority of the race. When they made the turn for home...well, we all had so much hope. Clemente was lying second when he just TOTALLY ran out of gas. He went from second to sixth in about 5 strides. Sixth is where he finished the race. David did all he could; down the stretch he put Clemente next to the rail with only race track between him and the finish line and when Clemente started to quit he whipped his ass like there was no tomorrow. So what's next? I thinking a drop in class is in order. Clemente needs a win. He's struggling tough so he needs to go up against some lesser competition.

The first ever MMM Point/Counterpoint!:

ED WASSER:
I've already spoken to MMM editor Saurin Mehta about the Vijay Singh/Phil Mickelson feud and I know a.) that he is also writing about it in this week's MMM and b.) his opinion is the direct opposite of mine. So consider this the MMM debut of point/counterpoint (he said as he turned his hat backward getting ready for a battle a la Stallone in 'Over The Top'). I'm sure you all know the story by now, last Friday at the Masters Vijay told PGA officials that Mickelson's golf shoes were leaving large spike marks in the greens. Of course Vijay, being a complete coward not to mention a person completely devoid of class, never discussed the issue with Mickelson face to face. Then when Mickelson was in the locker room he heard Vijay discussing the situation with some other players behind Mickelson's back which infuriated him and almost lead to a fight. According to the NY Post Mickelson needed to be physically restrained or else he would have beaten Singh's ass. This whole mess is exactly what's wrong with golf. So many things in golf that are done under the guise of being "for the good of the game" are just the rantings of spoiled punks. First of all Mickelson's 8 millimeter style spikes are used by a lot of tour players, especially in the rain, so the complaint was worthless and unfounded. Second of all, to make the complaint in the middle of a round is virtually unheard of in PGA golf. By the way...don't send me any e-mails about the other sports saying 'well in baseball they check pitchers for sand paper yada, yada, yada' or 'well in hockey they check sticks yada, yada, yada' because it's irrelevant. Those are complaints about illegal equipment, Singh was complaining about legal equipment. The PGA tries to make itself out to be a game for gentlemen, played by gentlemen. I mean they make the players wear long pants in the searing heat for crying out loud! There's you see is a higher calling and since they consider themselves to be above the fray this type of thing should never occur. Anybody that follows golf knows that Mickelson is one of the nicest guys on the tour, despite what you may think of his game the guy has charisma. But it's common knowledge that Mickelson DESPISES Singh with a passion. Guess what....Tiger, Mark O' Meara, and Tom Lehman all hate Singh too. And considering the fact that Singh has won an incredible amount of tournaments yet still has fewer endorsements than John Daly and Fred Couples I'd say that a lot of people in the general public hate him too. This was not a gamesmanship thing by Singh, this was a punk who believes the whole world is against him and a guy with absolutely no concept of how shockingly petty he would be perceived being a baby. It made my heart good to see Singh self destruct in yesterday's final round.

MMM:
I'm not going to defend Vijay Singh the individual. He's certainly done his share of idiotic things on the PGA tour, like last year when he ripped into Annika Sorenstam. Nonetheless I have no problem with any of this. First of all, the whole thing is completely blown out of proportion. Phil and Vijay played together yesterday and there didn't seem to be any 'additional' ill will at all. Secondly, this is what sports needs. I'm sick and tired of watching 'athletes' kissing the behinds of opposing players. When I grew up playing sports on the streets in da hood, word to your mother, you weren't friendly with your opponents. You hated them. You did anything and everything to throw them off. You didn't chum up to the opponent and have tea with them and ask them politely over crumpets. You shoved it in their face. This works the same for all other sports too. It kills me to see guys help players up in the NFL and pat them on the fanny or the helmet. So I guess my long winded point is, these guys get it. Tiger hates Phil and thinks he is too much a fan favorite (notice they didn't say a word to each other at the Green Jacket ceremony). Phil is jealous of Tiger's success. Vijay is hated by Tiger and Phil. Ernie isn't hated but he does his own thing for most of the time. It's great. They shouldn't be chummy. The bigger the hatred the bigger the rivalry.

Also, Vijay's lack of endorsements is because a.) he's 42 years old and b.) he's ugly as poop.

Comments:
saurinmeht@aol.com
dsura@peacehealth.org
ewwasser@hotmail.com