Indy 500 Wrap Up

The wreck that lost the race for JR and me. 

Spent most of the day listening to the race and while I wasn't there, I could get the feeling it was quite the race.  My family had picked out drivers from a hat, and I thought I had a good shot to win it. Until...Mr. Hildebrand decided to take the fourth turn too fast, and wreck.  How in the world do you do that?  When the checkered flag is waving, you know you have that last turn to make and you're leading the 500 that you probably weren't supposed to win??  This is now the second time I can say that I was so close to winning the family pool, but luck wouldn't have it.  I remember still to this day!! that in 1992 Scott Goodyear was so close to winning that there needed to be a review of the finish so the track officials could declare a winner. Also that year the high was 58 I believe, and it was a cold day for May.  Yesterday obviously was not cold as my arms will tell you.  It was yet another hot day at the track, and congrats to Dan Wheldon who ended up winning just by being at the right place at the right time.  There's no denying that will be a finish people will talk about for years to come, and maybe JR will make up for it by winning a 500 race next year.  Or just winning a race.  Good luck to him!

On the Sidelines with Matthew and Stephen 7- Racing to the Finish

On the Sidelines 7- Racing to the Finish

Welcome to the usual barrage of sporting news!  This weekend we'll talk NBA Finals, NHL Finals, Indy 500, and some MLB.  Also there's a story that had Scottie Pippen calling Lebron James better than Michael Jordan!!  Really Pippen??  Who is going to win the Indy 500?  What team is making a push in baseball?  Who will win the NBA Finals, and who needs to win more in the NBA Finals Dirk or Lebron?  And finally who will take Lord Stanley's Cup?  All of these questions will be answered in On the Sidelines with Matthew and Stephen!

NBA Finals Preview:
Mavs Heat

Scottie Pippen Says Lebron Better Than Jordan?
Did Pippen Really Say This?

NHL Stanley Cup Finals Preview:
Canucks Bruins

Indy 500 Preview Page:
Let's Go Racing!

Staring Grid for the Indy 500:
Who Will Take the Checkered Flag?

MLB News:
Standings
Power Rankings

Tweet Me!

sajamie81@yahoo.com

Indy 500 Pole Day Quickie

Fun times at the track yesterday walking around taking in the sights. I loved seeing Danica get bumped from the field and having to qualify for the race today.  Didn't like seeing Marco Andretti get bumped because I would love to see him win the whole thing.  Can't believe in his rookie race he got to second and almost won.  That was a pretty cool moment.  Helio ended up in the middle of the field, so no three peat as pole sitter for him.  He didn't seem too pleased with that run either.  Ed Carpenter, an Indy guy, definitely got one of the biggest ovations I've heard for a race driver.  He had a great run and he's racing for Sara Fischer's team, so I'm thinking that could be a reason as well.  Dario Franchitti ended up in the first row, last year's winner.  Alex Tagslini ended up as the pole sitter, and gets to lead the pack come lap 1 of 200 on next sunday's race.  It should be a good battle, and I'm excited to see who will take the checkered flag.  I love the memories of sitting around the garage here at home and listening to the race on the radio.  Picking out drivers and seeing where they ended up.  It's such a great day to be a Hoosier.  This is the 100th anniversary of the race so an extra reason to end up listening to the race or going to it.

On the Sidelines with Matthew and Stephen - Fast and Furious Edition

On the Sidelines 6

With Stephen heading out to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway today for Pole Day fun, I wanted to make sure I got the podcast up and running early this morning. Things to talk about are the conference finals. A tale of two games in my opinion. Also another ruling with the NFL. And some baseball news to cover. Another action filled sports week!

NBA News

Heat Bulls    Thunder Mavericks

NFL News

AFC SOUTH Flash Points

MLB News

MLB Standings    MLB Power Rankings

OTHER News

Macho Man Randy Savage Passes Away

Game Ones of the Conference Finals Thoughts

Wanted to give some of my thoughts after the first games of the conference finals.

Let's start with the Bulls and Heat. They will play game 2 tonight, and we'll see if the Bulls can keep up their dominance on the boards. They overall outplayed the Miami Heat. The Heat just never looked that into it. I was wondering what kind of letdown would the Heat have after beating Boston. They really took a lot into that series, and we will see if they can bring it back tonight. Derek Rose led the way like an MVP should for the Bulls with 28 points. Taj Gibson had two highlight dunks that you will probably keep seeing this playoffs season and probably in later highlight reels. The Bulls just dominated that fourth quarter putting up 31 points in it. They took over with about 7:00 minutes left in the third quarter when it was tied, and never looked back. I'm a bit surprised the Bulls took over the game as much as they did, but the depth of Chicago is better than Miami's depth, so maybe it's not that big of a surprise. Bosh was able to FINALLY step up and he led the Heat in scoring. So if the Heat can get Wade, Lebron, and Bosh all putting up points, they will have a chance to steal game two, and then it's all even in Miami.

The other side of the bracket was the Thunder and the Mavs. Dirk was perfect from the free throw line shooting 24-24. I don't even think I could go perfect from the free throw line in my front yard shooting by myself. He was able to do it in his home arena in a game one of the conference finals. He also put up 48 points cancelling out Kevin Durant's effort of 40 points. I didn't think the Thunder had anyone to really match up with Dirk, so it won't surprise me if he puts up 40 points again. He's got such a long wingspan that he can shoot over just about anyone. Durant tried to will his Thunder to a win, but it wasn't happening this night. The Thunder weren't totally out of it, but they never felt that close. Hopefully the Thunder can pull it together since they are my pick to make it to the NBA Finals. But this Mavs team really looks good especially after taking out the dreaded Lakers and really showing up in this game one. I won't change my pick, but something tells me this Mavs team will end up taking this series, and it might not be that close.

NBA Conference Finals

We are at the conference finals stage of the NBA playoffs.  Oklahoma City and Memphis had a good seven game series. I'm actually surprised Memphis took it to seven games especially after Oklahoma City took Memphis out with that big loss in game five.  But the Thunder pulled out a good win today in game seven, and head off to take on the Mavs.

The Mavs and Thunder should be a great series. I've been saying I'm taking the Thunder to the Finals, so I'll stick with that pick, even though the Mavs look awesome.  Dirk could possibly be the best player right now.  He's showing up and putting the Mavs on his back.  Him and Durant should have a good battle going on.  This might end up going seven games, and I'll say Thunder with the series win.

The other match up will be "self anointed" champs the Heat will be taking on the Bulls.  The Heat have lots of momentum after taking out the Celtics.  That was a series the Heat had to win just to give them that confidence booth in my mind.  Lebron has been really good in this playoffs.  Him and Wade are really working together to get the Heat to where they are.  I was originally going with the Bulls, but like I said after they took out the Pacers, I'm not rooting for them.  Even though I don't want to totally root for the Heat, but I'll take the Heat in six games. I think Lebron will be the force he can be in this series. Wade will be able to help take over the games as well.  The Bulls will put up a fight as long as Rose keeps playing out like he should be playing.  Boozer has to step up if the Bulls want a chance to make their mark in this series.  Heat will take it, and it should be an interesting conference finals.

On the Sidelines with Matthew and Stephen 5

On the Sidelines 5

We have a game 7 to talk about in the NBA Playoffs.  The Eastern Conference Finals are set between the Heat and the Bulls.  Who are you picking?  Does it matter?  Have the Mavs already won this all?  Larry Bird will come back to the Pacers organization.  Doc Rivers is still going to be the Celtics coach.  Lots of NBA stuff to talk about.  Michael Vick will address some graduates??  Packers want to retire number 4.  Two NFL stories that caught my eye since not much else is happening in football.  Baseball gets another no-hitter.  Those are just becoming common place now.

NBA NEWS
Heat Bulls
Doc Rivers gets 5 year extension
Lakers looking for a coach
Warriors looking for a coach
Bird to stay with the Pacers

NFL NEWS
Michael Vick to Speak to Graduates
Packers want to retire 4

MLB NEWS
MLB rankings

Other NEWS
INDY 500

More NBA Playoffs Thoughts

You know who is thanking the NFL for the lock out??  The NBA.  They can get all the press, and I think this playoffs have been great.  I did have more of a rooting interest with the Pacers in it, but overall the matchups and the rounds have been pretty competitive and a few surprises along the way.

If you would have told me the Mavs would sweep the Lakers, and they would flame out as BAD as they did, I would have just laughed.  Even with admitting that I hate the Lakers, I thought they could turn up their games, and bring it to the Mavs.  I thought it would be a hard fought 7 game series, when it reality, there was 2 competitive games and 2 pulling away games.  Not sure where to even start with game four.  The Mavs were on fire from three, and Jason Terry really showed off his shooting touch. I couldn't believe the way it ended with Odom just putting a forearm into Dirk, and Bynum doing what he did.  It's a good thing Barea didn't get hurt on that stupid play by Bynum.  It's one thing to make a hard foul, a whole other thing looking to just take someone out.  Granted it was pure frustation, but you can't do that anyways.  So now the Mavs will wait for the winner of Oklahoma City and Memphis winner, which looks like it might go 7 games.  

After a long 3 OT game, the Thunder have tied their series with the Grizzlies, and Durant and Westbrook led the way.  This has been an entertaining series with the surprising Grizzlies taking it to the Thunder in two of the games, and just running out of gas in game 4.  Looks like Zach Randolph found a team that wants to keep him around as well, and he's playing up to that contract.  Marc Gasol is playing like the better Gasol brother.  And Memphis is just doing the little things to make it a series.  It will be interesting to see next season how this team will do, but for now they can enjoy the playoffs, and like I've said before, I look for the Thunder to take the series.

Next up we have the Hawks and Bulls.  Just when I thought the Bulls were taking control after game 3, the Hawks come in and control the next game.  For being a number one seed, the Bulls are getting all they can handle from the Pacers in the past series and the Hawks in this series.  Jamal Crawford has turned on his game.  Jeff Teague, a Pike High School guy, has came in for the injured Hinrich, which I thought would give the Hawks problems.  But he's come out and scored 21 points into two of the games. I still think the Bulls will pull out the win for this series, but will they be ready for the Heat?

Yes, it looks like the Heat will come out of their series with the Celtics.  Lebron can put away the Boston demon this year.  Even with Rondo's heroics in game 3 popping his elbow back into place, I'm not sure the Celtics have enough left to go with the Heat.  The Heat just look like the tougher team, one that is definitely more athletic, and the team that the Heat envisioned when Lebron signed there. A future blog will talk about the more athletic NBA game now as I was listening to Mike and Mike in the morning and they were discussing that.  Definitely something to think about.

So that's my thoughts as we head into crunch time for the conference semi-finals.  What do you think about this year's NBA playoffs?

On the Sidelines with Matthew and Stephen- NBA Playoffs are still rocking.

On the Sidelines with Matthew and Stephen

On the Sidelines with Stephen and Matthew- Mavs Sweep Edition?

Another action packed time with Matthew and Stephen.  We're talking the NBA playoffs, lock out in the NFL, baseball stuff like the no hitter, and other random stories that are interesting in the world of sports.

NBA NEWS:
PLAYOFF LINKS
Celtics Heat    
Hawks Bulls    
Mavericks Lakers    
Grizzlies Thunder
OTHER NBA NEWS:
Derrick Rose Wins MVP
Free Agent Scenarios for NBA teams

NFL NEWS:
Lockout Story
JaMarcus Russell: A year later

MLB NEWS:
No Hitter News
MLB Power Rankings

Other Random Stories:

Kentucky Derby Runs today- Most exciting minute in sports?


Donald Trump Out of the pace-  AJ Foyt will be driving the pace car at this year's Indy 500.

Game One Thoughts of the Conference Semi-Finals

Another interesting mix of game ones.  Definitely surprising along the way.

It started out with Thunder and Grizzlies on Sunday afternoon.  The Grizzlies definitely outplayed the Thunder, which I'm sure caught them by surprise.  Zach Randolph surpassed his career high and finished up with 34 points.  Kevin Durant tried to hold his own with 33 points.  But the Grizzlies just outhustled the Thunder, and are showing they are for real after beating the Spurs.  This should be a wake up call for Oklahoma City, and they should be ready to go tonight and I'm going with Thunder by 10 tonight.  Durant will have his usual game, and Westbrook should come around to show off his game.

Next game up was the one everyone is most interested in, Heat and Celtics.  This almost feels like it should be a Conference Final with the winner going to the NBA Finals, but we get this series now, and it looks to be a great one.  This game one was important for the Heat to win, so their psyche didn't get hurt. I think it was even more important for Lebron to will his team to this win since Boston has his number.  But it was Wade leading the way for the Heat in this game, and he finished up with 38 points.  That probably helped take some pressure off Lebron because I know this has to be in the back of his mind.  Just like Jordan had to get through the Pistons to earn his stripes, Lebron will have to go through these Celtics to prove himself.  Game 2 is tonight, and I think we'll see some of the same effort from both teams.  I think it will get even more physical after Pierce got the boot out of last game, and these teams just have some intensity built up in this series.  This is what the NBA should be all about.  Guys going out there, and giving it their all, and not worried about being all buddy buddy with each other, but that's another discussion.

Now we're at Monday night.  Two games up that definitely are intriguing.  The Hawks at the Bulls up in Chicago.  And the first ever meeting between Dirk and Kobe, Mavs at Lakers.

The Hawks take the first game of the series from the Bulls in a game that Joe Johnson showed he's becoming a closer type for them.  He put up 34 points shooting 12-18 AND 5-5 from three point land.  So much for John Hollinger's pick of the Bulls in 4 games.  Looks like this Hawks team wants to get out there and show they're for real.  One of the stories coming out too is that Derrick Rose might have tweaked his ankle.  Who knows how much this series could change if Rose is hurt by that ankle.  The Hawks went on a 15-2 run in the third quarter to put themselves in good position to win this game.  They shot 51% from the game, which is always a good ingredient for a game one upset.  Just reading online, it looks like Rose will be announced MVP today, and the trophy will be presented tomorrow night at game 2.  Will he show up and play like a true MVP in game two, and will the Bulls show they want to put away this Hawks team?

The final game one was another anticipated match up. I hadn't realized the Mavs and Lakers hadn't played each other in the playoffs with Dirk and Kobe on their respective teams.  Seems like these two teams always make the playoffs, but usually the Mavs flame out, and the Lakers move on.  That's probably why we haven't see this matchup.  But the Mavs didn't choke out last night even after being down 16 points, and Kobe had a chance to win the game, but has missed his past 5 game winning shots in the playoffs.  Sign of things to come?  Dirk put his team on his back and had 28 points and 14 rebounds.  He also hit a shot to put the Mavs ahead. They take game one in LA, a place they have struggled to win in.  Can the Mavs keep this going or will the Lakers show up and get to their usual home in the Finals?