I learn something new every day....

or perhaps with every bet I take (in other words lose.) After watching Game 1 of the Lakers-Jazz series on Sunday, I figured that the Jazz would be a solid play in Game 2. The Lakers had gone to the free throw line an astounding 46 times in Game 1, and made an impressive 38 of those attempts. America's favorite basketball player and (alleged) rapist made 21-23 himself! That's 38 free points and they covered by 2 in the last minute.... fast forward to Game 2 at the Staples Center on Wednesday night. There's no way they are getting to the line that many times again, right? Especially not with David Stern (a shining beacon of everything that is fair and just in sports) sitting in the stands?

Well, they didn't get to the line 46 times in this game - only 43. Their counterparts from Mormon Country went to the charity stripe a paltry 16 times. That seems fair. For those keeping score at home that is now an 89-46 free throw attempt advantage for the Lakers so far in this series. And it's only been 2 games! I understand the Lakers are quicker, I understand that the Jazz commited more fouls than any team in the NBA this season, and I understand that a handful of those FT attempts came at the end of the game when the Jazz were intentionally fouling to stop the clock. That doesn't excuse the NBA from blatantly cheating to get the Finals they want: Lakers-Celtics. I wish they would just skip this whole sham that is the NBA Playoffs and go right to the NBA Final(s). These other rounds are just a waste of time.

Ed or Jeff - can I put up this prop for the next Lakers home game:

Free Throw Attempts:

Lakers -17.5 (-135)
Opponent +17.5 (+115)

Let the kids bet into that one.


( Yes, I did have money on that stupid game. Why else would I be so annoyed by it? I just wanted all 4 of you to know what a garbage league I think the NBA is )


I have to apologize for not blogging since Sunday. I'm sure many of you (especially Jeff who I know is secretly refreshing this screen every hour to read more of my "blurbs") were very disappointed. Here's the scoop: on Sunday night, young Jorgen came into work to pick up a book he left there. I won't say which book it was but I believe the target audience is slightly younger than say....the chicks my boy Mikey Millz was describing in his first blog entry. Anyways, Jorgie and I get to talking and he tells me that Amanda (yes, THE Amanda) has been reading my blog and I admit it - I froze. I knew I couldn't be coming back to the blogosphere with any more weak entries. Now that I know Amanda is reading I have to come strong each and every time I blog. Let's just say that I pulled up the Covers.com stat sheet before I made these picks. I'm leaving nothing to chance here, bros.

With that in mind, let's go to Thursday's card:

Marlins

Astros

Blue Jays

Stars

In the NBA, I figure that the league will want the Celtics to win (obviously) and I'm assuming they want the Spurs to win and take this Hornets series the distance so that The Rapist, er.... MVP, and his buddies will have a few extra days off before the Western Final(s). Unfortunately, I can't possibly bet on this crap Boston team which has to be the most overrated team I've ever seen so I'll just go with the Spurs tonight.


I have to go back to Jorgen for a moment here. ( I'm sorry, Chris. Taking Jorgen away from my readers is like taking parlays away from the kids. I literally get hate mail when I don't mention the guy. I know that was you, Jeff.... ) For those of you who have not taken the time to vote for Jorgen and Amanda's son's name, what exactly are you waiting for? I realize this is a big decision but a child's future is hanging in the balance here. Sure, this kid will be born with a silver spoon in his mouth, a result of his father holding a gaming degree that will likely lead to him running Harrah's within the next 6 months. But come on - it's Jorgen. I mean how would you feel if you came home and your father was reading a Harry Potter novel? (Sorry, Jorgen. It slipped out.) Things are going to be bad enough for this kid. At least he can have a great name like Gunnar. How about Gunnar Anders Yohnnson? Now that's a good name. How Swede it is! Please take time out of your day to vote for the name you like best and don't forget we are also accepting write-in votes at the bottom of the blog. Get out there and vote. Thank you.

I'll have more about the "Watch the Dodge Challenger 500 With Amanda Contest" in tomorrow's blog. Let's just say that she (and her lawyers) have been pretty unreasonable about the whole thing thus far.

Before I get to today's trivia question, I want to mention how impressed I was with a recent Andy Ross entry. You may remember Ross calling me out for "only" giving 4 teams detailed NFL Draft grades and then promising to grade all 32 teams. However, in a recent blog, Andy said that he is "lazy and just don't feel like it anymore...." Well done. One can't help but be impressed by that sortof blogging dedication.

Trivia Question For Thursday - Legendary Ohio State coach Woody Hayes was ultimately fired for punching an opposing player in the closing seconds of a loss. Which team were the Buckeyes playing and what bowl game was it in? Bonus point if you can name the player.

** Monday's Answer - Toby Bailey was the Most Outstanding Player of the 1995 Final Four. He was later drafted by the Lakers. I hope he was working on his free throws while at UCLA....


The NHL Playoffs return tonight, there are two games in the Lakers-Celtics Invitational, and my beloved Nasty Nats are in Houston, so you all have plenty of opportunities to....


Enjoy the game.