Archive for November, 2009

2009 Steelers: The Non-Closers Lose a Tough One To Ravens

Posted: 30th November 2009 by Chris Staaf in NFL
If the season ended today, the 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers could sum up their season in three words: failure to close. In Glengarry Glen Ross , Alec Baldwin's character says, "ABC: Always Be Closing." These Steelers failed to close once again, losing a tough one to the Baltimore Ravens 20-17 in overtime. For the fourth time this season, the Steelers blew a fourth quarter lead and lost the game. The Steelers, ...

Check My Watch: Why the Sixers Need To Bring Back Iverson

Posted: 30th November 2009 by Ross Romano in NBA
As a follow-up to my article from a few days ago debating whether or not retirement would be Iverson's final "Answer," I decided to quickly go over the reasons why the 76ers would be wise to bring A.I. back to Philly. While he has accumulated many detractors over the years and has already gone through one acrimonious divorce with the organization, I believe that if he agreed to return to ...

Steelers-Ravens: Arians Tries To Fit Square Peg Into Round Hole

Posted: 30th November 2009 by Lee Heisler in NFL
Well, the Steelers gave the Ravens a better game than most people thought they would. The defense made a few big plays, yet gave up a few big plays. The worst part was, once again, Bruce Arians and his play-calling. Several calls puzzled me, but what else would you expect from Arians? The thing that upset me the most was that Arians tried to make Dennis Dixon into a pocket-passer. The Ravens ...

Golden State Warriors: The Not-Quite-Ready-For-Prime-Time Players

Posted: 30th November 2009 by dan german in NBA
Last night was opening night at the theater.  Previews of the post-Jackson era Warriors were promising.  As the curtain rose and play began, it was clear the Warriors had assigned themselves the junior varsity role, trying to prove they belong. They were nervous Nellies for sure.  From the opening tip, the Ws were paddling like mad just to keep their heads above water, trying to stay in the game as the ...

Patriots-Saints: Monday Night Football Live Picks

Posted: 30th November 2009 by aaron james in NFL
Planning a Super Bowl party this year ? You might want to use this weekÆs Monday Night Football matchup as a good opportunity for a trial run, as we all could be watching a Super Bowl preview. The Saints (10-0) are in the midst of the best season in franchise history and the Pats, short of a fourth quarter choke at Indianapolis two weeks ago, seem poised to challenge ...

Thunder-Rockets: Oklahoma City Lets Lead Slip Away

Posted: 30th November 2009 by Casey Womack in NBA
Some losses are understandable. Some losses just drive you insane. This loss against the Houston Rockets is one where you go insane. The Oklahoma City Thunder had every opportunity possible to come out of the Ford Center with a victory.á The Thunder came out of the gates on fire offensively and was containing a very quick Rockets team.á The beginning of the game looked very similar to how they played against Orlando a couple ...

NBA Deal Winners: Top Teams To Get Lucky After Trading Away A Star

Posted: 29th November 2009 by Ethan McVansen in NBA
A lot of trades seem completely lop-sided. One team gets the huge All-Star, the other team ends up with a worn out veteran, a draft pick, or a young player who "could" turn out good. And sometimes, the teams on the bottom half of the deal get a big surprise. These are the top teams to get a little lucky boost from a trade that looks really bad on paper.Begin Slideshow

The New York Knicks: A Plan B for 2010 Free Agency

Posted: 29th November 2009 by Courtzide Seatz in NBA
It is common knowledge that the New York Knicks have strategically positioned themselves with an eye towards the free agency period of 2010. Starting at 12:01 AM on July 1st, the Knicks front office will undoubtedly be focusing of its attention on wining and dining their coveted prize in LeBron James. Nearly the entire current Knicks roster is comprised of players with expiring contracts, and after this season they will have ...

Struggling Red Wings Can Look To Unlikely Source for Inspiration

Posted: 29th November 2009 by Jim Balint in NHL
Sitting near the bottom of the division is certainly not where the Red Wings expected to be at this point in the season. Now is not the time to panic, however. They can look to a familiar foe for proof of that.   The off-season losses of Marian Hossa, Jiri Hudler, Mikael Samuelsson, Tomas Kopecky and Ty Conklin in addition to injuries to Johan Franzen, Valteri Filppula, Jason Williams and Niklas Kronwall ...

NBA Power Rankings: Suns To the Top, Mavs and Hawks Take Tumble

Posted: 29th November 2009 by The Daily Hurt in NBA
Ok, so it looks likeáI've just randomly inserted a photo of a hot chick, but hear me out.á I think it sums up lifeáfor theáPhoenix Sunsáright now. They are smokin' hot and it'sásmiles all aroundáandábesides, she's got much better hair than Steve Nash. The Golden State Warriors won only once this week, but it was a biggyùagainst the Dallas Mavericks who appear toáretain some mental scars from that 2007 playoff defeatáto Golden State ...