Life In The Weeds

Kate Upton, not Caitlin Upton

Kate Upton is on a meteoric rise in the world of being a super model...

Last year, Kate was named the Sports Illustrated "rookie of the year" and now, the 19 year old was revealed as the cover girl for this years Sports illustrated Swimsuit issue.   If you Google Kate Upton and happen upon her web-page and then happen to watch the Guess? video opening video...well, let's just say my computer melted!  But, I digress...

While they look very similar, I was relieved to find out this is not the same girl as Caitlin Upton.  Remember Caitlin...Miss South Carolina from 2007?  She made quite a name for herself answering a rather basic question.  This video has been viewed over 53 million times...poor thing!

 

mj

 

 

The Patriots Win the Super Bowl

At least Dick's Sporting Goods thought so before last Sunday's Super Bowl had even kicked off.

Check out the below TV commercial that aired last Sunday around 1:00PM EST.

I totally get that they have the commercial in the bag - for both teams - but I would love to know who made the call to actually air this TV Spot.

 

mj 

The Model of Consistency

What do Kansas and Gonzaga have in common?

League Championships...and lots of them!

In today's super competitive world of collegiate basketball, these two teams have become regulars when it comes to winning league championships.  In the case of Kansas, they are looking to extend their streak to 8 titles in a row in the Big 12 and, for Gonzaga, they are looking to make it 12 straight in the West Coast Conference.

To put the two program's consistency into perspective, only three others have won or shared more than the past three regular-season championships in their leagues. NONE more than five.  Gonzaga's streak of 11 in succession rank second in Division 1 men's history only to the legendary run of 13 for the UCLA Bruins.

It looks like Kansas may keep the streak alive, but Gonzaga is somewhat on the ropes, although they made it interesting last night with a win over first place St. Mary's (#13) last night...they now are only one game behind in the conference.

Two very different schools, two very different conferences, two very different coaches...both are models of consistency.

mj

LinSANITY

Jeremy Lin is the new Tim TeBow.

Jeremy Lin is everything you want in a professional athlete.

Jeremy Lin is the Toast of the Town in New York.

Jeremy Lin is the NBA's first Asian American player.

Jeremy Lin is from Harvard, the first Ivy League player since 2002-2003 season.

Jeremy Lin is the only California high school player of the year to not receive a Division 1 scholarship.

Jeremy Lin is a 6'3" point guard...as a starter in the last three games, Lin is averaging 25.3 points and 8.3 assists

Jeremy Lin's Twitter account has added over 15,000 followers since Monday

Join the LinSanity!

mj

Super Bowl 2012

I did not get to watch the entire Super Bowl this year...I tuned in during the 3rd quarter and feel like I caught some great commercials.

Like most men, the Fiat commercial caught my attention...I almost ordered that dam car.

What really troubled me happened AFTER the game, during the build up to the presentation of the Lombardi Trophy...in fact, it was the wackiest, strangest scene.  We were forced to watch a former [obscure] player, Raymond Berry, bring the Lombardi Trophy to the presentation stage.

Raymond looked like the star character of the Walking Dead...slowly, shuffling through the Giant players as they touched the trophy...as if it was an urn filled with their favorite Uncle...

Check it out.

 

mj

Why Do All Men Hate Tom Brady

You tell me!

mj

Mamadou Ndiaye

You may not know this name, but maybe someday you will.

Certainly, you would notice Mamadou Ndiaye as he enters the gymnasium.  

At 7'5", you can't not notice him!

The 17 years old stars for the Huntington Beach Brethren Christian School basketball team and is taller than any player on a current NBA team roster.  As you watch him play against his opponents, it's quite laughable.  It's as if I "subbed-in" on my daughters 9 year old YMCA league...on 8' foot rims!  

 

Ndiaye's trek to the U.S. from Senegal is a feel good story. The first school he attended, Simi Valley Stonridge Prep, helped him get a student visa … and a physical examination, where they discovered he had a large tumor on his pituitary gland which was likely contributing to his rampant growth and also impinging on his sense of sight. Through charitable donations and one very generous couple, Ndiaye was able to get the tumor removed and appears to be quite healthy.

Remaining healthy (and injury free) will be the key for this young man...if he does, he'll become a very rich Senegalese NBA player.

mj

Shaun White = Perfection

At the Winter X Games, Shaun White is Micheal Jordan, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant all rolled up into one, premier athlete.  Not only has he dominated the Superpipe, but he pushes the limitations of the sport with each "run".  Even when he has the Gold Medal wrapped up, White never just takes a casual last run. Last night was no different, as he turned in a "perfect" performance, never seen before at the Winter X Games.

I did not get to see his performance live last night, but here is a description of what he accomplished...an 18-foot backside air, a 17-foot frontside double cork 1080, an 11-foot switch frontside double cork 1080, a 14-foot frontside cork 540, a 13-foot backside double cork 1260 and a 12-foot frontside double cork 1260 — the first back-to-back double cork in Winter X history.

If you are like me, maybe the video will help...because I don't understand any of the description above!

  

mj

Heroes and Goats

Last Sunday was a great day for NFL football.

Both the NFC (NY Giants and SF 49ers) and the AFC (Baltimore Ravens and NE Patriots) Championship games came down to the final moments before a winner was finally crowned.

Each game had their own heroes and goats - they were clear, even the most novice of football fans.  The Ravens kicker missed a "chip-shot" field goal to send the game into overtime, while the 49ers kick returner bumbled two key plays - one late in the 4th quarter and one in overtime - to allow the Giants to advance to the Super Bowl.  In each instance, those players will forever be linked to "causing" the demise of their respective teams.  I would be surprised if either player continues to play for their current team.

Fair - not so much...but that is the beauty of sport.  The agony of defeat cuts deep, reel deep.

We all have our favorite Heroes and Goats - I would say the barometer to achieve Hero or Goat status is whether or not the "moment" is identifiable just with ther name.  The ones listed below qualify, but I have provided a bit of clarity (just in case).

Hero:

• Michael Jordan - try to pick one moment
• Brandy Chastain - PK winner in the Woman's World Cup
• Christian Laetner - Game winner over Kentucky
• Kirk Gibson - Walk off home-run in the World Series
• Willis Reed - Hobling to the court at Madison Square Garden

Goat:

• Scott Norwood - Bills Kicker, wide left
• Bill Buckner - World Series gaff
• Leon Luft - Dallas Cowboy lineman who "tried" to recover the football v. Dolphins
• Patrick Ewing - missed layup in Game seven of his only NBA final
• Chris Weber - Timeout in Championship game (with no TO's remaining)

What are some of your favorites?

mj

 

 

It's gotta be the Racquet

Marcos Baghdatis was ousted from the Australian Open yesterday...he lost to Stanislas Wawrinka. Wawrinka is ranked 22 in the world, while Baghdatis has slipped to 45th in the world... so this was not an upset.

Baghdatis was clearly pissed with his loss and, as such, decided that his racquet's must pay the price for his performance.

Is it really the raquet?  I guess baseball players will blame their bat every once in a while, but this particular behavior - equipment violence - does not really apply to many other sports.  Or does it? 

 

mj