NCAA Bracket

Wow, it has been a while since I posted! I don't have much new commentary at the moment, so I figure I'd just post my NCAA bracket for this year. I promise I made this before the games started. Let's see how it holds up...


http://98.136.70.92/t1/viewprintbracket?tid=2017682&c=1&ts=1237966352&sig=ECqtAM4zw1sN5LqazVF2F9ubIXk-&uy=jkantonios%23bp

Shaq-tastic

Last months All-Star Game was more meaningful for one person than anyone else. In an extremely entertaining, and somewhat nostalgic way, Shaq stole the show and provided everyone with what seems to be his last hurrah. In an era where the NBA is presenting its rising stars in LeBron, Wade, and Howard, Shaq once again reminded us what he has meant, and what he still means to the NBA. No player was ever as funny or as original, and arguably, no player was as physically dominant. In the last few days Shaq has exploded for 45 and 33 points in the beat downs of the Raptors and Lakers (OK, not beat downs just dominant victories). Remember when that wasn't news?

Everyone seems to accept that Dwight Howard is the new Shaq. He has a great personality, a freak athletic ability, and great numbers. He even stole the nickname "Superman". But consider this: in his fifth year, Dwight Howard is averaging 20.5 points per game and 14.1 rebounds. Shaq averaged 23.4 points and 14 rebounds in his ROOKIE year! I know Shaq went to college, and blah blah blah, but my point is this: basketball fans (Laker fans especially) need to appreciate what they had in Shaq. So what would the league be like without Shaq. Just compare the 11 minutes Shaq was in the All-Star Game to the 37 other minutes without. Not as fun, is it?

Enjoy these classic Shaq videos:

All-Star 2009

All-Star Weekend is back again, and its time to make some last minute predictions:

Rookie Challenge: We all know this is all about Al Thorton vs. Eric Gordon. Nobody cares about Durant vs. Oden, right? The sophomores have easily won the last six years, but this year isn't going to be easy. Kevin Durant is their only serious offensive beast, and offense is all that really matters in these games. The team of Derrick Rose, and OJ Mayo is looking pretty good right now. Prediction: Rookies in an upset.

Shooting Stars: The most boring of competitions of the weekend really comes down to who can make the half-court shot first. The defending winners the Spurs are back, but no team has repeated in this game. Of the rest, I'm going for the hometown team. Prediction: Suns

Skills Challenge: Not as great a group as previous years (see Dwayne Wade vs. Lebron vs.Kobe, etc). The winner has to show the best balance of passing, speed and shooting ability. Derrick Rose winning would be super impressive, but the jump shot will give him trouble. Prediction: Tony Parker.

Three-Point Shootout: My favorite of the competitions, the three-point contest features three time winner Jason Kapono against a relatively weak field. His main competition should come from Rashard Lewis, especially from the corners. That's not enough. Prediction: Jason Kapono (again).

Slam Dunk Contest: The most anticipated contest of the night includes two previous winners, little Nate Robinson and Superman Dwight Howard. Robinson should never have won in the first place, and Howard could be the most entertaining player in the NBA. JR Smith is the sleeper in the contest, but lacked creativity last time he was here. Prediction: Superman!!!

2009 All-Star Game: Shaq is back! This years teams show a nice mix of young and veteran players, and will be entertaining as always. I don't care how good Kobe is, there is no way a team with Lebron, Wade, and Superman can lose. Winner: East MVP: Dwayne Wade.

Phelps Suspended and Loses Kellog

After the tragic incident of Michael Phelp's tabloid tale, Phelps is feeling the repercussions. USA swimming has agreed to ban Phelps from competing for 3 months. Phelps has also lost a major sponsor, Kellogg, who have decided to drop his endorsement because his actions are "not consistent with the image of Kellogg". This is not the first time Phelps has gotten in trouble with the public, or with the law for that matter. After his first Olympic run in 2004, Phelps was caught for drunk driving. Could this behavior be a release from 4 years of stress and training? Phelps responded by saying, "It's something that USA Swimming came up with. It's fair. Obviously, for a mistake you should get punished". Fair? What do you guys think?

Best of Spain

Best of London

Best of Paris

Here are some of the best moments from my trip to Paris. Check back later for more memories from Europe!

2008 Year in Review

Top 5 Sports moments of 2008:
Written by Joseph Antonios

5. Introducing Josh Hamilton! Baseball’s greatest personal story was headlined by the greatest showcase of power and hitting prowess ever televised. Josh Hamilton burst on the scene after battling drug addiction, to become a Christian, turn his life around, and hit 28 home runs in one round of the Home Run Derby.

http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200807143136482

4. Superman! One dunk can do a lot of things. This one alone resurrected the Slam Dunk Contest, and solidified Dwight Howard as a showman and superstar. Kenny’s reaction says it all:



3. Mr. Big Shot. Tiger Woods at his best. Even with a torn ACL, Tiger came through with a performance even he called his “best”. I was personally rooting for Rocco, but this is special:



2. The Catch. To be honest, I didn’t even know who David Tyree was before this catch, but I sure do now. You’ve gotta give Eli Manning credit for that amazing escape, but the use of the helmet was brilliant. Not only is it the best Super Bowl catch ever in the best Super Bowl ever, IT HELPED BEAT BOSTON!!!



1. He Just Can’t Lose. This wasn’t the record breaker, and it was the only race in which Michael Phelps did not set a world record, but boy, was it exciting. It kept the world’s greatest swimmer on course for 8 gold medals, and provided a finish the greatest digital technology couldn’t fully capture (and it increased our Gold/Medal count).



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Honorable Mention:
Justin Timberlake at the ESPY’s. Enjoy.