Happy Wednesday everyone, here's my Top 5 for June 8, 2011 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
- The Dallas Mavericks have evened the NBA Finals with Miami at two games apiece after last night's 86-83 win in Dallas.
- The Stanley Cup finals resume tonight in Boston, and it might not be pretty. Nathan Horton of the Bruins has been lost for the series after a cheap shot caused a severe concussion. The guy who hit him, Aaron Rome, "coincidentally" got suspended four games. So he's done too. An eye for an eye.
- NBC has won the rights to remain the Olympics network through 2020.
- NFL owners and players reportedly held secret talks in New York.
- Tiger Woods will miss the U.S. Open.
- Knicks fans can only hope. Isiah Thomas is supposedly on the list of coaching candidates in Detroit.
2. Not Like Mike
For those who love to argue LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan, last night was a killer for the King. James scored just eight points in Miami's game four loss. Just eight. Tweeters are having a field day. I received one early this morning that simply read, "Michael Jordan never had 8 points in a finals game." Heck, he never had 8 points in any playoff game. His playoff low is 15. Deliciously ironic is the movie trailer currently running for the Cameron Diaz (yes I know, reports of splitsville with A-Rod may have been premature) movie Bad Teacher show actor Jason Segel arguing with a kid about Michael vs. Lebron. Enough said.
3. Bush League
Talk about making a name for yourself. Hotshot Washington minor leaguer Bryce Harper hit a long homer for Hagerstown in Class-A ball. Instead of hustling out of the batter's box, he stood and admired it forever. If that wasn't bad enough, as he neared home, he blew a kiss to the opposing pitcher. It seems Harper had been hit in the leg by a pitch the day before. Here's a scoop for Bryce, keep this up, and they won't be aiming at your leg next time. In football, when somebody carries on like an idiot after a touchdown, they say "act like you've been there before." Here's a corollary for Harper. If he hopes to make the bigs, "act like you belong."
4. Sports Violence
Continuing yesterday's discussion on collisions at home plate, I have to wonder if violence might be legislated out of sports entirely? Rightfully, head shots are being penalized. But with so many calls to change the rules at home plate, where will they draw the line? No hard slides into second either? In football, the rules have drastically changed to protect the quarterback. The phrase "in the grasp" is laughed at by old time players. "In the grasp?" they grumble, "put 'em in dresses!" Are we looking at a future in pro sports where it all resembles flag football?
5. Poor Teddy
You probably know about the Presidents Race at Washington Nationals baseball games? Every game, Abe Lincoln, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Teddy Roosevelt race in the fourth inning. Poor Teddy has never won. But finally, at long last, Teddy finished ahead of the pack.
Teddy was the winner, but he was promptly disqualified for riding a Segway. Unfortunately in presidents racing, you're not allowed to "ride softly but carry a big schtick."
Today in Sports: The Brooklyn Dodgers get rid of Tommy Lasorda to make room for some pitcher named Sandy Koufax. 1955.
Bonus Event: The Mick has his #7 retired on Mickey Mantle day at Yankee Stadium. 1969.
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