Show Recap - Wednesday June 09, 2010

With the Lakers on the verge of choking away a 17 point lead and possibly the entire series…you all know what Game 3 means in the 2-3-2 format when the first two games are split…someone had to step up and take the heat off of Kobe Bryant who had already left it all on the floor. And that someone was the same guy who has done it time and time again in these spots. The same guy Laker fans have been trying to run off for the last couple of years; Derek Fisher. Fish isn’t young. He might not be able to stay with slicker, quicker point guards, but this cat is a straight up Warrior. Fearless, clutch, and as strong a leader as the Lakers have ever had. He single-handedly finished that game and may have kept their chances alive for another ring. This guy has hit some monumental shots and made some enormous plays in his career but has never come bigger than he did last night, hitting 5 of 7 shots, a huge free throw and helped harass Ray Allen into an 0-13 night. I’m on record as... More »

You know what you’re going to get from Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol; but that alone won’t beat Boston. Other guys have to pick those two up. And as mentioned, Derek Fisher did in a big way. But outside of Kobe, the real X-factor is Lamar Odom; so often, they go as he goes, but the problem is, you never know how he’ll go. He doesn’t even know how he’ll go. Only that he didn’t in the first two games and if L.A. was to have any shot at a ring, he had to show up last night. And he did; you knew early on, good Lamar was in the house. He had good energy, and that 12 and 5 he finished with may as well have been 28 and 10 considering what it did for L.A. The question is; what got him going last night; it’s the question we’ve all asked a million times in this town. If he or we could answer that, they’d probably never lose.

Photos: Game 3 Highlights

But I think we may... More »

I guess I’m going to have to be the one guy to throw a wet blanket on this Stephen Strasburg party. The one person to say, the guy’s not going to retire right now, nor is the Hall of Fame going to waive the mandatory waiting period so they can swing open their gates and build him his own wing. I guess I’m going to have to be the one to dial down all the hysteria and remind everyone that it was just one game. One game, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Who am I kidding?

Photos: Pro Debut And Minor Leagues

This Cat is filthy. He’s disgusting. Revolting, really. Nothing lives up to the hype. And no one has been more hyped. And Strasburg just exceeded it. The guy just struck out 14, walked none, didn’t allow a single fly ball out, and did it in front of a jammed yard, 200 media members who were there just to see him and the rest of the world watching. That was 7 innings... More »

If you’re the Chicago Blackhawks, and you’re looking to close out Philadelphia, in their house, in Game 6, the last thing you want to do is anger or motivate anyone on their team, let alone Chris Pronger. And they haven’t. But their hometown newspaper just did. They posted a full page of Pronger, photo-shopped with a figure skating skirt and the headline, Chrissy Pronger.

Photos: Chris Pronger In 2010 Stanley Cup Finals

Whoa?! Are you kidding me with that? Calling a man, a Woman’s name? Demeaning to female athletes generally and insulting to Pronger individually. And Chrissy no less. Stay classy, Chicago Tribune. Are you a major metropolitan newspaper or a mad magazine? I mean, who do you think you are? Me?! Trust me, I’ve been down this road, and it doesn’t end well. You’d think you’d learn from the mistakes made by those who came before you; but if you’re... More »

Info & Stats: UFC Light Heavyweight | Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion |

Photos: Sugar Rashad Evans

Topics: UFC 114 against Rampage Jackson | Bad blood between each other | It was important to beat Rampage | Why he and Jackson don’t get along | Rampage is already making excuses about the way I fought | I didn’t want to let my coaches and friends down | I would have been depressed and in hiding if I had lost | Jackson’s punch in the 3rd | Putting on a show during the fight | Sometimes the fans don’t even know why the are booing | You can never please them all | I would fight Rampage again | Chuck Liddell | Dana White not wanting Liddell to fight anymore | Why did he get into MMA | Psychology degree | Fight against Shogun Rua |

Info & Stats: General Manager Of Washington Nationals

Topics: Stephen Strasburg’s debut | World Series type of atmosphere | Strasburg is the best amateur pitching prospect we have ever scouted | Very impressed with the command on his fastball | Strasburg’s mind | Minor league helped Stephen read bats and swings better | Strasburg was embarrassed by all of the attention surrounding him | Strasburg is just one of the guys, great kid | Quick Study | Bryce Harper | Harper’s character | Harper’s tools and skills | Bryce has had some lapses and acted like a 17 year old but is a very religious kid | You have to go with your gut

Info & Stats: Hall Of Fame Sports Writer | Co-Author of “When The Game Was Ours” | Columnist For ESPN.com

Topics: 2010 NBA Finals | Derek Fisher | Fisher is one of the guys you love to cover | Kobe has said D-Fish may be the toughest player he has ever played against | Kobe and Derek’s relationship | Bryant and Fisher are the two Lakers that don’t get nervous | Her sit down with Kobe Bryant | Bryant loves the game | Kobe went on and on about Michael Jordan | Kobe is fierce | Bryant’s language is a little salty but controls it very well in public | Kobe wants to be liked | LeBron and Magic are well liked by everyone | A-Rod | A-Rod admitting to steroids’| Working for the Globe back in the day | Tutelage under Will McDonough and Bob Ryan | Is “Sad” on how much the business has changed | Newspapers are the watch dogs of this world |