The MLS playoffs begin this week, and for the first time ever, Jaime Moreno will not be in the League when they do. In light of the League?s first playoff matches without Moreno, we spoke with some key figures around MLS about Moreno?s abilities as a player and his impact on the league.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Joe Thornton and His Minus-9 Rating
Filed under: Sharks, NHL VideosHeading into Wednesday's game against the New Jersey Devils, San Jose Sharks captain Joe Thornton is near the bottom of the NHL's stat sheet with a minus-nine rating, despite recording seven points in seven games.
Plus/minus, of course, is a severely flawed measurement, and it's not one I'm fond of using to evaluate individual players. But Thornton's early season mark has been a topic of discussion lately, mainly because he's typically north of plus-15 in a given season, and because all that ails the Sharks is usually considered Thornton's doing (Panic! Choker! Not clutch!) whether it's justified or not.
So what's behind the minus-nine mark so far? Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Plus/minus, of course, is a severely flawed measurement, and it's not one I'm fond of using to evaluate individual players. But Thornton's early season mark has been a topic of discussion lately, mainly because he's typically north of plus-15 in a given season, and because all that ails the Sharks is usually considered Thornton's doing (Panic! Choker! Not clutch!) whether it's justified or not.
So what's behind the minus-nine mark so far? Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Denny Hamlin Wins Again at Martinsville, Trails Jimmie Johnson by Six Points
Filed under: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Sprint Cup, NASCARMARTINSVILLE, Va. -- Denny Hamlin needed a long green flag stretch to get his No. 11 FedEx Toyota to run at its best, and he finally got that run during the final 100 laps at Martinsville Speedway, making the race-winning pass of Kevin Harvick on lap 471 of the 500-lap event.
The victory, Hamlin's third in a row at Martinsville, allowed him to pull within six points of Jimmie Johnson in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. It's the closest margin between first and second in the Chase since the playoff format was instituted in 2004.
Hamlin took the checkered flag by 2.318 seconds over Mark Martin, who made up two laps and was charging toward the front at the end. Harvick finished third after leading most of the later laps of the race. Kyle Busch finished fourth, followed by Jimmie Johnson.
It was Hamlin's seventh win this year and his 15th career victory. He's now won three in a row at Martinsville and four in all.
"We are back, baby!" Hamlin shouted on his radio as he crossed the finish line. "Awesome job! Great job of adjusting the car. It was the best it's been all day long. Pit crew, you did it right there. You got me out. Thanks, guys. Relentless, relentless job, guys."
In victory lane, Hamlin said, "I don't think I've ever closed that well, ever. We did not have a race-winning car until the very end. My pit crew got me from sixth to third before the last restart and that was the key." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
The victory, Hamlin's third in a row at Martinsville, allowed him to pull within six points of Jimmie Johnson in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. It's the closest margin between first and second in the Chase since the playoff format was instituted in 2004.
Hamlin took the checkered flag by 2.318 seconds over Mark Martin, who made up two laps and was charging toward the front at the end. Harvick finished third after leading most of the later laps of the race. Kyle Busch finished fourth, followed by Jimmie Johnson.
It was Hamlin's seventh win this year and his 15th career victory. He's now won three in a row at Martinsville and four in all.
"We are back, baby!" Hamlin shouted on his radio as he crossed the finish line. "Awesome job! Great job of adjusting the car. It was the best it's been all day long. Pit crew, you did it right there. You got me out. Thanks, guys. Relentless, relentless job, guys."
In victory lane, Hamlin said, "I don't think I've ever closed that well, ever. We did not have a race-winning car until the very end. My pit crew got me from sixth to third before the last restart and that was the key." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Rickie Fowler Came of Age in Ryder Cup
Filed under: Ryder CupNEWPORT, Wales -- Next to the Europeans, who may still be swigging champagne from golf shoes following their 14 ½-13 ½ victory over the United States on Monday at Celtic Manor, the week's biggest winner was American youngster Rickie Fowler.
The 21-year-old PGA Tour rookie, still without his first pro victory, was under a lot of scrutiny after being added to the U.S. team as a captain's pick by Corey Pavin. Now he's all but a given for future stardom.
The first PGA Tour rookie to ever play Ryder Cup competed in three matches, losing one and halving two to score a modest single point for the U.S. But his homestretch performance Monday in singles play was stuff that launches careers.
Down four to Italy's Edoardo Molinari early in the back nine, Fowler birdied the final four holes to tie the match and keep America's hopes alive in the next-to-last group to finish.
"Rickie turning that match around, birdieing the last four, was awfully incredible and very impressive," Tiger Woods praised. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
The 21-year-old PGA Tour rookie, still without his first pro victory, was under a lot of scrutiny after being added to the U.S. team as a captain's pick by Corey Pavin. Now he's all but a given for future stardom.
The first PGA Tour rookie to ever play Ryder Cup competed in three matches, losing one and halving two to score a modest single point for the U.S. But his homestretch performance Monday in singles play was stuff that launches careers.
Down four to Italy's Edoardo Molinari early in the back nine, Fowler birdied the final four holes to tie the match and keep America's hopes alive in the next-to-last group to finish.
"Rickie turning that match around, birdieing the last four, was awfully incredible and very impressive," Tiger Woods praised. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Timeline: Kasey Kahne's First Seven Years in NASCAR
Filed under: Kasey Kahne, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Sprint Cup, Gillett-Evernham Motorsports, Hendrick Motorsports, Red Bull Racing, NASCARKasey Kahne, who was released Wednesday night as the driver of the Richard Petty Motorsports No. 9 Budweiser Ford, came on the scene in 2003, when RPM was still Evernham Motorsports.
In the seven years since, he's racked up 11 victories, including an impressive six victories in 2006.
But Kahne was a lame duck at RPM, and he and longtime crew chief Kenny Francis had previously announced their intentions to race for Red Bull Racing in 2011 as a stopover point before Kahne's move to Hendrick Motorsports' No. 5 car in 2012. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
In the seven years since, he's racked up 11 victories, including an impressive six victories in 2006.
But Kahne was a lame duck at RPM, and he and longtime crew chief Kenny Francis had previously announced their intentions to race for Red Bull Racing in 2011 as a stopover point before Kahne's move to Hendrick Motorsports' No. 5 car in 2012. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
The Works: Getting Thrown Into the Fire
Filed under: 76ers, Heat, Magic, Timberwolves, Warriors, Wizards, NBA Videos, The WorksWelcome to The Works. Today, we suggest more items the Timberwolves should try to return and Rob Peterson pays tribute to the press conference stylings of Stan Van Gundy.
But first, is the league sabotaging its opening day buzz?
Hype Management 101
I understand the logic: fans have waited months to see the Miami Heat action; to get a glimpse of John Wall in a real NBA game; or savor any other offseason developments that we've been debating all summer. The league has to cash in fast, and early, on the season's starting bell, since interest goes on the wane after that first week or two, only to return in full force with the playoffs. Never is it higher than in that October Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday cycle. I don't like it that way, but it's a fact of commerce. Trust me on this: I've had two books rushed on the production side of things to feed this very beast.
And what better way for the league to trot out its flashy new toys than to put them up against some real competition? If the Heat are supposed to contend like no new team before or since, throw them at the Boston Celtics -- LeBron James's arch-rivals and chief tormentors. Plus, the former home of new Boston bigs Shaquille O'Neal (and Jermaine O'Neal, too).
Excited to see John Wall tear up the NBA like he did the NCAA? Let's put that kid to the test, and pit his hapless Wizards up against the excruciatingly professional Orlando Magic. Oh, and for good measure, we'll have Dwight Howard, reigning Defensive Player of the Year and perhaps the only guy in the league who can stop blazing-fast point guards, guarding the rim.
Certainly, this approach to opening week scheduling layers hype on top of more hype, to the point where we just might all explode or collapse from anticipation. But it's also a disaster waiting to happen. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
But first, is the league sabotaging its opening day buzz?
Hype Management 101
I understand the logic: fans have waited months to see the Miami Heat action; to get a glimpse of John Wall in a real NBA game; or savor any other offseason developments that we've been debating all summer. The league has to cash in fast, and early, on the season's starting bell, since interest goes on the wane after that first week or two, only to return in full force with the playoffs. Never is it higher than in that October Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday cycle. I don't like it that way, but it's a fact of commerce. Trust me on this: I've had two books rushed on the production side of things to feed this very beast.
And what better way for the league to trot out its flashy new toys than to put them up against some real competition? If the Heat are supposed to contend like no new team before or since, throw them at the Boston Celtics -- LeBron James's arch-rivals and chief tormentors. Plus, the former home of new Boston bigs Shaquille O'Neal (and Jermaine O'Neal, too).
Excited to see John Wall tear up the NBA like he did the NCAA? Let's put that kid to the test, and pit his hapless Wizards up against the excruciatingly professional Orlando Magic. Oh, and for good measure, we'll have Dwight Howard, reigning Defensive Player of the Year and perhaps the only guy in the league who can stop blazing-fast point guards, guarding the rim.
Certainly, this approach to opening week scheduling layers hype on top of more hype, to the point where we just might all explode or collapse from anticipation. But it's also a disaster waiting to happen. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Shriners Open Preview: Rickie Fowler's Chance to Shine
Filed under: PGAAs the PGA Tour enters the final two weeks of its season, players head to Las Vegas for the Justin Timberlake Shiners Hospitals for Children Open in what shapes up to be an exciting tournament.
The field, highlighted by 10 winners on Tour this season, will be taking dead aim at TPC Summerlin. This par 72, 7,243-yard course yielded 1,821 birdies a year ago -- the highest total of any tournament in 2009. Martin Laird, pictured right, recorded two eagles and 23 birdies on his way to a 19-under total and a playoff victory over Chad Campbell and George McNeill.
While both Laird and Campbell return to Las Vegas in 2010, much of this week's attention will be focused on rookie Ricky Fowler. The 21-year-old has enjoyed a breakout year with five top 5s and a top 25 standing on the money list. A win would make him one of the youngest winners on tour since Tiger Woods notched his first career victory at this tournament in 1996 at the age of 20.
If Fowler can pull off the win, he would be the 10th first-time winner in the tournament's 29-year history. And you have to like his chances. Fowler returns to his home course after finishing fifth in putting last year, so look for him to know use his familiarity with the course to get a leg up on the field. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
The field, highlighted by 10 winners on Tour this season, will be taking dead aim at TPC Summerlin. This par 72, 7,243-yard course yielded 1,821 birdies a year ago -- the highest total of any tournament in 2009. Martin Laird, pictured right, recorded two eagles and 23 birdies on his way to a 19-under total and a playoff victory over Chad Campbell and George McNeill.
While both Laird and Campbell return to Las Vegas in 2010, much of this week's attention will be focused on rookie Ricky Fowler. The 21-year-old has enjoyed a breakout year with five top 5s and a top 25 standing on the money list. A win would make him one of the youngest winners on tour since Tiger Woods notched his first career victory at this tournament in 1996 at the age of 20.
If Fowler can pull off the win, he would be the 10th first-time winner in the tournament's 29-year history. And you have to like his chances. Fowler returns to his home course after finishing fifth in putting last year, so look for him to know use his familiarity with the course to get a leg up on the field. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
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