Since he purchased the team in 2000 Mark Cuban has been the face and voice of the Dallas Mavericks, even more so than his star forward Dirk Nowitzki. The young dot-com entrepreneur has been brash, outspoken, often controversial and a relentless self-promoter. Now, with the Mavs at the precipice of their first championship, their ownerContinue reading “Cuban Allows Players to do the Talking”
Author Archives: Paul Knepper
Tommy’s Take on Fernando-mania
Legendary Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda was always quick with a joke. During the summer of 1981, the skipper was asked what terms his Mexican-born pitching sensation Fernando Valenzuela might settle for in his upcoming contract negotiations. Lasorda’s responded: “He wants Texas back.”
Dirk and the Mavs Stun the Heat
by Paul Knepper Five years ago, the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat met in the NBA Finals. The Mavs won the first two games at home and were poised to put a strangle hold on the Heat in game 3, leading by 13 points with just six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Then theContinue reading “Dirk and the Mavs Stun the Heat”
A Tale of Two Buckeyes
Ohio State University head football coach Jim Tressel resigned yesterday amid mounting accusations of violations within the Ohio State program and his role in covering them up. During his ten seasons in Columbus, the man known for his trademark red and gray sweater-vests won a remarkable seven Big Ten titles, the 2002 National Championship andContinue reading “A Tale of Two Buckeyes”
I Was Wrong About LeBron
by Paul Knepper My voice could be heard among the chorus of boos across this country when LeBron announced that he was “taking his talents to South Beach” last summer. Like many basketball fans, I felt he violated the code of the playground – that the best players split up and try to beat each other – andContinue reading “I Was Wrong About LeBron”
The General Doesn’t Do NBA
I’ve found this year’s NBA playoffs to be riveting, though I’m sure Bobby Knight would not agree. The General made his opinion of NBA basketball clear several years ago when he uttered these famous words: “If the NBA were on channel 5 and a bunch of frogs making love were on channel 4, I’d watchContinue reading “The General Doesn’t Do NBA”
Bosh vs. Noah
by Paul Knepper One of the key matchups in the Eastern Conference Finals between the Heat and Bulls has been Chris Bosh against Joakim Noah. On paper Bosh is the better player. The six-time All-Star has averaged 20 points and 9.2 rebounds for his career, though his numbers took a hit this season as heContinue reading “Bosh vs. Noah”
Snakebitten or Just a Snake?
by Paul Knepper The New York Mets have hit rock bottom. Team owner Fred Wilpon is being sued for more than $1 billion by the trustee who’s recovering money obtained fraudulently through Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi Scheme. Desperate for an infusion of cash, Wilpon’s been seeking an investor to purchase a minority share of the teamContinue reading “Snakebitten or Just a Snake?”
Kneel Before Kareem
by Paul Knepper In case you haven’t heard, former Laker great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is irked that the Lakers haven’t built a statue of him in front of the Staples Center. “I don’t understand (it),” the leading scorer in NBA history told the Sporting News this week. “It’s either an oversight or they’re taking me forContinue reading “Kneel Before Kareem”
Ranking the NBA Lottery #1 Picks
by Paul Knepper Tonight the NBA will hold its annual draft lottery to determine which team will have the first selection in the 2011 Draft, scheduled to take place on June 23rd at the Prudential Center in Newark. Every team that didn’t make the playoffs has a chance to win the No. 1 pick. TheContinue reading “Ranking the NBA Lottery #1 Picks”
Paul Knepper 