by Paul Knepper This afternoon the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced its class of 2011 and I’m happy to say that one of my all-time favorite players, Arvydas Sabonis, is one of the inductees. Joining Sabonis in the class of 2011 are: five-time NBA All-Star and member of the 1992 Dream Team, ChisContinue reading “Arvydas Heads to the Hall”
Author Archives: Paul Knepper
Kings, Royals and the Mayor
by Paul Knepper Kevin Johnson was one of the elite point guards in the NBA during the early to mid 1990’s, a natural leader known for his quickness, precision passing and efficient shooting. He made three All-Star games as a member of the Phoenix Suns and joined Oscar Roberston and Isiah Thomas as the onlyContinue reading “Kings, Royals and the Mayor”
Tug Liked Grass
This is one of my all-time favorite sports quotes. When asked by a reporter if he preferred grass or turf, former Mets hurler Tug McGraw famously responded, “I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf.”
VC WHO?
by Paul Knepper Basketball fans generally embrace Cinderella stories in the Big Dance. George Mason became the darling of the 2006 tourney, when they shocked the nation by advancing to the Final Four. Last year’s bracketbuster Butler captured the hearts of fans during their magical run, which fell a few inches short of a championship.Continue reading “VC WHO?”
Top 25 Things in Sports That Piss Me Off
Call me a curmudgeon, but it seems as if every time I watch a ballgame I develop a new pet peeve. There’s a countless number of things in sports which piss me off. I intended to make this a top ten list, but it just kept growing. Ultimately, I capped it at the top 25.Continue reading “Top 25 Things in Sports That Piss Me Off”
I Miss The Kid
by Paul Knepper It’s spring training. Pitchers are building up their arm strength, fringe players are battling for a roster spot and hope springs eternal for fans of most teams in the league. But this spring is different. It’s the first time in 23 years that Ken Griffey Jr. isn’t in a Major League uniform.Continue reading “I Miss The Kid”
This Fish Knows How to Dance
by Paul Knepper San Diego State was the surprise team in college basketball this season, compiling a 32-2 record and securing a two seed in the NCAA tournament. Of course, Aztecs Coach Steve Fisher is no stranger to success, having coached in three NCAA Tournament Finals while at Michigan in the late 80’s and earlyContinue reading “This Fish Knows How to Dance”
The Beneficiary of B-Ball’s Biggest Blunders
by Paul Knepper Former North Carolina coach Dean Smith was one of the greatest basketball coaches of all-time. He won 879 games, 17 regular-season ACC Championships and made 11 trips to the Final Four, winning two championships. Strangely, both championships were won on two of the greatest blunders in the history of the NCAA Tournament.Continue reading “The Beneficiary of B-Ball’s Biggest Blunders”
Battle of the Jims
Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim and University of Connecticut’s Jim Calhoun are two of the best coaches in college basketball and they’ve been matching wits in the Big East since Calhoun took the coaching job at UConn in 1986. They’ve each won at least one National Championship and are two of only eight Division I coachesContinue reading “Battle of the Jims”
Top Ten Athletes I Wish I’d Seen in Their Prime
Ever hear your father or grandfather speak in a reverential tone about an athlete from their generation and wish that you could have seen that guy play in his prime? Ever hear a ballplayer you really admire talk about the players he idolized when he was a child, with the same sparkle you have inContinue reading “Top Ten Athletes I Wish I’d Seen in Their Prime”
