The Miami Heat is looking like a defending champion fully intent on repeating. After taking care of the Hawks in Atlanta the night before, they traveled to Chicago to face the Bulls, the best defensive team in the NBA. LeBron James scored 26 points, collected 12 rebounds, and dished out seven assists as the Heat demolished the Bulls 86-67. Make it nine straight wins for the Heat. Miami’s defense was more than impressive, forcing 27 turnovers. A well-deserved day of rest today, as they prepare for a game tomorrow, in Philadelphia, against the 76ers. They will immediately head back to Miami, for another back-to-back, against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. Game time on Saturday in Philly is 7:30 pm, and Sunday’s tipoff is slated for 6:00 pm at the AAA. Both games will be televised by Sun Sports, on your cabe or satellite system. In other Heat news, the team traded backup center Dexter Pittman, who has spent most of the season playing in the Developmental League, and a second-round pick in the draft to the Memphis Grizzlies for the rights to forward/center Ricky Sanchez. Sanchez, a native of Puerto Rico, is currently playing in Argentina. This is clearly a trade that helps Miami manage its roster, as the probability of Sanchez ever playing in the NBA are slim and none. Sanchez was originally drafted by the Portland Trailblazers in 2005 and his rights have been traded three times. The move helps Miami to possibly add a big man, either a current free agent or one who might become one as a result of a buyout before March 1.
In the only other game last night,
San Antonio 116 LA Clippers 90
The Spurs improved to 6-1 on their nine-game annual “Rodeo” road trip. Tony Parker led the way with 31 points and seven assists.
Tonight’s schedule in the NBA,
New York @ Toronto 7:00 pm
Denver @ Washington 7:00 pm
Chicago @ Charlotte 7:00 pm
Detroit @ Indiana 7:00 pm
Houston @ Brooklyn 7:30 pm
Sacramento @ Atlanta 7:30 pm
Orlando @ Memphis 8:00 pm
Dallas @ New Orleans 8:00 pm
Minnesota @ Oklahoma City 8:00 pm ESPN
Boston @ Phoenix 9:00 pm
Portland @ LA Lakers 10:30 pm
San Antonio @ Golden State 10:30 pm ESPN
In college hoops, the #2 ranked University of Miami’s next game is at Wake Forest tomorrow at 1:00 pm against the Demon Deacons. They will return home to face Virginia Tech on Wednesday the 27th at 7:00 pm at the BankUnited Center.
FIU defeated Arkansas-Little Rock last night 65-52, improving their record to 15-12 (10-8 in the Sun Belt), and assuring themselves to finish with a winning record this season, their first under Head Coach Richard Pitino. After the last few disastrous years under colossal failure Isiah Thomas, this season is a true success for the Panthers and a sign of better things to come. Hopefully, FIU will able to keep Pitino here for a long time. Game time tonight is 7:00 pm. The Panthers are off after tonight’s game until next Thursday when they travel to Louisiana-Monroe to take on the Warhawks.
In college baseball, FIU hosts Manhattan for a three-game series this weekend. Game times are 6:00 pm on Friday, 4:00 pm on Saturday, and 1:00 pm on Sunday. The University of Miami take on Wisconsin-Milwaukee at the Light this weekend. Game times are 7:00 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 1:00 pm on Sunday afternoon.
The war of words between the University of Miami and the NCAA rages on. The two sides should have been able to work something out to settle this situation, but both the NCAA an the U decided to plant their feet and draw a line in the sand. In my opinion, the NCAA acted improperly in their investigation, and the bottom line is that they paid that little scumbag Nevin Shapiro a lot more money for his “information” than what Shapiro allegedly dished out to UM players in dinners, limos, etc. The University has punished itself, but the NCAA is not going to allow, nor should it, any university to self-impose punishment. The charges of “lack of institutional control” are very serious, and UM president Donna Shalala should make all of the charges against the University public. Since UM is a private institution, they are not compelled to do so. Regardless of the negligent and culpable acts of the NCAA in handling this investigation, UM should still be held responsible for its actions and for allowing this weasel (Shapiro) to carry on like he did under their noses. Bottom line: Shame on him, shame on the coaches and assistant coaches involved, but shame on the University and their administration for letting this go on as long as it did. The buck has to stop at UM president Donna Shalala and NCAA president Mark Emmert’s desks.
TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: Speaking of scandals, forty years ago, two Yankee pitchers made headlines when they traded wives and families. Who were they? Tell you later, Alligator.
Spring Training is here! The Marlins open their Spring Training schedule tomorrow against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter.
I continue with my preseason analysis of all 30 MLB teams. One team from each league every day, in alphabetical order. Today, may I present to you the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES 81-81 Mgr. Charlie Manuel
After winning five straight division championships, the Phillies fell to third place behind Washington and Atlanta. Memo to the Phillies: both the Nats and the Braves are MUCH BETTER this year. Aging veterans like Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Roy Halladay are the key to this ballclub. They added 3B Michael Young from Texas, CF Ben Revere, OF Delmon Young to their lineup and they will help. They also add pitchers Mike Adams, John Lannan, Chad Durbin, and Aaron Cook. All told, not nearly enough to overtake the Nationals or the Braves.
NEW YORK YANKEES 95-67 Mgr. Joe Girardi
The 2013 season starts with more uncertainty than I can remember for the Yankees. Gone are Nick Swisher, Russell Martin, Raul Ibañez, Eric Chavez, Rafael Soriano. New faces include Kevin Youkilis, Travis Hafner, Matt Diaz, and Juan Rivera. The ever-growing cloud of Alex Rodriguez continues to hover, even though he is coming off hip surgery and will miss the better part of the season, if not the entire season. How will Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera return from their injuries? Will CC Sabathia hold up? New arrivals Youkilis and Hafner need to stay healthy and the pitching behind Sabathia needs to respond. The rest of the division is better, so this season looms difficult.
Monday: The Pittsburgh Pirates and Oakland Athletics.
In baseball news, the Man Child is feeling OK, according to Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald:
In Yankee news, Joel Sherman of the The New York Post says the team is experimenting with Brett Gardner and Curtis Granderson.
The final rosters for the World Baseball Classic were announced. Check out the story on MLB.com
Here’s the answer to today’s question: Speaking of scandals, forty years ago, two Yankee pitchers made headlines when they traded wives and families. Who were they?
The two Yankee pitchers were Fritz Peterson and Mike Kekich. Peterson traded his wife, Marilyn, his two kids, and a poodle for Susan Kekich, the two Kekich kids, and a Bedlington terrier. There is a possibility that Matt Damon and Ben Affleck will play the two pitchers in a movie, “The Trade”, which will try and recount the family-swap scandal.
Don’t miss my two “Descarga Deportiva” segments (for the Spanish-challenged, “Sports Jam Session”) every day, Monday through Friday, at 9:25 am and 12:15 pm on Radio Esperanza, 1550 AM or on the internet on www.miradioesperanza.com.
The 9:25 am segment on Radio Esperanza is brought to you by the fine folks at La Lechonera Products. The inventors of the original mojo criollo way back in 1970, also offer the BEST naranja agria (sour orange marinade) product on the market, along with the latest additions to the family - the SALSA PICANTE (hot sauces, both HOT and EXTRA HOT), SALSA DE ALITAS (Buffalo Wings Sauce) and the truly incredible SALSA PICANTE con AJO (Garlic Pepper Sauce - Sriracha). Look for all the La Lechonera products at Publix, Winn Dixie, Sedano’s, Presidente, and GFS. If they don’t have it where you shop, ask nicely the first time, then use whatever means necessary to make sure they start offering the complete line of products. Go to www.lalechoneraproducts.com and LIKE them on Facebook. Check out some great recipes!
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Behave yourselves, and always remember that tomorrow will bring us a brand new day. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
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