Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

U.S. Open Pebble Beach: Mickelson Contender, Tiger Pretender?

Posted: 15 Jun 2010 12:23 PM PDT

Pebble Beach, CA, United States (AHN) – The United States Golf Association’s long-standing mission with the U.S. Open golf championship is to identify the best player.

It is a thorough examination of a player’s ability to create shots, overcome difficult conditions and avoid the misery that comes with the traditional USGA setups at great golf courses.

The Pebble Beach Golf Links will have a split personality this week: beauty and the beast.

Here’s a look at some of the favorites and not-so-favorites for this week. It’s a study in who’s hot and who’s not, contenders and pretenders for the national championship.

WHO’S HOT:

PHIL MICKELSON: Lefty spent most of last week on site preparing his strategy. He put that specially-made two-iron in his bag at the Colonial and has been working with it. He’s also spent considerable time over the past week with his “team” of advisors: Butch Harmon (overall swing), Dave Pelz (short game) and Dave Stockton (putting). Mickelson will have to overcome the fact that he’s finished runnerup five times in this event. He’s found ways to lose, rather than win. Phil is a left-coast guy and has played well at Pebble Beach. But this setup is a far cry from the course players saw earlier in the year at the AT&T Pro-Am. Like everyone else, Phil needs to find fairways and hit greens. He’s also in pursuit of Tiger Woods’ ranking. Phil has yet another chance to become the world’s No. 1 this week. Phil’s also the only guy with a chance at golf’s holy grail: The Grand Slam.

LEE WESTWOOD: He was your winner in Memphis last week. But did he really win? “It was the biggest reprieve in professional golf,” is how Golf Channel announcer Mark Lye described Westwood’s sudden death win at TPC Southwind. Westwood faltered on the back nine then unexpectedly found himself in the playoff when Robert Garrigus made triple-bogey at the 72nd hole. Westwood did not close the deal when he had a chance. Still, he’s had good, steady performances in the majors and he’ll need to find a way to close if he’s near the lead on Sunday.

ZACH JOHNSON: Zach won at Colonial, tied for 47th at the Memorial and was 12th in Memphis. His game is so very suited for this golf course. It will require shotmaking and is not overly long, which helps a player like Johnson. It will depend on how he handles the greens, which should be ultra-slick. The small size of the greens puts an emphasis on iron shots and Johnson is good with his.

RICKY BARNES: People forget that Barnes finished second to Lucas Glover last year at Bethpage Black. He’s a good player on big venues. Although he missed the cut at the Nelson, he tied for third at Memorial and tied for seventh at Colonial. He’ll need to make good decisions and avoid that occasional wayward shot that springs up on him at the wrong time.

RORY MCILROY: Rory has had a solid year with that began with his sensational win at Quail Hollow. He tied for 10th at Memorial and was 29th in the Memphis heat. The cool temperatures this week will be very suitable to the European players. It will make them feel at home and look for one of them at or near the top come Sunday.

PADRAIG HARRINGTON: His 56th place finish in Memphis didn’t get much attention but he’s just back from knee surgery. He did have one round of 65 and look for him to bring his “A” game this week. He has all the skills necessary to contend at Pebble Beach. He’s a plodder and has a great short game. That’s a must this week as there is a lot of treachery around the greens at Pebble.

WHO’S NOT:

TIGER WOODS: The British bookmakers are still in love with Tiger as they installed him as a co-favorite with Mickelson at 8-1. You have to wonder if they have seen something in his game that no one else has. To say the world’s No. 1 player has struggled to re-discover his game is an understatement. He did manage to make the cut and eventually finished 19th at the Memorial last month. He was still spraying his tee shots at Muirfield Village. Can Tiger conjure up visions of the 2000 Open at Pebble Beach when he dismantled the course, shot a record 12-under par? He has course knowledge on his side but you can bet he won’t be double-digits under par this week. No one will, the USGA will see to that.

LUCAS GLOVER: Whatever happened to the 2009 U.S. Open champion? The answer is not much since that victory. He did finish third at the Players Championship and that showed his game may be coming back. He missed the cut at Memorial and tied for 44 at the Byron Nelson. Not sure anyone can make a case for Glover being a factor this week.

STEVE STRICKER: Stricker has returned to the tour after a six-week layoff with that inflammed sterno-clavicular joint. He is rusty. Tied for 17th at the Memorial was tied for 38th at the Nelson. His game is suited to U.S. Open layouts but he just hasn’t been in sync since his return. He’s a likeable guy and if he can get it going, the crowds will react well to him. He just hasn’t shown enough to be considered a serious threat this week.

JIM FURYK: He’s always a favorite on Open layouts because of his accuracy off the tee. His putter put him off the radar the past season but he’s doing better with the flatstick. Hasn’t done much coming into Pebble. He tied for 10th at Memorial, tied for 47 at the Byron Nelson and the biggest surprise was him missing the cut a Colonial, a course well-suited for his game and that has to cast a giant question mark on his chances this week.

IAN POULTER: He’s done nothing working up to the Open. Ian missed the cut at the Players Championship, missed the cut last week in Memphis and was near dead-last at Colonial. With finishes like those, he can’t be considered a pick to win this week. He was hot at the beginning of the season but his game is really cool right now.

ERNIE ELS: Time is running out for the Big Easy if he wants his name on another major championship trophy. He won earlier this season and his best effort as of late was a tie for third at the Texas Open. He missed the cut at the Memorial and at the Players. Ernie needs to rediscover what he had going a few months ago.

There you have it. Some players for consideration. The real star this week will be the golf course. It’s easy to get sucked into gazing at the majestic scenery around the 18 holes, particularly the ocean vistas. But if you lose your concentration, there’s a world of trouble lurking for players who are not hitting on all cylinders.

After all, it IS the U.S. Open.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Celtics Title Would Be Testament To Thibodeau’s Defense

Posted: 15 Jun 2010 12:22 PM PDT

Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) – Insiders know all about Tom Thibodeau, the Boston Celtics associate head coach whose defensive game plans are being hailed for frustrating Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in these NBA Finals.

But those outside Chicago and Boston might not know Thibodeau probably won’t celebrate long should the Celtics clinch their 18th title in Game 6 Tuesday or Game 7 Thursday.

Thibodeau, an NBA assistant for 18 years, reportedly has accepted the Bulls’ head coaching job and will be formally introduced at a press conference soon after the Finals.

Judging by his reputation, he’ll be in full coaching mode with the Bulls before Boston finishes cleaning up the confetti if the Celtics win a championship ring for the second time in three years.

Either way, Thibodeau will surely have assembled a Bulls staff and be prepared for the draft (June 24) and the start of free agency (July 1).

Thibodeau, 50, reportedly turned down an offer to coach the New Orleans Hornets and was at the top of the list for the New Jersey Nets’ opening.

For now, the Lakers need to find a way to outfox Thibodeau’s schemes. Los Angeles has shot 43.8 percent from the field in five games and a measly 29 percent on 3-pointers.

“They do a great job defensively,” Bryant said to the media after Sunday’s Game 5 loss. “We’re normally good at moving the ball. But we shot (39.7) percent. That’s a testament to their defense.”

And a testament to Thibodeau’s fine work.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Wideout Ochocinco Makes It To Bengals Minicamp On Time

Posted: 15 Jun 2010 12:20 PM PDT

Cincinnati, OH, United States (AHN) – The Cincinnati Bengals and their fans have wrestled about the value of Chad Ochocinco for several seasons now. Dependable star wide receiver? Or an annoying distraction?

Ochocinco didn’t give them much room for criticism Tuesday when he arrived on time for the start of the team’s mandatory minicamp — although it was the first time this offseason he has practiced with quarterback Carson Palmer and the rest of the Bengals.

Ochocinco has been named a Pro Bowler six times in his nine-year career (three times an All-Pro), but it’s legitimate to wonder how good he really could be.

Last year he caught 72 passes for 1,047 yards and nine touchdowns. Yardage-wise, it was slightly below his average; otherwise, it was a strong performance, and the Bengals did finish 10-6 and won the AFC North.

But Ochocinco disappeared in the Bengals’ playoff loss, catching only two passes for 28 yards. Not exactly something to Twitter, which he said he was going to use during games last season before the NFL banned the use of the social network tool.

Palmer, for one, has called Ochocinco’s work ethic into question. Ochocinco, who didn’t attend any of the Bengals’ voluntary workouts, spent most of the offseason filming ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars” and a VH1 reality dating show.

“It would be great to have our No. 1 receiver here and working him and building it around him,” Palmer was quoted by ESPN.com as saying last week. “We’ve tried moving guys around. Maybe they’re trying to find a new No. 1 receiver because it’s hard to work your offense in without that guy around. … It’s hard to tell and say because we’re looking for a No. 2 and 3 receiver without a No. 1.”

Expect the Ochocinco value debate to continue.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

World Cup ‘Group Of Death’ Begins With Ivory Coast-Portugal Tie

Posted: 15 Jun 2010 12:19 PM PDT

Port Elizabeth, South Africa (AHN) – The much-vaunted 2010 ‘Group of Death’ kicked off with a 0-0 draw between the two sides expected to challenge Brazil for the two qualifying positions out of Group G; Portugal and Ivory Coast.

With fellow Group opponents Brazil and North Korea meeting later Tuesday, this was the ideal chance for either side to stake a real claim for progression.

In the end though a combination of nerves and pressure took their toll on the sides, which only mustered a drab performence indicative of the cool weather.

The world’s most expensive player in Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo tried his luck from distance on a couple of occasions, including one which cracked an Ivorian upright before bouncing to safety.

For the Ivory Coast there was a promising performence from Gervinho and also the pleasing sight of Didier Drogba, who was feared out of the tournament when he broke an arm two weeks ago.

Drogba made his return, complete with protective cast.

Both sides will now look to record big scores when they face North Korea later in the tournament, as this may now be a group decided not on points but goal difference.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Venus Unites With Serena On World Team Tennis’ Kastles

Posted: 15 Jun 2010 12:18 PM PDT

Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – World Team Tennis just became a family affair for the Williams sisters, who will join forces this season to play for the Washington Kastles after the team acquired Venus Williams.

The good news? The Kastles added another top talent and crowd favorite in Venus, the older sister of Serena, as they try to win back-to-back league titles.

The bad news? Venus and Serena can’t be on the court on the same day. The league has a rule that allows teams only one “marquee” player per match.

No matter, since having both Grand Slam champions on the roster will create a buzz for the Kastles.

Certainly that will happen at home against the New York Buzz on July 7, when Venus is scheduled to play in the first of her three matches this season.

Serena is scheduled to play four matches, starting against the Buzz in New York on July 9. The Kastles play a 17-day, 14-game regular season that begins on July 5.

This will be Venus Williams’ seventh season in World Team Tennis. She played for the Philadelphia Freedoms last year.

“It’s actually very cool,” Venus told reporters on a Monday conference call. “I’m looking forward to both of us being on the team and I hope with us being on the team, we will lead our team to winning the championship.”

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

University Of Waterloo Suspends Football Program For One Year Over Steroid Scandal

Posted: 15 Jun 2010 05:45 AM PDT

Waterloo, Ontario, Canada (AHN) – The University of Waterloo suspended on Monday its football program for one year after nine players were found positive for steroid use.

The use by players of steroid was discovered in March when Waterloo player Nathan Zettler was arrested for possession and trafficking of anabolic steroids and HGH. It led Waterloo Director of Athletics Bob Copeland to order that the whole team of 62 players be tested for steroid use.

The Canadian Center for Ethics in Sport made 61 urine and 20 blood tests. Nine players were confirmed using steroid, four admitted taking the drug, one refused to be tested, three were found positive for doping and one player's case is pending more police investigation.

Second year linebacker Joe Surgeno admitted using steroids and was suspended for two years. He waived his right to a hearing. Rookie linebacker Jordan Meredith was found positive for Tamoxifen, which is commonly taken to battle the side effect of steroids. He admitted using the drug and accepted two years ban.

With these findings, Waterloo University Vice President and Provost Feridun Hamdullahpur ordered the one-year suspension of the school's football program. He also placed head coach Dennis McPhee and assistant Marshall Bingeman on paid leave, while a thorough review is made.

Canadian Interuniversity Sport Chief Executive Officer Marg McGregor described the incident as the most significant doping issue in CIS history. McGregor said it showed that the CIS doping control program needs to be beefed up to ensure a level playing field and to protect the rights of most of student-athletes who follow the rules and do not use prohibited drugs.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Wade Wants To Stay In Miami; Seeks Prime Free Agent To Join Him

Posted: 15 Jun 2010 05:43 AM PDT

Miami, FL, United States (AHN) – The campaign to retain Dwyane Wade is paying off, as the NBA star reportedly indicated that he "wants to remain in Miami." He added that he is seeking the best player to join him with the Heat.

While watching Game 5 of the current NBA Finals, the 28-year-old All-Star guard went national in indicating his first option for free agency – -to find another prime free agent to join him in Miami.

Wade told ESPN.com, “It’s going to be a fit with me first.”

“I’ve made that very clear, the six-time All-Star added. "Do I want to leave? Nope. I want to be in Miami. That’s where it starts."

Wade, whose "free agent summit" was shot down by NBA commissioner David Stern, said, as reported by ESPN.com, "I don't do recruiting. Not now, anyway,…"

This was in reference to a reported dinner last week with his friend Chris Bosh and also a conversation he had with Joe Johnson at a Brand Jordan event.

In a Sun-Sentinel.com report, Wade said that some of his closest friends in the NBA happen to be those who are slated for free agency.

“Me and Chris have been friends since we came into the NBA. We signed with the same agent. So we can’t eat together? It’s all good," Wade said. "We understand what’s going to come about from anything that goes on. But, no worries, it’s just friends eating dinner.”

Maintaining his Heat-first approach, the former NBA scoring champ and 2006 NBA Finals MVP told ESPN.com, “I’ll gauge and see if guys want to be (in Miami), who wants to be with me."

The former Marquette standout was the 5th overall selection in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Heat, whom he helped steer, along with former teammate Shaquille O'Neal, to their first NBA championship in 2006.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Todd Bodine Maintains Trucks Points Lead

Posted: 15 Jun 2010 05:42 AM PDT

Daytona Beach, FL, United States – Aric Almorila closed the gap by 10 points but Todd Bodine still owns the lead in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series points standings.

Bodine leads the points standings with 1,443 and is trailed by Almirola (1,388), who won his second Truck race last weekend at Michigan International Speedway. Rounding out the top-five in points are Timothy Peters (1,278), Ron Hornaday Jr. (1,273) and Johnny Sauter (1,179).

Mike Skinner sits sixth with 1,171 and in seventh is Jason White (1,132) followed by David Starr (1,107) Ricky Carmichael (1,107) and Matt Crafton (1,098).

In positions 11-20 are: Austin Dillon (1,093), Justin Lofton (995), Kyle Busch (957), Mario Gosselin (949), Ryan Sieg (883), Brett Butler (842), Jennifer Jo Cobb (840), James Buescher (834), Norm Benning (807) and Tayler Malsam (798).

In points positions 21-30 is a group that includes: Johnny Benson Jr. (735), Stacy Compton (735), Brent Raymer (611), Donny Lia (600), Kevin Harvick (560), Nelson Piquet (541), Rick Crawford (527), Elliott Sadler (497), Donnie Neuenberger (439) and Narain Karthikeyan (421).

In spots 31-40 are Chris Fontaine (379), Ken Schrader (372), Chris Eggleston (370), Hermie Sadler (346), Terry Jones (346), Brad Sweet (333), Brian Ickler (330), Tony Jackson Jr. (326), Max Papis (323) and Dennis Setzer (319).

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Williams Sisters Still Rule Women’s Tennis Rankings

Posted: 15 Jun 2010 05:40 AM PDT

Daytona Beach, FL, United States (AHN) – Serena Williams, who has been holding the top spot for the last 33 weeks, led the latest women's tennis rankings followed by older sister, Venus, who climbed to No. 2 a few weeks ago.

The climbing of one spot from No.11 by Li Na was the only change in the women's Top 10 released Monday.

The Chinese player moved to 10th spot after capturing her third career title in Birmingham Sunday.

She dislodged Flavia Pennetta, who dropped to 11th place.

The rest of the women's top 10 remain the same with the Williams sisters still dominating the rankings.

Still at No. 3 is Caroline Wozniacki followed by Jelena Jankovic at No. 4 and fifth-ranked Elena Dementieva.

Francesca Schiavone, who dominated this year's French Open, is at sixth.

Australia's Samantha Stosur, runner-up to Schiavone, follows at No. 7.

Holding eighth place is Agnieszka Radwanska, while Kim Clijsters follows at No. 9 with Li rounding up the top ten.

The latest WTA rankings will used in determining the seeds in the 124th edition of the Wimbledon tournament, slated to be held from June 21 to July 4.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Some Fans, Players Sound Off On Vuvuzela Noise At World Cup

Posted: 15 Jun 2010 05:39 AM PDT

.Pretoria, South Africa (AHN) – Despite assertions by some of its defenders that it simply part of the South African experience, an increasing number of soccer fans and players are complaining about the annoying sound of the vuvuzela.

The plastic horn became popular in the 1970s when it was used in Mexican stadiums. It was originally made of tin and became popular in South Africa in the 1990s, commonly blown by fans at football matches.

But its annoying sound often likened to a deafening swarm of locusts, the unrelenting sound of a giant hive full of very angry bees or a stampede of noisy elephants have drowned if not killed the chants and atmosphere usually heard at the World Cup.

Its sound is branded by many as mindless with its unchanging pitch. Only the intensity changes depending on way one blows air into it.

Not only is the sound disrupting communication among players on the field during the match, but also it has reportedly disrupted rest of some of the players in their hotel rooms.

The blowing of the instrument have began at other locations, reportedly leading to a ban by some shopping centers.

Television viewers, on the other hand, have resorted to pressing mute on their remote as the only way to enjoy the World Cup, while others have resorted in combating the constant din with other devices to no avail.

This dampens the celebration of the 32 nations that qualified to the World Cup and all those who did not, but still play and are still loving the game.

Afrikaners are traditionally rugby-obsessed, but with hype and the excitement of hosting the first World Cup by an African nation, more are embracing the sport even on a temporary basis.

With the world's most popular soccer tournament set to conclude on July 11, the FIFA and the Cup organizers should take steps even on a temporary basis to ensure the success of this event.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.
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