Friday, June 18, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

Ring Eludes Celtics’ Wallace In Possible Final Game

Posted: 18 Jun 2010 11:51 AM PDT

Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) – The Boston Celtics’ Rasheed Wallace may have played the last game of his career Thursday night.

Ironically enough, the NBA’s all-time leader in technical fouls spent the aftermath of the Lakers’ Game 7 victory at the referees door.

Wallace reportedly headed to the officials locker room as he was leaving Staples Center following the Celtics’ 83-79 loss in the NBA Finals.

According to media reports, Wallace opened the door and tried to talk with veteran refs Danny Crawford and Joey Crawford, but was quickly ushered away by league and arena security people.

Various accounts of the scene indicated Wallace did not appear angry or confrontational, and left for the Celtics team bus after a few minutes.

If it was his final game, Wallace spent the final 25 seconds of it on the bench after fouling out on a play against Kobe Bryant.

Starting in place of the injured Kendrick Perkins, Wallace scored 11 points and had eight rebounds, two blocks and two assists.

The 15-year veteran forward played a grueling 36 minutes in hopes of winning his second championship ring.

“He was a warrior,” Boston coach Doc Rivers said during his postgame press conference. “I don’t know if Rasheed will ever play again. You know, he’s one of them. I think he took that out on the floor with him. I think he is thinking about retiring, and I thought you could see that in his play.”

“He was dying out there. When he got the cramps and the strains, he was just trying to figure out a way of staying on the floor.”

Wallace, who also won a title with the Detroit Pistons in 2004, has two seasons remaining on a $19 million, three-year deal with the Celtics. The 35-year-old also played with the Washington Bullets, Portland Trail Blazers and Atlanta Hawks during his career.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Canadiens Send Goalie Halak Packing To Blues

Posted: 18 Jun 2010 11:49 AM PDT

St. Louis, MO, United States (AHN) – Goalie Jaroslav Halak was the central character in the Montreal Canadiens’ improbable dramatic run during the NHL playoffs.

He stymied the top-seeded Washington Capitals and defending champs Pittsburgh Penguins as the No. 8 seed Canadiens reached the brink of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Halak will now try to recreate his magic with the St. Louis Blues, who acquired the Slovakian star in a trade that sent forwards Lars Eller and Ian Schultz to Montreal.

The Blues parted with two players who seemed ready to play key parts in the team’s future; Eller was a 2007 first-round draft pick, and Schultz was a former third-rounder.

The deal was a stunner around the league, although Halak, 25, was a restricted free agent and Montreal wasn’t enthusiastic about a contract extension, with top prospect Carey Price being groomed to replace him between the pipes.

Halak was 26-13-5 and ranked fourth in save percentage (.924) during the regular season. His 2.40 goals against average was ninth in the league.

But then he sparked the Canadiens to the Eastern Conference finals, eliminating the Caps and Penguins with Game 7 victories.

Halak was the top goalie in the playoffs with a .923 save percentage, second with nine victories and third in goals against at 2.55.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Sparks’ Parker Lost For Season With Shoulder Injury

Posted: 18 Jun 2010 11:48 AM PDT

Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) – The Los Angeles Sparks must accept the reality of playing without their best player after losing forward Candace Parker with a dislocated left shoulder.

Parker, 24, will miss the remainder of the WNBA season after being injured in the first half of Sunday's game against the Minnesota Lynx.

Parker’s status was confirmed Thursday by Sparks Vice President/General Manager Penny Toler.

“Losing Candace is definitely a huge loss for us and the league in general,” Toler said in a statement. “We still have a great team that is led by two Olympians and loaded with talent. Our goal, as always, is still to win.”

Parker, a former league MVP who was averaging 20.6 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.2 blocks, is expected to undergo surgery in the coming weeks.

Despite losing Parker, Toler said the organization has remained optimistic that a deep roster, which includes All-Stars DeLisha Milton-J, Ticha Penicheiro and Tina Thompson would pick up any slack for the Sparks.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

World Cup: Bradley, Donovan Power U.S. Into Tie With Slovenia

Posted: 18 Jun 2010 11:47 AM PDT

Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa (AHN) – Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley scored in the second half, lifting the U.S. into a 2-2 tie with Slovenia in a World Cup match Friday.

Valter Birsa and Zlatan Ljubijankic scored in the opening half for Slovenia, which outplayed the Americans in the opening 45 minutes.

The U.S. outshot Slovenia 13-8 overall and had a 6-4 advantage in shots on goal, but needed a furious late comeback to notch a second straight tie.

The Americans forged a 1-1 tie vs. England in their opener.

In the day’s first match, Milan Jovanovic’s goal stood up as Serbia upset Germany 1-0.

Germany was off the mark, collecting 16 shots but with only a pair going on goal.

Serbia was also topped in time of possession, controlling the ball just 42 percent of the time.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Controversy Clouds Manny’s First Game At Fenway Park Since ‘08 Trade

Posted: 18 Jun 2010 11:45 AM PDT

Boston, MA, United States (AHN) – Controversy and drama are expected to welcome Manny Ramirez in Boston Friday, when the hard-hitting Dodger takes on the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

For the first time since the 08' trade sent him to Los Angeles, the 38-year old Ramirez returns at Fenway Park in what would be an emotional match against his former team.

Selected in 12 all-star teams, Ramirez spent eight seasons in Boston and played a huge role in two of the Red Sox's World Series titles in the last decade.

However, Ramirez relationship with the Sox came to an end in 2008, when the two parties failed to reach contract agreement.

To save the interest of both camps, the Red Sox made a three-way deal that sent Ramirez to the Los Angeles Dodgers in July 2008.

Two years have passed and the tension remains intense between Ramirez and his former team.

Moreover, with the latest controversy Ramirez is a part of it is difficult to know what is in store for him in arguably the most intriguing baseball match Friday night.

Ramirez's latest "soap opera" involves the alleged foiled plot of the Los Angeles Dodgers to obtain special permission to use prohibited performance enhancing drugs.

The New York Times reported Dodgers GM Ned Colletti and other team officials attempted to help a struggling Ramirez by asking for a PED special exemption from the league.

Ramirez, who served a 50-game suspension last season for breaching baseball's drug policy, said he expects to receive fair treatment from Red Sox faithful in his Fenway Park return.

Nevertheless, Ramirez was still adamant about not answering questions regarding the latest chapter of his controversy-riddled career.

It will be interesting to see if more cheers than jeers greet Manny on his first at-bat at the former stadium he starred at.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Ravens Bolster Defense, Agree To One-Year Pact With Safety Hamlin

Posted: 18 Jun 2010 07:08 AM PDT

Baltimore, MD, United States (AHN) – The Baltimore Ravens, in an effort to bolster their secondary, acquired Ken Hamlin Thursday. The former Pro Bowl safety and the Ravens agreed on a one-year pact.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but is believed that the Ravens got the 29-year-old Hamlin at a discount.

The seven-year NFL veteran spent the last three years playing for the Dallas Cowboys, registering a total 88 tackles and six interceptions.

Hamlin's numbers decreased the last two seasons with the Cowboys, accounting for 92 tackles and just one interception in 2008.

Last year, an ankle problem caused him to miss four contests before returning for the final three games of the regular season.

Hamlin finished the 2009 campaign with 15 tackles and one pass breakup.

The Cowboys released him in April.

Hamlin, known for his aggressive style of plays, will provide the Ravens insurance as Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed is not expected to be ready for training camp. Reed underwent a hip procedure last month.

In Baltimore, Hamlin is expected to compete with Dawan Landry for a starting job.

Hamlin was a second-round pick out Arkansas by the Seahawks in the 2003 NFL Draft.

He spent his first four years with Seattle before joining Dallas in 2007, when he was recognized with a Pro Bowl invitation.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Gators And Knights To Renew Hoops Rivalry Dec. 1

Posted: 18 Jun 2010 07:07 AM PDT

Orlando, FL, United States (AHN) – The Florida Gators men’s basketball are set to renew their rivalry with the Central Florida Knights when the two schools clash Dec. 1 at the Amway Center in Orlando.

UF and UCF last squared off in basketball on Dec. 20, 2008 in Jacksonville, where the Gators won 89-61.

The meeting will be first college basketball game at the new $480 million Amway Center, which will serve as the home of the NBA's Orlando Magic.

Apart from the history between the two schools, it will mark the first time that Gators head coach Billy Donovan will face his former long-time assistant and new Knights head coach Donnie Jones.

Jones served as one of Donovan's top assistants from 1996-07. He left the program for the top job at Marshall after the 2007 NCAA National Championship.

Jones left Marshall this past offseason to coach the Knights.

Florida is 9-0 all-time against the Knights.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Bay Misses Mets Win Due To Bruised Left Quadricep

Posted: 18 Jun 2010 07:05 AM PDT

New York, NY, United States (AHN) – Outfielder Jason Bay was given the game off with a bruised left quadriceps Thursday, but the New York Mets prevailed without him, beating the Cleveland Indians 6-4 at Progressive Field.

Mets manager Jerry Manuel opted to sideline Bay after the hard-hitting veteran suffered the injury in the second inning of Wednesday's 8-4 victory over the Indians.

The 31-year-old Bay smacked into Indians first baseman Andy Marte and fell hard to the ground in an effort to beat out a single.

Bay played through the pain for three more innings before Manuel removed him from the field in the sixth.

Reports indicated Bay tried to play in Thursday's series final with the Indians, but Manuel stood firm with his policies.

“I tried, but it was a losing battle,” Bay told ESPN. “It made sense to give it a day. It’s a little tight. It’s not life or death. There’s a little knot in there.”

Outfielder Jesus Feliciano recorded a run, a hit and a walk as Bay's replacement.

The Mets reportedly plan to use Bay at designated hitter Friday, when the Mets play their intracity rivals, the New York Yankees.

Bay, who pinch-hit Thursday, feels putting him at DH would be unwise.

“We talked about it, but that actually would have been a worse idea,” Bay added Thursday. “You’re sitting around for a while and then running. You might have to sit for an hour and then sprint.”

In 64 games this season, Bay is averaging .283 with four homers, 27 RBI and 39 runs.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

AHN At NBA Finals: Kobe Wins Fifth Ring, Lakers Top Celtics In Game 7

Posted: 18 Jun 2010 07:03 AM PDT

After enduring a miserable first half, Bryant took over late in the fourth quarter in Game 7 of the NBA Finals and led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 83-79 win over the Boston Celtics to give the team its second straight championship.

Bryant, who shot just 6-of-24 from the field, scored 23 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to give the Lakers their 16th NBA title. And this victory, with the Lakers defeating the Celtics 4-3 in the best-of-seven series, beat the Celtics for just the third time out of the 12 tries in a championship series.

"You know, I just wanted it so bad," Bryant said. "I wanted it so, so bad. On top of that, I was on E. Man, I was really, really tired. And the more I tried to push, the more it kept getting away from me. I'm just glad that my teammates really got us back in the game.

“I was thankful that I was able to make one damn play at the end of the game and made some free throws. But it was a tough one."

Besides Bryant, who made a clutch jump shot late, Ron Artest stood tall for the Lakers against the Celtics, scoring 20 points, pulling five rebounds and setting Los Angeles’ offense in gear.

But Artest's defense on Paul Pierce and some quick scoring helped settled the Lakers. Signed to a contract in the offeseason to bring some toughness to the team, Artest rewarded the Lakers for their commitment.

"We fought together," Artest said. "This was one of the best games of I don't even know, man. I don't want to be in a game like this, where the game came out either way on our floor and the game can go either way, I'm just like, 'Okay, what did I get myself into."'

The Boston Celtics took a 40-34 lead into halftime, thanks in part to their suffocating defense and the shooting of Pierce. Pierce scored 11 points through the first two quarter, and the Celtics held Lakers' stars Bryant and Gasol in check.

The duo was limited to a combined 6-of-26 field goal shooting. As a team, the Lakers shot just 26 percent for the half.

The Celtics came in the first quarter more determined to play the type of defense they're used to applying on opponents. They suffocated the Bryant and the rest of the Lakers offense, holding Los Angeles to just 14 points in the period.

Whenever Bryant touched the ball there were two to three defenders draped on him, forcing last year's Finals MVP into a bad shooting quarter.

Bryant threw up a lot of wild shots as a result of the Celtics relentless defense. Bryant's 1-for-7 shooting in the quarter highlighted the Lakers 22 percent field goal shooting in the quarter as the Celtics built a 23-14 lead.

At the end of the three quarters, the Celtics led 57-53. With 9:09 remaining in the fourth quarter, Boston still led by four points, going up 59-55. But then Bryant and the Lakers do what they always do: go on a run and that was pretty much the ballgame.

Well, almost. The Lakers won the game in the fourth quarter by connecting on 16 of their 21 free throw attempts in the period. In comparison, the Celtics, playing without starting center Kendrick Perkins, had just six free throws in the quarter.

With the victory, Bryant, Derek Fisher and coach Phil Jackson collected their fifth title together. Jackson notched his 11th championship, more than any NBA coach.

"Well, it's done," Jackson said. "It wasn't well done, but it was done. And we did with perseverance. I thought our defense was terrific. We were able to step in and play the kind of defense that we've established as kind of a calling card for this team. "

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

A Tribute to Andy Ripley, Previous Eng Rugby Star

Posted: 18 Jun 2010 05:50 AM PDT

Former England rugby player Andy Ripley who died at 62 after combating with prostate cancer was given homage last night.

Ripley had 24 caps two tries, and was also chosen for the glorious 1974 Lions trip to South Africa.

He started playing at the age of 19 till the age of 41. He also spends few years of his life in club career at Rosslyn Park in London.

Andy Ripley ran the 400metres race at the United Kingdom Athletics Championship and was awarded with indoor rowing champion.

A CA by profession, Ripley was honored with an OBE in the 2010 Honours List.

Rugby Players’ Association chief executive Damian Hopley said, “Andy was a colossus, both as an athlete and a human being.”
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