Tuesday, May 18, 2010

The LeBron Saga and more...

I wish I could remember who Tweeted this comment so I could give them full credit, but when did John Calipari become Red Auerbach?


Priceless.


Also, why is he part of the Summer of LeBron? More on LeBron and the NBA later.

Raceweeks are in Charlotte, a busy All Star Week kicked off Monday night with Jeff Burton saying he was embarrassed and disgusted that he is not locked into the All Star Race. I love Burton. He speaks his mind, and does it in a way that isn't nasty, or demeaning. The guy is genuinely hacked off that his team hasn't done enough to earn a spot. He also says he appreciates those who vote for him, but he wants to race his way into the event, via the All Star Showdown. Those comments alone might earn him enough fan support to get him in. Fans can still vote at http://www.nascar.com/



JR Motorsports announced Tuesday that Greg Sacks will drive the #88 Chevrolet at Daytona in the Nationwide Series race in July. Yes. I said Greg Sacks. I want to see Dale Earnhardt, Jr. succeed both as a driver and an owner. As a driver, it seems his crew (along with the #5 team of Mark Martin) are having a tough time figuring out the best combinations with the spoiler. As an owner, playing musical drivers with the #88 Nationwide ride is doing nothing more than confusing people. I am hoping that is not an indication of how things are being run at JRM. Again, I want to see him succeed. When Dale Jr. is going well (as driver or an owner) that is good for NASCAR. Period.


Brian Vickers is still on the mend. No word yet on whether he will be driving in the All Star race on Saturday, but he plans to address the media on Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Vickers was diagnosed with blood clots in his legs and near his lungs last week. That kept him out of the Dover race, with Casey Mears filling in for him. Here's to a speedy recovery to BV.


OK, back to hoops. LeBron has things he has to deal with in regards to his future, but linking Calipari with him makes it a circus. How those two got hooked together in the first place is beyond me, but LeBron is going to sign a contract with someone, and that includes Cleveland. I think he will walk, but the talk of him going to Chicago puzzles me. LeBron idolizes Michael Jordan. Where would he be better served, striking out on his own (or even remaining in Cleveland) to build his own legacy, or going to the House that Michael Built? To me, him being in Chicago would be a tough chore. He would really, and I mean REALLY, be in Jordan's playing shadow (MJ still has a statue outside the United Center). The Summer of LeBron will be interesting to watch.


Boston took a 1-0 series lead on Orlando, handing the Magic their first playoff loss this post-season. A minor setback for the Magic. I think they will win the series, and go back to the Finals. They beat Charlotte, destroyed Atlanta, and they will get by Boston. The Celtics aren't the same team that won it all a couple years ago, a little longer in the tooth. Still capable, but against the younger Magic, I feel they might run out of gas.


The Lakers got 40 from Kobe Bryant in their opener against Phoenix (a.k.a. Bobcats West), in a 128-107 win. The Lakers are deep, and that poses problems for the Suns. I won't count Phoenix out just yet, because a lot can happen in a series, but getting thumped by 21 in the opener sends a bad message.


Quick mention of the Stanley Cup playoffs--wow, has it been exciting! Eastern Conference semi-finals both go 7 games, and the underdogs advance? Really? The 7-8 matchup between Philadelphia and Montreal (Philly leads 1-0) for the Prince of Wales Trophy, and in the West, the 1-2 matchup of San Jose and Chicago (Chicago leads 1-0).

Enjoy the racing!

Mike Solarte

Follow me on Twitter! http://twitter.com/MikeSolarte

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

how can you pick orlanda to beat boston<you need to wake up an smile the coffee.

Mike Solarte said...

I admit Boston has blown up the Magic. I thought Orlando was better, but Boston is the real deal in the East.