By SteveKaplowitz on 6/27/2008 1:29 PM

Before I get out of here and hawk beer at the Streetfest for two nights, I need to get in a sports preview for the weekend.  There's plenty of interleague baseball on the schedule, including the battle for the Big Apple.  Besides watching the Mets-Yanks series, I am actually looking forward to the Euro 2008 Finals on Sunday.  I'll admit, I don't know much about soccer, but Germany and Spain interests me.  Maybe it's because these teams don't usually play for the Euro Cup Title.  Maybe I like watching good soccer in HDTV.  Maybe I just don't have a life anymore.  Regardless of the reasons why, I will be checking out the match on KVIA this weekend.  Also looking forward to Brandon's Crunchtime hosting debut.  Brandon promises a lot of shtick and is pumped to host the show, and I can honestly say I don't what the heck he's going to do when he gets on the air.  ... Read More »

By SteveKaplowitz on 6/12/2008 8:52 PM

People will look back at Game 4 of the NBA Finals and wonder how the Lakers blew a 24-point lead to the Celtics.  The answer is easy.  Boston was able to get their usual production out of their "Big 3", but had a huge game from their bench.  Ray Allen kept the Celtics from getting blown out in the first half, and the Paul Pierce helped fuel the 2nd half comeback.  Led by James Posey and Eddie House, Boston's bench easily outplayed the Lakers bench and provided the spark they needed to win the game.  lamar Odom and Pau Gasol had nice statistical games, but where was LA's defense in the last 18 minutes?  Nowehere to be found, which is why Boston is on the verge of winning their first title in more than 20 years.

By SteveKaplowitz on 6/5/2008 8:51 PM

Paul Pierce isn't Willis Reed, but you can compare the inspirational performances both had in the NBA Finals.  Reed's appearance at MSG in 1970 helped the Knicks topple the Lakers to win their first NBA Title.  We're not sure what effect Pierce's 3rd quarter reappearance from his sprained knee will have on the entire series, but it provided a huge lift to the Celtics.  Pierce finished with 22 points and 4 rebounds and gave Boston the lift they needed.  Kobe Bryant and his teammates really struggled over the last 15 minutes of the game.  No Laker came up big with that key outside shot they desperately needed.  Los Angeles will need to make some key adjustments in time for Sunday night.

 

By SteveKaplowitz on 5/28/2008 10:46 AM

One of my regular listeners, Adrian Duran has been writing a blog during the Lakers-Spurs series and is not afraid to talk a little trash.  Here's his comments after Game 4 last night:

By SteveKaplowitz on 5/27/2008 9:28 PM

Despite losing by unanimous decision to Ricky Hatton in Manchester last Saturday night, Juan Lazcano did nothing to embarrass himself in the ring.  In fact, co-promoter Oscar De La Hoya said after the fight that Lazcano proved he is a world-class fighter.  Maybe The Golden Boy will try to give Lazcano world-class opponents for his next few fights.  After losing the unanimous decision last Saturday night, Lazcano told reporters, “Ricky Hatton's a true champion, and I just want to thank him for the opportunity for this fight.”

I hope Lazcano gets another chance to fight for a title before he retires from boxing.  He’s 33 years old and has ... Read More »

By SteveKaplowitz on 5/22/2008 12:41 PM

The NBA is a funny game.  A 20-point first half lead is meaningless, especially since most teams can erase a large deficit in a relatively short amount of time.  Usually it's a little tougher to come back from a 20-point lead with 5 minutes left in the 3rd quarter.  Not if you're Kobe Bryant and the LA Lakers.  Last night's 89-85 win was huge because the Spurs were in control for much of the game.   I wonder if San Antonio will get another opportunity to take home court advantage in this series.

By SteveKaplowitz on 5/19/2008 11:29 AM

It's good to be back at work and vacation is kind of weird. Instead of watching a ton of sports, I spent time with my family and even went to see "Iron Man" at Cinemark.  Loved the movie and think everybody who enjoys a good comic book will like it.  As for the rest of the sports world, here's a few observations:

As a Knicks fan, it pains me to say this but I'm rooting for a Lakers vs. Celtics NBA Finals.  Maybe it's just nestolgia, but I remember the battles with Bird and Magic and think Kobe and Garnett could put on a great show.  Of course, getting by Detroit and New Orleans will be no easy task. 

DJ having his charges dropped was a no-brainer.  Now, Jackson will attend a few NBA Pre Draft camps and receiv ... Read More »

By SteveKaplowitz on 5/5/2008 9:59 AM

UTEP Men's basketball coach Tony Barbee  has developed a rocky relationship with many members of the media.  He has not spoken to me since last October, when I broke a story that Stefan Jackson was seeking a transfer to Temple University.  The story was confirmed by more than one source, but Barbee was upset that I leaked it out and threatened to have me fired.  Nice threat,  Tony.  Now, Barbee's unleashed his wrath on members of the TV media because of the way they treated DJ after his arrest last month.  The Miners coach told TV media members that he would not cooperate with them as to whether or not Jackson would turn pro and declare for the NBA Draft.  Instead, they would need to get that information from the NBA.

I can't figure out why Bob Stull doesn't sit down with Barbee and explai ... Read More »

By SteveKaplowitz on 5/5/2008 9:47 AM

After hearing the news that former champion Johnny Tapia pulled out of his comeback fight Friday night, I wasn't too surprised.  Over the years, many great past, current, and future champions have fought here, helping to make El Paso a great fight town.  I was never excited about Tapia's return to the ring, primarily because I know he is an over-the-hill fighter who's best days in the ring are long gone.  As usual, the disagreement was all about money, even though Tapia told the media earlier in the week that his comeback was not about money.  It's a shame that Tapia's last minute no-show screwed the fans, many of whom paid good money to see the one-time legend.  I'm sure few fans who attended Friday's fight card at the Coliseum took the refund, because many of them are diehard boxing fans.    

By SteveKaplowitz on 4/29/2008 10:17 AM

Poor Roger Clemens.  This time last year, he was contemplating another comeback with the New York Yankees.  The Rocket did return to the Bronx, but nagging injuries grounded his launch with the Yankees.   Clemens did pitch for the Yanks, but was much less effective than he had been in recentt years.  In the last six months, Clemens has been mentioned in the Mitchell Report, denied taking steroids, and waged a public and now legal battle with his former trainer.  The latest incident involves an alleged 10-year affair with country singer Mindy McCready.  The relationship began when Clemens was a 28-year old pitcher with the Red Sox and McCready was a 15-year old aspiring singer.  As disturning as this sounds, the New York Daily News reported that the two weren't intimately involved until McCready moved to Nashville and became a country music star.  Clemens, of course ... Read More »