I Like Sportz

Top Story

LeBron ≠ Clutch

Last night the Miami Heat lost their 2nd straight game, this time to the Los Angeles Clippers.  Some may say the Clippers won this game, but sorry, the Heat LOST it.  Absolutely atrocious play from Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, & LeBron James led to an implosion during the 4th quarter & overtime.  The free throw shooting is what did Miami in as LeBron proved once again, late in a close game, he cannot be relied upon.  James only made 9 of 17 free throws, including missing on several key ones late in the 4th, which basically cost them the game.  It wasn't just LeBron, to be fair, as the big 3 as a whole played terribly.  Chris Bosh (6-16), Dwyane Wade (6-17), & LeBron James (7-19) all had bad shooting nights while Chris Paul played lights out for the Clippers.  This was a big road test for the Heat, playing against a good team and they didn't live up to expectations, often times screaming at the referees for more calls to go their way.  Caron Butler helped carry the Clippers in the 2nd half, lighting it up for a total of 20 points while Blake Griffin fooled around and got himself a 20 & 12 double-double.  Key defensive plays from DeAndre Jordan helped propelled the Clippers to their biggest win this year and Miami is left wondering, yet again, if LeBron's inability to close out games will be their eventual downfall.

And This Happened...

Former Philadelphia Phillies closer Ryan Madson signs with the Reds - When the Phillies signed former World Series winning Boston Red Sox closer, Jonathan Papelbon, their old closer, Ryan Madson, became expendable.  Madson has now signed a 1 year deal worth $8.5 million with the Cincinnati Reds.  Madson, who actually had better stats than Papelbon last year, will be slated as Cincinnati's closer in a bolstered bullpen that already added set-up man, Sean Marshall.  This a great deal for the Reds, as they now propel themselves to the top of the NL Central projections, which is extremely watered down after the departure of Albert Pujols from the Cardinals & the eventual departure of Prince Fielder from the Brewers.

Kobe goes off...again - One day removed from his monster outing against Phoenix, where he put up 48 points, Kobe did it again.  His encore was another 40 point showing in Utah against the Jazz.  Bryant led his Lakers, on the road, to an overtime victory as he continues to prove that he can STILL play at an MVP level.  It seems as though Kobe is on a mission this year, taking any and all disrespect towards him & his game as a motivational tool.  He's a must-see player going right now, even more so than usual.

Green Bay Packers deal with tragedy moving towards their game against the Giants - Joe Philbin, the Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator, has been dealing with the death of his son this week.  Michael Philbin, 21-years-old, was found dead in Wisconsin and is believed to have drowned.  Tragic news for a father to have to deal with, regardless of how you or I feel about the Packers, no parents should have to bury their own children.  The Packers face off against the New York Giants this weekend in the 2nd round of the NFC playoffs with heavy hearts.  They've dedicated the game to Michael Philbin.

New York Jets hire Tony Sparano as new offensive coordinator - Give one thing to the Jets, they know how to keep themselves in the news.  They've had MULTIPLE players speak out against each other within the past week and then their offensive coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer left the team leaving a void.  The Jets acted fast as they hired former head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Tony Sparano to replace him.  Good move by the Jets.  This is a team that passed WAY TOO often last year, putting a huge amount of pressure on Mark Sanchez and it cost them.  Sparano comes in as a run-first type of coach and look for the Jets offense to rely more heavily on Shonn Greene next year.  Sparano may have not been successful as a coach in Miami, but he did help revitalize the career of Reggie Bush last year who had a spectacular year as Miami's premiere running back.