Spain still favored to win World Cup 2014

spain-world-cup-2014Spain will undoubtedly head into Brazil as overwhelming favorites to win the 2014 FIFA World Cup because of the team’s wealth of talent, both on the pitch and on the bench, and in the process defending their crown and solidifying their position as one of the best team in the history of football. To say that Spain has been successful in the past five years is quite the understatement. La Roja has enjoyed a period of unprecedented world domination, picking up the spoils of Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012, becoming the first team to win three consecutive Euro and World titles in the process. This Spanish side is considered the “golden generation,” with some even arguing that this is the greatest side of all time. The 2014 World Cup could be the last time we see some of the Spanish golden generation together on the international stage. Spain is gearing up for this final major tournament with the likes of Xavi, Ramos, Iniesta and Iker Casillas still in the squad. And there is also the next generation of Spanish superstars, ready to take their turn and step up in the world stage. (more…)

Top 10 Baseball Movies of All Time (from IMDb.com)

field of dreamsJust in time for the start of the 2013 MLB Baseball season, IMDb, the #1 movie website in the world, and its Managing Editor Keith Simanton, have complied a list of the Top 10 Greatest Baseball Movies of All Time. 
 
Kevin Costner seems to have the market corned when it comes to playing great baseball characters, as he stars in the #1 pick, “Field of Dreams“, as well as the #3 pick, “Bull Durham“. 
 
Classic films like “The Bad News Bears” (#2) and “The Natural” (#7) join more recent movies like “Fever Pitch” (#6) starring Jimmy Fallon as an obsessive Red Sox fan, and women are represented in the male dominated sport, with “A League of Their Own” at #5.

Biographies also have some clout, like “The Pride of the Yankees” about the story and life of baseball great Lou Gehrig, and the Oscar Award-nominated “Moneyball ” featuring the 2002 Oakland A’s (#8). (more…)

Can anyone take down “King” James in the NBA MVP Voting? James -800, Durant +400, no one else even close

nba mvpWhen it comes to LeBron James and Kevin Durant, I don’t think anyone can argue that these two are 1 and 1a, respectively. The Heat are the best team in the east currently at 45-14, while the Thunder trail only the Spurs in the west at 45-16. I think it’s fair to say that both of the aforementioned superstars are the best players on their own team and while they both have superstars alongside them (Dwyane Wade and Russell Westbrook) I think everyone can agree that both teams could be upgraded elsewhere in the starting lineup.

Before you go placing your basketball betting at Top Bet, and crown the “King” as MVP, consider these stats:

  • Both players have three triple-doubles this year.
  • Kevin Durant averages 1.7 more points per game (28.7 – league leader) than LeBron (27.0).
  • Kevin Durant is in the coveted .50/.40/.90 club, currently, shooting .50.6% from the floor, 41.9% from three-point land, and 90.7% from the free-throw line.

Now to me, these numbers seem like they would guaranteed victory for a budding NBA star any year…except this one! Check out what LeBron has been doing to date:

  • LeBron set the record for most consecutive games with at least 30 points and shooting at least 60% from the field (six).
  • He’s shooting an astounding 56.2% from the floor (highest by any non-power forward/center).
  • An average line of 27.0 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game, and 7.2 assists per game.

LeBron is having a once in a life time year, but Kevin Durant is one of the few stars who is shooting as efficiently as he has. This one won’t be easy, and considering the current odds, I’m going for the money and taking Durant!

 

All stats provided by NBA.com

Should Off-Court Antics Affect Professional Athletes Eligibility To Play?

mike vickIt’s no surprise that those with money are often under the spotlight because of their abilities. Each and every move they make is documented by pesky TMZ reporters and is on the web in a matter of seconds.  With that being said we have those who don’t shine so brightly when the floodlight is upon them. Do the names of Burress, Vick, and more recently Kidd ring a bell to anyone? It’s understood that we’ve all done things that wouldn’t have the “make momma proud” effect on our caregivers but, being under the Sauron eye of the public should make these so-called role models make more astute decisions of their behavior. Which posed a question to me, should their off-court antics affect their eligibility to play? (more…)