Rabu, 30 April 2014
SnoTap Song of the Day: A Sky Full of Stars - Coldplay (feat. Avicii)
Should we sound the 'Song of Summer alert' for this one?' Coldplay whom I previously ripped for their Bon Iver Lite track they did come out swinging with this one featuring Avicii. It is the perfect kind of sound from Coldplay whose definitely dipped closer to EDM music (Remember, nearly everyone in the DJ world had a remix to Paradise). Coldplay comes out with a song for Top 40 sure, but do they really have a distinct alternative sound? I don't think so. It changes all the time, and it still has Chris Martin's hands all over it. I think we are at a great time in music where people are just trying shit and seeing what happens. At least from the first two songs, Coldplay is playing around with things in music for their whole album which is kind of exciting.
Tapping The Keg Podcast Episode 86
Tapping The Keg podcast rolls on with a late afternoon edition features the two stalwarts of the SnoTap Podcast game with Charlie and Mitch yapping at you about all things sports. We talk about James Young sitting next to Rihanna last Friday, and who would be some of the people we would be nervous to sit next to, this also leads into another couple fun tangents. Despite their loss today, we talk about the Milwaukee Brewers success in the first month of the season and why they are for real with no collapse involved. We also talk about Wei-Chung Wang's spot on the team. We move on to discuss Donald Sterling scandal more so from Doc Rivers angle plus some other things. We talk about the upcoming NBA playoff games and Jameis Winston's crab leg mistake.Charlie.
What Happened to the Bulls?
We all kinda thought the Bulls were waving the white flag to the rest of the league after Derrick Rose went down, again, and then they traded forward Luol Deng for basically nothing that would provide immediate help. It turned out to be quite a roller coaster ride of a season in the Windy City.
Bucks fans and fans of other bad teams were shaking in their booties with the fear that the big market Bulls would find their way back into the lottery and reign on our tanking parades. The Bulls were 14-18 entering the day on January 7 when they traded Deng to Cleveland. Then, Joakim Noah decided to play like an MVP and Tom Thibodeau solidified his place as a top five coach in the NBA and the team began to fight their way out of the mediocre fate that they seemed destined for.
The Deng trade was a more curious move for Cleveland as they chose to go for it a little early. Clearly this was a tank move for the Bulls as they got an injured/permanently disgruntled Andrew Bynum and a pick in return and Bynum would be immediately waived after the trade. Maybe it was addition by subtraction as the move allowed more offensive freedom for the likes of Jimmy Butler and Mike Dunleavy, arguably the craftiest player in the NBA, on the wing.
A more subtle move the Bulls made was signing guard DJ Augustin who was quickly becoming an NBA after-thought. Augustin turned out to be a sensation for the Bulls this year, playing heavy minutes in Derrick Rose' absence. Believe it or not, Augustin averaged 15 points and five assists in 30+ minutes per game for the Bulls this year, shooting a pretty respectable 42 percent from the floor.
Flash forward to the end of the Bulls' last regular season game, they're sitting at 48-34 and in the fourth seed in the East. I'm assuming the Bulls hoped they'd see the Brooklyn Nets in the first round and not the Washington Wizards.
The Nets would have been a better matchup for the Bulls. They had faced them the year before in the first round of the playoffs and had beaten them in two of the three matchups this season whereas the Bulls were just 1-2 against the Wizards this season.
The Nets are old and slow (almost like the Bulls) and the Wizards are young and a pretty well-rounded team. Nene played like an animal in that entire series (17.8 points 6.5 rebounds per game), save for Game 4 where he was suspended for attempting a little mid-Game 3 Brazilian jiu-jitsu on Jimmy Buckets.
Honestly, I'd pit that Wizards starting five against any team in the league going-forward. They are a bit of a buzzsaw if they're on.
I think America got fully introduced to the 2013-14 Chicago Bulls Without Derrick Rose. The Bulls were painful to watch in the second half of these games. Taj Gibson was his normal self, for the most part, but watching him go iso in the closing moments of some of those games was cringe-worthy and Augustin playing 40+ minutes of post-season basketball isn't ideal.
Also, I've never heard Michael Fant, the resident Bulls die-hard, complain so much about the play of Noah this series. Noah was this season's Defensive Player of the Year and he was taken to task by Nene, Marcin Gortat and Trevor Booker all series. This just shows that he may need a better, tougher defender next to him. I'm looking at you, Carlos Boozer.
It'll be interesting to see what the Bulls do this coming offseason to improve the offense. There's little doubt they'll use the amnesty provision on Boozer if they can't find a trade partner for him (and they won't). Derrick Rose coming back might help but will he be the same?
It's probably going to be the Bulls division to win going into next year with the Pacers going Mr. Hyde in the second half of this season and having plenty of uncertainty for next season themselves.
I'm looking forward to hoping on the Wizards' bandwagon after the Raptors are inevitably eliminated.
-Mitch
Bucks fans and fans of other bad teams were shaking in their booties with the fear that the big market Bulls would find their way back into the lottery and reign on our tanking parades. The Bulls were 14-18 entering the day on January 7 when they traded Deng to Cleveland. Then, Joakim Noah decided to play like an MVP and Tom Thibodeau solidified his place as a top five coach in the NBA and the team began to fight their way out of the mediocre fate that they seemed destined for.
The Deng trade was a more curious move for Cleveland as they chose to go for it a little early. Clearly this was a tank move for the Bulls as they got an injured/permanently disgruntled Andrew Bynum and a pick in return and Bynum would be immediately waived after the trade. Maybe it was addition by subtraction as the move allowed more offensive freedom for the likes of Jimmy Butler and Mike Dunleavy, arguably the craftiest player in the NBA, on the wing.
A more subtle move the Bulls made was signing guard DJ Augustin who was quickly becoming an NBA after-thought. Augustin turned out to be a sensation for the Bulls this year, playing heavy minutes in Derrick Rose' absence. Believe it or not, Augustin averaged 15 points and five assists in 30+ minutes per game for the Bulls this year, shooting a pretty respectable 42 percent from the floor.
Flash forward to the end of the Bulls' last regular season game, they're sitting at 48-34 and in the fourth seed in the East. I'm assuming the Bulls hoped they'd see the Brooklyn Nets in the first round and not the Washington Wizards.
The Nets would have been a better matchup for the Bulls. They had faced them the year before in the first round of the playoffs and had beaten them in two of the three matchups this season whereas the Bulls were just 1-2 against the Wizards this season.
The Nets are old and slow (almost like the Bulls) and the Wizards are young and a pretty well-rounded team. Nene played like an animal in that entire series (17.8 points 6.5 rebounds per game), save for Game 4 where he was suspended for attempting a little mid-Game 3 Brazilian jiu-jitsu on Jimmy Buckets.
Honestly, I'd pit that Wizards starting five against any team in the league going-forward. They are a bit of a buzzsaw if they're on.
I think America got fully introduced to the 2013-14 Chicago Bulls Without Derrick Rose. The Bulls were painful to watch in the second half of these games. Taj Gibson was his normal self, for the most part, but watching him go iso in the closing moments of some of those games was cringe-worthy and Augustin playing 40+ minutes of post-season basketball isn't ideal.
Also, I've never heard Michael Fant, the resident Bulls die-hard, complain so much about the play of Noah this series. Noah was this season's Defensive Player of the Year and he was taken to task by Nene, Marcin Gortat and Trevor Booker all series. This just shows that he may need a better, tougher defender next to him. I'm looking at you, Carlos Boozer.
It'll be interesting to see what the Bulls do this coming offseason to improve the offense. There's little doubt they'll use the amnesty provision on Boozer if they can't find a trade partner for him (and they won't). Derrick Rose coming back might help but will he be the same?
It's probably going to be the Bulls division to win going into next year with the Pacers going Mr. Hyde in the second half of this season and having plenty of uncertainty for next season themselves.
I'm looking forward to hoping on the Wizards' bandwagon after the Raptors are inevitably eliminated.
-Mitch
NBA Playoffs Recaps: Clippers Come Up Big, #THUNDERGRIZZLES & Wiz Kids Alive!
Every night there is some sort of drama about the NBA Playoffs. Every game is worth talking about even if it is just to make fun of somebody. The recaps look at the game itself and what could be upcoming for the teams.
Los Angeles shakes off distraction, takes Game 5
People wondered what the state of mind would be for Los Angeles as they played their game at home since the Donald Sterling scandal. Los Angeles took advantage winning Game 5 and taking advantage in the series with a 113-103 win. Clippers had a spirited crowd behind him, and a big game from DeAndre Jordan proved to be the difference in the game. Jordan's strong season went a bit under the radar with the play of Blake Griffin all season, but he made a strong case for Defensive Player of the Year. Jordan had 25 points with 18 rebounds and four blocks. He dominated the whole game long and looked completely engaged. If the Clippers get half of that from Jordan in the coming games/series, Los Angeles can win the NBA Finals.
As for Golden State, is it time to start wondering about Stephen Curry? I know we all love him but besides Game 4, he's been pretty average at best. Tonight, Curry only shot the ball 10 times with seven of them being from behind three. He also added eight turnovers. This hasn't been a great series for Curry and it could be dealing with a mean three-headed monster of Chris Paul, Jamal Crawford and Darren Collison yet it is worth paying attention to it.
Appropriate picture: Clippers banded together to say 'We Are One'
Thunder and Grizzlies play another classic
THIS SERIES. Four straight games with an overtime period, and the Grizzlies came out victorious with a 100-99 win taking the 3-2 advantage heading back to the Grindhouse for Game 6 Thursday night. The bizarre thing about this series is every game it is nearly the same. Memphis buries Oklahoma City early, Thunder make a comeback that includes a four-point play and force overtime where it is 'may the best man win.' Mike Miller rose from the dead to hit two huge threes in overtime and had 21 points for the game leading the Grizzlies in scoring. Miller has become a vital part to this Memphis team and helped them out when the rest of the team was not cooking on all cylinders. But let's be real, the talk is about Oklahoma City.
This was a Russell Westbrook game. We thought it would be one where we are talking about Russell for the next week because he played out of his mind with a triple-double having 30 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists plus a big steal to tie the game with four seconds left. Westbrook looked like himself more than ever before, but as you would believe it, people are starting to come around with Kevin Durant criticisms. He didn't touch the ball in the fourth quarter letting Westbrook work, but that wasn't good enough for people. Then he missed a key free throw with under 30 seconds keeping the lead at one. The debate will be Joey Crawford making an icing attempt at Durant by taking the ball and going to the scorers table, but that's a cop out for Durant (Crawford is such a mental midget, acted like someone had sex with his daughter in front of him). He needs to find a way to be better or else this team is done on Thursday.
Appropriate Video: Westbrook cookies steal.
Wiz Kids are nothing to F' with
Sure they only scored 75 points tonight in a close out win, but they also held Chicago to 69 points so I guess there is that as they sent Chicago packing. It is memorizing to see this Bulls team go from being a top four team to the East then falling to complete shambles in five games with Washington winning all three games in Chicago. They are legit. I don't think they could get to the NBA Finals, let's not get crazy, but at the same time, Washington can handle everything thrown at them in the next series whether it be Indiana or Atlanta. Here are the bright spots for Washington... John Wall has been inconsistent through the first five games, and him having 24 points with seven assists is really encouraging. Nene and Marcin Gortat continued to make Joakim Noah look like a small child. Nene had 20 points with seven rebounds while Gortat didn't do much on offense yet still grabbed 13 rebounds. The Wiz Kids are a bandwagon we can all get on, folks.
Approrirate Song: Bullets... er Wizards Fever!!!!!
Charlie.
Los Angeles shakes off distraction, takes Game 5
People wondered what the state of mind would be for Los Angeles as they played their game at home since the Donald Sterling scandal. Los Angeles took advantage winning Game 5 and taking advantage in the series with a 113-103 win. Clippers had a spirited crowd behind him, and a big game from DeAndre Jordan proved to be the difference in the game. Jordan's strong season went a bit under the radar with the play of Blake Griffin all season, but he made a strong case for Defensive Player of the Year. Jordan had 25 points with 18 rebounds and four blocks. He dominated the whole game long and looked completely engaged. If the Clippers get half of that from Jordan in the coming games/series, Los Angeles can win the NBA Finals.
As for Golden State, is it time to start wondering about Stephen Curry? I know we all love him but besides Game 4, he's been pretty average at best. Tonight, Curry only shot the ball 10 times with seven of them being from behind three. He also added eight turnovers. This hasn't been a great series for Curry and it could be dealing with a mean three-headed monster of Chris Paul, Jamal Crawford and Darren Collison yet it is worth paying attention to it.
Appropriate picture: Clippers banded together to say 'We Are One'
THIS SERIES. Four straight games with an overtime period, and the Grizzlies came out victorious with a 100-99 win taking the 3-2 advantage heading back to the Grindhouse for Game 6 Thursday night. The bizarre thing about this series is every game it is nearly the same. Memphis buries Oklahoma City early, Thunder make a comeback that includes a four-point play and force overtime where it is 'may the best man win.' Mike Miller rose from the dead to hit two huge threes in overtime and had 21 points for the game leading the Grizzlies in scoring. Miller has become a vital part to this Memphis team and helped them out when the rest of the team was not cooking on all cylinders. But let's be real, the talk is about Oklahoma City.
This was a Russell Westbrook game. We thought it would be one where we are talking about Russell for the next week because he played out of his mind with a triple-double having 30 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists plus a big steal to tie the game with four seconds left. Westbrook looked like himself more than ever before, but as you would believe it, people are starting to come around with Kevin Durant criticisms. He didn't touch the ball in the fourth quarter letting Westbrook work, but that wasn't good enough for people. Then he missed a key free throw with under 30 seconds keeping the lead at one. The debate will be Joey Crawford making an icing attempt at Durant by taking the ball and going to the scorers table, but that's a cop out for Durant (Crawford is such a mental midget, acted like someone had sex with his daughter in front of him). He needs to find a way to be better or else this team is done on Thursday.
Appropriate Video: Westbrook cookies steal.
Wiz Kids are nothing to F' with
Sure they only scored 75 points tonight in a close out win, but they also held Chicago to 69 points so I guess there is that as they sent Chicago packing. It is memorizing to see this Bulls team go from being a top four team to the East then falling to complete shambles in five games with Washington winning all three games in Chicago. They are legit. I don't think they could get to the NBA Finals, let's not get crazy, but at the same time, Washington can handle everything thrown at them in the next series whether it be Indiana or Atlanta. Here are the bright spots for Washington... John Wall has been inconsistent through the first five games, and him having 24 points with seven assists is really encouraging. Nene and Marcin Gortat continued to make Joakim Noah look like a small child. Nene had 20 points with seven rebounds while Gortat didn't do much on offense yet still grabbed 13 rebounds. The Wiz Kids are a bandwagon we can all get on, folks.
Approrirate Song: Bullets... er Wizards Fever!!!!!
Charlie.
Wei-Chung Wang Spreads to St. Louis
I have to be honest I thought Wei-Chung Wang Wednesdays was just a one day thing that we could laugh at, but Marcus Hamel, the bullpen catcher, decided to go for a round two. This time involving the St. Louis Arch calling the 'Across The Nation' edition with everyone dressed up and paving the way for the star of the video Wei-Chung Wang whose rocking the beanie with a dress shirt. That's a power move. It is like saying 'Hey girl, I am not that fancy, gotta have a little edge to me.' I would like to give props to Tyler Thornburg's dance moves again, Jim Henderson looked good out there and Will Smith also did the damn thing. Love this team.Charlie.
Adam Silver's Strong Response to Donald Sterling
Adam Silver stepped to the podium to make this first big decision as NBA Commissioner. Silver didn't even get to give away the Larry O'Brien Trophy yet before dealing with a massive crisis. Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling banned for life from the NBA, fined 2.5 million dollars and Silver requests the owners will make him sell the basketball team. Silver brought the hammer gaining immediate respect from the players, but you have to wonder what kind of precedent he setting going forward, Doc Rivers playing the 'Boy who cried wolf' and what would have David Stern done?
Silver had to make a statement. He has been commissioner since February 1st which is almost three months for those who care curious. If he came out and looked weak, other owners and players would want to take advantage of him. If Silver came in slight favor of Sterling saying 'We are going to continue to review it and suspend Sterling for the playoffs," Silver would lose the players in his first three months of having what could be a long-term job. Did he really want to go against the players in this case? Absolutely not.
He knew gaining their support would mean the world for other ventures Silver is planning in the coming years. Sure, it is about what Sterling said and did and how it cannot be tolerated yet at the same time, Silver knows damn well he now has some leeway with the players. He isn't a dumb man. Silver becoming a friend of the players and former players will help him in so many ways, and he can regain the owner's trust even though I really don't think many owners are thinking this morning that Silver went against them unless they are worried about the idea of 'forcing someone out for a private conversation.' And if that's the case, Silver needs to reassure them this is an extreme situation.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban spoke out yesterday disowning Sterling's comments, but recognizing there would be a 'slippery slope' if the NBA forced an owner out in this type of situation. We first have to know if V. Stiviano had permission to tape things due to what Sterling told her, or if she did this out of spite because she finally had with his racism. It could be a mix of both honestly. But now owners might have to be even more careful with everything they say or do whether it be interactions with people, extramarital affairs (If you think Sterling is the only owner with a sidepiece, you are naive) and all sorts of business whether it be team-related or not. Owners will now be on red alert knowing they could get 'Sterling'd' if they take a wrong step in their private life.
It is such a tough line to walk here because you want everyone to be good, and if they are a piece of shit, there is no reason they should own a professional sports franchise. But at the same time, not everyone is a good human being. If you think otherwise, you live in a world where everyone eats candy all the time and unicorns roam freely. The fact of the matter is there are a lot of owners who know in their heart of hearts that they're kind of an asshole when not in the public eye. Maybe not a racist, but they probably have some awful things. As Kareem Abdul Jabbar put on Monday to TIME, 'This girl will get a book deal, reality show...' And guess what someone else will want to be the next V. Stiviano whether she or he is personally involved with the owner.
Doc Rivers has become a sympathetic character in this whole scenario because he didn't tow the company lie and said what he felt about the situation plus him being a black head coach adds a complete other element. But for Rivers to say, he didn't really know about Sterling's background is wrong and ridiculous. Doc knew damn well the owner he was working for when he inked the deal to be the Clippers coach. He just saw it as 'out of sight, out of mind' sort of thing. And then for Rivers to speak after Los Angeles' win against Golden State about Donald's wife, Shelly, who isn't not clean in this situation by any means about her 'love for the players' seems so flawed. Once again, Rivers escapes criticism because he is a lovable media type and went off the beaten path enough.
I keep coming back to David Stern. What would he have done? Stern and Sterling weren't enemies during his long tenure. Stern let him get away with MURDER in owner terms by allowing the Clippers to be hapless for so many years and all of his digressions throughout the years. No one will probably ever know as Stern remains completely mum on the situation. But there is a part of me that thinks he would not have went to the extremes of which Silver did on Tuesday afternoon.
It's a new era in Los Angeles.
Charlie.
Selasa, 29 April 2014
SnoTap Song of the Day: Mt. Olympus - Big K.R.I.T.
I am a Big K.R.I.T. fan. I have been for awhile now. This blog rides pretty damn hard for KRIT. Kramer once reviewed his album for the site. The thing is we want to see K.R.I.T. to succeed. He is one of the only 'underground' hip-hop artists in the game that I follow his or her every move. All I am asking for his one Top 40 hit for KRIT where people start realizing he can be a top 40 heavyweight or a hell of a feature. He absolutely tears up the own beat he makes and delivers one of the best songs of 2014. KRIT also makes mention of the world famous "Control" song featuring one of Kendrick Lamar's best verses in the past year and basically calls everyone basic for trying to use the same song. Good night Tappers.
Charlie.
Robinson Cano Punks Yankees Fans
This is so PERFECT. Like the best thing I have seen in awhile. I am not in New York so I don't have the same perspective KFC from Barstool: New York had this morning, but I love it for the fact it shows how faceless fans think they are in the stands. These guys boo people all the time thinking they can get away with because they are fans and no one will hear them, and then they get tight when Robinson Cano pops out from behind the wall. Like they change on a complete dime. It becomes "I HATE YOUR GUTS" to 'Oh shit, I am sorry, welcome back to New York Robbie.' I am not the booing type. I have said on record, I would stand up and cheer for Prince Fielder, the same goes for Zack Greinke or CC Sabathia. Any Brewers fans who boo those guys flat out suck. They brought so much promise to the Brewers team. Yankees fans are just hurt Cano actually left New York.
I don't think he would do it, but I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see Ryan Braun do something similar when he plays the Mets this June. Please do it.
Charlie.
NBA Playoffs Recaps: Disappointed Pacers, Spurs Survive & Heat Sweep
NBA Playoffs will be going on throughout the days. Charlie Tritschler gives quick recaps of each game with a video, GIF, Vine or picture to describe for the people that missed it.
Indiana finds a way to lose Game 5 at home...
The Indiana situation might be something we have never seen before in professional sports. This isn't a team that's choking rather a team that is the most inconsistent and broken up team we have ever seen in NBA history. Going from 33-7 to being on the brink of elimination to one of the weakest eighth seed of all-time. Atlanta blew them out for three quarters with an insane second quarter from Mike Scott. The Hawks are one game away from winning the series and moving on to the second round for the first time since 2010-2011. How does Indiana respond in Wednesday's game? I am running out of answers for this Pacer team. Just when you think they are ready to be a threat in the playoffs, they turn around and get blown out at home. Even though they made it a game, Indiana still disappointed in a major way. Pathetic loss by the team and the organization. I would rather have a 38 win team make to the second round versus what we have with Indiana right now. At least they give a shit.
Appropriate video: Mike Scott making it rain.
Dallas nearly steals another from San Antonio
Can we be honest with each other here.... In three of the four games, Dallas has been the better team and yet we are knotted up at two's. Boris Diaw hit the big shot of the evening with his three-pointer late breaking the tie, and San Antonio stayed ahead the rest of the way. DeJuan Blair's attempt to kick Tiago Splitter in the face at the end of the game might have been one of the dumbest moves I have seen in basketball. He gave San Antonio an extra point in a game where Dallas certainly could not give up. It was a lowlight on a great game from Blair who had 12 points and eleven rebounds. Tony Parker turned his ankle and struggled mightily in this game leading to Gregg Popovich benching him for a bit in the middle part of the fourth quarter. I expect a better Parker performance in Game 5. This feels like it will be a game where San Antonio lets Dallas who is boss of this series.
Appropriate Video: Blair's karate kick.
Miami takes down a spirited Charlotte team
The first team is eliminated from the playoffs as Charlotte loses to the Heat for the fourth straight game meaning Miami picked up the sweep and gets to rest for awhile with their next opponent at least playing two more games. Charlotte hung with them without Al Jefferson as he missed the game with a foot injury. Kemba Walker had his best game of his playoffs with 29 points making four threes, five rebounds and five assists, but LeBron James was too much. He had 31 points and played a large part in powering a big third quarter for Miami. I have a feeling Charlotte will be back in the playoffs next year and years to come. The future is bright for the now Hornets. It really does look like it is Miami and everybody else in the NBA Playoffs.
Appropriate picture: Michael Jordan and LeBron share a handshake then a hug.
Charlie.
Indiana finds a way to lose Game 5 at home...
The Indiana situation might be something we have never seen before in professional sports. This isn't a team that's choking rather a team that is the most inconsistent and broken up team we have ever seen in NBA history. Going from 33-7 to being on the brink of elimination to one of the weakest eighth seed of all-time. Atlanta blew them out for three quarters with an insane second quarter from Mike Scott. The Hawks are one game away from winning the series and moving on to the second round for the first time since 2010-2011. How does Indiana respond in Wednesday's game? I am running out of answers for this Pacer team. Just when you think they are ready to be a threat in the playoffs, they turn around and get blown out at home. Even though they made it a game, Indiana still disappointed in a major way. Pathetic loss by the team and the organization. I would rather have a 38 win team make to the second round versus what we have with Indiana right now. At least they give a shit.
Appropriate video: Mike Scott making it rain.
Dallas nearly steals another from San Antonio
Can we be honest with each other here.... In three of the four games, Dallas has been the better team and yet we are knotted up at two's. Boris Diaw hit the big shot of the evening with his three-pointer late breaking the tie, and San Antonio stayed ahead the rest of the way. DeJuan Blair's attempt to kick Tiago Splitter in the face at the end of the game might have been one of the dumbest moves I have seen in basketball. He gave San Antonio an extra point in a game where Dallas certainly could not give up. It was a lowlight on a great game from Blair who had 12 points and eleven rebounds. Tony Parker turned his ankle and struggled mightily in this game leading to Gregg Popovich benching him for a bit in the middle part of the fourth quarter. I expect a better Parker performance in Game 5. This feels like it will be a game where San Antonio lets Dallas who is boss of this series.
Appropriate Video: Blair's karate kick.
Miami takes down a spirited Charlotte team
The first team is eliminated from the playoffs as Charlotte loses to the Heat for the fourth straight game meaning Miami picked up the sweep and gets to rest for awhile with their next opponent at least playing two more games. Charlotte hung with them without Al Jefferson as he missed the game with a foot injury. Kemba Walker had his best game of his playoffs with 29 points making four threes, five rebounds and five assists, but LeBron James was too much. He had 31 points and played a large part in powering a big third quarter for Miami. I have a feeling Charlotte will be back in the playoffs next year and years to come. The future is bright for the now Hornets. It really does look like it is Miami and everybody else in the NBA Playoffs.
Appropriate picture: Michael Jordan and LeBron share a handshake then a hug.
Charlie.
What's Magic Johnson's true involvement in Donald Sterling Situation?
Conspiracy theories can be some of the best cocktail party fodder while at the same time, it can drive you insane trying to figure out a rhyme or reason as to why something happened usually a major event. Conspiracy theories more times than not make the person whose making the case for it look complete crazy leading to all sorts of criticism. But the best is when someone floats out a conspiracy situation that ends up coming true in the end after all. The Donald Sterling situation presents itself to a conspiracy and makes me wonder if Magic Johnson could ever own the Los Angeles Clippers. Adrian Wojnarowski came out with a story late Sunday night that Johnson and his investment group, the Guggenheim group had been trying to buy the Clippers. He went after their neighbors, the Los Angeles Lakers, but the Buss family rejected their group meaning Magic had to look to the Clippers about becoming the owner and taking over the city once and for good. Johnson denies he wanted to own the Clippers, but just think about how much of this is all falling into place for him.
Everyone knew Sterling was a racist before the tapes came out, but it did nothing to cause him to lose his NBA franchise. There is no reason why Sterling should have a basketball team before this issue even happened with his estranged girlfriend Adam Silver meets with the media in three hours, and it seems like Sterling will be suspended b the league with the intent that he sells the team. Several owners have spoken out against his words plus many advertisers have either pulled out for the rest of the games this season or for following year. The latter could be the biggest reason why Sterling loses this team is if the ad money disappears, the NBA nor does the team makes any money. NBA doesn't want to deal with Sterling in the coming years meaning this is the perfect excuse to get rid of them.
Magic's group features many multi-millionaires and some billionaires as well meaning there are a ton of people whom know what it takes to make business deals happen even if it takes extreme measures. V. Stiviano, Sterling's ex-girlfriend said Sterling asked her to tape what he said allowing him not to forget the different things he said on a daily basis. This makes sense seeing as Sterling is 80 years old and probably senile. It did feel like she baited him a bit into answers, but that's not to be debated here. We all agree Sterling is a racist, but Stiviano pushed him in the direction. What question needs to be answer to clear conspiracy thoughts is Magic's relationship with Sterling's ex-girlfriend.
If it is the only one time meeting, then it probably was all her doing without any involvement from Johnson. But if they somehow knew each other throughout the years which is entirely possible given Sterling having a relationship with Magic throughout the years. She could have played the tape for Magic and he could have been the leak, not her. That we will never find out, but think about how well of a position Magic is in if Sterling does get the ax. The league will take control of the team and look towards Magic and his group given all their success with the Dodgers. If people think the NBA would ignore Magic's desire to buy a team, you have no concept of how important and powerful it would be to have one of the best players in league's history to have his own team.
It also very possible Stiviano got sick of Sterling's shit and made sure he would save the racist things to ignite an outrage. That's the fun part about conspiracies. You never really know how the outcome will play out in your favor. This is not a hit job by Johnson and his group rather it don't think it is unreasonable to think Magic had his hand somewhere in here. He is one of the most revered men in sports as many see him in such a high regard which leads people to not dig around very much. Johnson denies wanting to own the Clippers, but you cannot tell me he wants a piece of the pie.
Charlie.
Charlie.
Quick Tap Episode Five
Quick Tap rolls on with another edition where we have a ton of fun especially with some of the questions today. I promise I am going to find a way via Google for you to ask questions whenever you want instead of waiting for me to tweet out questions. We had some good ones this week which is good and it makes me happy. So here's what we received in the batch of questions.Curt asks... "Ryan Braun hitting Jean Segura in the face makes him the worst person in baseball, right?" (He is obviously joking folks)
Adam asks... "How much would you give up to get Earl Thomas to the Green Bay Packers?"
Bryan asks... "Pancakes, Waffles, French Toast. Rank em."
Bryan asks... "If you were on Naked and Afraid, who is your partner and what's your survival tool."
Michael asks... "How are you?"
That took me to 14 minutes and I finished the six minutes talking about how I had to deal with racism on Saturday plus some Game of Thrones chatter.
Charlie.
Senin, 28 April 2014
SnoTap Song of the Day: They Don't Love No More - DJ Khaled (Feat. Meek Mill, French Montana, Rick Ross, Jay Z)
DJ Khaled is an interesting personality. Nobody is really going to say they are a DJ Khaled fan nor will they own up to having a full album of his as it is just features with prominent rap artists. But Khaled's albums are usually good for two or three strong tracks. He hasn't had a successful top 40 song in awhile since the days of 'We So Hood' and 'All I Do Is Win' yet at the same time, he still brings heavy hitters on tracks. This one features Meek Mill, Rick Ross and Jay Z. Meek and Rozay are typical features for Khaled, yet HOVA doesn't come around much. All three deliver pretty strong verses including Jay Z telling the NCAA how he really feel about things which will probably be a story tomorrow. Thanks for supporting us. I know this will be different, but it should still be fun.
Charlie.
Brewers-Cardinals Preview (4/28-4/30)
Brewers previews to get you ready for the series where we have five things to watch, pitching matchups and prediction. We add a YouTube video in the mix, it could be really anything.
Pitching Matchups & TV Time
Monday: Yovani Gallaro (2-0 1.42) vs. Michael Wacha (2-2 2.10) 7:15 pm FSNWI
Tuesday: Kyle Lohse (4-1 2.38) vs. Lance Lynn (4-1 3.30) 7:15 pm FSNWI
Wednesday: Matt Garza (1-2 4.09 vs. Shelby Miller (2-2 2.86) 12:45 pm FSNWI
Five Things To Watch
1. No Braun? No Segura, how ugly could it get? - There will probably be no Ryan Braun for three-game series, Jean Segura is missing tonight at least so it could get pretty nasty for the Crew. They struggled mightily without Segura and Braun yesterday with Jason Hammel, and it could get even worse with the three strong young starters from St. Louis. Although you never know with baseball meaning this could be a big week for Jonathan Lucroy if you do play fantasy baseball getting more chances or even grabbing Jeff Bianchi if you are desperate as he will see more plate appearances.
2. Shhh but St. Louis has zero offense right now - Besides the 7-0 blowout of Pittsburgh yesterday afternoon and an 8-0 drubbing of Washington last week, the Cardinals have 15 runs in nine games. That's not great. Their offense is scuffling to say the least, and even despite their success against Milwaukee throughout the years, it is not like their offense is humming right now. It is weird too because four of the big hitters on St. Louis' team are hitting the ball reasonably well, but none of their secondary players are contributing right now.
3. Yovani's stale Busch success - In the last three years, Yovani has been abysmal against St. Louis and even more terrible when pitching at Busch Stadium. He allowed 42 runs in 53 games yielding an ERA of a little over seven. He has given up 15 home runs against St. Louis which is the most against any team in that same three-year span. Yovani battled a demon already in Boston, and he will attempt to do it again at Busch tonight with this one being a bigger demon. The first time through the order will be the big thing. If Yovani goes scoreless through the first two or three innings, he could be on his way to exorcising this one. If he did, that would be HUGE moving forward with this team.
4. Expecting the blown save - This sounds horrible, but I am waiting for Francisco Rodriguez to blow a save. I am not ready to live in a world where he blows only one or two saves. I mean it could happen as J.P. said in Angles In the Outfield, but at some time, it would have to come to the end. This would be a brutal series to blow a save because honestly, the expectation is maybe one win for the Brewers so if Frankie blows one or two this week, it would be a huge disappointment.
5. Lance Lynn and Shelby Miller, the Sequel - OH NOT THESE GUYS AGAIN. Both Lynn and Miller were awesome against the Brewers at Miller Park, and now they return to face the same order sans Braun and Segura at Busch Stadium. In two starts after his Brewers start, Lynn has only allowed three runs in 12 innings. As for Miller, he hasn't allowed a run since giving up a home run to Aramis Ramirez so this will probably end well for the Brewers.
Appropriate YouTube Video
Let's go with Dumb and Dumber. I feel terrible about this series, worse than I did against Boston so this works. Let's try to win one here, boys.
Prediction
I am expecting a sweep. I told a guy at the bar on Saturday night if the Brewers lose all three of them adding the loss on Sunday, they are still eight games above .500 and still have a 1.5 game lead on St. Louis. Also this great note from J.P. Breen
Charlie.
Pitching Matchups & TV Time
Monday: Yovani Gallaro (2-0 1.42) vs. Michael Wacha (2-2 2.10) 7:15 pm FSNWI
Tuesday: Kyle Lohse (4-1 2.38) vs. Lance Lynn (4-1 3.30) 7:15 pm FSNWI
Wednesday: Matt Garza (1-2 4.09 vs. Shelby Miller (2-2 2.86) 12:45 pm FSNWI
Five Things To Watch
1. No Braun? No Segura, how ugly could it get? - There will probably be no Ryan Braun for three-game series, Jean Segura is missing tonight at least so it could get pretty nasty for the Crew. They struggled mightily without Segura and Braun yesterday with Jason Hammel, and it could get even worse with the three strong young starters from St. Louis. Although you never know with baseball meaning this could be a big week for Jonathan Lucroy if you do play fantasy baseball getting more chances or even grabbing Jeff Bianchi if you are desperate as he will see more plate appearances. 2. Shhh but St. Louis has zero offense right now - Besides the 7-0 blowout of Pittsburgh yesterday afternoon and an 8-0 drubbing of Washington last week, the Cardinals have 15 runs in nine games. That's not great. Their offense is scuffling to say the least, and even despite their success against Milwaukee throughout the years, it is not like their offense is humming right now. It is weird too because four of the big hitters on St. Louis' team are hitting the ball reasonably well, but none of their secondary players are contributing right now.
3. Yovani's stale Busch success - In the last three years, Yovani has been abysmal against St. Louis and even more terrible when pitching at Busch Stadium. He allowed 42 runs in 53 games yielding an ERA of a little over seven. He has given up 15 home runs against St. Louis which is the most against any team in that same three-year span. Yovani battled a demon already in Boston, and he will attempt to do it again at Busch tonight with this one being a bigger demon. The first time through the order will be the big thing. If Yovani goes scoreless through the first two or three innings, he could be on his way to exorcising this one. If he did, that would be HUGE moving forward with this team.
4. Expecting the blown save - This sounds horrible, but I am waiting for Francisco Rodriguez to blow a save. I am not ready to live in a world where he blows only one or two saves. I mean it could happen as J.P. said in Angles In the Outfield, but at some time, it would have to come to the end. This would be a brutal series to blow a save because honestly, the expectation is maybe one win for the Brewers so if Frankie blows one or two this week, it would be a huge disappointment.
5. Lance Lynn and Shelby Miller, the Sequel - OH NOT THESE GUYS AGAIN. Both Lynn and Miller were awesome against the Brewers at Miller Park, and now they return to face the same order sans Braun and Segura at Busch Stadium. In two starts after his Brewers start, Lynn has only allowed three runs in 12 innings. As for Miller, he hasn't allowed a run since giving up a home run to Aramis Ramirez so this will probably end well for the Brewers.
Appropriate YouTube Video
Let's go with Dumb and Dumber. I feel terrible about this series, worse than I did against Boston so this works. Let's try to win one here, boys.
Prediction
I am expecting a sweep. I told a guy at the bar on Saturday night if the Brewers lose all three of them adding the loss on Sunday, they are still eight games above .500 and still have a 1.5 game lead on St. Louis. Also this great note from J.P. Breen
In 2011, the #Brewers did not finish above .500 against the #Cardinals, yet the team won 96 games and won the NL Central crown.
— J.P. Breen (@JP_Breen) April 28, 2014Charlie.
Eight Thoughts About NBA Playoffs Weekend
Even though I am taking a slight break form SnoTap, I still am watching as much sports as possible. I had work through the weekend so I DVR'd a ton of NBA programming much to the dismay of my 'roommates.' What a weekend for the NBA on the court. Obviously, what happened off the court is terrible for the league, but we can make the argument, has the league ever been better than right now? Every night is must-see television with four series and a possible three more going sixth games (Sorry Bobcats) is fantastic for the product. Let's talk about some of the things that happened this weekend.
1.) Rockets-Blazers is the best 3-1 series I have ever seen - WHAT A SERIES. Three of four games have went to overtime. Each game has been must-see television and will be again when Portland tries to close them out in H-Town on Wednesday night. Once again, Houston had Portland where they wanted them until a late run yet Houston battled back finding a way to earn it at the free throw line giving them a quick lead before Mo Williams happened. Jeremy Lin is the obvious goat in this game. All he had to do was pass the ball ensuring Williams would not cause the turnover and then he had a putrid close out against Williams which allowed the long-time veteran to force overtime Wes Matthews had two clutch steals in the extra period to ensure victory for Portland. Four Trail Blazers had 20+ points.
2.) Reggie Jackson is owed millions of fruit baskets - Game 4 was a true turning point in the Oklahoma City-Memphis series because the Thunder won an overtime game where Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combined 30 points. 30! That's usually a point total for either Durant or Westbrook so the fact they won forcing another trip back to Memphis is unbelievable. All the credit goes to Reggie Jackson with 32 points and nine rebounds with 11/16 from the field. Jackson is a true slasher but he did add two threes in this one. He played 21 more minutes than he did in Game 1 or 2 so I will be interested in seeing how much run Jackson gets from the rest of this series.
3.) Washington might be the second strongest team right now... Wait what? - Dead serious man. It is Miami and then Washington. You could put Portland there too, but let's be real, they have played better in the final five minutes of the game rather winning complete games. Washington has it all right now ranging from scoring guards to tough interior presence as well as guys who aren't going to take any shit from anyone i.e. Nene getting popped for a game for head-butting Jimmy Butler and Bradley Beal getting in Kirk Henrich's face. I love the makeup of this team right now, and I think it is not unreasonable to think this team can end up in the Eastern Conference with ease.
4.) Vince, Monta... Dallas up 2-1? How? - Man, I have no idea. Your guess is as good as mine. I thought when San Antonio played Dallas, it was better than facing Memphis. But these are a group of wily veterans who have been there before and Rick Carlisle is one of the most underrated coaches in professional sports are giving them all sorts of problems. Monta Ellis has been terrific thus far in the series creating all sorts of problems for San Antonio. I don't think the Spurs are in trouble, but this is definitely going six or seven games.
5.) Clippers too distracted to win the series? - We already talked about Los Angeles situation with Donald Sterling this morning, but now I am wondering if they are in a little bit of trouble with the Warriors. Los Angeles gave up 118 points on Sunday with Golden State going 55 percent from the field and nearly 50 percent from three including a red hot from Stephen Curry. Also Los Angeles had 19 turnovers. I am not saying they will mail the series in through the rest of the way, but I cannot help but think they are wondering 'Why am I playing for this team?' It's a fair question to ask right now.
6.) LeBron's staredown of MJ is a full heel move and an awesome one - Not much to say here, but it was a professional wrestling move from LeBron. He knows people compare him and Michael Jordan all the time where Jordan is still the fan favorite. LBJ gave him the 'I don't give shit who you are look, I am the king of this business.' I loved it. Embrace the villain Bron, I have been saying that for years. Although now, I think Miami needs to win another championship or LeBron's staredown will be a popular meme this June.
7.) Brooklyn and Toronto looks like a hockey playoff series - This has become quite a physical series where the fouls are hard and scoring is not easy. Toronto held Brooklyn to 79 points on their home court with a strong defensive effort plus the one-two punch of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry combining for 44 points. Toronto also had a great night from the free throw line missing only four free throws while Brooklyn missed 10 of them which is an obvious difference in an eight point game. It will be absolutely bananas in Toronto for Game 5. I think this game gave T.Dot all sorts of confidence.
8.) Pacers are being held together by string - One of the big themes from this series is Indiana's slow starts in the first half of the games. Pacers only had 42 points in this one before coming on strong in the second half with Paul George and David West hitting big 3-pointers for them late in the game. Indiana is going to win this series, but if they were playing a high-quality, above .500 eighth seed, I don't think it is a given Indiana is winning the series.
1.) Rockets-Blazers is the best 3-1 series I have ever seen - WHAT A SERIES. Three of four games have went to overtime. Each game has been must-see television and will be again when Portland tries to close them out in H-Town on Wednesday night. Once again, Houston had Portland where they wanted them until a late run yet Houston battled back finding a way to earn it at the free throw line giving them a quick lead before Mo Williams happened. Jeremy Lin is the obvious goat in this game. All he had to do was pass the ball ensuring Williams would not cause the turnover and then he had a putrid close out against Williams which allowed the long-time veteran to force overtime Wes Matthews had two clutch steals in the extra period to ensure victory for Portland. Four Trail Blazers had 20+ points.
2.) Reggie Jackson is owed millions of fruit baskets - Game 4 was a true turning point in the Oklahoma City-Memphis series because the Thunder won an overtime game where Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combined 30 points. 30! That's usually a point total for either Durant or Westbrook so the fact they won forcing another trip back to Memphis is unbelievable. All the credit goes to Reggie Jackson with 32 points and nine rebounds with 11/16 from the field. Jackson is a true slasher but he did add two threes in this one. He played 21 more minutes than he did in Game 1 or 2 so I will be interested in seeing how much run Jackson gets from the rest of this series. 3.) Washington might be the second strongest team right now... Wait what? - Dead serious man. It is Miami and then Washington. You could put Portland there too, but let's be real, they have played better in the final five minutes of the game rather winning complete games. Washington has it all right now ranging from scoring guards to tough interior presence as well as guys who aren't going to take any shit from anyone i.e. Nene getting popped for a game for head-butting Jimmy Butler and Bradley Beal getting in Kirk Henrich's face. I love the makeup of this team right now, and I think it is not unreasonable to think this team can end up in the Eastern Conference with ease.
4.) Vince, Monta... Dallas up 2-1? How? - Man, I have no idea. Your guess is as good as mine. I thought when San Antonio played Dallas, it was better than facing Memphis. But these are a group of wily veterans who have been there before and Rick Carlisle is one of the most underrated coaches in professional sports are giving them all sorts of problems. Monta Ellis has been terrific thus far in the series creating all sorts of problems for San Antonio. I don't think the Spurs are in trouble, but this is definitely going six or seven games.
5.) Clippers too distracted to win the series? - We already talked about Los Angeles situation with Donald Sterling this morning, but now I am wondering if they are in a little bit of trouble with the Warriors. Los Angeles gave up 118 points on Sunday with Golden State going 55 percent from the field and nearly 50 percent from three including a red hot from Stephen Curry. Also Los Angeles had 19 turnovers. I am not saying they will mail the series in through the rest of the way, but I cannot help but think they are wondering 'Why am I playing for this team?' It's a fair question to ask right now.
6.) LeBron's staredown of MJ is a full heel move and an awesome one - Not much to say here, but it was a professional wrestling move from LeBron. He knows people compare him and Michael Jordan all the time where Jordan is still the fan favorite. LBJ gave him the 'I don't give shit who you are look, I am the king of this business.' I loved it. Embrace the villain Bron, I have been saying that for years. Although now, I think Miami needs to win another championship or LeBron's staredown will be a popular meme this June.
7.) Brooklyn and Toronto looks like a hockey playoff series - This has become quite a physical series where the fouls are hard and scoring is not easy. Toronto held Brooklyn to 79 points on their home court with a strong defensive effort plus the one-two punch of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry combining for 44 points. Toronto also had a great night from the free throw line missing only four free throws while Brooklyn missed 10 of them which is an obvious difference in an eight point game. It will be absolutely bananas in Toronto for Game 5. I think this game gave T.Dot all sorts of confidence.
8.) Pacers are being held together by string - One of the big themes from this series is Indiana's slow starts in the first half of the games. Pacers only had 42 points in this one before coming on strong in the second half with Paul George and David West hitting big 3-pointers for them late in the game. Indiana is going to win this series, but if they were playing a high-quality, above .500 eighth seed, I don't think it is a given Indiana is winning the series.
Highlights-Lowlights: Brewers-Cubs (4/25-4/27)
This is SnoTap's version of recap of the two, three or four game series Milwaukee Brewers will play this season. We focus on the positives and negatives with topics about the game and topics that were nowhere near close to part of the game.
Highlights
Matt Garza - There is something about facing your former team, or I would like to think it has to be sort of cool about it. Garza had been struggling in the last couple starts, and he put together for a strong seven innings start notching his first win as a Milwaukee Brewer. Garza allowed only four hits and striking out seven batters only walking one batter. Garza had all of his pitches working confusing and befuddling Cubs batters. Hopefully, this is the start of strong performances for Garza. If Garza gets hot, it will only continue for Milwaukee's impressive start with their starting pitching.
Francisco Rodriguez - Once again, Frankie had a big weekend with two saves on Friday and Saturday. K-Rod has eleven straight saves in April setting the record for consecutive saves for the month of April. Rodriguez's month has been one of the best in baseball only allowing four hits in 13 appearances and walking three batters over eleven games. He also has struck out 19 batters. Rodriguez known for '30 Pitchers of Terror' in the first two terms with Milwaukee, but right now, Rodriguez is averaging 14.8 pitches per appearances. At some point, you have to expect some struggle, but right now, it's Frankie's world and we are just living it in.
Marco Estrada - Even though he gave up a home run in the eighth inning, Estrada has another strong outing for the Brewers. He went seven-plus innings giving up only allowing four hits, two of which happened to be home runs, something that happens to Estrada given the way he pitches the baseball. It is encouraging to see Estrada succeed at Miller Park. He struggled mightily last year inside The Keg, and it is good to see him bounce back in a major way in the first month of the season.
Jeff Bianchi - The unsung hero of Saturday night's game against Chicago. Jean Segura suffered a bat to the face by Ryan Braun leading him to leave the game, and Bianchi stepped in delivering two hits including a big two-run single helping the Brewers to break open the game against the Cubs. Bianchi continues to be a solid and reliable option for Milwaukee off the bench.
Lyle Overbay - OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO chants were reigning down on Miller Park on Friday as Overbay blasted his first home run of the season. He added another hit in the game as well as had one in Sunday's loss giving him three hits in eight at-bats this weekend. Overbay's average is up to .273 on the season which is a massive improvement from how he started off the year. I would assume the platoon goes back to being more stringent with the success of Overbay lately and Mark Reynolds scuffling a bit at the dish.
Carlos Gomez's 'Aww' moment - If you missed it on Sunday, Carlos Gomez made a girl's day by signing her bobblehead box then giving her hug. Love to see those kind of moments.
Lowlights
Ryan Braun's Intercostal Strain - It's been a real up and down month for Braun as he has belted six home runs yet still bothered a bit by the thumb issue that plagued him last season, he is dealing with a intercostal strain which will keep him out three to five days. He could possibly pinch hit against St. Louis on Wednesday, but I doubt we see Braun until the weekend. If he needs to hit the Disabled List to recover, it's not the worst thing in the world to get him back 100 percent especially this early in the season.
Jean Segura's face -Milwaukee got very lucky when Braun's bat met Segura's mouth. He only needed stitches with the jaw not being broken or Segura suffering a concussion. He will be day-to-day with a chance he could play tonight against the Cardinals. Good to see he did not suffer too serious of an injury.
Saturday night brawl - Friends of the program went to Saturday's night game and saw this taking place in the 400 level of Miller Park. Apparently, it went on for five good minutes with beer being thrown in the stands. Brewers-Cubs have a rivalry, but it doesn't usually get to this point. Hopefully, it was just a rowdy Saturday night and this doesn't become a usual occurrence.
Aramis Ramirez - Did somebody tell him it's April? He did have two sacrifice flys knocking in two runs, but he also did not register a single hit this weekend. Something to keep an eye in the coming week will be if Rami's struggles at the plate continue.
Charlie.
Highlights
Matt Garza - There is something about facing your former team, or I would like to think it has to be sort of cool about it. Garza had been struggling in the last couple starts, and he put together for a strong seven innings start notching his first win as a Milwaukee Brewer. Garza allowed only four hits and striking out seven batters only walking one batter. Garza had all of his pitches working confusing and befuddling Cubs batters. Hopefully, this is the start of strong performances for Garza. If Garza gets hot, it will only continue for Milwaukee's impressive start with their starting pitching.
Francisco Rodriguez - Once again, Frankie had a big weekend with two saves on Friday and Saturday. K-Rod has eleven straight saves in April setting the record for consecutive saves for the month of April. Rodriguez's month has been one of the best in baseball only allowing four hits in 13 appearances and walking three batters over eleven games. He also has struck out 19 batters. Rodriguez known for '30 Pitchers of Terror' in the first two terms with Milwaukee, but right now, Rodriguez is averaging 14.8 pitches per appearances. At some point, you have to expect some struggle, but right now, it's Frankie's world and we are just living it in.Marco Estrada - Even though he gave up a home run in the eighth inning, Estrada has another strong outing for the Brewers. He went seven-plus innings giving up only allowing four hits, two of which happened to be home runs, something that happens to Estrada given the way he pitches the baseball. It is encouraging to see Estrada succeed at Miller Park. He struggled mightily last year inside The Keg, and it is good to see him bounce back in a major way in the first month of the season.
Jeff Bianchi - The unsung hero of Saturday night's game against Chicago. Jean Segura suffered a bat to the face by Ryan Braun leading him to leave the game, and Bianchi stepped in delivering two hits including a big two-run single helping the Brewers to break open the game against the Cubs. Bianchi continues to be a solid and reliable option for Milwaukee off the bench.
Lyle Overbay - OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO chants were reigning down on Miller Park on Friday as Overbay blasted his first home run of the season. He added another hit in the game as well as had one in Sunday's loss giving him three hits in eight at-bats this weekend. Overbay's average is up to .273 on the season which is a massive improvement from how he started off the year. I would assume the platoon goes back to being more stringent with the success of Overbay lately and Mark Reynolds scuffling a bit at the dish.
Carlos Gomez's 'Aww' moment - If you missed it on Sunday, Carlos Gomez made a girl's day by signing her bobblehead box then giving her hug. Love to see those kind of moments.
Lowlights
Ryan Braun's Intercostal Strain - It's been a real up and down month for Braun as he has belted six home runs yet still bothered a bit by the thumb issue that plagued him last season, he is dealing with a intercostal strain which will keep him out three to five days. He could possibly pinch hit against St. Louis on Wednesday, but I doubt we see Braun until the weekend. If he needs to hit the Disabled List to recover, it's not the worst thing in the world to get him back 100 percent especially this early in the season.
Jean Segura's face -Milwaukee got very lucky when Braun's bat met Segura's mouth. He only needed stitches with the jaw not being broken or Segura suffering a concussion. He will be day-to-day with a chance he could play tonight against the Cardinals. Good to see he did not suffer too serious of an injury.
Saturday night brawl - Friends of the program went to Saturday's night game and saw this taking place in the 400 level of Miller Park. Apparently, it went on for five good minutes with beer being thrown in the stands. Brewers-Cubs have a rivalry, but it doesn't usually get to this point. Hopefully, it was just a rowdy Saturday night and this doesn't become a usual occurrence.
Aramis Ramirez - Did somebody tell him it's April? He did have two sacrifice flys knocking in two runs, but he also did not register a single hit this weekend. Something to keep an eye in the coming week will be if Rami's struggles at the plate continue.
Charlie.
Charlie.
Donald Sterling - The Racist Clipper
None of this should be a surprise to people when it comes to Sterling. He is a known racist. After reading his rap sheet, it is mind blowing Sterling still owns an NBA team. The audio released by TMZ and Deadspin is stunning and disappointing a discussion like this is still needed on Wednesday. It becomes even more laughable when you look at the picture that soured Sterling. If the NBA does not act, there will be terrible consequences.
The fact notable names such as LeBron James, President Obama, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan all spoke against the Clippers owner as well as State Farm pulling their advertisements from the air featuring Clippers player Chris Paul. Sterling and his wife cannot attend Game 5 of the playoff game between Warriors and Clippers Tuesday night, and the belief is Sterling will be suspended by Silver indefinitely with probable suggestion Sterling should sell the team. But it is not that simple for the NBA as they do not have the same power that Major League Baseball did when it banned Marge Schott from baseball (I read this article about Schott six months ago which got her banned, absolutely fascinating and depressing stuff plus the fact Rick Reilly did a hell of a job reporting on it reminds you how good he once was a journalist). But could the Clippers possibly lose everyone and everything they have built in the last couple of years if Sterling remains owner?
Blood is on the hands of David Stern for why the Clippers are the third seeded team in the Western Conference. Stern barred the trade sending Chris Paul to Los Angeles Lakers and instead he wound up traded to the Clippers forming one of the best duos in basketball with Blake Griffin. Stern doesn't allow it to happen, Griffin isn't on the team, Doc Rivers isn't the coach and this Clipper team is probably not a playoff team. Instead, they became one of the most public teams in basketball and professional sports as well as taking over the city of Los Angeles from the Lakers. Stern paved the way for his friend Sterling to get to prominence for the first time since the mid-80's. The fact Stern remained silent this weekend speaks volumes to how much Stern's hand was in the Clippers cookie jar.
If Sterling remains as owner, I could see a mass exodus by the players. Paul, Griffin and Rivers are all under contract yet could all of them protest playing next season? I could see something where any of them could talk to their lawyers whom know a shit ton more than I do, could make a move saying 'This is an unsafe and unfair work environment.' My assumption is it will happen as the Clippers already made a statement on Sunday afternoon. Additionally, anyone whose a free agent next season is not coming back to Los Angeles if Sterling remains on as owner. All of this is more reason why Sterling should not be owning an NBA franchise in 2014-2015.
But right now, Los Angeles has a critical Game 5 where they face a Warriors team that's beat them twice as well as once as Staples Center. There will likely be protests outside the arena as well as protests inside the arena. Clippers could use it as motivation finding a way to defy their owner and have all sorts of success without him getting to relish in the moments. Sterling loves the Clippers and thinks of himself as Mr. Clipper so if Los Angeles makes it to the NBA Finals without him sitting courtside would tear him apart in more ways than any of us probably know and might be the greatest punishment besides forcing him to sell the franchise.
Sterling deserves to punished to the highest degree, and a part of me truly believes Silver will make a big splash as this is his first test as commissioner and if he screws up, it could be the avalanche of bad things to come in the next couple months. Hopefully Silver makes the right decision.
Charlie.
Let's Have a Talk About SnoTap.
Dear Friends of SnoTap, SnoTap Writers and anyone else who reads this blog,
This is not the end like that Krewella song. But I am taking a wee little step back from the blog for a personal reason. This isn't a reason I am going to share on social media, on the blog or on Quick Tap, but I will discuss personally. It is one of those things where I can talk to you privately about it yet not publicly, I hope you understand so if you are curious feel free to DM me, send me a message on Facebook or email me at snotap12@gmail.com I will be happy to talk about it. Let's basically explain what's going to change.
1.) First Taste and Closing Time Are Done for now - I am still going to do SnoTap's Music Selection of the Day which will happen at 10 or 11 pm each night. We will probably call it something different than that, but there will still be a music element involved.
2.) Four or so blog posts a day - I will still write about four things a day give or take about local and national things. The blogs will likely run at 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. If we have more than four, we will make an adjustment to the times.
3.) Podcasting will still happen - Even though our numbers are shit right now, we will still be podcasting as Mitchell and I both enjoy doing it greatly and think we are getting better each week.
4.) Other blogs gone - Tap Trailers, SnoTap Baseball Thing of the day, DOY all will likely be gone unless the dunk is big enough, I just need to talk about it. I love all three of these and hopefully someday will bring them back in some capacity.
5.) Others writers will still write - Bryan, Adam, Mitch, Nolan, Andrew, Kramer and others will all continue to write for the Tap during this time.
6.) Twitter - I will still be pretty active there so you can follow @SnoTap12
7.) Days off? - I doubt it happens very often during the week, but there might be days where I decide I need a break from things which is perfectly okay with me. Others could still write on those days.
8.) Any questions, feel free to ask.
We will back to full strength and when we come back, it will be a new era for SnoTap. I have to figure something out in my life first before that can happen.
Love you all,
Charlie.
This is not the end like that Krewella song. But I am taking a wee little step back from the blog for a personal reason. This isn't a reason I am going to share on social media, on the blog or on Quick Tap, but I will discuss personally. It is one of those things where I can talk to you privately about it yet not publicly, I hope you understand so if you are curious feel free to DM me, send me a message on Facebook or email me at snotap12@gmail.com I will be happy to talk about it. Let's basically explain what's going to change.1.) First Taste and Closing Time Are Done for now - I am still going to do SnoTap's Music Selection of the Day which will happen at 10 or 11 pm each night. We will probably call it something different than that, but there will still be a music element involved.
2.) Four or so blog posts a day - I will still write about four things a day give or take about local and national things. The blogs will likely run at 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. If we have more than four, we will make an adjustment to the times.
3.) Podcasting will still happen - Even though our numbers are shit right now, we will still be podcasting as Mitchell and I both enjoy doing it greatly and think we are getting better each week.
4.) Other blogs gone - Tap Trailers, SnoTap Baseball Thing of the day, DOY all will likely be gone unless the dunk is big enough, I just need to talk about it. I love all three of these and hopefully someday will bring them back in some capacity.
5.) Others writers will still write - Bryan, Adam, Mitch, Nolan, Andrew, Kramer and others will all continue to write for the Tap during this time.
6.) Twitter - I will still be pretty active there so you can follow @SnoTap12
7.) Days off? - I doubt it happens very often during the week, but there might be days where I decide I need a break from things which is perfectly okay with me. Others could still write on those days.
8.) Any questions, feel free to ask.
We will back to full strength and when we come back, it will be a new era for SnoTap. I have to figure something out in my life first before that can happen.
Love you all,
Charlie.
Jumat, 25 April 2014
Note From The Editor
My bad. I had some complications that led to me not being able to get any of the blogs up today that I wanted to plus I am away from my computer starting around 2 pm. Therefore nothing on the NBA Playoffs, but I will say it is interesting to see Indiana and Oklahoma City on the verge of imploding. Nothing on Brewers and Cubs, but I think Ryan Braun will have a huge series plus I will post the pitching matchups below. Haven't had one of these days in awhile, but like I said, I apologize for the lack of content. Enjoy your weekend and we will get back at it on Monday.
Pitching Matchups & TV Time
Friday: Charlie Villanueva (1-4 10.93) vs. Matt Garza (0-2 4.50) 7:10 pm FSNWI
Saturday: Travis Wood (1-2 2.52) vs. Marco Estrada (1-1 2.66) 6:10 pm FSNWI
Sunday: Jason Hammel (3-1 2.60) vs. Wily Peralta (3-0 2.19) 1:10 pm FSNWI
Charlie.
Recapping The Challenge: Frank's Departure
Adam Hatlak, one of our writers here is as big of a Challenge fans as I am. We want to expand our coverage a bit so we are doing a recap blog post on Friday. He will basically have three to five takeaways each week talking about things that happened on The Challenge.
Somewhat of a slow episode this week which happens from time to time with The Challenge seasons, but there are some things worth talking about.
Frank: We touched on this last week, but I'm sad to see Frank go. I mentioned that he seemed to be much more calm this past season, but it really didn't set in until I saw a clip on the After Show (commercial during basketball) where a few of his cast mates said it was karma, and they showed a montage of how Frank had treated people the past few seasons. I think this was a new and improved Frank this season, and due to the shape he was in, he could have won it if he was healthy.
The Draw: With Frank gone, TJ said there would be four draw cards, but only three people drawing cards. If nobody flipped a kill card, everyone was safe, if someone drew a kill card, an elimination would still take place. I'm definitely skeptical about that one. I'd wager that if that fourth card was flipped, it too would be blank. They don't want to deal with an imbalance of guys/girls for the rest of the season. Since Frank's elimination happened so quickly, I wouldn't have been opposed to seeing Dustin come back, since their elimination round was so recent. (First, I haven't watch yet, but I wouldn't have minded Dustin back either even though I don't really like him seeing as he added drama to the house with the whole Jessica relationship. It would have been good TV. - CT)
Production: Something seems to be missing this season. It's been a good season, but slightly lackluster. It seems like the episodes are incredibly short, and there is not much action. They could have built the drama of Frank leaving a bit better, as it seemed like we just found out he wasn't feeling better, but that he was going to try to stay, but then he had to leave. It all happened so sudden. Additionally, I think it's a mistake to not have huge team challenges right now. One of my favorite aspects of the Free Agents twist was that it could be a reminder of the older challenges where there were teams of 10-12 people. Instead they've still been splitting people up which doesn't get you a great read on how good these players are because their teammates could be the ones dragging them down.
Somewhat of a slow episode this week which happens from time to time with The Challenge seasons, but there are some things worth talking about.
Frank: We touched on this last week, but I'm sad to see Frank go. I mentioned that he seemed to be much more calm this past season, but it really didn't set in until I saw a clip on the After Show (commercial during basketball) where a few of his cast mates said it was karma, and they showed a montage of how Frank had treated people the past few seasons. I think this was a new and improved Frank this season, and due to the shape he was in, he could have won it if he was healthy. The Draw: With Frank gone, TJ said there would be four draw cards, but only three people drawing cards. If nobody flipped a kill card, everyone was safe, if someone drew a kill card, an elimination would still take place. I'm definitely skeptical about that one. I'd wager that if that fourth card was flipped, it too would be blank. They don't want to deal with an imbalance of guys/girls for the rest of the season. Since Frank's elimination happened so quickly, I wouldn't have been opposed to seeing Dustin come back, since their elimination round was so recent. (First, I haven't watch yet, but I wouldn't have minded Dustin back either even though I don't really like him seeing as he added drama to the house with the whole Jessica relationship. It would have been good TV. - CT)
Production: Something seems to be missing this season. It's been a good season, but slightly lackluster. It seems like the episodes are incredibly short, and there is not much action. They could have built the drama of Frank leaving a bit better, as it seemed like we just found out he wasn't feeling better, but that he was going to try to stay, but then he had to leave. It all happened so sudden. Additionally, I think it's a mistake to not have huge team challenges right now. One of my favorite aspects of the Free Agents twist was that it could be a reminder of the older challenges where there were teams of 10-12 people. Instead they've still been splitting people up which doesn't get you a great read on how good these players are because their teammates could be the ones dragging them down.
Charlie.
Nike's Great 2014 World Cup Ad
Nike Football does a great job with their commercials. They always seem to know their audience and do the right things to get you fired up before the World Cup. They roll out an ad with a bunch of teenagers playing footy in a park like many normal teenagers have many times before. Whenever teenagers play a sport with their friends, they want to be like someone. When we were kids, it was Brett Favre. Everyone wanted to be like Favre. These kids kept saying different names building their roster full of world class soccer athletes so this terrific ad features the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Neymar, Tim Howard and many others. (h/t @richarddeitsch, @GrantWahl)
Charlie.
Tap's Trailers: Jersey Boys
Going out on a limb and say this will be quite popular with audiences and critics. Clint Eastwood also goes out on a limb on his own by directing an adaptation of a musical which is definitely not his usual style. It is the story of how four kids from New Jersey who are not the cleanest bunch in the group turn out to be the widely popular band 'Four Seasons.' It looks tremendous. I mean it is not a musical by any means as there are musical numbers but it is not driven by music. I always dig the New York-New Jersey culture for whatever reason. Christopher Walken is the biggest name in this one with Vincent Piazza who was in Broadwalk Empire and Rescue Me plus the unknown John Lloyd Young playing Frankie Valli. I am giving my recommendation.
Charlie.
First Taste: Marilyn Monroe (Music Video) - Pharrell
As we have noted on here before, Pharrell has pretty won the world in the last two years. He ended up being a key part of Daft Punk's album bringing him in a couple Grammy's. He produced different songs for all sorts of people ranging from 2 Chainz to Ed Sheeran. He put out his own album that included the now overplayed yet widely popular 'Happy.' Marilyn Monroe figures to be his next popular song as he puts out a music video for this song where it features a bevy of beautiful women where next to nothing in some cases and looking elegant in other ones. I assume the point is Monroe sort of did both throughout here short career. I enjoyed it.
Charlie.
Kamis, 24 April 2014
Challenge Power Rankings Week 2
Yes another season of The Challenge is upon us. Hard to believe this is their 25th season of it. We are doing the rankings like we usually do starting from the worst making our way to the top. We will rank them every Thursday. Preseason rankings will definitely change next week because we will know a lot more about the season.
24.) Preston, Last Week: 26.) - Oh hey, Preston. You are still here? Oh that's cool I guess. I did find
Johnny giving him breakfast in bed due to a lost bet was hilarious.
23.) Deyvn, LW 23.) - I actually became a big fan of Deyvn in the last two Challenges she had been featured in, but I don't know, it just doesn't feel like she fits in with the Free Agent portion of things. She also adds little drama which doesn't help things either.
22.) Aneesa, LW 24.) - Here's my thing with Aneesa. She has been here for the longest time, but she doesn't do shit to stir the pot. Like at least Paula Walnuts would go apeshit giving us something to talk about.
21.) Brandon, LW 25.) - This is the hardest part of these early recaps because there are way too many people. Brandon had couple funny lines about LaToya and Camila plus holding Camila back from killing Nany so he can get bumped up.
20.) LaToya, LW 18.) - Nothing really to write home about for the rookie this week. She did well with Brandon which is good and stayed out of getting into any arguments with the first super drunk night at the house.
17.) Issac, LW 17.) - Pretty stunned in an episode that features a great deal of drinking, we did not see any real good Issac moments other than him talking about doing shots.
16.) Jonna, LW 22.) - I should first make an apology for ranking Emilee too high. I didn't realize she was not athletic as she appeared to be in the first couple weeks. Jonna won and said she will 'make Laurel regret it' which is a bigger joke than my bank account.
11.) Johnny Bananas, LW 9.) - Is this the lowest we have seen Mr. Bananas in a Challenge Power Rankings? I am going to say yes without doing any sort of research. He really isn't a player right now with no team atmosphere and no inner circle. Interesting to see if JB ends up getting on the chopping block earlier than expected.
10.) Jessica, LW 15.) - I might not like her, but it is clear, she will be a player this year at least for the beginning part of the season. She finished near the top in the second Challenge which led her to shout out her haters again. Jessica and Dustin hooked up throughout the episode leading Emilee with the killshot of the year saying "Jessica has as many brain cells as she does abs, none." That's lethal. Basically, what I am trying to say is Jessica will be a factor for this season. It really does seem that way.
9.) Jasmine, LW 13.) - I also am ready to make a claim that I think Jasmine is finally ready to take the next step in The Challenge. Sure, she is making the comments about 'wanting sex' and dancing on tabletops, but Jasmine does seemed dialed in on the actual Challenges. I think it is worth keeping an eye on.
8.) Leroy, LW 5.) - What a boring season so far from Roy Lee. Maybe it's Adam's theory about him being too nice allowing for him not be involved with any of the shit. Roy Lee will rise again like a phoenix, but right now, he stays in the weeds.
7.) Zach, LW 3.) - What a surprise. All the girls are attracted to Zach. And then they realize what a psycho he is and gets all sorts of scared. Happens every time. Another player that really hasn't done anything this season.
6.) Camila, LW 8.) - It is so early for a crazy Camila sequence, but we got one! It was awesome. She expressed frustration at CT for bitching about 750 dollar bar tab, and then got into it with her best friend on the show, Nany. Next day in classic Camila form, Nany and Camila made up like the Yalta Conference. A Nany-Camila steel cage match where they are no longer friends, a trick used in professional wrestling, would be tremendous theater. I would probably pay at least 100 dollars.
5.) Frank, LW 7.) - I agree with Adam saying there is a new look to Frank. I don't know what changed from him, but he acts completely normal. Frank hasn't tried to start shit with anyone nor is does he have some devious plan. Are we sure this isn't a ploy and old Frank will come back at some point in the show? I hope so.
4.) Nany, LW 6.) - Shout out to Nany. She tries to get involved with everybody's life. I didn't really understand this until this episode. Let's see, she cockblocked Dustin with Emilee because Jessica found him first, and Dustin is her friend (Friends don't CB other friends unless absolutely needed). She also got involved with CT and Camila's scuffle for no apparent reason leading to a screaming match. I need that kind of drama in my Challenge season so I thank Nany.
3.) Jordan, LW 4.) - Could you imagine if Laurel and him get married and have kids? Do they become some of the best athletes of the next generation? This would be my dream. The next Aaron Rodgers is birthed by two MTV Challenge members. That would be fantastic.
2.) Laurel, LW 1.) - First, I loved how embarrassed Laurel was by the kiss from Jordan, thought it showed her normal side. Second, I loved how she won her first Challenge. It is only the beginning folks.
1.) CT, LW 2.) - I have to put CT at the number one spot. What a man of the people. He pays a 750 dollar bar tab, and yes he complained about it, but still he paid it. CT also made sure a fight with Camila didn't go further than the parking lot.
Charlie.
24.) Preston, Last Week: 26.) - Oh hey, Preston. You are still here? Oh that's cool I guess. I did find
Johnny giving him breakfast in bed due to a lost bet was hilarious.
23.) Deyvn, LW 23.) - I actually became a big fan of Deyvn in the last two Challenges she had been featured in, but I don't know, it just doesn't feel like she fits in with the Free Agent portion of things. She also adds little drama which doesn't help things either.
22.) Aneesa, LW 24.) - Here's my thing with Aneesa. She has been here for the longest time, but she doesn't do shit to stir the pot. Like at least Paula Walnuts would go apeshit giving us something to talk about.21.) Brandon, LW 25.) - This is the hardest part of these early recaps because there are way too many people. Brandon had couple funny lines about LaToya and Camila plus holding Camila back from killing Nany so he can get bumped up.
20.) LaToya, LW 18.) - Nothing really to write home about for the rookie this week. She did well with Brandon which is good and stayed out of getting into any arguments with the first super drunk night at the house.
19.) Theresa, LW 19.) - I am pretty sure she is from Wisconsin as I have seen her at various bars in Milwaukee yet she has a terrible voice. I am sorry. I try to be nice here, but her voice is not good whatsoever.
18.) Swift, LW 21.) - It was only a matter time before Swift would make some moves with the women. Dude is completely jacked and nice enough to draw some attraction. Not surprised Jasmine made a move.17.) Issac, LW 17.) - Pretty stunned in an episode that features a great deal of drinking, we did not see any real good Issac moments other than him talking about doing shots.
16.) Jonna, LW 22.) - I should first make an apology for ranking Emilee too high. I didn't realize she was not athletic as she appeared to be in the first couple weeks. Jonna won and said she will 'make Laurel regret it' which is a bigger joke than my bank account.
15.) Nia, LW 11.) - Am I disappointed with the start of Nia on The Challenge? Yes, I am. I would love her to be heavily involved with the season, but right now, she is still feeling it out. I expect Nia to make a return to one of the top spots.
14.) Johnny, LW 14.) - Johnny Challenge is not doing much for me either yet. I swear these rookies watch tape as in they watch a couple other seasons. Like in old seasons, we would have rookies with a batshit moment and get sent home early. Johnny is lurking in the woods.
13.) Cohutta, LW 16.) - The old vet still has some new tricks. Apparently, the women find him attractive as he was all over Nany as well as a couple others. He also won the second challenge with Laurel. I might have slept on Cohutta.
12.) Cara Maria, LW 10.) - I am only putting her lower because some people had bigger weeks than Cara. She is still a contender for The Challenge. The ranking only reflects this week. Honestly, Cara did nothing for me.13.) Cohutta, LW 16.) - The old vet still has some new tricks. Apparently, the women find him attractive as he was all over Nany as well as a couple others. He also won the second challenge with Laurel. I might have slept on Cohutta.
11.) Johnny Bananas, LW 9.) - Is this the lowest we have seen Mr. Bananas in a Challenge Power Rankings? I am going to say yes without doing any sort of research. He really isn't a player right now with no team atmosphere and no inner circle. Interesting to see if JB ends up getting on the chopping block earlier than expected.
10.) Jessica, LW 15.) - I might not like her, but it is clear, she will be a player this year at least for the beginning part of the season. She finished near the top in the second Challenge which led her to shout out her haters again. Jessica and Dustin hooked up throughout the episode leading Emilee with the killshot of the year saying "Jessica has as many brain cells as she does abs, none." That's lethal. Basically, what I am trying to say is Jessica will be a factor for this season. It really does seem that way.
9.) Jasmine, LW 13.) - I also am ready to make a claim that I think Jasmine is finally ready to take the next step in The Challenge. Sure, she is making the comments about 'wanting sex' and dancing on tabletops, but Jasmine does seemed dialed in on the actual Challenges. I think it is worth keeping an eye on.
8.) Leroy, LW 5.) - What a boring season so far from Roy Lee. Maybe it's Adam's theory about him being too nice allowing for him not be involved with any of the shit. Roy Lee will rise again like a phoenix, but right now, he stays in the weeds.
7.) Zach, LW 3.) - What a surprise. All the girls are attracted to Zach. And then they realize what a psycho he is and gets all sorts of scared. Happens every time. Another player that really hasn't done anything this season.
6.) Camila, LW 8.) - It is so early for a crazy Camila sequence, but we got one! It was awesome. She expressed frustration at CT for bitching about 750 dollar bar tab, and then got into it with her best friend on the show, Nany. Next day in classic Camila form, Nany and Camila made up like the Yalta Conference. A Nany-Camila steel cage match where they are no longer friends, a trick used in professional wrestling, would be tremendous theater. I would probably pay at least 100 dollars.
5.) Frank, LW 7.) - I agree with Adam saying there is a new look to Frank. I don't know what changed from him, but he acts completely normal. Frank hasn't tried to start shit with anyone nor is does he have some devious plan. Are we sure this isn't a ploy and old Frank will come back at some point in the show? I hope so.
4.) Nany, LW 6.) - Shout out to Nany. She tries to get involved with everybody's life. I didn't really understand this until this episode. Let's see, she cockblocked Dustin with Emilee because Jessica found him first, and Dustin is her friend (Friends don't CB other friends unless absolutely needed). She also got involved with CT and Camila's scuffle for no apparent reason leading to a screaming match. I need that kind of drama in my Challenge season so I thank Nany.
3.) Jordan, LW 4.) - Could you imagine if Laurel and him get married and have kids? Do they become some of the best athletes of the next generation? This would be my dream. The next Aaron Rodgers is birthed by two MTV Challenge members. That would be fantastic.
2.) Laurel, LW 1.) - First, I loved how embarrassed Laurel was by the kiss from Jordan, thought it showed her normal side. Second, I loved how she won her first Challenge. It is only the beginning folks.
1.) CT, LW 2.) - I have to put CT at the number one spot. What a man of the people. He pays a 750 dollar bar tab, and yes he complained about it, but still he paid it. CT also made sure a fight with Camila didn't go further than the parking lot.
Charlie.
SnoTap NBA Playoffs: LMA's Dominance, Heat Hang on & Road Mavs?
I am a man of the people. I realized our NBA Playoff recap blog posts where not really popping as they suffered in hits, but story of this blog's life for 2014. I want to try something different with the hopes that maybe this is more what people want versus having to rely on three different blogs. We are going to try to include a GIF or video for each recap, but I cannot make any promises. We will also rank the games because why not?
1. Portland 112 Houston 105 (Blazers lead 2-0) - LaMarcus 'Don't call me LAM, call me LMA' Aldridge dominated for the second straight game with 43 points with eight rebounds. Aldridge is averaging an insane 44.5 through the first two games of the playoffs. Aldridge will be even more of a household name tomorrow morning. Good for LMA though. He is a really good player that doesn't get credit for being great sometimes, and he will get his due. It really seems like Houston has no answer for him, and Aldridge knows damn well this is the case. Fascinating to see how he plays for the reminder of the season.
As for Houston, Dwight Howard played his ass off with a 32 points, 14 rebounds performance although most of it came in the first half when Howard wasn't in foul trouble. Howard still looked like a guy ready to put the team on his back. James Harden is starting to develop a reputation of disappearing in the playoffs a la Tracy McGrady and others. Harden has missed 30 shots from the field already, and it will not get easier heading into a fired up Rose Garden.
Approrirate Video: Robin Lopez ended Jeremy Lin's life. (h/t @cjzero)
2. Miami 101 Charlotte 97 - Honestly, Miami did not play well at all in this game besides LeBron James, but that's all it takes for Miami to win basketball games. Heat are the only home team with a 2-0 lead which is crazy to think about given the lack of parity in the NBA. James delivered 32 points, eight assists and six rebounds which is also known as another night at the office. Chris Bosh played well with 20 points as well. Charlotte needed a better late game shot down three. Gary Neal got the ball and tried to be the hero leading him passing the ball to Chris Douglas-Roberts whose asshole was tighter than a wet cat on a rain barrel. It should be Kemba and only Kemba who showed a Big East glimpse hitting a big shot late from the top of the key. Yet he struggled from the field as Al Jefferson and him combined to go 14/41 for the game.
Approrirate Video: Josh McRoberts throat chops LeBron. WHO SAYS THIS SERIES CAN'T GET CHIPPY. McBob landed a pretty nice shot to James' Adam Apple. (h/t Sports Illustrated)
3. Dallas 113 San Antonio 92 - Um what the hell? This was a series expected to last four or five games, but maybe the Mavericks want to throw it back old school where we have these teams playing seven with some ridiculous games thrown in. Dallas had four players score more than 15 points last night - Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Marion, Monta Ellis and Devin Harris, were all great for the Mavs at some point. They used a balanced attack to take down San Antonio and make this a more intriguing series. For the season, Harris or D-Ha if you're from Wauwatosa, averaged right under eight points, he is averaging 18.5 in two games versus San Antonio. He is an obvious problem for them.
Another big issue for San Antonio was the turnovers. Spurs gave away the ball 22 times which is very un-Spurs like. Tim Duncan only had eleven points with shooting five times. That cannot happen. Duncan needs to get way more involved to ensure a deep run for San Antonio. If you want one bright spot, Manu Ginobli looked like his old self with 27 points making five threes and only missing three shots for the game He had 17 on Sunday so it appears there might be a bit of a mismatch problem.
Charlie.
1. Portland 112 Houston 105 (Blazers lead 2-0) - LaMarcus 'Don't call me LAM, call me LMA' Aldridge dominated for the second straight game with 43 points with eight rebounds. Aldridge is averaging an insane 44.5 through the first two games of the playoffs. Aldridge will be even more of a household name tomorrow morning. Good for LMA though. He is a really good player that doesn't get credit for being great sometimes, and he will get his due. It really seems like Houston has no answer for him, and Aldridge knows damn well this is the case. Fascinating to see how he plays for the reminder of the season.
As for Houston, Dwight Howard played his ass off with a 32 points, 14 rebounds performance although most of it came in the first half when Howard wasn't in foul trouble. Howard still looked like a guy ready to put the team on his back. James Harden is starting to develop a reputation of disappearing in the playoffs a la Tracy McGrady and others. Harden has missed 30 shots from the field already, and it will not get easier heading into a fired up Rose Garden.
Approrirate Video: Robin Lopez ended Jeremy Lin's life. (h/t @cjzero)
2. Miami 101 Charlotte 97 - Honestly, Miami did not play well at all in this game besides LeBron James, but that's all it takes for Miami to win basketball games. Heat are the only home team with a 2-0 lead which is crazy to think about given the lack of parity in the NBA. James delivered 32 points, eight assists and six rebounds which is also known as another night at the office. Chris Bosh played well with 20 points as well. Charlotte needed a better late game shot down three. Gary Neal got the ball and tried to be the hero leading him passing the ball to Chris Douglas-Roberts whose asshole was tighter than a wet cat on a rain barrel. It should be Kemba and only Kemba who showed a Big East glimpse hitting a big shot late from the top of the key. Yet he struggled from the field as Al Jefferson and him combined to go 14/41 for the game.
Approrirate Video: Josh McRoberts throat chops LeBron. WHO SAYS THIS SERIES CAN'T GET CHIPPY. McBob landed a pretty nice shot to James' Adam Apple. (h/t Sports Illustrated)
3. Dallas 113 San Antonio 92 - Um what the hell? This was a series expected to last four or five games, but maybe the Mavericks want to throw it back old school where we have these teams playing seven with some ridiculous games thrown in. Dallas had four players score more than 15 points last night - Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Marion, Monta Ellis and Devin Harris, were all great for the Mavs at some point. They used a balanced attack to take down San Antonio and make this a more intriguing series. For the season, Harris or D-Ha if you're from Wauwatosa, averaged right under eight points, he is averaging 18.5 in two games versus San Antonio. He is an obvious problem for them.Another big issue for San Antonio was the turnovers. Spurs gave away the ball 22 times which is very un-Spurs like. Tim Duncan only had eleven points with shooting five times. That cannot happen. Duncan needs to get way more involved to ensure a deep run for San Antonio. If you want one bright spot, Manu Ginobli looked like his old self with 27 points making five threes and only missing three shots for the game He had 17 on Sunday so it appears there might be a bit of a mismatch problem.
Charlie.
Lasry & Edens: A New Hope
We've had about a week now to digest the full transfer of ownership from long-time owner, former Senator Herb Kohl to New York based billionaires Marc Lasry and Wes Edens. I'll hopefully get into more detail later about these guys' comments later but I'll just say that the arrows are definitely pointing up with these two gentlemen.
The sale isn't officially approved by the NBA's Board of Governers yet but commissioner Adam Silver has stated that he doesn't foresee any issues with the sale.
Full disclosure: I went out and celebrated the ownership transfer last Wednesday night (after Charlie and I attended the final game of the Herb Kohl era), because I had to. It was perhaps a bit too much in the end but it happens.
Now that that's out of the way, I must first pay tribute to one Herb Kohl. While he was very unsuccessful during his 25+ years of ownership, Kohl has single-handedly ensured that we've had NBA basketball in the 414 for the past 25+ years and (hopefully) for the next 30+ years. I cannot deny him of that fact. However, during the standing ovation the BC crowd that I was a part of last Wednesday gave, I had my fingers crossed a bit. It was almost like a "thank you, Herb, you son of a bitch" type ovation, at least from me.
The fact that he was really doing his best to drive the franchise into the ground by his constant push for the eight seed in the East had grown absolutely tired and the entire fanbase was completely sick of it. With these new owners, I have to believe the black veil that Kohl had over this franchise has been lifted.
One thing Herb did that may prove to be invaluable, is the provision in the contract that if a new arena deal isn't at least in place by November 2017. This should force the owners, who seem like highly competitive guys, to get the ball rolling as soon as they can. It should also prevent them from pulling a half-hearted attempt at an arena and then throwing their hands up and moving the team to wherever they please.
However, no matter how much young talent this franchise had accumulated over the past 12 months, it was still owned by Herb Kohl and the guise that he/they would do something stupid to screw up the foundation, was always there. Now, given the new billionaire owners, a new arena on the horizon and some young talent, Milwaukee might not be the wasteland of the NBA that it has seemed to be over the last approximately ten years.
Who are these new guys?
Marc Lasry and Wesley Edens are each worth over a billion dollars. They are hedge-fund managers based in New York City.
Lasry is the co-founder and CEO of Avenue Capital Group and actually bought the penthouse at the top of the 55 Central Park West in Manhattan, commonly known as the "Ghostbusters Building". He has been a highly successful businessman in his life but while I can't find anything, I've heard he doesn't have the cleanest of hands. Let's face it though, you don't get to be a billionaire with out being a King Cobra sometimes. You can't make a cake without breaking a few eggs, if you will.
Edens is worth a little more than Lasry and is the one with a few ties to the state of Wisconsin. He stated in the introductory press conference that his mother was raised and educated in the state and he also employs approximately 700 people in the state.
He is the co-founder and co-chair of Fortress Investment Group, Inc. and has a bachelor of Arts and Sciences from Oregon State working against him (I'm a Ducks guy).
As I previously stated, some of these guys' initial comments make them seem genuine about keeping the team here and building a championship caliber basketball team and that's really all fans want. I feel a new arena would contribute directly to that idea but the fans will come back in droves if you can just give them hope. With Kohl there was no hope.
In a Q&A with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the two expressed their deep interest in basketball and that they both seem to understand that you need to have the right people in place, especially in management, to be success. That's music to my ears and says that they're not here to just collect the gate profits from making the eight seed in a sh*tty Eastern Conference to get buried by the Miami Heat twice at home. They are basketball fans and they are winners; a potentially great combination.
We'll see who they bring on as front office personnel on both the business and the basketball side. You'd have to think they'd at least consult with Milwaukee Brewers' personnel on what makes them so popular, if not plucking someone from the Brewers' organization to run the business side. That'd be the smart move, in my opinion.
Arena situation
Lasry & Edens are together putting down $100 million toward a new building from the jump. Couple that with Herb Kohl's $100 million he's vowed to leave toward the building and that's $200 million right away, approximately half of what it would take for a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose arena in Milwaukee.
That should be more than enough right? Well, I'm not sure it is. I could see "Ledens" needed to throw down a bit more, possibly Kohl throwing in a bit more (what else is he going to do with it?) and the parties needing to bring in other investors to get this thing entirely privately financed. Lord knows, getting any public funding for what fans think is exclusively an NBA (Bucks) arena is going to be an absolute bitch, but I digress.
The problem I have with a totally privately financed arena is that the city won't get a cut of any profit. The only way the city would then benefit is the bars and restaurants surrounding the new facility thriving.
I genuinely believe they will get this down at this point in time. The two new owners have said they plan on having a deal in place in the next 12-18 months. So if we get into that period and it's still crickets, I'll be worried but for now, I'm alright.
With new owners, Giannis Antetokounmpo and another top pick in the upcoming draft, the future looks a lot brighter than it did just one year ago.
The sale isn't officially approved by the NBA's Board of Governers yet but commissioner Adam Silver has stated that he doesn't foresee any issues with the sale.
Full disclosure: I went out and celebrated the ownership transfer last Wednesday night (after Charlie and I attended the final game of the Herb Kohl era), because I had to. It was perhaps a bit too much in the end but it happens.
Now that that's out of the way, I must first pay tribute to one Herb Kohl. While he was very unsuccessful during his 25+ years of ownership, Kohl has single-handedly ensured that we've had NBA basketball in the 414 for the past 25+ years and (hopefully) for the next 30+ years. I cannot deny him of that fact. However, during the standing ovation the BC crowd that I was a part of last Wednesday gave, I had my fingers crossed a bit. It was almost like a "thank you, Herb, you son of a bitch" type ovation, at least from me.
The fact that he was really doing his best to drive the franchise into the ground by his constant push for the eight seed in the East had grown absolutely tired and the entire fanbase was completely sick of it. With these new owners, I have to believe the black veil that Kohl had over this franchise has been lifted.
One thing Herb did that may prove to be invaluable, is the provision in the contract that if a new arena deal isn't at least in place by November 2017. This should force the owners, who seem like highly competitive guys, to get the ball rolling as soon as they can. It should also prevent them from pulling a half-hearted attempt at an arena and then throwing their hands up and moving the team to wherever they please.
However, no matter how much young talent this franchise had accumulated over the past 12 months, it was still owned by Herb Kohl and the guise that he/they would do something stupid to screw up the foundation, was always there. Now, given the new billionaire owners, a new arena on the horizon and some young talent, Milwaukee might not be the wasteland of the NBA that it has seemed to be over the last approximately ten years.
 |
| Kohl flanked on the left by Edens and the right by Lasry |
Who are these new guys?
Marc Lasry and Wesley Edens are each worth over a billion dollars. They are hedge-fund managers based in New York City.
Lasry is the co-founder and CEO of Avenue Capital Group and actually bought the penthouse at the top of the 55 Central Park West in Manhattan, commonly known as the "Ghostbusters Building". He has been a highly successful businessman in his life but while I can't find anything, I've heard he doesn't have the cleanest of hands. Let's face it though, you don't get to be a billionaire with out being a King Cobra sometimes. You can't make a cake without breaking a few eggs, if you will.
Edens is worth a little more than Lasry and is the one with a few ties to the state of Wisconsin. He stated in the introductory press conference that his mother was raised and educated in the state and he also employs approximately 700 people in the state.
He is the co-founder and co-chair of Fortress Investment Group, Inc. and has a bachelor of Arts and Sciences from Oregon State working against him (I'm a Ducks guy).
As I previously stated, some of these guys' initial comments make them seem genuine about keeping the team here and building a championship caliber basketball team and that's really all fans want. I feel a new arena would contribute directly to that idea but the fans will come back in droves if you can just give them hope. With Kohl there was no hope.
In a Q&A with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the two expressed their deep interest in basketball and that they both seem to understand that you need to have the right people in place, especially in management, to be success. That's music to my ears and says that they're not here to just collect the gate profits from making the eight seed in a sh*tty Eastern Conference to get buried by the Miami Heat twice at home. They are basketball fans and they are winners; a potentially great combination.
We'll see who they bring on as front office personnel on both the business and the basketball side. You'd have to think they'd at least consult with Milwaukee Brewers' personnel on what makes them so popular, if not plucking someone from the Brewers' organization to run the business side. That'd be the smart move, in my opinion.
Arena situation
Lasry & Edens are together putting down $100 million toward a new building from the jump. Couple that with Herb Kohl's $100 million he's vowed to leave toward the building and that's $200 million right away, approximately half of what it would take for a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose arena in Milwaukee.
That should be more than enough right? Well, I'm not sure it is. I could see "Ledens" needed to throw down a bit more, possibly Kohl throwing in a bit more (what else is he going to do with it?) and the parties needing to bring in other investors to get this thing entirely privately financed. Lord knows, getting any public funding for what fans think is exclusively an NBA (Bucks) arena is going to be an absolute bitch, but I digress.
The problem I have with a totally privately financed arena is that the city won't get a cut of any profit. The only way the city would then benefit is the bars and restaurants surrounding the new facility thriving.
I genuinely believe they will get this down at this point in time. The two new owners have said they plan on having a deal in place in the next 12-18 months. So if we get into that period and it's still crickets, I'll be worried but for now, I'm alright.
With new owners, Giannis Antetokounmpo and another top pick in the upcoming draft, the future looks a lot brighter than it did just one year ago.
10 Quick Thoughts About the Packer Schedule
NFL schedule came out last night. Everyone is pretty giddy for September. People see different matchups they like and get irrationally excited about the possibilities of a successful season. The inverse happens to with fans thinking the season is over without one snap of the football. Let's look at the schedule and add some thoughts to how it looks on paper
FOR THE SCHEDULE, CLICK HERE
1.) Fail Mary return - I didn't want to open the season in Seattle given how no Super Bowl winning team has lost at home to begin the season. I also wanted the Packers to start the season easy for once as they have played San Francisco the last two years. But I think the team is genuinely excited to get back to Seattle and get their revenge. I will end up talking myself into Green Bay winning.
2.) Bright lights - Green Bay has five primetime games on the schedule with two Thursday night games, two Sunday Night Football games and a Monday Night affair. What I like is a majority of them are being played at Lambeau Field.
3.) Early divisional foes? - Green Bay finishes the year playing divisional opponents only twice in six games with a late November meeting in Minnesota and a home game to finish the year against Detroit. It will be interesting to see how the divisional race shapes out withe Green Bay's lack of divisional games late.
4.) Trip to New Orleans - If you are looking for a road trip, New Orleans during Halloween season. You might see Green Bay lose, but you have Halloween in New Orleans so it is not the worst thing in the world.
5.) Road trips early - Green Bay begins the year with three road games in the first four games. Packers haven't started the greatest in past years so hopefully being away from Lambeau will not affect them too much.
6.) Same opponent, same date? - This is kind of neurotic, but Packers played both Chicago and Philadelphia back-to-back last season at Lambeau in November which holds the same. They also played Minnesota in the same week, but at home versus on the road. And Packers also played Atlanta in early December. Just a weird note.
7.) Best chance to get flex - Green Bay has many late afternoon and primetime games. Looking at their schedule, the only two that might have some flexing abilities would be Carolina in mid-October or Tampa Bay in mid-December. Those seem to be the best bet.
8.) No Holidays - For the first time in awhile, Green Bay is not playing on the holidays. While I enjoy watching the Packers on special days, I would much rather have them play normal Sunday or Monday games.
9.) New England-Green Bay will be the best game of the year - This is a pretty simple prediction, but late November matchup with Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers seemed delightful. I assume tickets for this game will be sky high.
10.) Favre's return - There is a rumored Favre return and I could really see it in three games... Home primetime games against Minnesota, Chicago and Atlanta. I might think Atlanta is the favorite with a December date plus Favre's relationship with ESPN.
Should be a fun year.
Charlie.
Highlights-Lowlights: Padres-Brewers (4/21-4/23)
This is SnoTap's version of recap of the two, three or four game series Milwaukee Brewers will play this season. We focus on the positives and negatives with topics about the game and topics that were nowhere near close to part of the game.
Highlights
Scooter Gennett - Talk about responding to the moment. Scooter moved up to the two hole in order to take some pressure off Jean Segura, and for now, it seems Scooter may have stolen the two spot from Mean Jean for the time being. He scored a run in all three games along with hitting a home run on Tuesday providing the only offense for this Brewers team. He also added five hits in the series. I was extremely anti-Scooter when he came up last season thinking Rickie Weeks still had something in the tank, and it appears I was very wrong. Way to make me eat crow Scooter.
Kyle Lohse - The veteran strikes again for Milwaukee with another great performance. He allowed only one earned run with five strikeouts only allowing five hits in the process. Lohse mowed through the San Diego offense pretty easily and battled out of a jam or two as well. One thing I found interesting is after he walked three batters last Saturday, he did not walk a batter tonight. Lohse rarely walks batters so if it is over two, it is a bit of a big deal. He walked five in Philadelphia, zero the next game. Walked three, zero the next game. Hey Kyle, keep going with the latter.
Jean Segura - For the first time all year, we saw signs of life from Jean Segura. He played well as Roenicke shifted him down in the order. Segura had two hits on Monday and another two Wednesday including a big three-run blast breaking the game wide open for the Brewers. Segura seems to be finding his stroke again down in the order, and if he could get hot, look out. Brewers could really boast an interchangeable lineup plus having him hit before the pitcher is not the worst thing in the world.
Yovani Gallardo - Even though he came away with the no decision, a nice outing from Yovani on Tuesday night going seven strong only allowing one run spread over five hits. Gallardo handled San Diego for every inning but one of them. I cannot say enough about the start from Yo. In the last three Aprils, he had an ERA of over five with opponents hitting over .300 against him. He takes on his biggest challenge on Monday night when he faces St. Louis at Busch Stadium, a place that has given him all sorts of trouble.
Ryan Braun - He ends up closer to the lowlights because Braun did not have a good Tuesday game going 0 for 5 with a looking strikeout to end it in the 12th. But he did provide RBI's in the two other games. I feel like I saw better swings from Braun at Miller Park than I have seen all season. If I had a blog where I could predict things, I think this Chicago series will be huge for him.
Lowlights
Ron Roenicke's Figaro decision - With winning the first 16 of 22 games, the manager cannot get much criticism, but Roenicke deserves a bit for deciding to stay in with Alfredo Figaro versus a pinch hitter then Wei-Chung Wang. The same result could have happened and the Brewers still end up losing yet it doesn't hurt to add a bullpen arm when it is available plus have a pinch hitter come up and see what happens.
Tuesday night's game in general - Easily, the worst baseball game I have watched this season. I would not like to watch that again, thanks.
RISP - I think we talk about this every year with the Brewers no matter how good or bad they are. Brewers had multiple opportunities to bust Tuesday's game wide open and they could not take advantage of the situation. Against a team like San Diego, you can force extras doing that, but against a St. Louis-like team, it will not end well for them.
The Brewers 8th on Wednesday - It made zero sense to have Tyler Thornburg get all warmed up and pitch to one batter then two batters for Will Smith. Just pick one and ride it out. No need to waste the arms when they have taken a beating in the last week.
Charlie.
Highlights
Scooter Gennett - Talk about responding to the moment. Scooter moved up to the two hole in order to take some pressure off Jean Segura, and for now, it seems Scooter may have stolen the two spot from Mean Jean for the time being. He scored a run in all three games along with hitting a home run on Tuesday providing the only offense for this Brewers team. He also added five hits in the series. I was extremely anti-Scooter when he came up last season thinking Rickie Weeks still had something in the tank, and it appears I was very wrong. Way to make me eat crow Scooter.Kyle Lohse - The veteran strikes again for Milwaukee with another great performance. He allowed only one earned run with five strikeouts only allowing five hits in the process. Lohse mowed through the San Diego offense pretty easily and battled out of a jam or two as well. One thing I found interesting is after he walked three batters last Saturday, he did not walk a batter tonight. Lohse rarely walks batters so if it is over two, it is a bit of a big deal. He walked five in Philadelphia, zero the next game. Walked three, zero the next game. Hey Kyle, keep going with the latter.
Jean Segura - For the first time all year, we saw signs of life from Jean Segura. He played well as Roenicke shifted him down in the order. Segura had two hits on Monday and another two Wednesday including a big three-run blast breaking the game wide open for the Brewers. Segura seems to be finding his stroke again down in the order, and if he could get hot, look out. Brewers could really boast an interchangeable lineup plus having him hit before the pitcher is not the worst thing in the world.
Yovani Gallardo - Even though he came away with the no decision, a nice outing from Yovani on Tuesday night going seven strong only allowing one run spread over five hits. Gallardo handled San Diego for every inning but one of them. I cannot say enough about the start from Yo. In the last three Aprils, he had an ERA of over five with opponents hitting over .300 against him. He takes on his biggest challenge on Monday night when he faces St. Louis at Busch Stadium, a place that has given him all sorts of trouble.
Ryan Braun - He ends up closer to the lowlights because Braun did not have a good Tuesday game going 0 for 5 with a looking strikeout to end it in the 12th. But he did provide RBI's in the two other games. I feel like I saw better swings from Braun at Miller Park than I have seen all season. If I had a blog where I could predict things, I think this Chicago series will be huge for him.
Lowlights
Ron Roenicke's Figaro decision - With winning the first 16 of 22 games, the manager cannot get much criticism, but Roenicke deserves a bit for deciding to stay in with Alfredo Figaro versus a pinch hitter then Wei-Chung Wang. The same result could have happened and the Brewers still end up losing yet it doesn't hurt to add a bullpen arm when it is available plus have a pinch hitter come up and see what happens.
Tuesday night's game in general - Easily, the worst baseball game I have watched this season. I would not like to watch that again, thanks.
RISP - I think we talk about this every year with the Brewers no matter how good or bad they are. Brewers had multiple opportunities to bust Tuesday's game wide open and they could not take advantage of the situation. Against a team like San Diego, you can force extras doing that, but against a St. Louis-like team, it will not end well for them.
The Brewers 8th on Wednesday - It made zero sense to have Tyler Thornburg get all warmed up and pitch to one batter then two batters for Will Smith. Just pick one and ride it out. No need to waste the arms when they have taken a beating in the last week.
Charlie.
SnoTap Baseball Thing of the Day: Pineda's Pine Tar, Swaggy P & Lucky Toilets
About two weeks ago, we talked about Michael Pineda probably using pine tar on his hand to doctor the baseball. He did it again versus the same opponent, but used it on his neck. C'mon dude. Make it a little less obvious here. It is not like you are trying to cover up a hickey or sunscreen as it is the middle of April. Yankees are on their high horse pissed about it while the Red Sox are saying 'Nahh, it's not that important."'
Swaggy P also known as Nick Young has been everywhere lately and he cannot throw the baseball to save his soul.
Evan Longoria keeps a mini toilet in the Tampa Bay Rays dugout. Why? We don't know! He wouldn't tell the reporter, but the story is interesting enough for me to link it out. I also would like to attribute the success of the Rays to this toilet.
Charlie.
Tap's Trailers: Cold In July
Good to see Dexter is doing well after the eight long seasons. Michael C. Hall does his first leading role in a movie since his critically acclaimed show went off the air. He plays a man with a mullet likely in the state of Florida. He hears a robber enter his house and shoots the man dead. Police tell him that it's a felon, yet Hall's character is convinced this is the guy he shot at this house. Well it just so happens, the felon's dad played by Sam Shepard gets on parole seeking revenge for his son's death. It becomes a cover-up along with a manhunt at the same damn time. It looks like it would hold my interest.
Charlie.
First Taste: Randall Cobb's Sneaky Tweet
920-206-9414
— Randall Cobb (@rcobb18) April 24, 2014
When you see a tweet like this one from Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb; you think he was trying to give out his number to a young lass or someone he is trying to work with yet the number ends up with public knowledge. We blame it to the game and move on. Gotta think there were multiple people calling this number when really they talked to Tenold Kusch from Pinehurst, Texas which probably bummed out a loooot of jersey chasers. Because Cobb played a trick on all the Packer faithful. 920-GB 206-Seattle 9414-GameDay #Gotcha
— Randall Cobb (@rcobb18) April 24, 2014Standing ovation for good Twitter game, Randy, well done.
Charlie.
Rabu, 23 April 2014
Closing Time: Wei-Chung Wang Wednesdays, Newest Milwaukee Trend
Milwaukee Brewers are having a good April. They have won 16 of their first 22 games. Milwaukee is doing it in different ways. Sometimes, they are putting up big time offensive numbers, and other times, it is all pitching and defense. Milwaukee also seems to have quite the team bond especially in the bullpen. The other day, Jim Henderson and Tyler Thornburg battled to get 10,000 Twitter followers before Sunday's game. On Wednesday, we had the entire bullpen listening to "Everybody Wang Chung Tonight" with Wei-Chung Wang dancing in front with all of the Brewers bullpen dancing n the background. It is laugh out loud hilarious. Thornburg is the one to watch in this video just showing off all the dance moves for the women of Milwaukee. I would enjoy a night out with Will Smith, Thornburg and Wei-Chung, that would be a rowdy duo. Good night Tappers.Charlie.
Kuchar Substitutes Plaid For Green; Wins at Hilton Head
I am confident to say that I can express Matt Kuchar’s feelings for him; “It’s about time.” Kuch displaying
outstanding poise down the stretch to grab his first victory on the season at Hilton Head and grab the Tartan coat. Granted, it is not the green jacket, but it symbolizes the much-needed victory that Matt has been so closely hovering.
Kuchar blew his chance to win prior to The Masters but stuck close all the way till the Sunday back nine at Augusta. The same thing that broke him in Georgia almost cost him the shot at the RBC Heritage crown. On the 17th hole, Kuch found himself with a four foot birdie putt to solidify a comfortable clubhouse lead, but he yipped it. To make matters worse, he also missed the comebacker and ended up three putting for bogey. For a normal hack, like myself, this would have been enough to leave the clubs strapped on the cart and cozy up to the closest bar. Not for Kuch.
When he reached the 18th, he ended up in the greenside bunker with a chance to get up and down for par. That was not good enough though as he drained the splash shot out of the trap and punctuated an incredible three week run. It is great to see Kuch get back on top of the leaderboard and gain some momentum going into the meat of the schedule. Look for the Georgia native to be among the heavy favorites at The Players, and most of the remaining majors.
As if last week’s great finish didn't satisfy your palate, the Tour shifts to Nawlins' for the Zurich Classic, which is bound to be a great time. Last year, we saw Billy Horschel break though for him first tour victory, after ripping off an impressive amount of birdies on the weekend. Billy has been struggling thus far this year, but I will be looking for a similar trend that he capitalized on last year with my picks this week.
Rickie Fowler has been sniffing the top five consistently since the Match Play and I feel he is due for his first victory this year. After the swing changes Rickie applied early on, everything seems to be coming together for the youngster. Fowler is coming off an impressive T5 finish at Augusta and may have gained for incredible life experience playing his finishing round with The Mechanic, Miguel Angel Jimenez. Rickie doesn’t have any performance stats jumping off the page but he consistency on the approach and ability to sink long, much-needed putts, could put him right where he wants to be come Sunday.
It is hard not to mention Graham DeLaet here if we are looking for yet another first time winner to emerge. Charlie gave you all the credentials on DeLaet a few weeks ago, and the same narrative applies here. He has all the skills you want in a champion and started this year real hot. Look for him to improve on his season best runner up finish in Scottsdale and grab his first tour victory here in Louisiana.
For those of that missed Charlie’s QuickTap Podcast this week, he selected the great state of Louisiana as his number one US destination to travel to. Let’s hope the Tour shows him why it might worth making that trip sooner than later.
Kuchar blew his chance to win prior to The Masters but stuck close all the way till the Sunday back nine at Augusta. The same thing that broke him in Georgia almost cost him the shot at the RBC Heritage crown. On the 17th hole, Kuch found himself with a four foot birdie putt to solidify a comfortable clubhouse lead, but he yipped it. To make matters worse, he also missed the comebacker and ended up three putting for bogey. For a normal hack, like myself, this would have been enough to leave the clubs strapped on the cart and cozy up to the closest bar. Not for Kuch.
When he reached the 18th, he ended up in the greenside bunker with a chance to get up and down for par. That was not good enough though as he drained the splash shot out of the trap and punctuated an incredible three week run. It is great to see Kuch get back on top of the leaderboard and gain some momentum going into the meat of the schedule. Look for the Georgia native to be among the heavy favorites at The Players, and most of the remaining majors.
As if last week’s great finish didn't satisfy your palate, the Tour shifts to Nawlins' for the Zurich Classic, which is bound to be a great time. Last year, we saw Billy Horschel break though for him first tour victory, after ripping off an impressive amount of birdies on the weekend. Billy has been struggling thus far this year, but I will be looking for a similar trend that he capitalized on last year with my picks this week.
Rickie Fowler has been sniffing the top five consistently since the Match Play and I feel he is due for his first victory this year. After the swing changes Rickie applied early on, everything seems to be coming together for the youngster. Fowler is coming off an impressive T5 finish at Augusta and may have gained for incredible life experience playing his finishing round with The Mechanic, Miguel Angel Jimenez. Rickie doesn’t have any performance stats jumping off the page but he consistency on the approach and ability to sink long, much-needed putts, could put him right where he wants to be come Sunday.
It is hard not to mention Graham DeLaet here if we are looking for yet another first time winner to emerge. Charlie gave you all the credentials on DeLaet a few weeks ago, and the same narrative applies here. He has all the skills you want in a champion and started this year real hot. Look for him to improve on his season best runner up finish in Scottsdale and grab his first tour victory here in Louisiana.
For those of that missed Charlie’s QuickTap Podcast this week, he selected the great state of Louisiana as his number one US destination to travel to. Let’s hope the Tour shows him why it might worth making that trip sooner than later.
-Bryan
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