Category Archives: Sports
Nigel Sylvester: Animal BMX
In the third installment of Nigel Sylvester’s “Get Sylvester” series, he explains the term “animal,” which is a staple out in the East Coast. He talks how the company was such an influence early in his career and took a trip to the headquarters to hang with the crew.
OS REWIND: Nigel Sylvester: BMX In New York City
OS REWIND: Nigel Sylvester: BMX In Barcelona
NBA Conference Semifinals Preview
Hand Down, Man Down.
Famous term used by used by former ESPN commentator Mark Jackson and now it’s theme for this years playoffs as almost every team has endured some kind major injury to a key player.
Check out an in-depth preview to every Conference Semifinals series after the jump.
Win Or Go Home.
Highlight Of The Night: Nuggets Blowout Lakers To Force Game 7
Hard To Stomach.
Thursday morning Kobe Bryant showed up to Lakers shootarounds sick with the Flu but vowed to still compete in hopes to close out the series. The problem is nobody else from Los Angeles came to play other than the Mamba and his teammates were playing more “sick” than he was. After tip-off, the Nuggets jumped to a fast start going on a 13-0 lead by their PG, Ty Lawson. Lawson contributed to their run in first quarter netting 15 points. By halftime the Lakers were down by 9 and that would be the last time in the game they would be within single digits and striking distance. At the start of the 3rd quarter, Denver went on a 9-0 run once again and this time it put the Nuggets in a commanding 18 point lead. Upset with being down 18 points, Kobe Bryant took his frustrations out on Nuggets rookie, Kenneth Faried giving him a hard foul on a transition fast-break, labeled a Flagrant 1. With that foul, LA with the exception of Kobe waived the white flag and were content the rest of the game going back home and trying to win game 7.
Nuggets PG, Ty Lawson finished with a playoff-career-high 32 points (13-18 / 5 three-pointers), 6 dimes and 5 boards; while for the Lakers, Kobe Bryant finished with 31 points going 13-23 and Pau Gasol went a horrendous 1-10 scoring only 3 points. Andrew Bynum also finished with just 11 points going 4-11 but had a monstrous rebounding contribution grabbing 16 of them things (pause). Metta World Peace, (Ron Artest) will finally make his long awaited return for the final game of the series as he completed his 7 game suspension after LA’s Thursday night loss. Heading into game 7 in Los Angeles, the Lakers have the home-court, but the Nuggets visibly have the momentum and confidence right now to shock the world. If the Lakers loose game 7, this will mark their 2nd year in a row suffering an early playoff exit but this time in the first-round. With free agency approaching, Lakers GM, Mitch Kupchak would definitely look to make changes to the current roster for LA.
Game 7 is scheduled this Saturday on TNT with a tip-off set for 10:30 pm (ET).
Win Or Go Home.
Grizzlies Hold Off Clippers In Game 5 To Avoid Elimination
Not Yet Ready For Early Playoff Hibernation?
Wednesday night, the Grizzlies clawed their way (literally) to a game 5 victory of the Clippers to stay alive in the playoffs. Determined not to get upset on their home court, Memphis Biggs Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol scored a combined 27 points in the first quarter to give the Grizzlies a 14 point lead over Los Angeles. The Grizzlies Biggs were the key ingredient to Memphis first-round upset over the Spurs last years had become nothing more than an afterthought this series. Zach Randolph, who’s arguably the most important player on this team, was having a hard time finding his shot the first 4 games of this series but finally emerged for this must win victory over Los Angeles. Blake Griffin and Chris Paul both suffered second half injuries putting their status for game 6 on Friday in doubts. Blake hyper-flexed his left knee late in 3rd quarter but still returned to action in the 4th. Blake Griffin who’s no stranger to knee injuries had surgery before his rookie year in 2009 to repair the same knee he re-injured Wednesday night. Clippers inched to within 6 points but that was before Chris Paul re-aggravated his groin late in the 4th and immediately exited the game. Their statuses for game 6 Friday are questionable but both are expected to play through their respective injuries.
The Clippers had an extremely rough shooting night as Caron Butler went 2-10 scoring 8 points while Mo Williams went 8-21 scoring 20 points. Marc Gasol had a game high 23 points and 7 boards but the player of the game was Zach Randolph as he netted 19 points and grabbed 10 boards in a double-double effort. Game 5 now shifts back to the Staples Center as the Clippers will look to close out Memphis in this must win game.
Game 5 is scheduled this Friday on ESPN with a tip-off set for 9:00 pm (ET).
Highlight Of The Night: Heat Top Knicks In 5, Advance To 2nd-Round
Knixed, Heat Advance In 5
Wednesday night, the Miami Heat took their first step in returning to the NBA finals defeating the New York Knicks in game 5 ending the series. During pre-game discussions, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra simply told team his “prove it”, and proving it by wanting to want this series more. Spoelstra told the heat the main key to winning game 5 would be grabbing loose balls and dominating the glass (rebounds). Heat guard, Dwyane Wade said in a post-game interview the games emphasis was to cut down on turnovers and focus on rebounding, previously stated above. For the first time this series the Heat won the rebounding battle in a 42-36 edge. The Heat had five players grab 5 more boards and every player that saw the floor had 2 or more rebounds. For the duration of the game, Miami just seemed to coast their way to the finish line as they didn’t want to embarrass their friends from New York. LeBron had 13 points with only six shot attempts in the first half, while Wade went scoreless in the first quarter then netting 12 in the second. During the middle of the third quarter the Heat had a 10+ lead and the Knicks never got within singles digits for the rest of the game. The Knicks had a very injury-prone season as they lost their breakout star Jeremy Lin suffered a small meniscus tear in late March; and guards Iman Shumpert and Baron Davis both tore their ACL’s during the Miami Heat series. With their off-season officially starting today, hopefully everybody can improve their health and conditioning to come back next season at full strength.
LeBron James fished off as the player of the game scoring 29 points, 7 dimes and 8 boards; while Dwade and Bosh both chipped in 19 points in their game 5 efforts. Carmelo Anthony finished off with a game high 35 points (31 shots) and 8 boards, while co-captain Amar`e Stoudemire struggled with foul trouble the entire game scoring only 14 points. Miami now gets to rest up for 3 days until Sunday in South Beach when they will play the 3rd seeded Indiana Pacers. Miami won the season series against Indiana 3-1 but most of the basketball world has the underdog Pacers giving the Heat match-up problems and some predict Indy might even upset Miami.
Game 1 is scheduled this Sunday on ABC with a tip-off set for 3:30 pm (ET).
Win Or Go Home.
Highlight Of The Night: Nuggets Hold Off Lakers To Force Game 6
Closeout Games Not So Easy, Huh Bynum?
Kobe Bryant shot 14-32 and had a game high 43 points, 14 of which game during the 4th quarter but that wasn’t enough to win game 5 and closeout Denver on Tuesday night. During Nuggets pregame discussions, head coach George Karl wrote a quote by Andrew Bynum on their bulletin board saying “Closeout games are easy”. With that being said, the Nuggets locker-room used Bynum’s words and Karl’s wisdom as enough motivation to come out determined to win game 5 and extend the series. Los Angeles only led once in the game in the opening seconds when Andrew Bynum scored a layup. Fast-forwarding to the 4th, the Lakers trailed by as many as 15 points with less than 6 minutes remaining. Kobe Bryant responded back with four straight 3-pointers (two of which hit within 30 seconds of each other) to pull L.A. within 2 points of Denver. With 12 seconds left the Lakers were down a 3 and had one last chance to send the game to OT. After the timeout, Kobe Bryant and Ramon Sessions missed back to back three-pointer attempts and the game was over.
Nuggets point guard, Andrew Miller had a team high 24 points and 8 dimes, while JaVele McGee had a playoff career night scoring 21 points and 14 boards dubbed the player of the game. Now game 6 shifts back to the Mile-High City as once again the Nuggets will try to keep their playoff hopes alive and force a game 7. Ron Artest (Metta World Peace), who was suspended 7 games for an elbow to James Harden 3 weeks ago will be eligible after 6 to return to action.
Game 6 is scheduled this Thursday on TNT with a tip-off set for 10:30 pm (ET).
Win Or Go Home.
Baseball Tonight Spotlight: Josh Hamilton Hits 4 HRs
…Going, Going, Gone!
Tuesday night, Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton became the 16th player in MLB history to hit four home runs in one game; just 17 days ago after Philip Humber tossed a perfect game. This is the first time in history when a pitcher and a batter achieved a perfect game in the same season. Hamilton had a career night as he went 5-5 hitting 4 home-runs and 8 runs batting and had 18 total bases which had never happened in the history of the American League. This was the first 4HR game since 2003 from Carlos Delgado. With last night’s game, Hamilton now leads every MLB triple category batting a .406 average, 14 homers and 36 ribbies. In the past Hamilton had substance abuse and injury problems as the Rangers were reluctant to sign him long term; but now with free agency approaching and last night’s game, the generalization is now they will do anything to re-sign him as his stock is definitely rising. The Rangers currently have the best record in all of the majors at 20-10 and are definitely a favorite now to win the World Series.
OS REWIND: Baseball Tonight Spotlight: Jered Weaver Tosses No-Hitter
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Highlight Of The Night: CP3 Boosts Clippers Past Grizzlies In OT
Despite 4th quarter meltdown, LAC takes a commanding 3-1 series lead.
After Saturday’s late thriller with Lob City, Memphis was back again at Staples Center Monday night with hopes to even out the series. The sea of red once again gave their hometown team motivation in this must win game to take home-court in the series. Clippers had a 10 point lead with 5 minutes remaining in regulation, but the Grizzlies responded back with a 15-5 run sending this game to OT. Blake Griffin had a game high 30 points while Caron Butler chipped in 14, but the story of the night was Chris Paul’s poise down the stretch to lead LA to a victory. CP3 almost messed around and almost dropped a triple double scoring 27 points 9 rebounds and 7 assist. He only scored 2 points in the 4th (being a last second layup), but arrived in OT as netted 8 of his 27 points helping the Clippers take a 3-1 series lead. Grizzlies guard, Mike Conley had a career playoff-high scoring 25 points while Rudy Gay had 23 shooting 8 for 25.
Grizzlies’ co-captain, Zach Randolph has had a rough first-round averaging only 13 points thru 4 games. There were questions regarding his health and conditioning before the playoffs started but after game 4, it was visibly clear he’s not there yet. Now the series switches back to Memphis Wednesday night as the Grizzlies hope to avoid first-round elimination by the Clippers. The Clippers are now on the verge of their 2nd playoff series victory in 36 years and will try and close out the Grizzlies in game 5.
Game 5 is scheduled this Wednesday on TNT with a tip-off set for 9:30 pm (ET).
Win Or Go Home.
Spurs Hang On To Lead, Complete Sweep Of Jazz
Men On A Mission?
Monday night the no. 1 top-seeded Spurs completed their first-sweep of Jazz joining the Thunder as the 2nd western conference team to advance to the semifinals. San Antonio won the first 3 games in convincing fashion by 15, 31, & 12; and was up by as many 18 points mid-way thru the 4th quarter. As expected, the Jazz went on a late 19-2 run late in the 4th to keep their playoff hopes but Jazz forward Paul Millsap had a crucial turnover with Manu Ginobli scoring a layup in transition. Prior to that basket, the Spurs had gone almost 6 minutes without a field goal. Spurs guard, Manu Ginobli had been in an extremely rough shooting slump as he had just 17 points in the first 3 games combined. Game 4 he matched his total from the previous 3 scoring a Spurs high 17 to finish off the Jazz.
San Antonio is currently on a 14 game winning streak dating back to April 12th against the Memphis Grizzlies. They are now seeking their fifth NBA title in 13 years in which hasn’t been seen since the likes of NBA Hall of Famer, Bill Russell. The Spurs now travel back home to San Antonio to await the winner of the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies series. Memphis eliminated San Antonio the first round last year and while San Antonio would like the rematch next round, that now seems unlikely as the Grizzlies are now down 3-1.
Win Or Go Home.
Nigel Sylvester: BMX In New York City
In the second episode of “Get Sylvester,” Nigel takes the streets of NYC by riding out in Union Square as well as a couple hood spots and then still finds some time to play a little basketball at Nike’s private gym in Tribeca. These are the streets that raised him.
OS REWIND: Nigel Sylvester: BMX In Barcelona
Highlight Of The Night: Thunder Complete Mavs Sweep
One Fourth-Quarter Collapse Is Another Teams Fortune.
Saturday night, The Oklahoma City completed their sweep of the defending champion Dallas Mavericks. Dallas now becomes the 5th defending championship team in NBA history to be swept in the first-round. The Mavericks controlled this game for the first 3 quarters with a 13 point lead heading into the 4th. Late in the 3rd with less than a minute remaining, Dallas guards Jason Kidd and Delonte West hit back-to-back three pointers to give Dallas a 13 point. The momentum from their spectacular 3rd quarter run initially seemed like it would rejuvenate Dallas enough to get one win but the Thunder were determined to bust out the brooms. Unphased by their 3rd quarter struggles, OKC came out strong at the start of the 4th quarter. The presumptive Sixth Man of the Year, James Harden started the 4th scoring 7 in row and contributed to 9 points in OKC’s 12-0 run. Harden finished with a game high 29 points, 5 boards and 5 dimes outscoring the Mavericks bench alone.
The Mavs seemed to have never started their season because of the lockout and championship celebration continued thru the entire season. Players returned to camp in December out of shape and had very little motivation to win another ring. With free agency approaching in June, the most like scenario seems for Mavs management to go after Dallas native Deron Williams first then add more pieces around him and Dirk. Now with home-court again for the conference semis, OKC awaits the winner of the Lakers-Nuggets series.
Win Or Go Home.
Clippers Make Late Rally, Take 2-1 Series Lead
Clippers shoot 13-30 from the line but miraculously pull out victory.
On Saturday afternoon, it had been six seasons since last home playoff game in Staples Center featured non purple and gold attire and Lob City failed to disappoint with this close thriller. The sea of red, who had never been this loud the entire season gave their hometown Clippers enough energy in the 4th quarter to build momentum and sneak past Memphis. Despite a broken hand suffered in game 2, Clippers forward Caron Butler returned to action for game 3 and made contributions in Lob City’s effort over Memphis.
Clippers as team had the worst free-throw shooting in NBA playoff history as that almost blew the game for them. Rudy Gay hit a crucial 3 pointer with 13 seconds left in the 4th quarter to put them behind 3. That shot ended the Grizzlies cold streak of nearly 7 minutes without a field goal which would ultimately be there downfall for not winning game 3. Gay hit another 3 pointer 5 seconds later and put his team within a point of the lead. Clippers guard, Eric Bledsoe missed two key back to back free throws with 8 seconds left and gave Memphis one last shot at winning the game. Down by one with one second left, Rudy Gay made one last effort to give Memphis the dub but came up short missing a contested 3 pointer. CP3 had a game high 24 points and 11 assist while the capo Blake Griffin added in 17 points. Memphis now has to regroup Sunday in LaLa land for a must-win game 4 if they want to control home-court in this series.
Game 4 is scheduled this Monday on TNT with a tip-off set for 10:30 pm (ET).
Win Or Go Home.
HBO PPV: Mayweather vs. Cotto | Tonight At 9
Mayweather Beware?
Tonight, Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather Jr. puts his 42-0 record on the line when he fights Migeul ‘Junito’ Cotto for the WBA Super Welterweight Champion. Mayweather is presumably favorite to win this fight with Ortiz facing 8-1 odds. Tonight is Floyd’s last fight before he goes to jail for 90 days. Although Cotto could do some damage with his aggressive style, Mayweather’s defense should be too much for him to overcome. At this point in Mayweather’s career, the only person in the world that could challenge him in a boxing match right now is Manny Pacquiao. The boxing world has been waiting for the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight for nearly 6 years, but Bob Arum hasn’t agreed to do random drug testing for his fighter Pacquiao. Hopefully that changes when Floyd’s jail bid ends in early September. Mayweather Jr. will earn the largest guaranteed contract for one fight in boxing history at $32 million. This now puts him ahead of Mike Tyson who grossed $30 Million in 1997 for the infamous ear-bite fight with Evander Holyfield.
Be sure to tune in tonight as this fight emanates live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Watch live On PPV at 9:00pm ET (6:00pm PT).
Check the jump for a special video preview along with the complete match card listings.
UFC on Fox 3: Diaz vs. Miller | Tonight At 8
Who’s next in line?
For UFC’s 3rd installment on Fox, tonight’s tale of the tape features Nate Diaz and Joisey hometown favorite Jim Miller. The card itself doesn’t have popular standout names, but there are heavy ramifications for the top 2 fights in which the winners will move towards receiving a title shot and the losers moving closer to exiting UFC. Dana White stated if Diaz wins tonight’s fight he will secure a UFC lightweight title shot. Diaz has been the odd-makers favorite against Miller and now smells blood (literally) to inch closer towards a future title shot. The sub main event features Josh Koscheck and Johny Hendricks. If Hendricks wins just like Diaz, he is guaranteed a title shot before 2013. However, even with a victor for Koscheck, he will still have to go through a few more fights before he gets to the promised land. Hendricks has the most to loose out of every fighter on tonight’s card and with a loss could possibly end all future hopes for a title shot.
Be sure to tune in tonight as UFC on Fox 3 emanates live from the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Check the jump for a special video preview along with the complete match card listings.
2012 NBA Playoffs Week 1 Mini Movie
We They Know Drama.
The first week of the NBA Playoffs featured season-ending ACL injures to Derrick Rose and Iman Shumpert as well as a historic game 1 comeback by the Los Angeles Clippers over the Grizzlies. Rajon Rondo chest-bumped a referee and Amare Stoudemire vented his frustrations on a defenseless fire extinguisher. Kevin Durant hit a game winner over Dallas while the Spurs continue they’re dominance.
As teams gear up to go fishing or continue their playoff push, week 2 should be very interesting entertaining as well.
Win or Go Home!
