Manchester City v Manchester United Preview
Posted on | April 30, 2012 | No Comments
With thirty eight games in a campaign, one would think that the Premier League title wouldn’t have to be resolved in just one of those fixtures. However, with Manchester City trailing their fierce local rivals by just three points with three games remaining, the winner of this clash is very likely to be crowned top flight champions in the next couple of weeks.
It’s certainly been a rollercoaster of a season for Manchester City, who had seemingly forfeited the title just several weeks ago after finding themselves eight points adrift of top spot. However, recent form has aided them significantly and now they are over their bad spell, their fate is still in their own hands. Admittedly, they have still accumulated less points than their rivals, yet a superior goal difference means they are guaranteed of top spot should victory occur on Monday. The goal difference factor was aided significantly in one of their most recent encounters, with City thrashing Norwich 6-1 to give them a huge boost ahead of this game. Even though that has contributed to a three game winning run, Roberto Mancini still claims that the title will be going to Old Trafford this term – even if City are victorious evening. Time will tell if this is just a petty mind game.
Manchester United on the other hand must be feeling absolutely sick at the fact that they could be set to throw their title away. With Sir Alex Ferguson’s side leading at the top by such a margin a few weeks ago, the fact that City could overtake them this evening must be a tough pill to take. However, having dropped four points in their last three games, the ball is now in the other half of Manchester and United supporters will be praying that their side don’t let them take advantage again. Unlike his counterpart, Sir Alex Ferguson claims that a win for City will result in them becoming Premier League champions, which seems a strange statement to make by his standards.
As for team news, Roberto Mancini must decide whether or not to break up the strike partnership of Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez, with Mario Balotelli now back in the reckoning after completing a suspension. Elsewhere, Mancini also has a dilemma on Micah Richards, with the full back available again after serving a ban. Manchester United on the other hand have no fresh concerns, with Sir Alex Ferguson only without the usual suspects such as Darren Fletcher, Nemanja Vidic and Anderson who remain on the treatment table.
Even though City hold the form and home advantage ahead of this clash, our feeling is that it could swing in the way of Manchester United. The Old Trafford outfit have made a habit of prospering when the chips are down and bearing this in mind, our prediction will be a 2-1 win for them.
How Can We Improve the NBA?
Posted on | April 30, 2012 | No Comments
There are a few problems in the NBA that could be changes for the good of the game and one in particular issue is the topic of Tanking as NBA teams are increasingly undervaluing of the regular season.
When there is little left of the season to play for we all know that Teams tank the last ten games, but now they might even be tanking whole seasons. It leaves you with the question of if teams are unwilling to compete, then why do they deserve to get the best players in the drafts?
Michael Jordan is the games best ever player, but as owner of the Bobcats he has an abomination of a team with a 7:53 record.
I think it is a mutual secret within the league where the media, teams, and owners wont admit that they are trying to take advantage of a flawed system, but they are doing more and more, which could turn out to be a huge problem for the NBA!
While teams like the Bobcats might undervalue the league, does it stop them from advertising and selling high priced tickets?
The issue needs to be dealt with quickly and firmly. Instead of losing the most in order to get the best player is an Incentives that needs to be changed. Perhaps the restructuring should include a draft lottery or some form of incentive that rewards teams who finish higher up in the rankings, anything that can save the credibility of the sport.
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Chandler Should Benefit From Much Needed Rest!
Posted on | April 30, 2012 | No Comments
After Friday’s loss in Cleveland, Knicks center Tyson Chandler told us he would look to ask Mike Woodson if he could rest his wrist for the playoffs after a collision with Joel Anthony against Miami last week.
As the Knicks ran out to play the Hawks on Sunday, we saw that Chandler had got his wish, and that rest might prove to be essential for his performance and the Knicks.
Chandler has only missed two games this season, and of course that takes it’s toll in the scheme of things. He might not be banged up with serious injuries, but he will certainly be tired. He has played significant minutes all season and he deserved a break.
Fortunately for the Chandler, his team still managed to play out a 113-112 victory to keep up their form.
Apparently Woodson also asked Carmelo Anthony what his thoughts were too but insisted that he wanted to play, which is great to hear. It’s more important for Chandler to rest than “playoff positioning” in which the Knicks need a lot of help to move to the sixth seed and supplant Orlando.
He will be playing a lot of minutes in the playoffs, but before that, the Knicks need to win their last two games against the Clippers and Charlotte while Orlando loses its final three games vs. Denver, Charlotte and Memphis. A sixth seed would avoid Chicago or Miami in the first round.
Despite the standings tie with the Sixers, the Knicks are in seventh place and would face Miami if things go unchanged. If the Knicks drop to eighth, they’d get Chicago next weekend.
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Let’s Get Flops Out Of The Game!
Posted on | April 30, 2012 | No Comments
We don’t like to see Flops in the NBA but unfortunately there is no escaping it. The 2012 Clippers are becoming the 1927 Yankees of flopping: a truly unprecedented collection of flopping talent in their primes. The Basketball media are starting to award players with ‘flop of the night’ in a bid to highlight those fakers and rid flopping from our game, but I can’t see it happening any time soon.
Reggie Evans is in the spotlight after this weekends play. Ironically he has a reputation for putting out a few low blows on his opponents, yet that doesn’t stop him exaggerating contact to an embarrassing degree when the time is right!
On Sunday night he caught an unsuspecting Hornet, Greivis Vasquez, with a jarring backpick at mid-court. Vasquez took exception and, as he turned, poked Evans in the chest with his forearm.
I have watched this over and over again, and sometimes a laugh and other times a cry! It is funny to see Evans in that damning moment of hesitation flip to the floor like a fish out of water, but that really isn’t good for the game. You see it In Soccer, but we don’t want to see it in the NBA! I really can’t see how the players can act in that way. Is it not embarrassing for them? Then to have the nerve to call for Vasquez’s ejection, I mean come on! Fortunately, the officials can over rule the initial whistle for a blatant foul after seeing the replays, which is great. But if they can do this, then why should Evan’s go unpunished? If the officials punish the flops then that would surely get them out of the game in no time!
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